New at Hurst: William Wager

Victoria McGinty, Staff writer

The Mercyhurst Department of Communication has welcomed a familiar face to their team with the addition of recent alum William “Billy” Wager.

Born and raised in Erie, Wager knows the area and campus more than most. Wager graduated in 2019 and over the past year has stayed in close contact with the Hurst by serving as a Graduate Assistant for the Honors Program and completing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.

“I could not stay away. I knew I always wanted to come back because I absolutely love Mercyhurst,” said Wager.

As a student, Wager was well known for being a revered club hockey player, who traveled all over the United States to play the game he loved so much.However, when not skating, Wager could be found in the Media Room in Hirt, fulfilling his other passion for film and media production.

“One of my favorite things about Hurst is that wholesome feeling you get when you are on campus. It is so beautiful here, and I feel that there is no place like it anywhere else,” said Wager.

This year, Wager switches his role to a full-time staff member of the Communication department. Along with the day-to-day tasks of educating, Wager aids fellow faculty with programs such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams by making instructional videos and he teaches three Communication classes. Outside of his job, Wager tries to play hockey whenever he can. His creative outlet is media production and videography.

Wager believes that transitioning into a staff position has been exciting and unique considering he was only a student not so long ago.

When asked what his favorite part of being a Mercyhurst staff member is, Wager said, “I know I never wanted to be in a consistent office job, and it is amazing getting to be on the other side of things because I get to witness all of the different things happening at the Hurst. I am teaching some of the same classes I was taking a few years ago, so I can add things I thought were important in class and emphasize things I never learned as a student.”

Transitioning from the role of a student to a staff member could be unique for anyone, but obviously Wager has taken on the role in the world of a pandemic through which we are living.

Wager has embraced his role so well because it is something he is both passionate and knowledgeable about.

Welcome home, Wager!