A message from the president Eleven years ago, New York Time s sportswriter Dave Caldwell wrote a story about our women’s hockey program, quoting then-star forward and 2006 Olympic gold medalist Meghan Agosta on why she chose to attend Mercyhurst: “I wanted to go to a school where I felt like I could ft in, where it is a family.” And, yes, we are in good health. Construction is on
schedule for our new sophomore residence hall, which will open this fall. The new-and- improved student union at Mercyhurst North East is an amazing space, and an equally spectacular interior design
I know that feeling resonates with all of us who live and work at Mercyhurst. We are an inclusive community that strives to be compassionately hospitable. What I fnd particularly inspiring, though, is how our graduates take that feeling with them long after they’ve left Mercyhurst. As I write this letter, the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, are underway, and Mercyhurst is excited to have three alumni and one current student on Olympic ice: Ryan Zapolski for Team USA, Meghan Agosta and Bailey Bram for Team Canada, and Emma Nuutinen for Team Finland. You can read more about them inside these pages. What you’ll see from the interviews with our three alumni is that each one of them seeks to excel, not so much for themselves as for the greater good; to inspire others; and to give of themselves through service – lessons learned, at least in part, from their Mercyhurst years. Could we ask for anything more? Besides these contemporary alumni vignettes, you’ll fnd fashbacks as members of the 50-year Class of 1968 recall what it was like on campus during the turbulent ‘60s and share what they did after graduation. Speaking of after graduation, check out the photo of alumni who now work at Mercyhurst. It’s amazing how large that network has become over the years. We have also tried in this magazine to keep you abreast of changes. Provost and alumnus David Dausey will be leaving us to return to his native Pittsburgh where he will become provost at Duquesne University in July. Beloved athletic director Joe Kimball has retired, as has Mary Daly, seemingly the longest-serving employee in Mercyhurst history. Sister Lisa Mary McCartney, RSM, will step down from Cabinet as vice president for Mission Integration at the end of this year to transition to part-time status. I am grateful for the leadership, the commitment to Mercy, and the loyalty of these dedicated individuals. As always, our people are the common denominator in the health of our institution.
project is underway in Hammermill Library, where we are building a new cyber lab center and renovating the main foor.
I’d also like to recognize that our history department has a new benefactor and has been named in honor of Thomas B. Hagen, chair of Erie Insurance Group. Tom has generously given $1.5 million to Mercyhurst, a large part of which will support the university’s pursuits in the felds of history, specifcally its ongoing academic partnership with the Erie Maritime Museum and the U.S. Brig Niagara. Tom, like so many of you, has become family to us and we are grateful for his support. I hope you enjoy perusing our spring magazine, and I thank you for being a part of the Mercyhurst family.
Until next time, Carpe Diem .
Michael T. Victor, J.D., LL.D. President, Mercyhurst University
ON THE COVER: Ryan Zapolski ’11 tries out his Team USA gear after being named starting goalie for the American hockey team at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Joining him on the ice is his wife, Elizabeth Fisher Zapolski, also a 2011 Mercyhurst graduate.
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