To our readers Dear Readers: This issue of The ROCK showcases the artistic success of arts and humanities graduates and examines the educational value of University art programs. You will read about dance graduates making their moves nationwide, a ceramics professor, and a professional photographer who “sees the light.” In our rapidly changing culture, the arts help us to understand our place in the world. They are a key component of SRU’s commitment to educating “the whole” person. Students majoring in the fine and performing arts learn to be creative thinkers, show resourcefulness and become engaged citizens. They help change our world. You will learn about David Glover, the University’s music department chair, who “helps beat the drum” for the importance of music, dance and theatre education. Speaking about marching to the beat of a different drummer, The ROCK travelled to America’s last frontier – Alaska. When John Papa, head track and field coach, took the cross-country team there recently, he kept a diary of the group’s experiences as well as a number of photographs that are breathtaking. Also profiled is the late Evelyn Taggart, an extraordinary woman whose benevolence in life prompted her family to launch a student scholarship in her name. As always, I appreciate hearing from alumni such as Ben Addison, ’87, who called recently to share the news about a new student scholarship being launched by former alumni association presidents. Thank you for your support of SRU. Gordon Ovenshine, ’88 Editor, The Rock gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu
Contents: Fall 2011 8 Trustees serve from the heart
12 Wheels of fortune 14 Paying it forward
University employees engage communities, world
17 Poetry in motion
Dancers go national with ‘love, joy, happiness’ of movement
Send address changes to: University Public Relations 201 Old Main 1 Morrow Way Slippery Rock, PA 16057 Credits Executive Editor: Rita Abent, executive director, University Public Relations.
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22 Joey Kennedy '08
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sees the light
24 All fired up
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26 Marching to the beat of his own drum
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The ROCK The ROCK is published three times annually by the Office of University Public Relations for alumni and friends of the University.
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22 Sections 4 28 32 39 42
Rock Bytes College News Class Notes Rock Athletics A Conversation with…
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Editor: Gordon Ovenshine, senior writer, University Public Relations. Designer: Sandy Busch, publications manager, University Public Relations. Contributors: Bob McComas, sports information director; Jon Holtz, assistant sports information director; Heidi Tyline King; Amy Clingensmith Mongiovi. Photographers: University Public Relations; Alumni Relations; SRU alumni; Joey Kennedy, ’08, Tricia Bishop, VA, Pittsburgh. The Rock is a National Admissions Marketing merit award winner. University Vision Statement Slippery Rock University will excel as a caring community of lifelong learners connecting with the world. Slippery Rock University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
About the cover Joey Kennedy, ’08, a professional photographer, captured trumpeter Sean Jones at the Savory in Pittsburgh. Kennedy is one of several Rock graduates who are making a name for themselves in the fine and performing arts.
www.SRU.edu 3 www.SRU.edu