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California University
VOLUME 16, NUMBER 10 JULY 21, 2014 READ THE JOURNAL ONLINE: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal
Cal U, IU1 Ink ESL Credit Agreement al U and Intermediate Unit 1 have announced a five-year agreement that will allow students who have achieved English as a Second Language (ESL) certification through IU1 to receive 18 credits in Cal U’s online Master of Education in ESL program. The M.Ed.-only (without certification) program in ESL is offered through Cal U Global Online. To be eligible, an applicant must meet the admission requirements and be accepted by Cal U’s School of Graduate Studies and Research. IU1 provides leadership and educational services to the schools and communities of Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties, including direct student services in the areas of special education, nonpublic education, adult basic literacy and English as a second language. The new agreement recognizes the achievements of individuals certified in ESL through the Intermediate Unit while providing the opportunity for them to continue their graduate-level education at Cal U. The agreement also provides both institutions with more precise guidelines for advising students who are interested in pursuing the master’s degree in ESL offered through Cal U Global Online. The credit agreement continues a
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A new agreement between Cal U and Intermediate Unit 1 will allow students with IU1’s certification in English as a Second Language to receive 18 credits in Cal U’s online Master of Education in ESL program.
New Students Arrive Aug. 17-22 al U will welcome first-year students as they move into University Housing during the week of Aug. 17-22. New and returning students are expected to arrive at Vulcan Village, on the upper campus, throughout the week. On the main campus, Move-In Day has been scheduled for Aug. 22. New students whose names begin with letters A through M are scheduled to arrive between 9 a.m. and noon. Students whose last names begin with N through Z will move in between noon and 3 p.m. Volunteers will be on hand at the main campus residence halls to greet incoming students and their families, and to offer assistance as they carry their belongings inside. Move-In Day 2014 will begin the sixth annual Cal U for Life New Student Orientation, a studentfocused experience that closes with a core values candlelight ceremony and fireworks on Aug. 24. The three-day — Continued on page 2
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collaboration that supplements the “Cal U/IU1 ESL Professional Development Project,” which trains personnel to support English language learners in Pennsylvania’s public schools. The project is funded by a $1.8 million English Language Acquisition: National Professional Development Grant awarded in 2012 by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of English Language Acquisition. Dr. Kevin Koury, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, and the IU1 team recently were awarded $392,800 for the third year of the project. At IU1, the grant supports development of a model continuum of professional development opportunities for pre-service teachers, new teachers, experienced teachers, principals, assistant principals and paraprofessionals who are teaching Englishlanguage learners. The grant also gives teachers-in-training at Cal U the opportunity to complete statemandated coursework in teaching Englishlanguage learners. Students who wish to learn more about the credit agreement may contact Jenny Lent at jenny.lent@iu1.org or Patricia Hazen at patricia.hazen@iu1.org; or Cal U Global Online at calugo@calu.edu.
Canine Officer Now on Duty he newest member of the California University Police Department is alert, personable, highly trained — and loves to gnaw on tennis balls. Bas, a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois, is the first canine member of Cal U’s campus police force. Purchased from Battle Ridge Kennels and K9 Services in West Virginia, the dog is being trained in obedience, patrol, tracking and narcotics detection skills. “This is another element of our department’s community policing approach,” says Cal U police Chief Edward McSheffery. “Our No. 1 job as police officers is to make this campus a safe environment for both our students and our employees. Bas can help with that — but he’s also here to help us build relationships between the police force and our students. That’s what community policing is all about, and this dog has just the right personality for the job.” The American Kennel Club describes the Belgian Malinois as “an alert, highenergy breed” that resembles a smaller, lighter-boned German shepherd. “Intelligent and trainable, the Belgian Malinois possesses a strong desire to work,” the kennel club reports. Bas has begun patrolling the campus with his handler, Sgt. Robert Kwiatkowski. In addition to visiting academic buildings and residence halls,
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Sgt. Robert Kwiatkowski, Cal U’s canine specialist, introduces Bas to Jaime Sprenger, 11, of Coal Center, and Ava Barbao, 6, of Donora. The children were attending the annual Kidz Fair, held July 9 at Center in the Woods. Kwiatkowski and Bas patrol the campus and make community visits as part of the California University Police Department’s community policing approach.
the pair has attended large-scale events such as Honors Convocation and Commencement. “Bas is a public relations officer, as well as a patrol officer,” says Kwiatkowski. “He’s a very social dog, smart and well trained. But he’s also a working police dog, trained to protect his human partner and enhance campus safety.” Bas travels in a specially marked patrol car “and should be treated with the same respect as any police officer,” his handler says. The region’s business community has
given Bas a warm welcome. Clover Farm Veterinary Clinic, in Fredericktown, is providing medical care. Tractor Supply Co. in Belle Vernon will provide dog food, and the Walmart store in West Brownsville has donated various pet supplies. Poochies, in North Huntingdon, will groom the dog, and many others have made donations toward his care. “I can’t thank these community partners enough,” McSheffery says. “Their generosity will help us to give Bas everything he needs to be a healthy and productive member of the department.”
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Trustees Hear About Programs, International Recruitment n an effort to boost enrollment Cal U is developing new academic programs and actively seeking new students, including those from overseas. Interim University President Geraldine M. Jones outlined the two-pronged approach last month in her quarterly report to the Council of Trustees. “We must combat the decline in enrollment by attracting new students to the University, as well as offering new and relevant programs,” she told council members at the June 18 meeting. In fact, the quarterly meeting was rescheduled to accommodate the President’s travel abroad. With sponsorship from the Turkish Cultural Council of Pittsburgh, she and a small delegation from Cal U visited Turkey, where they began a dialogue with officials from universities in the cities of Istanbul, Ismir and Konya. The delegation discussed a variety of options, including study abroad programs, faculty exchanges and possible “2+2” program agreements. “I believe that the pool of prospective international students is large and growing,” President Jones told the Trustees. “We know that many students overseas are seeking an opportunity to experience higher education in the United States, and this has the potential to increase the number of tuitionpaying international students at Cal U.” Dr. Bruce Barnhart, acting provost, reported that the Office of Academic Affairs is taking steps toward adding graduate-level programs. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education has received Cal U’s proposal for Professional Science Master’s degrees in cybersecurity and applied mathematics. “Cal U’s proposed programs draw on the University’s existing strengths in STEM areas — specifically, forensic and computer science, and applied mathematics,” Barnhart told the Trustees. “PSM degrees dovetail perfectly with Cal U’s emphasis on career-focused education.” Academic Affairs also has taken the first step in a long process that could lead to Cal U’s first doctoral-level program — a proposed Doctor of Health Science degree that would be housed in the Department of Exercise Science. In other business: • Reporting for the Office of Administration and Finance, associate vice presidents Fawn Petrosky and Rosanne Pandrok discussed the annual facilities inspection report and presented a budget update that projects a small year-end surplus, even after $2.6 million is set aside for planned construction, life-cycle renovations and deferred maintenance on campus buildings. • Dr. Nancy Pinardi, interim vice president for Student Affairs, reviewed the success of the
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Community Connection As part of a community service project, youngsters (from left) Laura Pennock, Norma Cusin, Camryn Joy Williams and Dorey Gunter clear a species of invasive plant from the banks of Pike Run, near Rotary Park, to create more space for recreation. The students were among more than 1,200 members of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, who attended the Friends General Conference held at Cal U from June 27‐July 5. The annual gathering brings together individual Quakers and members of Friends congregations throughout the United States and Canada.
SEEK Offers 2 Sessions EEK, Cal U’s annual Summer Educational Enrichment for Kids program, will offer two weeklong sessions next month for children entering grades 1-8. Classes will be held Aug. 4-8 and Aug. 11-15. Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. daily. Cost is $135 per child for a full-week, full-day program, or $90 per child for a full-week, half-day (morning or afternoon) program. Participants are escorted between classes and supervised at lunchtime. Each child should bring a bag lunch; refrigeration is not available. To review the 2014 SEEK brochure and register, visit www.calu.edu. For more information, contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 724-938-4407 or e-mail seek@calu.edu Office hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Cal U athletics program, which this year won the PSAC’s Dixon Trophy for having the most successful all-around program. Cal U’s 385 student-athletes also succeed in the classroom, she said. A total of 231 student-athletes earned a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 this spring, and 42 of them attained a perfect 4.0 GPA. Pinardi also reported that Donna George, Cal U’s alcohol and other drugs prevention specialist, has been selected to coordinate PASSHE’s AOD Coalition. George will provide strategic direction and coordination for the PASSHE-wide prevention and education program during the next two years. • Craig Butzine, vice president for Marketing and University Relations, reported on the success of an integrated marketing campaign based on televised academic programs. Local CBS affiliate KDKA-TV aired two episodes of “Technology Today” and 30-minute programs featuring the FIRST® Robotics and BotsIQ competitions, all presented by Cal U. More than 58,000 viewers tuned in to the programs, which highlighted Cal U’s academic programs. The University also distributed DVDs of the programs and boosted outreach with postings online and through social media. • 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 nearly $34.5 million, on the way to the $35 million goal. The University also anticipates its third endowed chair, a milestone that will be celebrated at an appropriate time during the upcoming academic year. • After noting the retirement of vice president Dr. Charles Mance, the office of University Technology Services announced a collaboration with SAI in developing a 10-year lifecycle plan for refreshing residence hall technology. New PCs and printers will purchased for Residence Life, emergency call boxes will be replaced, and network equipment will upgraded in Residence Hall A and Smith and Guesman Halls. • During the meeting’s public comment period, Dr. Barbara Hess, newly elected president of the faculty union, introduced herself to the Trustees and praised President Jones. “I know it’s not been easy,” said Hess, a longtime professor in Cal U’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and Information Systems. “Yes, we have challenges, but we also have someone who listens. I hope the lines of communication remain open.” The Council of Trustees is scheduled to meet again on Sept. 3.
MoveIn Day Activities Set for Aug. 22 — Continued from page 1 program helps freshmen and transfer students meet their classmates and discover the programs and services offered at Cal U. Move-In-Day activities include a picnic-style lunch for all new students and their families from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center. Interim University President Geraldine M. Jones plans to drop by and chat informally with the Cal U community’s newest members. “This is an exciting time, but it also can be an anxious one for our new students and their families,” the President said. “We want to help them get to know the campus and begin to feel at home. It’s so important for the University community to make a positive first impression.” Returning students will move in to main-campus housing from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, just in time for the start of fall semester classes on Monday, Aug. 25. As it becomes available, more information about Move-In-Day and Cal U for Life New Student Orientation activities will be posted at www.calu.edu.
Volunteers will help new students and their families move into the main‐campus residence halls on Aug. 22
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Summer Theatre Students Prepare for ‘Honk Jr.’ he Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy, now in its 17th year, will wrap up its 2014 summer theater experience for young performers with a fully staged production of the children’s musical Honk Jr. at 4 p.m. Aug. 2 in Steele Hall Mainstage Theatre. Hosted by Cal U’s Department of Theatre and Dance, the academy gives students ages 8-17 an opportunity to study musical theater. After acting, voice and dance classes and rehearsals, students present a musical complete with stage sets, costumes and props. Thirty-one MVPs — Mon Valley Performers — are participating in this year’s academy, which opened today. Students study and rehearse from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Honk Jr., with music by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drewe, is a contemporary re-telling of Hans Christiaan Andersen’s classic fable “The Ugly Duckling” adapted for young performers. It’s the story of Ugly, an awkward
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Maria Gismondi ’02 helps students from the Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy create choreographed moves in Steele Hall Mainstage Theatre. This year’s academy concludes with a 4 p.m. performance of ‘Honk Jr.’ on Aug. 2.
duck whose gawky looks instantly incite prejudice from his family and neighbors. Separated from the farm and pursued by a hungry cat, Ugly must
find his way home. Along his rollicking and harrowing journey, he not only discovers his true beauty and glorious destiny, but also finds love and
acceptance in all its forms. “The show is funny, heart-warming and smart — which is why we picked it,” said Dr. Michele Pagen, the academy’s artistic director and the chair of Cal U’s Department of Theatre and Dance. “The MVPs will have great fun bringing these characters and this story to life. We’ve all had moments in our lives when we’ve felt different or perhaps as if we didn’t fit in. This show reminds us all that there is an important place for all of us.” The Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre, the same organization that has accredited Cal U’s Bachelor of Arts in Theatre program since 2005. Mon Valley Performing Arts is one of just six such academies to hold NAST accreditation. The performance of Honk Jr. is open to the public. Ticket price is $8 for adults, $4 for children. Tickets may be purchased at the door. To order tickets in advance, leave a message at 724-938-4220.
Kids Have Fun on ‘Innovator Wednesdays’ here’s still time for children in grades 6-8 to register for Innovator Wednesdays, a weekly day camp at Cal U’s Center for Innovation at Southpointe, in Canonsburg, Pa. Each session includes hands-on, project-based learning that focuses on STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The July 23 session is all about robotics, and the theme for July 30 is “Universe Sandbox.” On Aug. 6, projects focus on simple machines; Aug. 13, civil engineering; and Aug. 20, space engineers. All Innovator Wednesdays classes are conducted by Cal U personnel who are certified teachers. Parents may drop off children from 8-8:30 a.m. at the Cal U Southpointe Center, 135 Technology Drive, Canonsburg, Pa. Pickup time is 3:30-4 p.m. Cost is $20 per session. Snacks are provided, but children should bring their own lunch. Registration is ongoing, but space is limited. For a link to online registration, e-mail Christopher Allen, community education manager, at allen@calu.edu. For questions, contact Allen at 724-873-2765.
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Logan Conti (left) learns about app construction for the Minecraft video game during a STEAM Camp session with instructor Jordan Smolenski. The summer camp focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math activities.
Mueller, Samide Receive Awards r. Tom Mueller, a professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, recently received AmericaView’s Outstanding Education Service Award. AmericaView is a nationwide partnership of scientists who use public-domain satellite data and technologies in support of applied research, K-16 education, workforce development and technology transfer. Cal U has been involved with PAView, an affiliate of AmericaView, since its inception in 2005. Mueller has been PAView’s co-director for the past five years. “AmericaView’s job is to get remote sensing imagery and training to the public,” Mueller said. “That’s really what it’s all about.” Dr. Jeff Samide, associate professor of counselor education at Cal U, received the Distinguished Alumni Scholar Award from Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s College of Education and Educational Technology. Samide holds credentials as a national certified counselor, a master addictions counselor and an approved clinical supervisor. He is a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania and maintains a clinical consultation practice on children, youth and family issues in Bedford County. He serves as co-editor of the career development series Research in Career Development. In 2011, Samide published his first co-edited book, Career Development in Higher Education. His second co-edited textbook, Career Development Across the Lifespan: Communities, Schools and Higher Education, is scheduled for publication this spring.
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GRANTS AWARDED The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research reports that: • Dr. Kevin Koury, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, in collaboration with a team from Intermediate Unit 1, has been awarded $392,800 for the third project year of the Cal U/IU English as a Second Language Professional Development Project.
Department of Earth Sciences, and Jeffrey Sumey, of the Department of Applied Engineering and Technology, have been awarded a $5,750 NASA grant through Penn State University. This funding will support Cal U’s continued participation in the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium.
• Debbie Wojcik, of the Government Agency Coordination Office (GACO), has been awarded a Procurement Technical Assistance grant of $205,325 from the Defense Logistics Agency. This award will be used to continue the services provided to businesses for obtaining government contracts.
• Dr. Gregg Gould, of the Department of Chemistry and Physics, has been awarded $2,200 from the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh. This funding will help provide materials and supplies for students performing research projects.
• Dr. Thomas Mueller, of the Department of Earth Sciences, has been awarded $53,630 for the second project year of his work with the National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence. This funding is part of a three‐year grant from the National Science Foundation.
• Frances Fayish, of the Wellness Center, has been awarded a $1,000 Health Awareness Initiative grant from the Pennsylvania Faculty Health and Welfare Fund. This award will be used for health‐related materials for the 27th annual Cal U Health Fair.
• John Kula, of the Department of Academic Development Services, has been awarded $19,476 for the Summer Food Program. This funding will help to pay for meals provided to Upward Bound participants during the 2014 Summer Academy.
The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research serves faculty and staff by providing comprehensive resources related to external funding for sponsored projects. The OSPR provides support in developing proposals for funding from federal, state and local grants, contracts, foundations and related associations. For more information, call 724-938-1662 or email vogrig@calu.edu.
• Drs. Mario Majcen and Thomas Mueller, of the
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Swimmers Academic All-Americans heir collegiate swimming careers have ended, but the accolades continue for recent graduates Clarissa Enslin and Kelsey Nuhfer. In June both swimming standouts repeated as Capital One At-Large First-Team Academic AllAmericans. The designation was announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Nuhfer is the first three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American in school history. (She also earned third-team honors in 2011-2012.) Enslin is the 10th student-athlete in school history to earn Academic All-America laurels at least twice in a career. Clarissa Enslin The women’s at-large team includes CoSIDA nominees in the sports of bowling, crew, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming and diving, tennis, and water polo. To be eligible for Academic All-American consideration, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of Kelsey Nuhfer 3.30 or higher on a scale of 4.00. Both swimmers also received NCAA postgraduate scholarships for the winter 2013-2014 sports period. Enslin and Nuhfer each was awarded a $7,500 scholarship to be used toward graduate school expenses. Nationally, just 58 student-athletes from all NCAA divisions received postgraduate scholarships for the winter sports season. Cal U is one of just seven institutions to have a pair teammates receive the awards. A native of South Africa, Enslin compiled a cumulative 3.99 GPA while completing her bachelor’s degree in geology with a minor in mathematics. She intends to continue her studies at Idaho State University. Enslin was a seven-time PSAC Champion, capturing multiple individual conference titles in both the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events. She earned NCAA All-America status four times and was an individual qualifier for the NCAA Division II National Championships in each of her four years with the swimming program. Nuhfer, of Warren, Pa., earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a 3.96 cumulative GPA. She will enter a master’s degree program at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Nuhfer was a 12-time individual qualifier for the PSAC Championships and in her sophomore year won a conference title as a member of the 200 freestyle relay team. “I’ve said all along that you can get an outstanding undergraduate education at Cal U that will have you well prepared to go on to either graduate school or the job market,” said Ed Denny, Cal U’s head swimming coach. “I think Kelsey and Clarissa are proof positive of that. The two of them are the walking embodiment of the definition of a student-athlete.”
T Open House at SAI Farm Marshall Lefevre, a senior majoring in conservation ecology and environmental studies, works in the garden at SAI Farm, where the Student Association Inc. held an open house for community members and guests on July 8. AVI, the University’s food service provider, serves produce harvested from the garden at the Sycamore Bistro on campus. In addition to the garden, the 94‐acre SAI Farm includes a renovated farmhouse that is used for meetings and student events, an outdoor pavilion, a disc golf course, hiking trails and other recreation space. Hands‐on activities in environmental science, geology, anthropology and other subjects also are conducted on the property.
CUTV Nabs Telly Awards, PCN Broadcast alifornia University Television received two broadcasting awards last spring and also helped the PSAC air its basketball finals live across the
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state. CUTV won bronze Telly Awards for its live production of the 2013 PSAC football championship game at Bloomsburg University and for a 2013 tapedelay broadcast of a Cal U men’s basketball game, played at home. The campus TV operation now has won 4 Telly Awards since 1988. Gary W. Smith, director of operations for CUTV, explained that a panel of more than 500 industry professionals judges the Telly Awards, looking at all aspects of a production — camerawork, graphics, announcing and, of course, any errors in the course of the broadcast. “This is a great honor for our students, because these awards are judged alongside submissions from professional entities. It’s not just a college or studentspecific award,” he said. “The judges are looking at the whole package.” The TV operation also showed its mettle last March when, for the first time, the PSAC basketball championship games aired live on PCN, the Pennsylvania Cable Network. CUTV produced the women’s basketball broadcast, featuring games played at Edinboro University. Cal U sophomores Zach Lamarre and Allison Steinheiser handled broadcasting duties, reprising roles they played last fall, when CUTV produced the PSAC football championship game for PCN. To prepare for the women’s finals, CUTV held “a full dress rehearsal” by broadcasting the PSAC women’s semifinal games, which were shown on CUTV via tapedelay and posted on YouTube. After the final buzzer, Lamarre and Steinheiser arranged a meeting with the winning coaches, so they would be ready for the finals. “I was absolutely blown away with Zach and Allison,” said Caley Glasgow, director of Strategic Communication and New Media for the PSAC. “They
Cal U students Breana Schinkover (front) and Jennifer Germano, along with Gary W. Smith, director of operations for CUTV, help work inside the production truck during a football game.
were so well prepared and knowledgeable. I certainly did not have to feed them any questions for the coaches meeting.” In addition to airing Vulcan football and a weekly high school football game, CUTV has produced at least one live high school football game for PCN in each of the past 15 years. Glasgow said CUTV has played an important part in the conference’s relationship with the nonprofit cable network. “The students involved with CUTV are seeing the real world and not just theory,” she said. “You can see that Gary has a great rapport with the students, and we (at PSAC) have a great rapport with him.” A number of Cal U alumni freelance for PCN, Smith said. They include Steve Ricci ’11, who served as PCN’s on-site producer at the women’s basketball finals. “CUTV is getting people out there, and the partnership with the PSAC and PCN is a win-win for everyone,” Smith said. “It’s great that people are calling us.”
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
Robert Thorn Vice President for Administration and Finance
Dr. Nancy Pinardi Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
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
Christine Kindl Editor
Office of Communications and Public Relations
250 University Avenue
California, PA 15419
Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall, Jeff Bender Writers
724-938-4195
wald@calu.edu