Natalie Carbone Mangini

Sylvia Hill Fields ʼ78 Honored with Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction Award

Sylvia Hill Fields ʼ78, Executive Director of the Eden Hall Foundation, was recognized as the 2022 Woman of Distinction in Philanthropy by Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania in May. “Sylvia is an exceptional leader – not only in the Pittsburgh region – but on the state and national level as well,” President Mary Finger said. “Her efforts have created in those around her a desire to be part of the change that is needed in our community and in the world.” Fields was one of 11 Pittsburgh women and two local Gold Award Girl Scouts honored for their accomplishments and leadership at the annual Awards of Distinction. The annual event honors inspirational women and celebrates the mission of the Girl Scout Movement, which is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Fields has helped to advance numerous colleges and universities in the region, including Seton Hill. A Distinguished Alumna and former Trustee, she has served her alma mater as an advocate for students, dedicated to providing them with the resources and academic opportunities needed to succeed. The Foundationʼs commitment to Seton Hill allowed the university to complete construction of the JoAnne Woodyard Boyle Health Sciences Center in 2015, providing laboratory, research and classroom space to prepare future health care professionals. In her role at the Eden Hall Foundation, Fields manages the legal and financial business of the foundation with responsibility for the allocation of more than $10 million annually in support of community and regional programs that address issues in southwestern Pennsylvania. She began her grantmaking career at the Duquesne Light Company, where she was best known for establishing a Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy. Throughout her career, Fields has worked to build a better community by focusing on opportunities for women, girls and underserved youth.

IN MEMORIAM Natalie Carbone Mangini ’49 Blazed a Trail for Women in Science

As a child, Natalie Carbone Mangini enjoyed reading books and experimenting with chemistry sets over playing with dolls. Her love of learning would lead her to study Chemistry at Seton Hill and would help her become the first woman to hold the title of Scientist at Westinghouse’s Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, setting her on a path as a trailblazer and role model for women in science. Mangini, a Distinguished Alumna of Seton Hill, died on May 31, 2022. She was 93. Growing up in the village of Crabtree, Westmoreland County, Mangini spent much of her childhood and adult life working in Carbone’s, the restaurant opened by her parents in 1938 and operated by her family until 2018. After graduating from Seton Hill in 1949, Mangini began work at Westinghouse – but soon became bored with her role. She applied for a position in the atomic power laboratory and was called for an interview when the supervisors thought she was a man. After some hesitation, she was offered the job she wanted in radiochemistry. Mangini worked on nuclear procedures for the USS Nautilus, the world’s first atomic-powered submarine. In addition, she helped to develop safety procedures for the nuclear reactor at the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the first commercial application of nuclear power.

Her work on the Nautilus led to her appearance on the television game show “What’s my Line?” She spent 10 years in the radiochemistry department until she had to leave due to her first pregnancy. Her family would grow to include four children: Vanessa Hooper, Natalie Stefanick, Vincent Mangini and Melissa Orlosky; and several grandchildren. After Westinghouse, Mangini helped her husband run his oil business while also continuing to work at the family restaurant. Mangini once said she lived her life not worrying about what other people thought – especially as she worked in the male-dominated nuclear field. “Whatever you decide that you like to do – go do it,” she said. “It’s never work if you love it. I never felt like I was working. I always felt like I was having fun.”

Building a H.O.M.E. on the Hill

Project H.O.M.E. Seeks to Expand on Diversity Efforts at Seton Hill

Inaugural Project H.O.M.E. cohort members include (left to right) Joshua Castanedas, Olivia Carrera, Franklin Orczeck, Monisola Adigun, Elizabeth John, Elijah Nelson, Kiara Rockymore and Steryling Lang. Missing from the photo are Kaylee Pivirotto and Chelsea Weid.

As members of the President’s Task Force on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion were talking with students about what they wanted Seton Hill to be, Sister Maureen O’Brien, Vice President for Mission and Identity, was particularly struck by the comment made by one of the students. “They wanted Seton Hill to not be a hotel – but a home,” Sister Maureen said. “So in order to allow our students from diverse populations to experience this sense of home, we recognized we needed to have a diverse group of student leaders who can help guide us in these efforts and train the student leaders who come after them.” What was born out of the conversations of the Task Force – and in particular the work of the group’s Mission Committee led by Sister Maureen and Labrea Pringle, a 2017 Seton Hill alumna and educator – was Project H.O.M.E. (Honor, Openness, Magnfication, Educate). “Project H.O.M.E. is a vitally important program aimed at planning, organizing and synthesizing diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism training among students,” said Seton Hill President Mary Finger. “Through Project H.O.M.E., Seton Hill is providing training for diverse current and emerging student leaders. These participants will be accessible to students experiencing issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion and will serve as advocates. We believe Project H.O.M.E. can be a national model for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on college campuses.” Dr. Momodu C. Taylor, Chief Diversity Officer at Seton Hill, added, “Project H.O.M.E. is a program designed to enhance and grow an inclusive campus climate at the university where all are welcome and have a sense of belonging. It is my hope that this program expands into campus life, reimagining our campus community and giving thoughtful analysis to our processes and systems to further the goals of diversity, equity and inclusion at Seton Hill and in the greater Greensburg community.” Sister Maureen said that Project H.O.M.E. came to the forefront after the Task Force developed its mission statement. “After we finished the mission statement and defined the underlying values, we realized that there had to be people who had to evaluate how we were living out that mission. We needed to have student leaders specifically trained

in diversity, equity and inclusion who could be the ones that would evaluate the climate from the perspective of students. They would also be available to be people who other students could come to when they were really experiencing issues that involved a lack of appreciation or a lack of understanding of our diverse student populations.” She added that Project H.O.M.E. aligns with the overall mission of Seton Hill University – and with the charism of the Sisters of Charity. The inaugural cohort of 10 student leaders for Project H.O.M.E. were nominated by faculty and staff and were selected through an extensive interview process. They began intensive training – developed and led by Pringle – during the Spring 2022 semester, which will continue this summer and beyond. “I think one of the real benefits of Project H.O.M.E. is that it’s rooted in learning – the students are learning how to identify discrimination when they see it and how to identify bias,” Sister Maureen said. “It’s not just based on feelings. It’s based on a learning experience that helps them to be more aware and more mindful of discrimination and injustices.“ “The training was very intentional about defining those key terms and having an openness – sharing their own identities in a safe space and to think about the identities of other people,” Pringle said. “Future training will not just be self-reflective but will teach the students to be problem solvers and advocates for themselves and others. That was a key push point for developing the curriculum in that way. We are starting with ourselves and ending with all of us.” Pringle, who has a master’s degree in Urban Education and is now pursuing a doctorate at the University of Miami, teaches English at a school in Wake Forest, N.C., and is passionate about social justice issues. She sees the same passion in the cohort members. “They have a willingness to keep their feet on the gas. … They really are empowered to do something about what they are experiencing,” she said. Each member of the Project H.O.M.E. cohort was awarded a leadership scholarship for their participation, which speaks to the importance of the program to Seton Hill, Sister Maureen said. Beyond their work in the Seton Hill community, the Project H.O.M.E. program will help these students became better citizens in their communities after graduation. “They will be agents of change who will change systems which discriminate against others,” Sister Maureen said. Added Pringle, “We are preparing students to be global citizens, and I think my ability to come back to my alma mater to do something to continue to transform the lives of students so that they can transform the world in other ways – that’s what it’s all about. It’s a cyclical transformation, and I think that’s how we’re going to effect change.”

Project H.O.M.E. participants (left to right) Monisola Adigun, Chelsea Weid, Elijah Nelson and Joshua Castanedas listen to speakers at the opening of the Faith, Race and Sisterhood Exhibit, which focused on the outreach of the Sisters of Charity into marginalized communities.

Seton Hill Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Momodu C. Taylor, Elijah Nelson, Vice President for Mission and Identity Sister Maureen O'Brien, Kiara Rockymore, Kaylee Pivirotto, Elizabeth John and Erica Nuckles, Director of Learning, Engagement and Partnerships at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, at a private tour for Project H.O.M.E. students of the Museum's "Stephen Towns: Declaration & Resistance" exhibition in March.

Meet the Project H.O.M.E. Inaugural Cohort

These 10 Seton Hill student leaders were nominated by faculty and staff and selected through an interview process for the inaugural Project H.O.M.E. cohort and will advocate on behalf of Seton Hill students on issues around diversity, equity and inclusion.

Monisola Adigun, 18 • Pensacola, Fla. Sophomore, BS/MS Physician Assistant major

“I hope to become a person that students can approach regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and to help organize events that target DEI.”

Olivia Carrera, 19 • Penn Township, Pa. Junior, Biology Pre-Med major

“Where I grew up was not very diverse. When I came to Seton Hill I got the opportunity to experience different cultures and meet people from around the world. Through Project H.O.M.E. I hope to see different groups interacting with each other and being more willing to talk to new people and make them feel more at home.”

Joshua Castanedas, 21 • Bronx, N.Y. Senior, Communication and Political Science major

“As a future activist/politician, one of my main goals is to fight for diversity, equity and inclusion, especially for minoritized groups. I will help start and lead conversations, especially the difficult ones, while also motivating others to push and fight for change.”

Elizabeth John, 20 • Uniontown, Pa. Junior, Forensic Science and Criminal Justice major

“I had a very hard time my first semester at college. I wanted to be a part of Project H.O.M.E. so that I could help others who might have a tough time in a new environment whether it be on this campus or just in everyday life.”

Steryling Lang, 22 • Fort Worth, Texas Junior, Social Work major

“I wanted to be a part of Project H.O.M.E. to make Seton Hill a more equitable place of learning. I hope to make other students feel heard and have a long-lasting home here at Seton Hill.”

Elijah N. Nelson, 24 • South Florida Senior, Criminal Justice major

“I wanted to be the voice for my peers who may lack the confidence to speak up. I hope to be able to give people, our students, our administrators, and our community, a different and active learning environment where we all feel safe and brave enough to share our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I want us to be one and love all through our message and mission statement.”

Franklin Orczeck, 19 • Greensburg Sophomore, Mathematics 3+ Engineering major

“Iʼve dedicated my whole life to the service of others, especially that which makes the world equitable and, thus, accessible to all. I believe that through Project H.O.M.E, we will inspire a community that strives to challenge injustice and explore new directions.”

Kaylee Pivirotto, 21 • Plum, Pa. Senior, Spanish and Communication major

“I wanted to be a part of Project H.O.M.E. to grow my understanding of inclusivity and work with other members of the SHU community to make the campus a more accepting and loving place!”

Kiara Rockymore, 19 • Pittsburgh Junior, Sociology major

“I wanted to be a part of Project H.O.M.E. so that I can apply and learn more about how to spread awareness of anti-racism and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion action on campus. I also want to be part of the change that will transpire on campus amongst people of color attending a predominantly white institution.”

Chelsea Weid, 20 • Richeyville, Pa. Junior, Social Work major with specializations in Medicine and Behavioral Health/Addiction

“I wanted to be a part of Project H.O.M.E. because I wanted to be a part of creating a safe and welcoming space for other individuals like me on campus. I felt that Seton Hill needed individuals who were willing to stand up and be the faces of diversity on campus. Through this, I hope to be able to positively impact other LGBTQ+ students on campus by creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students to feel recognized and appreciated.”