2014feb3journalFINAL_03-24-08 CAL U JOURNAL.qxd 1/29/14 1:41 PM Page 1
California University
VOLUME 16, NUMBER 2 FEB. 3, 2014 READ THE JOURNAL ONLINE: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal
Inspiring Photos Part of Black History Month
Dr. Ali Sezer (left), Elizabeth ‘Bessy’ Bennellick and Dr. Daniel Engstrom stop for a photo outside the Shrine of Rumi, in Konya, Turkey. The 13thcentury Sufi poet was renowned for his mystical verses, and his burial site attracts thousands of pilgrims each year.
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Turkey Visit May Open Doors
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recent trip to Turkey may open doors to study-abroad opportunities for Cal U students and their counterparts at several Turkish universities. Three Cal U employees — Dr. Daniel Engstrom, associate provost/associate vice president for Academic Success; Dr. Ali Sezer, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics; and Elizabeth “Bessy” Bennellick, director of international programming — met in December
with officials at six universities in Istanbul, Izmir, Konya and Gaziantep, Pittsburgh’s “sister city” in Turkey. “Turkish students are very interested in studying in the United States,” said Bennellick, who received assistance from the Turkish Cultural Center of Pittsburgh in planning the university visits. Currently, about 12,000 Turkish students are studying at U.S. colleges and universities. Turkish universities, which typically conduct classes in
English, also are interested in hosting American students. “Turkey is a close ally of the United States where the public has a very positive opinion of Americans,” said Sezer, a native of Turkey. “Turks adore Americans, the U.S., and the values it stands for. The higher education system in Turkey is modeled after the U.S. system.” Turkey has one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and one — Continued on page 3
Gould to Lead Research Center
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r. Gregg Gould has been named director of the new Cal U Center for Undergraduate Research. The center will promote undergraduate research across all disciplines on campus and work to secure funding for student-led research opportunities. “There is an effort in place to do more with undergraduate research at all state-owned (PASSHE) institutions,” says Gould, who teaches in the Department of Chemistry and Physics. “A lot of faculty and staff worked hard to develop a plan to elevate our research activities on campus.”
The idea for a new research center stemmed from a two-year program funded by the National Science Foundation to integrate undergraduate research into PASSHE schools. Cal U professors Dr. Summer Arrigo-Nelson, Dr. John Nass and Dr. Kurt Kearcher were instrumental in developing the framework for a research center on campus. Goals of the new center include raising awareness about undergraduate research across all disciplines, — Continued on page 2
hotographer Eunique Jones, creator of a project to teach children and adults about key figures in black history, will visit campus on Feb. 27 as part of Cal U’s Black History Month celebration. Jones created the “Because of Them, We Can” project in 2013. The campaign (www.becauseofthem wecan.com) features photographs of children emulating notable figures in history. In 2012, she launched an awareness campaign related to the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin. Jones will share her remarks and photographs from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Convocation Center. Admission is free and the public may attend. Other highlights of Black History Month at Cal U: Black Student Success in Higher Education, a talk at 11 a.m. Thursday in Duda Hall 103, featuring Professor Reuben Brock, a 2008 graduate of Cal U’s community counseling program. He is a third-year doctoral student in counseling psychology at West Virginia University on a W.E.B Dubois Fellowship. Brock recently published a self-help book, “A Young Man’s Wisdom.” The ‘N Word,’ a moderated discussion at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 in Steele Hall. Participants will look at the use of the word in our culture today. Inequality for All, a screening of the film at 5 p.m. Feb. 20 in Eberly Hall 110, followed at 6:30 p.m. by a live webcast with former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich. Partisanship, Disenfranchisement and Race, a panel discussion at 11 a.m. Feb. 25 in Duda Hall 103. Panelists are Dr. Melanie Blumberg, Dr. Michael Slaven and Dr. Kelton Edmonds, all from the Department of History and Political Science, and Dr. Mohamed Yamba, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. JoyFest, a gospel concert at 7 p.m. March 1 in Steele Hall. Cal U welcomes gospel music producer Trent Phillips, who will serve as music director for the event. The Cal U Young and Gifted Gospel Choir and choirs from local churches are scheduled to perform. Admission is free. For more information about these and more Black History Month events, visit www.calu.edu.
So Cool! It’s the Cal U Ice Rink at PPG Place
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katers have until Feb. 17 to visit the Cal U Ice Rink at PPG Place, a spectacular, one-of-a-kind iceskating rink in the heart of the Steel City. Since mid-November the outdoor skating rink has been emblazoned with California University’s name, logo and website address. An estimated 60,000 skaters annually glide across the ice surface, which is larger than New York City’s ice rink at Rockefeller Center. The Cal U Ice Rink at PPG Place is located at the intersection of Third
Avenue and Market Street, in downtown Pittsburgh. It is open seven days a week. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for children and seniors. Skates are available to rent for $3. The outdoor facility has become a wintertime destination not only for city residents, but also for families throughout western Pennsylvania. “Cal U is proud to be associated with this wonderful Pittsburgh tradition,” said Craig Butzine, vice president for — Continued on page 4
Skaters have until Feb. 17 to visit the Cal U Ice Rink at PPG Place.