December 1, 2010

Mercyhurst mourns murdered dance major

Time and space transformed.

A time to gather again and return to classes—a sense of routine re-established after a short break.

A place to celebrate evening Mass among peers in Mercyhurst College’s Catholic tradition.

Instead, Christ the King Chapel offered neither on Sunday night for the Mercyhurst community.

But to an overflowing crowd of hundreds, the college’s wooden chapel and its foyer at the east end of Old Main provided much more during a memorial service for deceased student Jenni-Lyn Watson.

Facebook helps search, grieving period

“May God bring Jenni-Lyn Watson home to her family and friends.”

This prayer has become customary among the more than 27,000 people who are members of the Facebook group, “MISSING: JENNI-LYN WATSON.”

As many of us know, Jenni-Lyn went missing shortly after heading home to Liverpool, N.Y., for Thanksgiving break.

Thanks to the tireless work of family, friends, friends of friends and concerned citizens who never knew her directly, she was present in the minds of thousands around the country.

Interior Design majors use unique technology

Mercyhurst College’s Interior Design department has taken great measures to ensure that their students are prepared to enter the industry ready to compete and succeed.

The department is utilizing state-of-the-art software to prepare their students for a thriving career. This includes a new program called Revit Architecture.

Kathy Weidenboerner is the chairperson of the department, which currently has about 60 students enrolled.

Jessica Borowczyk: dancing into the future

Like many dancers, senior dance major Jessica Borowczyk started at a very young age, pointing her toes from age three for a local studio in her hometown of Naperville, Ill.

That love has carried her to where she is today.

After taking classes at Von Heidecke’s School of The Chicago Festival Ballet, as well as The Academy of Dance Arts, ABT, The Washington School of Ballet and Boston Ballet, Borowczyk started looking for dance opportunities in college.

Certain that a ballet program was the right choice, Borowczyk was drawn to Mercyhurst’s acclaimed curriculum. Three performances with varying styles and strong academics, as well as the small and lovely campus also drew Borowczyk into the Mercyhurst community.

The Merciad