A celebration of student, faculty and staff accolades
knightlights by Joe Cuneo
International Student Helps Local High Schoolers For most international students, simply seeing the nation’s capital, the site of the bloodiest battle in American history and other historic locations would constitute as overwhelming experiences. But for Menglong Cai, a junior finance major from China, it was not enough just to be a tourist. Cai is one of seven Gannon students participating in Gannon’s GO College (Gaining Options for College Collaborative) program. Previously known as Gannon University Mentoring Services (GUMS), GO College is a multi-dimensional educational program aimed at academic enrichment, college exposure and servicelearning at Strong Vincent, Central Tech, and East high schools.
What else are students, faculty and staff doing? Visit www.gannon.edu/ News-and-Events/Accolades for a full listing of their recent accomplishments.
“Years ago, for an inner-city school, going to college was the exception, whereas we operate from the standpoint that college is the expectation,” program director Michael Cifelli '04M said. In addition to academic mentoring, GO College accompanies students on several trips each year, exposing them to historic sites and educational opportunities. On May 8-10, the College staff went with recent Strong Vincent graduates to Washington,
D.C., before joining a group of rising seniors to Pittsburgh and Gettysburg June 12-14. “We were there to share our college experience and our knowledge,” Cai said, noting that while in Washington, they visited the White House, Capitol Hill and several museums. The trip to Gettysburg served as a different kind of lesson for the students, where they visited the battle site Little Round Top, where the school’s namesake, Col. Strong Vincent, led Union forces to victory over the Confederacy in the Battle of Gettysburg. “Seeing the battlefields and hearing the stories in person really brings to life what they study in class,” Cai said. A unique and exceptional story in the GO College circle, Cai knew little English upon arriving in Erie, but has since immersed himself in the Gannon and Erie communities through the program. Though he had previously never been to an American high school, Cai now shares in mutual experiences that extend beyond cultural boundaries. “I’m good at math, and I was able to help a lot of them with that. I’ve formed a lot of friendships and have shared a lot of cultural experiences,” he said.
New Provost Arrives at Gannon Gannon University President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., has named Andrew J. Novobilski, Ph.D., as the University’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Novobilski was one of more than 100 applicants. As one of three finalists, he interviewed on campus with the president, a search committee, faculty, staff and students. “We were fortunate to attract a strong group of highly qualified candidates to this critically important position,” Taylor said. “The search committee did terrific work in their analysis and process of gathering campuswide input, and I am confident that Dr. Novobilski is the right person for the job.”
Linda Fleming, Ph.D., has served as Gannon’s interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs since July 1, 2011, and was recently named dean of Gannon’s College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. Novobilski earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Drexel University in Philadelphia, a master’s degree in computer science and engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Prior to his position as dean, Novobilski maintained positions at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and in the chancellor’s office at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Novobilski has written two books on the subject of computer programming, has authored or co-authored numerous other journal articles and has participated in national and international conferences. Cuneo is a senior journalism-communications major and intern in the Office of Public Relations and Communications.
newsnotes
Novobilski previously acted as dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics and as a professor of computer science at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark.
“Gannon University represents an outstanding opportunity to serve within a vibrant, student-centered community that very proudly embraces its Catholic Identity,” Novobilski noted. “I am very excited about working with Dr. Taylor and with a dynamic group of faculty, staff and students in building a shared vision for Gannon University as it continues its commitment to excellence locally, nationally and globally.”
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