Cal U Review - Summer 2019

C A L I F O R N I A U N I V E R S I T Y O F P E N N S Y LV A N I A ’ S M A G A Z I N E

SUMMER 2019

HELPING HANDS Teacher’s class builds prosthetics for kids

CAL U REVIEW

ON THE COVER Using a 3D printer, a STEM teacher and his eighth-graders are changing children's lives.

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA’S MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2019 • VOL. 48 • NO. 2

STORY: PAGE 4

The Cal U Review is published three times a year by the Office of Communications and Marketing and is distributed free.

Third-class postage paid at California.

CHANCE LLOR Dr. Daniel Greenstein

PRESIDENT

I

t’s the start of the fall semester, and there’s excitement in the air. Our students are back, our campus is energized and classes are underway.

There’s something special about the back-to-school season. It’s a fresh start, filled with promise and potential. As the academic year begins, we have much to celebrate at Cal U. Coover Hall has reopened after a two-year renovation that transformed its classrooms, studios and labs. With new academic programs in place, students are preparing for careers in veterinary technology, molecular biology and corporate communication.

Renovations are complete at Lilley Field, home of Vulcans softball.

Our calendar of campus events is already filling up, and we are looking forward to Family Day on Sept. 21 and Homecoming and Vulcan Fest Weekend Oct. 11-13.

Above all, our students and alumni continue to rock the world. They are scholars and teachers, researchers and innovators, athletes and artists. They build careers and serve their communities – and their achievements are the truest measure of our University’s success.

In this edition of the Review, you’ll be inspired to see how our Cal U community is making a difference through scholarship, research, creativity and service to others.

Come share the excitement! Our campus is especially beautiful in fall, and alumni are always welcome. Let that back-to-school spirit steer you “home” to Cal U. We’ll be watching for you!

With warm wishes,

CALIFORNIA UNIVE RSIT Y OF PE NNSYLVANIA Geraldine M. Jones, University president Dr. Bruce Barnhart, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs Robert Thorn, vice president for Administration and Finance Dr. Nancy Pinardi, vice president for Student Affairs Christine Kindl, vice president for Communications and Marketing Anthony Mauro, vice president for University Development and Alumni Relations T. David Garcia, vice president for Enrollment Management COUNCIL OF TRUSTE ES James T. Davis ’73, acting chair Anthony H. Amadio ’73 Alex Arnold, student trustee/secretary Roberta M. Betza Stephen M. DeFrank ’92

Sean T. Logue Larry Maggi ’79 Michele M. Mandell ’69 Thomas Uram Dr. Daniel Greenstein, chancellor, ex-officio

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ashely (Baird) Roth ’10, ’12, president Alisha Carter ’06, ’11 Dante Morelli ’02, vice president Brendan Garay ’15, ’16 Robert Crall ’10, ’12, secretary Erica McDill ’92 Justin Binion ’11, treasurer Marc Quann ’88 Jesse Hereda ’04, immediate past president Tim Susick ’76, ’78 LIFETIME HONOR ARY MEMBERS Paul Gentile ’62 Anthony Lazzaro ’55

Michael Napolitano ’68 George Novak ’55

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Geraldine M. (Johns) Jones ’72, ’80 James T. Davis ’73 Anthony Mauro ’92, ’93

Harry Serene ’65 Craig Smith Ryan Barnhart ’08, ’09

SAI BOARD OF DIRECTORS Amanda Considine, undergraduate Hope Cox ’00, ’01, alumna Maria Dovshek, undergraduate Justin DiPerna ’16, alumnus Marguerite Haldin ’09, ’11, alumna Taylor Kodric, undergraduate

Jeromy Mackey, undergraduate Cynthia Obiekezie, undergraduate Ashley Roth ’10, ’12, alumna Seth Shiley, undergraduate Skylar Steinhart, undergraduate Two vacancies

PRESIDENT, CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

06 ON THINNING ICE In the Arctic, sensors contribute to climate research.

07 HEADS UP FOR HAWKS Brothers make breakthroughs with study of raptors.

FOUNDATION FOR CALIFORNIA UNIVE RSIT Y OF PE NNSYLVANIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Harry E. Serene ’65, president Chelsea M. Gump ’17, ’18 Frederick A. Retsch ’62, vice president Alan James ’62 Donald J. Thompson, secretary Zeb Jansante ’82, ’91 Paul L. Kania ’87, treasurer Jeffrey B. Jones William R. Booker ’74 Robert E. Lippencott ’66 Chester J. Chichin ’63 Reginald A. Long ’81 John A. Lorenzi ’15 Yvonne Chichin Larry Maggi ’79 Courtney Cochran ’12, ’13 Bethany Hoag-Salmen ’05 Nate Dixon ’12 Linda H. Serene ’64 Ryan Fisher ’15 Thomas P. Victor Jr. (student) Therese J. Gass ’77

CAL U RE VIE W E DITOR Christine Kindl

WRITERS Wendy Mackall Bruce Wald ’85

PHOTOGR APHE RS Zach Frailey Jeff Helsel ’02 Greg Sofranko Kelly Tunney

08 FIRST LOOK: COOVER HALL Campus landmark reopens with more space, upgraded technology.

14 SCREEN TIME As robots battle, students master AV skills.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Dr. Nancy Pinardi ’94, ’96, ’98, vice president for Student Affairs, dean of students Leigh Ann Lincoln, chief financial officer for SAI Larry Sebek ’90, ’94, associate vice president for Student Affairs Brenda DePaoli, assistant to the SAI Board of Directors

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Geraldine M. Jones ’72, ’80, University President Anthony Mauro ’92, ’93, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations Ashley Roth ’10, ’12, Alumni Association president

Geraldine M. Jones

A LOOK INSIDE

16 ‘BE THE HERO’ TV exec tells graduates to shape their own future.

18 BOW TIES & PEARLS Sold-out fundraiser supports legacy projects, scholarships.

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Campus Clips

15

Faculty Awards

20

Alumni News & Events

22

Alumni Awards

24

Alumni Spotlight

26

Sports Roundup

28

Sports Profile

30

Milestones

SUMMER 2019

FROM THE

BOARD OF GOVE RNORS Cynthia D. Shapira, chair David M. Maser, vice chair; chair, Student Success Committee Samuel H. Smith, vice chair; chair, Audit and Compliance Committee Rep. Tim Briggs Audrey F. Bronson Donald E. Houser Jr., chair, Governance and Leadership Committee Marian D. Moskowitz, vice chair, Student Success Committee Thomas S. Muller, chair, University Success Committee Noe Ortega, secretary of education’s designee Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera Rep. Brad Roae Sen. Judith L. Schwank Meg Snead, governor’s designee Neil R. Weaver, vice chair, University Success Committee Governor Tom Wolf Janet L. Yeomans

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STEM WITH A PURPOSE Sikorski developed biology and genetics lessons to teach students about how a body’s limbs work and about symbrachydactyly. Math lessons teach students to take proper measurements so the artificial hands fit and function properly.

Engineering skills ensure components are assembled correctly.

STEM teacher Gavin Sikorski '13 shows his eighth-grade class how the prosthetic hand they produced will operate.

The fingers on the prosthetics don’t move independently. Elastic bands and strings allow the plastic fingers to move.

“The hand can perform basic functions,” Sikorski explains. “Children can grab a bike handle, open the fridge, hold a towel to wash dishes, hold a knife and fork. We take simple tasks like holding a glass or opening a door for granted. Imagine what a difference that makes to them.”

Teacher’s class builds prosthetics for kids

The hands, which cost about $25 each to produce, are custom-designed to reflect the recipients’ interests. These kids requested Daniel Tiger and Iron Man themes.

Sikorski divides his class into teams to manage the process. The communication team handles logo and packaging designs.

The assembly team creates the hand.

The presentation team takes photos for a montage that documents the production from start to finish.

The students also thank the family for the opportunity and provide some tips for using the new device.

“Everything starts as a base size, and we increase it based on the … measurements they send us,” explains student Hannah Burnsworth. “We draw the hand, and the child gets to pick what he likes.

“It’s interesting, in case I need a future job.

I like how challenging it is.”

T

CAL U REVIEW

wenty-five new hands and counting.

That’s the tally for the eighth-grade students in teacher Gavin Sikorski’s STEM class at Southmoreland Middle School, in Scottdale, Pa.

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For three years now, Sikorski’s students have used STEM concepts and 3D printing skills to make prosthetic hands for children from around the world who have symbrachydactyly, a congenital abnormality that results in limb abnormalities.

“My job is to teach my students concepts in science, technology, engineering and math, and to relate those ideas to the outside world,” says Sikorski ’13, a graduate of Cal U’s

technology education program.

“I like making videos,” says Lilly Richter, a member of the presentation team. “You get to play around with photo-editing and skills like that. We believe each family should get to see what happens to make the hand.”

“I was looking for a project that would make a difference not only in my students’ lives, but also in someone else’s life.”

Requests for the prosthetic hands have come from across the United States, around the world and right down the road: One of the most memorable came from a kindergarten student in the Southmoreland School District.

Another one landed in Sikorski’s inbox – in French. With an assist from Google’s translation tool, he connected with the family and his class created a customized hand with a Mickey Mouse design.

In 2019, Sikorski was recognized as an AllStar Teacher by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pirates Charities, Chevron and the Grable Foundation. He plans to use the $1,000 award to purchase more 3D printers, “so nobody has to wait to use one in class.”

He also was one of 13 Pennsylvania educators to receive a Teacher as Hero Award from the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.

Sikorski is proud of the awards and grateful to Southmoreland for its ongoing support of STEM education. But he also finds great satisfaction in the deeper lessons his students learn.

“The kids get to give something back, instead of just having me ask them to do or learn something for my class,” he says.

Sikorski turned to the internet for ideas.

He found a video of someone using a prosthetic hand made on a 3D printer and began to do his own research. Soon he was testing concepts and designs and creating lesson plans to complement the project.

“After a lot of digging on social media, I also found a few posts from people who were seeking ways to get help for their children who needed hands. I thought, ‘We could be a volunteer organization for these families and donate the hands for free.’”

‘GIVE SOMETHING BACK’

“We had two occasions where we were able to deliver the hands personally. One family drove five hours from New York to pick theirs up. Those were very cool experiences.”

Students learn how to load the 3D printer with monofilament.

“It was fascinating to learn how to do it,” says Alayna Cross, from the assembly team.

“And it was a very fun experience to get to help someone. That’s my favorite.” 

By Wendy Mackall Communications director at Cal U

SUMMER 2019

HELPING HANDS

Just before they went home for summer break, Sikorski’s students finished hands for two children, ages 2 and 6.

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Photo by Kirby Broyles

ON THINNING

ICE

HEADS UP FOR

I N T H E A R C T I C , S E N S O R S M O N I T O R C H A N G I N G C L I M AT E

Dr. Petros Katsioloudis ’03, ’04 is a professor and chair of the STEM Education and Professional Studies Department at Old Dominion University. With the help of lecturer Basim Matrood, he led development of the new cost-efficient and reliable light sensor, which collects data underneath the polar ice.

The Cal U alumnus is part of a research team, headed by colleague Dr. Victoria Hill, that is

Photo by @TODAY

studying the effects of climate change on the rate of ice-cap melting in the Arctic.

The buoy that the sensors are attached to is a $40,000 investment.

In April, Katsioloudis made his third trip to help launch WArming and IrRadiance Measurement (WARM) buoys in the Arctic Ocean north of Utqiagvik, Alaska.

“We can manufacture a sensor for one-tenth of the cost, and it collects the same data.”

The buoys, either tethered to the ice or floating in the water, measure temperature, salinity and the amount of sunlight absorbed by the water under the thinning ice pack.

They send hourly observations via satellite to Old Dominion and to the National Science Foundation’s Arctic Data Center website.

Old Dominion is located in the coastal city of Norfolk, Va., making research into climate change a priority for the school.

“Dr. Hill has been conducting research in the Arctic for more than a decade, and I asked if there was a way we could help,” Katsioloudis says.

CAL U REVIEW

A grant from the NSF Office of Polar Programs and the Joshua P. and Elizabeth Darden Foundation is funding the research.

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“Every trip we take costs $100,000,” Katsioloudis says. “Because of the harsh climate, equipment has to be replaced every year, so it’s important that sensors be manufactured in a cost-efficient way.

We need special clothing and equipment.

NBC’s Today show featured live reports about the team’s trip to the Arctic Ocean in April.

“It was a very special year,” Katsioloudis says. “Having that type of exposure is every researcher’s dream. It allows us to share the work that we are doing with the world.”

BROTHERS CONTRIBUTE TO RESEARCH ON RAPTORS

T

he Livengood brothers had a hunch: Chestnut Ridge, the westernmost in the Allegheny Mountains, was an active spot for migrating raptors.

Now they have the scientific research to support it.

Katsioloudis earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from Cal U, then added a master’s degree in technology education.

Under the guidance of biology professor Dr. Carol Bocetti, Calvin and Peter Livengood completed an independent investigation: “Discovering and Modeling Raptor Migration on the Westernmost Ridge in the Allegheny Mountains.”

With a smile, he acknowledges that a professor in his school’s College of Education might not be the most obvious candidate to assist with climate change research in the Arctic.

Their findings: Temperature and wind direction can help to predict the species of hawks, eagles and other birds of prey likely to be found migrating through a specific area.

He credits his undergraduate work in industrial technology with providing a foundation of technical expertise in designing and precision manufacturing.

They also counted the number and species of migrating birds at two sites, Summit Golf Course and Laurel Caverns.

“My industrial technology degree was very helpful,” he says. “It’s a unique degree and very rewarding, because it allows you to work in many different areas.” 

By Wendy Mackall Communications director at Cal U

“We couldn’t find any records with the Hawk Migration Association of North America that raptors had been documented on the ridge,” which is 90 miles long, Peter says.

Thanks to their interest, The Summit Mountain Hawkwatch is now a location at hawkcount.org.

“One main thing we can say is that Chestnut Ridge exists as a migration route for raptors,” says Peter, who took the research course through Cal U’s High School Early Admit Program.

This fall he’s enrolled at Cal U as a dual major, in fisheries and wildlife biology and parks and recreation management.

“We counted 1,000 birds in the fall. It’s also notable to say that the eastern golden eagle is not migrating through this area.”

“It was a unique feeling to see the first group of hawks come through,” says Calvin, a Cal U junior in the environmental studies and business administration programs.

“We’re just students, but we discovered a new watch site.”

For Bocetti, it was important that the Livengoods do more than a bird count.

“My role as their adviser was to help them target the project, to focus on the questions that are answerable. They used a model-building approach and worked with (statistics professor) Dr. Melissa Sovak to build a mathematical model. They wrote a proposal, and we discussed hypotheses and predictors.

“They were very self-motivated and easy to coach and teach.”

The Livengoods presented their research at Cal U this spring as part of the Strike a Spark Conference, the University’s annual showcase of undergraduate research, creative works and scholarship.

The brothers received a grant for their study from Cal U’s Center for Undergraduate Research. They also received funding from the Dr. Barry Hunter Memorial Fund and the Jesse B. Guttman Student Research Grant.

“We are a hands-on program,” Bocetti says.

“We get students out in the woods for lines on a resume that will get them jobs. The Undergraduate Research Center allows them to get outside, get dirty and learn the science.” 

By Wendy Mackall Communications director at Cal U

MEET THE RESEARCHERS To hear the Livengood brothers explain their study of birds on Chestnut Ridge, visit calu.edu/hawk.

SUMMER 2019

A

light sensor made with a 3D printer for about $40 per cell is contributing to invaluable research into climate change above the Arctic Circle.

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FIRST LOOK:

C A M P U S L A N D M A R K R E O P E N S W I T H M O R E S PAC E , U P G R A D E D T E C H N O LO GY

C

oover Hall has been transformed.

The former industrial arts building, constructed in 1938, reopens this fall with a larger footprint, updated utilities, state-of-the-art technology and a bold new look.

New construction added more than 4,200 square feet, and moving a steam line doubled the studio and classroom space on the lower level.

CAL U REVIEW

The building is air conditioned. An elevator improves access. High-efficiency windows bring natural light into 90% of the interior, and energy-saving LED lamps brighten remodeled hallways, classrooms and labs.

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The main floor provides space for the mechatronics engineering technology, industrial technology and technology education programs, including a STEM/ Clean Prototyping Lab where students can

work with 3D printers, laser engravers, a digital flatbed cutter and a small-format CNC milling machine.

The Physical Technologies Lab is equipped for light fabrication; a separate room is designed for working with metals, plastics and woods on a larger scale.

Coover also houses art and graphic design courses, with studios for jewelry-making and sculpture/3D design on the lower level.

Throughout the building, the latest technology has been installed in “smart” classrooms and instructional computer labs.

The two-year, $11 million project was funded through the state Department of General Services, with an additional $1.1 million allocated for built-in furnishings. Robert Thorn, vice president for Administration and Finance, calls it “a significant investment in

our instructional core.”

The building’s past has not been erased.

New brickwork and windows mimic its original design. The original brass banister and display cases stand just inside the heavy front doors.

But the interior is bright, sleek and streamlined, with a contemporary industrial style.

“Coover Hall was constructed for the industrial arts program – the original STEM education,” says Joseph Schickel, chair of the Department of Applied Engineering and Technology.

“It will continue to serve as a modern, advanced facility for teaching and learning in technology areas.” 

By Christine Kindl VP for Communications and Marketing

WHAT'S INSIDE? SPECIALIZED AREAS INCLUDE: AUTOMATED CONTROLS LAB FLUIDS LAB HEAVY FABRICATION LAB JEWELRY/METALS STUDIO PHYSICAL TECHNOLOGIES LAB PRINTMAKING STUDIO SCULPTURE/3D DESIGN STUDIO SENIOR PROJECTS LAB STEM/CLEAN PROTOTYPING LAB STRENGTH AND MATERIALS LAB

SUMMER 2019

COOVER HALL

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degrees and her doctorate while working in Student Affairs. She has led that division since 2012.

GRANTS PROVIDE

“I work with a wonderful group of professionals,” Pinardi says. “Student Affairs is about all of us combined getting the work done … to help our students. This is a wonderful honor, but it’s more a reflection on our whole team.”

Three grants totaling $23.5 million are providing state-of-the-art software to enhance the geology program at Cal U.

PRESIDENT RECEIVES NAACP HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD

The computer programs integrate geoscience, geophysics and engineering assessments. Geology students use them for mapping, data management, reservoir modeling, well planning, borehole positioning and geophysical seismic analysis.

University President Geraldine M. Jones ’72, ’80 received the 2019 Human Rights Award from the NAACP Washington (Pa.) Branch.

Collecting data is the first step for geologists tasked with identifying, mapping or extracting energy and mineral resources, explains Dr. Daniel Harris, assistant professor of geology. Step two – converting that data into charts, graphs and 3D models – requires high-tech digital tools.

The award was presented this spring at the organization’s 59th annual Human Rights Award Banquet.

“Training on these competitive software packages gives students the opportunity to develop skills desired by the oil and gas, geotechnical and engineering sectors,” says Harris, who notes that energy and environmental companies are among those employing Cal U geology graduates.

“It’s a boon for our students to be able to say they have some experience with Petrel, Kingdom or GeoGraphix (software),” Harris says. “They are all used across a variety of industries.”

NEW ON-CAMPUS PROGRAMS BEGINNING THIS FALL Cal U students have new academic options as the Fall 2019 semester begins.

A newly outfitted laboratory in Eberly Hall houses the bachelor’s degree program in molecular biology, a key part of leadingedge fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and medical and clinical diagnostics.

CAL U REVIEW

Students in this on-campus program study all aspects of molecular biology, including advanced techniques in cell culture, DNA analysis and genetic engineering.

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Eberly Hall is also the home of associate and bachelor’s degree programs in veterinary technology, one of the nation’s fastest-growing occupations. Coursework includes classroom theory, hands-on training and 240 hours of clinical experience with live animals on campus.

Jones is the first woman and the first person of color to serve as president of Cal U, where she earned both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees.

Geology major Makayla Froseth and assistant professor Dr. Daniel Harris use new mapping software.

Graduates of the two-year “vet tech” program can work with companion and service animals, working animals, livestock, wildlife or exotic animals as part of a veterinary care team. Graduates of the four-year program receive specialized training in fields such as small- or large-animal care, laboratory animal management, or shelter medicine.

In the business department, a new concentration in corporate communication gets students ready for employment as public relations specialists, media relations managers, special events planners or communications consultants.

The undergraduate program offers a blend of communication classes and core business courses.

STUDENT AFFAIRS LEADER ACCEPTS SYSTEM AWARD Dr. Nancy Pinardi ’94, ’96, ’98, vice president for Student Affairs, has received the Suzanne S. Brown Distinguished Service and Outstanding Professional Award.

Established in 1997, the award was created to recognize an outstanding student affairs professional from one of the 14 universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.

Coming next summer: a new Master of Accountancy program that prepares accounting graduates to sit for the CPA certification exam.

The award is presented annually by the Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers.

It is named for Suzanne S. Brown, who served with distinction as the associate vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at System headquarters in Harrisburg, Pa.

For details about Cal U’s academic programs, visit calu.edu/academics.

Pinardi has been a Cal U employee for more than 30 years. She earned three Cal U

“The NAACP Washington Branch has worked tirelessly for decades to promote equal rights and opportunities for residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond,” the President said in her acceptance speech.

“I have devoted my life to education because I believe in its power to help individuals from all backgrounds reach their full potential.

When we prepare students for success in their careers and in their lives, we also help their families and our communities to thrive.”

RECOGNITION HAS BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS, HR PROS Cal U has joined a select group of colleges and universities whose programming in human resource management is aligned with education standards defined by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest professional society for human resources.

Typically, years of experience are required for an individual to earn SHRM certification, a respected credential in the HR profession.

But through the University’s affiliation with SHRM, qualified seniors in Cal U’s human resource management program may apply to take the SHRM-CP certification exam.

In addition, Cal U students and HR professionals may enroll in a new, 3-credit course that prepares them for the rigorous test. Classes meet twice weekly on campus; information is online at calu.edu/shrm-course.

“This is one more example of how Cal U empowers students to build the successful future they envision,” says Dr. Stephanie Adam, an associate professor in the Department of Business and Economics, and a SHRM-certified instructor.

Adam and Dr. Jean Hale, Cal U’s executive director of corporate and community relations, facilitated the SHRM affiliation.

Organizations or businesses seeking mutually beneficial partnerships with the University can reach Hale at 724-938-4628 or hale@calu.edu.

TWO ROTC CADETS ARE NOW OFFICERS Before they graduated, ROTC cadets Nicholas Miller and Whitney Ptak were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

They took the oath of office and received the gold bars signifying their new rank at a commissioning ceremony in May. “The commissioning ceremony is the culmination of years of study and hard work in both your academic discipline and your development as a leader,” said guest speaker Lt. Col. Jason Eddy, Three Rivers Battalion Commander and chair of the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Military Science.

Miller earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in homeland and international security. He is commissioned as an active-duty infantry officer.

Ptak earned her bachelor’s in criminal justice with a concentration in criminology.

Commissioned as a field artillery officer, her first duty station is in Mount Pleasant, Pa., where she is a platoon leader with the 110th Infantry Unit.

Spring cleaning Members of Acacia fraternity clean out the basement of California Area Public Library, one of nearly 40 community sites where students pitched in during The Big Event.

Part of a national initiative for college students, the annual day of community service encourages students to volunteer as a ‘thank you’ to the communities where their schools are located. This spring, 489 Cal U students tackled projects at community agencies, churches, parks and residents’ homes in the greater California area.

SUMMER 2019

CAMPUS CLIPS

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Patriotic service

“Advocacy on campus is important to me,” says Buffington. “The dancers researched the topic in depth. We spent a lot of time making sure the dance matched the research and statistics.”

Criminal justice majors Logan Tantlinger (left), Emma Gebrosky and Brandon Perrodin display the Presidential Medal for Patriotic Service each received this spring.

The award, created in 2005, is given to students who return to Cal U after being called to active military service. Tantlinger and Gebrosky served with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Perrodin served with the U.S. Army Reserve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. All three were on active duty from January 2018 to January 2019.

AT HIP-HOP CONFERENCE, BLUNT TALK ABOUT RACISM At Cal U’s 11th annual Hip-hop Conference, two figures with national stature reminded students to stand up for their rights, work together and continue the fight against racism.

More than 150 students, faculty and staff attended a wide-ranging discussion with Sybrina Fulton, mother of the late Trayvon Martin, and Chuck D, founder of the groundbreaking rap group Public Enemy.

Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities could provide more opportunities for students. Although the redesign is still in the planning stage, he mentioned study abroad, career services and even academic courses as resources that might be shared.

CHANCELLOR DESCRIBES STATE SYSTEM REDESIGN Chancellor Dan Greenstein spoke at the Strike a Spark conference, Cal U’s annual showcase of student research, and held an open forum to update the campus community about efforts to redesign the State System of Higher Education.

The chancellor also held meetings with faculty, staff and students, University leadership and Cal U trustees during his daylong visit this spring.

CAL U REVIEW

“It is going to require enormous transformational innovation to move our System and our universities into the future,” Greenstein said.

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“This redesign places our students at the center of what we are doing, invests and pools together our faculty and staff.

Transforming fundamentally is how we’ll sustain ourselves.”

The chancellor discussed ways that sharing educational resources among

“Each university has unique strengths,” Greenstein said. “By greater collaboration among our 14 universities, we can prepare our students for their best possible future, address our many challenges, and position our universities … to thrive in the 21st century.”

SECURITY CONFERENCE SPEAKER RECALLS SHOOTING AT CHURCH “Protecting Places of Worship” was the timely topic for Cal U’s 11th annual Conference on Homeland and International Security.

Keynote speaker was Gregory Mullen, who was chief of police in Charleston, S.C., in June 2015 when a gunman with white-supremacist views took the lives of nine black congregants at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mullen described his role in coordinating the incident action planning, crisis communications and media management after the shooting. In 2016 the perpetrator was convicted of 33 federal hate crimes and sentenced to death.

Mullen said his department’s strong, ongoing relationships with agencies, activists and community groups proved their value in the days and weeks after the tragedy.

“This was not a law enforcement event … it was a community event. By having those relationships, connections and people coming together, it was amazing how things calmed themselves throughout the community.”

Years of building a culture of respect and cooperation between police and residents were validated, he said.

“Afterward, a pastor told me that the killer wanted to start a race war, but what he did was start a revival. Creating relationships at the time prepared us for a night when the unthinkable happened.”

DANCERS ADDRESS SUICIDE PREVENTION The Cal U Dance Ensemble partnered with the Student Wellness Center this spring to address a nationwide epidemic: suicide.

The highlight of “You Matter: A Suicide Prevention Presentation” was an eight-minute dance about suicide, the second-leading cause of death for people ages 15-24.

Before the performance, psychology professor Dr. Holiday Adair discussed warning signs and risk factors. Dancers Rachel Wells and Alexandra Wilson provided a student perspective, and Diane Eperthener Buffington, who teaches dance and psychology, outlined current statistics.

Both speakers talked bluntly about racism in America – comments that appeared to resonate with both the black and white students in the audience.

“People with big voices, with celebrity status, don’t always speak out,” said Fulton, whose son was shot and killed in 2012. “How can you be silent (about racism) when you know it’s wrong?”

Chuck D, who redefined hip-hop as a socially conscious art form, urged students to learn about local government and get involved with community affairs.

“You’ve got to come back from college, come back to where you live, with something your community can use.”

The message resonated with journalism major Jerron Corley, who said people of all

races need to face these difficult issues.

“It’s important to allow a diverse group of people into that space. We have to all work together to find a solution.”

‘A FAMILY WITH 58,000 MEMBERS’ They stood out in the crowd at Commencement — graduates wearing redand-white cords and red tassels to signal their membership in the 1852 Society.

The new group takes the Class Gift Drive – which since its inception in 2010 has raised more than $140,000 toward student scholarships – and adds a spirit of volunteerism and fun to build a legacy at Cal U. Members are asked to support the gift drive through recurring subscriptions. Students and alumni are encouraged to volunteer during at least one community service event. Alumni are invited to visit campus for special events and stay engaged with the Alumni Association.

“When you graduate from Cal U, you join a family that has 58,000 members,” says Ryan Barnhart, director of Alumni Relations.

“And with involvement comes a greater connection to the University.”

To learn more about the 1852 Society, email alumni@calu.edu.

COMPETITIVE ANGLERS IN NATIONAL TOURNEY The co-founders of Cal U’s Bass Fishing Club joined teams from around the country for the 2019 YETI Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) College Fishing National Championship Tournament this summer on the Potomac River in Marbury, Md.

Nick Fulks and David Blaker qualified for the national event last summer when they finished in 10th place among more than 110 teams at a tournament on Mountain Lake in Bedford, Va. YETI FLW College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five regional conferences. Cal U, whose club began in 2017, competes in the Northern Conference, which includes fishing duos from Division I universities such as Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State.

The top 10 teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open advanced to the national championship.

“It’s a very historic and challenging river,” says Fulks, the club’s president. “We’re very excited to compete in such a special event.”

Both Cal U anglers are seniors in the fisheries and wildlife biology program.

Persons of the year Dr. Laura Miller, associate professor of sport management, and Carol Jones, information systems administrator at Manderino Library, display awards from the President’s Commission for the Status of Women. Miller was recognized as Outstanding Faculty Member and Jones as Outstanding Staff Member during a luncheon ceremony this spring. The commission also presented graduating senior and social work major Alexandria Gariepy ’19 with the Outstanding Student of the Year award for her work with the End Violence Center and as a Community Assistant in the residence halls. Twice each year the commission recognizes students and employees for their support of women and women’s issues on campus.

SUMMER 2019

Dr. Dawn Moeller and Dr. Jayna Bonfini, from Cal U’s Counseling Center, explained where to get help on campus.

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exemplars

EXCELLENCE

Control room crew: Marisa Fanelli '19 (left), Joe Uliano, Clarke Yancey

Three faculty members – each one dedicated to student success – received the 2019 Presidential Distinguished Merit Awards at the close of the spring semester. University President Geraldine Jones presented each recipient with a medallion to be worn at Commencement, plus a scholarship for a student in each of their disciplines.

Students learn AV skills at robotics competition

Southwestern Pennsylvania BotsIQ uses gladiator-style battles and a spirit of competition to build students’ skills in science, technology, engineering and math.

It’s a spectator sport as well, with loud, proud supporters who follow their favorite teams.

Under the guidance of Gloria Minutello, director of facilities presentation, Cal U students made sure fans didn’t miss a minute.

CAL U REVIEW

Seventeen students were involved in filming ‘bots battles for display on the Convocation Center’s scoreboard. They prepared graphics, set up lighting stands, ran the audio board and worked with the Daktronics equipment in the control room to choreograph the audiovisual experience.

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Three were work-study students, two were commercial music technology majors completing practicums with Minutello, and 12 were taking a media class.

To prepare them to work in the audiovisual business, “we try to give students a lot of experience with the control room, so

they know … what they can expect,” says Minutello, who manages a variety of digital displays around campus, including the tower outside the Convocation Center.

Communication studies major Marisa Fanelli, who graduated in May, positioned equipment in the arena before the robot bouts began.

“Gloria encourages us to be very hands-on,” Fanelli says. “At first I wanted a career in front of the camera, but now I’m very interested in the back side of it. I didn’t know about the behind-the-scenes aspects when I started working with her, but Gloria has pushed me beyond my comfort zone.”

The Convocation Center’s equipment is on par with the gear at major entertainment and sports venues, Minutello says.

“We treat BotsIQ like a sporting event. We plan intro music and graphics, so it’s more like an in-game entertainment experience.”

Clarke Yancey, a communication studies major, says her Cal U event experience has confirmed her interest in sports broadcasting.

“It’s so hands-on, which has helped me so much,” says Yancey, who spent her summer as an intern with the Washington Wild Things baseball team.

At the Convocation Center, “we use equipment that’s just like what’s used in

the real world. And we really learn this stuff.

We know it. And if there’s something we don’t know, Gloria is here to help us.”

For Minutello, the students provide much-needed assistance in the midst of high-energy events. Teaching them is rewarding, too.

“We’ve built relationships with the professors in commercial music technology and communication studies,” she says.

“We are able to use this on-campus facility to provide students with hands-on learning.

Dr. Kyle Fredrick

Dr. Rosalie Smiley

Dr. Craig Smith

“There’s no experience necessary. It can seem intimidating, but it’s really not. I started with no experience. You learn as you go.” 

IN TEACHING

IN SERVICE

IN RESEARCH

Dr. Kyle Fredrick, a professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, is an expert in hydrology and groundwater modeling. His courses teach students to address water quality concerns and improve environmental conditions in our communities.

A professor in the Department of Social Work, Dr. Rosalie Smiley teaches in the Master of Social Work program and supervises students in their field placements.

Dr. Craig Smith, a professor in the Department of History, Politics, Society and Law, focuses his research on the work of the Supreme Court and its justices, and how legal decisions impact people’s lives.

By Wendy Mackall Communications director at Cal U

WANT ’BOTS? In spring, Cal U’s Convocation Center is where the robots come out to play. Watch calu.edu/news for information about robotics competitions and other events on campus.

PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED MERIT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Fredrick involves students in research projects, including monitoring local streams to improve water quality and mitigate flooding hazards.

He also leads annual field trips to notable geologic sites across the United States, providing students with memorable outdoor learning experiences that improve their understanding of the natural world.

PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED MERIT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Throughout her career as a licensed social worker, she has served countless families and children, often in underserved, low-income communities.

At the University, Smiley has assisted with two departmental reaccreditations. She also serves on the MSW Program Committee, advises the Graduate Social Work Students Association and is active in the Frederick Douglass Institute at Cal U.

PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED MERIT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Smith is the author of Failing Justice: Charles Evans Whittaker on the Supreme Court (McFarland, 2005).

He has contributed chapters to several books, and his research led to several articles for the Journal of Supreme Court History.

Smith is working on a new biography of Justice Tom C. Clark, who served on the court from 1949-1967.

SUMMER 2019

W

hen 80 high school teams took their robots into battle at the Convocation Center, a small army of audiovisual experts captured every bash, clash and smash.

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TURNING THE PAGE

Commencement ceremonies began May 10, when doctoral and master’s degree candidates received their diplomas and were vested in their academic hoods. Nineteen students became the first cohort to graduate from Cal U's Doctor of Criminal Justice program.

hero

Daniel Arnold, a chief warrant officer and mechanic in the U.S. Army, earned his master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion. He’s stationed in North Carolina, and he traveled to Cal U for the first time to pick up his diploma.

“I learned quite a bit about rehabilitation, performance enhancement and injury prevention,” he said. “I am looking to change my career and move into occupational therapy."

Brett Mohney, a unit director at UPMC Mercy, also earned an advanced degree online. He came to campus to receive his Master of Science in Nursing.

be the

“This is a big accomplishment,” he said.

“It’s very nice to come here and make the physical connection with the place where I earned this degree.”

TV exec tells graduates to shape their own future

“Every graduate in the audience today can be the hero of their own story,” said Terence Carter, executive vice president of drama and comedy development for Twentieth Century Fox.

CAL U REVIEW

Cal U awarded degrees to nearly 1,200 students at its 188th Commencement.

Ceremonies were held in the Convocation Center.

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“Take inventory of the knowledge you accumulated at Cal U,” Carter said. “Decide what is most important to you and … weave it into your story moving forward.

“You are all staring at a blank sheet of paper upon which to write the story of the rest

As she had done the evening before, President Geraldine Jones greeted each of the new graduates personally and offered them heartfelt advice.

“Please know that I am very proud of each of you for your hard work and the sacrifices you have made to reach this point,” she said.

“Take in the moment, and savor your success. You have worked hard, you have persevered, and you have accomplished something significant.”

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

Mary Fritz, chair of the Senior Gift Drive Committee, presented President Jones with a check for more than $11,000 contributed by graduating seniors and their families.

Fritz earned her undergraduate degrees in criminal justice and sociology, with a minor in deviance. A Cal U scholarship and a summer internship led to a job with T.W. Ponessa Counseling Services, where she’s working while pursuing a master’s in sociology.

“Cal U taught me the leadership skills

I needed to excel,” she said. “I was overwhelmed walking across the stage, because all the hard work that we … put into our classes, clubs and community has paid off.”

Austin Owens, who studied management and marketing, started an inside sales associate job in June with Bisnow Media in New York.

“Four years ago, I never expected to do all the things that I’ve done here,” he said.

“Many people helped me, which is cool. I’m incredibly excited to do something new and experience what’s next.”

Steve Ruffing earned his degree in communication studies, with a concentration in radio and television.

The president of CUTV, he covered Vulcans athletics as a camera operator, producer, host, reporter and anchor – and he thought about those experiences during his brief walk across the graduation stage.

“I've gained so much knowledge and experience from this school, it's hard to put into words,” he said. “I am so thankful for my time here.” 

Provost Bruce Barnhart and University President Geraldine Jones personally greet each graduate.

of your life, in all of its potential glory and possible splendor.”

Although he’s not an alumnus, Carter’s own story has ties to the University’s.

He is the great-great-grandson of Elizabeth “Jennie” Adams Carter, Class of 1881, California’s first African-American graduate.

The speaker stopped to see his ancestor’s photo and related artifacts in Carter residence hall, which also houses Cal U’s Multicultural Center.

“She wasn’t handed an easy life, but she overcame adversity to grow into a woman of intellect, strength and determination,” Carter told the graduates.

“Jennie started on a path to help those whom she believed were entitled to more than society would readily give them.”

Before Commencement, Cal U's first graduates of the Doctor of Criminal Justice program join faculty for a photo.

You are all staring at a blank sheet of paper upon which to write the story of the rest of your life, in all of its potential glory and possible splendor.”

TERENCE CARTER

Social work major Dantasia Green joins the procession of graduates.

Beau Stoiff is feeling positive as Cal U undergraduates walk across campus to the Convocation Center.

Graduate Michael Daye is happy to have a business management degree.

SUMMER 2019

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ppropriately, the Commencement speaker’s address focused on a story.

Undergraduates received their bachelor’s and associate degrees May 11.

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University President Geraldine Jones and first gentlleman Jeff Jones get the dancing started.

Bow Ties & Pearls Ball Sold-out fundraiser supports legacy projects, scholarships

These were the ingredients for Cal U’s inaugural Bow Ties & Pearls Ball, held June 29 in the Convocation Center Arena.

Thanks to generous sponsors, donors and guests, the sparkling event brought in about $100,000. Proceeds will support alumni recognition projects and student scholarships.

CAL U REVIEW

Emcees Andrew Stockey, of WTAE-TV, and Melanie Taylor, of STAR 100.7 FM radio, helped to welcome a quartet of former student-athletes to Cal U’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

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University President Geraldine M. Jones presented the Lillian M. Bassi Core Values

Enjoying the evening: Dr. Nancy Pinardi '94, '96, '98, vice president for Student Affairs, and T. David Garcia, vice president for Enrollment Management.

Guests included Cherie Sears '81, '17, director of the University's Rutledge Institute preschool program, and husband Michael Sears, superintendent of California Area School District.

Award – one of the University’s most prestigious honors – to William “Bill” Booker ’74.

The President also announced plans for a donor-funded initiative, Champions Way, to showcase artworks honoring Cal U’s national championship teams and information about Hall of Fame honorees.

After dinner, Pittsburgh Penguins broadcast personality Phil Bourque noted that “there’s just something special about this school” as he encouraged bidders to vie for prizes in a silent auction. Guests enjoyed a buffet of tempting desserts, casino games and dancing as the evening came to a close.

“We had a wonderful mix of old friends and new faces,” says Tony Mauro ’92, ’93, vice president for University Development and Alumni Relations. “Everyone had a good time, and it felt even more special because it was all for a good purpose.” 

Inducted into Cal U’s Athletic Hall of Fame during the Bow Ties & Pearls Ball (from left): Dr. Les Bakos '68, baseball; Helena van Eysendeyk '07, '09, tennis; Kristin Heslop '02, softball; and Nate Forse '07, football.

University trustees (from left) Thomas Uram, Larry Maggi '79 and acting council chair James Davis '73 share a laugh before dinner.

Champions Way An artist’s rendering shows Champions Way, a proposed donor-funded project.

Here, current and future students could learn about the University’s past and see themselves as part of Cal U’s winning tradition.

SUMMER 2019

n elegant venue complete with “red carpet” and dance floor.

A sellout crowd of 300 alumni and University friends. Delicious food, dynamic entertainment and delightful company.

Backed by a childhood photo, William ‘Bill’ Booker '74 accepts the Lillian M. Bassi Core Values Award, one of California University’s most prestigious honors.

Making the Bow Ties & Pearls Ball a family affair are (from left) Fred Smith III '12, of Arlington, Va., and his parents, Karen Smith '83 and Fred Smith Jr. '83.

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ALUMNI CALENDAR

UPCOMING EVENTS

WELCOME HOME, This year marks the 70th anniversary of our annual Homecoming festivities and the second annual Vulcan Fest, which adds more family-friendly and community events to our biggest party of the year.

Last year we welcomed nearly 1,000 alumni to Vulcan Fest and Homecoming Weekend, and we hope to celebrate with even more graduates Oct. 11-13 this year!

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STAY THE WEEKEND One day just isn’t enough for our Vulcan Fest and Homecoming activities. Plan to stay the weekend and take in everything we have to offer – campus tours, a 5K run and the Friday-night All-Alumni Reunion, Saturday’s Party on the Patio and tailgate party at Roadman Park, Sunday’s farewell brunch in the Gold Rush and opportunities for exploring Washington County.

Don’t miss a minute of Cal U’s biggest weekend celebration!

See the full schedule and RSVP at calu.edu/vulcan-fest.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD Vulcan Fest and Homecoming Weekend is the perfect time to connect with old and new friends, reminisce and make new memories, and share Cal U with your family and friends.

So encourage your Cal U friends and connections to make the trip “back home” to California.

Remind them to update their email and postal address at calu.edu/alumni, so they can stay up to date with what’s happening on campus and within our alumni circle. Join them in making Vulcan Fest and Homecoming Weekend your new Cal U tradition.

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27 OCT

11-13

ALUMNI PHOTO ALBUM

GRADUATES GATHER AT HOME AND AWAY

CAL U NIGHT AT PNC PARK Celebrate the 4th annual Cal U Night with the best skyline view from any Major League ballpark. Your box seat ticket includes a custom ballcap with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cal U logos.

CAN-DO SPIRIT Mary Fritz ’19 (left) and future alumnae Alexis Zosky, Sarah Zajac, Abigail Wingrove and Gabrielle Federico team up at the second annual Kan Jam Tournament sponsored by the Student Alumni Ambassadors. Canned goods were the price of admission; in all, players donated 300 items for the Cal U Cupboard, which fights food insecurity among Cal U students.

VULCAN HUDDLE TAILGATE VS. KUTZTOWN Cal who? Cal YOU! Party in the park before the football home opener, then claim your seat in Adamson Stadium to watch the Vulcans face off against the Kutztown Golden Bears.

FAMILY DAY Celebrate Family Day with us, including our Vulcan Huddle tailgate party at Roadman Park. It’s Cal U vs. Shippensburg – and you’ll want to be there!

CLEVELAND ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR Meet us at Nano Brew Cleveland, a neighborhood brewpub with 24 craft beers on tap. Sip a brew and enjoy some food with alumni from the greater Cleveland area and throughout Ohio.

VULCAN FEST AND HOMECOMING WEEKEND Meet up with friends or bring the family – it’s Cal U’s biggest party of the year! Events include the new Vulcan Fest 5K Run/Walk, our All-Alumni Reunion, the popular Party on the Patio, the 70th annual Homecoming parade, and our Vulcan Fest tailgate party at Roadman Park. Check out the full schedule at calu.edu/vulcan-fest.

CENTER OF ATTENTION

HELLO, FLORIDA

Cal U students and alumni surround Dr. Margaret Starkes ’93 (center), who was recognized as alumna of the year by Cal U Women United. Starkes, known as ‘The Rapping Principal,’ uses music to engage with students at Miller African-Centered Academy in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. She has been a teacher and administrator in Pittsburgh Public Schools for more than 25 years.

The award was presented at Kara Alumni House during Cal U Women United’s annual Sankofa ceremony.

Cal U’s first couple visited with more than 125 alumni during the annual Cal U Weekend in the Tampa-Bradenton area. Pictured at the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa are (front row, from left) President Geraldine Jones '72,' 80; Ryan Barnhart ’08, ’09, director of Alumni Relations; and alumni Jacqlyn Baughman ’15 and Zach Schibner ’13; (second row, from left) Cal U development associate Justin James ’12, ’14 and alumnus Trevor Consavage ’06; and (back row) Jeff Jones and Anthony Mauro ’92, ’93, vice president for University Development and Alumni Relations.

Student Alumni Ambassadors and members of the Alumni Relations staff turned up at the Improv in Pittsburgh for a performance by comedian Craig Shoemaker ’10. At the show (from left): ambassadors Hannah Burgess and Justin Shoemaker; comic Shoemaker; staff members Staci Tedrow and Randi Minerva ’98; former Cal U student Melissa Marks; staff members Ryan Barnhart ’08, ’09 and Cathy Connelly ’95, ’96; and former student Ty Marks.

LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH In addition to the Cal U Review, monthly communications from the Office of Alumni Relations keep you informed about people, programs and progress at Cal U. Around the first of each month, the Alumni Blog is published exclusively at calu.edu/alumni.

For details about these and other upcoming events, visit calu.edu/alumni online, email us at alumni@calu.edu, or call us at 724-938-4418.

On the 15th of each month, listen to The Vulcan Nation, The Only Cal U Podcast You Should Listen To.™ Toward the end of each month, The Vulcan Gazette drops via email and online at calu.edu/alumni.

Stay informed – and don’t forget to “like” and follow us on social media @calualumni.

CAL U REVIEW

See you soon,

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Ryan Barnhart ’08, ’09 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

GET SET FOR THE HOLIDAYS Add to your Cal U collection with the 2019 holiday ornament featuring Dixon Hall. These limited-edition keepsakes are just $15; to get yours, call Kathy Kuharik at 724-938-5775 or email kuharik@calu.edu. A limited number of 2017 (Old Main) and 2018 (Watkins Hall) ornaments are still available to round out your collection!

JUST FOR LAUGHS

SPRING TRAINING Alumni dressed in black and gold gather at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., home of the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training camp. The annual get-together brings Cal U grads from Florida and across the country to watch a game and enjoy a pre-game reception with President Geraldine Jones ’72, ’80 (center) and her husband, Jeff.

SUMMER 2019

ALUMNI NEWS

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2019

ALUMNI AWARDS Cal U celebrates graduates who have made a difference

An inventor, a pro athlete, a military officer and two “everyday heroes” were among the 14 honorees recognized at Cal U’s 52nd annual Alumni Awards ceremony.

Not present at the recognition dinner in April were Cal U faculty member Dr. Emily Sweitzer ’92, ’93, C.B. Wilson Distinguished Faculty Award; human capital executive Melinda Bickerstaff ’65, W.S. Jackman Award of Distinction; entrepreneur Shane Fox ’09, Young Alumni Award; and Michael Smith ’09, Illustrious Californian, who rescued a disabled woman who had fallen over a cliff.

The ceremony also honored members of the 2008 Vulcans men’s hockey team on the 10th anniversary of their American College Hockey Association National Championship.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

National Football League player

CAL U REVIEW

MICHAEL DUDA AWARD FOR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT

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“Cal U showed me how to be successful on and off the field.”

DR. NANCY PINARDI ’94, ’96, ’98 CARL DELLAPENNA ’89 Business owner MERITORIOUS AWARD

“This University was the gateway to my success.”

Vice President for Student Affairs, Cal U PAVLAK/SHUTSY SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD

“The rewards of working with students make it all worthwhile.”

COL. LANCE OSKEY ’93 U.S. Army officer FURLONG AWARD FOR MILITARY SERVICE

“Cal U was exactly the type of school I needed.”

SAM DIMATTEO ’10 Founder, The SD Project HUMANITARIAN AWARD

“Without the help of (many others), we couldn’t do this.”

DR. JOHN KALLIS ’75, ’80 Emeritus dean, emeritus professor, Cal U JOHN R. GREGG AWARD FOR LOYALTY AND SERVICE

“Professors polished you to be a leader in the community.”

JAMES GWYER ’89

SHELETA CAMARDA-WEBB ’89, ’94

Investment professional

Director of Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Education, Cal U

PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION LEADERSHIP AWARD

“We were expected to help others.”

“Wonderful mentors … shined a light on my path.”

DR. FRED SAMMONS ’51 Inventor and business owner LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

“I’ve built a career developing things that people needed.”

JEFF LYND ’09 Teacher, donated a kidney to a fellow Pittsburgh Penguins fan ILLUSTRIOUS CALIFORNIAN AWARD

“I’m just lucky I’m healthy enough.”

SUMMER 2019

ERIC KUSH ’12

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

GEM STATE SHOWCASE

T

he Idaho State Museum is a newly buffed jewel. The Boise museum reopened in fall 2018 after a fouryear, $16 million renovation that added 18,000 square feet of new exhibit space.

Officials expect 115,000 visitors in the first year.

The Origins Gallery tells the story of Idaho’s five federally recognized Native tribes and the region’s geological beginnings. New exhibits devoted to the vast landscapes and stories of Idaho are told geographically through North, Central and South Idaho galleries.

With a core mission of educating the state’s K-12 students, the museum includes a large classroom and an interactive Boomtown Gallery, a space designed for children to interact and play while learning.

Managing this thoroughly modern look at Idaho’s past is Liz Hobson ’05, who graduated from Cal U with a degree in history.

TRICK SHOT

“As a museum administrator, I oversee the staff and day-to-day operations,” Hobson

SPECIALIST Trevor Consavage can match that distance from his knees.

CAL U REVIEW

Consavage, of Tampa, Fla., is a professional golf entertainer and owner of Macho Man Entertainment Inc. His golf entertainment shows include trick shots, instructional clinics and power demonstrations.

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“I pretty much try to find the hardest ways to hit golf balls,” Consavage says. That includes hitting golf balls through random objects such as watermelons and sheets of plywood.

He describes his act as like “the Harlem Globetrotters of golf” and has used his skills at charity outings and to entertain

troops at 35 U.S. Air Force bases all over the world.

One of his more impressive tricks features a chip shot from PGA Tour player John Daly that Consavage blasts out of mid-air.

Consavage, who was a pitcher for the Vulcans, majored in sport management and took a few courses in Cal U's new professional golf management program before he graduated in 2006.

Then he took a job at the Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Fla. While he was joining one of his golf members for a round, the member “asked me if I had always hit the ball that far.”

He entered a long-drive tournament three weeks later and won both the local and the regional qualifiers, which landed him a spot in the Re/Max World Long Drive Championship.

That same golf member introduced Consavage to Chi-Chi Rodriguez,

Hobson has worked at the Idaho State Museum since early 2018.

She earned her master’s degree in public history from Middle Tennessee State University. Her experience includes an internship at Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park; work at a living history farm in Kansas; research at the Women’s Rights National

Historical Park in Seneca Falls, N.Y.; and interpretation and education management at Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area in Lawrence, Kan. “Those experiences allowed me to home in on what I like about the field,” Hobson says.

“I knew this was a big job when I applied for it, but those who knew me thought I would excel at this role.”

“I enjoy the engagement with visitors and partnerships with other organizations.” 

CLO ‘DREAM JOB’

A

a Hall of Fame golfer who was known for his showmanship and skill during his playing days.

s office spaces go, Sidney Popielarcheck’s is a dandy — the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts, in the Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

“Chi-Chi and I really hit it off, and he told me that my abilities and hand-eye coordination were better suited to golf entertainment and exhibitions.”

Popielarcheck ’18 isn’t on stage, but she’s one of the reasons patrons pack the house for the Pittsburgh CLO’s Summer Season.

Consavage started small, doing only five to eight shows per year starting in 2007. He formed Macho Man Entertainment in 2011 to pursue entertainment as a full-time career.

These days, Consavage performs at up to 130 events per year.

“I’m living the dream,” he says. 

SEE FOR YOURSELF Watch golf entertainer Trevor Consavage ’06 make one of his trademark shots at calu.edu/review.

As communications coordinator for the theater organization, she helps the CLO promote its summertime shows at the Benedum, year-round performances at the CLO Cabaret, and its holiday production of A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham Theater.

She describes it as a dream job that combines two loves: theater and marketing.

“My favorite days are when we open a new show. I’m responsible for uploading show photos to our website and building email blasts that go to over 80,000 patrons,” she says.

“Watching the show we’ve been working so hard to put up makes it all worth it.”

When she came to Cal U as a theater major, Popielarcheck envisioned a career on the stage.

“I love performing, but I’ve always been interested in the behind-the-scenes aspect of theater. When I started to discover that I was interested in marketing, I asked Dr. (Michele)

Pagen if I could run the theater program’s social media accounts,” she recalls.

“I also picked up some marketing and communication classes along the way.”

In 2017, Popielarcheck completed a marketing and public relations internship with the CLO. She started there full time on the Monday after Commencement.

“Take advantage of every opportunity,” she advises. “I wouldn’t have gotten this job without the internship.”

And she wouldn’t have wanted the internship without some exploration at Cal U. “Even up until my junior year, I wanted to perform,” Popielarcheck says. “It’s OK if you aren’t sure what you want to do yet.

Try everything.

“It is amazing to work in the Benedum Center every day,” she adds. “This is my dream job, and you can have one, too!” 

By Wendy Mackall Communications director at Cal U

SUMMER 2019

S

tanding upright, the best golfers on the PGA Tour can drive a golf ball at least 300 yards.

says. “I work with each area — collections, exhibits, education and visitor services — to help the museum succeed.”

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SPORTS ROUNDUP

LILLEY FIELD RENOVATIONS COMPLETE

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“We’re very excited to have the field coming back, so we can play our home games here on campus,” says athletic director Dr. Karen Hjerpe.

Renovations included regrading the playing field, upgrading electrical systems, and installing a new press box, bleachers, batting cage, warning track and dugouts.

Support softball and all our Vulcans teams on Cal U’s second annual Athletics Day of Giving. For details, visit calu.edu/athletics-give.

CAL U REVIEW

Overall, Cal U Athletics has compiled a GPA of 3.10 or higher for 18 of the past 19 semesters.

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The women’s volleyball team earned the highest team GPA this spring, at 3.66. On the men’s side, the golf team posted the highest GPA, at 3.44.

The Vulcans made their 15th PSAC Tournament appearance in the past 19 years under head coach Mike Conte, who was named PSAC-West Coach of the Year and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.

First baseman Eric Fairman was tabbed PSAC-West Player of the Year, and right fielder Patrick Brogan collected PSACWest Freshman of the Year honors.

Fairman batted .370, with a schoolrecord 44 stolen bases and 10 home runs, a .669 slugging percentage and 42 RBI. A middle-level education major with a 3.66 GPA, he was a College

Distance runner Kyle Tumpak also earned all-conference status, with second-place finishes in the 1,500- and 800-meter runs.

Lilley Field is named for Thomas Lilley, whose 82-acre farm was purchased in the mid-1930s by the forerunner of Cal U’s nonprofit Student Association Inc.

Collectively, Cal U student-athletes earned a 3.26 cumulative gradepoint average for the spring semester, with 23 student-athletes scoring a perfect 4.0.

Cal U’s baseball team finished the year with a 37-15 overall record and a 19-9 PSAC-West mark, both school records for a single season.

Means will be remembered for a regular-season meet at Duke University, where he broke a 28-year conference record in the 200 meters with a time of 21.01 seconds.

“We have a great following for women’s softball, and the improvements provide a great atmosphere for our student-athletes, parents and other spectators who come to watch our team compete.”

Our Vulcans are scholars, as well as players.

Jae’Len Means ’19 ended his collegiate running career this spring by repeating as PSAC champion in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes, and earning a combined eight individual conference titles in the 60-, 100- and 200-meter events.

The speedy Vulcan also made his fourth appearance in the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships, finishing 18th.

Previously, he earned All-America status twice, both times in the 200-meter run.

ulcans softball comes home to California after a major renovation at Lilley Field. The updated facility at Roadman Park, on Cal U’s upper campus, will be rededicated at 11 a.m.

Sept. 21 as part of Family Weekend activities.

191 SCORE SPOT ON AD’S HONOR ROLL

COACH FIELDS HONORS AS BASEBALL SETS RECORDS

The men’s golf team made its 12th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II Atlantic/ East Regional Championship this spring. Cal U was regional host of the event at Totteridge Golf Club in Greensburg, Pa. Ryan Smith, a first-team allconference selection, led the Vulcans to a 17th-place regional finish by tying for 10th place in a field of more than 100 golfers.

He and teammate Austin Smith each earned five top-20 finishes in 2018-2019.

Brogan batted .338, with 14 extra-base hits and a .989 fielding percentage.

Centerfielder Ben Maudie joined Fairman and Brogan as first-team allconference selections, while second baseman Nico Marchetti, pitcher Nick Riggle and catcher Kristian Webb earned second-team honors.

ALL-AMERICA HONORS FOR SOFTBALL PITCHER

On the women’s side, Alicia Collier won the 100-meter dash at the PSAC Championship and earned all-conference recognition for finishing third in the 200-meter dash.

MEN’S GOLF HOSTS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) third-team Academic All-American.

Softball standout Taylor Robblee’s fine allround play earned her National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First-Team AllAmerica honors as a utility player/pitcher.

On the mound she won 10 games and finished second among all PSAC pitchers with a 1.75 ERA and team-high 77 strikeouts.

At the plate she batted .382, with nine home runs, a .765 slugging percentage, 22 RBI, 19 runs and 20 extra-base hits.

Another standout for the women’s team was Divonne Franklin, who earned all-conference honors with a second-place finish in the 200meter dash and finished fourth in the 100 meters.

Robblee and catcher Brooke Wilson received all-conference honors for the second straight year; they were joined by pitcher/infielder Emily Dowling.

GOLFER QUALIFIES FOR POST-SEASON PLAY For the second consecutive year, women’s golfer Sarah Suazo qualified individually for the NCAA Division II East Super Region Championships and was named PSAC Athlete of the Year.

She finished the super-region contest tied for 45th place.

In the past two years Suazo has scored 15 top-10 finishes, with six medalist performances.

Golfer Rachel Wilson was the PSAC Freshman of the Year, with three top-15 finishes.

SUMMER 2019

HOME FIELD

TRACK STAR ENDS RUN AT TOP OF CONFERENCE

27

SPORTS PROFILE

GIVE TO CAL U

stronger, faster, safer B

efore the athletes from CanonMcMillan High School take the field, an award-winning strength and conditioning coach makes sure they are training safely.

At Canon-McMillan, Marnich writes, develops and implements training programs for 14 boys and girls teams. The goal: to improve young athletes’ strength, power, speed, flexibility and mobility.

Bill Marnich has worked for the school district since 2015, when he earned his Cal U master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion, with a concentration in performance enhancement and injury prevention.

ON THE FIELD

He recently was named the Pennsylvania High School Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by the National High School Strength and Conditioning Association (NHSSCA).

CAL U REVIEW

Schools in the South frequently employ strength coaches for their teenage athletes, and scholastic coaches are gaining ground in other parts of the country, as well.

28

“The award validates what we are doing (at Canon-McMillan), but more than anything I hope it validates to other high schools that strength and conditioning is a position of need, especially to teach safety and proper lifting techniques,” says Marnich, who also owns an online training business, Training with a Why. “Most kids are going to lift weights on their own anyway, and it’s a very safe thing to do if you do it properly.”

Physical training has always been part of Marnich’s life. He was born with a condition that prevented the bones below his left knee from growing correctly, and he was fitted with his first prosthetic when he was just 9 months old.

He grew up to be captain of Ringgold High School’s football team. He played for two years as a defensive lineman at Waynesburg University before knee injuries shifted him to the sidelines as a student assistant coach.

Marnich’s interest in strength and conditioning was piqued in high school, where the strength coach was Phil Vitalbo, who now runs Cal U’s strength and conditioning program with coach Bobby Sepesy.

While finishing his bachelor’s degree at Waynesburg, Marnich landed an internship with Sepesy and Vitalbo at California. He joined them as a graduate assistant for the 2014-2015 academic year, while he earned his Cal U master’s degree online.

Vitalbo says Marnich made his own success.

“When I first started working with Bill, he was very interested in all the intricacies of strength training – and because of his injuries, he was always trying to get ahead of the game. He was so diligent with even the littlest of things to better himself every day.”

Marnich says he’s found his niche working with high school athletes, and Canon-McMillan’s athletic director, Frank Vulcano Jr. ’85, ’87, is glad he did.

“Bill is really a big help to both our studentathletes and our coaches, who are very pleased with how he works with the kids during their seasons and in the off-seasons,” says Vulcano, a member of Cal U’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

“What he’s doing is top-level. He has organized what was weight-lifting into a quality strength and conditioning program.” 

By Bruce Wald ’85 information writer at Cal U

Exercise Science Learn more about Cal U’s online programs in exercise science and health promotion at: calu.edu/exercise-science

A legacy

of

literature Estate gift enhances collection at Manderino Library

D

avid Argent met James Demcheck in the mid-1980s, when the North Allegheny Senior High School teacher came to Argent’s middle school class to recruit for an Honors English course.

“We stayed in touch after I graduated from high school — he was at my wedding and all of my college graduations,” says Argent, a fisheries and wildlife professor at Cal U. Demcheck, who died in October 2018, graduated from Cal U in 1969, something Argent didn’t learn about his dear friend until 2012.

“I think we bonded because I was born in England, and he was a bit of an Anglophile,” Argent says. “He had a passion for Shakespeare and the English war poets.”

Over the years, as Demcheck traveled the world, he acquired a collection of books, magazines, CDs and DVDs, many of them rare or obscure titles.

“He wanted the collection to stay together,” says Argent, who became the administrator of Demcheck’s estate. “I suggested Cal U.” Now, more than 600 titles have been added to Manderino Library’s collection.

The endowed James H. Demcheck Memorial Scholarship Fund also has been established to help with student-teaching expenses for Cal U students who are studying secondary education with an English concentration. “(Demcheck’s) collection of Shakespeare and English literature books will be a great resource to English scholars,” says Douglas Hoover, dean of Library Services. Other topics include travel, opera and history.

“We are happy to have it – these types of donations help the library to build a wellrounded collection that better serves the California University community.” 

By Wendy Mackall Communications director at Cal U

How to donate To support a scholarship or make a gift to Cal U, contact the Office of University Development and Alumni Relations at 724-938-5775 or email Vice President Tony Mauro at mauro@calu.edu.

SUMMER 2019

Award-winning strength coach trains young athletes

29

60s Nancy Herr Schleicher ’69, of Deltona, Fla., provides a living biography, in costume, of Dolly Madison to local organizations in Volusia County. She retired 10 years ago after teaching elementary school for 39 years. She served two years as president of the Deltona Civic Association.

Nancy was a member of the Deltona Incorporation Feasibility Study Committee and served four years as a city commissioner and one year as vice mayor of Deltona. She is a member of Deltona’s Wall of Fame for service to the city and local organizations.

70s George Howarth ’74 and Kathleen Howarth ’74 are retired and living in Dothan, Ala. George was a microbiology supervisor at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Kathleen was an elementary teacher at Monessen (Pa.) City School District and previously taught at Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic School in Monessen.

CAL U REVIEW

SISTER ACTS

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Sisters Samantha Bochna ’12 and Becca Bochna ’18 work for the Walt Disney Co. in Orlando, Fla. During Samantha’s final semester at Cal U, she was accepted into the Disney College Program, and after completing the program she joined the entertainment department as a character performer. The former sport management major lives in Kissimmee, Fla. Becca, who earned associate and bachelor’s degrees in graphics and multimedia, also completed the Disney College Program.

She is a photo pass photographer for the company and lives in Winter Garden, Fla.

Barry Pichard ’75 retired as elementary principal for Brevard County Schools, in Florida. During his career, he taught in schools in West Virginia and Florida. He and Darla Pichard live in Palm Bay, Fla. Barry majored in elementary education and was in the men’s glee club at Cal U. Mark Caffrey ’78 retired from his position as a wrestling coach at McGuffey High School, in Claysville, Pa. He posted a 417-108 record at McGuffey and is one of four Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League coaches with 400 or more victories.

80s L. Francis Hanlin ’83 retired from the Warren County Adult Probation Department as deputy chief. He and his wife, Becky, now live in Henderson, Nev. At Cal U he majored in business administration and was a member of the cross country team.

Steve Johnson ’87 is acting president and chief executive officer of Cornerstone Television Network, a Christian media ministry based in Wall, Pa. Paul Allison ’89 is associate vice president for information technology at Cal U. He majored in computer science and industrial management at Cal U and has worked in higher education technology for almost 20 years.

Marc Mascara ’87 is director of the customer communications advisory service at Keypoint Intelligence - InfoTrends. He is responsible for conducting market research and analysis, forecasting market growth, handling client care, and covering industry events in the customer communications market. Marc studied industrial management technology at Cal U.

90s

technology at Liberty Middle School, has spent 23 years in education, and has been with Hanover since 2016.

Kathy Polakovsky Grosser ’94 celebrated 20 years as a disability insurance claims manager for Cigna Group Insurance. She and Nathan Grosser live in Greensburg, Pa. Christopher Reed ’97 is vice president of client management in southeastern Pennsylvania for WSFS Bank. He majored in psychology at Cal U. Jeff St. Clair ’97, a church planter, launched Longleaf Church in St. Johns, Fla., with 600 people in April 2019.

Frank Pelesky ’90 was seeking a position on the Somerset County (Pa.) Board of Commissioners. He works in the personal care and Alzheimer’s unit at Laurel View Village in Davidsville, Pa. Ed Victor ’90 was a candidate for Luzerne Township (Pa.) supervisor. He majored in business administration at Cal U and has more than 30 years of business experience in the lumber, fabrication and technology industries.

Eric Scholl ’90 is the public address announcer for the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Yale University. He was the announcer for the 2019 men’s and women’s NCAA Ivy League basketball tournament. Eric also has been the announcer for some Yale men’s and women’s lacrosse and baseball games.

John Blicha ’91 was promoted to senior director of global marketing and communications for Eriez, a leader in separation technologies for manufacturing.

He earned his master’s degree in business administration from Cal U. Nino Sapone ’92 is the deputy airport director of operations and maintenance at the Bishop International Airport in Flint, Mich.

Sherri Fredlock ’92, ’93 is on the board of directors of the Children’s League, having worked previously for the organization as a speech pathologist. Sherri co-owns C&S Fredlock Funeral Home and lives in Oakland, Md. Her degrees are in education and speech language pathology.

Dr. John Cornish II ’73, ’85, ’93 has been inducted into the Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame with the award of distinction for his work in the discipline of barefoot water skiing. He retired from education after 40 years as a teacher, principal, superintendent and Intermediate Unit executive director.

Mara Bauer Lambert ’94 was named teacher of the year in the Hanover County (Va.) Public Schools. She teaches instructional

Greg Boggs ’92, ’97 is the head football coach at Frazier High School in Perryopolis, Pa. He is a teacher in the Belle Vernon Area (Pa.) School District.

Amanda Nickeson ’99 is director of development for Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University. She studied geography and regional planning at Cal U and lives in Vero Beach, Fla. Sonja Simpson ’98, ’99 is office manager for the Columbus, Ohio, operation of Michael Baker International, a provider of engineering, planning and consulting services. She joined the company after working for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

00s Chad Ewing ’02 is a technical service manager for HPC, a gas fire pit manufacturer based in Dayton, Ohio. He studied computer science and computer information systems at Cal U. The Rev. Scott Gallagher ’02 was a candidate for the Gateway School Board, Allegheny County, Pa. The district serves the communities of Monroeville and Pitcairn.

Courtney Jacobs ’03 is a sales representative for Morefield Communications. He earned his master’s degree in business administration from Cal U. Patrick Dennison ’03 is a partner with Fisher Phillips LLP and is one of three partners opening the firm’s Pittsburgh office. He defends clients in the areas of occupational and mine safety and health. Patrick’s wife is Desiree Bronder Dennison ’04.

CAL U AT THE POLE The Review was thrilled when Michael Penn ’92, a teacher in the Shaler Area School District, told us he would be one of 11 teachers in the United States to participate in PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) for six weeks. As a ‘cool’ bonus, he offered to take a little bit of Cal U to Antarctica during the educational experience, which partners science teachers with academic researchers involved in polar science research. In Antarctica, Michael was based at both McMurdo Station and South Pole Station. His team installed automatic weather stations to collect information about weather conditions and measurements that are used by meteorologists and climate scientists.

Aaron Nelson ’04 is an athletic trainer for the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA. Jordan Ochoa ’05 is assistant vice president and trust investment officer for Somerset Trust Co. At Cal U he majored in business administration with a concentration in management. Jordan and Carrie Ochoa live in Johnstown, Pa. Angel Mason ’07 is director of athletics at Berry College, Georgia. She earned her master’s degree in sport management from Cal U. Jermaine Moye ’07 is CEO of Grynd athletic company in Morgantown, W.Va. He majored in liberal arts and played baseball and football at Cal U. Justin Leader ’05, ’07 is vice president of business development for Benefit Design Specialists in Mechanicsburg, Pa. He majored in biology and in exercise science and health promotion at Cal U. He and Kimberly Leader live in Hummelstown, Pa. Derek Oberlander ’08 is superintendent of SCI Forest, responsible for overseeing 655 employees and 2,300 inmates at the state

correctional institution in Forest County, Pa. Kevin McKiernan ’08 is principal at North Hills High School in Ross Township, Pa. Bethany Gronsky ’09 is a CAD designer for Adalet PLM in Cleveland, Ohio. Bethany studied industrial technology at Cal U and participated in track and field. She and Derek Gronsky live in North Olmsted, Ohio.

Carl Jay ‘08, ’09, of Carrollton, Texas, is an associate podiatric surgeon at Complete Foot and Ankle Care of North Texas, P.A. He earned his degrees in biology and in exercise science and health promotion. At Cal U, he was a residence life director, played football, and was in the Wildlife Society, Chemistry Club and Equestrian Club.

10s Aaron Spina ’11 is associate director of admissions at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Aaron, who lives in Harrisburg, Pa., majored in business administration at Cal U and was active with Future Business Leaders of America.

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MILESTONES

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Erin Sulkosky ’10 is a brand ambassador for Rodan + Fields. She majored in business administration. Erin was involved in the marching band at Cal U. She and her husband, Richard Altman, live in Derry, Pa. Carlos Daniel ’10 is the strength and conditioning coach for Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Previously, he was assistant strength and conditioning coach for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. He earned his Cal U master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion.

Samantha Hudeck ’11 is manager of administrative services for FeneTech Inc., a software supplier for the window manufacturing industry.

Meghan Bielich ’11 is the director of basketball operations/assistant to the head coach for the West Virginia University women’s basketball team. Meghan earned her master’s degree in sport management.

Mercedes Himmons ’10, ’11 is an assistant athletic trainer and clinical instructor at Cal U. As an athletic training and exercise science and health promotion major, Mercedes, of Canonsburg, Pa., was in Phi Sigma Pi, the Athletic Training Club, and was an orientation leader.

Cody Elias ’12 is a morning show producer for 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, Calif. Cody, who majored in communication studies, and Dina Marvulli live in San Jose, Calif.

Samuel Silva ’12, of Uniontown, Pa., is head audio engineer for Apex Touring, based in Fort Myers, Fla. He majored in theater at Cal U. Nate Wright ’12 and Steve Ventura ’12 perform with the Mon Valley Push, a polka band based in southwestern Pennsylvania.

The band is led by Dr. Frank Stetar, co-chair of the Department of Music and Theatre at Cal U. Another member is former Cal U administrator Barry Niccolai ’93, executive director of Centerville Clinics.

Kimberly Kestner ’12 works for Novant Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and is a personal trainer and yoga instructor.

She majored in exercise science and health promotion at Cal U. Jacob “Ryan” Stout ’13 lives in Steubenville, Ohio. He majored in secondary education at Cal U. Jesse Byrd ’13 is a quality control coach for the University of Miami (Fla.) football program.

Hope Stinson Pistner ’13, a former communication disorders major, and Jacob Pistner ’14 live in Clearfield, Pa. Hope was in Alpha Sigma Alpha and the Speech and Hearing Club at Cal U.

CAL U REVIEW

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David Winfrey ’17 is director of transportation for the Uniontown (Pa.) Area School District.

Stephanie Anderson ’13 is the head women’s basketball coach at Fairmont State University, in West Virginia. She majored in biology and played basketball at Cal U. Adam Fantone ’13 is the principal at Springfield Elementary School in the Fort Mill School District, S.C. He joined Fort Mill in 2010 as a teacher at Orchard Park Elementary School and was assistant principal at Doby’s Bridge Elementary School.

Kristin Bomboy ’18 is pursuing a master’s degree in biology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science with a concentration in fisheries and wildlife from Cal U.

Luke Pleta ’14, of Atlanta, Ga., is an investment banking associate for the Lenox Group. He majored in business administration at Cal U, with a concentration in finance and accounting.

Michelle Ritzler ’18 was a candidate for district judge in Clarion County, Pa. She studied applied criminology at Cal U.

Ashlaa Zuniga ’15 is the girls basketball coach in the Waxahachie Independent School District, Texas. She earned her master’s degree in sport management from Cal U.

The Vulcans baseball office now displays a jersey worn by the late Bruce Dal Canton ’63 when he was the pitching coach for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans from 1999-2008. Steve Russell ’70 (right), general chairman of the Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame, presented the jersey to Vulcans head baseball coach Mike Conte and athletics director Dr. Karen Hjerpe. After winning 51 games in the Major Leagues, Bruce enjoyed a 26-year coaching career with the Atlanta Braves organization. His 1.30 ERA for the Vulcans in 1962 remains a single-season school and conference record.

Nia Sullivan ’16, a social work major, lives in Columbus, Ohio, with Olli Tähtinen. At Cal U, Nia was involved in Student Government, the Cal Singers, Alpha Phi Omega and the Social Work Association.

Mikayla “Miki” Glenn ’17 is an assistant women’s basketball coach at Fairmont State University. She majored in chemistry at Cal U. Miki and Jessica Self Glenn ’16 live in Core, W.Va. Jessica majored in environmental science at Cal U.

Patrick Weber ’15 is the assistant high school principal and athletic director in the North Hills (Pa.) School District.

He earned his principal certification and master’s degree in educational leadership from Cal U.

KEEPSAKE FINDS A HOME

Benjamin Bevevino ’16 was named assistant coach of the year in the South/Southeast region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Benjamin is a coach for Texas Lutheran University.

He earned his master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion.

Leah Zerbe ’16 won a Women in Conservation Award from PennFuture, a nonprofit statewide conservation organization. She was named the 2019 Woman of Environmental Media, Marketing and Communications. Leah is a senior editor for Dr. Axe, an online natural health and wellness company, and a former environmental health journalist at Rodale Publishing. A personal trainer, she earned her master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion from Cal U. Carla Gardner ’16, ’17, of Huntington Beach, Calif., is a personal trainer, wellness coach and exercise specialist for Infinite Wellness Lifestyles in Huntington Beach.

ANNIVERSARY Bruce Broglie ’68 and Mary Piccioni Broglie ’69, who met and fell in love at California State College, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Bruce was an industrial arts/ technology education teacher at Steel Valley High School, and Mary was an English teacher at Bethel Park Senior High School, both in Pennsylvania. They have two children and six grandchildren.

IN PRINT Danielle Desmond ’11 published her first book of poetry, Afternoon Tea, using the pen name Orielle Muin. Her work covers topics from love and pain to faith, femininity and empowerment, community, and spirituality. Danielle earned her degree in elementary education and works for the Fox Chapel (Pa.) Area School District.

Dr. Selina Matis ’06, ’07, ’12, an instructor in the Social Work Department at Cal U, has co-authored a book, The Social Work Field Placement. This core text helps BSW and MSW students structure their field placement learning around the nine professional social work competencies of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

On the Mon, a publication by Dr. John Kent Folmar I, emeritus professor of history, features the index of Voice of the Mon, the publication of the Monongahela River Buffs Association. Voice of the Mon was published from 1979-2015, with Folmar as its editor from 1981-2015.

The book is published by Yohogania Press, California, Pa.

David Orange ’70 is the author of Forever Stained.

David majored in education at Cal U and also played baseball. He has twice co-starred on Broadway, had several guest-star roles on episodic television shows, and performed in 300 TV commercials.

ENGAGEMENT Eric Spurlin ’11 and Trisha Runtich ’11, ’13 are engaged. This Cal U couple is planning a June 2020 wedding in the Dominican Republic. Eric is the supervisor at Trupar America, and Trisha is a special education teacher with Intermediate Unit 1. They live in West Newton, Pa.

James Kwiatkowski ’13 and Shannen Skursha ’16 were married in September 2018. James is a steamfitter for Local 449, and Shannen is a recruiter at UPMC.

WEDDINGS Tiffany Harris ’13 and Tell Vickers were married in March 2019. Tiffany majored in fine arts at Cal U. Skye Sankey ’11, ’17 and Adrian Walcott were married June 2, 2019. Skye is a fitness and nutrition professional in the Tampa, Fla., area. At Cal U, she was a member of the track and field program and the Bodybuilding and Fitness Club. She has degrees in sport management and exercise science.

SUMMER 2019

MILESTONES

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MILESTONES

2 N D A N N UA L

REMEMBRANCE

IN MEMORIAM Charles E. “Chuck” Anderson,* former Cal U employee Marilyn Coyle Ecoff Anderson ’70 Todd Battung, M.D. ’97 Edward E. Blacka Sr.* Joseph K. Caldwell ’74 Thomas Leslie Carter Jr. ’70 Iva Kay Conjelko ’64, ’72 Bruce A. Cook ’63 Dr. Robert DiSibio ’67, ’70 Joseph M. Domjancic ’72 David G. Dubinsky ’67 David J. Dyky ’74 OraLee Foringer ’68 Cherryl Illene Swenson Forsythe ’81 Dr. Catherine R. Russell Gira ’53 Patrick R. Glott ’49 Rebekah Jane Greely Beatrice “Bea” Brown Imbrogno ’61 Dr. David L. Johnson ’74, emeritus faculty, Physical Science Department Brian Knapp ’15 Donella “Donna” Kraft ’78 Emily “Jeannette” Brownfield Long ’78 James Todd Macdonald ’87 Ian James Marks ’15 Joseph R. Markulike Sr. ’64 Dr. Charles Martoni ’71, ’74 Jacqueline Henretty McCardell ’71

Elmo Natali ’53 died May 28, 2019, at age 92. He held many positions at California before he retired from the University in 1992. In 2018, Cal U awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his dedication to students, his decades of service to the University and his lasting legacy.

From 1962-1966 he was a professor of education and assistant football coach at California State College.

After a brief stint at Community College of Broward County, Fla., he returned to California in 1967 to rejoin the football staff and work with students as assistant dean of men and then dean of men, a role he held for seven years. He became

James M. Mullen ’72 Virginia Gene Bennati Niemela ’47 Amanda Scott Pauls* Yvonne M. Popielarczyk,* former custodian Roxanne Leigh Russell ’90 David Paul Schubert* Joseph Edward Spiker ’74 August Hale Vandermer ’60 Wallace J. Zielinski ’62

Cal U’s vice president for Student Development in 1977. He received many accolades during his career at California, including the Alumni Association’s 1983 John R. Gregg Award for Loyalty and Service. The University retired his football jersey number, 34, and inducted him into the inaugural class of the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. His name and photo are visible in the Elmo Natali Student Center.

Roberta Suzanne “Bertie” Zollars ’90 Grace Ann Zubricky ’52 *Graduation year unavailable or not on file Setting the record straight: The Spring 2019 edition listed an incorrect graduation date for the late Stanley “Nunnie” Milchovich.

According to the Office of Academic Records, he received his B.S.Ed. in 1957.

A ND HOMEC OMI NG WEEK END

O CTO B ER 1 1 –1 3, 2 01 9 Presented in partnership with Visit Washington County, Pa.

FRIDAY Class of 1969 Reunion Vulcan Fest All-Alumni Reunion

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