California University
Volume 18, Number 14 oct. 24, 2016 Read the JouRnal online: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal
Cal U Inaugurates Seventh President I
n the same auditorium where she and her father sat side by side on her first day as a college student, Geraldine M. Jones was installed as president of California University of Pennsylvania. The presidential investiture ceremony — just the seventh in California’s history — opened with a procession of dignitaries, deans and faculty who entered Steele Hall behind faculty marshal Dr. William Biddington, who carried the university mace. Among the honored guests were Dr. Peter Garland, executive vice chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, and members of the State System’s Board of Governors, including Chair Cynthia D. Shapira and immediate past chair Guido Pichini. Faculty members from 26 academic departments entered Steele Hall behind banners representing Cal U’s graduate school and three undergraduate Colleges. Alumnus Larry Maggi, chair of the University’s Council of Trustees, presided over the ceremony. He introduced Cal U trustees, numerous college presidents and designees, as well as federal, state and county legislators. Alumni, students, staff and University friends filled the theater’s remaining seats, along with the President’s family members and special friends. “An investiture, steeped in tradition and rich in pageantry, is a significant ceremony in higher education,” Maggi told the audience. “It has a two-fold purpose: to present the new president in formal convocation to the public, and to permit the University to reaffirm its commitment to … advancing the excellence of the institution in all its endeavors.”
Community Greetings One by one, delegates stepped to the
Cynthia D. Shapira, chair of the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, administers the official oath to Geraldine M. Jones, as Jones is installed as California’s seventh president.
podium to deliver greetings to the President, who served nearly four years in acting and interim roles before being named the permanent president last April. Shaina Hilsey, student government president, spoke on behalf of students. “We are so lucky to have a personable president who we can see walking her dog on campus, eating at our new dining establishment and attending campus talks and student
convocations. She is someone who is very accessible to students. “We, the students, stand with her to make this campus the best that it can be.” Professor Barbara Hess represented faculty, and Sheleta Webb ’89, ’94 spoke for staff. Ashley Roth ’10, ’12, vice president of the Alumni Association’s board of directors, delivered greetings from California’s alumni, and Councilman Pat
Alfano proclaimed the day “Geraldine M. Jones Day” throughout California Borough. Chancellor Frank T. Brogan was unable to attend the ceremony because of continuing negotiations with the faculty union in Harrisburg. In his place, Garland charged President Jones “to use your demonstrated qualities of leadership, sound judgment, and personal integrity, — Continued on page 2
Conference Looks at Police and Community
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At 9:50 a.m. Cody Santiago, a 2014 graduate of cademics and professionals with expertise in Cal U, will discuss “Community Initiative to Fighting law enforcement and the justice system will Violent Crimes,” a case study he conducted in share their insights at the ninth York, Pa. An emergency management annual Conference on Homeland and professional, Santiago is a consultant for International Security, scheduled from 9 a.m.Glatfelter Insurance Group in York, where he 12:30 p.m. Nov. 2 in the Natali Student assesses risks in schools and municipalities. Center’s Performance Center At 10:25 a.m. Dr. Hans Mumm, a bestThe theme for this year’s conference is selling author who is highly skilled in designing “Human Security II: Building Community policy and governance for advanced and Police Teams to Protect and Serve Our technologies, will examine “Technology, Citizens.” Community, and Policing.” He has spent more Sign-in begins at 8 a.m. Admission is free, Col. Tyree C. than two decades in government service and the public may attend. Blocker building teams to address hard problems in the At 9.a.m., after opening remarks by areas of national security, homeland security and University President Geraldine M. Jones and Dr. advanced technologies including drones and unmanned Michael L. Hummel, chair of the Department of aerial vehicles. Criminal Justice, Dr. Mathilda Spencer will present At 11 a.m. Dr. Christopher Wydra, assistant “Multiculturalism and the Criminal Justice System.” An assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh at professor in Cal U’s Department of Criminal Justice, presents “Building Trust and Collaboration Between Titusville, she has worked in the human services and Police and Community.” He is a recently retired criminal justice fields for more than 30 years.
detective with 20 years of professional experience in law enforcement and investigations with the City of Pittsburgh Police Department. At 11:35 a.m., Col. Tyree C. Blocker, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, will deliver the keynote address on “21st-Century Policing.” “This is a continuation of our 2015 conference on police and citizens coming together to discuss issues of concern, and to seek new methods of supporting each other as a whole community,” said Hummel. “We have a responsibility as professionals and citizens to address and tackle the tough issues head-on and as a team.” The conference is being organized by the Department of Criminal Justice, in collaboration with the Mon Valley NAACP and the NAACP State Conference Criminal Justice Committee. For a complete schedule and speaker biographies, visit www.calu.edu; or email Dr. Michael Hummel at hummel@calu.edu.
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oct. 24, 2016
University Inaugurates Its Seventh President — Continued from page 1 together with the many strengths of this university … to advance the level of teaching, research, and public service that will most benefit the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” Then Board of Governors Chair Shapira administered the oath of office. Maggi and William Flinn II, board chair for the Foundation for California University, presented the new president with her official medallion and chain of office, which granddaughter Jurnee Lantz placed around her neck. “I am grateful to those who have walked beside me on this journey,” the President said. “The Board of Governors members and University Trustees who have placed their faith in me, the many colleagues and scholars who share my devotion to California and its academic mission, the remarkable students who give purpose to our work, the alumni whose success is our greatest reward, and, of course, my family, who have loved and supported me every step of the way.”
Inaugural Address The President’s inaugural address followed the event’s theme, “Honoring Tradition, Rising to the Future.” In it, she noted that she is the first woman, and the first person of color, to serve as California’s president. She acknowledged the contributions of groundbreakers such as Sue Ammons, the first female graduate of Cal U’s forerunner, the South Western Normal School, and Elizabeth “Jennie” Adams Carter, California’s first African-American graduate. “They serve as shining examples for our students,” she said, “proof that achievement depends not on how we look, but what we do.” Cal U will continue to focus on academic excellence, the President said, while energizing the curriculum with new programs in high-demand fields.
Larry Maggi, chair of the Cal U Council of Trustees, and President Geraldine M. Jones smile during the inaugural ceremony.
She called for increased collaboration with corporate partners and a renewed emphasis on philanthropy “to preserve access and affordability for new generations of Cal U students.” “We will dare to dream big,” she vowed. “We will ally ourselves with visionaries, so that together we can impact the future of our University and the world beyond our campus.” President Jones concluded her address with the announcement of a new initiative, Rising to the Future. Her gift is the first in an inaugural-year campaign to raise an additional $1 million for student-scholars, student-athletes and students who otherwise could not afford to finish their education.
“Through this effort we signal loud and clear that our students come first. That even as we move into a new phase of our University’s history, California remains a place of opportunity for hard-working students who view higher education as the route to a better life.” Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a festive reception in the Heritage Lounge rotunda inside the Natali Student Center. “Gerri Jones is a leader who provides great hope for the future of this university,” said Jim Davis ’73, member of University’s Council of Trustees. “She can talk to young people because her life is a shining example that your dreams can come true.”
Academics, Tradition, Service in Spotlight
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n the run-up to inauguration day, a weeklong series of events celebrated academic excellence, honored Cal U traditions and emphasized the University’s commitment to service. More than 50 students headed downtown Oct. 13 for a Day of Responsibility, which coincided with the national Make a Difference Day created by USA WEEKEND magazine. Despite rainy weather, the volunteers pulled weeds, picked up litter, washed storefront windows and reorganized books and shelves at the public library. “I think it’s a good thing to help out in the town,” said junior Emily Moyer, an athletic training major and member of student government who was washing windows at BeeGraphix. “We live in this town most of the year, and it’s important to get along and show we care.” Earlier in the week, academic departments from Cal U’s three undergraduate Colleges organized a series of presentations, performances and special events. The Department of Art and Languages teamed with the Manderino Library staff to transform most of the library’s first floor into a colorful, multicultural mashup of Mexican Day of the Dead festivities and Arabic traditions. Music, costumes, Día de Muertos displays and a buffet of Mexican and Arabic foods contributed to the holiday atmosphere. “We tried to connect family and heritage,” explained faculty member Andrea Cencich, pointing out a display of family photos featuring President Jones. “It’s a really great showcase of the
students’ artistic and creative talents. They created all the displays, researched and portrayed the nationalities, and even did the baking.” In the Heritage Lounge rotunda inside the Natali Student Center, students from the Department of Music and Theatre performed “When Geri met Cali(fornia University of Pennsylvania),” a revue consisting of movie scenes, dances and music that graduate student Elaine Smith ’15 paired with milestone moments in President Jones’ life and career. Junior Ryan Johnson portrayed Vito Corleone in the opening scene of “The Godfather,” a blockbuster film in 1972 — the year President Jones earned her bachelor’s degree. “While preparing for this, I most definitely learned a lot about President Jones. I find her journey as a woman of color to be just outstanding. She’s persevered a lot.” The Department of History, Politics and Society arranged for members of the Langston Hughes Poetry Society to present readings by and about the poet, who is among the President’s favorite writers. The Department of TRIO and Academic Services, where President Jones began her career at California, created a photo display, “Geraldine M. Jones Through the Years.” Sophomore Rachel Blough, an early childhood education major, curated the collection of photographs and newspaper clippings illustrating various roles the President has held on campus. The English Department and Dr. Christina Fisanick showed a digital storytelling project created by junior Elizabeth Brueggman, a commercial
Above, Cal U Spanish and international studies major Lydia Ponticel wears a traditional costume during a multicultural symposium at Manderino Library. The event was part of a series of activities leading up to the inauguration of President Geraldine M. Jones. Joining Ponticel are (from left) Shannon Chilcote, Ashley Flynn and Jessica Anderson. At left, sophomore Rachel Blough’s photo display, ‘Geraldine M. Jones Through the Years,’ enhances the Heritage Lounge rotunda during inauguration week.
music technology major. Beginning with the 1913 “senior class song” and ending with the alma mater, “Bridging Time and Space” used historical artifacts and items from the Manderino Library collection to illustrate Cal U’s history. The weeklong celebration began with opening remarks by Dr. Kevin
Koury, who succeeded President Jones as dean of the College of Education and Human Services. “Gerri Jones has been an enabling person for me and for many people,” he said. “You can come to her with an idea that will become a very positive result, because she understands and sees the good in things.”
oct. 24, 2016
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Panelists (from left) Dr. Joseph Heim, Cal U senior Kirra Lent, Dr. Melanie Blumberg, Dr. Emily Sweitzer and Dr. Michael Slaven discuss the presidential election at an Issues Expo hosted by the Cal U chapter of the American Democracy Project.
Cheers? Groans? Join the Party on Election Night
W Panel Explores Election Issues F
oreign policy, negative campaign tactics and third-party candidates were among the topics discussed Oct. 6 at an Issues Expo hosted by the Cal U chapter of the American Democracy Project. Faculty from the Department of History, Politics and Society opened the discussion in an effort to engage students with issues of concern as the presidential election nears. Dr. Melanie Blumberg, Dr. Joseph Heim, Dr. Michael Slaven and Dr. Emily Sweitzer were joined on the panel by senior Kirra Lent, an education major who interned with FOX News at this summer’s Democratic National Convention. Heim expressed dismay that key elements of foreign policy have been largely ignored this election season. Two major concerns are the vast numbers of dislocated people, especially in Asia, and what he called the “Asian missile age.” Population growth is out of control in cities such as Karachi, Pakistan, and millions of refugees have entered struggling nations such as Afghanistan. “It’s a crisis that’s coming and, unbelievably, it’s not even being discussed,” Heim said. Heim added that both Pakistan and India own missiles that outstrip American firepower. “This is the missile age, and we are using obsolete technology,” he said. “I
Last Call for Vets Dinner
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he 43rd annual Veterans Day Dinner is set for 6-8 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Convocation Center’s south wing. Alumni who have served in the military should contact the Cal U Office of Veterans Affairs at 724-9384076, or email veterans@calu.edu, if they wish to attend. Seating is limited to the first 125 guests. Lt. Col. Jon Brierton ’94 will be the guest speaker. He serves as installations management directorate strategic planner, for the Office of the Chief of Army Reserve, based near Washington, D.C.He entered full-time military service in 1996. He deployed to Iraq in 2005 and to Afghanistan in 2012. Also recognized at the dinner will be the 2016–2017 Col. Arthur L. Bakewell Veterans Scholarship recipients. The scholarship is awarded annually in memory of Bakewell, a longtime Veterans Club adviser. It is funded through the generosity of the Veterans Scholarship Fund 500 Club.
don’t mean to be an alarmist, but you’re looking at the coming collapse of American foreign policy on a scale we haven’t seen.” Both students and panelists spoke passionately about the contentious tone of the campaigns. “This is probably the most historical political election in my lifetime, if not for generations, and right now you have people afraid to hang political signs in their yards,” said junior Shyanne Hilliard, a political science major. “No matter who wins, there’s going to be a lot of backlash and division.” Blumberg, campus coordinator for the American Democracy project, concurred with that assessment. “There’s a huge wedge that I believe occurred way before this election,” she said. “But the question is, how do you govern after this? It’s the politicians that are driving this wedge between the electorate and dividing the people.” Lent urged students to think more critically about the power of their votes. “Lots of my peers are voting in this election not because they want a certain candidate to win, but rather to protest the current situation. They want to vote for a third party,” she said. “I find it difficult to persuade them to make their vote matter, despite the fact that millennials’ voting, especially in our important state, could potentially have an impact.”
Slaven agreed. “If you vote for a third-party candidate because you’re upset with the major-party candidate whose views are closest to yours, then you’re damaging your own cause.” Sweitzer believes some of the contentiousness, especially among younger voters, simply reflects the times. Social media has enhanced the candidates’ exposure and created a more informed cadre of young voters. “This also has increased general interest, perhaps even some disgust and want-of-change, so there’s all this clashing. What is the outcome?” Heim described the 2016 presidential race as “a dismal election lacking imagination and creativity by both (candidates).” Slaven cast a rare positive light on the contest by crediting the 68- and 70year-old candidates for managing stress well. “How can you stand the blistering criticism of Donald Trump unless you’re Donald Trump? And Hillary Clinton has pretty much been under constant attack for a number of years now,” he said. “They don’t seem bothered by things that would just kill normal people. They seem to enjoy the fight.” Another Issues Expo will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 25 in Natali Student Center, rooms 206-207.
ill it be a nail-biter or a blowout? Find out at Cal U’s 2016 ElectionWatch party beginning at 8 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Performance Center, inside the Natali Student Center. Students, employees and community members will share informal conversation as results of the presidential election and other key races unfold. Admission is free. “It is exciting to watch the returns with others, especially when the states are being called,” said political science professor Dr. Melanie Blumberg. “Winners cheer and losers groan. No one is quiet.” This year’s ElectionWatch is presented by the campus chapter of the American Democracy Project, the Office of the Provost/Academic Affairs, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Department of History, Politics and Society. Enthusiasm has run high among students who gathered during the campaign season to watch the presidential and vice presidential debates. The Pennsylvania Senate race is also garnering national attention, Blumberg said. Anticipating a possible late night, she reserved the Performance Center until 3 a.m. “We have had impressive turnouts since instituting this event,” she said. “Many students, to their credit, stay to hear the victory speech. “The decisions made by elected officials affect a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from student loan guarantees to health care coverage,” she added. “One way to have a say in these and other policy decisions is to vote. Officeholders pay attention when people pay attention.”
‘Hairy’ Tale Offers Halloween Fun
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he fall semester’s second presentation by the Department of Music and Theatre showcases the talents of Cal U’s newest actors. First-year students will appear onstage Oct. 27-29 in Suzan Zeder’s “Wiley and the Hairy Man,” a thrilling adventure. Suitable for the whole family, this tale centers on a young, fatherless boy, his conjure-woman mother, his faithful dog, and the Hairy Man who haunts Wiley’s days and dreams. Through rhythm and rhyme, a chorus creates the mystery of the swamp. This is the 20th annual first-year student show at Cal U. “This is fun, silly, scary and a great show that addresses the human universal of overcoming your fears and succeeding even when you think the odds are stacked against you,” said director John Paul Staszel ’03, assistant professor in the Department of Music and Theatre. “This is a must-see over Halloween weekend.” Curtain time is 7 p.m. Oct. 27-28, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Oct. 29. All performances are in the Gerald and
First-year students in the Department of Music and Theatre will present ‘Wiley and the Hairy Man’ Oct. 27-29 in the Gerald and Carolyn Blaney Theatre in Steele Hall.
Carolyn Blaney Theatre in Steele Hall. Cost is $12 for patrons of all ages. 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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oct. 24, 2016
Timms Named Employer of the Year
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amie Timms, talent acquisition manager of Enterprise Holdings Inc., is the 2016 recipient of the Cal U Career Advantage Advisory Board’s Employer of the Year Award. Timms received the award Oct. 4 during the Fall Job and Internship Fair at the Convocation Center. Sponsored by the Career and Professional Development Center, the fair brought in more than 70 companies and organizations to recruit students and alumni for internship, co-op, job shadowing and employment opportunities. A record 465 students attended. For the past 16 years, Timms has been recruiting Cal U students through internships and a management training program. Over the past two years, Enterprise has hired 21 Cal U students for full-time positions in western Pennsylvania. “We continue to come back to Cal U because we consistently get good results here,” Timms said. Timms, who was nominated by several Cal U faculty and staff members, has served on the Career Advantage advisory board for several years. The
panel of employers, alumni, faculty, staff, students and parents support the program, which helps students to discover a suitable career path and graduate on schedule. Timms also shares her perspective on workforce needs and shares tips while taking part in a number of careerbuilding activities at Cal U. Dr. John Kallis, dean of the Eberly College of Science and Technology, presented the award. Through Timms’ efforts, he said, Enterprise has been a jobs fair sponsor for many years. “Jamie’s dedication to career building, along with her commitment to our University, our Career and Professional Development Center and, more importantly, to our Cal U students, clearly stands out,” he said. Timms praised the career center, directed by Rhonda Gifford, for allowing Enterprise to connect with students of varying backgrounds. “Rhonda and her team create an environment where we are allowed to come in and truly interact and network with the students to get the results we need.”
Speaker Calls for End to Transgender Bias
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Harvard University faculty member and transgender activist called for greater understanding and an end to the violence that threatens the transgender community. Physicist Mischa Haider shared some sobering statistics Oct. 11 at two LGBT History Month presentations sponsored by Cal U’s Lambda Bridges LGBTQA Programs Office. “More people are talking about trans issues, and that’s a good thing,” Haider said. But in 2015, more than 20 transgender women were murdered — and that number has already been surpassed this year. Haider is an applied physicist at Harvard University who studies applications of mathematical and physical models to social networks. She has written for The Advocate and Tikkun, and her research has been published in Applied Physics Letters. Haider blames implicit bias for the “shocking” number of transgender people who either commit suicide or are victims of violence. “These biases are not just unjust, they are killing people.” What some people dismiss as “political correctness” is, in fact, basic courtesy that ought to be the norm in a diverse society. For example, she loathes the word “tranny.” “When someone says that word, it bothers me more than being sworn at. It
Physicist and transgender activist Mischa Haider calls for greater understanding and an end to the violence that threatens the transgender community during and LGBT History Month presentation on Oct. 11 in Vulcan Theater.
means I am viewed not as a human, but as the butt of a joke. “We need to stop seeing men and women as bodies but look at them as people, and that will be an important step in humanizing everyone,” said Haider, who is a member of the board of trustees at Lambda Literary, which promotes LGBT literature and sponsors the annual Lambda Literary Awards. “We need to treat people with respect … and let them live out their truth.”
Jamie Timms (center), talent acquisition manager at Enterprise Holdings Inc., receives the Cal U Career Advantage advisory board’s Employer of the Year Award from Rhonda Gifford, director of the Career and Professional Development Center, and Dr. John Kallis, dean of the Eberly College of Science and Technology.
Register Now for Online Winter College Courses
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t’s not yet Halloween, but registration is under way for Cal U Winter College. Students who attend any college, including the 14 universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, may register for the 100 percent online classes offered during the break between the fall and spring semesters. The winter session runs from Dec. 19 through Jan. 20. Students can register any time before the first day of classes. This year, Cal U’s Winter College offers 29 undergraduate and 17 graduate courses on a wide variety of topics. More than 1,400 students took courses during Cal U’s third Winter College session last year. “Because Winter College courses are
100 percent online, they are especially convenient for students who may be busy with work or family obligations between the fall and spring semesters,” said Dr. Bruce Barnhart, Cal U’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Winter College is one way we encourage our students to stay on track and remain enrolled until they earn a degree.” A complete list of winter courses is available online, along with information about tuition and fees, financial aid, library services and technology support. Online registration also is available. To learn more about Winter College, visit www.calu.edu. Look for a link on the homepage, or search for “winter college.”
Graduation Fair Today
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he Cal U Bookstore helps students prepare for 2016 Winter Commencement by hosting a Graduation Fair from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 24. Soon-to-be graduates can meet campus and vendor representatives and order graduation necessities such as caps and gowns, as well as class rings, announcement notices and diploma frames. Each Commencement participant must wear an academic robe and matching cap purchased at the bookstore. An exception is made for students who choose to wear their military uniforms. Commencement ceremonies for master’s degree candidates will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 16. Bachelor’s and associate degrees will be awarded at 10 a.m. Dec. 17. Both Commencement ceremonies will take place in the Convocation Center arena. The bookstore is located in Room 125 of the Natali Student Center. For details about the fair, contact Pam Pazzabon at 724-938-5572 or pazzabon@calu.edu.
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
Dr. Nancy Pinardi Vice President for Student Affairs
Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall, Jeff Bender Writers
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