The Merciad Student Newspaper

Jobs

Writing SAMPLES

Editor in Chief

April 2021 - December 2021

My goals for this position:
1) Leave the Merciad better than how I found it.
2) Strengthen the online presence of The Merciad.

Selected achievements:
- Re-established The Merciad’s social media presence (Instagram, Twitter) after years of inactivity and account loss.
- Gradually re-branded The Merciad to Mercyhurst University’s Branding Standards manual.
- Produced the 6-section, 16-page newspaper every week (print, digital, and web formats).
- Delegated tasks to my Managing and section editors to train them for future success.
- Integrated multiple methods to avoid future knowledge gaps across incoming classes (password management system, training manuals and videos, templates, etc.).

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Please note that "The Merciad" is sadly no longer operated nor maintained by the students or staff of Mercyhurst University as of May 2023. The article links below likely will no longer work.
Headshot photo of Gillian Mazur

Managing Editor

June 2020 - April 2021

Responsibilities for this position include:
- Helping the Editor-in-Chief to oversee the editing and content of a weekly on-campus newspaper
- Putting together the end weekly issue (print and web)
- Using my graphic design knowledge to help the section editors use InDesign
- Other administrative tasks related to running a student-newspaper
- Writing contributed pieces

Sports Editor

December 2019 - May 2020

Responsibilities for this position include:
- Developing weekly sports story topics
- Assigning and assisting writers stories weekly
- Using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Sharepoint to edit my writers' stories in the newspaper layout
- Continuing to write articles for the Sports Section as well as other sections for the paper
- Meeting weekly deadlines for the sports section
- Updating The Merciad website by adding the current week's sports stories

Writer

August 2018 - December 2019

Responsibilities for this position include:
- Writing weekly pieces to be featured in the weekly student newspaper.
- Emailing or in-person interviewing students, faculty, and staff for quotes and other needed information
- Attending speeches, recitals, and other events on campus to write recaps, summaries, and reviews.

Writing Samples

Below are some of my more recent favorite articles that I personally enjoyed writing, interviewing for, etc. Throughout my time writing for The Merciad, I have never limited my writing to one section. This has allowed me to become versatile in my portfolio as well as connect with people in areas all across campus.

Coach Schaetzle wins last home game

An eventful and triumphant day for both the football team and its coaching staff, the Mercyhurst Lakers played rival, Gannon University for one final time this season on Nov. 6. A momentous afternoon, not only was it senior night for some of the players and cheerleaders, but it was also Head Coach Marty Schaetzle’s last home game .“I think it was a great team win. The defense played spectacular and created opportunities for the offense to be successful. The offensive line dominated the point of attack and played very well,” said senior quarterback, Joe Carter...

Laker Side Hustles: Chad-tees Inc.

All throughout Mercyhurst history, Laker alums of past and present have emerged from the gates upon graduation with the same entrepreneurial spirit as the founding Sisters of Mercy. With their Mercyhurst education in hand, alumni can confidently go out into the world ready to face the challenges of owning and running their own business in the modern day. However, not all Lakers wait till graduation to start up their own business; some start theirs while within the gates after finding their passion and others even begin their small business before even entering...

Good Today, Better Tomorrow — Mercyhurst welcomes Dr. Getz as the 13th President

As of May 11, 2021, Mercyhurst University announced Dr. Kathleen Getz, Ph.D., as the university’s 13th president. Shattering the glass ceiling, Getz will be the first female President of the University since that of Sr. Carolyn Herrmann in the 1960s, but she is also the first laywoman to ever lead the school at such capacity...

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Lil Nas X music video causes uproar

Throughout time, artists have made waves in headlines and caused utter uproar throughout society all in the name of creativity, expression and art. Whether it be Elvis Presley with his hip thrusts in the 50s or Miley Cyrus swinging nude on a wrecking ball in 2013, artists have proven time and time again that truly no publicity is bad publicity.One of the most recent artists to prove this sentiment is none other than country-rapper Lil Nas X with his new single, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).”….

Men’s basketball defeat Gannon in Pride of Erie opener

On Feb. 20, Mercyhurst University’s Men’s basketball team once again hosted the annual Porreco Pride of Erie tournament. Despite the continued state of the pandemic, nothing was going to stop the No. 6 Mercyhurst Lakers from defeating their rivals, the No. 21 Gannon University Knights for the fifth straight Porreco Pride tournament win, 83-61. Played in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center, this game marked the Lakers’ 14th straight win at home….

Looking back on the year 2020

To quote a fellow student, this year [2020] has been “a flaming dumpster fire.” Upon hearing this statement, I began using this phrase quite a lot because I have never heard anything truer. Both as individuals and collectively, this year has certainly been one for the history books. With ups, downs, twists and turns behind every corner, I thought it would be interesting to write a 2020 year-in-review article. With so many major events, I am bound to miss some, but here goes nothing…

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MU Homecoming from Home brings generations together

From Oct. 2-4, Mercyhurst University hosted the first virtual Homecoming from Home celebration for all alumni. With over 600 registered guests from over 31 states and nine countries, the Alumni Relations department was ready to celebrate and connect with an alumni from all over the world. Over 50 graduating classes were represented at the Homecoming from Home event, dating back to the Class of 1959….

A’Lelia Bundles will inspire

On Oct. 12, author and journalist A’Lelia Bundles will speak to the Mercyhurst community via Zoom for the Mercyhurst Student Government Distinguished Speaker Series.
Sophomore Events coordinator and Hospitality Management major Kailey Pisani led the effort to bring in Bundles as a speaker. “There were numerous options for speakers, especially virtually. But, we decided on A’Lelia Bundles for a variety of reasons…

Artist’s life recognized

On Aug. 28, the beloved Patricia Anne Yahn passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones at 91 years old. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania to the late Michael and Lauretta Prosser Sontheimer on June 7, 1928, Yahn lived a life full of adventure with the love of her life…

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