FROM THE ARCHIVES

By Eva Philips Staff writer

the country. This walk was planned and executed by Mik Sciortino, junior social work major, and Catherine Segada, a junior anthropology/archaeology, and environmental science major. Sciortino and Segada wanted to create a space and time where people of the commu - nity could feel safe being and expressing themselves.

Many people (and dogs) showed up to support the LGBTQIA+ community at the event, which was moved indoors due to weather.

Students gave speeches to encourage, empower, and bring awareness to issues in the LGBTQIA+ community, especially in regards to the current political climate. These campus events and International Transgender Day of Visibility gives the transgender community a space to celebrate who they are.

This week in Mercyhurst history was an important milestone for Mercyhurst’s contributions to the scientific community. Nearly sixty years ago, in April 1964, a group of senior biology students — all of whom were women — presented research findings at the Eastern College Science Conference. It was held that year in Washington, DC, a lengthy distance from Erie. Seven students traveled to the conference, which included a reception and closing banquet in addition to scholarly presentations. The students were researching the drug Mustargen as a potential cancer treatment, taking part in Sister Eymard M. Poydock’s on-campus cancer research laboratory. The cancer research laboratory operated for several decades under Sr. Poydock’s supervision, giving students the chance to gain hands-on research experience on a crucial subject. While the project no longer operates, it remains a point of pride in Mercyhurst’s history.