2009jan26journaldraft1.qxp:03-24-08 CAL U JOURNAL.qxd 1/21/09 8:54 AM Page 1
California University
VOLUME 11, NUMBER 3 JANUARY 26, 2009
Funding for Cal U’s future Convocation Center was recently approved by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The 133,500-square-foot building will include a 6,000-seat arena, making it the largest indoor venue between Pittsburgh and Morgantown.
PASSHE OKs Convocation Center
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he Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education has approved funding for a long-awaited Convocation Center at California University. Meeting today in Harrisburg, the PASSHE Board of Governors voted to approve the $54 million project, part of the university’s master plan for facilities initiated in 1992. The 133,500-square-foot building will include a 6,000-seat arena, making it the largest indoor venue between Pittsburgh and Morgantown. In addition to commencement ceremonies and other university events,
Cal U’s 6,000-seat arena will be largest indoor venue between Pittsburgh and Morgantown the Convocation Center could be used for high school graduations, professional conferences, trade shows, farm shows and concerts, Cal U officials said. About 9,000 square feet will be devoted to classrooms suitable for both college classes and executive-level conferences. A number of them will be equipped with state-of-the-art “smart
classroom” technology, including Internet connections, webcams, high-tech audio-video equipment and interactive audience response systems. “Cal U’s enrollment has been increasing annually for more than a decade,” said University President Angelo Armenti, Jr. “We have simply outgrown our current facilities. We need
a larger space to accommodate commencement and other important gatherings. “At the same time, we envision this Convocation Center as a regional resource, a place where the region’s business leaders can hold conferences or trade shows, for example. Instead of traveling across the country, they will have a cost-effective option — a worldclass facility right here in the Mon Valley.” Groundbreaking is expected in late spring. Construction should be completed by the start of the 2011-2012 academic year, officials said.
Convocation Highlights Success
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Katherine Cunningham proudly waves a flag she purchased in 1998 for $5 at the 20th year anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous ‘I Have a Dream Speech’ following her presentation at Cal U’s sixth annual Day of Service. Please see page 2 for story.
lthough the nation is facing an economic crisis, Cal U’s ability to thrive even in difficult times was apparent during the 2009 spring faculty convocation. Before emphasizing the university’s growing need for private funding of student scholarships, President Angelo Armenti, Jr. addressed enrollment. He pointed out that undergraduate full-time enrollment has increased 3.8 percent compared to a year ago and graduate enrollment is up 4.8 percent, for a total increase of 4 percent overall. Over the past six years, he said, annualized enrollment — figures for fall, spring and summer terms — has increased 36 percent. “We’ve increased an average of 6 percent a year, which is an amazing statistic when you consider the State System increase average is 1.5 percent,”
Cal U President Angelo Armenti, Jr. addresses the audience during the 2009 Spring Faculty Convocation about the latest and future happenings on the campus.
President Armenti said. “What’s happening at Cal is very different than what is going on everywhere else.” He lauded faculty for their — continued on page 2