6-24-15

Vol. 106 Issue 8

Pittnews.com

@thepittnews

Wednesday, June 24, 2015 Charleston flag debate

Don’t let it drown out the racial equality

page 6

Board installs first female chair

Time travellers wanted

Check out this collaborative exhibit by a local glass studio and fine art museum.

page 8

Ace in training

Pitcher T.J. Zeuch continues playing in Cape Cod as he prepares for a big role next year.

IDOLIZED

page 11

Alexis Mazzeo Staff Writer

After a series of meetings last week, Pitt’s Board of Trustees has installed its first female chair and approved more than $34 million for building renovation projects.

At its full meeting Friday morning, former Chairman Stephen Tritch handed over his gavel to Board member and Pitt alumna Eva Tansky Blum, now the first female chair of Pitt’s Board of Trustees.

Chancellor Patrick Gallagher expressed his support for female leaders like Blum.

He said none of the women in important positions are there simply because they are women — they have filled their roles because they are outstanding leaders.

“The reality is that this University can’t Approximately 800 people showed up at Schenley Plaza on June 22 to audition for “American Idol,” of which 20 be what it aspires to be without embracing moved on. Theo Schwarz VISUAL EDITOR the talent and capabilities of everyone,” cover of Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me,” didn’t advance in the competition, he Nick Mullen and Gallagher said.

“American Idol” competitors and by- left to join hundreds of other rejected Chidi Nwakpuda standers greeted him with cheers and auditioners.

The Pitt News Staff applause as he left the audition area.

See Trustees on page 4 When Amario Gian finished singing his See Idol on page 3 But when producers told him that he

Local hopefuls vie for ‘American Idol’ slots

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ICYMI( In case you missed it ) Hit by bus

A man is in serious condition after a bus ran him over in Oakland on June 19.

At approximately 4:15 p.m., a man who was running alongside a blue bus fell near the corner of Fifth Avenue and Thackeray Avenue. The bus’ back tires ran over the man, according to witnesses. First responders rushed the man to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Port Authority spokesperson Jim Ritchie said.

Ritchie confirmed that the bus was a Port Authority bus, driving the 61A route toward Downtown.

Heinz Chapel Reopens Pitt has reopened the Heinz Memorial Chapel after closing it for eight months for renovations. Pitt began the renovations, which it called in a video about the project “a decade-long funding and logistics puzzle,” in September 2014 and completed the project on the 77-year old Chapel in mid-May. In total, Pitt budgeted $1,735,000 for the project, but Facilities Management has not yet determined the final cost of the project.

King James Why Lebron James deserves more credit then his critics are giving him, even after his recent Finals loss.

Find the full exclusive online content at

pittnews.com

June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com

In friendship, China vice premier visits Pitt Dale Shoemaker News Editor

Liu Yandong, the vice premier of the People’s Republic of China, paid a visit to Pitt on Friday in what both she and University officials called a show of friendship.

Yandong visited Pitt as part of a threecity tour in the U.S. Earlier in the day, Yandong met with Mayor Bill Peduto. Yandong is expected to end her time in the U.S. at the sixth China-U.S. High-Level Consultation on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges in Washington, D.C. on June 24. There, Yandong will meet with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Yandong met Chancellor Patrick Gallagher outside the Cathedral of Learning Friday at 2:30 p.m. before meeting with him privately in his office. At approximately 3:55 p.m., Gallagher and Yandong entered Alumni Hall to a chorus of welcome from young children as part of Pitt’s branch of the wide-reaching Confucius Institute, a Chinese language and cultural center. Yandong was scheduled to hear a presentation on Pitt and UPMC as a model for health care following the ceremony.

At the ceremony, Yandong heard presentations by Albert Novak, the chair of Pitt’s Confucius Institute, and per-

Liu Yandong, Chinese vice premier, visited Pitt Friday in what both she and Chancellor Patrick Gallagher called a ‘gesture of friendship.’ Theo Schwarz VISUAL EDITOR

formances by the students of the Berks County Confucius Classroom. Gallagher and Yandong bookended the ceremony with speeches.

“This is an exciting time to be in Pittsburgh,” Gallagher said. “Pitt, as we call it here, is now one of the best in the country.”

Gallagher praised the cooperation

between Pitt and Sichuan University, a university in Chengdu, China. Pitt formed a partnership with the institution in 2013 and broke ground for the Sichuan University-Pittsburgh Institute, a joint engineering institute, last July.

See Premier on page 4

Sushi Fuku to open tea shop in Sennott Square Lauren Rosenblatt Assistant News Editor

Rather than try to compete with other Asian restaurants in Oakland, Sushi Fuku owner Ting Yen has his eyes set on another establishment — Starbucks.

Before the fall term starts in late August, Yen will open a sister restaurant, Fuku Tea, in Sennott Square, on the corner of Forbes and Oakland Avenues. Yen’s plan for the restaurant began eight months ago, he said. J. Francis Company, a local general contractor, started renovations for the restaurant earlier this week. Yen said he is redesigning the interior and

doesn’t plan to complete construction until August. Fuku Tea has not yet received a health permit.

Touch of Gold and Silver, a jewelry store, previously occupied the space in Sennott Square that Fuku Tea will fill.

With Fuku Tea, Yen plans to offer a new kind of beverage experience. His goal is to offer premium tea quickly, just as Starbucks offers premium coffee.

“Right now if you want a cup of coffee, there are a lot of places to go,” Yen said.

“But if you want tea, you have to go home.”

The new restaurant will offer hot, iced and bubble teas made on the spot, using a machine similar to a French press. The ma-

chine mixes tea leaves with steam and boiling water in a vacuum-sealed container.

Yen said Fuku Tea won’t stop at traditional tea — the new establishment will also offer bubble teas of different flavors.

Although the restaurant will primarily serve beverages, it will also sell bakery items sourced from a local shop, though Yen could not yet say which one.

In addition to indoor seating, Yen said he plans to eventually add outdoor seating.

“We’re trying to create the same environment as Sushi Fuku,” Yen said. “A clean, enjoyable environment to enjoy a cup of tea.”

June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com

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Idol, pg. 1 At the Pittsburgh auditions for the fifteenth and final season of Fox’s hit show, Gian was one of the approximately 800 people to audition in Schenley Plaza on Monday, June 22. Only about 20 vocalists made it to the next round.

Contestants from across the east coast lined up in the eighty-two-degree weather for an opportunity to prove their talents to “Idol” producers on a bus tour. The bus tour travels across the country, stopping in select cities such as Baltimore and Tucson to hold auditions. Hopefuls began lining up early in the morning for registration at 7 a.m., and auditions started at 9 a.m. Selected participants went on to the next round of auditions, where they would perform in front of executive producers or the celebrity judges, including Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. Throughout the day, the producers had to discern the contestants they believed would shine on screen. Peter Cohen, one of the producers, was clear about what the show was looking for.

“Really what we look for is [can] that person be on our show, and [can] they possibly win,” Cohen said. “You hear a lot of great voices that aren’t really confident or unique, or you might not hear the strongest voice, but there’s something really compelling about [them].”

Participants waited anxiously in line holding guitars, water bottles and paperwork as they slowly made their way closer to the registration tent.

Many of the contestants socialized and practiced while standing in line.

Jake Steele, an alumnus of Pitt Greensburg, played his acoustic guitar as he waited to audition.

“I really need this to happen. I can’t play bar gigs for life,” Steele said. “I’ve always wanted to be a pop/rock singer, but it’s hard, because people usually want one or the other.”

Other performers, like 15-year-old Kiarah Floyd from Pittsburgh, sat quietly in chairs or on the ground, collecting their thoughts before the audition.

“It’s always been my dream to sing,” Floyd said. “I just want to change people’s mindset about songs, and about music, period. That’s my dream.”

Once they reached the registration

After auditioning in Pittsburgh Monday, Eric Price, an Ohio State student, cries tears of joy after producers chose him to participate on “American Idol.” Theo Schwarz VISUAL EDITOR

tent, participants formally registered and proceeded to the center of the plaza while they waited for a producer to call them forward to sing. The producers listened to 15 to 30 seconds of each performance, and then made their decision.

Eric Price, an Ohio State student, was one of the lucky few to make it to the next round. Price was so excited to advance that he hugged one of the producers.

“I did this because my family was struggling,” Price said. “I have haters that say my dreams will never come true, so I had to shock the world.”

Although he didn’t make it through to the next round of auditions, Amario Gian’s said his musical career is far from over.

“I produce music. I record a lot. I’m even shooting a music video later this year for [the] ‘Never Fear Being Different movement,’” Gian said, speaking about a group which encourages kids to develop leadership skills.

Sarah Cochran, from Canton, Ohio, who had auditioned for “Idol” five times in the past, returned again this year only to be rejected again.

“I got a little nervous and might have

messed up a bit,” she said.

Cochran said that during the first few auditions, she was overweight. But since then, she has lost more than 90 pounds, which she said boosted her confidence.

Still, she struggled to fight back nerves for her audition.

As another auditioner whom the producers rejected, Steele took his rejection in stride.

“I’m just going to keep trying,” Steele said. “It’s more than just winning a competition. It’s about being humble, staying true, having integrity and inspiring others.”

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Trustees, pg. 1 Blum said the Board is currently developing goals involving strategic planning that will give the Board focus.

“We have such a talented Board, you look around the room and see CEOs, lawyers and doctors, and we really want to use all of their talents to help the Chancellor and the University,” Blum said.

Along with Tritch, Gallagher stated his support and confidence in Blum’s capabilities as the new chair.

“Eva is chair because of the remarkable things she has done for this University and her demonstrated commitment,”

Premier, pg. 2 Friday’s ceremony wasn’t Yandong’s first interaction with Pitt. In 2008, 2010 and 2013, Pitt’s Confucius Institute won Confucius Institute of the Year, and its director, Michele Heryford, won Outstanding Director of the Year in 2011 and 2012.

At the time, Yandong presented some of those awards to Pitt.

Novak said Pitt students learning Chi-

June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com Gallagher said. “She has the leadership capabilities to be so effective that her peers have recognized and elected her.”

The Board also unanimously elected Geovette Washington as senior vice chancellor and chief legal officer. Washington currently serves as general counsel and senior policy advisor in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) at the White House. Washington succeeds P. Jerome Richey, who will retire from the position effective June 30.

At the Board’s Investment Committee meeting on Thursday, members approved a resolution that would allow Pitt to spend some of its capital. This resolution is a

revision to the Asset Allocation Policy for the Consolidated Endowment Fund, or CEF. As part of the resolution, the Investment Committee also set the income distribution amount from the CEF for the 2016 fiscal year at $4.26 per share, representing an income percentage of 4.25 percent of the three-year average fair market value of the assets.

At the Board’s Budget Committee meeting on Wednesday, members approved funding for the second phase of the Parran and Crabtree Halls addition and renovation project, as well as general laboratory renovations on the first floor

of Eberly Hall.

So far, Pitt completed the first phase of the project, which was a five-story addition of 57,000 square feet to Parran Hall. This addition will accommodate the extension and relocation of the building’s research facilities.

The second phase of the project will renovate all nine floors of Parran Hall to bring the entire building up to code.

The currently vacated wet laboratories will be remodeled into new classrooms, conference rooms, office space and support space for the Graduate School of

nese through the Confucius Institute and Friday’s ceremony are steps in the right direction for improving relations between the U.S. and China.

“The best way to become friends is to understand each other,” he said.

Nicole Constable, director of the Asian studies center, said stronger relations between the U.S. and China would benefit both the Confucius Institute and the Asian studies center.

“[We all] share the goals of cultural understanding, and all work together to promote good and mutually beneficial relations with China,” Constable said.

In addition to the ceremony, Yandong announced that she would invite 50 students and teachers from Pitt’s Confucius Institute to travel to China for a summer camp.

The flagship Confucius Institute will provide 10 scholarships for Pitt students

to China and the Chinese government will donate 1,000 Chinese language books to Pitt. In return, Gallagher presented Yandong with a published book of “thank yous” written in Chinese by Confucius Institute students.

“If Chinese young people can learn English and young people here can learn Chinese, it opens up opportunities for deeper cooperation and friendship,” Yandong said.

T P N S U D O K U

See Trustees on page 5

Today s difficulty level: Very Hard Puzzles by Dailysudoku.com

June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com

Trustees, pg. 4 Public Health.

In total, the project will cost $34,384,000. Of that total, $31,145,000 will come from the state and $3,239,000 will come from the Graduate School of Public Health Reserves.

This project is a part of Pitt’s 12-year Facilities Plan, which the University began in 2006 when it committed more than $1 billion to construction and renovations to meet the University’s needs through 2018.

Police seek suspect in Dawson Street shooting Dale Shoemaker News Editor

Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting in Oakland over the weekend after an unnamed suspect shot a pizza delivery man on the job.

Police will not release the victim’s name, but a public safety release said the 58-year-old man was delivering pizza to the 3000 block of Dawson Street in South Oakland at 10:05 p.m. on Sunday.

While walking to his car, the man heard three gunshots and “realized he was shot in the torso,” the release said.

Emily Schaffer, a spokesperson for the Pittsburgh police, said paramedics transported the man to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Police think the suspect is a black male, aged 18 to 20 years old and approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall. He may have been wearing dark clothes, according to the release.

Schaffer said police are not releasing details about the case at this time, including information about possible suspects.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated from a previous version posted online Monday, June 22 at 9:54 p.m.

The renovations in Eberly Hall will create a sensor testing lab for research on carbon nanomaterials for the Department of Chemistry. The space will include new lab controls, flexible lab furnishings and equipment, including fume hoods, gas cabinets and a microscope alcove.

The total project cost for the reconstruction is $3.1 million, according to Pitt spokesperson Ken Service.

Pitt has not yet set a completion date for either project, Service said.

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EDITORIAL

June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com

OPINIONS

Removal of Confederate flag not a cure-all for racism When we read about events like the recent massacre in Charleston, S.C., one question often dominates our thoughts — how do things like this keep happening?

In the week or so that has followed Dylann Roof’s blatant terrorist attack and subsequent arrest, media outlets have pinned the cause on a colorful scapegoat — the Confederate flag pinned to his jacket, matching the one that has flown freely atop South Carolina’s capitol grounds since 1962.

On Monday, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called for the flag’s removal from the capitol grounds. On Tuesday, the South Carolina General Assembly met to consider amending its agenda to make it possible for lawmakers to consider removing the flag from the grounds.

Removal of the Confederate flag is a cause that we at The Pitt News support. However, its removal should not overshadow the underlying issue of racism that continues to plague our nation.

Recent coverage of the call for the flag’s removal has dominated coverage of the initial triggering event — the shooting of nine people inside of a church as a result of anti-black sentiment from Roof.

The recent shifting tide in public perception of the Confederate flag — and the pressure that comes along with it — has led to a number of outcomes.

As the country awaits the decision in South Carolina, other states have followed suit with their own removal projects.

In Virginia, Gov. Terry McAuliffe is advocating to remove the flag from license plates. In Mississippi, Speaker of the House Philip Gunn has called for the removal of the confederate emblem from Mississippi’s own flag. In Texas,

Rep. Joaquin Castro called for the removal of Confederate monuments from the University of Texas campus in Austin. In Tennessee, lawmakers are working to remove a bust of Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest from the Capitol.

Major corporations like Walmart, Amazon, eBay and Sears have decided to cease selling the Confederate flag and any merchandise bearing the design.

Yet, the NAACP’s enactment of an “economic boycott” against South Carolina in 1999 in response to the flag’s presence was met by apathetic ears. It was only when the same horrified sentiment was echoed throughout the nation that the issue received any attention.

Current opposition to the Confederate flag, and any efforts toward its removal, does not signify a shift in inherent racism. Studies have shown an increase in antiblack sentiment in recent years.

The Associated Press conducted similar polls in 2008 and 2012 to accompany President Barack Obama’s first and second presidential races. Between those years, the number of Americans with explicit anti-black attitudes jumped from 48 percent to 51 percent. On an implicit racial measure, the number of Americans with antiblack sentiment jumped from 49 percent to 56 percent.

We should not view sudden shifts in public perception as a sign that racism has ceased to be a problem. Rather, we should focus on addressing individual perceptions to bring about change that doesn’t require the bullhorn of a unified voice.

As long as a single person still expresses racist sentiments, we will continue to read about events like the Charleston shooting.

CARTOON

Fatima Kizilkaya STAFF CARTOONIST

COLUMN

Advertisements can save public school programs from the axe Ben Morgenstern Columnist

I was in high school when I first realized that my school district, Pittsburgh Public Schools, was forced to pinch pennies. In response to reduced funding, Pittsburgh Public Schools enacted a variety of district-wide cuts — a move that resulted in laying off teachers and increasing class sizes.

Unfortunately, public schools are running out of money, and in a way that is conflicting with their ability to offer students a proper education. By cutting programs like extracurricular activities, electives, tutoring services and other initiatives that supplement a child’s education, schools lacking necessary funds put their students at a disadvantage compared to those residing in more well-off districts.

To resolve this, schools need to figure out how to raise money in a way that combats reductions in

allocated funding.

The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials and the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators conducted a survey in 2013 showing that, since 2010, the Pittsburgh Public School system has lost $27 million in cuts. Gov. Tom Wolf criticized then-Gov. Tom Corbett for nearly $1 billion in cuts Wolf claimed Corbett made from public schools in 2011.

The PASBO and the PASA also determined that nearly 20,000 educational jobs had been eliminated at the time of the survey.

Educators’ jobs face continued threats. The Pittsburgh PostGazette wrote on Pennsylvania’s unemployment rise several months ago, determining that the education and health services sector had lost 6,300 jobs in March 2015.

Along with the job cuts, 37 percent of school districts offered fewer elective courses during the 201314 school year. Summer school

programs were cut in 13 percent of school districts. The survey also detailed cuts or eliminations for tutoring programs and extracurricular activities.

A 2012 survey conducted by Phi Delta Kappa, an Educational Foundation, and Gallup determined that 97 percent of the population said that improving the nation’s urban schools was important. Sixty-two percent surveyed even agreed that they would be willing to pay more taxes to obtain this goal.

One solution to these problems could be selling advertising space.

In the average school building, there are hundreds of lockers, empty walls and tables that have the potential to be used as space for advertisements. There is no question that local businesses would be eager to support the school systems and promote their companies at the same time. Advertising in schools See Morgenstern on page 7

June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com

Morgenstern, pg. 6

The Pitt News Crossword, 6/24/2015

also allows companies to reach a wide and incredibly susceptible market.

An article published in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2007 revealed that young children are more susceptible to advertising because they are more cognitively and psychologically defenseless to the stimuli.

Of course, limits would need to be set to ensure that advertising doesn’t get out of hand. For instance, ads shouldn’t be displayed in classrooms, so as to avoid distractions.

The school board should also have to review all ads to make sure they are appropriate for a school environment. Once the board deems an ad appropriate, school systems could even survey parents to ensure that the majority are comfortable with allowing the ad to be displayed. Only after such a process would the school display the ad.

Some school districts have already begun selling advertising space to companies, setting similar guidelines.

A Minnesota public school district, St. ACROSS 1 Rope-a-__: Ali boxing style 5 French wine valley 10 Tough 14 Agile deer 15 Widish computer key 16 “Typee” sequel 17 Craggy outcroppings 18 Fielder’s gear 19 Goes down in the west 20 Nautical distance unit 22 Twyla Tharp forte 23 How a 49-Across goes 26 Weaver turned into a spider by Athena 27 Zodiac division 28 Roping and riding contest 29 Daddies 30 Height: Pref.

34 L.A.-to-N.Y. direction 35 Paths described when things go 23-Across 39 Rowing need 40 Flag maker Betsy 42 Bon __: quip 43 Much of Santa’s mail 45 Big name in hair trimmers 47 Marshmallowy treat 49 Hotel entrance, often, and, literally, what each set of four puzzle 35-Across contains 51 Actress Kelly of “The Cutting Edge” 53 Earns 54 Airing, as a miniseries 55 Some plum tomatoes 56 Concerning 59 Move like sludge 60 China company based in Stokeon-Trent 61 Jordan’s Queen __ 62 Prohibitionists 63 The “A” in YMCA: Abbr.

Francis School District, was the first to allow billboard-esque advertisements on its lockers, a move which generated $230,000 per year for the district’s five schools.

That same year, California’s Sweetwater Union High School District approved a policy that would allow advertisements inside the district’s 15 high schools and

be in the gymnasium, the cafeteria or the walls in the common areas — but not in the classrooms.

The Jefferson County School District in Colorado permitted ads on school buses through an exclusive contract with a bank.

This move generated $500,000 for the school over four years.

Unfortunately, public schools are running out of money, and in a way that is conflicting with their ability to offer students a proper education. began accepting advertising proposals.

With advertising, Sweetwater is expected to generate up to $1 million per year.

Sweetwater Union spokesperson Lillian Leopold described the guidelines that permitted 4 Visual Media Group to advertise within the school. Advertisements could

7/7/15

By David Poole

64 Yankee who passed Willie Mays on the career HR list on 5/7/2015 DOWN 1 “__ & the Women”: 2000 Gere film 2 “Hollywood Squares” win 3 Convinces 4 Basic nature 5 Errand runner 6 Ready to chat, nowadays 7 “__ you so!”

8 Unfavorable change of fortune 9 Before, in verse 10 Hallelujah kin 11 Improve 12 Campus recruiting org.

13 Medicinal measure 21 Like a specially formed committee 22 Grooved on 23 Not as well-done 24 University of Maine town 25 Seine tributary 29 Cut for an agt.

Monday’s Puzzle Solved

©2015 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

31 Jointly underwrite 32 Math relationship 33 Skater Brian 36 “As I see it,” in textspeak 37 Popular antique desks 38 Trudges (through) 41 Tries to avoid a pothole 44 State whose name is part of its capital 46 Actress Gardner

7/7/15

47 Operetta set in Japan, with “The” 48 “Be right there!”

49 Swanky 50 “Let’s go, amigo!”

51 Frame of mind 52 __ about: approximately 55 Pres. Mandela’s land 57 Also 58 Command from a maj.

One of the biggest concerns that comes with advertising in schools is the potential for the corporation to, ultimately, affect the school’s curriculum. However, most of the school districts that have attempted incorporating advertisements hold tight contracts with advertisers over which they

7 have full control. This means that districts determine what advertisements will be displayed, along with their placement.

Movements like the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood have also opposed advertisements in schools out of concern for the effects of commercialization on students.

But with education becoming increasingly more important, it is vital that schools receive proper funding. While some of that money can come from the federal and local governments, it only covers a fraction of what is needed to provide a well-rounded education for our youth, including the option of extracurriculars.

Selling advertising space in schools can help provide those much-needed extra dollars to fund many of the programs that school districts are cutting throughout the country.

No child sitting in a classroom should ever have their school’s financial circumstance as their utmost concern.

Ben Morgenstern primarily writes about education and social issues for The Pitt News.

Write to Ben at bdm46@pitt.edu.

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June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com

ARTS and ENTERTAINMENT

CULTURE

Raise a glass

“Out of the Archives and Into the Gallery” will run through Sept. 13 at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER

Glass studio, museum jump into fire with collaborative exhibit Brady Langmann Staff Writer

For a recent artistic endeavor, local glass artist Travis Rohrbaugh found inspiration in his favorite beer.

When searching for a historical artifact to recreate for the Pittsburgh Glass Center’s “Out of the Archives and Into the Gallery” exhibition, Rohrbaugh found a centuries-old Egyptian alabastron, which he said bore an uncanny resemblance to a modern-day

beer bottle.

“We had gotten a case of Labatt Blue, and those were the bottles that came in the case and I was like, this color — this is so pretty.

I have to keep this and do something with it,” he said.

Last Friday, the Pittsburgh Glass Center, located in the Friendship/Garfield area, debuted “Out of the Archives and Into the Gallery,” an exhibition featuring modern interpretations of ancient glass artwork, as well as recreations of centuries-old tools

and everyday objects. The display will run until Sept. 13.

The exhibition is a joint effort between Heather McElwee, the Center’s executive director, and Deborah G. Harding, the anthropology collection manager at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The pair met during an earlier collaboration between the two institutions, when the Glass Center borrowed glass biological models for an exhibition called “Lifeforms” in 2013.

During the “Lifeforms” partnership,

Harding showed McElwee a sampling of glass-made relics from the Museum’s 100,000 ethnological and historical specimens and 1.5 million archaeological artifacts. These pieces ranged from sixthcentury Palestinian lamps to glass cups from the Roman Empire. These pieces were not on public display at the museum.

According to McElwee, that’s when the two came up with the idea for “Out of the See Glass on page 10

June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com

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CULTURE

Mattress Factory emcees majestic merriment Kelechi Urama Staff Writer

Giant, silver M-shaped balloons bounced around an oversized white tent. Hundreds of art-lovers and eccentrics decked out in cocktail wear supported the balloons with whichever hands weren’t holding drinks.

The Urban Garden Party at the Mattress Factory, a museum of contemporary art in the North Side, is the museum’s biggest fundraising event of the year.

The event doubles as a costume party and features live music, food and an open bar, a silent art auction and a chance to view the third and fourth floors of the museum.

This year’s 21+ party ran from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. — this year’s theme was “‘M’ is for Mattress Factory,” encouraging the more than 1,200 partygoers to show up donning their best Madonnas, Medusas and Mickey Mouses. The party’s decora-

With the theme of “‘M’ for Mattress Factory,” masks and other adornments starting with the same letter decorated the Urban Garden Party. COURTESY OF THE MATTRESS FACTORY

tions creatively stuck to the theme as well, with decals of Michael Jackson and the “Mad Men” logo adorning museum

walls.

As a fundraising opportunity, the Urban Garden Party raises about $200,000

a year, a sizable chunk of the museum’s $1.6 million annual budget. Michael Olijnyk, the museum’s co-director, said that the museum raised a comparable amount this year.

According to Olijnyk, the money raised goes toward any hole the museum has to fill, whether it’s education projects or general operating costs.

Tickets to the party cost $110 for general admission and $300 for VIP passes.

The VIP passes included an exclusive preparty at 6:30 p.m., with live jazz music and a private Michael Jackson tribute by a professional impersonator, and access to an exclusive section of the venue.

While the price for both options isn’t appealing to students and low-income adults, Caitlin Harpster, the museum’s development and membership coordinator, said the prices reflect the costs of the food, drinks and entertainment.

Read the rest online at Pittnews.com.

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Glass, pg. 8 Archives and Into the Gallery.” “[Harding] had mentioned that she was really curious to see if modern artists could almost identically — or as close to identically — recreate these ancient objects,” she said. “Then I thought, let’s take it one step further, and challenge them to not only do that, but then to take that piece’s inspiration to reinterpret it into a more modern work of art.”

McElwee and Harding kicked around the idea for an exhibit until December 2014, when they reached out to 15 local glass artists and asked them to choose an object to rework in advance of the June opening. After picking their relics, the artists were on their own to research, reimagine and reconstruct whatever objects they chose.

Glass artist and Pittsburgh native Dana Laskowski, who’s been involved with the Glass Center since she attended the Creative and Performing Arts School located Downtown in the mid-2000s, was initially overwhelmed by the challenge. When she visited the archives, Laskowski picked out a series of medieval panels featuring car-

June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com toonish drawings of rabbits, but found more to run a studio as a tech apprentice. Now material than she anticipated while sifting a full-fledged glass artist, Sharvin said he through feudal British manuscripts. was stuck in a repetitive art-making process “It was a contrived effort to use all of before the project gave him “an opportunity that information, and then I realized, well, to do something new.”

I’m going to use what they were inspired by, Sharvin decided to create “Janus Flasks,” to be inspired,” Laskowski said. which were perfume bottles molded in the Eventually, Laskowski combined her likeness of Janus, the Roman god of beginresearch with her own creative twist on the nings and transitions. Like Laskowski, Sharpanels by magnifying the size of the im- vin initially admired the flasks because of ages and adding floral and snake-like borders DANA LASKOWSKI to each piece. The final Glass artist product – a series of bunny-centric sequences – includes “Let Me Help You,” which shows a rabbit mauling a small child, and “Uh-Oh,” a depiction of a rabbit jousting with a dog.

While artists such as Laskowski and Rohrbaugh focused on their their appearance. But as he studied Janus, subjects’ strange images and historical im- he noticed the parallels between the deity’s plications, other artists developed personal role in Roman culture and his own situaconnections with their artifacts. tion — Sharvin recently moved back to his John Sharvin got involved with the Glass hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and is now Center when he learned the basics on how deciding between different career paths in

I’m going to use what they were inspired by, to be inspired.

the art industry.

“It really, really rang home, like directly with what was happening in my life,” he said.

In his artist statement, Sharvin noted that Janus “was worshipped at the beginnings of the harvest, marriages and deaths as well as representing the middle ground between rural and urban space, youth and adulthood.”

Sharvin’s newfound relationship with his work motivated him to mold three clear glass bottles for the exhibit, each of which has a tiny open door inside to indicate the possibilities of a new phase in his life. He illustrated the outside of each bottle with a design that reflects his personal interests — for example, “Hoh River” is wrapped with a map of Olympic National Park, his favorite backpacking spot.

For Sharvin, representing personal experiences in this way ultimately betters the experience for both the artist and the viewers.

“I think artwork does do a good job about telling a story, and I think the closer you can get to the artist and their personal life does a good job with that,” he said. “Getting to know artists and what they think about when they make art I think is very, very important.”

June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com

FYI ( For your information ) TRIO OF additions

BASEBALL

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SPORTS PITCHING IN

This week, three members of the 2016 recruiting class announced verbal commitments to the Pitt football program. Central Catholic defensive back Bricen Garner, Bedford, Ohio running back Chawntez Moss and Lafayette, Va. linebacker Chase Pine all declared their intention to commit to Pat Narduzzi’s program. The three additions bring the 2016 class to six players.

FISHER LANDS USA GIG Pitt volleyball coach Dan Fisher will serve as the head coach of Team USA for the 2015 Pan American Games, the University announced June 17. The games will take place from July 16-25 in Toronto, and it is the third-largest multi-sport event in the world, with more than 40 countries and 5000 athletes participating. Fisher has participated in previous years as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2012 and as an assistant in 2007.

RIVER CITY RIVALRY RENEWED The University confirmed that Pitt and Cincinnati will revitalize a dormant rivalry game with a home-andhome series in 2023 and 2024. The River City Rivalry, which saw its last matchup in 2012, will reboot in Pittsburgh on Sept. 9, 2023 and continue the following year on Sept. 7, 2024.

Cincinnati has won four of the past five matchups.

Entering his junior season, the Pitt baseball team will rely heavily on T.J. Zeuch. PITT NEWS FILE PHOTO

T.J. Zeuch appears primed to be Panthers' ace moving forward Joe Rokicki

For The Pitt News

Each time a pitcher takes the mound, he’s tasked with creating a masterpiece — hurlers must paint the corners and brush back players. The strike zone is an easel.

Pitt’s baseball team has an artist of its own in rising junior pitcher T.J. Zeuch.

Accuracy, precision and velocity are each components of the future ace’s game, but

to Panthers catcher Manny Pazos, Zeuch’s consistency sets him apart.

“T.J.’s the most consistent pitcher I’ve caught,” Pazos said. “He wants to establish that fastball early in the count and then go to his off-speed stuff. He wants to challenge hitters.”

Outside of his ability and performance, Zeuch attributes most of his development and success as a Division I pitcher to an aspect of equal importance

— confidence.

“The biggest change [I’ve made] is being more confident in myself and developing the mindset to get the out no matter who they are and no matter what the name says on their jersey,” Zeuch said.

Zeuch has consistently proved himself to his teammates and coaches since his arrival, working on mechanics and See Zeuch on page 12

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June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com

COLUMN

Narduzzi will set tone for tenure at Pitt with Boyd response Stephen Caruso

Contributing Editor

Upon his appointment as Pitt’s head football coach in December, it appeared that Pat Narduzzi’s first challenge would come Sept. 5 on the gridiron. Now, it appears his first test will stem from his own locker room.

Following a June 12 incident, the Jefferson Hill Police Department arrested Pitt star wide receiver Tyler Boyd on suspicion of driving under the influence, and subsequently charged him with a DUI four days later.

The University has been in need of a strong leader on the football field, and it looks to have found it in Narduzzi. His former players at Michigan State have spoken about his energy and intensity — his more candid moments prove his attitude is not an act.

So considering how Narduzzi deals with this challenge will set the tone for his career at Pitt, it is important he acts firmly — and fairly — with Boyd.

At a fundraising event during his Panther Prowl tour last week in Chadwick, Pa., Narduzzi did comment on Boyd’s charges in a manner more subdued than

Zeuch, pg. 11 mastering a lethal four-pitch repertoire complete with his favorite pitch — a 12/6 curveball.

“He’s one of those few guys who can get you with any one of his four pitches.

When his slider’s on, it’s devastating,” pitching coach Jerry Oakes said.

Despite his talent, Zeuch was far from a complete pitcher upon his arrival in Oakland.

“T.J. came in and has been a project since day one,” Oakes said. “[He needs to] get more connected and get his hips to work the right way. His front leg would get locked up, but now he has a steady tempo working down the mound.”

Pazos said Zeuch’s physical traits are crucial to the pitcher’s success.

“He uses his size to his advantage.”

Pazos said. “When he releases, he’s in the grass, so he gets some additional velocity

usual.

“I don’t really want to get it into it, but it’s a learning situation,” Narduzzi said. “The first person I look at is myself.

What could I have done better?

When a member of the audience asked about possible punishment, Narduzzi was not specific.

“We are going to look at every case individually and address it that way,” Narduzzi said.

In his first year as head coach, Narduzzi needs to prove his leadership. Taking partial responsibility is a good step, and it seems to fit with his reputation as a player’s coach who attempts to develop players, not just recruit well.

But, just to be clearer than Narduzzi’s language, After a DUI, Tyler Boyd could be facing a suspen- Boyd needs to be suspendsion in Pat Narduzzi’s first real challenge as head ed, whether it be one game coach at Pitt. PITT NEWS FILE PHOTO or two.

The NCAA standard for DUI appears to be a one game suspension. From Alabama to Washington, players caught driving under the influence get off with a minor punishment. But Narduzzi’s focus has to be on creating a brand to go with Pitt football — hard-nosed and focused. Such off-the-field transgressions should not be tolerated by a coach hoping to win and create an atmosphere to help players grow not only as athletes, but also as responsible adults.

At a time when the success of football programs is often coupled with off-thefield issues, Narduzzi should make it clear from the start that his will be a program with higher standards.

Of course, losing Boyd will hurt for one or two games. Past Boyd, wide receiver depth on Pitt’s roster is almost nonexistent — not to mention, his talent level is irreplaceable. But this issue is about more than just winning. DUI is a serious crime, and one that can cause immeasurable harm. Everyone makes mistakes, but everyone must also face consequences.

Narduzzi said at the same event that he has no intention of making his stay at See Narduzzi on page 13

from that, which helps.” no-hit [by Virginia] the year before, and Standing at 6 feet 7 inches tall, most the biggest thing on my mind was going in of Zeuch’s teammates look up to him — there and beating them no matter what.” literally — and the notable accomplishThat start alone earned Zeuch numerments he’s achieved through his first ous accolades, such as ACC Pitcher of two seasons with the T.J. ZEUCH, Panthers.

Pitt starting pitcher His most prestigious start came against a top-ranked Virginia squad in March.

Zeuch threw eight scoreless innings and struck out the Week (March 9) and College Sports eight batters against the Cavaliers, a team Madness ACC Baseball Player of the Week currently playing against Vanderbilt in (March 10). He finished the season 4-6 a rematch of last year’s College World with a 3.87 ERA and recorded 90 strikeSeries Championship. outs, which ranks fourth in program his“That felt great,” Zeuch said. “We got tory for most strikeouts in a season. On

the road against FSU, he became the first Pitt pitcher since 2012 to strike out 10 batters in a game. Despite his accolades this past season, Zeuch sees room for improvement.

“I could have had well over 100 [strikeouts]. I lost a lot of 0-2 counts because I left the ball up and didn’t bury the pitch,” he said. “I love to work fastpaced, but a big thing for me this year was to step off the mound and take a second.”

However, strikeouts can become a source of concern, especially based on Oakes’ management of his starter’s pitch count in the late innings.

“With him being the ace, I’m very careful. Sometimes he wants to get strikeouts when he needs to force ground balls in order to get into that seventh and eighth inning,” Oakes said. “I want our guys to be strong. They won’t throw anything over

A big belief of mine is that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

See Zeuch on page 13

June 24, 2015 | The Pitt News | www.pittnews.com

Zeuch, pg. 12 100 pitches for a few weeks.”

Zeuch is currently pitching limited innings for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod League and will be shut down at the end of June. In two starts with the Anglers, he is 2-0 through 10.2 scoreless innings. He has eight strikeouts and has surrendered just 12 hits, only one of which went for extra bases. The Cape Cod League is comprised of high caliber collegiate players from all over the country.

THE PITT NEWS

“Everyone up here is good, the competition level is incredible and I’m gonna have to work hard to stay at that level of competition,” Zeuch said. “Strikeouts are a burden, but I’ve fallen into more threeball counts than you want. I’m working on keeping the ball down in the zone.”

Thanks to constant improvement and an unrelenting work ethic, Zeuch is poised for his role as the Panthers’ ace and hopes to lead Pitt to an ACC Tournament berth next season.

“A big belief of mine is that hard work E S T A B L I S HE D 1 9 1 0

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beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” Zeuch said. “I hate losing. I think making the conference tournament next year would be a big deal.”

Oakes said that Zeuch will likely be a big part of the team’s success, if it does achieve that goal.

“He’s the most competitive pitcher on the staff,” Oakes said. “It’s his job to lose, he’s earned it.”

Zeuch’s perspective is pure.

“Personally, all I can do is throw my best,” he said.

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Narduzzi, pg. 12 Pitt at short one.

“Are you going to stay? That’s the big one … I’m here. It’s about getting the right people and getting the right fit and making it work,” he said.

If Narduzzi has interest in genuinely rebuilding a Pitt football program that can fight for titles and be a point of pride for the University, then his move with Boyd is important.

Let’s hope he makes the right move. advertising@pittnews.com

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