FEATURES
PAGE 6
NEW AT HURST
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Fashion Department students publish Fall Magazine By Sarah Beck
Staff writer
Contributed photo
By Bella Lee Staff writer The D’Angelo Performing Arts Center has become a home for many artistically inclined students on campus. For almost thirty years, the D’Angelo has housed various students with many talents in music, dance, and theater and of the many students who have come and gone over the years, Mercyhurst is thrilled to welcome back one of D’Angelo’s recent alumni Abigail Whitman. Whitman currently works on campus as the Front of House Manager, helping with public safety and organization for the events happening on campus. Her time away from campus has not been long, as she is a graduate of the Class of 2020. Graduating with a B.M in Music Therapy, Whitman is no stranger to the performing arts. “My music concentrations were in piano and voice and I also had theatre and art therapy minors,” said Whitman. During her undergraduate experience, Whitman was a music therapy intern at Harborcreek Youth Services in trauma-based work using songwriting and music lessons to reach the emotional and behavioral goals of the clients. Whitman is currently juggling higher education studies while doing her work on campus. Other than her job on campus, she is currently a graduate student at Goddard College which is based in Plainfield, Vermont. At Goddard, Whitman is pursuing an M.A in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Expressive Art Therapy. “The arts have been an essential part of my life and I want to use the arts to empower my clients in my work focusing on trauma care, social justice, and equality,” said Whitman. Students can usually find Whitman in the Performing Arts Center, where she helps take care of MIAC events and most recently the Presidential Inauguration. This is also a space where she frequently came to as a student. “As a student, I was involved in the theatre program,” Whitman said, “I made my lifelong friends in the theatre department and developed pivotal skills that shaped me as an individual and therapist. Being a part of the productions was the most rewarding and fun part of my life. I came back to Mercyhurst because I wanted to work promoting the arts in the Erie community,” Whitman said. “It feels like coming back home when I come to work. My favorite part about working at Mercyhurst is the community.” Whitman is more than happy to meet students, both old and new, so be sure to visit her office in the PAC office suite if you want to say hello!.
The Mercyhurst Fashion Merchandising Department has officially published their fall edition of “Statement”- the department’s official magazine. “Statement” is a student-run magazine produced by the Fashion Merchandising department. The magazine is released twice a year, once per semester. This magazine features talented student writers who talk all about recent fashion-related topics such as an article about TikTok makeup trends, written by Kenzi Cahl, a Freshman Fashion Merchandising major. “I loved being able to contribute to “Statement” and meet new people who are involved in the magazine,” said Cahl. The Fall 2021 publication of “Statement” took a modern take on fashion this fall. “We didn’t want to do a preppy fall theme like past years; we wanted it to be more street-wear and bold,” said Annie Markel, sophomore Fashion Merchandising major and Co-editor. This publication features a wide variety of fashion-related topics for readers to enjoy such as fall trends, small business plugs and faculty features. The general process for the production of the magazine starts with the overall feature of the edition, which is the main focus for what the publication is going to be. For “Statement” Fall 2021, you will find Janiece Withers, a senior Fashion Merchandising major, gracing the cover of this edition. “What I am super excited for is our feature article which is with Janiece Withers. She is an amazing person, she has done so much for this school and so we really wanted to feature her for everything that she has done for Mercyhurst. We had a whole photoshoot and everything. The pictures are so cool,” said Chloe Sanfrantello, a senior Fashion Merchandising major with a minor in Communi-
Mercyhurst Fashion Department photo
The cover of this fall’s publication of STATEMENT.
cations and Editor of Statement. “My favorite part of this publication are the images. Victoria McGinty graciously agreed to take the photos and they turned out like a dream. I’m also kind of a photography nerd so I really was thrilled with Victoria’s work,” said Markel. The process of putting together the magazine gives real experience into a true publication process. The publication process that was used by Markel and Sanfratello was not a one-step process. “We first take super random notes on themes, potential models, color schemes and article ideas. Then we begin to build our list and solidify a foundation. Next, we start to contact people about modeling and writing. Once we have all the written articles and final photos, we begin formatting which is the most fun part but also the most time consuming and bam, we have a magazine,” said Markel. If students are interested in writing for “Statement,” in the future, especially if a Fashion Merchandising major or minor, one can contact the Fashion Merchandising Department Chair Amy
Weaver at aweaver@mercyhurst. edu. The field of fashion journalism this is a fantastic opportunity. “Getting to actually see the process and put it together is super confidence building,” said Sanfratello. While physical copies were only printed for potential students attending Admission’s Day In Fashion event, digital copies of “Statement” are available. To read the digital version of the magazine, go to issuu.com and search “Mercyhurst Statement Fall 2021” or check out “mercyhurstfashion” on Instagram to find the link to the magazine.
LAKER MOMENT
Contributed photo
Every Tuesday at 9 a.m., the Sip & Stitch knitting group meets in the Campus Ministry lounge. Those belonging to the group can drink coffee or tea and learn to knit or crochet. Campus Minister Michelle Scully is a knitting genius, so if you want to join but don’t know how to knit, that’s okay. The environment is relaxing and peaceful so that everyone has a chance to wake up. Campus Ministry is always a welcoming and inclusive community for everyone.
