The Honor Roll
SUMMER 2014
> RMU Represents in Niagara Falls Conference
>> L-R JD LOMBARDI, DANIEL SPITTEL, TARA DILLAN, JOCELYN BORDO, VICTORIA MIKULAN, MAYOR PEDUTO, PROFESSOR HAROLD, MOLLY WATTERSON, PROFESSOR MCCARTHY AND ROBERT BYERS.
Honors students were invited to Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s office to meet with the mayor. Several honors students, along with the College Republicans and College Democrats presidents, Professor Harold, and Professor McCarthy, had the chance to discuss a variety of issues with the mayor. Students learned about Mayor Peduto’s plans for the city, such as public transportation ideas he would like to develop and joint ventures with Allegheny County. Additionally, students got a history lesson about past Pittsburgh mayors and got a tour of the mayor’s office and council chambers. Written by Victoria Mikulan
> Voter Registration Drive
The Office of Student Civic Engagement and Honors paired to organize a voter registration drive on campus. Students volunteered in April to register voters. We focused on attracting unregistered students with stickers, American themed music, and the chance to take a #CivicDutySelfie. Students were registered in time to participate in the May 20th Pennsylvania primary election. Over twenty students registered to vote. Another voter registration drive is planned for the fall semester.
Written by Molly Watterson
>> MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE NEW HONORS LOUNGE AT YORKTOWN.
> Meeting with Mayor Peduto
Two Honors students, accompanied by Honors assistant Lindsey Sobolosky, attended the NRHC Conference in Niagara Falls, New York. Hannah Arnold and Tanner Sebastian explored both the New York and Canadian side of the Falls, encouraged to compare the two cities. Tanner presented a paper he wrote in the Honors World Literature course at the conference. Written by Tanner Sebastian
> Steve WozniakPittsburgh Speaker Series
This semester, Steve Wozniak visited RMU as a part of the Pittsburgh Speaker Series. This series invites innovative people to speak both at RMU and downtown at Heinz Hall. Wozniak spoke in the international suite in Sewall Center and it was a full house. I was ecstatic to hear Wozniak speak because he gave us insight to his life, told stories about Steve Jobs, and even explained a bit of programming. He spoke with such enthusiasm that it was evident he loved what he was doing. I’ll be sure to attend more events for the Pittsburgh Speaker Series. Written by Hannah Arnold
> Certificate of Merit
In the Spring 2014 semester, the RMU Colonial Theatre presented “Amadeus”. I started work on it as the stage manager and then took on the role of set designer. It was a long, difficult process, even though the set looked simple enough. . For every show we put on, a professor from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival comes to praise and critique our show and can nominate actors for a festival and give out the Certificate of Merit. The Certificate of Merit is given for extraordinary achievement in whatever area of the play the respondent feels deserved it. I was lucky enough to be awarded this certificate for my set design. When I found out, I was flabbergasted. I had heard from many people that the set was beautiful and even the respondent had praised it. To be awarded this certificate meant that my hard work and creative thinking had paid off and gave me the confidence to know that I had created a set that was really something.
Written by Rebecca Noal
> Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition
You have three minutes to develop a character, a conflict, and a resolution - basically the rules for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition. Being nominated is a wonderful honor - being nominated again after participating in the competition previously is an opportune second chance. KCACTF respondents frequently attend Colonial Theatre productions: I was nominated first for my performance as Al Joad in The Grapes of Wrath. I attended the region festival with my partner, Braelin Stuver, and performed a short scene from Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie. We did well and received great feedback, but did not advance.
Written by Robert Kowalewski
>> CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2014-15 SAC OFFICERS: MARK POLCHA, HANNAH ARNOLD,MONICA DELUCA, ALEX SCHREIBER, AND MISSY RADOVICH.
>>SAMPLE SCENE FROM AMADEUS
> Undergraduate Research Conference
The Intersections Undergraduate Research Conference was held at RMU this year in conjunction with California University of PA. It was a terrific event. RMU students are doing some incredible work and this was an opportunity to showcase it. Over 80 students participated, with 15 panels and over 20 poster presentations! Thank you to the RMU students for all their hard work, and to Lindsey Sobolosky for putting together a great conference. Written by Dr. Harold
> Discussion on Ukraine
Iryna Fedets, Senior Policy Analyst for Economic Freedom in Europe and Central Asia at the Heritage Foundation, and Ukraine native, spoke at a roundtable presentation via teleconference. Iryna gave a brief overview of the protests occurring throughout Ukraine and summarized Russia’s role in the turmoil that is still taking place. She discussed her country’s corruption, such as a story about her sister’s university giving out A’s in return for bribes. Iryna continues to remain hopeful towards Ukraine’s future. Written by Maggie Lucci
On February 4, Communications Professor Yvonne Bland gave a presentation entitled, "Managing Stage Fright: Taming the Green Monster� She began by telling her own stories about how she has struggled with public speaking and concluded with ten tips for controlling your fear including breathings exercises, ways to prepare, and pre-speech stretches. Her passion for the topic was evident to everyone. Written by Jocelyn Bordo
> Global Get Together
The Honors Program hosted April’s First Thursday Global Get Together in Wheatley Center. All members of the RMU Community were invited to socialize and taste international dishes from areas such as the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Germany, France, and Italy.
Written by Nicole Stone
> School Systems in Germany
Dr. Juergen Rekus from Karlsruhe University presented on School Systems in Germany. He went over the general structure of the school system and varying applications of each, from vocational to pre-university studies. I think the most interesting piece of information from the presentation was the difference between the quality of private and public schools, public being of a higher quality education.
Written by George Maldonado
>> WELCOME TO OUR FULL-TIME HONORS ASSISTANT, LINDSEY SOBOLOSKY!
> Roundtable: Managing Stage Fright
>> PROFESSOR BLAND PRESENTS ON STAGE FRIGHT.
> Undergraduate Research at the Capitol >> ALEX OLIJAR
In March, I attended the Undergraduate Research at the Capitol event, which highlights undergraduates who have completed various kinds of research at universities across the Commonwealth. Students conduct a poster presentation and have the opportunity to interact with legislators and staffers. I presented on my honors thesis, "The Relationship between Government Revenue and the Income Tax Rate". I would encourage other Honors students to pursue this, or any other, presentation opportunity. Written by Alexander Olijar
> Lunch with a Professor: John Locke
A group of honors students joined Professor John Locke for lunch this semester. In addition to teaching classes on campus, John Locke serves as Director of Student Activities and Leadership Development through Student Life, and is a familiar face to students around campus. The discussion consisted of topics such as RMU history and fun facts, RMU’s future, and Disney, a personal favorite of John Locke. The event was an enjoyable afternoon. Thanks to John Locke for taking time out of his day to spend with us, and we would love to have him join us again in the future! Written by Kendra Slis
> RMU Political Panel
>>POLITICAL PANEL AT ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY
The program sponsored a political panel, with a variety of politicians attending, from the local to state level. The panelists were Representative Mark Musito, Representative Adam Ravenstahl, Senator Matt Smith, Chairman Jim Vitale of the Moon Twp. Board of Supervisors, Chairman Jim Burn of the PA Democratic Party, and Chairwoman Nancy Mills of the Allegheny County Democratic Party. The panel was moderated by Dr. Ken LaSota, a professor at RMU and the Mayor of the Borough of Heidelberg. Students and faculty had the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists, with lively discussion. Topics ranged from knowing the importance of your vote, budget cuts in Pennsylvania, getting involved in politics, the political lifestyle, bipartisan agreements, and more.
Written by Victoria Mikulan Photo by Paul Wintruba
>> HONORS BOOK CLUB THIS SEMESTER INCLUDED THE BOOK THIEF, THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, AND GOLDFINCH.
>> HONORS STUDENTS ENJOY LUNCH WITH JOHN LOCKE
> Roundtable: Overview and Application of Statistical Approach
Dr. Groendyke's presentation was very enthralling; as a biology major it was a different side to studying disease. I am used to thinking of outbreaks on a person by person basis whereas he showed how an outbreak can be analyzed to determine the spread within a given population. This area has always been interesting, it was great to see the statistical analyses and reasoning behind the spread of the measles disease. Written by George Maldonado
Thank you to our newsletter contributors: Jocelyn Bordo Rebecca Noal
Hannah Arnold
George Maldonado Tanner Sebastian Victoria Mikulan
Robert Kowalewski Maggie Lucci Nicole Stone Kendra Slis
Molly Watterson Alex Olijar
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