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California University
VOLUME 16, NUMBER 12 SEPT. 22, 2014 READ THE JOURNAL ONLINE: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal
Enrollment Dips Slightly, President Tells Trustees n remarks delivered two weeks before the official census date, interim University President Geraldine M. Jones projected a slight decline in Cal U’s student population for the 2014-2015 academic year. “I am encouraged to see that the enrollment dip is not as severe as it has been in recent years,” President Jones told the Council of Trustees at its quarterly meeting on Sept. 3. “We continue our efforts to increase enrollment and encourage our students to remain enrolled until they earn a degree. Administrators, faculty members, staff members — all of us are working diligently to give our students the best experience possible.” At the time of her report, the headcount for graduate students showed an increase, compared to the 2013 census date. The undergraduate headcount, however, declined compared to last year’s official total. One factor in the overall enrollment picture is the high number of students who graduated from Cal U in December 2013 and May 2014, acting provost Dr. Bruce Barnhart told the Trustees. The University conferred more degrees than all but two of the 14 State System universities, and it led the State System in the number of master’s degrees awarded during the 2013-2014 academic year. Despite the anticipated decline in enrollment, President Jones and University administrators presented a balanced budget for the second year in a row. The Trustees approved the $115 million spending plan, which now moves to the State System’s Board of Governors. President Jones reminded the Trustees that 75 percent the budget is devoted to personnel costs, which increased by nearly $4 million compared to last year. Increases negotiated through collective bargaining, as well as salary increases for — Continued on page 3
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Cal U’s Dr. Grafton Eliason will be recognized Wednesday when the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter of the American Red Cross holds its 2014 Red Cross Heroes Breakfast at CONSOL Energy Center.
Professor is Red Cross Hero r. Grafton Eliason’s actions truly speak louder than words. His good works will be recognized Wednesday when the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter of the American Red Cross holds its 2014 Red Cross Heroes Breakfast at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. A professor in the Department of Counselor of Education, Eliason has been selected as a “hero” in the educators category. “He does several different things within our organization,” said Mark Holzer, disaster program manager for the Red Cross. “It’s tremendous how he dedicates his time to all of these different activities, in addition to his professional life.” The Red Cross chapter, part of the 25-county Western Pennsylvania Region, serves 1.6 million people in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.
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Each year it recognizes unsung community members who have performed specific heroic acts or have committed their lives to going above and beyond as educators, professional responders, military members, Good Samaritans or youth workers. An award also recognizes lifetime commitment to the Red Cross. “Education is wonderful, and I definitely think that anybody with a degree in school counseling or clinical mental health counseling should use that knowledge to benefit other people and their communities,” Eliason said. “But when I see the incredible things others being honored at the breakfast have done, this is really a humbling experience.” Eliason connected with the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter when he began teaching at Cal U 10 years ago. He learned CPR and basic crisis response — Continued on page 4
GACO Passes $3 Billion Mark he Government Agency Coordination Office at Cal U reports that it has reached a new milestone: Since it was founded in 1985, GACO has helped area businesses obtain more than $3 billion in government contracts. As a Procurement Technical Assistance Center, GACO helps local businesses pursue government contracts and subcontracts, as well as export opportunities. Deborah S. Wojcik, GACO’s director, says clients have reported receiving 49,472 contracts and subcontracts totaling more than $3.1 billion. GACO is now assisting 1,628 regional businesses. “Since initiating our contracting assistance program, we have helped many regional businesses understand the procurement process and become
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suppliers of goods and services to government agencies,” Wojcik says. “Our program basically gives businesses a chance to compete for an opportunity to sell to the government on the federal, state and local level and to prime contractors.” The program began at California University but expanded its operation to include satellite offices in Pittsburgh and at Slippery Rock University. Procurement professionals at each office provide the guidance businesses require to enter into government contracting. GACO also provides training in government contracting procedures through seminars, webinars and an annual procurement fair. GACO operations are supported by grants from the Sarah Scaife Foundation and the Defense Logistics Agency.
Deborah S. Wojcik (left), GACO’s director, and Tracy Julian, contracting coordinator, review a document. Since 1985, GACO has helped area businesses obtain more than $3.1 billion in government contracts.
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SEPT. 22, 2014
Student Playwright’s OneAct to Debut class assignment led senior Kyle Hilsey to his moment in the spotlight. Hilsey’s one-act play was selected from a pool of more than 300 entries, and a fully staged production of “Just Say Yes” will open next month as part of the fourth annual Tri-State Theatre Festival, presented by the South Street Players. The weekend of one-acts is scheduled for Oct. 17-19 at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Spring Lake, N.J. “Just Say Yes” is one of three one-act dramas Hilsey penned last fall for Dr. Carole Waterhouse’s creative writing course. He submitted all three of those plays to the festival judges in late June. “Our reading committee thoroughly enjoyed reading Kyle Hilsey’s one-act (‘Just Say Yes’),” said Rob Sullivan, the festival’s producer and a member of the South Street Players’ board of directors. “It had just the right mix of elements that we look for each year — great dialogue, interesting characters and a well-structured plot. We receive a plethora of really good plays each year, but it’s pretty amazing how there are always just a few that stand out among the rest. This year, Kyle wrote one of those plays. “We’re honored to be producing ‘Just Say Yes,’ and we hope we make Kyle very proud.” The festival will feature one-acts by eight playwrights from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Among them are award-winning playwrights and documentary filmmakers Jack Feldstein and Joseph P. Krawczyk, as well as playwrights Eric Alter, executive producer and founder of Apricot Sky Productions in Montclair, N.J., and Stephanie Weber, of Chicago. “These are established playwright with diverse professional careers, and it’s a little intimidating to be alongside some of these writers,” said Hilsey, of Chichester, Pa. ”I’m very excited to meet
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them and the South Street people I’ve been speaking with.” Hilsey’s three-character drama is set in the back of a church. Michelle is in her wedding dress, preparing for the ceremony, when Jake arrives wearing a tuxedo. He talks enthusiastically about their life together, while Michelle grows increasingly hesitant. It is only when Jake departs and another tuxedo-clad man arrives that the audience understands the plot twist: Jake, the best man, has been trying to convince the bride to run away with him. “I sort of lead the audience on,” Hilsey said. “My work is very characteroriented. I want my audience to get wrapped up in and care about them, because I believe the characters are the ones who move a show on.” Hilsey arrived at Cal U to study athletic training, but he changed his major to creative writing after taking a number of English courses. “Dr. Waterhouse … has definitely helped me with my writing and encouraged me to pursue my ideas,” he said. “She inspired me to continue submitting my work. She always urges us to try and get our work out there. “She was ecstatic about my play being picked.” Waterhouse praised Hilsey’s work ethic. “Kyle is extremely innovative and has a wonderful workman-like attitude about his writing. He puts a great deal of effort into what he does.” In addition to plays, Hilsey writes poetry and short stories. He recently submitted a compilation of poetry, called a chapbook, to a contest that publishes its winning entries. And he’s preparing for the question-and-answer sessions with the audience that will be a part of the TriState Theatre Festival. “I couldn’t believe I finally got the ‘yes’ I was looking for,” said Hilsey. “I thought this was something I was just
Internship Takes Senior to Center for Rural Pennsylvania enior Evan Riccardo is nearly 3.5 million rural working for the Center residents. for Rural Pennsylvania “What I am doing at in Harrisburg as part of a 15the Center for Rural week internship sponsored Pennsylvania is public by Pennsylvania’s State policy research, attending System of Higher Education. any relevant hearings for the A political science major, agency at the capitol, Riccardo is one of 12 writing articles for their students participating in The newsletter, and helping out Evan Riccardo Harrisburg Internship in the office in general,” he Semester (THIS) program, explained. which gives students the opportunity “I appreciate this opportunity and to work in all areas of state am very fortunate.” government while earning a full More than 500 students from State semester’s worth of credits. System universities have participated THIS invites students from each of in THIS since the program began in the State System universities to 1989. Interns have worked with participate. Riccardo and his fellow dozens of state agencies, as well as in THIS participants will attend the offices of the governor, the speaker academic seminars and complete an of the House of Representatives and individualized research project as part the attorney general. of the program’s requirements. Students may obtain information The Center for Rural Pennsylvania about the THIS program by contacting the is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative Cal U Internship Center, or by calling the agency that serves as a resource for Dixon University Center at 717-720-4089. rural policy within the Pennsylvania More information also is available at General Assembly. Pennsylvania has www.passhe.edu/this.
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Kyle Hilsey’s one-act play will be part of the fourth annual Tri-State Theatre Festival, scheduled for Oct. 17-19 at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Spring Lake, N.J.
One-Acts in Spotlight Oct. 2-4 he Cal U Department of Theatre and Dance presents “An Evening of One-Acts” at 8 p.m. Oct. 2-3 and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Oct. 4. The student-directed short plays will be performed in the Gerald and Carolyn Blaney Theatre in Steele Hall. The department’s first performance of the Fall 2014 semester features plays that may be irreverent or enlightening, but always entertaining. Subject matter may not be suitable for young children. Cost is $12 for adults, seniors and children. Cal U students with valid CalCards pay 50 cents, plus a $5 deposit that is refunded at the show. For ticket information, or to charge tickets by phone, call the Steele Box Office at 724-938-5943.
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going to do for a class. It’s incredible that I’m actually going to see people perform the lines I wrote.” The South Street Players present the TriState Theatre Festival, which includes Kyle
Hilsey’s play “Just Say Yes,” at 8 p.m. Oct 1718 and 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at St. Andrews Methodist Church, Fourth and Mercer avenues, Spring Lake, N.J. For more information, call 732-447-5169.
Campus BRIEFS Voter Registration Drive Sept. 23 Cal U will mark National Voter Registration Day with a voter registration drive from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday in Manderino Library and in the kiosk area outside the Natali Student Center. In case of inclement weather, the Natali location will be in the center lobby. The program is sponsored by the American Democracy Project at Cal U. Co-sponsors are the Office of the Provost/Academic Affairs, the College of Liberal Arts, the Department of History and Political Science, the Women’s Studies program, and the Frederick Douglass Institute.
Career Week Starts Sept. 29 Career Week, sponsored by the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC), will be held from Sept. 29-Oct. 3 on campus. The event is designed to help prepare students for career fairs and, eventually, the job market. It includes a readiness webinar, resume workshops, employer speed
panels and information on proper work attire. Students can follow up by attending a career fair on Oct. 9. “We are trying to generate awareness for the career fair and get students prepared,” said Meaghan Clister, associate director of the CPDC. prospective employers.” For more information, contact Meaghan Clister at 724-938-4057 or clister@calu.edu. For a Career Week schedule, visit the events section at www.calu.edu/careers.
Discovery Days Continue Oct. 4 Cal U has scheduled fall Discovery Days to introduce prospective students to the University. Discovery Days are scheduled from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4; Monday, Oct. 13; and Saturday, Nov. 8. Check-in for each session begins at 8:30 a.m. in Steele Hall, followed by an overview of the daily schedule at 9 a.m. For more information or to register online, visit www.calu.edu, keyword “Discovery Days.” Faculty or staff members who are interested in leading tours should contact the Welcome Center at Ext. 1626 or e-mail Carrie Pavtis at pavtis@calu.edu.
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Future Teacher is Martial Arts Champion atthew Reese is a master of self-defense. In fact, he’s a grand champion in Tang Soo Do, a traditional Korean martial art. Reese, a Cal U senior, competed this summer at the 13th International Tang Soo Do Federation World Championship, held in Lisbon, Portugal. The championships are held every two years in various locations worldwide. Competing as a third-degree black belt, Reese placed first in forms, or precise patterns of movement, and took the grand champion title overall. He also placed first in weapons and third in sparring among competitors ages 18-29. In addition to the individual events, he took part in team sparring and team forms competitions, winning the team grand champion title in forms. Reese competed as a representative of Monroeville-based C.S. Kim Karate, a chain of 13 schools certified by the international federation. He trains at the school’s McMurray location. According to the school’s website, the Tang Soo Do karate style “relies on excellent kicks, solid punching, quick elbows and knees for striking, as well as joint/arm locking and simple take-downs for self-defense.” “Matthew steps up, he becomes the leader and gets it done by working very hard,” said Master Dean Kelly, whom Reese trains under. “He’s also done extremely well in helping other people at the studio.” Reese, who began studying martial arts at age 7, is also a certified instructor. At the world championships he tested for the rank of Tang Soo Master, and is awaiting the result of his trials. His first trip overseas made a definite impression on Reese, who met martial arts competitors from around the globe. “I now have some pen pals in Wales, made some friends from Mexico and was playing cards with a bunch of Panamanians. … It was a very good trip.” Reese credits his father with steering him to Tang Soo Do, which features structured classes and strict discipline. “He observed that the student teaching (a class) was well mannered, and he wanted me to be a part of that atmosphere.” A technology education major and dean’s list student, Reese expects to graduate in May after completing a student teaching assignment during the spring semester. The discipline of karate not only keeps him in shape, but also helped him to develop good study habits, he said. “I’m always active, bouncing around, and my parents feel
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Cal U Welcomes Families al U will welcome students’ families to campus on Saturday with a series of special events during the 36th annual Family Day. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the information desk in the lobby of the Natali Student Center. The University Choir will give a free concert at 11 a.m. at the Emeriti Faculty Fountain, on Third Street. Activities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. include the Kids Zone, sponsored by Cal U clubs and organizations, in front of the Natali Student Center. Free movies will be shown in Vulcan Theater at noon, 4 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. The student chapter of The Wildlife Society will present its ninth annual Family Field Day from 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Frich Biology Building. The event includes an archery demonstration, a flytying demonstration and casting contest, and a conservation class. The public may attend this free event, which is conducted in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission The Vulcan football team hosts Edinboro beginning at 1 p.m. Cal U students, faculty and staff with valid CalCards and children ages 12 and younger will be admitted free, and a special Kids Zone with games, face painting and inflatables will be set up near Adamson Stadium. For more information, visit www.calu.edu/events/familyday/.
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Matthew Reese, a senior majoring in technology education, is a grand champion in Tang Soo Do, a traditional Korean martial art.
that martial arts helped me with my focus and getting school work done when I was younger. I suppose I’ve always kept that trait. And karate has taught me a lot of respect toward elders.” Industrial arts teacher Chris Bates ’05, who teaches at Western Beaver High School, advised Reese to attend Cal U. The technology education program proved to be a good fit. Now Reese hopes to land a teaching job and someday open his own martial arts school. “I wanted to go to school but still train in karate, and coming here (to Cal U) was very useful for me,” he said. “I need a primary income to open a martial arts school, and technology education is something else I’ve always liked to do.”
Enrollment Dips Slightly, President Tells Trustees Continued from page 1 non-represented managers, have placed a “significant strain” on the budget, she said. Other fixed expenses also are taking a toll. About 6 percent of the University budget is devoted to debt service, and 3 percent to utilities and insurance, leaving just 16 percent of the budget “to do whatever else is needed to operate the University.” “These are difficult times, but again, we will continue working hard to ensure that our students receive a quality academic experience here at Cal U,” President Jones said. In other business: • After presenting the enrollment figures, Barnhart reported that during the last quarter Cal U faculty and staff were successful in bringing more than $2.3 million in grant funding to the University. He also introduced five new faculty members: Dr. Reuben Brock, who joins the Department of Psychology as a Frederick Douglass Institute Scholar; Rebecca Maddas, Department of Childhood Education; Dr. Lindsey McGuire, Health Sciences; Dr. Ambrus Price, History and Political Science; and Dr. Theresa Thao Pham, Social Work. • After his budget presentation Robert Thorn, vice president for Administration and Finance, updated the Trustees on capital projects that are under way. The
For the second consecutive year a balanced budget for the Cal U campus will be presented to the State System’s Board of Governors.
Natali Student Center project is still on schedule, and renovations have been completed at the Phillipsburg building, which now is occupied by staff from Intermediate Unit 1. Thorn also outlined upgrades in technology equipment and services, including networking equipment and computer labs. The search for an associate vice president for University Technology Services has begun, he said, and the position is expected to be filled by Dec. 1. • Dr. Nancy Pinardi, interim vice president for Student Affairs, highlighted the recreational and academic activities at
SAI Farm. Dr. Robert Whyte and Dr. Sara Meiss, faculty members in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, explained the 94-acre farm’s value as a site for hands-on learning and a home base for the Interdisciplinary Center for Environmental Studies, or ICES. “This wonderful land right in our backyard gets our students out of the classroom and into the field, where they learn skills they need to be successful professionals,” Whyte said. “This gives us a unique advantage that many other schools in western
Pennsylvania don’t have.” Meiss described how the student-run food garden at SAI Farm has led to collaborations with local agencies such as the Fayette County Community Action Agency and the Republic Food Enterprise Center (RFEC). “Don’t think of this as a piece of property, but as an opportunity,” she said. • Craig Butzine, vice president for Marketing and University Relations, explained the focus on recruitment that guides the University’s marketing strategy. Partnerships with the region’s professional sports teams place Cal U’s name in front of the University’s target audience, research shows. Opportunities for face-toface interaction, such as Kennywood’s Fall Fantasy Parades, put the Cal U name and the University’s Admission team in direct touch with thousands of prospective students. • In his role as interim vice president for University Development and Alumni Relations, Butzine reported that gifts and commitments for the Campaign to Build Character and Careers now total more than $34.4 million, on the way to the $35 million goal. Cal U’s Development team also exceeded its PASSHE performance funding goal of $1,995,000, having raised $2,144,138 during the past fiscal year. The Council of Trustees is scheduled to meet again on Dec. 3.
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SEPT. 22, 2014
Delta Chi Honors Helsel he Delta Chi Board of Regents has named Joy Helsel ’83 the recipient of the 2014 Richard N. McKaig Outstanding Greek Professional Award. Helsel is employed by the Student Association Inc. at Cal U as director of fraternity and sorority life. The award was announced last month at the 59th Delta Chi Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Outstanding Greek Professional Award Helsel received is considered one of the highest recognitions that Delta Chi, a social fraternity, bestows upon Greek life professionals throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 2009 the Joy Helsel award was renamed in honor of McKaig, who retired that year as Indiana University’s Dean of Students after 38 years of service. Nicknamed by colleagues as “The Fraternal Dean” he joined Delta Chi while a student at Ball State University. “This is truly a tremendous honor and very humbling,” Helsel said. “Delta Chi has a been a successful fraternity on campus and nationally for a long time. Being selected for this prestigious award is overwhelming.” Justin P. Sherman, executive director of The Delta Chi Fraternity, Inc., said that Helsel has devoted countless hours to see the Cal U Delta Chi chapter succeed. “We could not have done it without her, and her actions speak volumes about her selfless character,” Sherman said. “Her ability to facilitate thoughtful conversation and coach individuals is the true definition of what it means to be an adviser in the fraternity/sorority community. She exemplifies what it means to be an adviser.” During her career in Student Affairs at Cal U, Helsel also has received Sigma Tau Gamma’s Distinguished Interfraternal Leadership Award, the Theta Xi Educational Foundation of Pittsburgh Distinguished Service Award and the Northeast Panhellenic Conference Award of Excellence, Outstanding Advisor Award. She is a member of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) and past chair of the Student Affairs Conference Committee for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
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The professional golf management program is offering free programs for girls and their parents at Cal U’s indoor golf facility inside Gallagher Hall.
PGM plans free programs for girls and parents he professional golf management program at Cal U is offering three free programs for girls and their parents this fall. PGM faculty and students will provide the instruction for the classes — open to mothers and daughters, fathers and daughters, and girls only — which will be held in the PGM Student Teaching and Research Academy in Gallagher Hall. Participants will learn the fundamentals of putts, chip shots and full golf swings. Dr. Vanessa MacKinnon, associate professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies and internship coordinator for the PGM program, said many parents whose daughters
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participated in last spring’s free youth clinics were interested in sessions with their children. “Years ago when I was a golf teaching pro, I did a few parent-child clinics — which were very popular — so I decided to offer a few of them here at Cal U,” she said. Classes for mothers and their daughters ages 7-14 will be held from 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 27 and from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 4. Sessions for fathers and their daughters ages 7-14 will be held from | 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 28 and from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 18. Instruction for girls ages 8-12 will be held from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 12 and from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 21. Funding for the free programs has
been provided by the Women’s Sports Foundation and the LPGA Foundation. The PGM program at Cal U prepares students for careers as coaches, teaching professionals, head golf professionals or tournament organizers within the golf industry, and for jobs with major golf equipment and apparel companies. “Golf is a great sport in that people of all ages and abilities can play it together,” MacKinnon said, “so it offers an ideal environment for parents and their children to bond and have fun together.” Participants may register for one or both sessions by e-mailing MacKinnon at mackinnon@calu.edu. The registration deadline is two days before each class begins.
Professor Honored as Red Cross ‘Hero’ — Continued from page 1 techniques through the Red Cross before taking advanced courses open only to licensed professional counselors. Through the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter, he worked extensively with the Woodlands Foundation in Wexford, Pa., a nonprofit organization that enriches the lives of children and young adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses. He still gives presentations there, and after serving as the spiritual program coordinator for many years, he continues to serve as a chaplain. Along with training counselors and social work interns for the chapter’s main office in Pittsburgh, Eliason is part of the Service to the Armed Forces program, which coordinates reconnection workshops with the military’s Yellow Ribbon activities. “We provide group and individual experiences to help deal with all the issues that come up when families are reunited with military personnel who have served overseas,” he said. “Many of them have served multiple tours of duty and have experienced … a lot of horrific events. My focus in the past
couple of years has been on the reconnection workshops.” Eliason said he is always on call with the Red Cross’s disaster mental health team. That group responds to incidents such as the 2009 LA Fitness Center shooting in Collier Township, Pa., which left four people dead. “Normally we talk with families or victims, if they’re not hurt physically — although their well-being takes precedence, of course,” Eliason said. “We want to make sure all their basic needs, as well as their emotional needs, are met.” Counselors also tend to the Red Cross volunteers themselves. “We believe it’s important to provide mental health services to basic Red Cross workers,” Eliason said. “If they’re at a location where there’s been a large fire, for instance, that’s an emotional event not only for the people who are victims, but also for the Red Cross workers. While maintaining confidentiality, Eliason said, he uses his Red Cross experiences to educate his students. “We can teach our students how to provide services such as ‘critical incident stress debriefing,’” he said. “We encourage our students to volunteer any way they can.”
The California Journal is published by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Geraldine M. Jones Interim University President
Dr. Nancy Pinardi Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
Christine Kindl Editor
Dr. Bruce Barnhart Acting Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
Craig Butzine Vice President for Marketing and University Relations/ Interim Vice President for University Development and Alumni Relations
Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall, Jeff Bender Writers
Robert Thorn Vice President for Administration and Finance
Office of Communications and Public Relations
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