California University
VOLUME 11, NUMBER 33 DEC. 14, 2009
Distinguished Alumni to Address Graduates
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niversity President Angelo Armenti, Jr. will confer degrees upon 613 undergraduate and 594 graduate students at Cal U’s 169th Commencement. The School of Graduate Studies and Research will award master’s degrees at 7 p.m. Friday. The ceremony will include the vesting of the academic hood on each of the graduates. Undergraduates in the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Liberal Arts and the Eberly College of Science and Technology will receive their diplomas at 10 a.m. Saturday. Both ceremonies will he held in the Hamer Hall gymnasium. Some degrees will be conferred in absentia. Richard Sabo ’56 will speak to master’s degree candidates, and Jerry Salandro ’70 will address the undergraduates. Carol B. Mitchell ’72, ’75 will receive an honorary doctorate at the undergraduate ceremony.
Corporate executive Sabo retired three years ago as the assistant to the CEO of Lincoln Electric, a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment. With more than 9,000 employees, Lincoln Richard Sabo has 39 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 19
countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. Before his distinguished career as a corporate executive, Sabo was a teacher. He came to Cal U on a football scholarship, and in honor of his parents, Sabo and his wife, Gail, have established an endowment, the Alex S. and Elizabeth Sabo Memorial Scholarship.
Communications leader Salandro is founder and CEO of Iris Technologies, a communications industry leader that develops, produces, sells, services and supports PC-based control hardware and Windowsbased software. The firm received the 2003 American Business Ethics Award for small companies. The company’s Jerry Salandro flagship product, the Video Commander, is the world’s first icon-based device routing system operable from anywhere in the world. Another Salandro invention, The Landro Play Analyzer, is a self-contained unit that digitizes video, enabling teachers and coaches to access 100,000 video clips at the touch of a button. Salandro also is a motivational speaker who began his career as a science teacher and in the mid-1970s served as supervisor of education and training for the Volkswagon assembly plant near New Stanton, Pa. Both Sabo and Salandro have received the Cal U Alumni Association’s W.S. Jackman Award of Distinction.
President Angelo Armenti, Jr. will confer degrees upon more than 1,200 students at Cal U’s 169th Commencement Dec 18-19.
Sabo was honored in 1990 and Salandro in 2002.
Nonprofit president Mitchell is president and chief executive officer of Verland, a nonprofit parent company whose nonprofit subsidiaries serve 225 people with disabilities in western Pennsylvania. She started Verland in 1978 and is a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) Carol Mitchell with more than 45 years of experience in the human
Rozzi Receives Medallion of Distinction
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efore becoming California University’s first special assistant to the President for Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity (EEEO), alumna Dolores “Dolly” Rozzi ’64 positively influenced countless individuals working in government and at Cal U. Her distinguished career both on and off campus has earned her the University’s Medallion of Distinction. Rozzi, who now lives near Huntingdon, W.Va., was honored Nov. 22 at a luncheon in the Kara Alumni House Originally from nearby Stockdale, Pa., Rozzi had a successful career in Washington, D.C., before she returned to her alma mater. She worked with Adm. James D. Watkins, who spoke at a Cal U Commencement because of her connection to the University. She also worked with Clarence Thomas, now a Supreme Court Justice, during her tenure as director of the Office of Federal Operations at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Rozzi was the U.S. Department of Energy’s director of management and administration, overseeing more than 2,000 workers, prior to accepting the position at Cal U in 1996. “I always tell people that I went to a small college in a small town, and I achieved the highest level you could achieve in the federal government,” Rozzi said.
services field. She has more than 27 years as a CEO in administration of health care. Mitchell has received several awards from the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Resources for Persons with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities (PAR), including its Outstanding Service and National Advocate of the Year awards. Earlier this year Mitchell received the 2009 College of Education and Human Services’ Alumna of the Year Award and the Alumni Association’s Pavlak/Shutsy Special Service Award. Provost Geraldine Jones ’71 will introduce the platform party and present the candidates at the graduate ceremony, with Dr. John Cencich, interim dean of — Continued on page 3
Posters Showcase Teaching Skills
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President Angelo Armenti, Jr. presents the Medallion of Distinction to Dolores ‘Dolly’ Rozzi ’64 at an award luncheon in her honor.
“Going to California University changed my life and career. I don’t believe people in the (Mon) Valley understand how lucky they are to have a university of this quality here to educate them.” — Continued on page 3
ducation majors put on an impressive display of their professional achievements during Cal U’s first Student Teacher Showcase on Dec. 3 in the Performance Center. Using tri-fold posters, the 120 participants were asked to produce highlights from their student-teaching experiences this semester. Specifically, they were required to demonstrate their professionalism, their effect on students’ learning, and their understanding of standards and standards-driven instruction. They also were required to prepare a short verbal presentation about their poster and their student-teaching experience. Dr. Daniel Engstrom, acting associate dean of the College of Education and Human Services and director of student — Continued on page 3
University’s Auditors Report Good News
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alifornia University’s auditors had good news for University Trustees at their final quarterly meeting of 2009. By boosting enrollment and controlling expenses, the University was able to end the year with an increase in net assets of about $1.5 million. “Some of your sister schools in (the State System of Higher Education) are feeling the effects of the bad economy, while you are capitalizing on some of the opportunities that are out there,” said David Capitano of accounting firm Parente Beard LLC. The combination of greater enrollment and higher tuition and fees made the biggest difference in the bottom line, increasing assets by 11 percent, the auditors reported. At the same time, University expenses rose by just 5 percent. “These two elements must go hand in hand,” Capitano said. “You have found the right formula here.” The annual audit report is presented to the Trustees each December. Federal stimulus dollars helped to compensate for cuts in state allocations in 2008-2009 and again this year, their report noted. While applauding the University’s fiscal management, Capitano urged the Trustees to plan ahead, since there is no guarantee that state allocations will rebound once the stimulus funding ends. In other business: The Trustees unanimously approved a request by President Angelo Armenti, Jr. to present an honorary doctorate to Carol B. Mitchell ’72, ’75. Mitchell is president and CEO of Verland, a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for individuals with special needs. Winter Commencement ceremonies will be held Dec. 18 for graduate students and Dec. 19 for undergraduates.
As part of the Trustees’ final quarterly meeting of 2009, Cal U’s auditors reported that the University has increased its net assets by boosting enrollment and controlling expenses.
Provost Geraldine Jones reported on two accreditations. The Department of Art and Design has been accredited by NASAD, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The department offers a B.S. in graphic design, a B.A. in art, a Bachelor of Fine Art degree and a B.S.Ed. in art education. In addition, the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology degree program has been re-accredited by ATMAE, the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering. Although it is labor-intensive for faculty and more costly for the University, “providing nationally accredited programs is very appealing and beneficial to our students,” President Armenti told the Trustees. Dr. Lenora Angelone, vice president of student development and services,
reported on Cal U’s programming for veterans. Enrollment of current and former military members is at an all-time high, she said, and the new Post 9/11 GI Bill makes it likely that Cal U will have nearly 300 veterans on campus by the 2010-2011 academic year. Prior to the meeting, the Trustees were introduced to Veterans Center director Robert Prah, who recently returned from active duty in Iraq, and Donald Wall, who served as the center’s interim director while Prah was deployed. Angelone’s report also highlighted Homecoming and the success of Cal U’s athletics teams. Angela Burrows, vice president for university relations, presented a video explaining strategies behind the new Cal U website, to be launched publicly on Jan. 18. Now under construction, the site
is being created in collaboration with BarkelyREI, an interactive marketing agency based in Pittsburgh. “Creating a site that meets the needs of the end user, while at the same time serving University goals and objectives, was always our ‘end in mind’ for this effort,” she said. Burrows also reported that materials created by the marketing and public relations teams won three awards from CASE, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Reporting for the Office of Development, President Armenti remained optimistic, although total first-quarter giving for the 2009-2010 fiscal year has declined in comparison to last year. “All in all, the quarter is not what we would have liked, but as the various economic indicators improve, I think you will see a turn-around,” he said. “I think before the end of the fiscal year we will catch up to, if not exceed, last year’s total.” In this first report to the Trustees, Dr. Charles Mance, vice president for information technology, displayed a new organizational chart for his department and outlined its goals. Already his team has consolidated and improved the computer help desk, installed anti-spam software on University computers and streamlined the daily e-mail announcements. Mance stressed his commitment to customer service, and to giving students, faculty and staff an IT infrastructure that is both robust and secure. “Cal U is a special place,” he said. “We want to raise the quality of our service to the highest level.” The next meeting of the Council of Trustees is scheduled for March 3.
Webinar on Cal U for Life Draws More than 400
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Bill Brown, head men’s basketball coach for 14 years, becomes the 29th coach in NCAA Division II to win more than 400 career games.
Coach Marks 400th Career Win
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ill Brown, head men’s basketball coach at Cal U for 14 years, earned his 400th career collegiate victory on Dec. 1 when the Vulcans opened their home season with a 68-62 win over Lake Erie College. With that win, Brown became one of only 29 active NCAA Division II head coaches to reach the 400-win plateau. Through Dec. 5, Brown — the winningest coach in the program’s history — owned a career record at Cal U of 276-111 (.713) with an overall coaching mark of 401-238 (.627). Before coming to Cal in 1996, Brown was head coach at Kenyon College in Ohio and at Sacramento State University in California. At Cal U, Brown has guided the Vulcans to eight PSAC-West titles, two
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conference championships, and six NCAA Division II appearances with an Elite Eight appearance in 2008. He has been named PSAC-West Coach of the Year five times and the National Association of Basketball Coaches Regional Coach of the Year twice in the past three years. He and baseball coach Mike Conte have been at Cal longer than any other head coaches, with the exception of men’s soccer coach Dennis Laskey, a 25year veteran. “Coach Brown has been very loyal to our athletic program, and every year his team contends for conference and NCAA championships,” said Dr. Tom Pucci, Cal U’s 19-year athletic director. “His record clearly shows that he is among the elite coaches in college basketball.”
director of program design ore than 400 and customization at professionals from Academic Impressions. colleges and “California University of universities throughout North Pennsylvania has made this America learned about the commitment with their Cal U for Life initiative vision, strategy and initial through a web-based seminar programming.” presented Dec. 11. Cal U modeled its The webinar was offered initiative on the University of by Academic Impressions, a Pennsylvania’s comprehensive Colorado-based organization Ryan Jerico student advancement that provides professional program, “Penn Traditions: Building development for administrative and Our Community.” The Penn program academic leaders in higher education. was founded by Elise M. Betz, executive President Angelo Armenti, Jr. director of Penn Alumni, who served as presented “The Student Philanthropy one of the webinar instructors and, with Model: Strategic Case Study at Cal U” Nishi, offered an introduction to the along with Amy Lombard, executive student philanthropy model. director of alumni relations and annual President Armenti gave an overview giving, and Ryan Jerico, coordinator of of Cal U’s vision and strategy. Lombard student and young alumni programs. addressed overall planning and creation Cal U for Life aims to forge a of committees and focus groups, while lifelong relationship between students Jerico focused on initial planning, and and their alma mater, and to promote a reviewing initial results and moving to culture of philanthropy throughout the the next stage. campus community. “We’re trying to show other schools The initiative was introduced this fall that this can be done, but it takes an at an expanded student orientation investment of time and capital,” Jerico program. It also was the topic at said. “Besides having a clear vision and Mission Day 2009. “To successfully cultivate committed, strategy, one of the most important things we emphasized is that it’s lifetime donors, student philanthropy imperative to have the President and cannot be a series of ad hoc initiatives. It must be a thoughtfully crafted strategy administration fully support and believe in doing this — which we certainly have that spans the student lifecycle and has here.” leadership support,” said Naomi Nishi,
Pottery Sale Begins Today The annual Cal U Holiday Student Pottery Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in the Ceramics Studio, CER 100, in the Herron Quad, near Vulcan Hall. The sale gives members of the Cal U and local communities a chance to shop for unique, reasonably priced, handcrafted holiday gifts. Handmade items for sale include mugs, bowls, pitchers, jars and vases of all sizes. For more information, contact Cal U’s Department of Art and Design at 724-938-4182, or professor Richard “Duke” Miecznikowski at 724-938-4083.
Rozzi Receives Medallion of Distinction — Continued from page 1
At an event highlighting their teaching experiences, 120 education majors participated in Cal U’s first Student Teacher Showcase earlier this month.
Posters Showcase Student-Teachers’ Skills — Continued from page 1 teaching, and Dr. Holly Diehl, an assistant professor in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education, coordinated the event. “Last spring I went to a conference at Slippery Rock University where they had a dozen studentteachers do a similar thing. They were selected from various universities, and I thought that what was good for them would be good for all of us,” Engstrom said. Diehl also had experience coordinating a similar event for a select group of students at Cal U. Faculty, other students and other professionals — including those who may be interested in filling teaching positions in their districts — were among those who viewed the presentations and talked with the student-teachers. “We’re actually killing about 17 birds with one stone with this event, including using it as a recruitment opportunity,” Engstrom said. He noted that current students who have not yet done their student-teaching had an opportunity to see what kind of work will be required of them. Also, he said, “faculty will be reviewing the posters, and we’ll use that data to see how Cal U is
doing at educating the educators. If they don’t know how to align assessments with standards, then that’s a problem for us and we need to see where we need to address that within our program. A lot of times we know we taught it, but this is a great way to see that the students actually know how to do it.” Melissa Nelson, a graduate student with dual majors in elementary and special education, and Matthew Stockberger, who is pursuing a Master of Arts Teaching in mathematics and physics, both said the poster presentation project was worthwhile. “This is a great representation of what we are going to be doing on a regular basis,” Nelson said. Stockberger noted the importance of constantly assessing whether students are learning. “I’ll do a conclusion at least three times a day, and if I see they don’t ‘get it,’ I know I have to go back and reinforce the concepts.” Dr. Kevin Koury, acting dean of the College of Education and Human Services, addressed the students at the start of the daylong showcase and reinforced the idea that educators must never stop learning how to be better teachers. “I encourage you to continue to be researchers in the field of education,” he said.
President Angelo Armenti, Jr. said Cal U is proud to have Rozzi as an alumna, and he emphasized her role at the University in the late 1990s. “Dolly is a very special, loyal person and did our University a great service by teaching us about sexual harassment,” he explained. “We understood the law but not the standard the EEOC uses. “She taught us that we are responsible for the behavior of all our employees. The system that she established here is the one we still have. It is also a model for the State System of Higher Education.” Today Rozzi serves as president of an AARP chapter in West Virginia, and she is known as a humorous and motivational speaker. At the luncheon, she joked about using an expletive while vigorously fighting for the rights of a female Navy officer and engineer whose promotion hinged on her ability to serve aboard ship, a role prohibited to women. “She finally served on a ship and got her promotion,” Rozzi said. “Years later I saw on television that women were still not allowed on a ship. I was stunned. I thought I had broken a barrier and made a monumental change in the government, but all I did was get one woman promoted and a couple of weeks of sea duty.” Rozzi pointed out that the date of the luncheon was the 40-year anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. She recalled meeting JFK when he was a U.S. senator. “He shook (my) hand and told me to go out and do something for the world,” she said. “That also changed my life, and right then I decided to go out and help people at every level. He made me do more than I planned.” Rozzi called President Armenti and his wife, Barbara, dear friends for life. She said she recalls fondly her time at Cal U. “Unlike (leaders in) a lot of places, when President Armenti is faced with an executive problem, he deals with it right away, which is imperative in being effective,” she said. “It was wonderful here.”
Three Distinguished Alumni to Address Winter Graduates — Continued from page 1 the School of Graduate Studies and Research. Cencich also will give the Explanation of the Academic Hood. Jones also will introduce the platform party at the undergraduate ceremony. She will present the candidates along with Dr. Kevin Koury, acting dean of
the College of Education and Human Services; Dr. Michael Hummel, dean of the College of Liberal Arts; and Dr. Leonard A. Colelli, dean of the Eberly College of Science and Technology. CUTV will broadcast both ceremonies live on Armstrong Cable (Channel 61 ArmstrongConnellsville) and Atlantic Broadband
Communications (Channel 21). In case of an overflow crowd on Saturday, guests will be directed to viewing areas in Steele Hall. For more information, contact Jodie Rooney, academic events coordinator, at 724-938-1584, or visit the Commencement website at www.calu.edu/academic/commencement.
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Cal U is offering a U.S. Masters Swimming Program designed to help swimmers improve stroke technique, build fitness and train for specific goals.
Swimmers Train in Hamer Pool
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dult swimmers can keep in shape and improve their technique with a masters-level workout in Hamer Hall pool. The U.S. Masters Swimming Program is led by the Vulcans’ veteran swimming coach Ed Denny and graduate student April Staniszewski, who concluded her collegiate swimming career last spring by helping the Cal U women’s swimming team finish 14th nationally at the NCAA Division II Nationals. Open to men and women age 18 or older, the structured workout is designed to help swimmers improve stroke technique, build fitness and train for specific goals. “We are not looking for people who do not know how to swim,” Staniszewski said. “This program is geared for people who know how to swim and want to train.” Either she or Denny will be present at every workout, she said, and all aspects of the training are approved by U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS). Many of the current members are tri-athletes or swimmers who competed in high school. “This program is really for anyone who wants to exercise and has previous swim experience,” said Staniszewski, now a volunteer swim coach for the Vulcans and a graduate assistant in the Cal U athletic
office. “It’s a swimming-laps-and-workout kind of program that focuses on technique and improvement.” The swimmers will have expert guidance. Last summer Staniszewski received Scholastic All-America honors from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. Denny has led Cal to a 45-5 dual meet record since the program was started in 2002. A two-time NCAA Division I national qualifier in the 1,650-yard freestyle as a student, he was the head coach at Fairmont State before coming to Cal U. The swimmers work out from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. The cost is $5 per workout or $35 per month for students, $50 per month for others. “New members are always welcome,” Staniszewski said. Founded in 1970, USMS is a national nonprofit organization that provides organized workouts, competitions, clinics and workshops for adults. Programs are open to all adult swimmers who are dedicated to improving their fitness through swimming. Membership exceeds 48,000 individuals ranging from ages 18 to 100. Cal U is now listed on the USMS website as an official training site.
PASSHE Board OKs 2010-2011 Budget, Plans
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he PASSHE Board of Governors approved a twoyear budget outline last month designed to address major challenges resulting from a significant reduction in state funding and rising personnel and health care costs. PASSHE will receive about $38.2 million in federal funding this year, and likely again next year, to temporarily offset a $54 million reduction in state funding that has occurred since the beginning of the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Those funds will help replace the reduction in state funding resulting from the floundering economy, but will disappear in 2011. The Board approved a 2010-2011 appropriation request totaling $483 million to help fund the 14 stateowned universities next year. That amount would represent an increase of $17.8 million, or 3.8 percent, over the current year’s total. The state appropriation combined with the anticipated federal funds would help support PASSHE’s proposed Fiscal Year 2010-2011 operating budget of nearly $1.5 billion. The proposed budget represents an increase of about $61.9 million, or 4.4 percent over the current year’s spending total. Much of the increase is required under the various collective bargaining agreements PASSHE has with its seven labor unions, all of which will be in their final year. Those increases will cost PASSHE about $37.7 million in 20102011. In addition, health care costs are projected to increase by $12.9 million next year, while State Employees’ Retirement System costs are expected to increase by about $6.8 million and utility costs by about $3.7 million. The Governor’s Budget Office will consider PASSHE’s appropriation request along with those prepared by other state agencies and state-supported entities as it develops a proposed 2010-2011 general fund budget for the commonwealth.
Campus BRIEFS Stuff a Stocking with SEEK The gift of learning is an ideal stocking stuffer, so Cal U’s Office of Lifelong Learning is offering gift certificates for SEEK. The Summer Educational Enrichment for Kids program will offer two weeklong sessions in 2010 for children entering grades 1-8. Classes will be held July 12-16 and August 2-6 on the Cal U campus. Launched in 2000, SEEK provides learning experiences that are entertaining, yet academically challenging. In 2007, the Learning Resources Network, an international association in lifelong learning, honored Cal U for developing SEEK in response to needs expressed by area parents. To purchase a gift certificate, call the Office of Lifelong Learning at 724-938-5840.
“This fundraiser raised $1,250, and we appreciate the participation of all who were involved. This is the third year for this event and we hope to increase the participation in the coming years.” Dana Turcic and Norman Hasbrouck Co-chairs for the SECA Campaign Barbara M. Armenti President of the Board for the United Way of Mon Valley
Spring Semester Begins Jan. 19
Thank You “On behalf of the SECA Campaign for the United Way and the United Way of Mon Valley, a great big thank you to AVI for their support and generosity, and also to the men’s rugby team and the members of ALD who assisted us with the spaghetti luncheon.
Friday in Manderino Gallery, on the third floor of Manderino Library. The 39 images will remain on view through April 27. Many of Creamer’s photographs show flowers and other natural objects in various stages of decay. This exhibition also features a video by Jeannie Yoon that explores Creamer’s scanning and printing techniques. All SITES exhibitions at Cal U are open to the public. Gallery hours and other information is available online at www.calu.edu/sites. For more information, call exhibitions coordinator Walter Czekaj at 724-938-5244 or e-mail czekaj@calu.edu.
‘Transitions’ Opens Friday
Transitions: Photographs by Robert Creamer, an exhibition created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) in collaboration the National Museum of Natural History, opens
While thoughts are focused on exam week and this weekend’s Commencement ceremonies, the spring 2010 semester is fast approaching. The first day of classes will be on Tuesday, Jan. 19, and the Spring Faculty Convocation will take place on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. in Morgan Hall Auditorium. All offices will be closed on Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Spring break for faculty and students will be the week of March 8-12.
The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. University President
Dr. Lenora Angelone Vice President for Student Development and Services
Eric Larmi Interim Vice President for Administration and Financ
Geraldine M. Jones Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
Angela J. Burrows Vice President for University Relations
Ron Huiatt Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
Dr. Joyce Hanley Executive Vice President
Dr. Charles Mance Vice President of Information Technology
Christine Kindl Editor
Bruce Wald Writer
Office of Communications and Public Relations • 250 University Avenue, California, PA 15419 • 724-938-4195 • wald@calu.edu The Journal is printed on paper made from trees harvested under the principles of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (www.SFIprogram.org).
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Wendy Mackall Writer