Rock Magazine Fall 2015

Slippery Rock University Magazine Fall 2015

Fall at The Rock

View from the

ROCK

Cheryl Norton, president

2 The ROCK

rock

FALL 2015

Volume 17, Number 2

THE

Dear Friends, We are in a time of exciting change at the University both in the classroom and out.

We started the summer on a high note, with the Board of Governors’ approval of three, new career-focused academic programs: a bachelor of science in petroleum and natural gas engineering; a bachelor of fine arts in dance; and a master of science in data analytics – all of which will start in 2016. Previously, the BOG had approved: a master of business administration; a master of education in online teaching; a doctorate in special education; a master of science in physician assistant; a master of arts in English and a master of art history. These programs demonstrate our commitment to providing students with educational opportunities that will serve both them and the commonwealth today and into the future.

The end of the spring semester means the beginning of the construction and renovation season for the Slippery Rock University campus. Among the many projects undertaken during the summer we: •C reated a new chemistry lab in ATSH and expanded an existing lab; • Renovated the Archives area in Bailey, and the second floor stacks and student areas; • B uilt a new collaborative classroom in Eisenberg; • Renovated a child-care classroom in McKay; • Updated physical education and athletic offices in Morrow Field House, redesigned the lobby and added a permanent concessions area; and • Renovated classrooms in Spotts, and addressed a critical structural issue in the building.

Outdoors, we resurfaced the Athletic Department tennis courts and completed our 18-hole Disc Golf Course just in time to host the 2015 Pro Disc Golf World Championships finals. With help from Slippery Rock Borough, Keister, Maltby and Morrow Way were resurfaced. We also completed a comprehensive program to replace our campus directional, building and street signs. All of our facilities now have building-specific street addresses. This makes us 9/11, first-responder compliant, and will eventually allow visitors to use their GPS devices to locate a specific destination on campus.

All of these changes combine to continue SRU’s tradition of providing an outstanding education in an environment that promotes learning. We’re proud of what we continue to accomplish and hope that you are as well.

This edition of The ROCK magazine is a little different than normal. Because many of our alumni have not been able to visit campus recently, we designed a calendar that features some of our memorable campus spots. I hope you enjoy it, and as you use it throughout the year, remember the important role SRU played in your life. You can keep The ROCK tradition alive by supporting a new student’s dream of becoming an SRU grad by contributing to the University. Investing in our students is one sure way to insure the University’s future.

Sincerely,

8 H OMECOMING

and REUNION WEEKEND October 10-11, 2015

In this issue

10 ’74 graduate

honors heroes – ­ his parents – with scholarship

11 Slippery Rock

University 2016 Calendar

www.sru.edu Slippery Rock University is a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education Slippery Rock University is committed to a policy of affirmative action. Slippery Rock University assures an equal opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, gender or veteran’s status in accordance with the state and federal laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

To our readers Surprise. This edition of The ROCK gives you a way to keep the University, even if you live on the other side of the world, in front of you all next year. Graphic designer Sandy Busch stitched a 2016 calendar into the magazine, with seasonal campus photos. Enjoy.

Homecoming 2015, “All Roads Lead to The Rock,” drew The Rock faithful back to campus and provided more opportunities for colorful photography. Students pitched in to catalog the parade and other events for the University’s website (www.sru.edu), Facebook page and a magazine spread.

Hardly a day goes by that gender equality doesn’t make news.

In this issue you will read about the airborne barrier-busting accomplishments of Deborah Blakeley, ’02, biology. She flies where few women have flown before.

Their story needs to be told, Mike O’Hare, ’74, said of his late “Greatest Generation” parents. O’Hare launched a scholarship in memory of his folks and hopes others will follow suit.

Thank you for your support of SRU and The ROCK. Feel free to offer feedback.

Gordon Ovenshine, ’88 Editor, The ROCK gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

Council of Trustees:

Sen. Mary Jo White, Chair Matt Lautman, Vice Chair Jeff Smith, Secretary Commr. William McCarrier Tom Breth Robert Marcus Dennis Murray Matthew Shaner Robert Taylor Suzanne Vessella

President

Cheryl Norton

Cabinet

• Philip Way Provost and Vice President for Administrative Affairs • Amir Mohammadi Vice President for Finance and Administrative Affairs • Rita Abent Executive Director of Communication and Public Affairs • Tina Moser Chief of Staff

Academic Leadership

42 Female chopper 44 Randall Russell pilot cleared for landing

Scholarship helps chemistry students

46 Athletic Hall

of Fame, Class of 2015

CREDITS Executive Editor: Rita Abent, executive director, University Communication and Public Affairs.

Editor: Gordon Ovenshine, ’88, communication specialist, University Communication and Public Affairs.

Designer: Sandy Busch, graphic communication director, University Communication and Public Affairs.

Contributors: Jon Holtz, athletic communication director; Tyler McIntosh, ’12, assistant athletic communication director; Tyler Sing, ’17, student designer.

Photographers: Aaron Moore, digital design director; University Communication and Public Affairs; Alumni Relations, SRU alumni, students Jamie Green, ’17 and Andy Hamilton, ’15.

• Lawrence Shao Dean, College of Business • Keith Dils Dean, College of Education • Eva Tsuquiashi-Daddesio Dean, College of Liberal Arts • Jerry Chmielewski Interim Dean, College of Health, Environment and Science

Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

Guido Pichini, Chair Marie Conley, Vice Chair David Maser, Vice Chair Sen. Richard Alloway II Rep. Matthew Baker Jane Earll Christopher Franklin Rep. Michael Hanna Ronald Henry Jonathan Mack Daniel Meuser Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera Sen. Judy Schwank Harold Schields Robert Taylor Aaron Walton Gov. Tom Wolf​ Frank Brogan, Chancellor Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education

THE ROCK The ROCK is published three times annually by the Office of University Communication and Public Affairs for alumni and friends of the University.

Send address changes to: Slippery Rock University University Communication and Public Affairs 104 Maltby Avenue Suite 201 Slippery Rock, PA 16057

ABOUT THE COVER: Fall at The ROCK is always a special and colorful time.

This unique perspective of Old Main was shot utilizing drone technology.

The Rock is an Educational Advertising, Collegiate Advertising and CUPRAP (Cuppie) award winner.

Fall 2015 2016 3

rock

BYTES

SRU launches new website Visitors to Slippery Rock University‘s website, www.sru.edu, might take a second look to see if they are at the right site. The University launched a new site, the first major redesign and architectural restructuring for the University website since 2008. The new website is designed to better meet the needs of potential students and visitors, make important information easier to find and focus on telling the University story.

The site features a fluid and concise navigation, a custom search engine (powered by Google) and a mobile friendly, responsive design that dramatically improves the experience for users on standard smartphones, tablets and other small computing devices. The website also adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act 508 compliance standards as it applies to Web, improving the experience and accessibility of content for people with disabilities.

Darcy White, director of web communications and development for the Office of Communication and Public Affairs, worked with a team of students and staff from across the University to bring the project in on time and on budget.

“Beautiful campus” captures national attention Everywhere you went on campus during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, people were talking about how the campus never looked so good. We agree. So did the Professional Grounds Management Society, who awarded SRU with a Green Star Honor Award.

Judges noted a “drastic improvement” from the “before” pictures submitted with the application, and noted the University‘s “great use of annual plants and grasses in planters, and a nice mix of textures and colors in trees, shrubs and groundcovers.”

The campus makeover is part of the University’s overall strategic plan to create an exceptional learning environment both in-and-out of the classroom.

4

The ROCK

Enrollment inches forward, again It’s becoming as commonplace as the changing color of the leaves – enrollment growth. This fall, enrollment inched forward to 8,628 students, 1.57 percent higher than a year ago. International enrollment is up 17.2 percent, graduate enrollment 15.09 percent and out-of-state enrollment 3.19 percent.

“Increases in overall enrollment are due to higher retention rates, new graduate programming starts each term and stable new freshman and transfer student bodies,” said Amanda Yale, SRU associate provost for enrollment services.

For fall 2015, SRU enrolled 7,583 undergraduate and 1,045 graduate students compared to 2014‘s enrollment of 7,587 undergraduate and 908 graduate students.

Yale said new master‘s degree programs with online options helped increase out-ofstate graduate student enrollment 13.53 percent to 151 students.

National, Public and Pennsylvania

Great Place to Work For

Drum roll, please. Slippery Rock University has again been selected by the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of 62 four-year institutions nationally to be recognized as a “Great Place to Work For.” This is the fifth time SRU has been recognized.

“This award is especially gratifying because these ratings are the result of feedback from our employees regarding our workforce practices and policies,” SRU President Cheryl Norton said. “One of our strategic initiatives is to provide an exceptional work environment where all employees are respected for their contributions to student success. It‘s great to know we are making a positive impact in this area.”

The Chronicle‘s “2015 Great Colleges to Work For” survey is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. This year, 281 institutions participated. The Chronicle recognized 86 institutions, including 62 fouryear institutions and 24 two-year institutions.

SRU earned special recognition in three categories: Compensation and Benefits; Supervisor or Department-Chair Relationships; and Professional/ Career Development Programs.

If the faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of Slippery Rock University seem to be smiling more than usual this week, they have good reason. The University was recently recognized as a National College of Distinction, a Public College of Distinction and a Pennsylvania College of Distinction for the exemplary educational experiences it provides to students.

Princeton Review

Best in the Northeast

SRU earns national “Best Places to Work” recognition

SRU scores “College of Distinction” hat trick

Great Value

Best Colleges in the North

College of Distinction Chronicle of Higher Education

Money Magazine

U.S. News & World Report

ETC College Ranking

Best Value Best Colleges.com

America’s Best Small Town Colleges

To be invited to be a part of Colleges of Distinction, schools must demonstrate results across Four Distinctions: Engaged Students; Great Teaching; Vibrant Community and Successful Outcomes.

Schools must be nominated by high school counselors or college educators to be considered for inclusion and then are evaluated on a mix of qualitative and quantitative measures. Qualitative information is gleaned from college admission experts and includes interviews with senior administration, faculty, alumni and current students at each nominated college. Qualitative data such as graduation rates, classroom size and satisfaction measures are reviewed as part of the assessment process.

Princeton Review, U.S. News, BestColleges.com laud The ROCK Slippery Rock University has been named one of the best colleges in the Northeast by the Princeton Review. The well-known education services company listed SRU among its “Best in the Northeast” recommended schools in its “2016 Best Colleges: Region-byRegion” website feature accessible at: http://www.princetonreview.com/ bestNEcolleges. Only 225 colleges in eleven Northeastern states made The Princeton Review‘s “Best in the Northeast” list for 2016.

U.S. News & World Report also named the University among the “Best Colleges in the North”. The University ranked among the top 100 regional universities. Regional universities - defined by the Carnegie classification as Master‘s Colleges and Universities - provide a full range of undergraduate programs and some master‘s-level programs. The region includes Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maine, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, the District of Columbia, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont.

“These rankings,” Cheryl Norton, SRU president said, “confirm the commitment we‘ve

Professional Grounds Management Society

Green Star Honor

made to delivering an educational experience that will help students‘ succeed in their careers, their lives, and to be better citizens.”

BestColleges.com, an online resource dedicated to helping students make educated choices about their future, selected SRU as one of the top 50 of America‘s Best Small Town Colleges.

“This recognition certainly validates the old adage, bigger isn‘t necessarily better,‘” said Cheryl Norton, SRU president. “We‘re extremely proud of the high-quality, comprehensive learning experience we provide students both in-and-out of the classroom. This campus and community are wonderful places in which to live and learn. As the evaluators noted, small town campuses offer a spirit of community that can sometimes escape metropolitan areas.”

University captures two “best value” rankings Slippery Rock University was among the universities identified by MONEY Magazine as an institution that delivers a great value - that is, a great education, at an affordable price and that helps students launch promising careers.

The Rock was also named among the top 100 “best value” universities nationally in the annual outcomes-based, ETC College Ranking Index for 2016, which is produced by the nonprofit, Educate to Career.

“We are pleased to be among those universities recognized by MONEY and Educate to Career for delivering an affordable, quality education,” said Cheryl Norton, SRU president.

“We‘ve worked strategically to address affordability issues. We‘ve added 3+3, 3+1 and three-year programs to reduce the time to graduation. We‘ve implemented money management programs so students learn to make sound financial decisions. We‘ve increased financial aid to improve access while at the same time maintaining and developing academic programs that are fully-accredited and meet rigorous academic standards.”

Fall 2016

5

rock

FILE

Andrea “Andi” Whitican, ’04, management and marketing, and Todd Burkholder, ’05, exercise physiology HOME: Denver, Co.

PROFESSION: Whitican, financial advisor; Burkholder, health care management.

HOBBIES: Biking, skiing and volleyball.

GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT: Starting new careers in a new city after the “Great Recession.”

WHY WE GIVE: SRU is a great place to get a college education, but my experience being a part of SRU’s volleyball team for four years was an experience that made my time at SRU truly unique. Being a part of the volleyball team allowed me to develop deep and lasting friendships, to be a part of leadership committees through various University organizations and to be taught valuable skills such as time management, self-discipline, accountability and goal orientation. Upon graduation with a business degree, I found many businesses were not only interested in hiring me because of my degree but also my involvement with athletics. The business world knows what it takes to be a successful college athlete and how those characteristics carry over to being a successful employee. I truly feel I was blessed to be a part of the volleyball program at SRU and both Todd and I want to make sure the opportunities I received continue for these hard working women in the future. That is why we give to the SRU Volleyball Fund.

6

The ROCK

SRU scores new scoreboard Chuck Sanders, ’86, an All-American running back for the football team from 1982-85 and current chief executive officer of Urban Lending Solutions in Pittsburgh, funded a new scoreboard for Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.

The 20-feet-by-37 feet, hunter green LED scoreboard is nine feet taller and four feet wider than the old scoreboard. It features an 11-feet video board.

Slippery Rock field hockey, football, women‘s lacrosse, men‘s soccer, women‘s soccer, men‘s track and field and women‘s track and field all compete at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium throughout the year.

New signs help visitors, first responders When a call comes into the 911 switchboard in Butler County requesting aid at Slippery Rock University, emergency personnel will no longer have to wonder where on 1 Morrow Way they should respond. Campus buildings now have their own street addresses that first responders can see from the road.

“In the past, we‘ve only had one address for the campus, 1 Morrow Way,” said Scott Albert, assistant vice president for facilities and planning. “In terms of getting people, especially first responders, to the right location as quickly as possible, that presented some problems.”

The new addresses, such as McKay Education Building 105 Maltby Ave., are on identification yard signs in front of 49 buildings.

Thirteen buildings have wall-

mounted signs, and each building has address numbers placed near an entrance or visible from the road.

SRU installed 22 new directional signs; outdoor campus maps and put 25 new street signs in place before the school year began.

New business dean embraces active learning Lawrence Shao, former professor of finance at Marshall University, is the new dean of the College of Business.

Shao said the value of higher education increasingly comes from experiential learning that SRU embeds in study abroad, internships, research and volunteer opportunities. The new dean cited technology, blended curriculum and foreign language skills as employment pluses.

“Student success is very important; that’s ultimately what we do for them,” Shao said. “We do have the obligation to provide students with the best education we can. We also want students to have the best tools they can have to prepare them for when they enter the workforce.”

University Bookshelf

Gray pens Lee Hoiby biography Colleen Gray, SRU associate professor of music, has written “The Life and Vocal Works of Lee Hoiby, American Composer and Classical Pianist (1926-2011).” The resource book includes a catalog of all his known songs.

“The book is really an outgrowth or branch of my doctoral dissertation that dealt with Hoiby’s works,” Gray said. “I have sung his works in Costa Rica, Croatia during my sabbatical and Australia, as well as throughout the U.S, including Florida,” Gray said.

Gray, who joined the SRU faculty, said she talked to Hoiby before his death.

The 198-page-book is available at Amazon.com.

Browne, ’12 empowers youth Sarah Browne, ’12, English, has written an empowerment novel for young adults, “Brilliant Road and the Red Balloon.”

Browne provides a voice for the exploration of gender equality, authenticity, spirituality and suicide prevention. She infuses an appreciation of life, regardless of circumstances, into her narrative by telling the story of a young woman who finds redemption over difficult life and family issues.

“The tagline is, ‘Every road has its reason, to rise above to unseen brilliance,’” Browne said.

“The book explores wisdom found inside you and how to use your wisdom for self empowerment.”

For more information, go to sarahjeannebrowne.com

Alumna pens book offering creativity tips

SRU adds six new degree options It’s been a busy semester for the Academic and Student Affairs Division at the University.

The division recently maneuvered six new degree programs through the State’s System of Higher Education review and approval process.

Six new degree programs, a bachelor of science in petroleum and natural gas engineering, a bachelor of fine arts in dance, a bachelor of science in homeland security, a bachelor of science in corporate security, and two new master’s programs, one in data analytics and the other in public health were approved by the board of governors.

“This latest group of new degrees approved by the Board demonstrates the State System‘s commitment to identifying, developing and offering high-quality, relevant programs that match both student and employer needs,” said Chancellor Frank Brogan. “Not only are they in areas where there is high demand, most will be offered through a variety of delivery methods – not just in the traditional classroom setting – so they will be available to a greater range of potential students.”

Doreen Marcia Poreba, ’80, a communication graduate and creativity coach, has written “Idiot’s Guide: Unlocking Your Creativity.”

Available in paperback or eBook, the book provides tips for helping readers get past barriers that keep them from being creative at work and in their daily lives.

Poreba said creativity goes well beyond the arts and is one of the engines that drive business innovation and self-fulfillment.

“I have spent the last three decades in the creative field of public relations, and last year I became a certified creativity coach, which led to the writing of this book,” she said.

The book, published by Alpha Books, a division of Dorling Kindersley Limited, a Penguin Random House Co., is available at bookstores and online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Kneupper pens “Love in A Course in Miracles” Theodore Kneupper, SRU professor emeritus of philosophy, has had his book “‘Love‘ in 'A Course in Miracles’ An Inquiry into its Views on the Theory and Practice of Love” published by Mind Unlimited Press.

Kneupper taught philosophy at SRU for 35 years before retiring in 2003. He specialized in “Philosophy of Science” and “Philosophy of Religion.”

His interest in the spiritual teachings of the world‘s religions as offering differing views of and approaches to the ultimate “Truth” led him to give serious examination to the relatively recent book “A Course in Miracles,” by Helen Schucman.

Knuepper’s book is available at Amazon.com.

’77 graduate pens sport marketing textbook Gary Bernstein, ’77, physical education, has written “The Principals of Sport Marketing,” published by Sagamore Publishers.

Bernstein, a sport management professor at the University of Louisville, explores concepts and topics surrounding sport marketing with examples drawn from the world of sports. Sport marketing is an ever-changing field, which Bernstein contextualizes.

The book is available at http://www.sagamorepub.com/products/principles-sport-marketing

Fall 2016

7

HOMECOMING and REUNION WEEKEND October 10 -11, 2015

8

The ROCK

#9156 6-2015

Fall 2016

9

’74 graduate honors heroes ­– his parents – with scholarship Mike O’Hare, a 1974 Slippery Rock University graduate, has established a scholarship in memory of the two people whose work ethic and belief in the American dream guided and enriched his own life, his late parents George “Dody” and Estelle “Stel” O’Hare.

῾῾ Over the years I grew to appreciate The Rock, because of the opportunity it gave me to get a solid college education, being from a regular, working class family.᾿᾿ 10 The The ROCK ROCK 10

“Their impact on my life was huge. Anything I have ever accomplished I owe to them.

Anything anybody ever likes about me or my siblings is due to the great character and integrity that my mother and dad had,” said O’Hare, a retired vice president for Snyder’sLance snack food company, who lives in Sunset Beach, N.C. “They showed us what it was like to have a good marriage, to be great parents, how to work hard at your job, be nice to people and how to enjoy life,” he said.

The Dody and Stel O‘Hare Memorial Scholarship provides $1,000 to first-year SRU students who graduated from Mike O’Hare’s high school alma mater, Deer Lakes High School. Seven first-year students received the scholarship this fall.

“They thereafter earn $1,500 a year if they achieve a 3.0 grade-point average each year until the scholarship is depleted,” O’Hare said. “The total money in the scholarship is $25,000.”

O’Hare also funds the Geraldine O’Hare Scholarship as a tribute to his late wife, Gerry O’Hare, ’74. It is also for Deer Lakes’ graduates. Gerry O’Hare worked 28 years for the Deer Lakes school district in various teaching roles, and eventually became an elementary principal.

O’Hare said his and other “fantastic Rock parents,” many without college educations, haven’t received proper credit for their example. O’Hare is so grateful to his parents and for his SRU education that his North Carolina license plate reads; “Rock 1974.”

“I did a scholarship in their honor to show my gratitude for them, and to share with young people how great they were,” he said. “I am hoping their influence rubs off on the young people earning the scholarship.”

George O’Hare (1918-1996) acquired the nickname “Dody” from his brother, who pronounced the name “Georgie” like “Dody.” The senior O’Hare, Pittsburgh born and bred, served in the Navy during World War II. Coca-Cola hired him as a route salesman after the war.

“He finally had landed a steady job, so they decided to have one more child! That was me, born in 1952,” O’Hare said.

Estelle Brown “Stel” O’Hare (1920-2010) was born in Wexford, Pa. She was a stay-at-home mom of three.

O’Hare said he followed his older brother Patrick to SRU. “Over the years, I grew to appreciate The Rock, because of the opportunity it gave me to get a solid college education, being from a regular, working class family. I took pride, and have boasted for years, about going to The Rock,” he said.

His mother, whom he described as fearless, spoiled him rotten. “I‘d go home just about every week to work a job on the weekends, and my Mom would gladly do my laundry,” he said.

“She packed up food for me to take back each week. She used to drive me back to my dorm, the ‘Riviera,’ during my freshman year in 1970-71, oftentimes enduring icy, snowy roads.

O’Hare said he received an education degree but didn’t work as a teacher.

“I learned that many of the skills used to teach elementary students are transferable to leading adults in the business world,” he said. In honoring his parents with a scholarship, O’Hare is also investing in the next generation of SRU graduates.

“If others can, they should consider starting a scholarship, or something similar, be it large or small, because they too would love telling people about their parents,” he said.

6 1 0 2 Fall 2016

11

12

The ROCK

Fall 2016

13

Dear friends, Thank you for your continuing support of Slippery Rock University. Your generous support has enabled us to accomplish great things in 2015, and with your help, even greater things are in store for 2016 and beyond.

We have many accomplishments to be proud of this year. Once again, The Princeton Review named SRU a “Best in the Northeast College” and U.S. News counted us among the “Top 100 Best Colleges in the North.” The University scored a trifecta when it was named a “National College of Distinction,” a “Public College of Distinction” and a “Pennsylvania College of Distinction” by the Colleges of Distinction organization.

Our commitment to sustainability continues to draw accolades. SRU was again included as “One of the Top 353 Green Colleges in America” in the Princeton Review’s 2015 Guide to Green Schools, and we were awarded a 2015 APPA Sustainability Award in Facilities Management” by the APPA. As you’ll see demonstrated in this calendar, our efforts to enhance the quality of our learning environment hasn’t gone unnoticed by visitors or the Professional Grounds Management Society, which bestowed its “Green Star Honor Award” upon the University.

The University has earned accolades from Lendedu for providing “One of the Top 10 College Dorms in America,” from Affordable Colleges Online as a “Best Online College in Pennsylvania,” from G.I. Jobs as a “Military Friendly University” and from the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of only 62 four-year institutions nationally to be recognized as a “Great College to Work For.” While I am proud of each of these designations and the work our faculty, staff and students have done to allow us to garner these awards, one area I’m especially proud of is the recognition we’ve received for providing a quality education at an affordable price. SRU was selected as a “Best Value University” by MONEY magazine, one of the “Top 100 Best Value Universities” by Educate to Career and a “Top 30 Best Value College in Pennsylvania by bestvalueschools.com. We recently were awarded 55

Cheryl Norton President

badges of distinction from College Factual, among them “Best for the Money in Pennsylvania,” and “Best for the Money Nationwide.” Many of our academic programs were identified as “Best for the Money” in the commonwealth, Mid-Atlantic and nationwide.

We’re very proud we can demonstrate Slippery Rock University is an excellent steward of the public resources with which it has been entrusted. And, as a public institution that exists for the good of the public, we have realigned our spending to enhance our investment in student success.

This hasn’t happened by accident.

We have tightened our belt, we have reduced our costs, and we have picked our tree clean – not just the low hanging fruit, in order to continue to invest in students when state support continues to decline.

However, the key to continued affordability – and our ability to deliver a quality education at an affordable price – is increasing private giving. In FY14, the University raised more than $3 million in cash contributions, the largest amount in our history. With more than 96 percent of our freshman and 85 percent of our undergraduates receiving financial aid, these dollars are critical.

It should come as no surprise that our major challenge revolves around the struggle to continue to invest in the people, physical plant and equipment necessary to provide educational opportunities our students need and deserve in this time of limited public and private resources. Now, more than ever, your financial support is critical.

Thank you so very much for your continued support of the University. I hope you enjoy this calendar and as each month passes, you’ll recall with fond memories your affiliation with SRU.

14

The ROCK

Fall 2016

15

7

14

21

28

6

20

27

M

13

S

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2

1

8

W

T

LAST

31

24

17

10

3

T

December 2015

24

25

26

19

12

27

20

13

6

S

31

24

25

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

18

23

11 18

5

F

17

29

17

10

4

T

11

22

21

28

9 16

3

W

10

8

15

2

1

7

T

M

14

S

4

26

19

12

5

S

February 2016

MONDAY

3

25

18

11

4

F

SUNDAY

26

19

12

5

TUESDAY

27

20

13

6

29

22

15

8

New Year’s Day

1

FRIDAY

FULL

FIRST

9

2

30

23

16

NEW

LAST

SATURDAY

JANUARY 2016

28

21

14

7

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

28

21

Valentine’s Day

14

7

Sunday

15

8

FULL

29

22

Presidents’ Day

FIRST

NEW

1

Monday

16

9

23

Mardi Gras

Groundhog Day

2

Tuesday

24

17

10

3

Wednesday

4 11 18 25

3 10 17 24

26

19

12

5

27

20

13

6

W

28

21

14

7

T

January 2016

T

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2

1 8

S

F

26

19

12

5

Friday

27

20

13

6

S

28

21

14

7

M

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2 8

W 1

31

24

17

10

3

T

March 2016

T

6

25

18

11

4

F

26

19

12

5

S

27

20

13

Saturday

FEBRUARY 2016

31

M

S

25

18

11

4

Thursday

Easter Sunday

27

First Day of Spring

20

28

21

14

13

Daylight Saving Time Begins

7

Monday

6

Sunday

15

8

1

29

22

FIRST

NEW

LAST

Tuesday

FULL

30

23

16

9

2

Wednesday

LAST

31

24

St. Patrick’s Day

17

10

3

22 29

21 28

23

16

24

17

10

3

W

25

18

11

4

T

26

19

12

5

F

27

20

13

6

S

4 11 18 25

10 17 4

M

3

S

26

19

12

5

T

27

20

13

6

W

7

T

28

21

14

April 2016

5

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2

1 8

S

F

26

19

12

Saturday

MARCH 2016

15

14

9

2

1 8

T

25

18

11

4

Friday

February 2016 M

7

S

Thursday

M

7

14

21

28

S

6

13

20

27

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2

1

8

W

T

31

24

17

10

3

T

March 2016

25

27

20

13

6

F

24

26

19

12

5

T

18

25

18

11

4

W

May 2016

17

31

24

17

10

3

T

11

30

23

16

9

2

M

10

29

22

15

8

1

S

4

26

19

12

5

S

28

21

14

7

S

Monday

3

25

18

11

4

F

Sunday

26

19

12

5

Tuesday

27

20

13

6

Wednesday

21

14

7

28

FIRST

NEW

Thursday

22

29

9

2

30

23

16

Saturday

Passover Ends

Arbor Day

APRIL 2016

LAST

Earth Day

FULL

Tax Day

8

15

April Fool’s Day

1

Friday

LAST

16

23

30

22

29

9

8

15

Mother’s Day

2

Monday

1

Sunday

31

24

17

10

3

Tuesday

25

18

11

4

Wednesday

26

19

12

5

11 18 25

10 17 24

4

M

3

S

Thursday

26

19

12

5

T

28

21

14

7

T

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2

1 8

S

F

27

20

13

6

6 13 20 27

12 19 26

M

5

S

21

28

21

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2

1 8

T

W

June 2016

14

7

T

24

17

10

3

F

25

18

11

4

S

28

Armed Forces Day

FULL

7

14

Saturday

MAY 2016

27

20

13

6

W

April 2016

FIRST

NEW

Friday

23

30

22

29

25

18

11

4

W

FIRST

26

19

12

5

T

6

F

18

25

17

24

27

20

13

6

W

28

21

14

7

T

6

29

22

15

26 LAST

27

First Day of Summer

30

23

16

9

2

1 8

S

F

20

FULL

D-Day

26

19

12

5

T

19

31

4

11

3

M

10

S

13

5

28

21

14

7

S

July 2016

Monday

12

27

20

13

Father’s Day

31

24

17

10

9

16

8

15

3

2

1

T

M

S

May 2016

Sunday

Flag Day

28

21

14

7

Tuesday

29

22

15

8

1

Wednesday

30

23

16

9

2

Thursday

11

4

25

18

NEW

Saturday

JUNE 2016 Passover Ends

24

17

10

3

Friday

M

6

13

20

27

S

5

12

19

26

28

21

14

7

T

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2

1

8

T

W

June 2016

3

25

18

11

4

S

29

22

15

8

1

M

30

23

16

9

2

T

31

24

17

10

3

W

NEW

25

18

11

4

T

4

26

19

12

5

F

31

25

24

11

18

FIRST

Independence Day

28

21

14

7

S

August 2016

27

20

13

6

S

Monday

17

10

24

17

10

3

F

Sunday

LAST

FULL

26

19

12

5

Tuesday

27

20

13

6

Wednesday

28

21

14

7

Thursday

9

2

30

23

16

Saturday

JULY 2016 Passover Ends

29

22

15

8

1

Friday

8

15

22

29

14

21

28

1

Monday

7

Sunday

9

2

30

23

16

NEW

Tuesday

LAST

FIRST

31

24

17

10

3

Wednesday

FULL

25

24 31

11 18

17

4

3 10

M

S

27

20

13

6

W

July 2016

28

21

14

7

T

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2

1 8

S

F

Passover Ends

26

19

12

5

T

26

19

12

5

Friday

5 12 19 26

11 18 25

M

4

S

27

20

13

6

28

21

14

7

W

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2

1 8

F

T

24

17

10

3

S

27

20

September 2016 T

6

13

Saturday

AUGUST 2016

25

18

11

4

Thursday

15

22

29

14

21

28

31

24

17

10

3

W

25

18

11

4

T

4

27

20

13

6

S

10

17

24

31

9

16

23

30

25

18

11

4

T

26

19

12

5

W

5

28

21

14

7

F

26

25

12

27

20

13

6

T

Labor Day

3

M

2

S

19

11

26

19

12

5

F

October 2016

29

22

15

8

1

S

Monday

18

Patriot Day

30

23

16

9

2

1

8

T

M

7

S

August 2016

Sunday

27

20

13

6

Tuesday

28

21

14

7

1

22

15

8

NEW

Thursday

16

9

NEW

LAST

30

23

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

FULL

FIRST

2

Friday

3

24

Constitution Day

17

10

Saturday

Passover Ends

SEPTEMBER 2016

29

First Day of Autumn

Wednesday

13

12

19

26

11

18

25

27

20

6

5

4

T

M

S

15

30

23

16

29

22

15

8

1

T

30

23

16

9

2

W

24

17

10

3

T

26

19

Halloween

31

30

FULL

24

Columbus Day

5

S

12

3

25

18

11

4

F

10

Rosh Hashana

28

21

14

7

M

23

27

20

13

6

S

17

9

2

24

17

10

3

S

November 2016

Monday

16

FIRST

29

22

9

2

1

8

F

T

NEW

28

21

14

7

W

September 2016

Sunday

25

18

11

4

Tuesday

19 26

Yom Kippur

12

5

Wednesday

Passover Ends

28

21

14

7

Friday

LAST

8

1

29

22

15

Saturday

OCTOBER 2016

27

20

13

6

Thursday

First Sunday in Advent

27

20

13

Daylight Saving Time Ends

6

Sunday

LAST

FULL

7

28

21

14

FIRST

Monday

NEW

29

22

15

Election Day

8

1

Tuesday

30

23

16

9

2

Wednesday

31

24

23 30

11 17

26

19

12

27

20

13

6

T

28

21

14

7

F

Passover Ends

25

18

10

9 16

5

W

October 2016 T

4

M

3

2

S

29

22

15

8

1

S

25

18

Veteran’s Day

11

4

Friday

25

18

11

4

S

26

19

12

5

M

27

20

13

6

T

28

21

14

7

W

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2 8

F 1

31

24

17

10

3

S

26

19

T

December 2016

5

12

Saturday

NOVEMBER 2016

Thanksgiving Day

24

17

10

3

Thursday

21

28

20

27

29

22

15

30

23

16

9

2

1

8

W

T

24

17

10

3

T

27

28

21

26

26

Christmas Day

7

S

14

25

25

20

13

6

F

19

31

24

19

12

5

T

18

30

29

18

11

4

W

12

23

22

17

10

3

T

11

9

16

8

2

1

15

M

S

5

26

19

12

5

S

January 2017

Monday

4

25

18

11

4

F

Hanukkah Begins

7

14

6

M

13

S

November 2016

Sunday

LAST

FULL

27

20

13

6

Tuesday

7

28

First Day of Winter

21

14

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

FIRST

Wednesday

29

Passover Ends

30

23

16

9

2

Friday

3

New Year’s Eve

31

24

17

10

Saturday

DECEMBER 2016

NEW

22

15

8

1

Thursday

September

May

January

October

June

February

November

July

March

December

August

April

The ROCK

38

rock Editorial Information Please note that “Class Notes” lists the year alumni received their undergraduate degree from Slippery Rock University. To submit “Class Notes,” simply email us at alumni@sru.edu or go to http://rockalumnicafe.com with your information.

You can also call 1.800.GET.ROCK or fax us at 724. 738.4784. We do not publish engagements or pregnancies, but we do publish marriages and births.

(M) – Denotes master’s degree (F) – Denotes faculty member (FR) – Denotes friend of Slippery Rock University Please note that the editorial staff makes every effort to publish the information given to us by alumni as it is received. Due to space restrictions in the magazine, we sometimes have to edit the information. We are proud of all our alumni and regret having to make any revisions.

CLASS NOTES 1940s

Raymond “Ray” Fioroni, ’49, physical education, made his return to The Rock recently while attending campus visitation with his daughter and grand­ son. He is a World War II veteran and a retired superintendent for Avella School District in Washington County.

1 ●

1950s

Earl and Shirley (Dean) Birdy, ’51, recently celebrated their 63-year anniversary. They married June 1 19, 1952, in Heinz Chapel. They are former teachers who met while attending school at Slippery Rock University.

1960s

Alfreeda Goff, ’65, health and physical education, has been named the interim director of athletics at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. She most recently served as senior associate commissioner of the Horizon League.

Before joining the Horizon League, she served2as director of athletics at Virginia State University.

1970s

Dan Kaczmarski, ’73, former Patterson Hall roommate of Robert Dischner, ’73, said he is sorry to report the passing of Dischner. If you would like more information, contact Kaczmarksi at pdkaz@comcast.net.”

Barry Glaser, ’74, was recently promoted to vice president at Marmon/Keystone LLC. He began his career at Marmon/Keystone in 1984 in outside sales, and then progressed to the positions of Marketing Manager-Fluid Power Products and Marketing Manager-Mechanical Tube.

In 2000, Glaser was named the Los Angeles Branch Manager, and he became the West Coast District Manager in 2001. He was promoted to VP of the Western region in 2012, and in 2014 he also gained oversight of Marmon/Keystone Mexico. He resides in Upland, California, and is the father 2 of three boys. ● Jan Forsty, ’75, head softball coach at Bethany College, recently reached

1 ●

2 ●

a career milestone by capturing career wins 700 and 701 when the Bethany Bison softball team defeated Franciscan in a doubleheader. The 700th win came in her 1,179th-career contest. She is the 15th coach in NCAA Division III to reach the milestone.

In her 28 seasons at the helm at Bethany, Forsty has tallied a win percentage of nearly .600, sitting at 700-476-3 through the first contest of the memorable double header.

Martha “Marty” McGuire, ’75. In the 1970s, McGuire and four other young women, best of friends, not yet teachers, but brand new graduates of Slippery Rock State College, ready to take on the job world, load up the borrowed 1960‘s station wagon and set off for Daytona Beach, Fla. In May 2015, five experienced teachers, same best friends, newly retired and ready to pursue the next leg of their journey, boarded the plane to Ft. Myers bound for relaxation in Bonita 3 Beach, Fl. ● Mike and Maria (DeMarino) Bachuchin, ’76, recently participated in the 5K Adults with Congenital Heart Defects Walk-Chicago. The Bachuchins live in Chesterton, Ind., and have completed 38 years of teaching. Maria Bachuchin is an adult with congenital heart defects survivor.

1980s

Doreen Marcia Poreba, ’80, spent the last three decades in the creative field of public relations, and last year became a certified creativity coach, which led to the writing of her book “Idiot’s Guide: Unlocking Your Creativity.” Available in paperback or eBook, the book provides tips for helping readers get past barriers that keep them from being creative at work and in their daily lives. Poreba said creativity goes well beyond the arts. It is one of the engines that drives business innovation and self-fulfillment.

Mary Jo DiGiandomenico, ’81, was named the 2015 Lorain County (Ohio) Community College Faculty Excellence Award recipient.

Charles Gancio, ’81, has been named general manager of the University Bookstore at Morehead State University.

1990s

Steve Good, ’94, was recently named the 2015 High School Baseball Coach of the Year for Class A by the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association. He has coached baseball, basketball, volleyball and golf at the high school level. He is the athletic director and head baseball coach at Eden Christian Academy in Pittsburgh.

Gary Bernstein, ’77, has published his first book, “The Principles of Sport Marketing,” published by Sagamore Publishers.

Harry Leslie, ’77, recently retired as operations manager at Presque Isle State Park. He worked at the park 26 years.

Caryl Sheffield, ’77, associate provost/associate vice president in the Office of Academic Affairs at California University of Pennsylvania, was the keynote speaker at the fourth annual Legacy Awards, sponsored

by Deliverance Temple Ministries in Aliquippa. Rev. Mitchel Nickols,’74, was among the 11 people recognized for their community work as part of the program that honored leaders in the fields of medicine, religion, education and sports who are making a difference in their communities.

Wanda Terhaar DeWaard, ’79, has been conducting monarch butterfly

3 ●

research for many years including tagging monarchs on their fall migration through Tennessee. A 14-year-old monarch butterfly that she tagged in 2001 was recently found 4 on the forest floor in Mexico. ●

4 ●

Sharon (Powell) Blitzer, ’97, recently held a field day where her students recognized Slippery Rock University at her elementary school in 5 Alexandria, VA. ● Devin Crosby, ’97, was recently named director of athletics at Lynn University.

Joe Fishel, ’97, landed a featured role in the season finale of the Investigation Discovery network show “Surviving Evil.”

Shelly Moore, ’98, has been appointed dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health at Community College of Beaver County.

5 ●

Fall 2016

39

rock

CLASS NOTES, continued

Andrew Seder, ’98, has been hired to serve as Pennsylvania State Senator Lisa Baker’s eastern district field representative and her director of communications. He works in her Lake Wallenpaupack office and resides in the Pocono Mountains village of Gouldsboro. Since graduating Slippery Rock, he had worked at several newspapers, most recently serving as Business Editor at 6 The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre. ● Tammy Young, ’98, has been named chief financial officer for Concordia Visiting Nurses/Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot. Young joined the Concordia team in 2009 as accounting manager. Previously, she worked in public accounting in Sewickley.

Heather Kearney, ’99, has been named assistant women’s basketball coach at Coastal Carolina University.

Since graduating from SRU, Kearney coached at California University, including head coach in 2008-09, and as assistant coach for Appalachian State. Kearney played basketball at SRU from 1995-99. She led the team to an NCAA Division II East Regional Championship and was named a Kodak All-American. SRU inducted Kearney into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Joe Lewandowski, ’99, has been actively involved with USA Basketball over the years, and was recently selected as one of 14 coaches to speak for the Nike USA Basketball Youth 7 Coach Academy in Las Vegas. ●

2000s Aubrey Worek-DeStephen, ’02, exercise science, recently published an article, “Beware of Food Kryptonite,” on MAX Sports and Fitness. The article deals with helping readers avoid foods that she describes as their “drug of choice.”

Bobbie Jo Belus, ’06, recently accepted a new position with DVSport in Pittsburgh. DVSport is a Pittsburgh-based company specializing in sports video software for football, basketball, lacrosse and hockey. They handle all of the instant replay needs for the NFL among other leagues and sports.

Susan Kelley, ’06, was appointed associate information services engineer at CA Technologies in Pittsburgh. CA Technologies is one of the largest independent software developers in the world and is a multi1 billion dollar company that holds nearly 1,000 patents and is rated one of the top 100 places to work.

Kathleen Ross, ’07, education, a special education teacher at Sevilla Primary School in Phoenix was named educator of the year for the Alhambra School District. Ross was named teacher of the month at her school. Ross started the exceptional educational Olympics three years ago that includes other schools in the district.

2010s 2

Kelly (Paroda) Amorose, ’10, and Lucas Amorose, ’11, both biology, have graduated from Life University with their doctor of chiropractic degrees. They have opened Amorose Family Chiropractic in the North Hills. Lucas Amorose’s mother, Jaci (Dobies) Teitz, ’75, works the front 8 desk of the practice. ● Carly (Thomas) Krouse, ’10, has won a Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors Award as a reporter for the Indiana [Pa.] Gazette. Krouse, a sports reporter, was named in the News Use of Video Category for her work on the End Zone Extra Thursday High School Preview Show, along with James Nestor, the videographer. The

Indiana Gazette won nine awards in the 2015 Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors’ annual News Excellence Competition for newspapers with a circulation of 15,000 or less.

disabilities. The School of Dancing Wheels, which Burcher will head, is a multi-arts school with an extensive outreach program that serves students of all ages, origins, physical, sensory and intellectual abilities.

Josh Rizzo, ’10, a sports writer for the Butler Eagle, is among those honored in the annual Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors writing and photography contests. Rizzo placed second in deadline sports reporting for his story: “Flawless, Moniteau uses dirty uniforms to complete clean, unbeaten run to D-9 softball crown.”

While an SRU student, Rizzo served as an editor of The Rocket, the weekly student newspaper. The Butler Eagle scored three awards in the 15,000- to 30,000-circulation daily newspaper category in the statewide contest.

Kevin Lukas,’15, along with The Butler Little Theater, presented “Shootout at Slippery Rock Creek” at The Old Stone House. This comedic one act by Kevin Lukacs is based on the true story of a group of counterfeiters that operated out of the Stone House in the 1840‘s.

Weddings Kelly (Paroda) Amorose, ’10, and Lucas Amorose, ’11, married Dec. 28, 2013, in Uniontown. They work as chiropractors and own Amorose Family Chiropractic in the North Hills.

11 They live in Robinson. ●

Mike Litzenburger, ’12, has joined CentiMark Corporation as corporate safety manager. He works out of the Canonsburg headquarters.​CentiMark is a roofing and flooring contractor.

Grant Batchelor, ’12, and Becky Searight, ’14, married June 27, 2015, in Shelbyville, Tenn. SRU alumni in the wedding included Debra (Beistline) Searight, ’82, mother of the bride, Brendan Batchelor, ’15, the best man, Laura Falcone, ’13, the maid of honor, Evan Andreyo, ’13, groomsman, Matthew Lucas, ’13, groomsman, Julia Smeltz, ’15, bridesmaid and Shawn 12 VanderBrook, ’13, groomsman. ●

9 ●

Kristin Thomas, ’13, recently received an award from the Entertainment Industries Council. She is currently attending Seton Hill University where she is working on her Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling. Her group’s video “UnMasking Mental Health” which raises awareness of mental health was chosen. She received a cash prize as well as a certificate award and an opportunity to attend the Media and Mental Health Awards 10 in Downtown Pittsburgh. ●

Ashley Denham, ’07, married David Duke, ’07, Dec. 31, 2014, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Wexford. Denham works as group sales manager at the Sheraton Station Square and David works as a creative copywriter at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

13 The couple lives in Mars, Pa. ●

Rebecca Burcher, ’14, dance, has been named school coordinator for The Dancing Wheels Dance Company in Cleveland. Dancing Wheels is a professional, physically integrated dance company uniting the talents of dancers with and without

Cathy Hart, ’81, married Jayne Myers, April 21, 2015, in Harrisburg, where they live.

6 ●

7 ●

8 ●

9 ●

10 ●

11 ●

12 ●

13 ●

14 ●

15 ●

16 ●

17 ●

18 ●

19 ●

40

The ROCK

rock

FILE

Birth and Adoptions Jared Bernstein, ’02, and wife Valerie Bernstein welcomed their daughter, Aliza Kennedy Bernstein, born March 3, 2015. She weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces and was 20 inches long. Big brother Sevihn 14 is thrilled to have a healthy sister to play with. ● David Bingham, ’88, and his wife Maggie Bingham welcomed their first child, a son, Spencer Harry, born March 14, 2015. He weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces and was 21 inches long. The family lives in Warwick.

15 ●

Dana Eckel Crano, ’98, and husband Sal Crano of Pittsburgh welcomed a son, Seth Leo, born Feb. 16, 2015. Seth joins big sisters Sarah Elizabeth and

Emily Anne. Crano works as a writer at MSA The 16 Safety Co., in Cranberry. ● Lisa (Palermo) Flaherty, ’09, and husband Kevin Flaherty welcomed a son, Connor Patrick, born Sept. 7, 2015. He weighed 7 lbs 11 oz and was 21 17 inches long. ● Julie (Watrous) McMains, ’98, and her husband welcomed the birth of their first child, Samuel 18 McMains, born March 9, 2015. ● Lukas and Anna Toth, ’08, welcomed their third child, Gavin, born Sept. 17, 2014. He joins sisters Olivia, born 2009, and Penelope, born 2012. ● 19

Ethan Nicholas, ’04, business professional HOME: Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania

In Memory Nancy (Grimm) Shinol, ’34

Richard Lee Chesko, ’69

PROFESSION:

Theda Wiley (Gooch) Hennon, ’42

Joseph John Dittmer, ’69

Angeline Marie Venditto’42

Diane (Pethick) Armstrong, ’70

Mary Margaret (Wood) Harper, ’43

Alexis (Vuchkovich) Nitchman, ’70

Marilyn (Burdick) Rider, ’43

Linda (Martinelli) Heisler, ’71

Gloria (DonDero) Stoner, ’43

Marshall Reed, ‘71

Mary Elizabeth (Kimmel) Taylor, ’43

David Lynn Baird. ’72

I became President of The Pittsburgh Social Exchange, LLC in late 2010, and bought the company six months later. PSE is a membership-based organization that provides a viable business- networking outlet for the greater Pittsburgh region.

Wanda M. (Yount) Porter, ’44

Richard McCandless , ’72

Lillian M. (Conlon) Hornbake, ’46

Dana Jean (Anderson) McCoy, ’72

HOBBIES:

Nadine (Epstein) Markowitz, ’48

John Dennis Cemate, ’73

Travel, golf and consulting

William S.E. Coleman, ’49

Robert Matthew Dischner, ’73

Joseph Dobrick’49

Linda Marlene Kelley, ’73

GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT:

Anthony Giovane, ’49

Richard Carl Rubalcava, ’74

Franklin Carr, ’50

Barbara (Rich) Kimball, ’75

Marjorie (Wiggins) Code, ’50

Robert Wendell Giles, ’76

Walter Kovac, ’50

Frank Berchin, ’77

William Miller, ’50

Kendra Lee (Stoecklein) Eberhardt, ’77

Vernon Mook, ’52

Jeffrey Paul Condon, ’78

Emmalu Elizabeth (McMichael) Kovac, ’53

Elinor Ruth (George) Jeffrey, ’79

Raymond Losacco, ’53

Cheryl Lynn Schaudt, ’79

Flora Ann (Saylor) Morrison, ’53

Paul Thomas Scipione, ’79

David Eugene Harrington, ’57

George Allen, ’80

Ray Jackson, ’57

Robin John Goucher, ’81

Janet Marion (Repasky) Polochak, ’57

David Jones, ’81

Eleanor (Cousins) Dunn, ’59

Richard Wright Jr., ‘83

We are considered the largest ‘Social Chamber of Commerce‘ in the northeastern United State. I feel the true accomplishment would be the community support we give to the Pittsburgh region.

Since the first day ‘on the job,’ we have been able to raise more than $100,000 in funds and supplies for mostly Pittsburghbased charitable organizations. Our team did this even as a startup company without help. Raising money for charity is not our mission, but we think it’s a fine accomplishment.

David Haylett, ’59

Nancy Thomas (Thomas) Mickle, ’84

Mary Ellen Ross, ’59

George Jucha, ’86

WHY I GIVE: Slippery Rock University

Laverne William Wetzel, ’59

Leah (Barton) McDonough, ’91

William Clouse II, ’62

Michael William Norton, ’93

John Kristufek, ’62

Allen Thomas Reese, ’93

Linda (Morehouse) Penter, ’62

Susan (Baer) Cherbonneau, ’96

Helen Craig, ’63

Steven Paul Shidemantle, ’96

Katherine Keagle, ’63

Kathy (Turner) Chavara, ’97

Mary Jane (Chalfont) Kline, ’63

Diane Creese, ’99

Henrietta Ladzinski, ’64

Sean Rogers, ’01

Julia Springston, ’64

Russell Graeff, ’11

Carol (Cummings) Orr, ’65

Kyle Stephen Walkins, ’13

provided me with an excellent education and it’s fun to see how much SRU has grown in just a short time. Eventually, we all have an obligation to give back when we can afford to give, even just a little.

When we started the Ethan Nicholas Scholarship, our goal was to provide one student each year with a one-time sum to encourage students who had a desire to travel abroad to be able to do so. Ever since my teens I have had a passion for travel and my inspiration to give back to SRU comes from the daily reminder of the fun, friendships and adventure I had while studying in Costa Rica and France.

Sandra (Witner) Walker, ’65 Martha (Zuzich) Wise, ’65 Susan (Lucas) Daum, ’66 James Thomas MacAllister, ’66 Gary Norris, ’68

Lawrence McFeely, retired staff Billy Wayne Walker, retired dean Robert Berner, retired faculty Richard Maxwel, retired faculty Michael Matambanadzo, retired faculty

Fall 2016 41

FEMALE chopper pilot CLEAREDfor landing Piloting a police helicopter is never as smooth as flying a commercial plane. It entails maneuvering above neighbor­ hoods as dramatic circumstances unfold; mastering complicated tracking equipment and answering the call in the face of extreme weather.

When the Tuscaloosa, Ala. Police Department sends a helicopter airborne to keep an eye on the streets or comb the woods for a missing person, Slippery Rock University graduate Deborah Blakeley is often at the controls as the department’s first female helicopter pilot.

“It’s a great feeling every time we help patrol catch a suspect,” Blakeley, a 2002 biology graduate, said. “While flying overhead, I have assisted on robbery and burglary apprehensions and helped the occasional wayward kayaker find his or her way home.”

Her bird’s eye view takes place from the cockpit of an Army-style Bell OH-58. In full protective gear, including helmet, Blakeley responds to crimes in progress and assists with traffic command during University of Alabama home football games. Her equipment includes a spotlight, infrared camera and night vision goggles.

“In some ways, every flight is memorable and routine at the same time,” she said. “I have seen a vicious tornado path from an angle that most didn’t, and the sea of red and white on Alabama game days is quite a sight from where I sit.”

Blakeley’s position is noteworthy because women chopper pilots are not common. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, of the 108,206 people with a commercial pilot’s license to fly in the U.S. in 2013, only 6.3 percent – 6,911 – were women.

“While I’m the first female pilot in this department, Amelia Earhart came a long time before me,” Blakeley said. “I am happy to exist in a time when being female didn’t exclude me from this opportunity. We live at a time when women have the opportunity to succeed at just about anything they want so long as they are willing to work hard and go after it.”

Blakeley has always defied the odds, involving herself in martial arts as a child and joining the Army Reserve well before her 21st birthday.

“We females still deal with a small percentage of men who will always believe they can do it better, but women have a lot to offer to the field,” she said. “They often use words instead of going straight to physical force, which is a definite plus considering the public’s current perception of police and their use of force.”

Woman with wings Blakeley’s jitter-free approach to flying mirrors her life.

Growing up in Blairsville, she was never one to be grounded on a goal; downtime is not part of her DNA. Inspired by the movie “Karate Kid,” Blakeley became a Taekwondo black belt at age 13.

“My mom signed me up for lessons when I was about 9, and I did eventually get my junior black belt because I was under 16 years old,” she said. “My first attempt at a jump kick did not turn out so well

because I hadn’t quite figured out how to put my feet back down after going airborne and I landed square on my rump. ­ I got back up, red face and all and kept kicking.”

Blakeley said she took piano lessons for 15 years and still plays. She considers her musicianship one of her most cherished talents. A couple years ago, she began violin lessons and wants to play in an ensemble or small orchestra. “ I just enjoy music, live music especially,” she said.

Blakeley, who graduated in 2002, said she enrolled at SRU because she wanted a career in forensic science. She was told to major in biology or chemistry.

“I detest chemistry, but have always liked fury critters so I decided to major in biology,” she said. “I grew up in a small town and wasn’t interested in getting lost in class sizes of 100-plus kids at a larger university.”

She said her fond memories of SRU include involvement in study groups and hanging out in the biology dissection lab with peers.

“Our freshmen class started off with about 100 biology majors and four years later, we graduated with closer to 12. It was a great group of students and professors,” she said. “I know that’s not very exciting but we kind of had to be nerds. I do remember escaping the labs on occasion to go to the nearby state park to hike, when it wasn’t snowing or raining that is.”

While many college students, especially freshmen, feel overwhelmed during finals, not Blakeley. She kicked off her first week of final exams at SRU by joining the Army reserves. “I‘ve been in the Army reserves ever since. I wanted to do ROTC but couldn‘t because I had too many lab classes that always overlapped with the ROTC lab.

So I was enlisted throughout college and took a direct commission as an environmental science officer around November of 2003 after I graduated and also after I got back from my deployment to Bosnia,” she said. Currently, she is four years shy of retirement and is, “just gritting her teeth and gutting it out.”

After graduating from SRU, Blakeley migrated south to attend graduate school at the University of Alabama/Birmingham. She received her master’s degree in forensic science.

She began her career in the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in the DNA casework division.

During that job, she attended the police academy at Tuscaloosa. After another year in forensic science, Blakeley said she wanted to become a cop. “I decided to make the move from the lab to the streets, where I hoped to get a shot at working homicides,” she said. “After a stint in patrol, I got that homicide investigation opportunity, and it was a one-of-a kind experience, if you could get past the not sleeping part of it.”

The helicopter endeavor began with a curious inquiry.

“I went to our helicopter pilots and asked how someone gets assigned out there,” she said. “They told me to get my private pilot’s license, and we’d talk about training after that. So I did. It took a long time to get the rating around my crazy homicide schedule, but after almost two years, I finally took and passed the check ride.”

Blakeley said she rented a Cessna 172 and used a local flight instructor to obtain her private pilot rating.

With her pilot’s license in hand and a smile on her face, Blakeley said she went back to the helicopter pilots eager to get started in airborne work.

“Our in-house instructor pilot got the blessing from our chief, and we started training,” she said. “I was still assigned to homicide for about a year while training in the helicopters, usually after my regular homicide shift.”

The Tuscaloosa department, with 285 sworn officers serving a city of 90,000 people, introduced a helicopter unit in 1970 and currently flies three Bell OH-58 helicopters obtained from the Army. Blakeley serves as one of two full-time pilots.

She works shifts between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday-Friday, and is always on call.

Blakeley provides support to other local agencies, state police, the U.S. Marshall’s office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Task Force.

“I respond to anything from lost kids or adults in the woods, to pursuits and crimes in progress, to traffic after one of the University of Alabama’s football games – roll Tide,” she said. “We monitor the police radio and get airborne anytime we think we can assist patrol, most often with some kind of pursuit or a crime in progress.”

She is also assigned to the Major Crimes Response Unit, an officers’ team that responds on a call-out basis to assist the homicide unit with the processing of crime scenes so the investigators can get right to the witness/suspect interviews.

Blakeley said she always does a quick weather check and if the weather’s not flyable, she won’t fly.

“We sometimes fly when the weather’s ‘iffy,’ but bottom line is if it’s not safe, we have to make the call to keep it on the ground.”

“ We live at a time when women have the opportunity to succeed at just about anything they want so long as they are willing to work hard and go after it.”

Fall 2016

43

Randall Russell Scholarship helps

chemistry students The family and friends of the late Randall Russell, a 1966 Slippery Rock University chemistry graduate and prominent businessman who was admired for his positive energy, have launched a $25,000 memorial scholarship to help chemistry majors find their career and life success.

Barbara Russell, along with 40-year friends Jim and Sue Liken, Don and Patsy McKinney, Karen and Jay Johnson and Cal and Patti Harvey, endowed the Randall L.C. Russell Chemistry Scholarship for deserving students looking to follow Russell’s footsteps into chemistry-related careers.

“He was all about education,” Barbara Russell said. “He was the best man I’ve ever met. He was a great father, a great friend and honorable.

He was a kind soul.”

Russell founded Ranbar Electrical Materials in 1984 and built the Harrison City resin and polymer business into an industry giant with more than 100 employees. The Russell’s were loyal and generous contributors to SRU. Randy Russell served as a member of the President’s Advisory Council.

SRU featured Russell in a successful graduate ad that the University and Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education used to convey the value of an SRU education. Barbara Russell said they were on campus a few years ago and saw Randy’s face plastered on the side of a “Happy Bus” as part of the marketing campaign. They chuckled.

44 The ROCK

Barbara Russell said her husband never forgot the influence of SRU, which helped him rise from a modest, blue-collar upbringing to become a Ph.D. with the vision for launching a million-dollar company.

Russell co-founded and became vice chairman of Preservation Technologies in Cranberry, which develops techniques to help the U.S. Library of Congress and other clients preserve books.

Honors were many during his career. The Ernst & Young accounting firm in Pittsburgh named him Western Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year.

Russell grew up in the Forrest Hills suburb of Pittsburgh, the son of a telephone linesman. He and his older brother were adopted, though they didn’t know it until they were adults.

As a teenager, Russell worked odd jobs and lifeguarded to save money. Barbara Russell said she and Randy met at a Friday night dance in high school. “He asked me out the next evening,” she said. “We had a root beer float.”

At Edgewood High School, Russell played football and basketball.

With Russell as the second-highest scorer on the team, Edgewood qualified for the Class B semifinals in 1962. Russell remained interested in fitness all his life, excelling at golf, skiing and fly-fishing.

Enrolling at SRU to major in physical education, Russell discovered he loved chemistry. He studied hard, doing better in school than his high school career, and earned a fellowship that enabled him to attend graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh. He received

his master’s in businesses administration and a doctorate in the arts in western Pennsylvania. Russell served on the boards of the chemistry from Pitt.

Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, the Art Institute and the Pittsburgh branch “Randy put himself through school, through college, ” Barbara of the Federal Reserve.

Russell said. “He was smart and worked hard. He knew the way to “He was very generous in terms of how he dealt with work staff success was through education.” and friendships,” Liken said. “Everybody loved him because he was Russell worked from 1970-1984 at Koppers such a good person to be around. He had lots of Inc., rising to become manager of the chemicals good and close friends.”

Growing up, Randy didn’t division. The company produces carbon Liken echoed Barbara Russell‘s point about the have a lot of money but compounds and wood products. value of education and said the group of friends After launching and leading Ranbar for two launched the scholarship to help young people he made it through his decades, Randall retired in 2004. His son, Randall overcome hurdles.

Slippery Rock education.

Russell, Jr., heads the company currently.

“Growing up, Randy didn’t have a lot of money Education was very At work, he was known for inspiring loyalty. but he made it through his Slippery Rock education,” important to him. We Russell was often seen walking plant floors with Liken said. “Education was very important to him. executive assistant Arlene Abbott. He asked about We felt that this scholarship would be a good way to felt that this scholarship employees’ families, offered encouragement and memorialize him and his name.” would be a good way to asked how to make Ranbar a better workplace.

Russell died in January 2014 from cancer. memorialize him and his He was a role model who inspired people through “He was really special. He meant a lot to us,” name. affirmation, skill and fairness.

Liken said. “We were social friends for 40-plus “At his funeral, Arlene, said, ‘that man never years. We played golf together. We skied together. raised his voice. I only saw him lose his temper We celebrated the holidays together and watched one time,’” Barbara Russell said. each other grow up.”

Liken, a friend and business associate, said Russell was a nice fellow If you are interested in establishing a scholarship please contact who befriended everyone and showed a commitment to health and Samantha Swift at sswift@srufoundation.org.

“

”

Fall 2016

45

Michael Hardy

Th omas Lambert

Roberta Page

Sarah Patterson

Jeff Quinn

Laura Remaly

Peg Sims

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

CLASS OF 2015 Slippery Rock University‘s Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2015 at a special ceremony on Sept. 19 in the Smith Student Center Ballroom. The class was also recognized during halftime at the 6 p.m. football game at MihalikThompson Stadium.

Earning Hall of Fame honors are: ■ Michael Hardy - Men‘s Basketball (class of 1979) ■ Thomas Lambert (posthumously) - Judo (coach) ■ Roberta Page - Softball, Basketball (class of 1988) ■ Sarah Patterson - Gymnastics (class of 1978) ■ Jeff Quinn - Men‘s Soccer (class of 1986) ■ Laura Remaly - Judo, Field Hockey, Track (class of 1982) ■ Peg Sims - Cross Country, Swimming (class of 1975) The addition of the seven-person Class of 2015 increases the number of former Rock student-athletes, coaches and contributors inducted into the Hall of Fall to 222.

46

The ROCK

BUILD THE FUTURE YOU DESERVE INTRODUCING NEW GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS AND CERTIFICATES DEGREE PROGRAMS:

•S pecial Education (Doctor of Education) – spring 2015 •E nglish (Master of Arts) – fall 2015 •D ata Analytics (Master of Science) – spring 2016 •T echnology for Online Instruction (Master of Education) – fall 2015 •P hysician Assistant (Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies) – summer 2016 •M aster of Public Health (MPH) – fall 2016

CERTIFICATES: •A pplied Research, Statistics and Measurement (Certificate) – summer 2015 •T eaching Online (Certificate) – summer 2015 •T eaching Music Online (Certificate) – fall 2015 •W ritten Literate Practice (Certificate) – fall 2015

CONNECT WITH US CALL: 1.877.SRU.GRAD (toll free) or 724.738.2051 EMAIL: graduate.admissions@sru.edu EXPLORE: www.SRU.edu/graduate

Experience the Difference

www.SRU.edu A member of Pennsylvania‘s State System of Higher Education

Fall 2016

47

102 Maltby Avenue Slippery Rock, PA 16057

SENATOIA, MS PERMIT #433

Experience the Difference

www.SRU.edu

A member of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education

rock

I am the

Mary Kerr, ’77, dean, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University

DAY JOB: I oversee the education of more than 850 students, manage faculty, staff and research funding, and encourage innovation and leadership.

BACKGROUND: After graduating from SRU, I was a nurse working toward a master’s degree in nursing education at University of Pittsburgh and also teaching at Pitt. Later, I earned a Ph.D. in nursing from Case Western Reserve University. I returned to Pitt and eventually became UPMC’s Health System Chair in Nursing Science and Director of the Center of Nursing Research with a secondary appointment as a professor in the medical school and was associate director, clinical core, for the UPMC Brain Trauma Research Center.

I was tapped by the NIH to serve as Deputy Director and partnered with Dr. Patricia Grady on programming and resources for more than six years before being named dean at Case Western Reserve.

INFLUENCE OF SRU: SRU helped me kick-start a career as a nurse scientist. It was my senior research project that stimulated my interest in collecting data about patient conditions in order to improve their health outcomes. My SRU bachelor’s degree instilled the importance of being a lifelong learner and fostered my love of science, traits I try to encourage in my own students.

48

The ROCK