California University
Volume 19, Number 6 APrIl 10, 2017 Read the JouRnal online: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal
Cal U Honored for Voting Efforts
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Shaina Hilsey has been confirmed as a student member of the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
Student Named to Board of Governors
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haina Hilsey, president of the Student Government Association at California University of Pennsylvania, has been named a member of the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. The 20 members of the Board of Governors are appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania and confirmed by the state Senate. Three student members are chosen from among the 14 state universities’ student government association presidents and serve until they graduate. The Board of Governors has overall
responsibility for planning and coordinating the development and operation of the State System, which comprises Pennsylvania’s 14 public universities. The Board establishes broad fiscal, personnel and educational policies under which the universities operate. The three student members who serve on the Board are selected from among the sitting student government presidents at the universities at the time a vacancy occurs. They participate in all discussions of the Board and have the same voting rights as all other members. “I attended the State System — Continued on page 2
al U has been named a Voter Friendly Campus, one of only seven Pennsylvania universities to be recognized by the nonpartisan Campus Vote Project (CVP) and NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Nationwide, just 83 campuses in 23 states received the designation for planning and implementing practices that encourage students to become informed, register and vote. The mission of the Voter Friendly Campus designation is to strengthen efforts that help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process. Cal U’s efforts were evaluated based on a campus plan for engaging students in the 2016 general election, a review of how voter engagement was facilitated on campus, and a final analysis of those efforts. Dr. Melanie Blumberg, director of the American Democracy Project at Cal U, notes that no matter their political views, students do themselves a disservice if they don’t go to the polls. “Officeholders tend to place more weight on opinions of voters than abstainers. By not participating in politics, students are undermining their interests and passions, whether it be affordable college tuition or environmental protection. “In addition, research indicates that
if college students participate in politics, they are more apt to remain active in community matters throughout their lives.” During the 2016 campaign and election seasons, the American Democracy Project spearheaded campuswide events designed to educate students about the election process, promote voter registration, inform students about the candidates and the issues, and encourage them to cast their ballots on Election Day. The ADP organized a series of discussions about top campaign issues, hosted CampaignWatch and ElectionWatch events, helped students get to the polls, and hosted an Election Analysis Forum to examine election outcomes. Students who interned at the 2016 Democratic and Republican national conventions shared their experiences online and through on-campus forums, and Cal U was represented at CollegeDebate16, a national, nonpartisan initiative that engaged young voters in the presidential election process. Many of these events reoccur regularly at Cal U during midterm and general election cycles. Some, such as the Election Analysis Forum, bring renowned political scientists and other experts to campus.
Fishing Festival Begins with Dedication
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efore young anglers can try their luck in a newly restored stream, the University and California Borough will hold a brief dedication ceremony for the Pike Run recreation area at Rotary Park. The ceremony at 7:30 a.m. April 22 kicks off the 22nd annual Pike Run Youth Fishing Festival, one of the borough’s most popular outdoor events. Borough and Cal U officials will offer brief remarks and hold a ribboncutting to celebrate the venue’s stream mitigation and streamside restoration project, which began in late August. Through a contract from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the multifaceted project transformed the habitat for fish and aquatic insects, improving outdoor opportunities for anglers, nature lovers, students and community residents. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife program at Cal U led the project, which also involved the California Borough Recreation Authority, Pheasants Forever, the Army Corps of
Engineers, the Washington County Conservation District and the state Department of Environmental Protection. Registration for the free fishing festival opens at 7 a.m., and fishing begins at 8. The event is open to boys and girls ages 15 and younger. A parent, guardian or other responsible adult must accompany children younger than 13. Kids may bring their own gear, or they can borrow equipment from a Cal U student volunteer as part of the state Fish and Boat Commission’s Borrow-A-Rod-and-Reel program. Expert fishing guides will be on hand to answer questions or help young anglers learn how to catch trout. The Pike Run Fishing Festival Committee will stock the stream with nearly 600 rainbow, brook, brown and golden trout, some as long as 24 inches. The committee will provide entertainment and many other activities, and vendors will sell bait, tackle, food and beverages at the park. The festival closes with a weigh-in,
prizes and the awarding of trophies. Dr. Candice Riley, faculty adviser for the event, is looking forward to the festival. “The Pike Run Youth Fishing Festival has become a tradition, not just for Cal U but also for California Borough,” she said. “Planning the Pike Run Youth Fishing Festival gives the students a chance to interact with the community and gain important real-life experience in planning an event.” The festival is organized and programmed by the University’s parks and recreation management program, the Parks and Recreation Student Society, the Recreation Program Planning class, and the Cal U Eco-Learning Community, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, California Rotary, the Borough of California and the California Borough Recreation Authority. For more information, contact Dr. Candice Riley at 724-938-5288, or email riley@calu.edu.
A dedication ceremony will begin the 22nd annual Pike Run Youth Fishing Festival at 7:30 a.m. April 22.
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Cal U to Host German Badge Testing
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The pit area inside the Convocation Center is full of action as teams prepare for the Greater Pittsburgh Regional FIRST® Robotics Competition.
Robotics Event Builds Teamwork
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early 1,000 high school students trundled their 120-pound robots into the Convocation Center March 16 for three days of high-intensity, STEM-focused fun at the Greater Pittsburgh Regional FIRST® Robotics Competition. This was Cal U’s fourth year to host the regional competition, which drew teams of high school students from nearby communities, as well as China and eight U.S. states. Competing in three-team alliances, the remote-controlled robots criss-crossed the arena, tossing Whiffle balls, delivering gears and finally climbing ropes in a steam-themed challenge called FIRST STEAMWORKS. After nearly 90 rounds of competition, teams from Waialua, Hawaii; Milan, Ohio; and Emlenton, Pa., came out on top. As the event came to a close, they were honored along with teams judged best in areas such as design, engineering, innovation, safety and “gracious professionalism,” a hallmark of FIRST competitions. Teams in the winning alliance are among those competing later this month at FIRST Championships in Houston, Texas, or St. Louis, Mo. But building a winning robot is just part of the FIRST experience. The program develops STEM skills and encourages students to be inventive and collaborative. Roseann Stevens, vice president of field operations, volunteer resources and youth protection at FIRST, puts it simply: “FIRST teaches students they can do good things and solve big problems.” The annual competition asks students
“This has really pointed me in the right direction with what I want to do, especially working as part of a staff.” — Amanda Donahue, a junior from Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
to create a custom-built robot that can meet a series of specific challenges. Once the game is announced, students have just six weeks to design, fabricate and test their robots. “This (challenge) is very interesting because it focuses considerably on shooting (balls) and precision, which I really like,” said Kian Zarbaf, a 10th-grade student from Miami, Fla., who helped to build, coach and design his team’s robot. Team L.I.F.E., arrived from Florida during an unseasonable blast of cold weather. “We are having a great time, even though all of us are freezing, but seeing the snow is neat,” Zarbaf said. Senior Avery Goldinger, of the AMP’D Robotics team from McKeesport Area High School, pointed to a crowdpleasing aspect of the challenge: Before each round’s final buzzer, a team earns extra points if its robot can ascend a rope and dangle above the arena floor. “One climb can make or break your chance of winning,” Goldinger said. “Teamwork and cooperation are needed.” That theme was echoed throughout the competition. Science, engineering, technology and math are the keys to creating a functioning robot, but success also requires networking and “people skills.”
Amanda Donahue, a junior from Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, wants to pursue a medical career. Her team, The Beak Squad, was a regional finalist and winner of the Innovation in Control Award. “I have met and learned how to work with so many people,” she said. “This has really pointed me in the right direction with what I want to do, especially working as part of a staff.” Darcy Szymkiewicz, a mentor for the Road Dogs team from Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, in New Stanton, Pa., said the FIRST experience definitely builds teamwork. “We spend so much time together during the build season that we really are a family,” she said. “The students truly look out for each other.” This year’s judges included Dr. Jennifer Wilburn, coordinator for Cal U’s mechatronics engineering technology program; Dr. Brenton Wilburn, who also teaches in the mechatronics program; and Michael Amrhein, a retired Cal U faculty member. At the competition’s opening ceremony, Cal U provost Dr. Bruce Barnhart congratulated the students for their creativity, collaboration and technical skill. “It is wonderful to have the greater Pittsburgh region’s FIRST Robotics Competition back with us this year,” he said. “With our University focusing on its longstanding special mission in science and technology, hosting this event is even more special.”
Student Named to Board of Governors — Continued from page 1 Advocacy Days in Harrisburg when I was a freshman,” said Hilsey, of Garnet Valley, Pa., a junior sport management major with a concentration in professional golf management and a minor in business administration. “I was able to take a picture on the Senate floor with Sen. (Dominic) Pileggi, who represented my home district (in Delaware County}, and I told him I would like to be on the Board of Governors one day. “It’s definitely something I wanted to
achieve and have worked hard to accomplish.” Hilsey, who expects to graduate in May 2018, said she was drawn to Cal U for its affordability and a top-notch program in professional golf management. “There aren’t that many schools with a professional golf management program,” she said. “Cal U was financially feasible, and I fell in love with the campus the first time I saw it. It’s a good fit.” Hilsey’s career goals include earning an advanced degree in business and working in sports at the corporate level.
She is also very involved as a student leader at Cal U. In addition to serving as Student Government president, Hilsey is a member of the Student Association Inc. Board of Directors, which oversees the student activity fee budget and supports student clubs and activities. She also is a member of Student Cabinet. In these positions, she is involved in making important budgetary decisions for clubs, organizations and other campus activities. “It provides invaluable experience and unique opportunities,” Hilsey said.
orty active-duty, reserve and National Guard members of the U.S. military will participate in testing for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge on April 21-22. A decoration of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge has been available since 1972 to U.S. service members who meet rigorous proficiency standards. All eligible members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard may compete for the award. The badge is awarded in gold, silver or bronze, depending on the results of the pistol qualification, the first-aid test and the road march. Basic fitness tests will take place in Herron Hall and at Adamson Stadium. The marksmanship test will be held at the Westmoreland County Community College Public Safety Training Center in Smithton, Pa., and a road march will take place on the Yough River Trail, beginning in Smithton. A ceremony recognizing participants who complete the badge requirements will be held 2:30 p.m. April 22 at the training center in Smithton. The is the fifth year the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at Cal U has organized the testing.
Robots Ride in Army’s ‘Interactive Semi’
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xperience robotics, U.S. Army-style, when Cal U hosts an interactive experience provided by the Army Mobile Exhibit Company, Mission Support Battalion. The 60-foot-long, climatecontrolled Interactive Semi (IS2) is one of 11 tractor-trailers touring the United States to highlight the Army’s cutting-edge work in robotics. The family-friendly exhibit is open to the public at no charge. The IS2 holds a self-contained classroom, two career navigation kiosks and other equipment. Inside the vehicle, visitors can learn about robotics and drive Talon and Pac-bot military robots. Army personnel plan a “Career and Opportunities” presentation. Visitors are encouraged to speak with them about the equipment and how it functions, and to learn about Army life.
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Professor Urges Awareness of Trafficking
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xperts suggest that a few simple steps may allow us to detect a human trafficking situation: Be more observant, they say. Trust your instincts. And spend a bit less time with your digital devices. Dr. Jo Ann Jankoski ´82, an associate professor at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus, and Pat Mowen, prevention educator at the Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County, shared those thoughts with a roomful of students, law enforcement officials and counselors March 28 in Eberly Hall. The discussion of human trafficking — the trade of humans, most commonly for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others — was part of Cal U’s Women’s History Month activities. Jankoski, who teaches in the Department of Health and Human Development, opened the presentation by asking everyone in the audience to turn off their cell phones and other devices. “You could save someone’s life by doing this, because you’re observing what’s going on around you instead of being stuck on your phone,” she said. “Each one of us must do something if we are going to combat this social phenomenon. “We can’t do everything, but each one of us can do something. That’s the message I want you to take home today.” Mowen explained that Fayette County CVC, which opened in 1975, has spent the past six years working extensively with the community on human trafficking through a series of education training, forums, and public awareness presentations. She added that she educates children from as young 3 years old to college-age. “The recruitment of children for human trafficking starts as early as elementary school,” she cautioned. “If you see something that seems out of place, use your instinct. It’s there for a reason.” Jankoski added, “If you don’t feel comfortable getting directly involved, call your local law enforcement or campus police. Notify someone.” According to the U.S. Department of Justice, human trafficking has become the second fastest growing criminal industry, just behind drug trafficking.
Dr. Jo Ann Jankowski, associate professor at Penn State Fayette, educates students at Cal U’s Eberly Hall on human trafficking and steps that can be taken to help stop it.
Because of its network of interstates, Pennsylvania is known as a pass-through state for human trafficking, with Carlisle (Interstates 76, 83 and 81) being a hot spot. “It’s here, it’s all around us,” said Jankoski. “(Traffickers) prey on those who do not have their basic needs met by using force, fraud and coercion to gain power and control.” Event coordinator Dr. Marta McClintock-Comeaux, director of Cal U’s women’s studies program, said exploitation is an issue that’s too seldom addressed. “This is a big story that tends to disappear from the headlines,” she said. “We will continue to try bring this to light,” she said. Students from McClintock-Comeaux’s Introduction
to Women’s Studies course submitted written notes from the event for in-class writing credit. Junior Trevor Henry, a sport management major, said the session opened his eyes. “With all the distractions, we don’t see it, even though it may be going on right beneath us,” he said. “Hopefully, after this talk, things will be more obvious.” Despite the breadth of the human trafficking issue, Jankoski reiterated the importance of simply being more aware. “Our goal is to provide you an overview of human trafficking and raise your awareness of what’s happening around you,” she said. “You can make a difference just by having a conversation with someone else.”
Women’s History Month Event Opens Dialogue
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lack Lives Matter.” “Blue Lives Matter.” Write those phrases on a chalkboard or include them on a PowerPoint slide, and people in the room may have different reactions. Unpacking those varied responses, and emphasizing how compassionate conversations can lead to broader thinking on social justice issues, is the goal of Dr. Sam Richards and Dr. Laura Mulvey. The husband-and-wife duo presented “You Can’t Say That” on March 22 as part of Cal U’s celebration of Women’s History Month. Richards is a senior lecturer and sociologist at Penn State University, where he teaches a race and ethnic relations course that draws hundreds of students each semester. Mulvey is executive director and co-founder of the World in Conversation Center for Public Diplomacy at Penn State, a crosscultural dialogue program. Richards explained that the goal of his class is to provoke thinking and get everyone to leave the room “annoyed about something.” “That way they’re going to go home and start talking and thinking about it,” he said. “There are many, many different ways to see things with lots of complexity, mystery and mirrors.” Richards said he promotes thoughtprovoking, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations “because that’s what university education is all about.” For example, he and Mulvey showed a plethora of crime statistics and related
Dr. Sam Richards and Dr. Laura Mulvey present ‘You Can’t Say That.’ The discussion provided guidance on discussing difficult topics, including racial issues.
facts, along with photos that could be misconstrued. “We hope that you’re confused and don’t know where this is going with all these facts and information,” Mulvey said. “That’s the beginning of education, because you have all these threads that come into any debate. The job of education is to make sense of all this.” Ultimately, the statistics showed that 144 police officers were killed in the line of duty in 2016, and 963 people were fatally shot by police. Of that total, 223 of the shooting victims were black.
Cydney Francis, a freshman criminal justice major, found the information surprising. “The media make you believe that more African-Americans are being killed than white people,” she said. “But their slides show otherwise. What are we going to do about that? I never thought about this before today.” Rather than watching news reports that echo your own opinions, or holding conversations only with those who agree with you, Mulvey advocates for interactions that challenge your preconceptions.
After all, she said, the scientific method is based on challenging a hypothesis to see if it holds up. “When we encounter each other, we can’t be the same — and who wants to be? Our education should feel as if it’s stretching us so much that we can’t even imagine all there is to learn.” Tyler Rapp, a freshman business administration major, found the couple’s approach intriguing. “Unlike the news, they are providing points from both sides of the wall,” he said. “People need to focus more on how they are looking at things. Sitting here, I have asked myself a lot of questions.” Event coordinator Dr. Marta McClintock-Comeaux, director of Cal U’s women’s studies program, said she hopes to continue holding facilitated dialogues on campus. She encouraged students to contact her about training to serve as facilitators. “The wonderful thing about higher education is we get to open our minds in new ways, meet people, experience different cultures and engage in critical analysis,” she said. “That’s what today was all about.” Women’s History Month 2017 activities were sponsored by the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, the women’s studies program, the Department of Social Work, the Frederick Douglass Institute, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Education, and the Linda and Harry Serene Leadership Institute.
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Anthropologists Host Forensic Field Trip
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Sean Parnell will give a talk from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 13.
Veteran Discusses Book
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.S. Army veteran Sean Parnell, author of Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan, will give a talk from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 13 in Manderino Library, Room 208. The free event is open to the public. Cal U’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs extends a special welcome to area veterans, who are invited to join the campus community and ROTC cadets for Parnell’s presentation. The author will share stories about his military service, from college ROTC to his combat experience in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. A question-and-answer session will follow the talk. Paperback copies of Parnell’s book will be available for purchase; cost is $10, payable in cash (no debit or credit cards). Parnell is a retired Army Infantry captain who served with the elite 10th Mountain Division and endured 485 days of combat along the AfghanistanPakistan border. He was wounded in action on June 10, 2006, when his platoon was nearly overrun by a force that outnumbered them almost 10 to 1. Refusing to leave his men, he was wounded twice more during the firefight. Today, Parnell is co-founder of the American Warrior Initiative, an organization that inspires people to give back to our nation’s veterans, and a regular contributor to national news outlets. The presentation is sponsored by Cal U’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, which provides resources and support for service members and military veterans who are studying on campus and online. Co-sponsors are the University’s Office of Library Services, Army ROTC and Cal U’s Department of Criminal Justice.
hirty eager sixth-graders from the gifted program at Boyce Middle School, in Upper St. Clair, visited Cal U March 21 to learn about the many things one can determine by examining bones. After hearing a talk by Dr. Cassandra Kuba, associate professor of anthropology, the students explored portions of skeletons under the guidance of eight Cal U students. Boyce Middle School teacher Diane Ecker explained that her students previously had learned about forensic anthropology in connection with the Jamestown colony in Virginia, the 5,300year-old corpse of “Otzi the Iceman” discovered in the Alps, and the Romanov dynasty in Russia. “We try to connect our students not only with things that will give them knowledge, but maybe some future career ideas,” she said. “This is absolutely an awesome experience for them.” Working with middle school students is nothing new for Kuba. For the past six years, her archaeology students have supervised Elizabeth Forward middleschoolers at mock excavation sites. “We love being able to share this with kids, because it’s very hands-on. It’s a way to get them excited about the discipline, as well as some local history,” said Kuba. “It’s important to expose them to something new and have them visit our campus.” Boyce student Ava Keating said she enjoyed the field trip. “It’s unbelievable when you see the skulls and how much you can tell from them. I just like looking at bones and working with animals, so this is something I might be interested in. It’s a neat day.” Classmate Caleb States was intrigued by forensic anthropology, too. “I am interested in bones’ formation, how they fuse together,” he said, noting
Ava Keating, a sixth-grade student from the gifted program at Upper St. Clair’s Boyce Middle School, examines a skull casting inside Frich Hall.
that skeletal remains can indicate how someone might have died. “I’ve learned a lot, and I want to learn more. “ Cal U’s student volunteers also enjoyed the activity. “We are having as much fun as they are,” said senior Matthew McKinney, who expects to graduate this spring with a dual major in forensic anthropology and criminal justice. “I enjoy going out in the field, and I like to see these guys learn, get along and hopefully go out there (as anthropologists), down the road.” Kuba said the college students learned as much as the sixth-graders. “It’s a good experience for our students to be able to show … what they know,” she said. “It’s a confidence booster for many of them to start off with the younger audiences. It helps them believe in themselves. “This is also something they can put on their resumes, and it is obviously good
for their professional development.” Although most of the Cal U students helping out were anthropology majors, other fields of study were represented, too. Chemistry major Rebekah Quickel’s senior project involves alkaline hydrolysis, a new form of cremation that uses alkaloids rather than fire. “We both have questions about the process,” said Kuba, who regularly answers technical questions for writers of television crime shows. “There are frequently chemistry questions (from screenwriters), and some of Rebekah’s information has ended up on TV episodes.” Quickel described skeletal mouth parts to the sixth-graders. “I always hope to bridge anthropology and chemistry, and Dr. Kuba always finds something chemistry-related which can help,” she said. “These kids are excited about this. “I can see a couple of (future) anthropologists coming out of this group.”
Cal U Hosts Science Olympiad Canon-McMillan High School students Henry Mongrain and April Giles make some last-minute adjustments before competing in the Robot Arm event during the southwest regional competition of the Pennsylvania Science Olympiad. On March 22, Cal U welcomed nearly 50 teams of up to 15 students each, representing more than two dozen school districts. The teams used their skills in science, technology, engineering and math to compete in a wide variety of challenges. Six middle school and six high school teams from the region qualified for the state competition on April 29 at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. The National Science Olympiad will be May 19-20 at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.
The California Journal is published by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. Geraldine M. Jones University President
Robert Thorn Vice President for Administration and Finance
Christine Kindl Editor
Dr. Bruce Barnhart Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
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Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall Writers
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