To our readers It was on the lips of hundreds of alumni from the early 1960s on this fall – nifty at 50. Radio station alumni reunited on campus to mark 50 years of student radio at SRU. They swapped stories about the importance of their experience, sponsored a float at homecoming and launched a new scholarship supporting current communication majors. WSRU 88.1 FM started out as NFTE, which prompted it to become known on campus as “nifty,” a nickname that has stuck. “School Spirits” took on a whole new meaning this summer when the SyFy Channel featured SRU as one of the nation’s haunted colleges – old news to SRU alumni. One of the enduring legends at SRU is that the place is haunted, especially North Hall and Miller Auditorium. This edition explores the many ghost stories told, with a focus on “Emma the Ghost.” We invite you to read about new learning opportunities for students in the remodeled Planetarium, as well as technology advances in Bailey Library and the interesting items housed in University Archives. You will also get to know the University’s first million-dollar donor, Jerry Bejbl, ’63, and learn how there is no generation gap when it comes to giving to SRU. Thank you for your input on The ROCK. Gordon Ovenshine, ’88 Editor, The Rock gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu
Contents: Fall 2012 10 Nifty at 50:
campus radio station celebrates legacy
16 School spirits 20 Celestial stories
stoke imagination
23 Lifetime Giving Societies
31 About face:
Bailey Library redefines its learning role
Spirits
34 University archives
houses vast treasure chest
The ROCK The ROCK is published three times annually by the Office of University Public Relations for alumni and friends of the University. Send address changes to: University Public Relations 201 Old Main 1 Morrow Way Slippery Rock, PA 16057 Credits Executive Editor: Rita Abent, executive director, University Public Relations. Editor: Gordon Ovenshine, senior writer, University Public Relations. Designer: Sandy Busch, publications manager, University Public Relations. Contributors: Bob McComas, sports information director; Jon Holtz, assistant sports information director; Amy Clingensmith Mongiovi.
About the cover
Photographers: University Public Relations; Alumni Relations; SRU alumni; Seth Jarrett, SyFy. The Rock is a National Admissions Marketing merit award winner. University Vision Statement Slippery Rock University will excel as a caring community of lifelong learners connecting with the world. Slippery Rock University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
WSRU
Slippery Rock University radio station alumni from the 1960s on returned to campus this fall for a reunion celebrating 50 years of student radio at the University.
www.SRU.edu
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