Greetings from Mercyhurst University -

For those of you who are local to Erie, you know how lovely the Fall season has been - for those of you out of town, can you believe that we have made it this long without any snow! Now, it is certainly coming, and we will be sure to share all of the beautiful snowy campus pictures with you.

Until then, we are enjoying the Fall Semester, the students having a more "normal" experience on campus, the Alumni Office had a chance to introduce President Kathy Getz to some of our alumni in neighboring cities, and we are coming off of a big Football Laker win against Gannon last weekend - does it really get any better than that?

In this newsletter you will see some more upcoming events, some will soon be virtual as we head into the winter season, and some more great opportunities to connect with the Hurst.

As always, as we continue to reach out, if you have moved, changed careers, created a new email address, please be sure to let us know at mercyhurst.edu/alumni/update.

Carpe Diem,

Lindsay Frank '12
Director of Alumni Engagement
Mercyhurst’s 2021 Holiday Season Keepsake!

Show your support of Mercyhurst University with a gift of $25 or more to our annual keepsake campaign and receive our Christmas ornament as our thanks for your support.
This year’s collectable shamrock ornament is reminiscent of the Old Main slate roof. Make your contribution today to receive yours before the holidays! Learn more here!  
We have a couple upcoming events for you! Check out the list below of the individual events or visit mercyhurst.edu/alumni/events for a full listing!
Education Graduate Program Alumni Panel
Join the Office of Alumni Engagement and the Department of Education for a panel featuring several graduate program alumni who will share their experiences in their graduate studies and in their careers.

TONIGHT, Nov. 10
6:30 p.m.
Student Union Great Room
Mercyhurst Santa Experience 2021
Mercyhurst Alumni and their families are invited to attend the Santa Experience 2021. Join us for a chance to visit and take photos with Santa Claus, a special treat, and a take-home craft for the children.

Saturday, Dec. 4
Beginning at 10 a.m.
Old Main Foyer
Coming Soon...
Join us in the new year and kick the winter blues with our Virtual Event Series.

Be sure to be on the look out for several unique ways to connect to your Alma Mater in 2022!
Caption the photo below from Homecoming Weekend, a photo of "then and now."

The funniest, most clever, best caption, will win the prize! Check social media and the next Alumni Newsletter for the winning caption!
A great time was had by all as we hosted the Presidential Welcome Tour to introduce President Kathy Getz to alumni in Erie, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.

Thank you to all who joined us for some of our first in-person events since Jan. 2020!

A special thanks to John Melody '90 for the great hospitality at our first event in Erie at the Public House.
This Fall was filled with several anniversary celebrations for some of our athletic teams. We loved hosting alumni from the Rowing Team (50 year celebration), Volleyball Team (50 year celebration), Football Team (40 year celebration), and the Water Polo Teams (20 year celebration).

Next up, we are looking forward to honoring the 50th anniversary of Men's Basketball. Save the date for Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.
On Saturday, Oct. 2, we officially Inaugurated Kathleen A. Getz, Ph.D. as the 13th President of Mercyhurst University! We are proud to welcome President Getz and her family into the Mercyhurst community and look forward to her vision for the future of Mercyhurst.

Welcome home, President Getz!
In October we celebrated the 10-year anniversary (postponed from last year) of the Mercyhurst Lakers capturing it’s first ever PSAC championship and a trip to the NCAA Division II tournament in 2010. It was great having the 2010 team back on campus!
Thank you to our Hospitality alumni working for White Lodging and Omni who were on campus for the Hospitality Management Career Expo.

Pictured: Hannah Dillon ‘13, Shannon Gilmore ‘16, Jessica Perry ‘20, Thomas Buffalari ‘18, Cameron Kidder ‘20, Tommy Angelicola ‘21, Maria Denisi ‘21.
The Mercyhurst University Football team was victorious on Saturday afternoon as they defeated cross-town rival Gannon in what was Head Coach Marty Schaetzle's last home game coaching the Lakers.

Alumni and friends sent in video tributes honoring Coach Schaetzle and thanking him for his 20 years of service to Mercyhurst. You can view the video below or by clicking here.
Congrats to the men's and women's soccer teams! On Saturday night at Saxon Stadium, the Mercyhurst women’s soccer team won its sixth-straight game, as they defeated California PA 3-0 to clinch its first-ever PSAC Regular Season Championship! Additionally, the Mercyhurst men’s soccer team blanked California PA 3-0 to capture its first PSAC Regular Season Championship since 2016!
In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint and follow our Mercy Mission of ecological stewardship, Mercyhurst will soon offer our Mercyhurst Magazine in a digital format.

If you would like to join us in this effort and begin to receive the Mercyhurst Magazine digitally in 2022, please complete the form below.
Looking to advance in your career, achieve a professional goal, or further your education? As a distinguished Mercyhurst alumni, we want to support you in those goals. Not only with dedicated faculty and staff, high-quality education, and hands-on experiences, but with a special alumni tuition rate just for you.

Check the master’s programs and graduate certificates that are available to you at approximately 35 percent off regular tuition:
·        Applied Intelligence (Online or On Campus)
·        Criminal Justice Administration (Online)
·        Cyber Risk Management (Online)
·        Cyber Security (Online or On Campus)
·        Data Science (On Campus)
·        Organizational Leadership (Online)
·        Secondary Education (Online)
·        Special Education and Applied Disability Studies (On Campus)
·        Teaching Excellence (Online)

Start your free online application today to begin classes in Spring 2022! Contact Colleen Hordych '07 in the Office of Graduate & Continuing Education at [email protected] with any questions.
Connect with Lakers near and far!



Alumni Chapters are available all over the country and are continuing to gather and form. Take a look at the full list to the right for an Alumni Chapter in your area.

Shop online at the Mercyhurst Bookstore and receive the special alumni discount using the code JUMP20 at checkout! Who wouldn't want Mercyhurst apparel under the tree this Christmas? Shop today to get a jump start on your gifts!
Studying comes in all shapes and sizes, as well as all types of locations. We have heard it all...from the Weber Hall Great Room, to the lounges in Baldwin and McAuley Hall, and even a booth at the Cornerstone (sure, this is technically off campus, but we've spotted a student or two with note cards on a Wednesday over the years!).

Share your favorite campus study spot with us for a chance to be featured in the next Mercyhurst Magazine. What is your favorite spot, and why?
To submit a Class Note, please visit mercyhurst.edu/alumni/class-notes to have your news featured here and in the next Mercyhurst Magazine!

Career News

Terrie Sackett '85, ACC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, started her own HR Consulting and Coaching company (TSackettConsulting.com) in 2021. Terrie provides coaching in the areas of leadership, emotional intelligence, career, dealing with change, and handling the blurred lines of career, life, and family. She offers discounts on coaching to Mercyhurst students. Terrie lives with her husband Vic in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Scott Koskoski, CFRE '00 recently was appointed Vice President for Advancement & Philanthropy at Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, based in Pittsburgh. In addition to this appointment, Scott retains ownership of Carpe Diem Fundraising, a nonprofit and, philanthropic consulting firm whose name is inspired by Mercyhurst's motto!

Dr. Brandon M. Gabler '02 was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Commonwealth Heritage Group, Inc., a cultural and environmental resource consulting firm with locations in 14 states.

Patrick M. Campbell '10 was hired by The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) as its new executive director.

Patrick Coit '13 was recently promoted to destination services manager at the Greater Boston Convention Visitors Bureau while pursuing his Masters at Mercyhurst.
Births

Rebecca Wheeling '14 and husband Daniel Tung celebrated the birth of son Cade Tung on Aug. 26, 2020. Rebecca currently works at Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque, NM as a senior materials engineer.

Brian Walker '06 and Valerie Walker '05 announce the birth of their daughter, Audrey Genevieve. Born April 17, she joined big, brother Declan and big sister Charlotte.


Marriages and Engagements

Laurie Mahnken John '82 married Michael Herman on Jan. 16, 2021 at their home in Jacksonville, Fl. Bridesmaids were Laurie's daughters, Sara John Kennedy and Kellie John Handscombe. MaryCay (Marchione), Ricci '82 was part of the celebration.

Andrew Jaouen '12'16 married Stephanie Vaughan on Aug. 6, 2021, in Bristol, CT. In attendance was Tom Hall '12, Shane McCabe '12, Conrad and Monica (Gehring) Naugler '12, Michael Reilly '12, Michael Show '12, Michelle Simpson '10 '14 and Aaron Ullman '12.

Alumni Deaths

Elizabeth (Rock) Kirby '48
Miriam Gemperle '50
Lorraine (Reichel) Candela '55
Barbara Jakubowski Costello '58
Cynthia (Ryan) Reardon '59
Angela (Moore) Bishop '59
Mary William Hoffman, OSB '61
Vickiann (Limoggio) Atkins '76
Pamela (Mozdy) Allen '81
Janet (Liebler) Plavcan '83
Patricia White '89
Katrina Foltz '98


Condolences

To the family and friends of Michael Barnes, former Hospitality Management Faculty Member.
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