California University of Pennsylvania Summer 2012 Review and Focus

2012

SUMMER

CREVIEW ALU

ACADEMICS TAKE ROOT Recreation, research and learning grow side by side at SAI Farm

2012

SUMMER

CALU REVIEW

The California University of Pennsylvania Magazine CAL U REVIEW Vol. 40 - No. 3 The Cal U Review is published quarterly by the Office of Marketing and University Relations and is distributed free. Third class postage paid at California.

CHANCELLOR Dr. John C. Cavanaugh

FROM THE ACTING PRESIDENT

It has been more than three months since the change of leadership at Cal U, and the University is moving forward. Since assuming the role of acting president on May 16, I have concentrated our efforts on ensuring that our University remains vibrant and strong.

My leadership team and I have focused attention on the University’s core mission — providing our students with a high-quality education, and offering the support they need to achieve success, both before and after graduation.

There is no doubt that Cal U remains a great value for those seeking higher education. More than 80 percent of our academic programs are nationally accredited. Our network of student support services is unsurpassed, and our students enjoy living and learning in a secure and dynamic campus environment.

I have been associated with this wonderful institution for 42 years.

I have worn many hats during that time — student, alumna, faculty member, department chairperson, College dean, provost and now acting president. There are many, many alumni and University friends who care about Cal U just as strongly as I do, and who have great pride in our successes. Working side by side in the spirit of Cal U for Life, we can continue to realize those successes, as well as the promise and the potential of this great University.

For 160 years, this institution has been an agent of positive change in the lives of our students and graduates. In keeping with that legacy, California University will continue to build character, to provide the foundation for rewarding careers, and to maintain a lifelong connection with our valued alumni.

Please visit your alma mater soon. We are planning a wonderful Homecoming celebration on Oct. 13, so I hope to see many alumni back on campus during that special time.

With my very best wishes,

Geraldine M. Jones Acting President California University of Pennsylvania

Acting President Geraldine M. Jones communicates regularly with the campus community via e-mail and online. To see all of President Jones’ weekly messages, visit www.calu.edu; click on “About Us” and choose “Meet the President.” To stay up-to-date with the latest happenings at Cal U, alumni may send their e-mail address to alumni@calu.edu.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Guido M. Pichini, chairman Marie Conley, vice chair Aaron Walton, vice chair Rep. Matthew E. Baker Jennifer Branstetter (designee for Gov. Corbett) Gov. Tom Corbett Rep. Michael K. Hanna Ronald G. Henry Kenneth M. Jarin

Bonnie L. Keener, student member Jonathan B. Mack Joseph F. McGinn C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni Sen. Jeffrey E. Piccola Harold C. Shields Robert S. Taylor Ronald J. Tomalis, secretary of education Sen. John T. Yudichak

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Geraldine M. Jones, acting president Dr. Bruce Barnhart, acting provost Dr. Nancy Pinardi, interim vice president for Student Affairs Dr. Charles B. Mance, vice president for University Technology Services Sharon Navoney, interim vice president for University Development and Alumni Relations Robert Thorn, vice president for Administration and Finance Craig Butzine, vice president for Marketing and University Relations COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES Robert J. Irey, chair Lawrence Maggi ’79, vice chair Peter J. Daley II ’72, ’75 James T. Davis ’73 Annette Ganassi Michele M. Mandell ’69

Robert Miner, Jr. ’78 Michael Napolitano ’68 Jerry Spangler ’74 Aaron Walton ’68 The Hon. John C. Cavanaugh, chancellor, ex-officio

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lorraine Vitchoff ’74, president Barbara (Williams) Fetsko ’75, ’83, vice president Lynne (Moltz) Stout ’94, secretary Brian Fernandes ’99, ’00, treasurer Tim Gorske ’62, immediate past president Colleen (Murphy) Arnowitz ’88, ’97 Loralie (Koerbel) Bruce ’05 Autumn Koerbel ’02 Rosemary (Rich) Bucchianeri ’69 Anthony Lazzaro ’55 Trinette (Schmidt) Cunningham ’93 Donald Lee ’69 Mindi D’Auria-Fisher ’07 Don Martin ’89 Kimberly (Mahaffey) Fahey ’97, ’99 Michael Napolitano ’68 Christina (Kost) Fosbrink ’01, ’03 George Novak ’55 Josh Fosbrink ’01, ’03 Melanie (Stringhill) Patterson ’82, ’88 Paul Gentile ’62 Fred Retsch ’62, ’66 Abigail Grant ’07 Dolly Rozzi ’64 Jesse Hereda ’04 Harry Serene ’65 Alan James ’62 James Stofan ’71 Len Keller ’61 Tim Susick ’76, ’78 Marc Keller ’94 Judy (Durko) Zilkowski ’77, ’83 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Geraldine (Johns) Jones ’72, ’80, acting president David Amati ’70, president for Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania Robert J. Irey, chair for the Council of Trustees Sharon Navoney, interim vice president for University Development & Alumni Relations Michael Slavin ’74, APSCUF president Cathy Connelly ’95, ’96, manager of the Alumni Fund STUDENT MEMBERS Michael Crosen Amy Dunn

Jonothan Dashiell Elizabeth Lynerd

STUDENT ASSOCIATION, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Mutich Alexandra Brooks Marc Roncone ’03 Brendan Demmy Jenna Terchanik Shane Ierardi Dr. Donald Thompson Robert J. Irey Stephen Zemba Sam Jessee ’90 (Graduate student member TBD at Hope Cox, ’00, ’01 first meeting in August/September) Kevin McEvoy EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Dr. Nancy Pinardi ’95, ’96, ’98 Leigh Ann Lincoln

Larry Sebek

FOUNDATION FOR CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. David L. Amati ’70,’72, president Steven P. Stout ’85, vice president Paul Kania ’87, treasurer Linda H. Serene ’64, immediate past president Robert Lippencott ’66 Armand E. Balsano ’74 Lawrence Maggi ’79 William R. Booker ’74 Michael A. Perry ’63 Courtney E. Cochran ’12 Walter J. Sigut ’64 William R. Flinn ’68 Dr. Saundra L. Stout ’72 Richard C. Grace ’63 William J. Urbanik ’01 Annette M. Kaleita ’55 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Geraldine Jones ’72, ’80, acting president Sharon Navoney, interim vice president for University Development and Alumni Relations Dr. Lorraine G. Vitchoff ’74 EDITOR Christine Kindl WRITERS Wendy Mackall Jeff Bender

2 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

PHOTOGRAPHERS S. C. Spangler

Bruce Wald ’85

Greg Sofranko

Cover sTorY: Now that the farmhouse has been transformed into a comfortable meeting space, the old milking barn at SAI Farm awaits a new mission.

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inSide Departments

Features

AlUmni CAlendAr

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AlUmni SpoTlighT

20–21

'A night on Broadway'

CAmpUS ClipS

22–23

Faculty award winners play a starring role at the annual President’s Gala, a fundraiser that supports student scholarships.

pAying iT ForwArd

25

SporTS roUndUp

28-29

mileSToneS

31–34

8

stepping into the future

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Families fill the Convocation Center for the first springtime Commencement ceremonies held in the new facility.

inside the music business

19 Capital campaign moves closer to goal California University’s capital campaign, The Campaign to Build Character and Careers, has crossed the $31 million mark on its way to a goal of $35 million.

To date, 14,400* donors have contributed or pledged to the campaign, which focuses primarily on raising scholarship funds for Cal U students. Almost $9 million has been contributed or pledged through realized bequests and planned gifts.

To learn more about the campaign, or to give securely online, visit www.calu.edu/giving.

Before the grand opening concert at the Convocation Center, a young performer gives students the lowdown on the Nashville music scene.

Diving deep

24

An underwater scuba course is designed to give students an edge in the job market.

A career takes flight

26

A former assistant coach for the Vulcan basketball team lands the head coaching job at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Your review is online The Cal U Review is available online in an easy-to-read format.

Visit www.calu.edu/news and click on ‘Cal U Review’ to see the current issue or previous editions. ‘As Seen in the Review’ also provides links to special online-only features!

*Not mutually exclusive SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 3 ■

Remodeled and equipped with ‘smart’ technology, the SAI Farmhouse welcomes student groups and organizations.

Academics take root at SAI Farm souTh CAmpus pArCel mAkes spACe for reCreATion, reseArCh AnD leArning bout a mile from Old Main, on Cal U’s south campus, a stone farmhouse has blossomed into an eco-friendly meeting space.

Vegetables are ripening, flowers are blooming and hillside paths have grown into hiking trails. And as fence lines lengthen and an outdoor pavilion goes up, academic partnerships are taking root at SAI Farm.

The Student Association Inc. (SAI), a nonprofit corporation owned and operated by all Cal U students, bought the 94-acre property from the Harris family in 2010. The purchase increased Cal U’s overall acreage by 50 percent.

A

Miles of hiking trails offer hours of outdoor recreation at SAI Farm.

4 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

Initial plans called for renovating the existing farmhouse and using most of the land for outdoor recreation.

But soon it became apparent that these fields and wooded hillsides could host a variety of projects to support teaching, research and learning, as well as campus life.

“We’ve been working with various groups for over a year now, to strengthen the academic tie-ins with the University,” says Keith Skirpan, property development manager for the SAI Farm. “Requests to use the space are starting to come in, and we’re doing our best to fulfill them.”

The Student Association Inc. purchased SAI Farm, a 94-acre property, from the Harris family in 2010.

The SAI Farmhouse The parcel’s jewel is the SAI Farmhouse, a former home renovated to serve as a multifunctional meeting space. Intended primarily for use by student organizations, the building also is available for small conferences, workshops and other events organized

by Cal U faculty or staff. In addition, the Student Association hopes to generate revenue by renting space for private events or community gatherings.

The farmhouse has been upgraded with all-new electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning systems, plus a 1,200-square-foot addition.

“We looked at the renovations from a sustainability perspective,” Skirpan says.

A soaring ceiling with rough-hewn rafters defines a 64-seat banquet hall or large-group meeting area. At one end of the room, wood doors on a dramatic stone facade conceal a screen for video or PowerPoint presentations.

Wi-Fi service keeps laptops humming throughout the building. The farmhouse’s first-floor dining room and second-floor bedrooms have been outfitted to serve as compact conference

rooms with Internet access, video screens and other “smart” technology.

Sunlight streams through energyefficient windows into a lounge with overstuffed furniture and an electric fireplace. A small kitchen allows AVI, the University’s food service provider, to offer onsite catering.

During the spring semester, NewStudent Orientation leaders held a three-day retreat at the farmhouse instead of training off campus. And the Student Government Association hosted its year-end banquet at SAI Farm.

“The atmosphere is very homey and inviting,” says Alexandra Brooks, president of Student Government and a member of the SAI board of directors.

“The property is close enough to the University that students can get to it easily, but it’s far enough away that you don’t have so many distractions.

“The meeting space is just right, too.

You can set it up for a small group of people without it looking empty, but you can also set it up for a large group without being cramped.”

Taking advantage of the scenic, rural setting, the banquet hall opens onto a

stone patio surrounded by flowerbeds.

The farm’s old stone springhouse has been refurbished so AVI can offer food or beverage service outdoors.

A nearby pavilion is being constructed to seat 130, with a kitchen, restrooms and a level patch of lawn for badminton, horseshoes or other picnic games.

“The pavilion is being done in the same style as the banquet hall,” Skirpan points out, and a driveway and 60-space parking area are being paved to accommodate guests.

SAI uses an online request form to schedule space at the farm, and already the calendar is filling up.

“It feels like you’re getting away, even though it’s just a mile from campus,” Skirpan says. “We haven’t done much marketing yet, but it’s already being used.”

Teaching and learning Working collaboratively with SAI and student organizations, Cal U faculty members have begun to tap the farm’s potential.

During the spring semester, the Department of Earth Sciences and the Cal U Geology Club hosted a drilling workshop sponsored by the Pittsburgh Geological Society. With guidance from industry representatives and Cal U’s Dr. Kyle Fredrick, 40 students from seven universities took part in drilling demonstrations, learned to take core samples and installed water-monitoring wells at the farm.

“Most geology students don’t get this hands-on experience,” says Kelsey Ruff, a Cal U student who is studying both geology and secondary education.

“As much as I understand the concepts in class, this is where I actually continued on page 6

About the Student Association Inc. Nonprofit student groups have been supporting the University since the 1930s, when the Women’s Athletic Association sponsored a bazaar to raise money for a cabin that could be used for overnight hikes or weekend activities. Funds raised by the W.A.A. eventually made a down payment on the 82-acre Thomas Lilley Farm, just over a mile from campus. In 1937 the nonprofit Student Activity Association was incorporated to manage and improve the property.

Over the years the Student Activities Association expanded to encompass all student organizations and activities. In 1979, the corporation changed its name to the Student Association Inc. Through SAI, the University has expanded its student union, constructed and expanded a fitness center, and doubled the size of the campus — all to benefit students. To read more about SAI’s history, visit http://sai.calu.edu/sai/history.html.

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 5 ■

“

iCes will seek To CreATe, BuilD AnD fACiliTATe environmenTAl progrAms ThAT will CreATe sYnergies in TeAChing, reseArCh AnD serviCe … ThAT Are DiffiCulT To CreATe DR. ROBERT WHYTE, DIRECTOR, INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTER sTriCTlY wiThin The Confines of The ClAssroom … continued from page 5

get experience I can take into a job interview.”

The shallow water wells drilled during the workshop will remain in place, Skirpan says, and the “well field” may be expanded.

“This isn’t a ‘one-and-done’ experience,” he explains. “These wells have a minimal footprint, about 1 square meter each, but they have a big benefit in the classroom. Students can come up here to conduct water table testing and soil testing.”

Deer, turkeys and other wildlife are at home on the farm. Dr. Sarah Meiss and other faculty from the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences conducted a “bio blitz” on the property, identifying plants, insects and more than 40 species of birds.

This summer, artificial skeletons and other artifacts weathered in a field, setting the stage for a mock crime scene investigation organized by Dr. John Nass, of the Department of Justice, Law and Society.

Students from the GIS program, led

by Dr. Thomas Mueller, are preparing to

”

FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (ICES)

use geographic information systems to map hiking trails on the farm. Parks and recreation majors, directed by Dr. John Confer, will gain experience constructing and maintaining the trails.

Marking a nature trail with quickresponse codes would align with the Cal U Fusion mobile technology initiative, Skirpan adds. Someday, hikers may use QR codes and their smartphones to learn more about points of interest on the farm.

In the meantime, the SAI facilities crew keeps busy maintaining the property, installing fences and mowing acres of grass.

“This job has been a definite benefit to me,” says Travis Peterson, who worked on the SAI crew as he completed a degree in parks and recreation management.

He points with pride to the property’s signature split-rail fences and information boards.

“This job taught me to use power tools and made me more of a handyman,” he says. “For the career I want, you need construction skills, and you need to know how to do maintenance.”

Environmental studies A new environmental center is taking shape to help manage the growing number of academic and research projects envisioned on SAI Farm. A planning workshop at the SAI Farmhouse laid the groundwork for ICES, the Interdisciplinary Center for Environmental Studies.

Sponsored by the University through its Faculty Professional Development Committee and the Office of Marketing and University Relations, the workshop this summer focused on articulating the center’s mission and outlining its organizational structure.

Dr. Robert Whyte, the center’s director, says ICES “will seek to create, build and facilitate environmental programs that will create synergies in teaching, research and service … that are difficult to create strictly within the confines of the classroom and the defined disciplines of individual academic departments.”

ICES will field all academic and academic club requests for projects at the farm. The center hopes to forge community partnerships, as well, with the goal of providing “an enhanced

The SAI Farmhouse banquet hall can seat 64.

6 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

regional resource” while serving Cal U students. And ICES will act as a clearinghouse to manage appropriate grant and research proposals involving the SAI Farm.

Although the center is in its formative stages, organizers have their eye on the farm’s old milking barn. Eventually, ICES will need a field lab with office space and room to store research supplies and equipment. If suitable funding can be obtained, a renovated barn might someday become a fitting home for the center.

Expanding partnerships The Student Association surveyed many student groups and University departments as it developed its master plan for the farm, and SAI continues to build connections across campus.

The Veterans Affairs Office used the Vulcans’ cross country course, which loops around the farm’s perimeter, as a testing site for troops seeking the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. In April, dozens of service members spent two days completing a series of rigorous physical fitness tests that ended with a road march along the course.

Inside an electric fence that discourages hungry deer, vegetables are ripening in the food service garden planted in cooperation with AVI. The homegrown peppers, tomatoes, zucchini and eggplants are destined for use in the Sycamore Bistro.

“In the near future, we’d like to have garden space available for students or other members of the campus community,” Skirpan says.

In the coming years, the farm may be home to a driving range and a par-3 golf course created with input from Cal U’s professional golf management program.

Leadership programs on campus envision a ropes course for team-building exercises. Sports fields, an open-air amphitheater and an archery range also have been suggested.

“We’re taking things step by step,” says Dr. Nancy Pinardi ’95, ’96, ’98, interim vice president for Student Affairs. “After listening to the campus community, we have short-term goals and long-term plans.

The farm has so much potential.” ■

By Christine Kindl, communications director at Cal U

Travis Peterson flings a disc into the basket.

plAYing Through students design, install disc golf course on sAi farm Twins Troy ’12 and Travis Peterson discovered disc golf at Codorus State Park, in York County, Pa., where their dad is the park manager. Rated one of the most challenging courses in Pennsylvania, Codorus hosted the 2005 and 2010 state championships in the rapidly growing sport.

With that background, the two Cal U students had no trouble imagining a disc golf course on the fields and hillsides at SAI Farm.

“Dr. (John) Confer started talking to us about it,” says Travis, who needs only an internship to complete his Cal U degree in parks and recreation management. A classmate, Graeme Davis, had some thoughts about course design, “and pretty soon we started walking the property and figuring out ideas.”

Disc golf has much in common with “ball golf.” But instead of swinging clubs and knocking a ball into a hole, disc golf players toss weighted discs toward a metal “basket” on a pole, aiming to cover the course with fewer throws than their opponents.

“There are ‘drivers’ for long throws, mid-range discs and ‘putters,’” Travis explains. “A disc is smaller than a Frisbee — more like a discus. You have to throw it so it sticks in the basket.”

Disc golf can be played on a level fairway, but most courses feature trees, shrubs and changes in elevation. The obstacles add to the game, says Troy, who earned a Cal U degree in biological and environmental sciences.

“It’s more fun in the woods. It’s more of a challenge. Playing takes more finesse.”

The Petersons and a small group of other students worked with SAI property development manager Keith Skirpan to organize a disc golf club, apply for funding through the Student Association and lay out an 18-hole course.

Club members installed the equipment themselves, setting up tee signs and digging postholes for the metal baskets.

Scorecards are tucked away in a weatherproof box near the first tee and posted online at the SAI website.

The Petersons have their own discs — they cost only $8 to $25 each, Troy says, so the equipment is affordable.

Students new to the game can borrow a set of discs at no cost from the Herron Recreation and Fitness Center.

Troy Peterson ‘12 aims a shot.

Play begins and ends near the SAI Farmhouse. Players walk nearly three miles to complete the scenic course, which covers about 60 acres of the SAI Farm.

“During the school year, we play just about every evening, once we get out of class,” Travis says. A weekly doubles league is growing in popularity, and two tournaments last fall and winter drew 30 or 40 players each, some from Pittsburgh and beyond.

According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, “Disc golf provides upper and lower body conditioning, aerobic exercise, and promotes a combination of physical and mental abilities that allow very little risk of physical injury.”

Mostly, the Petersons say, it’s fun.

“Just getting outdoors and playing is great,” Travis says, and his brother agrees. “It’s a fun sport. We all have a really good time.” ■

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 7 ■

SCHOLARSHIPS STAR DURING

GENEROUS DONORS ‘PAY IT FORWARD’ AT THE 2012 PRESIDENT’S GALA

T

he spotlight focused on student scholarships when about 250 Cal U faculty, staff, students, alumni and University friends gathered for “A Night on Broadway” at the 2012 President’s Gala.

Acting President Geraldine M. Jones hosted the black-tie event at the Omni William Penn hotel, in Pittsburgh, where she introduced a slide show recognizing the gala’s founder, Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. “I’d like to thank each and every one of you for joining us this evening and helping us to raise these much-needed scholarship dollars for our deserving students,” Jones told the guests.

Since its inception in 1994, the gala has grossed about $1.4 million, with net proceeds providing scholarship support for deserving Cal U students.

Cast as honorary chairs for the event were alumni Charles Pryor ’73 and his wife, Marianne Finley

Pryor ’72. The vice president of business development for L.R. Kimball, Charles Pryor received an honorary doctorate from Cal U in 2011. He and his family support the Pryor-Finley Family Athletic Scholarship.

Alumna Michele Mandell ’69 — now a member of the University’s Council of Trustees —and some remarkable Cal U students starred in video presentations shown before dinner in the Omni’s ballroom. Filmed by Greg Sofranko, the University’s director of Creative Services, the videos emphasized the need for private philanthropy and illustrated how generous donors can change students’ lives and enrich their education.

“Before this, I’d never even been on a plane,” said Nathan Earl, whose Rutledge Family Internship Award allowed him to complete an internship in Sydney, Australia. “I think that an employer will look at this and see that I will do anything they need me to do.”

Honorary chairs Dr. Charles Pryor ’73 and Marianne Pryor ’72 act as emcees for the annual fundraiser.

Acting University President Geraldine M. Jones and her husband, Jeff, start the dancing after dinner at the President's Gala.

Robert Irey, chair of the Council of Trustees, and his wife, Jodi, applaud the faculty award winners.

8 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■ ■

Maria Herrara completed her internship with the Pan American Health Organization in Washington, D.C. “If someone had told me during my freshman year that I’d be working as part of the World Health Organization …

I wouldn’t have believed them,” she said.

“Had it not been for the Rutledge family, I would not have been able to afford it.”

Faculty award winners took their bows in person at the Gala, accepting medallions and hearty rounds of applause before their videotaped “thank-yous” were aired.

Dr. Marc S. Federico, of the Exercise Science and Sport Studies Department, accepted the President’s Faculty Award for Teaching. Dr. Paul F. Crawford, of the Department of History and Political Science, was honored for research, and Dr. Kelton Edmonds, of the same department, accepted the award for service.

Emeriti faculty honorees were Dr. Phyllis McIlwain, who retired from the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education, and Professor Richard R. Nemec ’65, who served in the Department of Communication Disorders.

In her filmed acceptance speech McIlwain recalled her work with preservice teachers. Nemec mentioned a former colleague, the late Dr. John Bitonti, and a number of family members who are proud Cal U graduates.

The Lillian M. Bassi Core Values Award was presented to Dr. David L. Amati ’70, ’72, president of Global Business Associates, a consulting firmed based in Sewickley, Pa. Amati also is president of the Foundation for California University.

After-dinner entertainment at the gala included dancing, Monte Carlo games and a silent auction of items donated by University friends. Successful bids on getaways, artwork, sports memorabilia and other prizes boosted the scholarship fund.

“We know that each of you feels the way we do about our University and our students, and that ‘paying it forward’ is a concept that all of us understand,” Charles Pryor said.

“Thank you all for your care and concern for our students, and for your commitment to Cal U.” ■

By Christine Kindl, communications director at Cal U

Left, students Keith Fuller ad Liz Lynerd enjoy ‘A Night on Broadway.’

Caught having fun (above): Courtney Cochran ’12, Jeff Ward ’11 and professor emerita Annette Kaleita.

Above, Dr. David Amati ’70, ’72 accepts the Lillian M. Bassi Core Values Award.

Seen at the gala (right): New graduates Cory Stoner ’12 and Tamara Alkhattar ’12.

Above, Dr. Kevin Koury, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, applauds the gala award winners.

Left, alumna Amber McDonald ‘02 traveled from Nashville for the gala.

IT’S SHOWTIME

To see videos illustrating how scholarships impact students’ lives and enrich their studies, visit www.calu.edu/news, click on ‘Cal U review’ and look for ‘As Seen in the review.’

SUMMER SUMMER 2012 2012 CAL U REVIEW 9 ■■

APPLAUSE! 2012 AWARD WINNERS FETED APPLAUSE! AT PRESIDENT’S GALA

DR. DAVID L. AMATI Lillian M. Bassi Core Values Award

DR. MARC S. FEDERICO President’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching

DR. PAUL F. CRAWFORD President’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Research

Whether advising businesses and nonprofit organizations or supporting the educational goals of students, Dr. David L. Amati ’70, ’72 exemplifies the University’s core values of integrity, civility and responsibility.

Dr. Marc S. Federico, of the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies, joined Cal U in 1999 as director of the physical therapist assistant (PTA) program, which he directed to its first accreditation in 2001.

Dr. Paul F. Crawford, of the Department of History and Political Science, is a professor of ancient and medieval history who specializes in the history of the Crusades and the military-religious orders, such as the Templars, Hospitallers and Teutonic Knights.

Amati founded Global Business Associates in 2009 to provide business development and leadership services to corporate customers and nonprofit groups.

Prior to this role, he was director of global automotive business and automotive headquarters for The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International.

Amati also held professional leadership positions in the Material Handling Institute Inc. and the Engineering Society of Detroit.

He is a founding member of the nonprofit Building America’s Tomorrow, which aims to reinvigorate America’s interest in manufacturing.

A former teacher and central staff member with Pittsburgh Public Schools, Amati holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

He earned both master’s and bachelor’s degrees at Cal U, where he established the David L. and Nancy M. Sivek-Amati Early Childhood/Elementary Education Scholarship, honoring his late wife’s exceptional teaching career.

University honors include the 2009 Alumnus of the Year Award, presented by the School of Graduate Studies and Research, and the 2006 W.S. Jackman Award of Distinction from the Cal U Alumni Association. He addressed graduates at Commencement in spring 2008.

Since January, Amati has served as president of the Foundation for California University.

Award winners Dr. Christine Patti, Dr. Robert S. Whyte, Dr. Ralph Belsterling, Professor Marsha L. Nolf and Dr. Donald J. Thompson pose with Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. at the 2011President’s Gala.

10 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

In 2005 Federico was appointed coordinator of the Rehabilitation Science track of the Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. In this role he teaches online classes; coordinates admission of candidates into the track; and develops, prepares and implements didactic and laboratory course work.

His courses include “Corrective Exercises in Rehabilitation,” “Business and Entrepreneurship in the Fitness Industry,” “Essentials of Human Movement Science” and “Corrective Exercise Program Design.”

Federico also continues to serve on yearly graduate athletic training research committees at Cal U, and to conduct and publish research in his field.

Outside of the University, Federico is a reviewer for Strength and Condition Journal and a past member of the American Physical Therapist Association and the Three Rivers Academic Consortium.

He has delivered many guest lectures and speeches across southwestern Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Federico holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

Among Crawford’s published works is the first English-language translation of a 14th-century Crusader chronicle known as the “Templar of Tyre.” In addition to magazine and journal articles, book chapters and numerous book reviews, he is the author of more than a dozen encyclopedia entries on Crusadesrelated subjects, as well as several essays with a popular orientation.

Crawford has presented papers at scholarly conferences across the United States, and in England, Wales, France and Turkey. He has assisted in the preparation of several television programs on the Crusades and the military-religious orders, and he has appeared in three History Channel productions.

Crawford holds a Ph.D. in medieval history from the University of Wisconsin.

His professional memberships include the Medieval Academy of America.

Since joining the Cal U faculty in 2006, Crawford has taught a wide range of courses in ancient and medieval history and the history of Christianity and Islam.

Research accomplishments notwithstanding, he says his students are, in many ways, the most rewarding part of his life.

2012 PRE SIDENT’S G ALA

DR. KELTON EDMONDS President’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Service

DR. PHYLLIS McILWAIN President’s Emerita Faculty Award

PROFESSOR RICHARD R. NEMEC ’65 President’s Emeritus Faculty Award

Dr. Kelton Edmonds is an associate professor in the Department of History and Political Science and director of the Fredrick Douglass Institute.

Education has always been important to Dr. Phyllis McIlwain. For 34 years she was a professor of elementary and early childhood education at California, and she supervised student teachers.

Professor Richard R. Nemec taught for 32 years in the Department of Communication Disorders, working with graduate and undergraduate students and supervising the outpatient clinic.

She also was coordinator of the graduate program in early childhood education, a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Pi Lambda Theta, and an adviser to the University’s chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi education honor society.

He also supervised student teachers, as well as students involved with a preschool program at the Pennsylvania Health Center in Monessen and a program in the facility’s Therapeutic Activities Center for adults with special needs.

Since joining the Cal U faculty in 2005, he has worked to institutionalize multiculturalism and promote diversity throughout the Cal U community.

As director of the Fredrick Douglass Institute, Edmonds was instrumental in developing a community program in which FDI members offer afterschool tutoring in Belle Vernon and Uniontown, Pa. In 2006 he helped to organize the Black History Month Programming Committee, which now offers a full month of programming to celebrate AfricanAmerican history and culture on campus.

Because of the program’s success, Edmonds was awarded a PASSHE Social Equity Grant to help fund future events.

He also has been involved in a diversity recruitment committee for the University and was a faculty recruiter at the Southern Regional Board Conference in 2007 and 2008.

For his service efforts, Edmonds was awarded the Faculty Professional Development Committee’s Service and Service - Learning Merit Award in 2008.

Edmonds holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in secondary education from North Carolina A&T State University and a doctorate in 20th-century U.S. history from the University of Missouri.

He has delivered numerous peerreviewed papers on African-American history at professional conferences.

Before joining the Cal U faculty in 1969, McIlwain taught elementary education in the Butler Area School District for five years and was a cooperating teacher for student teachers from Slippery Rock.

She was a graduate assistant in the reading laboratory at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she received her master’s degree in education and a reading specialist certificate. She earned her Ph.D. in reading and language arts at the University of Pittsburgh.

Since she retired in 2003 and became an emerita faculty member in 2004, McIlwain has continued to pursue her love of learning by taking classes at Cal U, the University of Pittsburgh and Waynesburg University.

She also volunteers with the Leadership Team at St. David’s Preschool in Venetia, Pa., and the preschool at South Hills Bible Chapel in McMurray, Pa.

Nemec served as department chair and on many department and University committees at Cal U. To support students in the Department of Communication Disorders, he helped to establish the Dr. John Bitonti Memorial Scholarship.

He retired and was granted emeritus status in 1999.

A veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves and a former steelworker, Nemec earned his bachelor’s degree at Cal U and his master’s degree from West Virginia University, then continued with doctoral-level studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

Before coming to Cal U he worked as a speech pathologist for the McKeesport Public Schools.

He now serves as treasurer for both the California University Emeriti Faculty Association and American Legion Post 22, in Charleroi, where he was instrumental in establishing an endowed scholarship at Cal U in the post’s name.

In retirement, Nemec enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors with his family.

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 11 ■

Stepping into the future grADuATes look AheAD As CAl u mArks iTs 174Th CommenCemenT

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he line of students stretches all the way across campus.

It starts on the Quad, where undergraduates in caps and gowns assemble near the statue of mighty Vulcan.

Under clear blue skies they call out to friends and snap cellphone photos. Some touch the mascot’s bronze hammer for luck.

The line spills onto Third Street at the Emeriti Fountain, snakes back past Herron Hall, and eventually reaches the Convocation Center.

Smiling students parade indoors for the first springtime Commencement in the new facility. Two hours later they emerge, diplomas in hand, as freshly minted Cal U alumni.

12 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

Families and friends of the Class of 2012 filled the Convocation Center for California University’s 174th Commencement.

Master’s degree candidates received their diplomas and were vested in their academic hoods at an evening ceremony on May 11. Undergraduates picked up their associate and bachelor’s degrees on May 12.

For the first time, both ceremonies were streamed online, so that faraway friends and family could watch in real time.

Before undergraduates received their diplomas, Corey Stoner, chair of the Senior Gift Drive Committee, presented a check for more than $8,000 contributed by graduating seniors and their families.

And in keeping with tradition, University President Angelo Armenti, Jr. greeted the audience and shook every student’s hand.

In all, Cal U awarded personalized diplomas to nearly 1,000 undergraduates and almost 300 graduate students. The University also honored a pioneering educator, Muriel Summers, with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

At each ceremony a distinguished graduate shared an inspiring life story. Excerpts from those Commencement addresses are included here. To read the complete text of the speakers’ remarks, or to see video of the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies, visit www.calu.edu and search for “Commencement videos.”

‘we create our stories’

Dr. Robert P. Delamontagne

“W

e all have stories. In fact, we don’t just have stories, we are a story, and we create our stories every time we make a decision. I would like to share some highlights of my story with you today because of the important role that California University played in my life. …

I could be characterized as an uninspired student. I did not make bad grades, but I did not make good ones, either. … At the beginning of my senior year (at Cal U), I took a philosophy course as an elective, and I vividly recall a particular lesson on Aristotelian logic. To my great surprise, I understood it with absolute and complete clarity. Something in me had clicked.

I recall thinking at the time, “Maybe I can do more. Maybe I have some latent capability I didn’t know

Dr. Robert P. Delamontagne ’66 is the founder and past chairman of EduNeering Inc., the first company to create computer-based training programs for business and industry. He retired from the firm in 2007 after 25 years at the helm and managing more than 7 million computer-based course completions by learners. He also has written two books dedicated to helping people adjust to retirement. Dr. Delamontagne spoke to master’s degree candidates on May 11, 2012.

I possessed.” …

(In 1978) I decided that I did not want to be a corporate executive, so I took a position with a consulting firm in Princeton, N.J. At that time a new product had come onto the market called a microcomputer. I didn’t know what it did, but I knew I had to have one. …

I had purchased an adventure game along with the computer — you know, fly an airplane, calculate wind speed, search the islands and save the princess. … I recall sitting back in my chair and thinking, “This machine is going to change education as we know it.” And that’s when I decided to start a company, called EduNeering, to build educational software.

To my knowledge, in 1984 we were the first educational technology company in the world. We had to invent

not only the instructional design, but how it was presented on the computer.

There was no graphics package — our first programs were written in Interpreted Basic, using animated line drawings. You could actually see the graphics being drawn as you went from screen to screen. …

Nevertheless, the company managed to survive, and I managed it for 25 years. In 2007 the company was sold to Kaplan for over $100 million.

Not bad for a company that started in my basement. …

I will be forever grateful to California University for providing the heat and light I needed to have that one insight: “Maybe I could do more.”

I am certain that I would not have attempted the things I did without the confidence that one insight provided.

”

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 13 ■

“I Maj. Gen. Donna Barbish ‘84

‘Cal u brought it together’ Maj. Gen. Donna Barbisch ’84 retired from the Army in 2005 and now is among the foremost subject matter experts in emergency preparedness and building resiliency for catastrophic disasters, terrorism and unconventional threats. She is the president of Global Deterrence Alternatives, a consulting firm focused on developing creative solutions to emerging threats, and a distinguished fellow at George Mason University’s Center for Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security. Maj. Gen Barbisch spoke to students who received their associate or bachelor’s degrees on May 12, 2012.

started here (at California) as a nontraditional student. I had had a successful nursing career, a military career and a family. I was a farmer, a farmer’s wife and a mother.

And I want to tell you that those experiences helped to shape me, but Cal U brought it together. …

I joined the military because I thought nursing our soldiers was a higher calling. … After my graduation, I started seeking more responsibility, became a manager, moved on with further education and became a faculty member.

The military gave me a lot of opportunities, as well. I became the first nurse who ever commanded a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, a M.A.S.H. … (Eventually) my business developed into one of combating terrorism. … I’ve dealt with some disasters, pandemics and planning for all sorts of pretty catastrophic events. So I’ve covered a lot of territory.

But I am just one of many Cal U grads … CEOs, executive vice presidents, entertainers, sports figures, authors, and one of my colleagues who’s a Secret Service agent who protected a number of our (U.S.) presidents. And, of course, we have

some (military) generals out there.

Cal U grads are community leaders, bankers, entrepreneurs and even more, responsible parents. Lifelong contributions are the foundation of who we are. …

My parting advice to you: Dream.

Dream big. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it. You’re Cal U grads. You have the foundation.

Dream big.

Learn. Learn from everybody.

Everybody out there has something to teach us, and we can learn from everyone and everything we do.

But the rubber meets the road when it comes to doing. Sometimes you just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on. When you’re out there looking for a job, if you haven’t found the right job yet, it’s a job itself to find a job. You can do it; don’t get discouraged. Your perfect job is out there.

The more you keep doing, the more you become that person you want to be. … You’ve come a long way on this journey of yours, but the fun has just begun.

As you walk across the stage today, celebrate your success. Tomorrow your adventure begins. You are our future, and I wish you all the best.

”

Chad Conley waves to his family.

Charles Sledge celebrates his graduation.

14 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

‘Diploma of the heart’

Dr. Muriel Summers

“I

have abundant respect, admiration, and affection for California University, a university whose mission — building character, building careers — embodies everything that is good and right in higher education. …

Graduates, today you will leave this University with a diploma, a certificate that informs the world that you have acquired the necessary mindset and skill set to lead and serve in your chosen fields. You have, no doubt, worked extremely hard to reach this very important mile marker in your journey. And I would hope that many of you have found your voice, your life’s calling, along the way.

I challenge you to lead your life, from this moment forward, in the way in which you would like to be remembered five years, 10 years, 60 years from now. Think about the legacy you want to leave. Live with love, abundance, passion, citizenship, courage, truth, honesty and integrity.

Dr. Muriel Summers is principal of A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh, N.C. She and her staff created the nation’s first leadership elementary school to use FranklinCovey's “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” as a foundation. During her tenure as principal, A.B. Combs has been named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, a National Title I Distinguished School, the No. 1 Magnet School in America and the National Elementary School of the Year. Dr. Summers spoke after receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, on May 12, 2012.

Your future success and fulfillment, professionally and personally, largely will be determined by the next diploma you choose to receive. This diploma, which I like to call “The Diploma of the Heart,” is equally as important as the one you are receiving today. It is deeply rooted in service, compassion, leadership, forgiveness, love, understanding and tolerance.

You will earn this diploma on your own, one day at a time, for the rest of your life. Make up your mind now that you will make a difference in this world by leading with your heart, mind and soul. … Listen to life’s whispers and ask yourself often, “What is life asking of me?”

I congratulate you. I commend you.

I affirm all that you are — but more importantly, all that you will become.

I wish you much success and happiness. I am so honored to be one of you.

”

Master’s degree candidate Paula Jackson receives her academic hood from Dr. John Cencich.

Dr. Yugo Ikach directs the University Choir.

Stephanie Punjack shares her happiness with her baby, Jack Henry Kush.

Dr. Aref Al-Khattar, a professor in the Department of Justice, Law and Society, joins daughter Tamara at Commencement.

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 15 ■

ALUMNI N E W S GREETINGS FROM THE OFFICE OF CAL U FOR LIFE!

his past spring I had the pleasure of welcoming the Cal U Class of 2012 into the Alumni Association. Seeing the pride and excitement on their faces as they crossed the stage at Commencement took me back to when I was in their shoes, walking across the stage in Hamer Hall to receive my diploma. The future seemed so bright and full of possibility!

I have so many fond memories of my time as a student at Cal U. I look back on the lifelong friendships I made, the professors who gave me a strong foundation to build on, and yes, even the food at Gallagher Hall (or Gag, as we called it!). Cal U has left an indelible mark on my life, just as I’m sure it has on yours.

Those memories, friendships and foundation are all part of the lifelong relationship between you and Cal U — and they are the basis of Cal U for Life. During your time in California, you may have been a member of Greek Life or an athletic team. Maybe you played intramurals, joined an academic club or took part in Student Government. All of these are special affinities, or ties to your alma mater. They are part of a lifelong connection. I hope you treasure those times and look forward to continuing those relationships with your fellow alumni.

As a Cal U student, you may have formed personal relationships that make you who you are today. Many of us found great friends and co-workers — and possibly a spouse or partner — during our college years.

In addition, you may have built professional relationships that helped you become more successful in your career. Your ties to Cal U grow stronger when you take continuing education credits or professional development programs on campus, or when you visit our Career Services office — a lifetime benefit for all alumni.

As part of Cal U for Life, we pledge to provide you with opportunities to build on the relationships formed when you were a student. And we promise to look for ways to create new connections between you and your alma mater.

These are exciting times at California University of Pennsylvania. We are all Cal U for Life!

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alumni calendar sepTemBer Family Day — Sept. 22 Celebrate a University tradition and join the Cal U family for a fun-filled day of activities. Students, families, alumni and community members may take part in the Wildlife Society’s annual Family Field Day or visit the Kids Zone sponsored by the Black Student Union. Watch the Vulcan football team take on IUP’s Crimson Hawks in the annual Coal Bowl and enjoy Bring Your Kid to the Game Day, with pre-game entertainment by the band Melodime. For more Family Day information, visit www.calu.edu/events/familyday.

‘Cal Gals’ Alumni Gathering — Sept. 27 Retired teachers from southwestern Pennsylvania get together for lunch at 11:30 a.m. in the Kara Alumni House. The “Cal Gals” meet twice a year to socialize and reminisce as they raise scholarship funds for Cal U education majors. For details, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 724-938-4418.

oCToBer Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet — Oct. 12 Celebrate the best in Vulcan athletics! The annual Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet, honoring alumni sports standouts from the past, begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Performance Center, inside the Natali Student Center.

Homecoming — Oct. 13 Come home for the “Holidays” — this year’s Homecoming theme — and enjoy our biggest alumni celebration of the year!

9 a.m.: The Alumni Association Board of Directors meets in the Kara Alumni House.

Noon: The annual Homecoming Parade steps off. See the floats, enjoy the bands and cheer on our alumni and students!

1:30 p.m.: The Vulcan Huddle Tailgate starts in Roadman Park, with a special section for 1980s graduates.

All alumni are welcome!

3:30 p.m.: The Vulcan football team faces Lock Haven University at Adamson Stadium.

Emeriti Faculty Dinner — Oct. 18 Emeriti faculty members gather for their biannual dinner in the Kara Alumni House.

For details, contact Montean Dean at 724-938-4418 or email to: dean@calu.edu.

novemBer TEEAP Conference — Nov. 8 Cal U alumni reconnect at the annual Technology and Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania (TEEAP) conference in Harrisburg, Pa. For details, contact Dr. Laura Hummell at hummell@calu.edu.

Send us your e-mail address at alumni@calu.edu to stay connected with the most up-to-date happenings at Cal U, including alumni chapter and sporting events, campus lectures, student events and more!

SPEAK UP! WE’RE LISTENING. . .

Cathy Holloway Connelly ’95, ’96 Director, Cal U for Life

16 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

What do you think of the Cal U Review? The editor and staff want to know. Is there a feature you enjoy — or one you don’t?

A topic you’d like to read more about? To share your thoughts, send an e-mail to revieweditor@calu.edu, or drop us a line at: Cal U Review, Box 31, 250 University Drive, California, PA 15419-1394.

Meet us in Philadelphia

Capital gathering

Attorney Reggie Long ’81 hosted more than 25 alumni at a ’Cal U for Life’ event at the Union League Club in downtown Philadelphia.

Staff members were on hand to explain the Cal U for Life program, intended to build a lifelong relationship between the University and alumni. Joining them were (seated, from left) Paulette Midgette ’85; Sonja West Tucker ’73; Shirley Respes ’86, ’88; Barbara Ney ’90; and John Celani ’58. Also (standing, from left) Darlene Meekins ’84; Dennis Wynder ’85; Rosa Lynn Rodgers Winborne ’83; Reggie Long ’81; Valerie Haley ’82; Mike Gaillard; Karen Brown Smith ’83; Vincent Wilson ’12; Nina Gray ’87; and Fred Smith ’83.

Alumni and guests from the Washington, D.C., area gathered for a special tour of the National Gallery of Art and a reception downtown.

Michelle Torres-Carmona, director of scheduling and exhibitor relations for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, discussed the world-class collaboration between Cal U and the Smithsonian Institution.

In addition, Judy Zilkowski ’77, ’83, a member of the Cal U Alumni Board, encouraged alumni to become involved in the University’s Cal U for Life initiative. Among those attending were Chris Ryan ’65, Carol Nesti Riley ’69, Lou Riley ’67, Myron Boncarosky ’63 and Gaylord Wargo ’64.

we’re on pinterest!

Generous Pioneers At the Kara Alumni House (above), members of the Class of 1962 gather for the annual Pioneer Dinner, which recognizes alumni who graduated 50 years ago. To mark that milestone, class members contributed scholarship funds to assist current Cal U students.

At left, Tim Gorske ‘62, now the immediate past president of the Alumni Association, presents a check to the University’s acting president, Geraldine M. Jones. The Pioneer Dinner was among several activities held during Alumni Weekend 2012.

Look for California University of Pennsylvania on Pinterest, among the nation’s fastest growing social media and image-sharing sites. Pinterest uses online pinboards to display images and information that users can browse or share.

Check out our boards at http://pinterest.com/caluofpa, or re-pin our great Cal U photos!

Social media fans also can find California University of Pennsylvania on Facebook or follow @CalUofPA on Twitter.

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 17 ■

201 2 ALUMNI ASS O CIATION AWARD OF DIST INCT ION HONOREES Skraitz has enjoyed a distinguished chiropractic career for nearly 30 years. A member of the National Academy of Manipulation Under Anesthesia Physicians and the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, he was the department head at Pittsburgh Specialty Hospital’s Pain Management Center and chief of chiropractic services at the hospital. He is a diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management and a member of the Pi Tau Delta national chiropractic honors fraternity. Skraitz founded the Drive to Stay Alive program in April 2007 to help high school students learn safe, reactive driving skills so they can avoid collisions and regain control of their automobiles.

Dr. Timothy Skraitz ’80 The W. S. Jackman Award of Distinction

Blumberg is a professor of political science and campus director of the American Democracy Project at Cal U. She studies American political parties, congressional elections and mass belief systems and has co-authored numerous articles on local parties, coordinated campaigns, campaign conduct and civic engagement. A recipient of Cal U’s Faculty Professional Development Merit Award for Research, she also has received the Student Government Community Eagle Award and the President’s Gala Award for Service.

Blumberg is active in Ohio politics and consults on a number of judicial races. She previously held positions at Mount Union College and Kent State University, where she received several prestigious awards.

Dr. Melanie Blumberg The C. B. Wilson Distinguished Faculty Award

Smart completed his third season as the head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University last spring by guiding the 2011-2012 Rams to the Colonial Athletic Association championship, a school-record 29 wins and the third round of the NCAA Division I Tournament.

In 2010-2011 he earned two national Coach of the Year awards when he led Virginia Commonwealth to Shaka Smart ’01 the NCAA Final Four. His record as a head coach is 84-28. Smart was an academic All-American at The Michael Duda Kenyon (Ohio) College, where he played for current Award for Athletic Cal U head coach Bill Brown; he followed his mentor Achievement to Cal U and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Vulcans.

Cal U’s first lady for 20 years, Armenti helped to raise scholarship funds by participating in events on and off campus. She was a board member for the California Senior Center, the Washington County Board of Tourism, the county chapter of the American Heart Association and The Village Child Care and Preschool Center. A multi-term board president for the United Way of Mon Valley, she was instrumental in the annual State Employees Charitable Appeal (SECA) at Cal U. The Western Pennsylvania Professional Fundraising Organization, the American Heart Association, the Washington Foundation, the National Association of Saints and Sinners, and Monongahela Valley Hospital all have honored Armenti for her philanthropy.

Barbara Armenti The Pavlak/Shutsy Special Service Award

18 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

Jack Zduriencik ’74 The Professional Excellence Award

Dr. Patricia A. Mitchell ’83, ’85 Meritorious Award

Marshal D. Carper ’09 The Young Alumni Award

Walt Sigut ’64 The John R. Gregg Award for Loyalty and Service

A former standout Vulcan catcher, Zduriencik is in his fourth season as the executive vice president and general manager for the Seattle Mariners baseball organization. Before joining the Mariners he spent eight years with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he rose to the position of vice president and special assistant to the general manager. In 2007 he was named Baseball America’s Executive of the Year — the first winner who was not a general manager.

Zduriencik’s 30-year career also included positions with the Mets, Pirates and Dodgers. He was inducted into the Lawrence County Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and last fall joined the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mitchell is manager for the School Improvement Bureau and the Special Education Learning Resource Center North in the Division of Student and Field Services in the New Jersey Department of Education.

She oversees the N.J. Statewide System of Support, which includes overseeing a $120 million U.S. Department of Education School Improvement Grant program. Previously, Mitchell served as regional manager of the Program Improvement Regional Center North. She is co-author of several publications pertaining to school culture and career education, and she trains educators and conducts workshops at the state and national level. Among her many honors is the Commissioner’s Award for Excellence.

Carper’s training in the martial arts, especially Brazilian jiu jitsu, has led to a career as a writer. His first book, a travel memoir about studying and training in Hawaii, was published in December 2010, and The Cauliflower Chronicles became a chart-topper in its genre on Amazon.com. Since then, Carper has co-authored three other books with professional fighters. He also has written for Lockflow.com, Ultimate MMA Magazine, Fight! magazine and the Escapist. The former editor-in-chief of Lockflow.com, a website for martial arts practitioners and fans, Carper is continuing to write while pursuing a master’s degree at West Virginia University.

A licensed and nationally certified school psychologist, Sigut is the president of WJS Psychological Associates Inc. and a clinician in private practice.

He is a loyal supporter of Cal U athletics, a longtime Sixth Man Club member and a generous benefactor to the men’s basketball program. He is an active participant in many Cal U events and recently was elected to serve as a board member for the Foundation for California University. A standout Vulcan basketball and baseball player during his student days, Sigut was inducted into the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999 and named the Basketball Alumnus of the Year in 2002.

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FOCUS ON C O L L E G E O F E D U C AT I O N A N D H U M A N S E R V I C E S

Score oNe For FITNeSS Penguins and Cal U team up on floor hockey program

California University of Pennsylvania

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overview

of the COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES Dean:

Dr. Kevin A. Koury Interim Associate Dean:

Dr. James Burton Department Chairs:

Ms. Christine S. Crawford ’77 Academic Development Services

Dr. Barbara Bonfanti ’69 Communication Disorders

Dr. Jacqueline Walsh ’94 Counselor Education and Services

Dr. Caryl Sheffield ’73 Early, Middle, Special Education

Mr. Jeffrey Hatton Exercise Science and Sport Studies

Dr. Tom West Health Science

Dr. Connie Monroe Secondary Education and Administrative Leadership

Dr. Pamela Twiss Social Work

Program Directors:

Ms. Christine S. Crawford ’77 Student Support Services

Mr. John Kula Upward Bound Program

Dr. Michael Brna Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Program

Ms. Deborah Grubb Student Teaching

Dr. Joseph Schickel

Greetings!

As we begin the new academic year, I’d like to direct your attention to the educational opportunities we offer to students in the College of Education and Human Services.

In this College we educate professionals for the workplace in four distinct areas: teacher education, related professional services, health-related fields of study, and sport management. Every eligible program within our College has earned national accreditation, and the quality and marketability of our graduates is boundless.

While it is assumed that we educate teachers, Cal U students who graduate with teacher certification have many opportunities — not only in the public schools, but also in related service agencies, day care facilities and early learning centers. Many of our teacher education graduates accept employment in industry, where they are responsible for development and delivery of workshops and other training opportunities for the general workplace population.

Our graduate programs in school administration offer advancement within many educational employment settings in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The College’s related services programs prepare individuals for careers as speech/language therapists, social workers and school counselors.

Those students who complete degrees in communication disorders are employable in public schools, private agencies, hospitals, elder care centers and rehabilitation centers. The need for social workers continues to increase as a growing number of families require services in the home and community.

And school counselors are able to provide counseling services to individuals in a variety of settings other than the public schools.

Health science programs offer education that supports employment in the areas of athletic training, physical therapy and gerontology. Athletic trainers work in a variety of locations, meeting the needs of professional sports teams, as well as college and public school athletic programs.

Sport management and exercise science majors enjoy employment in professional sports, college athletics and the golf industry. In each of these areas, our graduates are finding opportunities that pay well and have room for advancement.

The College of Education and Human Services is truly the college of the professions, opening the door to rewarding and lucrative careers in a wide variety of settings.

As a new academic year begins, I invite our Focus On readers to learn more about our College, and I offer my best wishes for success in your education and your career.

F R O M

T H E

Dean

Technology Education

Sincerely, On the cover: Dr. Brian Wood, of the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies, shows off his floor hockey technique.

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Kevin A. Koury, Ed.D. Dean, College of Education and Human Services California University of Pennsylvania

Many learners, many languages $1.8 million gRant pRovideS pRofeSSional development in engliSh aS a SeCond langUage al U and Intermediate Unit 1 are collaborating on a five-year, $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for English as a Second Language instruction.

The goal of the grant is to provide professional development in ESL for pre-service teachers, new teachers, experienced teachers, principals, assistant principals and paraprofessionals.

Cal U’s focus will be on providing a three-credit course — mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education along with nine credits of special education coursework — that focuses on preparing pre-service teachers for a culturally diverse classroom.

“Essentially, it focuses on providing a better foundation and understanding of the impact of culture and diversity within the schools,” says Dr. Christine Peterson, who will be working with Dr. Kevin Koury, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, to implement the grant at Cal U. Peterson also is the coordinator of the Master’s of Education, English as a Second Language program for Cal U Global Online.

“Our culture is constantly changing, and our schools are impacted by that,” she says. “We need educators who can sufficiently address the needs of all learners, and we want our pre-service teachers at Cal U to receive the appropriate educational foundations.”

At IU 1, which provides services for 25 school districts in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, objectives include developing ESL continuing education programs for teachers, paraprofessionals and principals, as well as a certification program.

Su Verma, ESL curriculum specialist at IU 1, will be in charge of achieving these goals.

“This has turned into such a wonderful partnership,” says ESL grant writer

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and project coordinator Patricia Hazen, speaking about the relationship with Cal U. “The face of education is changing,” says Hazen, who is the outreach and development specialist at IU 1.

“These types of collaborations are very powerful Su Verma, curriculum specialist at Intermediate Unit 1 (left), is working because in many with Cal U’s Dr. Christine Peterson (center) and Patricia Hazen, cases we serve the outreach and development specialist at IU 1. same population ESL resources, digital portfolios, programs, at different points in their careers. These online surveys and more. Plans also include kinds of efforts enable us to provide development of an online community of education that continuously flows.”

ESL educators and learners.

An estimated 1,650 educators at “This is such a wonderful model of Cal U and the IU will be trained in ESL how higher education and public education over the five-year grant period. can work together, and we hope it leads In addition, IU 1 will post several to other opportunities,” says Hazen. components on PAIUnet, the website of “It makes the most of what each has the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate to offer. And best of all, it’s the educators Units, making resources available to more we both serve who come out winners.” ■ than 122,000 teachers, 2,500 administrators and 10,000 paraprofessionals.

By Wendy Mackall, assistant communications A website will be developed for sharing director at Cal U

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Cal U, Penguins team up to fight childhood obesity FaCUlty member wrItes CUrrICUlUm For new Floor hoCkey Program

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hildhood obesity is growing at an alarming rate in the United States.

According to the American Heart Association, one in six children ages 2-19 is obese. And total health care costs attributable to obesity could reach $957 billion by 2030, accounting for 18 percent of U.S. spending for medical care.

Cal U, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation are teaming up to reduce those figures by encouraging physical activity among children in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Beginning this fall, the Pittsburgh

Penguins Foundation will launch Penguins ASSIST, a program designed to provide free floor hockey equipment to public and private elementary schools in Allegheny County.

Dr. Brian Wood, an assistant professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies at Cal U, was asked to develop the program’s curriculum, designing lessons that can be used in physical education classrooms and community recreation centers.

“The program is truly about getting kids active,” Wood says.

Floor hockey closely resembles ice hockey, but players wear sneakers instead

of skates. The game can be played indoors, in a gymnasium or other space with a smooth, hard-surfaced floor.

“This effort addresses a serious health and social concern,” adds Wood. “It is about using the expertise and resources of multiple organizations to implement practical solutions and achieve a desired outcome — mainly, developing a child’s commitment to lifelong physical activity.”

The curriculum is based on sound physical education pedagogy and coaching principles, Wood says. Future editions of the curriculum will be designed for youth sports programs run by community recreation groups.

“

It’s an honor to Partner wIth the PengUIns.

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DR. BRIAN WOOD ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE SCIENCE AND SPORT STUDIES 4

edUCation paRtneRS California University is the official education partner of the Pittsburgh Penguins. benefits of the ongoing relationship include: Scholarships: The Pittsburgh Penguins Scholarship Fund, which benefits cal U students, has grown to $25,700 through online auctions and other fundraising events. internships: Nearly 20 cal U students have completed internships with the Penguins operation, and 60 additional students have conducted game-day research at coNSoL energy center. ice time: cal U hockey players, both men and women, have experienced playing on the Pens’ home ice, and thousands of students and alumni have enjoyed cal U Hockey Night in Pittsburgh events.

Community service: Dozens of cal U students have gained public service, volunteer and work experience at events hosted by the hockey club and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. marketing: Millions of hockey fans have seen cal U’s name and Web address on the dasher boards during televised Penguins games. cal U students have been featured in Ice Time game-day programs, and more than 100 of Pittsburgh’s leading businesses and community organizations have been introduced to the University when they used the cal U conference room at coNSoL energy center.

Brian Wood has written curriculum guides for the Penguins ASSIST floor hockey program.

team chemistry The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation provides financial support to organizations that share their desire to promote physical well being, encourage teamwork, stress the value of education and provide essential life skills to young people in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Youth hockey is one vehicle for achieving those aims.

Once the foundation and the Penguins decided to pursue the Penguins ASSIST program, adding Cal U to the lineup created the perfect team, says Rich Hixon, executive director of strategic planning for the Penguins.

“We thought the marriage of the three groups was a great fit,” he says.

“We knew that Cal U had a great reputation for teacher education, and we needed a turnkey project to hand over to the schools.”

In addition to providing the program’s curriculum, Cal U faculty will assist the Penguins in delivering teacher training and continuing education credits for physical education teachers.

The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation will fund the program, which includes floor hockey equipment for elementary schools, copies of the curriculum and training for teachers.

The Penguins will provide expert hockey instruction, the use of CONSOL Energy Center for teacher training, and multimedia support for the curriculum.

The Pens also will build a number of outdoor street hockey rinks in the region.

“This is a great opportunity for us to introduce kids to hockey and give back to schools in a time of need,” Hixon says.

“This program get sticks in the hands of kids and will help grow the sport of hockey with an emphasis on healthy exercise.” high expectations Just as the Penguins strive to win the Stanley Cup every season, the Penguins ASSIST program has championship-caliber expectations for its success.

In the first year, the program’s goal is to place the curriculum in 291 schools in Allegheny County, reaching more than 80,000 students.

After three years, the program hopes to see the curriculum in every elementary school within 10 counties surrounding Allegheny.

To help meet these goals, the Penguins will introduce the curriculum and help train teachers at CONSOL Energy Center in late summer or early fall.

“Once we open registration for the program, we will bring in a mixture of Penguins alumni and coaches to teach the proper way to play hockey,” says Hixon.

“We hope this transfers into the physical education classrooms and gives all kids in our area a chance to learn the game.”

Wood and other Cal U faculty members expect to be on hand.

“Cal U must be a leader at generating and implementing solutions,” he says.

“Faculty and students must take classroom theory and use that education to solve issues facing our communities.

“It is an honor to partner with the Penguins organization in effort to attack the dilemmas of childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles.” ■

By Jeff Bender, PR and Web writer at Cal U

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learning by listening soCIal work stUdents FInd ‘mUCh In Common’ wIth older adUlts

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al U students pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work degree delved into the histories of older volunteers as part of a project funded by a two-year grant from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Gero-Ed Center.

Ten baccalaureate social work programs nationwide received the BSW Experiential Learning Program funding, which aims to prepare future social workers to interact with older adults and their families in practical settings.

Dr. Bernadette Jeffrey, assistant professor in the Department of Social Work, supervised administration of the grant, with guidance from the Rural Aging Initiatives in Social Work Education faculty committee.

“This was a great site for this grant,” says Dr. Pamela Twiss, chair of the Department of Social Work and director of the BSW program. “We are an aging society, especially in this region. Our students need to know how to work with older adults, and our faculty has identified aging as an area of ongoing interest.”

Activities prescribed by the grant included designing intergenerational programming, engaging in legislative advocacy, and participating in interviews with volunteers older than 65.

At Cal U, students in Jeffrey’s social work class practiced their interviewing skills by interacting directly with older adult volunteers at the Center in the Woods, a community center near campus.

After a two-part interview, students wrote papers based on information they learned from those conversations.

Topics included experiences during World War II and on Sept. 11, 2001, memories of life in Monongahela Valley steel towns, and more.

As part of her class on social work policy, assistant professor Sheri Boyle organized town meetings each semester

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Social Work Department members (from left) Sheri Boyle, Dr. Bernadette Jeffrey and Dr. Pamela Twiss recognize the needs of an aging population.

at the Center in the Woods on issues relevant to older residents, such as health care.

Each semester concluded with a luncheon to recognize and thank the volunteers.

“It changed my outlook to meet with someone older one-on-one,” says Erica Maloney, a senior in the BSW program and a member of the Bachelor of Social Work Association at Cal U. “It planted a seed. I had a desire to work with high-risk populations, but not so much with the elderly population going into this experience.

This population will need help from a social work perspective, so it is an interesting career path.”

Adds Jeffrey: “In spending time together, our students found much they had in common with the volunteers.”

Twiss says Cal U will continue to expose social work students to the needs of an aging population.

“To have funding come in that enhances learning and lets our students apply skills is very important and is a great contribution to our curriculum,” she says. “(The CSWE’s) expectation was

that this would be sustained, and we would do even better things in the future. So this was an important initiative, but it is a part of a larger emphasis on rural aging.”

Boyle, Jeffrey and Dr. Norma Thomas, the Master of Social Work program director at Cal U, will be presenting on the BEL grant in November at the CSWE’s annual program meeting in Washington, D.C. ■

By Wendy Mackall, assistant communications director at Cal U

Among our accomplishments … aChIevements From the College oF edUCatIon and hUman servICes

SCOTT HARGRAVES, of the Health Science Department, has been a board-certified specialist in geriatric physical therapy since May 2005.

Recently, the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties appointed him to the Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) as an item writer for the geriatrics specialty area. SACE was established to create a pool of certified specialists and content experts to write items for the specialist certification examinations. Hargraves’ appointment is for two years.

MICHAEL BRNA, director of Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS), launched the inaugural TPS Ambassador training program with a learning cohort composed of an Intermediate Unit 1 technology integrator/teacher trainer, a school librarian from Canon-McMillan School District, and a middle school teacher from Southmoreland School District.

TPS Ambassadors have completed TPS training and are capable of advocating and training their peers to use Library of Congress primary sources and inquiry-based learning effectively to raise student achievement.

VANESSA MacKINNON, of the Exercise Science and Sport Studies Department’s professional golf management program, served as a delegate to the International Olympic Committee’s World Conference on Women and Sport in February 2012. More than 700 delegates from 135 countries attended, along with the top leadership of the International Olympic Committee. She met with representatives of the National Olympic Committees to discuss increasing women’s participation in golf. MacKinnon completed her doctoral degree in November 2011 at Northcentral University in Prescott, Ariz.

CHRISTINE PATTI AND CONNIE MONROE will coordinate selection of math and science teacher education majors in the Secondary Education Administrative Leadership Department for a scholarship funded through the W.T. Morris Foundation. Two students will be selected to receive $5,000 each to support their educational costs.

CLOVER WRIGHT and Charlotte Orient, accompanied by several students from the early childhood education program, participated with Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial at a conference designed to help young children cope when largescale disasters occur.

KATE MITCHEM recently became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Doctoral Level, completing that program at Florida Institute of Technology.

JANE BONARI and Charlotte Orient both have retired after distinguished careers in the College of Education and Human Services.

DONNA GILMORE, the former administrative assistant in the College of Education and Human Services, has accepted the position of post-award coordinator in the Office of Grants and Contracts. She will assist all grant recipients at the University in creating and submitting annual/final reports to the funding agencies.

DEBORAH GRUBB assumes a new role as director of student placements in the College of Education and Human Services. In addition to securing field placements, she will secure student teaching placements, conduct cooperating teacher workshops, plan the student teaching orientation at the beginning of each semester, and conduct the student teacher showcase at the conclusion of each semester.

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Communication advances patient care Cal U and SlippeRy RoCk CollaboRate on phySiCal theRapy pRojeCt ecent changes in state laws regarding the autonomous practice of physical therapist assistants, or PTAs, have shed light on the need for better communication skills with their administering physical therapists, or PTs. This fall, California and Slippery Rock universities will look to bridge these communication gaps through a technologically driven collaborative learning project.

“This project will develop early communication skills in our students and create a realistic work environment,” says Dr. Jodi Dusi, an assistant professor in the Department of Health Science at Cal U. “It also will enhance the development and implementation of patient care within the entire physical therapy sector.”

The effectiveness of the project will be studied through a grant from the PASSHE Foundation’s Highmark Healthcare Academic Program Development fund.

PT students at Slippery Rock will record themselves evaluating mock patients, create a treatment plan, and then present their results to Cal U students using Desire2Learn, a Web-based learning management system utilized by both schools.

The PTAs at Cal U will collaborate with their designated therapists, using FaceTime software on Apple iPads, to implement

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exercise plans and other treatments for their patients’ first therapy sessions.

After learning how an individual patient responds to the initial training session, PTA students at Cal U must make a determination: Should they allow the patient to proceed with the second treatment as scheduled or contact the PT at Slippery Rock to adjust the treatment plan?

“This project offers the PT and PTA students a unique opportunity to learn more about the role each discipline plays in patient care,” says Dr. Kelly Lindenberg,

California University of Pennsylvania The College of Education and Human Services 250 University Avenue, California, PA 15419-1394 Phone: 724-938-4125 Fax: 724-938-4346 www.calu.edu A proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Integrity, Civility, Responsibility

an associate professor in the Graduate School of Physical Therapy at Slippery Rock.

Both sets of students will complete questionnaires before and after the course to compare the effectiveness of a traditional classroom model to the simulated workplace environment.

“We talk about the role of the PT and the PTA in class, but now they can engage and collaborate with each other,” says Dusi. “This method should really get them collaborating and using their problem-solving skills effectively.” ■

By Jeff Bender, PR and Web writer at Cal U

Dr. Judy Dusi says better communication will benefit patients.

Fans enjoy a performance by American music legend Kenny Rogers, who headlined the grand opening concert in the Convocation Center.

Celebration spotlights music education A rising nAshville sTAr meeTs wiTh sTuDenTs Before grAnD opening ConCerT

Nashville singer Amber McDonald ’02 performs with the University Choir during the free Community Celebration of Music in the Convocation Center courtyard.

uring the grand opening celebration for the new Convocation Center, Cal U students had the opportunity to meet with one of Nashville’s hottest young talents.

Country music singer-songwriter Andy Gibson met with commercial music technology students, fielding questions about the music industry and giving an intimate acoustic performance.

The workshop was a prelude to the free Community Celebration of Music held in the Convocation Center courtyard, and a grand opening concert that featured Gibson, Grammy award-winner Billy Dean, and American music legend Kenny Rogers.

“As a songwriter, I thought the Andy Gibson event was a great chance to see inside the machine, as it were, and get

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insights and stories from someone who is actively doing what my classmates and I aspire to achieve,” says Cal U student Regis Whetzel.

Gibson co-wrote “Don’t You Want to Stay,” the No. 1 country hit for Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson that won a standing ovation at last year’s Country Music Association Awards.

His recent single, “Wanna Make You Love Me,” had a 10-week run on Billboard’s County Top 30 music chart.

“I believe that if you keep working hard, opportunities will come to you,” Gibson told the students. “I’m not in this industry for the rich-and-famous part of it. I just want to be able to play my music. That has worked for me.” ■

By Jeff Bender, PR and Web writer at Cal U

Andy Gibson and his band give an impromptu acoustic performance for commercial music technology students.

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 19 ■

ALUMNI S P O T L I G H T

economic impact A successful manufacturing business relies on data-driven information. Are products priced competitively? How quickly is the economic climate changing? Is now a good time to buy supplies?

Under the direction of Dr. Don Sabbarese ’72, the Econometric Center at Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Ga., provides these answers and many more to manufacturers and other businesses in six states — Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Sabbarese, who received his Ph.D. from Georgia State University, also has been a professor in the Department of Economics, Dr. Don Sabbarese ‘72 Finance and

DreAm JoB I

Quantitative Analysis at Kennesaw State for 30 years.

“We gather a variety of economic data; one of the types is called the Purchasing Managers’ Index,” he says.

“It gives us the earliest measure of manufacturing activity in the six-state area.

“Our data on commodity prices, new orders, production and inventory are released earlier than the federal government releases data by at least a month.”

The center provides other information, such as industry surveys, economic impact studies and tax forecasting, and Sabbarese regularly pens op-eds, appears on TV and radio, and speaks to chambers of commerce and other organizations on topics such as fiscal policies and their impact on the economy.

“I feel like my experience in the private sector allows me to be more effective in the classroom,” he says

t took a full-time job as a paralegal, the birth of her first child and an exercise class for Jamie Nixon Howell ’09, ’10 to discover her dream job.

“I was miserable working in a law firm each day,” says Howell.

“I gained 80 lbs. in my first pregnancy, and it was dreadful to work out every day alone, with my daughter crying in the stroller. That led me to a group fitness class, which led me to becoming a personal trainer and working in my dream job.”

But Howell needed to fuel her new passion with an education. She turned to Cal U Global Online, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in sport management and her master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion.

“I would have to say that my biggest accomplishment in life was finishing my degrees at Cal U while being a full-time, working mother of three,” she says.

“Without Cal U Global Online, I wouldn’t be where I am today.“ Howell now works as the SMRT-CORE™ programming and training manager for Trigger Point

of his roles as director and professor.

“Not only do I bring the theory and the concepts, but I can relate that for students in the real world.

Teaching is a very important part of my job.”

Among his role models is Dr. William Kania, an associate professor of business and economics at Cal U from 1961-1987 and the first chair of the school’s Department of Business and Economics.

“He had an experience not only as an economist but also in the real world (as an accountant), so he didn’t limit his analysis to economic models and concepts, but related it to the real world.

“He stood out to me because he really got me interested in economics.”

By Wendy Mackall, assistant communications director at Cal U

Performance, a company based in Austin, Texas, that focuses on empowering people to move with soft tissue compression tools, release tools and training education.

In her role with Trigger Point Performance, Howell travels the world to teach personal trainers, chiropractors and other fitness professionals about SMRT-CORE™, a total body training system that restores function while strengthening the body using a revolutionary foam roller called the GRID™.

“It is definitely an amazing experience to travel to other countries and teach people the benefits of SMRTCORE™,” says Howell.

“To travel the world helping people feel and move better is priceless.”

By Jeff Bender, PR and Web writer at Cal U

Jamie Nixon Howell ‘09, ‘10

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You Don’T heAr Too mAnY people sAY TheY love Their JoB, BuT i Do. PATRICK BETSCHART ’05, ’07

A game of hide-and-seek

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he desire to be part of a fastpaced team that presents new and exciting challenges led Patrick Betschart ’05, ’07 to a career with the U.S. Border Patrol.

“I wanted something high speed, and the U.S. Border Patrol certainly opened that door for me,” he says.

Betschart, a field training officer stationed in Nogales, Ariz., spends his days scanning for illegal aliens in mobile surveillance trucks, chasing smugglers on all-terrain vehicles, and training other field officers to protect our nation’s borders.

“You don’t hear too many people say they love their job, but I do,” he says. “It has gotten to the point where it really is not work anymore, but a game of hide-andseek with really cool resources.”

Although it may seem like a game, Betschart says it takes a mixture of motivation, patience and a significant understanding of the law to be a successful agent.

Most of those ingredients he picked up at Cal U. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Betschart pursued a master’s degree in justice studies with a homeland security concentration.

“The normal coursework and legal material I learned at Cal U really gave me an advantage during training,” he says.

In April, Betschart gave back to the University by participating in a videoconference with students.

Speaking from Arizona, he discussed his career choices and the skills needed to be a federal agent.

“If you’re motivated, a day’s

work always provides new sights and views,” he says. “The rural areas on the border, including the national parks and forests, really provide some beautiful sights.” ■

By Jeff Bender, PR and Web writer at Cal U

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 21 ■

CAMPUS C L I P S

students float ideas to enhance ‘river towns’ Forty Cal U students recently proposed projects designed to increase the number of visitors to California and Coal Center.

Created for a course in Recreation Site Design and Management, the 10 plans were presented to elected officials, community leaders and the public as part of the River Town Program, launched by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council in 2011.

The program is intended to help several towns along the Monongahela River — Point Marion, Greensboro, Rices Landing, Fredericktown, Millsboro, California and Coal Center — expand existing businesses and create new ones to serve the outdoor recreation market.

Dr. John Confer, of the Department of Earth Sciences, said he and the students in his class look forward to an ongoing partnership with the River Town Program.

“There are a lot of faculty and students here who could help them solve problems and provide information,” he says. “We have to look to what we have and use it to bring people to the area.”

Parks and recreation management students (from left) Roman Sulkosky, Lena Danka and Bryce Wilson presented plans to boost outdoor recreation as part of the River Town project.

mechatronics programs address industry demand Cal U hosted industry certification for 25 high school and college-level mechatronics instructors this summer as the University prepares to launch a new bachelor’s degree program in mechatronics engineering technology.

A $178,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation supported participation in the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Instructor Certification Program for teachers from Eastern Westmoreland and Western

Acting University President Geraldine Jones and Allan Simons, of Westmoreland County Community College, look over equipment at the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Instructor Certification training.

22 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

Area career and technology centers, plus faculty from Westmoreland County Community College and Cal U. Faculty members from community colleges in Tennessee, Missouri, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Indiana also attended the specialized training. Classes were taught by instructors from the Siemens Technical Academy in Berlin, Germany.

Level 2 Instructor Certification will be a focus during the second year of the grant-funded program.

Mechatronics blends mechanical and electrical engineering technology with computer science. A mechatronics engineer works with mechanical devices that incorporate mechanical, electrical and software components, such as robots, automated guided vehicles or other “smart” tools.

Cal U’s four-year mechatronics program, which anticipates a fall 2013 launch, will complement the University’s two-year associate degree in robotics engineering technology.

“There is a great demand for workers trained in mechatronics,” says Michael Amrhein, director of Cal U’s Office of Integration and Outreach for TEAMS (Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math and Science).

“Establishing a high-quality teaching corps in mechatronics should result in highly competent students who will complete their studies well prepared to enter the workforce.”

Advocate: ‘Your vote is priceless’

57 poised to serve with AmeriCorps

Cal U marked primary election day with a talk by a voting rights advocate who has received national honors for her work.

Jennifer Brunner, who served as secretary of state for Ohio from 2007-2011, was a 2008 winner of the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award.

Jennifer Brunner Now an attorney in private practice, she discussed Pennsylvania’s new voter identification law and the importance of casting a ballot.

“Democracy is fragile, and the right to vote is at its core,” she said. “You cannot put a price on a vote.”

Brunner’s appearance was sponsored by the American Democracy Project at Cal U. The election day lineup also featured a roundtable talk by faculty on “New Barriers to the Ballot,” and a panel on “Leadership and Politics” that included Washington County Commissioner Lawrence Maggi, a member of the University’s Council of Trustees, and the Hon. Janet Moschetta Bell, a Washington County judge.

Earlier this spring, the American Democracy project kicked off the election season with “Election Outlook: The Race to the White House,” featuring a panel of political scientists and moderator Jon Delano, money and politics editor for KDKA-TV.

Two grants awarded to the Center for Civic Engagement will increase the number of AmeriCorps fellows on campus by 250 percent.

The Pennsylvania Campus Compact has awarded Cal U 38 AmeriCorps Community Fellow positions for the upcoming academic year. The Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development awarded 19 additional AmeriCorps positions through the Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania program.

Last year, 23 Community Fellows and four Scholars in Service were active at Cal U. Each eligible participant will receive a Segal Education Award of $1,175 from the Corporation for National and Community Service — nearly $67,000 in potential scholarships in all. Both programs require students to complete a minimum of 300 service hours per year.

Community Fellows serve in K-12 schools, on Cal U’s campus, and at community-based after-school programs, working with at-risk students to enhance college readiness and success.

The Scholars in Service program trains and supports students engaged in community service and leadership.

“We’ve seen a direct change in the culture of service on our campus,” says Nancy Skobel, associate dean for Student Affairs. “Once our students serve in these positions, they are coming back to us and asking about different opportunities to serve.”

puT To The TesT ROTC member Gage Crosen, a history major at Cal U, qualifies in the shot put as he attempts to earn the prestigious German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Members of the active-duty, reserve and National Guard components of the U.S. military competed at Cal U to earn the badge, a decoration of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany and one of the few foreign awards that U.S. military members may wear on their uniform.

To earn the badge, candidates must meet benchmarks in swimming, running and other physical activities; qualify on the pistol range; pass a first-aid test; and complete a road march while carrying a backpack weighing at least 33 pounds.

Dr. Lisa McBride

ombudsperson named ‘woman of excellence’ Dr. Lisa McBride has been chosen as one of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s 2012 Women of Excellence, becoming the second leader at Cal U to earn the distinction.

She joins Acting University President Geraldine M. Jones, who accepted the award in 2010.

McBride, the University ombudsperson and special assistant to the president for Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity, joined other awardees for a recognition luncheon in Pittsburgh.

The award winners were nominated by readers of the New Pittsburgh Courier, which describes itself as “one of the oldest and most prestigious Black newspapers in the United States.”

Each year the publication honors women for their professional accomplishments and their commitment to the region.

As director of Cal U’s Office of Social Equity, McBride has worked to shape institutional policies and practices that advance a campus climate of inclusion.

She is a founding member of Cal U Men United, a mentoring group aimed at improving retention and graduation rates for male students of color, and chair of the President’s Commission for the Status of Women.

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 23 ■

DIvIng Deep scuba training fills need, gives job-seekers an edge tudents found themselves in over their heads when they took a new course offered this summer by the Department of Justice, Law and Society.

But “Underwater Search, Recovery and Evidence Collection, with Scuba Certification” may give them a leg up in the job market.

“This course provides a critical skill set that is needed within the homeland security, fire and rescue, emergency management, forensics science, law enforcement, and investigations professions,” says Dr. Michael Hummel, associate professor of leadership and security studies.

A certified diver, Hummel participated in underwater recovery and special operations reconnaissance during his military service. The new course teaches the art and science of conducting underwater operations for occupational or professional purposes, he says.

Successful participants earned full certification from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, or PADI. They also picked up three Cal U credits and a certificate verifying their training in underwater evidence collection, search and recovery, and equipment use.

A PADI-certified master dive instructor, James Gazica, taught most of the course. Hummel was a guest lecturer, along with Kevin Angelilli, a professional public safety diver and author of Public Safety Diving All the Way to the Bottom: For Divers.

An upper-level course for Justice, Law and Society students, the course also can be a useful elective in disciplines such as biology and archaeology.

“We in the department of Justice, Law and Society are always thinking of new ways to prepare our students

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Instructor Jim Gazica (left) helps Jaclyn Billy fit her scuba mask.

To see video from the course, visit www.calu.edu/news; choose ‘Cal U Review’ and click on ‘As Seen in the Review.’

24 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

In the Hamer Hall pool, certified diving instructor Jim Gazica teaches scuba safety procedures to Katie Natter (center) and Alex Peplinski.

and give them an edge out there in the job market,” Hummel says. “This is one of those skills that is a dire need — and I don’t know of any other school that offers it.”

Senior Alex Ball, a justice studies major, says the course will enhance his resume.

“This adds to the value of my International and Homeland Security degree. The more skills and training we possess, the more we will stand out to future employers.

This type of hands-on class is also a lot of fun.”

Dr. David Argent, chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, does extensive research on the composition of fish communities in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Snorkeling and scuba diving are skills in high demand among fishery and aquatic ecologists, he says. Certified divers can assist with habitat evaluation work, population estimation, mussel surveys and recovery of gear from waterways.

“In the past, I have even used divers to locate fish that expired during radio-telemetry studies,” Argent says.

“While the Mon River may appear silty most of the time, water clarity near the bottom is good enough to perform species-specific assessments.”

The 10-week course introduced students to underwater operations through academic sessions and practical applications in a confined area and in an open-water environment.

Once pool qualifications were met, open-water dives were conducted at Mount Storm Lake, in West Virginia.

“This is the real deal, with very serious written exams and a lot of work, with safety being our No. 1 concern,” Hummel says.

“And with your PADI certification card, you are allowed to scuba dive anywhere in the world.” ■

By Bruce Wald ’85, information writer at Cal U

PAYING IT F O R W A R D

gift from professor's estate totals $1.95 million alifornia University of Pennsylvania students soon will see the benefits of what is believed to be the largest scholarship donation in its modern history.

The estate of G. Ralph Smith II, a retired assistant professor of English who died in 2010, has bequeathed $1.95 million to Cal U. The G. Ralph Smith II General Scholarships are expected to be awarded beginning in 2013-2014.

The University is in the process of developing scholarship criteria, but Smith made it clear that the gift could be used in a manner that would do the most good.

“Professor Smith worked with excellent professional advisers in the planning and management of this extraordinary gift,” says Gordon Core, director of planned giving at Cal U. “Cal U was fortunate to have worked with Professor Smith to plan in advance to honor his intentions for his bequest.

“He will be sending students to college every fall. Long after we are gone, there will be Smith Scholarship recipients at Cal U.” Smith taught at the University for 30 years, retiring in 1994 for health reasons.

Dr. John Pierce Watkins, emeritus president at California University and a former chair of the English Department, worked closely with Smith.

“Classroom evaluations by his colleagues were always exemplary, especially in the areas of linguistics and post-war European fiction,” Watkins recalls.

“He was very much admired by his students, and his students really cared about him and told me so numerous times. Despite his health challenges, he was a popular professor and made important contributions to the department.”

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II alph Smith fessor G. R o Pr t n ta is Ass

Among those contributions was a project to upgrade the library holdings in English and literature. Smith also was chair of the English Honors Committee.

As chair of the Freshmen English Committee, Watkins recalls, the professor was instrumental in updating English requirements for all students.

Smith served as president of the California Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, chair of the Western Division of the State College System/AAUP, and president of the Faculty Senate at Cal U. He was a member of several Faculty Senate committees.

Watkins also recalls another task that Smith took very seriously.

“In the English Department, we, as his colleagues, warmly remember him as the ‘keeper of the coffeepot.’

There were 40 faculty members in the department at that time, and he took his duties in that regard seriously.

Lots of people didn’t pay for coffee as they should, but he always made

sure we had coffee.”

These roles — whether formal or lighthearted — speak to the kind of person Smith was at heart, Watkins says.

“He always served his University well, and the bequest he left is a continuation of that good service he was known for. He was a complicated and interesting man who obviously remembered his University with great charity.” ■

By Wendy Mackall, assistant communications director at Cal U

MAKE PLANS For information about developing an estate plan, or about establishing or contributing to a student scholarship through your estate, contact gordon Core, director of planned giving, at 724-938-5985 or core@calu.edu.

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 25 ■

SPORTS P R O F I L E

A cAreer tAkes flight

former Cal u assistant lands head coaching job at u.s. Air force Academy ave Pilipovich’s career began to take flight at Cal U, when he was a graduate assistant coaching men’s basketball in Hamer Hall. After several stops along the way, he has landed his first head coaching position, at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

In March, after serving as interim head coach during the final eight games of the academy’s 2011-2012 season, Pilipovich was named the eighth head coach in the program’s history.

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to take a Division I opportunity.

This fall he’ll begin his sixth Cal U hired coach Jim Boone season at the academy. He joined the just 17 days before the start of the Falcons’ staff in 2007 after coaching at 1986-1987 season. Nevertheless, the five different schools, including two Vulcans went on to win consecutive seasons at the collegiate powerhouse PSAC-West championships and the University of Michigan.

1988 conference title.

Pilipovich’s 26-year coaching Pilipovich says he odyssey began learned lessons from when he served Some of the most fun both Cal U Hall of Fame from 1987-1988 as coaches. a graduate assistant i’ve ever had in “When I first got to with the Vulcan coaching was during Cal, Tim (Loomis) always men’s basketball my time at Cal. ... said that whenever you team. He earned i’ll never forget have a decision to make, his master’s degree that time. you should think about in geography and how it will hinder or regional planning benefit the program, in May 1988, then dAve pilipoviCh '88 heAd BASKeTBAll CoACh and then make that stayed on at Cal U U.S. Air ForCe ACAdemy decision as if you were for a third season, the head coach, even though you’re this time as an assistant coach. just an assistant,” he recalls.

“Some of the most fun I’ve ever “And Coach Boone’s organization, had in coaching was during my time practice structure and game preparaat Cal,” says Pilipovich, a native of tion are things that have been with Duquesne, Pa., and a four-year me ever since. basketball letter winner at Thiel “Coaching changes are the nature College. “I think the biggest reason of our business,” Pilipovich adds. “The for that was the people at the University situation at Air Force (when head and in the community. I’ll never coach Jeff Reynolds was removed and forget that time.

Pilipovich stepped in as interim head “It’s exciting, now, to see how coach) was hard on me, my family and much the school has grown.” our staff, because of the relationships A coaching change at Cal U helped involved. to prepare Pilipovich for his mid-season “But as we said to our team, rise to interim head coach for the Falcons you can’t look backward. You have last year. He was hired at California in to move forward and make the best the summer of 1986 by head coach of that situation.”

Tim Loomis, who promptly departed

“

“

Dave Pilipovich keeps an eye on his Air Force Academy players during a home game in Colorado Springs.

26 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

ToTAl pACkAge Air Force athletic director Dr. Hans Mueh clearly believed Pilipovich could move the program ahead. He decided to forgo a national search and instead announced that Pilipovich had been hired as head coach on the day of the last regular-season game.

“I buy, but I don’t shop,” Mueh announced. “I’ve seen enough of Dave Pilipovich and his staff since we made this change. To see the energy on the bench and to see the excitement in the players’ eyes and to see his positive, motivating approach makes him the right coach for right now at the Air Force Academy.

“He’s got the total package. ...

He understands cadets, and I know I will not ever regret this decision.”

Pilipovich says coaching at the Air Force Academy is very different than it is at other schools.

While some teens spend the summer after high school graduation partying at the beach, incoming Air Force freshmen report to six weeks of Basic Cadet Training in late June. Their 18-week semester begins in early August, with each cadet taking 18 to 21 academic credits.

After four years, a successful cadet will graduate as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, where he or she then must serve for five years.

“You’re very restricted while you’re here (as a student),” Pilipovich says.

“You’re told when to get up, when to go to bed and what to wear. It’s a different environment, but as a coach, I’m dealing with young men and women who truly are the best of the best.

“When our guys graduate, they never have to write a resume, because they start their jobs immediately. We may not have NBA players, but we have leaders of this country.”

Calling him ‘the right coach for right now,’ Air Force athletic director Dr. Hans Mueh said Dave Pilipovich knows how to motivate players and understands cadets.

miliTArY flighT Air Force competes in the Mountain West Conference, which includes such prominent athletic schools as Boise State University, Texas Christian University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The eight-team league has national television contracts, but the Falcons players have no sense of entitlement.

When he was at Michigan, Pilipovich explains, the team often flew to away games in the Detroit Pistons’ private plane, which was replete with amenities.

He experienced a new version of air travel the first time he took a military charter flight with the Falcons.

“So we drive up and go into the military plane carrying our luggage, and there are no seats,” Pilipovich recalls.

“They have these ropes that come off the wall like jump seats. There are just two wooden boxes in the middle of the plane, with padlocks, for the luggage. There are no drinks served, but they give

you earplugs because of how loud the plane is.

“No one’s getting a big head.”

Pilipovich admits that he can’t remember who spoke at his own Commencement. The situation was different last May, when he and his wife, Kelly, attended the Air Force Academy’s graduation ceremony to see three of his players receive their diplomas.

“We are in a packed stadium, and then you see President Obama walk out of the football tunnel to address the audience and present the diplomas,” he said. “Those cadets will never forget who spoke at their Commencement.”

Pilipovich says he never forgets the path he’s taken, and he’s eager to embrace his first head coaching opportunity.

“Sometimes I think, ‘Wow, is this really happening?’” he says. “To be in charge of this basketball program is really something. What more could you ask for?” ■

By Bruce Wald ’85, information writer at Cal U

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 27 ■

SPORTS R O U N D U P

On The mOve STuDenT-AThleTeS ChASe SuCCeSS In SprIng SpOrTS Cal U’s athletic program moves outdoors for the spring sports season. And both individual and team players moved the Vulcans into the winners’ column during the spring semester. women’s tennis After winning its sixth consecutive PSAC and NCAA Division II Atlantic Region titles, the women’s tennis team advanced to the national quarterfinals for the fifth time in six years.

A setback there ended the team’s 14-match winning streak. The Vulcans finished the season with a 24-6 overall record and a No. 8 ranking in the Intercollegiate Tennis Martina Rubesova Association (ITA) Top 50.

Senior Martina Rubesova was named the PSAC-West Athlete of the Year after netting a 26-6 overall record in singles play. Senior Annabel Pieschi (25-7) also earned all-conference honors. So did senior Franziska Steinhart, who teamed with Rubesova in doubles play for a 30-6 final record.

Ninth-year head coach Pablo Montana improved his cumulative Cal U coaching record to 211-62.

women’s golf The women’s golf team advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships for the third consecutive season following a strong third-place finish at the Super Region One Tournament.

The championships closed with Cal U in sixth place on the leaderboard, the program’s best finish.

Senior Dianne Luke ended the season in a tie for 10th place, finishing among the top Dianne Luke 25 nationally for the fourth time in a row. She received National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-American honors for the second consecutive year.

Junior Maria Lopez tied for 17th.

At the regional tournament, Luke finished in a tie for fourth place, and Lopez tied for ninth.

28 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

women’s track and field The Vulcans tied a program-best finish at the PSAC Championships by finishing fourth in women’s track and field.

Sophomore Monique Sims became Cal U’s first individual female state champion since 1985, winning the finals of the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.00 seconds. She qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships, where she finished in 15th place.

Sims also anchored Cal U’s 4x100-meter relay team, running with junior Jordyn Reagan, sophomore Bria Jay and freshman Danae Burgwin. The quartet won the PSAC championship, setting a school record with a time of 47.02 seconds.

The 4x400-meter relay team also brought PSAC gold back to campus. Seniors Shakeria Love and Samantha Valiton, junior Shantae Motley and Reagan turned in a winning time of 3 minutes, 50.28 seconds.

softball Cal U won its fourth consecutive PSAC-West softball title — its 15th title in 19 years under head coach Rick Bertagnolli.

The Vulcans finished the season with a 33-10 overall record and a 12-2 divisional mark, earning a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs for the 21st time in 23 years.

Senior third baseman and two-time All-American Jillian Jillian Russell Russell was named the PSACWest Player of the Year for a third straight year. After batting .397 while hitting 14 home runs, she finished with a school-record 41 career home runs and 170 runs batted in.

Freshman outfielder Katie Natter was named first-team all-region and PSAC-West Freshman of the Year after belting 12 home runs, scoring 40 runs and batting .338.

Sophomore Hope Spancake joined Natter on the firstteam all-region list. Named the PSAC-West Pitcher of the Year, she went 17-5 overall with 141 strikeouts and a 1.67 ERA. Another freshman outfielder, Shelby Heyd, made firstteam all-conference, and second-team all-region. She batted .341 and was one of only four players to start all 43 games.

Bertagnolli was awarded division Coach of the Year honors for the fourth consecutive season. This was the 12th time he has accepted the award.

up and over Senior Brice Meyers became the first six-time NCAA All-American in school history when he closed out his career by finishing fourth in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2012 NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships.

His time of 13.71 seconds set a school and conference record.

The PSAC champion in the 110-meter hurdles for three consecutive years, Myers earned second- and third-place national finishes in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

He also holds three previous All-American finishes in the 60-meter indoor hurdles.

men’s golf For the third consecutive season, the men’s golf team finished 10th at the NCAA Atlantic/East Regional Championships.

Freshmen Charlie Durman and Jordan Eck were the highest individual finishers for the Vulcans. Durman ended play in a tie for sixth place, with a three-round total of 228. Eck tied for eighth place, with 229.

Before the post-season, the Vulcans won team titles at the Carnegie Mellon University and St. James (Southport, N.C.) invitational tournaments.

earning the same recognition as a relief pitcher and catcher. He started games at five different positions this spring, batted .359 and had 17 multi-hit games. Petty also went 7-4 on the mound and earned one save.

Also earning all-conference honors were seniors Troy Handza and Kyle Bowser.

Handza, an outfielder, batted .298 and finished his career with 99 stolen bases, which ranks second in school and conference history.

Bowser, a second baseman, was second on the team with 27 RBI and 19 stolen bases.

Baseball The Vulcans qualified for the PSAC baseball playoffs for the 11th time in 12 years, making their 12th appearance overall under head coach Mike Conte.

Versatile junior Kyle Petty was a national semifinalist for the Tino Martinez Award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division II. Petty earned all-conference honors as a utility player, after previously

men’s track and field Sophomore Marcus Givan became just the third Vulcan in school history to win the PSAC high jump title, clearing 1.95 meters.

Also earning all-conference honors with third-place finishes in men’s track and field were senior Ryan Schleicher in the javelin (61.18 meters) and sophomore Mitch Codd in the pole vault (4.66 meters).

The team finished eighth overall.

Director’s Cup Cal U finished 11th in the final standings of the 2011-2012 Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup. This was the highest finish among all PSAC schools and the fifth consecutive year that Cal U has finished among the top 15 teams vying for the national honor.

The Directors’ Cup annually recognizes institutions that maintain a broad-based program in both men’s and women’s sports. The scoring system is based on the national finishes of seven men’s and seven women’s sports teams.

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics announced the award in June.

Correcting the record Last winter, the women’s swimming team finished third at the PSAC championships for the third time in the past four years. The team’s finish was reported incorrectly in the Spring 2012 edition; the Review regrets the error. ■

By Bruce Wald ’85, information writer at Cal U

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 29 ■

P

L

A

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N

E

D

G

I

V

I

N G

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES PROVIDE RELIABLE INCOME BALANCE REMAINS AS A GIFT TO SUPPORT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS OR PROGRAMS t may surprise you to learn that one simple way to get income — a secure, generous, lifelong income — is by making a gift for student scholarships or programs at California University of Pennsylvania.

A charitable gift annuity to the Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania can help to meet that objective and more.

In today’s financial world, retirees and others may have difficulty finding a stable income with reliable payouts. The best bonds and CDs pay low (and lower) interest. Even the “blue chip” stocks remain volatile.

Federal Treasury notes and bonds offer the greatest security, but income from them is too low to meet the needs of middle-class savers and investors.

An annuity translates a lump sum of money into an annual or quarterly income, a lifelong payout calculated from birthdates and interest factors. The payments are predictable, stable, secure and generously based on life expectancies. At the end, some balance of the lump-sum amount remains as a gift to support Cal U student scholarships or University programs.

A charitable gift annuity with the Foundation for California University produces annual (or quarterly) payments that include current income, as well as a sliver of the original gift. The total is an attractive annual percentage of that gift, and some of it is tax-free over the life-expectancy years.

Shown here are the benefits of a $10,000 gift, which also generates an immediate charitable deduction on the donor’s income tax statement in the year of the gift.

I

30 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

Additional information is available in booklet form or on the Cal U website. Visit www.calu.edu/giving, and click on “Legacy & Planned Giving.” To receive a booklet or personal details reflecting your age(s) and priorities, please call Gordon Core, director of Planned Giving, at 724-938-5985 or send e-mail to core@calu.edu.

RESULTS OF A $10,000 GIFT AT SAMPLES AGES* IN D IVI D UA L Age

Annual Payment*

Tax-Free Portion*

Income Tax Deduction*

60

$440

$338

$1,852

65

$470

$367

$2,661

70

$510

$410

$3,469

75

$580

$475

$4,101

80

$680

$567

$4,669

85

$780

$673

$5,418

C OUP LE Age

Annual Payment*

Tax-Free Portion*

Income Tax Deduction*

68/64

$430

$340

$1,754

72/68

$460

$369

$2,342

75/71

$480

$389

$2,903

77/73

$500

$409

$3,211

80/76

$540

$447

$3,606

*gifted 8/31/2012, results vary by ages and gift dates

CALU M I L E S T O N E S 50s Lou Phillips Wollenberg ’51 is a

retired teacher from Moberly, Mo.

60s Katharine O’Hara Scatena ’62

has retired from teaching after 33 years. She has lived in Fort Wayne, Ind., since 1963. Her husband, Tony, who also went to Cal U for a brief time, died in 1983.

Diane DalCanton Shook ’65 is

retired. She lives in Fort Myers, Fla., with her husband, Roy ’64.

John Martin ’68 is director of

Global Education Services for Veeam Software, with locations in Columbus, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Russia. When he’s not out of the country, John lives in Alexandria, Ohio, coaches a marathon training pace group and is getting ready for the New York City Marathon in November.

70s Herbert Wagner ’71 retired from

teaching in the School District of Cheltenham Township, Pa. He and his wife, Linda, live in Hatfield, Pa. Carol Orme ’71 is a retired

human resources professional living in Santa Rosa, Calif. She is a volunteer tutor for the Schools of Hope program, an initiative of the United Way of the Wine Country that helps children develop reading skills.

Karen Polkabla ’71, ’75, of

Dr. Leonard Colelli ’77, former

Michelle Stout ’87 has been

Donora, Pa., has been hired as superintendent of the Ringgold School District. She was hired by the district in 1987 as an elementary school teacher and became principal of Donora Elementary Center. Five years ago she began serving as assistant superintendent.

dean of the Eberly College of Science and Technology at Cal U, has been named campus provost at Potomac State College, a twoyear institution that is a division of West Virginia University.

promoted to the newly created position of manager of community initiatives and diversity at Sunovia Energy Technologies.

Lenora Edwards Kihn ’72

has retired from the U.S. Postal Service.

Dan Mariotti ’73 is looking

forward to spending more time with his wife of 21 years, Mary, as he retires after 35 years of teaching.

Mary and Dan hope to spend time with granddaughters Athena Tomsic and Gracie Roth, as well as their five children: Jessica, Nick, Doug, Michele and Denise. Dan hopes to continue to play golf and enjoy helping others, as well as traveling across the United States.

Charles “Chuck” White ’75

celebrated his retirement from the Social Security Administration after 31.5 years with a trip to Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. He and his wife of 43 years, Peggy, live in Claysville, Pa. Mark Cerullo ’76 is retired. He and

his wife, Janet, live in Adah, Pa. Toni Kendrick ’76 is principal at

Pittsburgh Allegheny 6-8, part of the Pittsburgh (Pa.) Public Schools.

She recently was honored by the New Pittsburgh Courier with a 2012 Women of Excellence Award.

80s Retired Air Force Col. Greg Myers ’81 has been appointed by New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He had served as deputy secretary since October 2011 and took on the role of acting secretary in January. He previously was director of process improvement and integration at Kirtland Air Force Base, in Albuquerque, N.M. He also served as commander of air support operations at Fort Stewart in Savannah, Ga. Lloyd Miller ’84 is a consultant

at Miller Printing Consultants.

He and his wife, Deborah ’91, live in Grayson, Ga. Robert Korcheck II ’84 is self-

employed. He lives in Kintnersville, Pa., with his wife, Rosemary.

Robin Heffner Proietto ’82, ’84 is

a compliance officer for the Valley Forge Sewer Authority. She lives in Royersford, Pa. At Cal U, she was a member of the volleyball team and Gamma Theta Upsilon honor society.

Mary Lou Murt ’86 has received the

2012 Edward J. Protin Memorial Award from Monongahela Valley Hospital, where she is senior vice president of nursing. The Protin Award, one of the hospital’s most prestigious honors, was established in 1981 in memory of Edward J. Protin, of Charleroi, Pa., former president of the hospital’s board of trustees and a longtime community leader in the Mid-Mon Valley.

Vincent Belczyk ’86 has been

Encore appearance Friends from the Cal U Theatre Department in the 1970s recently gathered at the Kara Alumni House. Some in the group had not seen each other in 30 years. Attending were (front row, from left) Dennis Taylor ’74, Joe Onorato ’76, Rosemary Bertini O’Neil ’76 and Thom Volpe Kummerle ’76. Also (back row, from left) Diane Ludwick Mousseau ’76, Jacqueline Baker Lapisardi ’74, Michie Grimm Merryman ’77 and Charles Nyswaner ’74.

Loweda Woods-Veatch ’89 is a

BCM/parent mentor for Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services Inc. She lives in Brownsville, Pa., with her husband, Gary.

90s Roxanne Cheroki-Tsambarlis ’90

is a teacher in the Belle Vernon Area School District. She lives in Belle Vernon, Pa., with her husband, Herc.

Richard Albietz ’91 is an internal

review evaluator for the U.S. Army.

He and his wife, Donna, live in Forest Hill, Md. Lisa Yeskey ’91 is a school

administrator in the Warren County Schools. She and her husband, John Kent, live in Stephens City, Va. Bill Matrogan ’92 has been

promoted to the position of vice president of claims training for Erie Insurance. He has been with Erie Insurance since 1993 and most recently held the position of section supervisor for property and subrogation.

Jim Mistick ’92 recently received

his MBA. At Cal U, he was involved with the campus radio station, and at one time he owned his own station.

Michael Andresky ’79, ’92 is

semi-retired from his insurance and financial services business.

He has switched his registered representative’s registration to Waddell & Reed in Monroeville, Pa. He is working as a sales assistant in the Belle Vernon, Pa., area under Jacob Cuthbert. He is still very active in the property and casualty aspect of the business.

hired as business manager in the Peters Township (Pa.) School District.

Steven Sarver ’93 of Pittsburgh,

Dave Lease ’86 has been named

Pa., is an archaeologist resource at GAI Consulting Engineers.

Franklin (Va.) Public Schools Teacher of the Year. He is the Franklin High School golf coach, assistant football coach, athletic director and building trades teacher. He and his wife, Pam, have two children, Heather and Colby Lou.

Stacey Brooks Ventura ’93 lives

in Pearl City, Hawaii, with her husband, Brian ’94.

Tammy Horney Petruzzi ’94

is a teacher. She lives in Lehigh Acres, Fla.

SUMMER SUMMER 2012 2012 CAL CAL U U REVIEW REVIEW 31 31 ■■

CALU M I L E S T O N E S John Blicha ’95 has been

appointed to the newly created position of marketing communications manager for Eriez, a manufacturer of advanced technology for magnetic, vibratory and inspection applications.

Michele Papakie ’96, of Brush

Valley, Pa., an associate professor of journalism at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, has been selected for membership in IUP’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.

Veronica L. Hordubay ’96

has been named the marketing and sales manager for the SMGmanaged Big Sandy Superstore Arena, in Huntington, W.Va. Kerry Novak-Drilak ’97 was

inducted into the WashingtonGreene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Novak-Drilak was a four-time all-conference right fielder from 1994-1997. She was a 1997 NFCA All-American and two-time Academic All-American who was the 1997 PSAC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Novak-Drilak helped the Vulcans win four PSAC-West titles, three NCAA Regional championships, two PSAC titles and the 1997 NCAA II National Championship.

Amy Gardner Lombard ’01

is a major gifts officer for the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Medical and Health Sciences Foundation. In her new position she raises funds for the Neurological Surgery and Neurology departments. At Cal U, she served as executive director of Alumni Relations for nearly six years, beginning in 2006; she previously worked for four years as the University’s manager of scholarship endowments. Amy lives in Perryopolis, Pa., with her daughters, Ginya and Lola.

Michael Silbaugh ’02 has been

hired as assistant principal at Pine-Richland High School in the Pine-Richland School District, near Pittsburgh, Pa. Michelle Babalonis Maksymik ’02

works for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. She and her husband, Joshua, live in Boswell, Pa. Dr. Carly Brown ’03 is

administrator for Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School.

He and his wife, Cheryl PuskavichRice ’91, live in Scenery Hill, Pa.

the co-founder of C. Brown Custom Clothiers (www. cbcustom clothiers.com).

She lives in Pittsburgh, Pa. At Cal U, she was a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and the Black Student Union. She also was senior class secretary.

Sean Blumette ’98 is the new

Alan Reid ’04 is an athletic trainer

head football coach at Brooke High School, in Wellsburg, W.Va. Previously he was an assistant coach at Waynesburg (Pa.) University.

at Trinity Valley School. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with his wife, Deven. At Cal U, Alan was a graduate assistant athletic trainer, working with football in 2003 and volleyball and soccer in 2004.

Kevin Rice ’94, ’97 is a school

00s

Krista Mathias ’05 has been

Dr. Gregory Taranto ’00, principal

for seven years at Canonsburg Middle School in the CanonMcMillan School District, has been named the 2012 Pennsylvania Middle Level Principal of the Year.

He was selected for the award by the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary Principals.

Robert Randall ’01 is a security officer for Ponte Vedra Beach (Fla.) Resorts. He also is a substitute teacher for Duval County (Fla.) Public Schools.

32 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

appointed to the Somerset (Pa.) Hospital Board of Directors. She is the superintendent of the Somerset Area School District.

Anthon McCall ’05 lives in Elk

Grove, Calif. He extends his thanks to the Cal U community for its support as he has dealt with serious medical issues.

Josh Cramer

’05, a teacher at South Park Middle School, near Pittsburgh, Pa., recently won the Professor George Schneider Jr. Manufacturing Technology Education Faculty Award.

The national award recognizes a faculty member who exhibits outstanding teaching ability in the field of manufacturing and engineering technology and education. Nominations are from peers, students and professionals in the field.

Jacqueline Britt

’04, ’05 has been named branch manager for MVB Bank, with multiple locations in West Virginia.

Her background includes more than six years of experience in banking and investments.

John Zetty ’06 is an internal medi-

Fairmont, W.Va., offices of Country Roads Physical Therapy.

Greg Strimel ’08 is an instructional

team leader in the Howard County Public Schools. He lives in Sykesville, Md. Natalie Martino ’08 is a law

school student and legal intern in the Allegheny County Office of the Public Defender. She lives in Bethel Park, Pa. At Cal U, Natalie was a member of Alpha Mu, the national honor society for social sciences.

Bonnie Peperak Sypolt ’08 and

her husband, Matthew Sypolt, recently celebrated the first birthday of their son, Jace Andrew Sypolt, who was born July 28, 2011. Bonnie is a fifth-grade teacher in the Harrisburg School District. The family lives in Harrisburg, Pa.

cine resident at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Fla. At Cal U, he was a member of the Ski and Snowboard Club.

Sarah Drew Hlopick ’09 lives

Loren Shirk Luft ’06 is a teacher

Paula Brown Springer ’09 is a

in Morgantown, W.Va., with her husband, Nicholas. Her degree is in business administration.

in the Canon-McMillan School District. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pa., with her husband, Cliff.

teacher in the Hillsborough County School District. She lives in Lithia, Fla., with her husband, Edward.

Jim Bayer ’06 lives in Fairview Park,

Brittany Prater ’09 has taken

Ohio. He is a speech therapist.

Richard Ruck ’07 is a professor

of criminal justice at Northampton Community College. He lives in Roseto, Pa. At Cal U, he was a Presidential Scholar and an honor graduate.

Christina Fanning ’07 is an athletic

trainer and instructor at Lamar University. She lives in Port Arthur, Texas.

Jason Ramsey ’07 is the new prin-

cipal of Foster Elementary School in the Mount Lebanon (Pa.) School District. He previously served as assistant principal at Jefferson Middle School and taught sixthgrade social studies for seven years.

Carla Dyann Brown ’07 is an

educator. She lives in Brooks, Ga.

Megan Ardary Albright ’05 works

Kenny Statler ’08 has completed

in human resources at Eaton Corp.

She lives in Columbia, S.C., with her husband, Bernard ‘Bernie’ ’05.

training in ASTYM, a noninvasive therapy for degenerated tendons and scar tissue. He is a physical therapist for the East and West

a tournament staff position with the Anthracite Golf Association in Peckville, Pa. Betty Lynne Hawkins ’05, ’09

was hired full time by the Ringgold School District. She is teaching special education at Ringgold Elementary School North. She lives in West Newton, Pa., with her husband, Jay, and daughters Kelly and Sarah.

B.J. DePaoli ’08, ’09 recently had

his No. 11 jersey retired by the Cal U Hockey Club at the BladeRunners ice rink in Bethel Park, Pa., home ice for Cal U’s two men’s and one women’s club teams.

DePaoli played 122 games in his five-year career with Vulcan hockey, recording 179 goals and 234 assists for 413 points. He is the only Cal U player to record more than 400 career points and only the second to have his number retired. He is the founder of InsidePittsburgh Sports.com and lives in the Mon Valley with his wife, Vanessa.

10s Ianthi de Alwis ’10 lives in Moreno

Valley, Calif.

Capt. Brian Uhrmacher ’10 has

graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy Program. He is a member of the Greece (N.Y.) Police Department.

William Roesner ’10 is a student

affairs professional for South University. He lives in South Park, Pa., with his wife, Briana Panseri ’11.

Nick Kirchhof ’10 has joined the

Stanford University men’s soccer staff as a volunteer assistant coach.

Previously, he was the University of Denver’s director of men’s soccer operations.

Kayla Trybus Stevens ’11 is living

in Pennsylvania with her husband, Christopher. At Cal U, she was a member of the Philosophy Club.

Brenda Maroglio ’11 is director

of medical and surgical services at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie, Pa., where she has been a registered nurse for 22 years.

Smithton, Pa. The wedding is planned for September 2012 in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Christina Shaughnessy ’99, of

California, Pa., and Craig Lombard, of Perryopolis, Pa., are engaged.

Christina is a registered nurse at Washington Hospital. At Cal U, she was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. Craig owns and operates Marcel’s Pottery in Perryopolis.

They are planning a wedding in November 2012.

Nicolette Massini ’08 and Adam

Penska are engaged. Nicolette works for Severstal Resources. Adam works for Siemens. They are planning a wedding in October 2012.

Erin Giachetti ’10, of Waynesburg,

Pa., and Bobby Erjavek, of Dilliner, Pa., are engaged. Erin is a substitute teacher for Central Greene School District and an assistant softball coach at Waynesburg University. Bobby works for Atlas Services Corp. They are planning an April 2013 wedding.

Eric Kustron ’07, of McClelland-

of the Leesville (La.) Daily Leader.

He is also a member of the Leesville Rotary Club and a regular contributor to the Gridiron Gumbo radio show on KVVP-FM in Leesville.

town, Pa., and Heather Whoolery, of New Geneva, Pa., are engaged.

Eric works for Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Morgantown, W.Va. Heather works at JCPenney in Uniontown, Pa. They are planning an October 2012 wedding at the McClellandtown Free Methodist Church.

Elisa Ashton ’12 is a food service

Jessie Frame ’09 and Ray Moore

Alix Kunkle '11 is the news editor

worker at UPMC Mercy. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pa. Michael Del Re ’12 lives in Cecil, Pa. Melanie Harbour Winchester ’12

is a stay-at-home mom living in Canton, Ga., with her husband, Patrick.

Samantha Bochna ’12 lives

in Brownsville, Pa. Ashley Farrar ’12 lives in

Tarentum, Pa. While at Cal U, she was a student orientation leader and a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha. She also worked with Special Olympics, Relay for Life and the S. June Smith Center.

ENGAGEMENTS Heather Baroffio ’98, a registered

nurse in surgical services at MageeWomens Hospital of UPMC in Pittsburgh, is engaged to Mike Jones, who works for Pumpco in

are engaged. Jessie is a service coordinator for SeniorCare Network.

Ray is a parts sales associate at Washington Auto Mall. They are planning a September 2012 wedding.

Gene Steratore ’88 and Lisa Mauro ’92 are

engaged. Lisa is teaching all levels of mathematics at both Community College of Allegheny County and Westmoreland County Community College, and she also is a private mathematics tutor. She has four children: Maria, 14, Gina, 12, Christopher, 10, and Nicholas, 8. Gene co-owns Steratore Sanitary Supply in EightyFour, Pa. He is entering his seventh season as a referee in the National Football League, and also is entering his 16th season as an official for NCAA Division I college basketball.

He was named the PAC coordinator of football officiating in 2012, and

he is head of the Tri-State Officials Association. He has three children: Natalie, Gene and Andrew. The couple is planning a wedding in spring 2013.

MARRIAGES Dan Snyder and Hannah Shriner

were married April 28, 2012, in Enid, Okla. Dan was expected to graduate in summer 2012 from Cal U with a master’s degree in sports psychology. He is the strength and conditioning coach at Georgia Institute of Technology.

Kristi Mazzaferri ’07 and Kyle

Drake were married Sept. 24, 2011, a the Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Kristi is a physical therapist assistant at Consulate of North Strabane Township, Pa. Kyle served in the U.S. Army for four years and works for Yost Drilling.

Cortney Lapinsky ’10, ’11 and

Evan Verostick, both of Windber, Pa., were planning to be married Aug. 11, 2012. Cortney works for Western Pennsylvania Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic.

Scott Hilpert ’05, of Oakdale, Pa.,

and Amber Kunder of Poland, Ohio, were planning to be married July 7, 2012, in New Wilmington (Pa.) Presbyterian Church. Scott is a technical education teacher in the Moon (Pa.) School District.

Amber is a Title I tutor and substitute teacher for West Branch Local School District, in Ohio.

Emily DiFiore ’11 and John

Mitchell were married May 19, 2012, in Hickory United Presbyterian Church. Emily is a speechlanguage pathologist at a pediatric therapy center. John is a hazardous materials supervisor at SPSI. They took a honeymoon trip to Jamaica and are living in Hickory, Pa. Kimberly Hester ’10 and

Michael Shank were married Aug. 20, 2011.

The bridal party included Mark Rockage ’10 and Carl Jay ’08. Kimberly is an assistant activities director at Golden Living Center-Haida, and Michael is an electrician for Norfolk Southern. They live in Hastings, Pa.

To the California University Community: Since our 20-year tenure as president and first lady of California University of Pennsylvania ended, we have been moved by the many expressions of support and encouragement we have received from the students, alumni, faculty, staff, community members and other friends whom we came to know and love during our time at Cal U. Our only regret after 20 wonderful years at the University — and the reason for this public statement of gratitude — is that there was neither time nor opportunity to say thank you and goodbye personally to every one of the wonderful colleagues and friends whom we met at, and through, Cal U. And while we are obviously pleased and excited to be living “back home,” much closer to our children, grandchildren and other family members, we will deeply miss the kind and generous people we met and worked with at the University, in Pennsylvania, and beyond since 1992.

Finally, we will cherish the memories of our time together, continue the critically important work we committed ourselves to, and celebrate the numerous achievements, large and small, that we were fortunate enough to accomplish.

We were honored to serve as president and first lady of Cal U for the last two decades, and we wish all of God’s blessings on the University, its students, alumni, faculty and staff for the future.

Angelo and Barbara Armenti

SUMMER 2012 CAL U REVIEW 33 ■

CALU M I L E S T O N E S ANNIVERSARIES Ed Monaghan ’67 and Virginia Sala Monaghan ’68 will be

celebrating 44 years of marriage.

Ed is retired from the Albert Gallatin School District after 35 years.

Virginia is retired from the Monessen (Pa.) School District.

They enjoy being with family, especially their two grandchildren, traveling, golf and gardening.

Virginia had her first children’s book, Manneranimals, published in 2011.

BIRTHS Jeni Davis Balogh ’99 and

her husband, Jim, welcomed their daughter, Aife Noelle, on May 3, 2012.

’04 and her husband, Robert, welcomed a daughter, Kendall Jacqueline, on Nov. 11, 2011, in Pittsburgh, Pa. She joins big sister Chloe. Genevieve is a homemaker.

✃

JUST THE

Ret. Cmdr. Nathan L. Astleford ’60 Joseph Mickey Bodnar ’57 Helen J. Buk ’38 Margaret ‘Peg’ Jane Jenkins Buzza* Roberta Ann ‘Bobbie’ Carter* Mildred M. Chellman ’58 Jamie Canning Cushey ’77 Joseph Delisi,* emeritus faculty, Business Robert Eugene Gandley ’62 Doris J. Geletei,* a cook at Cal U Helen Katherine Perkins Hagan ’58 Derrick Van Jones ’74 Joseph Katko ’64 Frances ‘Frankie’ Brown Komer ’32 Michael George Lukac, Jr. ’91 Michael ‘Gob’ Vincent Monestersky ’94 Ryan M. Moravec ’07, ’09 Patricia Ann “Pat” McHenry Quinn ’78 Constance Ranson ’02 Eric W. Richards ’80 Carla J. Riggs ’69, ’76

Autumn Parasolick Kosanko ’06,

’09 and her husband, Justin, announce the birth of their first child, Austin Andrew Kosanko, born Nov. 26, 2011, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Autumn is a special education teacher at Junior High East in the Connellsville (Pa.) Area School District. Justin works for Cigna in Pittsburgh, Pa. They live in Rostraver Township, Pa.

NAME

announce the birth of their first child, Stephen Jeffrey Fetsko, on March 22, 2012. Stephen works for Fetsko Heating and Cooling, and Amanda works as a counselor at SPHS. They live in Allenport, Pa.

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Information will be published as space and deadlines allow. Please indicate on another sheet what activities or sports you participated in while you were a student. We welcome high-resolution electronic photographs. Please e-mail images to revieweditor@calu.edu; put the words “Milestones photo” on the subject line of your e-mail, and be sure to tell us your name, year of graduation and the identity of everyone in the picture. Please do not send computer printouts or low-resolution digital photos, as they will not reproduce well in this magazine.

Stay connected to the Cal U Alumni Association’s online community! Your personal ID number is on this magazine’s mailing label.

34 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2012 ■

*No class year provided or on file

died May 23, 2012, at age 76. He was an educator at Cal U for 36 years, until he retired in 1998.

At the University he was a member of the Emeriti Faculty, the Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee, California Community Choir and Sixth Man Club. A former chair of the Elementary Education Department, he served on the board of the Foundation for California University.

Among other family members, he leaves behind Mildred ‘Midge‘ Warman Kennedy ’60.

Send your Milestones news or address changes by fax to 724-938-5932, by mail to Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 668, California, PA 15419, or by e-mail to alumni@calu.edu. Questions? Call 724-938-4418.

FAX

Melissa M. Ritchey* Jeffries S. Roddy ’63 Elwyn Marvin Schmidt,* emeritus professor, Math and Computer Science Kenneth ‘Ken’ Stewart Sealy,* a Cal U basketball scoreboard timekeeper for 42 years Diane Barzanti Sesco,* former event coordinator at Cal U Linda D. Sichi ’63 Dr. Alfred Simpson Sr.,* emeritus faculty, Applied Engineering and Technology Ralph V. Steeb II ’43 Regis L. Stephenson ’73 Charles Vaccaro ’62 Howard Villani ’76 William Weiler Wagner ’72 Jill M. Lindley Woshner ’02

Dr. Gary W. Kennedy ’58, emeritus professor,

Stephen Fetsko ’05 and Amanda PritchardFetsko ’05,’10

Jeff Mountain ’01 and Amy Mountain ’03 announce the birth

of their third child, Maria Lynn, the granddaughter of Ron and Conetta Mountain, both 1973 graduates.

IN MEMORIAM

Genevieve Lawton-Kegley

FOR THE LOVE OF LINDSEY Family and friends of Lindsey Popelas, a Cal U student who died in 2006 after a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, have established the Lindsey Marie Popelas Memorial Scholarship Endowment to support scholarships for California Area High School students who plan to study education at Cal U. As part of fundraising efforts for this scholarship, the second ‘For the Love of Lindsey’ 5K run/walk was held Sept. 1 at the fire hall in Stockdale, Pa. For information about the run/walk, or to learn more about Lindsey and the scholarship, visit www.fortheloveoflindsey.info.

VULCAN V VU LCAN PRIDE P DE PRI SHOP THE BEST SELECTION OF F CAL APP PA AREL A AND GIFTS A AT T TH HE CAL U STUDE ENT BOOKSTORE E

CAL CA U S STUDENT TUDENT BOOKSTORE BOOKSTORE ww.calupa.bkstr.com 7 24 4-938 8-4323 • w 724-938-4323 www.calupa.bkstr.com

2012

SUMMER

CALU REVIEW

California University of Pennsylvania Building Character. Building Careers.

250 University Avenue California, PA 15419-1394 www.calu.edu A proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

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Leadership Challenge Rob Joseph, a student in the Upper St. Clair School District, tests himself during the annual Leadership Challenge camp sponsored by the Linda and Harry Serene Leadership Institute at Cal U. Founded by two Cal U alumni, the institute annually offers leadership and personal development training to area high school students. To see a slideshow of images from the camp, visit www.calu.edu/news; choose ‘Cal U Review’ and click on ‘As Seen in the Review.’