Mercyhurst’s use of social media has been a boon to spreading information and strengthening community across this campus.

With accounts on both Twitter and Instagram, the university has found a good way of communicating information and highlighting moments of triumph among the students, especially the athletes.

Contact with alumni is even maintained thanks to these accounts.

For example, this includes the Instagram account of Mercyhurst Athletics bringing light to alumni Patrick Smith singing the national anthem at a Baltimore Orioles game.

Additionally, this was covered by another alumni Kristen Hudek and the Orioles.

I believe that social media has been an overall improvement for human communication and cooperation.

Additionally, I believe that these social media accounts have done wonders to give a sense of belonging and pride to students of Mercyhurst, even to those that no longer attend.

The Twitter account is currently followed by more than 9,500 people and is free for people even outside of campus to follow.

This is great for bringing our news of on-campus events and the general look of the campus to those that are interested in Mercyhurst.

This allows companies, families and other parties that can benefit the university to get a better understanding of Mercyuhrst, or help strengthen the community.

The account specifically cites students’ personal achievements and highlights special occasions, such as Fall Open House and Study Abroad Programs.

This gives these events the coverage needed for students or those that would like to join the program.

Mercyhurst’s use of social media has also encouraged additional communication between the students and the university itself.

Though I will say that Mercyhurst’s presence is stronger on Instagram than it is on Twitter.

On Instagram, many of the posts made by Mercyhurst University’s accounts are highlighting specific students.

They are also influenced by interactions with said students, such as the posts that focus on Mercyhurst alumni.

Twitter, on the other hand, is used mainly to publicize campus events, with most of the posts for the hockey team regularly getting around 20 likes.

Several companies over the past few years have been attempting to adopt “internet lingo,” or at least take part in more “hip” ways of talking with customers online.

This includes Arby’s, Wendy’s and several other fast food companies.

Though this has been met with mockery by some, official company accounts have gotten more attention and interaction with regular social media users by adopting the language of most internet users.

Look into what these accounts are reading, saying, even “memeing,” and their appeal to both companies and common individuals becomes clear.

This may produce mixed results though, due to some accounts coming across as desperately trying to appeal to younger generations.

There is always a possibility of this happening when the older generation tries to mimic the style of the newer, however.

However, I do believe a higher level of engagement with both staff and the student body can be strengthened by having the social media accounts have more engagement with students, specifically club-oriented ones.

As I’ve said, social media has done wonders for communication in this generation, so why not try to communicate more?

Mercyhurst was brilliant to tap into using social media, but they can do so much more.

The community and ties of this campus are strong and can be even stronger.