Spring 2013 - Cal U Review by California University of Pennsylvania

2013

SPRING

DREAM JOBS

Young alumni find career paths that work

The California University of Pennsylvania Magazine CAL U REVIEW Vol. 41 - No. 2 The Cal U Review is published quarterly by the Office of Marketing and University Relations and is distributed free. Third class postage paid at California. CHANCELLOR Acting Chancellor Peter Garland

FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT I still remember the thrill of my first teaching assignment, the job I’d dreamed about and studied for at California State College. As a little girl, I had loved “playing school” with my cousins and neighborhood friends. Now, at last, I would be teaching second-graders at the D. Ferd Swaney Elementary School, in the Albert Gallatin School District. For an aspiring educator, that job was a dream come true. I’ve held many positions since then, but I have never forgotten the satisfaction I felt when I landed that first teaching post. Each year at Commencement, I see the same excitement and anticipation on the faces of many new graduates as they prepare to launch their own careers. Our Career Services office follows up with new Cal U alumni to see how they are faring one year after graduation. Among those who responded to the most recent Graduate Survey, 98 percent report they are either employed or continuing their education in graduate or professional school. Overall, nearly two-thirds of respondents say their work relates to their field of study. Some are still looking for that “dream job,” of course, but others already have found it. Preparing students for rewarding careers is an important focus for any institution of higher education. At Cal U, we believe that a strong academic foundation, coupled with practical, hands-on experience, gives students an edge when it’s time to compete for a job. That’s why Cal U emphasizes undergraduate research, experiential education, leadership opportunities and faculty-supervised internships. In the current job market, real-world experience can be an important steppingstone to employment. And as our graduates’ careers evolve, Cal U keeps the door open, with free lifetime access to Career Services for all our alumni. This edition of the Cal U Review will introduce you to a few of our successful young alumni. Their stories illustrate the bright future that lies ahead for so many Cal U graduates. If you have job skills to share, an internship to offer or a workplace need that our graduates might fill, I hope you will contact Career Services at 724-938-4413. There are many ways to help build careers, and I welcome your participation and support. With warm wishes,

Geraldine M. Jones Interim President California University of Pennsylvania Interim President Geraldine M. Jones communicates regularly with the campus community via e-mail and online. To see all of President Jones’ weekly messages, visit www.calu.edu; click on “About Us” and choose “Meet the President.” To stay up-to-date with the latest happenings at Cal U, alumni may send their e-mail address to alumni@calu.edu.

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BOARD OF GOVERNORS Guido M. Pichini, chairman Marie Conley, vice chair Aaron A. Walton, vice chair Sen. Richard Alloway II Rep. Matthew E. Baker Gov. Tom Corbett Sara Dickson Laura E. Ellsworth Rep. Michael K. Hanna

Ronald G. Henry Bonnie L. Keener Jonathan B. Mack Joseph F. McGinn Harold C. Shields Robert S. Taylor Ronald J. Tomalis, secretary of education David Wolfe Sen. John T. Yudichak

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Geraldine M. Jones, interim president Dr. Bruce Barnhart, acting provost/vice president for Academic Affairs Dr. Charles B. Mance, vice president for University Technology Services Robert Thorn, vice president for Administration and Finance Craig Butzine, vice president for Marketing and University Relations Dr. Nancy Pinardi, interim vice president for Student Affairs Jessica Urbanik, interim vice president for University Development and Cal U for Life COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES Robert J. Irey, chair Lawrence Maggi ’79, vice chair Peter J. Daley II ’72, ’75 James T. Davis ’73 Annette Ganassi Michele M. Mandell ’69 Robert Miner, Jr. ’78

Michael Napolitano ’68 Jerry Spangler ’74 Aaron Walton ’68 Michael G. Crosen, student member Peter Garland, acting chancellor, ex-officio

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lorraine Vitchoff ’74, president Barbara (Williams) Fetsko ’75, ’83, vice president Lynne (Moltz) Stout ’94, secretary Brian Fernandes, treasurer ’99, ’00 Tim Gorske ’62, immediate past president Colleen (Murphy) Arnowitz ’75, ’97 Autumn Koerbel ’02 Loralie (Koerbel) Bruce ’05 Anthony Lazzaro ’55 Rosemary (Rich) Bucchianeri ’69 Don Lee ’69 Trinette (Schmidt) Cunningham ’93 Don Martin ’89 Mindi D’Auria-Fisher ’07 Michael Napolitano ’68 Kimberly (Mahaffey) Fahey ’97, ’99 George Novak ’55 Christina (Kost) Fosbrink ’01, ’03 Melanie (Stringhill) Patterson ’82, ’88 Josh Fosbrink, ’01, ’03 Fred Retsch ’62, ’66 Paul Gentile ’62 Dolly Rozzi ’64 Jesse Hereda ’04 Abigail Grant Sheg ’07 Alan James ’62 James Stofan ’71 Len Keller ’61 Tim Susick ’76, ’78 Marc Keller ’94 Judy (Durko) Zilkowski ’77, ’83 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Geraldine M. (Johns) Jones ’72, ’80, interim president Dr. David L. Amati ’70, ’72, president, Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania Cathy (Holloway) Connelly ’95, ’96, senior director for Cal U for Life Jessica (Laick) Urbanik ’00, interim vice president for University Development and Cal U for Life Dr. Michael Slavin ’74, APSCUF president STUDENT MEMBERS Michael Crosen Jonothan Dashiell

Amy Dunn Elizabeth Lynerd

SAI BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jenna Terchanik, president David Mutich, vice president Brendan Demmy, treasurer Alexandra Brooks, secretary Hope Cox ‘00, ‘01 Chelsea Getsy Autumn Harris ‘12

Sam Jessee ‘90 Kembia Munsanje Marc Roncone ’03 Dr. Donald Thompson Marc Roncone ’03 Stephen Zemba

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Dr. Nancy Pinardi ’95, ’96, ’98 Leigh Ann Lincoln

Larry Sebek ‘90, ‘94

FOUNDATION FOR CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. David L. Amati ’70, ’72, president Steven P. Stout ’85, vice president Armand E. Balsano ’74, secretary Paul Kania ’87, treasurer William R. Booker ’74 Robert Lippencott ’66 Courtney E. Cochran ‘12 Reginald A. Long ’81 Robert E. Eberly III Lawrence Maggi ’79 William R. Flinn ’68 Michael A. Perry ’63 Richard C. Grace ’63 Dr. Harry E. Serene ’65 Dr. Annette M. Kaleita ’55 Dr. Saundra L. Stout ’72 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Geraldine M. Jones ’72, ’80, interim president Dr. Lorraine G. Vitchoff ’74, president for the Alumni Association Jessica (Laick) Urbanik ’00, interim vice president for University Development and Cal U for Life EDITOR Christine Kindl WRITERS Wendy Mackall Jeff Bender

Bruce Wald ’85

PHOTOGRAPHERS S.C. Spangler Greg Sofranko

Abby Kraftowitz

INSIDE:

Chaz Sztroin ‘12, co-owner of Octane Mixed Martial Arts, developed his business with guidance from the Entrepreneurial Leadership Center at Cal U. Page 6

INSIDE DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

CAMPUS CLIPS

12–15

ALUMNI NEWS

16–17

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

20–21

SPORTS PROFILE SPORTS ROUNDUP

With internships and other real-world experience on their resumes, young alumni launch exciting and satisfying careers.

24–25

PAYING IT FORWARD MILESTONES

Dream Jobs

Minding Their Own Business

27 29–34

Entrepreneurs know what it takes to get a new enterprise off the ground: a great idea, sound business sense and a hefty helping of hard work.

Hollywood on the Mon New title for Cal U’s leader Call her Interim President Jones. At a special meeting on March 20, the PASSHE Board of Governors removed the “acting” label and named Geraldine M. Jones interim president of Cal U. A resolution recommending the change in title had been approved March 6 by the University’s Council of Trustees. “I am honored and humbled by this vote of confidence,” says President Jones, who had served as acting president since May 2012. “California University is my alma mater, and it has been the focus of my professional life for 40 years. I am confident that a bright future lies ahead for this institution, and with the help of our faculty, students and staff, I will make every effort to keep Cal U moving forward.”

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When the Convocation Center plays a role in a major motion picture, Cal U students and staff get an insider’s view of the film industry.

Education by Exploration

Two students report on their Semester at Sea, a 107-day trans-Atlantic learning experience.

Leadership Lives Here

The Vulcan Village apartment complex prepares to open a residential Leadership Living-Learning Community that focuses on community service.

YOUR REVIEW IS ONLINE The Cal U Review is available online in an easy-to-read format. Visit www.calu.edu/news and click on ‘Cal U Review’ to see the current issue or previous editions. ‘As Seen in the Review’ also provides links to special online-only features!

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Hands-on experience with professional sports teams in Pittsburgh positioned Josh Giffin ‘12 for a job with the New York Yankees.

Dream Jobs Young alumni find career paths that work

ll the baseball-as-real-life metaphors apply for Josh Giffin ’12. Yes, he knocked his interview out of the park. Yes, his job is a field of dreams. And yes, he really hit a home run with his first work experience in the “real world.” But when your first job is with the New York Yankees, one of the most recognizable franchises in all of sports, it’s no longer metaphorical. This is real life. “It’s going great,” Giffin says of his job as an inside sales associate with the Major League Baseball team. “New York City life is like no other. I’m working with the most prestigious sports brands in the world and the best people in the sales business. To be able to walk into an organization with such a history … is humbling. It’s a great experience every day.”

Working in their fields

Cal U has some impressive statistics about graduates who are working in their fields, says Rhonda Gifford, director of Career Services. The most recent Graduate Survey, which included graduates from Summer 2010 through May 2011, shows that 62 percent of respondents have jobs “related to their majors.” That number has remained consistent — between 60 percent and 70 percent — over the past five years. Career Services provides opportunities such as Senior Career Week, where companies such as PNC, U.S. Steel and

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more come to campus to recruit. Students hold mock interviews with employers who match their majors, and the Cal U Career Network connects alumni and employers who volunteer to share their experiences with students. “We offer our students a lot of opportunities for experiential education through our Internship Center,” Gifford says. “Job shadowing, internships or cooperative educational opportunities are all ways our students have of connecting with their dream jobs.”

‘Give yourself an edge’

Margaret “Maggie” Fike ’12, who is finishing her first year as a high school Spanish and French teacher in the North Clarion County (Pa.) School District, went all the way to Chile to get the experience she believes made all the difference in her job search. In 2011 she and five other students visited Chile with Andrea Cencich, a Santiago native and an instructor in the Modern Languages and Cultures Department. They took part in a three-credit internship and served as teachers’ aides at The English Institute in Santiago and at Colegio Villa Aconcagua in Concon. It went so well that Fike returned to Chile last summer to teach fourth-graders at The English Institute. “I think it was a difference-maker in landing my position,” she says. “I know other people who graduated with the same degree as I did (Spanish and education) and didn’t get a job. You need to do something different to give yourself an edge. “I had to be willing to relocate a little to find this job. But I love it here.”

The edge for Nate Wright ’12, a process control engineer at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Works, also came from an internship. As a computer engineering technology student, he worked on a NASA research project that showed how kites could be used to reduce the cost of collecting data from the air. “I was allowed to do a lot of the developing and coding and straight engineering work on the project itself, and that helped a lot, especially during my interview process,” he says. Wright’s work at U.S. Steel involves collecting data and programming computers to improve efficiency at the mill. “My job is kind of geared toward the computer science courses I took. But we also had a lot of hands-on experience with electrical systems at Cal U, and it’s nice to see that out in the field — real people actually using this stuff.” Wright made another connection when he was introduced to Melvin “Bucky” Walkush ’81, who also works at U.S. Steel. “Professor (Dr. Jeff) Sumey said, ‘You should probably interview there.’ So I did, and I was invited back for a second round with Bob Kieffer ’98, who is my boss now, after he came to campus for a recruitment event. “So the way I found out about my job now was really through an unrelated project. It’s very cool how these connections can open doors.”

Sound decisions

These graduates have done many things just right, Gifford says. “Consider the job market and be willing to relocate if necessary. Know how to write a great resume and what should be on it. And get involved on campus to network and develop leadership skills.” Giffin was a sport management major with minors in marketing and leadership at Cal U. His resume breakthrough came when he was charged with organizing a hockey night featuring the University’s club teams and supporting student scholarships. It was held at CONSOL Energy Center, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Cal U is the team’s official education partner. “It was a long process, with lots of meetings with Cal U hockey and the Penguins’ staff,” he says.

Nate Wright ‘12 says networking was key to securing a job at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Works.

Margaret ‘Maggie’ Fike ‘12 believes her internship in Chile helped her land a teaching job.

“It also was beneficial to have worked on game-day operations for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And the Sport Management Club at Cal U was also important.” All of it prepared him for an intensive interview process with the Yankees. “I went to an interview event in Cleveland, and I had about 15 minutes to tell about my experience and the different ways I was proactive with organizations at school. “It honestly felt like draft day, where you have a limited amount of time to prove yourself. To compete successfully against students from Harvard, Colgate — Ivy League schools — was definitely an awesome experience.”

Room to grow

Giffin, Fike and Wright all say their jobs have, indeed, been a dream so far, with plenty of opportunities to improve and advance. “It’s stressful,” Giffin says. “But it’s also a great platform for me, and there is room to grow in the company.” “U.S. Steel has given me a lot of responsibility in a short amount of time,” Wright says, “and they definitely invest a lot in employee development.” Fike says the first year of managing classes and writing lesson plans is going well, too. “It’s been interesting to learn about the students on my own and figure out what they’re capable of. And to always have a Plan B in case of technical difficulties,” she says with a smile. “I love teaching. I definitely picked the right career path.”

By Wendy Mackall, assistant communications director at Cal U

Graduate survey To see the results of the annual survey of Cal U graduates conducted by Career Services, visit www.calu.edu/careers.

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Nate Folkemer ‘11 (left) and Gregg Johnson ‘11 founded Custom PCs for U (CPU) in California, Pa.

MINDING THEIR OWN

BUSINESS

WITH PLANNING AND HARD WORK, ENTREPRENEURS NURTURE NEW ENTERPRISES

isten closely: Right now, in a café, at the playground, at home, at school, at work, chances are someone around you is experiencing technical difficulties. And venting about it. He needs to get something done. Her computer is freezing! The deadline is looming! Or maybe he needs a new desktop computer. But what kind? What is RAM, anyway, and how much of it is really necessary? Enter Nate Folkemer ’11 and Gregg Johnson ’11, owners of Custom PCs for You (CPU), on Wood Street in California, Pa. They came to Cal U with different plans — Folkemer is a pre-law graduate and Johnson has a commercial music technology degree — but both have a keen business sense. And the pair soon realized that the University and surrounding community had problems they could solve. Their company sells and repairs computers, laptops, tablets and phone accessories. CPU’s specialty is figuring out what kind of personal computer a user needs — general categories are “the consumer,” “the student,” “the professional,” “the gamer” and “the producer” — by asking questions about

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tasks the user performs most often. Then Folkemer and Johnson build a desktop computer that fits. “Some people can buy a basic computer and be very happy,” Folkemer says. “They are extremely upgradable.” The business celebrated its one-year anniversary in April. Recent service additions include repairs to cracked iPhone screens, and training in basic computer skills is coming soon. “This (business) started out with a need,” Folkemer says. “My advice is to put yourself in a casual setting and write down what people are complaining about. That’s a need. And a need means a business opportunity.” That’s an essential business strategy, says Kelly Hunt, who directs the Entrepreneurial Leadership Center (ELC) at Cal U. “There’s a huge difference between a good idea and a good business opportunity. A good business opportunity has to fill a need in the market.”

Octane Mixed Martial Arts in Charleroi, Pa. The facility offers training in MMA, a sport that uses striking and grappling techniques, plus kickboxing, yoga and more. Their other venture is Odyssey Wrestling, a club that provides training for wrestlers who are eager to learn new skills or perfect their techniques. “Our gym is set up to take any and all comers, from people who just want to try something new to the serious MMA athlete,” says Sztroin, who works a day job as the social media, search

Big ambitions

Like the athletes and aspiring athletes who train at his business, entrepreneur Chaz Sztroin ’12 has big goals and ambition to match. Sztroin and Jason Weslager co-own

Chaz Sztroin ‘12 is co-owner of Octane Mixed Martial Arts in Charleroi, Pa.

engine optimization and Web specialist at KTA-Tator in Robinson Township, Pa. “We still have an MMA promotions company in the works that would be the parent company,” he adds. “The plan is to develop athletes through Octane MMA and then have a way for them to enter MMA competitions that we would promote. But our main goal is to provide people with something new to try and a way to get in shape.” The business plan that Sztroin wrote for the MMA promotions company earned him second place in last year’s Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Student Business Plan Competition, which was coordinated at Cal U through the ELC. “Anyone can make a business plan that looks successful,” Hunt says. “But that doesn’t mean that you can make it work. You have to have what it takes to be an entrepreneur. It takes skills and something inside of you.” Sztroin, Folkemer and Johnson all say that support from the ELC has been invaluable as they start to grow their businesses. “Kelly gave us that couch; it was in her attic,” Folkemer says, pointing to CPU’s waiting area. “The center helped us with our grand opening, too.” “She helped us get organized,” Johnson says. “Her advice was to give it three months before you really try to set up a system.” “I think the center allows aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on an idea and have the space to be with like-minded individuals,” Sztroin says. “Kelly has a number of contacts who can steer you in the right direction.”

Cultivating a plan

One idea still being cultivated at the center belongs to Matt Lacey and Dustin Graham, both sophomore business administration majors who grew up on family farms. Their plan: To tap into the growing “buy local” trend and provide organic meats through a company, Complete Organic Farming, located on Lacey’s family farm in Fredericktown, Pa. Their submission to the 2013 PASSHE Business Plan Competition calls for the company to be fully operational by the time they graduate. “There’s a lot of collaboration at the Entrepreneurial Leadership Center,” Lacey says. “If someone here comes across equipment they know we need,

they’ll let us know. And we do the same for them.” Hunt, who also co-owns a car business with her husband in Washington, Pa., adds a necessary dose of reality to the dreams nurtured in the center. “(Facebook founder) Mark Zuckerberg is not the norm. Normal is ‘boot-strapping,’ hustling to find the finances you need until you can get established. “It takes persistence, dedication and determination, and you have to be willing to make that journey. The center is here to help with that.” By Wendy Mackall, assistant communications director at Cal U

Student entrepreneurs Matthew Lacey (left) and Dustin Graham hope to tap into the ‘buy local’ trend for their organic meat business, Complete Organic Farming.

ABOUT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP CENTER AT CAL U Located in Coover Hall and funded through a grant from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, the ELC helps Cal U students, faculty and staff who are interested in owning their own business. Executive director Kelly Hunt provides counseling and resources, and she helps budding entrepreneurs to secure funding and develop business plans. To date, 18 businesses that got their start with the ELC’s assistance

are registered in Pennsylvania, Hunt says. This academic year has seen more than 10 concepts or business plans in development. The center also helps to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset through lectures, workshops and discussions. “Being an entrepreneur is a viable career option for our students,” Hunt says. “Employers are looking for graduates who are creative, innovative, and know how to take calculated risks.”

Kelly Hunt

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ON THE MON Convocation Center plays a role in a major motion picture

ctors Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo will get top billing when the feature film Foxcatcher arrives at theaters this fall. But the Cal U community will be watching for the Convocation Center’s big scene. Crews from Paramount Pictures took over the facility for a week in December, filming scenes at two locations inside the building. Publicists banned photos and press coverage of the “closed set,” but University staff and students were among the 400 extras filling seats in the arena. And two Cal U students, seniors Brian K. Smith and Sarah Martik, helped out behind the scenes. Seniors Sarah Martik and Brian K. Smith get ready for another day behind the scenes on the ‘Foxcatcher’ set.

Based on a true story

Directed by Bennett Miller, whose Moneyball received an Oscar nomination for best picture in 2012, Foxcatcher is based on the real-life story of John E. du Pont, heir to his family’s vast chemical fortune. In 1996, du Pont shot and killed David Schultz, a 1984 Olympic gold medal wrestler, at his Foxcatcher training facility in eastern Pennsylvania. Actor Carell portrays du Pont in the film. Ruffalo plays David Schultz, and Tatum plays his brother Mark, also a champion wrestler. The Convocation Center arena stands in for a French wrestling venue. And a first-floor restroom plays a bit part as an airport facility.

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“The crews worked in such a short window of time,” recalls Becky McMillen, executive director of Cal U Conference Services. “They transformed that space practically overnight, and the actual filming was done in just two days.” Inside the Convocation Center arena, set crews re-created the ring at the 1987 Wrestling World Championships in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Set decorators added draperies, banners and flags. “Sarah and I arrived bright and early Sunday morning, and we went right to work,” says Smith, who’s studying commercial music technology. “We did lots of heavy lifting, stapling and taping. We hung drapes and signs,

moved tables and chairs, plants and props. Everything you’ll see on the big screen we helped to put in place.” While they worked, additional crew members parked the actors’ trailers on the Loop Road and converted the South Conference Wing into wardrobe, hairstyling and makeup stations for the extras. “Craft services” set out snacks on the concourse and provided meals for the cast and crews in Gallagher Hall. “When the actors and directors walked in, they had no idea what Cal U looked like,” McMillen says. “They just saw the wrestling venue they had in mind. They said it was the best set they’d been on so far.”

Lights, cameras, surprises

When the production team arrived, things got “much more laid back, and very focused,” says Smith, who envisions a career in the recording industry. While others were star-gazing, he was thrilled to meet Grammy Award-winning sound engineer Dino DiStefano on the set. “I got to be a fly on the wall, just watching and asking questions,” Smith says. “In terms of sound engineering, it was all much simpler than I’d imagined. There were just four microphones in the Convocation Center, plus three lavaliere mikes on the actors. The engineering, mixing, mastering — it’s all done in post-production.” “My strategy was to sit behind the director, so I could hear what he was telling his actors,” says Martik, who has dual majors in theater and secondary education-Spanish. “To hear him being an actor-coach was fascinating. At the same time, he was paying attention to the cameras, the lights and all the technology. To watch an award-winning director work with such wonderful actors — it was one of the best educational experiences I’ve had.” The film crew had a few surprises for the Conference Services team. “They started filming between 1 and 3 p.m. and didn’t finish until 2 or 3 in the morning,” McMillen says. “That was a learning curve for our events staff — and I think it was a surprise for the extras, too.

“By the second day, the actors were literally doing back flips to keep them in their seats.” In the 1980s, cigarettes were de rigeur in France. To create a smoky effect, the arena was filled with an oil-based fog — which meant turning off smoke detectors and enlisting monitors to stand by with fire extinguishers. To give the “airport bathroom” a retro look, set dressers removed the modern hand-driers and soap dispensers. Cal U’s Facilities Management staff found matching paint to touch up the newly exposed walls.

When the actors and directors walked in, they had no idea what Cal U looked like. They just saw the wrestling venue they had in mind. They said it was the best set they’d been on so far.

Cue the SWAT team

Cal U police officer Robert Kwiatkowski applied to work as an extra on Foxcatcher hoping to fill out a crowd scene in the Convocation Center. He was assigned to the SWAT team instead. “I just happened to be off duty,” says Kwiatkowski, whose status as a genuine police officer earned him the non-speaking part. Dressed as a Special Weapons and Tactical officer, he spent a full day doing “absolutely nothing” on the Foxcatcher set near Ligonier, Pa. The next day he went to Sewickley, “and for 13 hours we did nothing but work.” Kwiatkowski and about two dozen others, mostly law enforcement personnel, played and replayed two scenes with actor Steve Carell. “They shot the exact same scene from so many different angles,” he says. “You can’t imagine the amount of work that goes into it. Now I know why movie tickets cost so much.”

Becky McMillen EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CAL U CONFERENCE SERVICES

“We had to pull in many departments on campus to make this all work,” McMillen says. “And that bathroom scene? It might not even show up in the movie.” Filming wrapped up at 3 a.m. the day before Christmas Eve. By 10 a.m. the set had been struck, the trailers were gone and the last trucks were pulling out of the River Lot. A once-in-a-lifetime experience? McMillen hopes not. “This opened the door for Cal U to be a player in the Pittsburgh movie industry,” she says. “Everyone had a great experience, and now we’re on their radar. If the right opportunity comes along, Cal U is going to be a competitor.” By Christine Kindl, communications director at Cal U

Officer Robert Kwiatkowski

Kwiatkowski says he’d sign on again if the right movie part comes along. He also enjoyed his police shift backstage at the Convocation Center, where he met Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo — two “down-to-earth, regular guys.” “I can’t wait to see the movie,” he says. “It’s going to show our Convocation Center in a real good light.”

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Lauren Snyder and Lauren Turosik sent regular reports to the Cal U website during their travels.

EDUCATION

BY EXPLORATION STUDENTS STUDY WORLD HISTORY THROUGH SEMESTER AT SEA

tudents Lauren Turosik and Lauren Snyder are back on home soil after crossing the Atlantic — twice! — with the Semester at Sea program. Although they anticipated good food, sandy beaches and historic landmarks, neither was quite prepared for the wave of emotion that came with their global experience. Semester at Sea is a global educational program that allows students to earn college credits while traveling the world. Students live and learn aboard a seven-deck, 590-foot ship, studying with expert faculty and learning about history and current issues at each place they visit. Turosik’s and Snyder’s 107-day voyage took them to 16 cities in 14 nations. As they traveled, both students sent dispatches about their adventure to the Cal U website. After a year of planning, the travelers packed a car with two giant suitcases each and drove more than 1,200 miles to Halifax, Nova Scotia. 10 CAL U REVIEW SPRING 2013 n

Aug. 15, 2012

“I cannot wait to experience all the remarkable ports that we’ll soon be approaching. What adventures will Lauren and I run into next?”

- Lauren Snyder

There they boarded the MV Explorer and set off across the Atlantic Ocean to their first destination: Galway, Ireland. “It didn’t really register with me what Lauren and I were about to do until the night before,” says Turosik, a junior with a dual major in tourism studies and communication studies with a concentration in public relations.

Snyder, also a junior, is a communication disorders major with a minor in psychology. “We were kind of in shock,” Turosik recalls, “but once we got to Ireland we made a bunch of friends and were ready to explore Europe.” The program’s first leg kept the students hopping from one European destination to the next. They toured the Guinness Brewery in Dublin, caught a glimpse of royalty at Buckingham Palace in London and ate swordfish in Lisbon, Portugal. After the ship docked in Antwerp, Belgium, it was time for fashion and sun. The students window-shopped in the glamorous stores of Paris and looked for that perfect wave in the surf at Cadiz, Spain. “Our time in Europe was absolutely amazing, but it was over so fast,” Turosik says. “Once we got close to the month of October, it was back to school on the ship.”

Sept. 21, 2012

“I never realized how hard it would be to keep up with school while at sea. The semester with ‘no weekends’ to play catch-up on schoolwork is hard! … It’s a hard schedule to get used to.” - Lauren Snyder

While traveling between ports, the students spent their time studying. All Semester at Sea students are required to take global studies courses, along with additional classes aligned with their major. “Courses were very intense when we were on the ship,” says Turosik. “Even though it was a difficult schedule to keep up with, the courses were fascinating. “Our professors were from all over the world, and they managed to integrate what we were seeing on our excursions into the class.” Turosik studied international marketing and tourism on the floating campus. And like all students, she took a required history and culture class about each upcoming port of call. Yet nothing prepared her for her for her first view of the Third World.

Oct. 12, 2012

“And now I will tell you about a day that I will always remember. … There was a little girl named Ah-Koo who never left my side. … Before we departed the village, her mother came up to me, grabbed my arm and begged me, ‘Please, young girl, take her with you. She will have a better life with you.’” - Lauren Turosik

“Africa was a complete ‘180’ from Europe,” says Turosik. Their ship docked in Ghana, where the students found pristine, whitesand beaches and happy, inviting locals practically side by side with impoverished villages and desperately poor people. “It was hard to take it all in and not just sit there and cry. You have to realize you can’t fix everyone’s problems at once. It is just impossible.” With a police escort, groups of students traveled to numerous villages to deliver donations of bread, water, hygiene items and toys. “When you are in a foreign country and immersed in their culture, you notice just how much poverty there is and the terrible things these people endure,” Turosik says. But the mood lightened as students learned traditional dances, hiked through a national forest and visited local schools. Turosik and Snyder ended their trip by viewing wildlife in South Africa, then crossing the Atlantic for a look at art and street music in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the beauty of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Dec. 10, 2012

“By attending the Semester at Sea program, I learned so much about the world, its people, their cultures and myself. This has been one memorable semester filled with excitement and adventure, and it’s sad to see such a wonderful experience end.” - Lauren Snyder

In Paris, the Cathedral at Notre Dame was one must-see destination for Lauren Turosik (left) and Lauren Snyder.

The students returned home with souvenirs, photos and mixed emotions. “It’s a bittersweet experience,” Turosik says, looking back. “I was happy to be home and see my family, but we bonded with so many people on the ship that it was hard to leave.” “For now I am content to contain my travels to Pennsylvania,” Snyder wrote as the voyage ended, “but I definitely have caught the travel bug!” Participating in the Semester at Sea program changed the way Turosik views life at Cal U. “I have a totally different outlook. I don’t worry about the little things anymore, and schoolwork doesn’t stress me out,” she says. “I used to be uptight, but now I just go with the flow of things. Life could be a lot worse.” By Jeff Bender, PR/Web writer at Cal U

AROUND THE WORLD Student travelers Lauren Snyder and Lauren Turosik shared photos during their trip. To see a slideshow of images from their Semester at Sea experience, visit www.calu.edu/news, choose ‘Cal U Review’ and click ‘As Seen in the Review.’

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CAMPUS C L I P S Scholarship honors interim president

Faculty, staff and Cal U alumni have established a scholarship in honor of Geraldine M. Jones, Cal U’s first AfricanAmerican president. The news came as a surprise to Interim President Jones, who first learned about the scholarship when it was announced at the spring convocation of faculty and staff. “I had no idea about any of this!” said President Jones, whose family was on hand for the announcement. “California University has been a part of my life for 40 years. I can’t tell you how much this has touched my heart.” The effort to create the Geraldine M. Jones Scholarship was led by faculty, staff and students involved in planning for Cal U’s annual Black History Month celebration. “This is the type of person we want our students to emulate,” says Dr. Harrison Pinckney, an associate professor in the parks and recreation management program and a co-adviser for the annual celebration. An accomplished pianist, Jones earned her undergraduate degree in education, with a music concentration, at California State College in 1972. She earned her master’s degree in counselor education in 1980, also at Cal U.

In the Convocation Center, a player from the Harlem Globetrotters shows Nevaeh Carpenter, 8, of Centerville, Pa., how to balance the ball.

The new scholarship will be awarded annually to a female student of color, with priority given to a student enrolled in the commercial music technology program.

Three hot tickets at Convocation Center

A variety of ticketed entertainment events have brought crowds to the Cal U Convocation Center this spring. • About 2,500 fans enjoyed the antics of the Original Harlem Globetrotters, whose “You Write the Rules” show came to California on March 7. One of the most recognizable franchises in sports, the Globetrotters performed their wellknown novelty basketball moves while playing a game modified to reflect new rules submitted online by fans. Players interacted with the audience during the performance, then signed autographs and posed for photos after the game.

Interim President Geraldine M. Jones hugs her husband, Jeff, who was on hand for the scholarship announcement.

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• The Christian pop-rock band Newsboys delivered high-energy music with a message at a performance April 11. Grammy Award nominees and

five-time winners of the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award, Newsboys have five gold albums to their credit and 28 No. 1 radio hits. Their playlist included songs from the band’s current album of rock-driven worship anthems, God’s Not Dead. Newsboys appeared onstage with singer-songwriter Britt Nicole, whose 2012 album Gold was nominated for a Grammy Award. Performances by All Things New and the new duo Campbell rounded out the uplifting, high-energy show. • American music icon Bob Dylan and his band brought their “never-ending tour” to the Convocation Center for an April 13 performance. Dylan’s playlist mixed classic tunes with new songs and re-mixes of some favorites from the past. Appearing with him was the Los Angeles-based rock band Dawes. Dylan’s tour, which targeted universities throughout the eastern United States, attracted students from colleges in Pittsburgh and Morgantown, W.Va. Also in the crowd were a number of longtime fans, some of whom have seen Dylan perform dozens of times in venues across the country.

Mascot ‘guru’ honored as educator

Dr. Roy E. Yarbrough, director of the Sport Management Studies program, accepted the 2013 Distinguished Dr. Roy E. Yarbrough Educator Award from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Director Association. The association recognized Yarbrough for his work as an instructor for the American Sports Education Program. Since 1986, he has conducted clinics in Illinois, Virginia, New York and North Carolina, as well as in Pennsylvania. At Cal U, he has trained more than 5,000 students at Coaching Principles clinics. A former competitive race-walker, Yarbrough was recognized by Sports Illustrated as “the Guru of Mascotology.” He has been a senior judge for the Capital One National Mascot Competition and he is the author of the book Mascots: The History of Senior College and University Mascots/Nicknames.

newspapers from Philadelphia to San Francisco. PennDOT and Cal U hope to extend the campaign into high schools by placing the posters in high school parking lots throughout the region.

New name, same mission for grants office

Cheryl Vogrig

The Office of Grants and Contracts has changed its name to the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR), but its director insists there will

be no change in the comprehensive services offered to faculty and staff. The new name is part of a strategic plan supported by a 15-member OSPR advisory board assembled last fall. Faculty, staff, students and external contacts all have a voice on that panel. “‘Sponsored Programs and Research’ will more accurately reflect the nature of the work carried out by Cheryl Vogrig and her staff, as well as the scholarly, educational and service work completed by faculty and staff who secure funding from outside sources to support the University’s goals and objectives,” said Dr. Stanley Komacek, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research. Over the past three years, the office has helped faculty and staff secure more than $12 million in grants and contracts.

Delta Zeta recognized for ‘TXT L8TR’ campaign

The Delta Zeta sorority at Cal U received special recognition from AAA, formerly the American Automobile Association, for promoting a campaign to discourage distracted driving. In conjunction with PennDOT, the Office of Parking and Transportation at Cal U displayed posters with the message “TXT L8TR” and “Park the Phone” in campus buildings, residence halls, shuttles and bus shelters. Campus organizations encouraged students to sign pledges saying they will not text or engage in any other behavior that might distract them while they’re on the road. The Delta Zeta sisters gathered 404 pledges from Cal U students, more than any other organization on campus. The campaign received national attention, with stories appearing in

Hands, hearts in service

Student Alexis Closson displays a Valentine’s Day decoration created for the American Heart Association during Cal U’s 2013 Day of Service. About 175 students took part in the annual celebration of service inspired by the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year, students created more than 1,800 craft projects for a variety of nonprofit organizations, in addition to hosting a blood drive and preparing food items for the California Food Pantry.

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CAMPUS C L I P S Career Services honors internship hosts

A program advisory board and Career Services honored two industry partners whose career-building efforts have made a difference for Keno Saavedra Cal U students. Keno Saavedra, information technology manager at FedEx Services, and Mary Kate Bartley, manager of workforce development at Presbyterian SeniorCare, received the Employer of the Year award from the Career Advantage Program Advisory Board. Both award recipients hosted Cal U student interns in 2012 and built a strong campus presence through their participation in job fairs, Mary Kate Bartley networking events, on-campus recruitment sessions and classroom presentations. The Career Advantage Program is a four-year plan to help students discover a career path that suits their skills, talents and interests. The program is designed to offer a full range of support and services, allowing students to graduate within the traditional four-year time frame. The program’s advisory board at Cal U includes employers, alumni, faculty, staff, students and parents.

summit, “Re-Building the Village,” addressed topics relating to identity, masculinity, culture, community and education — all factors that affect the success of minority college students. Eight Cal U students, all members of the Cal U Men United mentoring group, attended the conference. In addition to the interim president, they were accompanied by two of the group’s advisers, Dr. Lisa McBride and Alisha Carter, of the Office of Social Equity. To see photos and video from the 2013 Black, Brown and College-Bound Summit, visit www.calu.edu/news; choose “Cal U Review” and click on “As Seen in the Review.”

Vulcan Flyer shuttle makes shopping stop

Aisles full of groceries, school supplies and just about everything else a college student needs are now just a

shuttle ride away from Cal U’s campus. The Office of Parking and Transportation has extended a Vulcan Flyer shuttle route to take shoppers to the new Walmart Superstore, which opened Feb. 1 in West Brownsville, about 2.5 miles from the University’s upper campus. Each hour, one Vulcan Flyer shuttle will continue on to the store after making its final stop at Vulcan Village. “We have been in communication with Walmart and our busing partner, GG&C, for more than a year to create a route that was integrated with normal service,” says Chris Johnston, the University’s director of Parking and Transportation. “Integrating the route means that students do not have to think about getting onto a different bus to go to Walmart. And the route is very efficient. We’re not adding additional costs to the existing service.”

Black, Brown and College-Bound

Interim President Geraldine M. Jones and Cal U student Marc Miller were among the panelists at the fourth annual Black, Brown and College-Bound Summit, held in Tampa, Fla. The summit aims to support AfricanAmerican and Latino men who are seeking higher education. This year’s

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Training days

Police Lt. John Sakoian (right), a 40-year law enforcement veteran and an instructor at Command Excellence LLC, reviews emergency response techniques during a training session at Cal U. After visualizing high-pressure scenarios using a model city, the officers picked up non-lethal, air-powered weapons to practice ‘active shooter’ response tactics. Officers from three universities and six municipalities attended the public safety training session.

To ensure the safety of all passengers, students will be asked to show their CalCards when they board the Shoppers Shuttle, and all buses will continue to be tracked by a GPS system.

CUTV streaming live online

California University Television is now available worldwide through a live stream from an embedded link on its website, cutv.calu.edu.

Senior Gloria Stone films winter Commencement ceremonies for CUTV.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to offer CUTV as a live stream 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” says J.R. Wheeler, student media program director for the Student Association Inc. (SAI). “This will allow students, families, alumni and future students to watch CUTV anywhere in the world and on any type of device.” CUTV, which is owned and operated by SAI, reaches about 10,000 southwestern Pennsylvania homes through the Armstrong (Channel 61) and Atlantic Broadband (Channel 17) cable services. The majority of the 850,000 customers in Comcast’s Three Rivers Region, which includes southwestern Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and western Maryland, now can watch CUTV via Comcast On Demand.

CUTV offers original programming from 4 p.m. to midnight weekdays and from 8 a.m. to midnight Sundays. At other times the channel airs MTVU, which offers music and entertainment geared to a college-age audience.

Women’s Commission bestows lifetime achievement award

The President’s Commission for the Status of Women has honored a retired Cal U administrator with a lifetime achievement award for her efforts on behalf of gender equity. Dr. Lenora Angelone ’89, ’92, ’97, who retired in 2012 as vice president for Student Affairs, accepted the commission’s first Lifetime Achievement Legacy Award during the fall 2012 Outstanding Woman of the Year luncheon. In accepting the award, Angelone reflected on her own 40 years at the University, the 22-year history of the President’s Commission and the change in women’s roles at Cal U during that time. “In 1990 the paths were not cobblestone, the dorms were not suites, the classrooms were not ‘smart.’ Likewise, Cal U was different for women,” she said. “There were fewer

Dr. Lisa McBride (left) presents the first Lifetime Achievement Legacy Award to Dr. Lenora Angelone ’89, ’92, ’97.

of us in leadership roles, and we had little voice.” Two students also were recognized at the luncheon, which regularly honors women for their achievements. Alexandria Sabatini ’12 was named the Fall 2012 Woman of the Year in the traditional undergraduate category. An officer and active member of the Delta Zeta sorority, she also was a member of Student Government, a peer mentor and a member of the College Democrats. Lisa Spinneweber ’12 was the winner in the graduate category. A nurse clinician in the neonatal intensive care unit at Magee Women’s Hospital of UPMC in Pittsburgh, her capstone project at Cal U was a program for the NICU that provides mentors for newly hired nurses.

New office supports GLBT community

Lambda Bridges, a new University office, will focus on educational programming, advocacy and empowerment for Cal U’s GLBT community. Residence hall director Sheleta Webb is coordinating the office’s activities. In conjunction with the studentled Rainbow Alliance, Lambda Bridges will provide support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning and intersex students and their allies on campus. The office expects to bring speakers to campus, attend conferences, join service projects and organize outreach and social activities. Located in the Multicultural Center in Carter Hall, the office will be open 10 hours a week. Lambda Bridges is one of several Student Affairs departments collectively known as S.E.E.D. — Supportive Environments for Excellence in Diversity.

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ALUMNI N E W S

alumni calendar

JUNE T

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GREETINGS FROM THE OFFICE OF CAL U FOR LIFE! As interim vice president for University Development and Cal U for Life, I have the privilege of meeting alumni from all across the country and from all generations. I hear stories of how you were the first in your families to attend college, how you or your parents struggled to pay tuition bills, how you felt a special closeness with the faculty members who were invested in your success. Every story is unique, but each carries the same theme: California was a special place that positively shaped who you are. Today, many of our students continue to face financial hardships and overcome odds. Through the Campaign to Build Character and Careers, we are making a positive impact on their lives. The campaign was launched with the goal of generating $35 million in private gifts, primarily to provide scholarship aid for our students. We have reached more than 95 percent of that total. Now, in the final year, we are seeking your help to reach and surpass $35 million. We need your assistance! Please make a contribution to the campaign today. Your gift will provide scholarship assistance for bright, energetic students who are in desperate need of your help. Many of you have been there. We hope that you will be there for our students now. Your gift should have a special meaning to you. You may want to establish a scholarship in honor or in memory of someone who helped you along the way. Several years ago my family established a scholarship in memory of my father, who along with my mother was instrumental in helping me to receive my college degree. It is satisfying to know that my father’s memory remains alive in the Cal U students who are awarded this scholarship. Every gift, large or small, does make a difference. For information about how you can make a meaningful gift, please contact our office at 724-938-5687. On behalf of our students, we thank you very much!

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MAY-JUNE

S 1

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Alumni Weekend — May 31–June 1 Join us on campus at 5 p.m. May 31 for the Class of 1963 Pioneer 50th Reunion Dinner. On June 1, all graduates may attend the Alumni Association Board meeting at 8:30 a.m. and the annual Alumni Awards Luncheon at 11 a.m. The weekend’s highlight, the President’s Gala, begins at 6 p.m. at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh. See you there! Athletics Golf Outing — June 3 Tee up with Cal U alumni and friends for the annual golf outing sponsored by Cal U Athletics. The outing will be held at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, near Farmington, Pa. For details, contact Chelsea Burk at burk@calu.edu. Joe Howard Memorial Golf Outing — June 14 Cal U football alumni host the 8th annual Joe Howard Memorial Golf Outing at the Uniontown Country Club in Uniontown, Pa. To request an invitation or learn more, contact the Alumni Office at 724-938-4418 or alumni@calu.edu. Philadelphia Alumni Gathering — June 20 Alumni and friends from the Philadelphia area get together to hear updates about Cal U from Interim President Geraldine M. Jones ’72, ’80. Watch your e-mail inbox for details! Athletic Training Alumni Event — June 26 Graduates of Cal U’s athletic training program meet at the 2013 National Athletic Training Association conference in Las Vegas, Nev. Join us from 8-10 p.m. at the Hard Rock Café on the Vegas strip to catch up with your fellow graduates and hear updates about your alma mater.

JULY Harrisburg Alumni Gathering — July 18 Meet alumni and friends from the Harrisburg area from 6-8 p.m. at the Appalachian Brewing Co., 50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, Pa. Find out what’s new at Cal U and enjoy the company of your fellow graduates!

AUGUST Pittsburgh Alumni Gathering — August 1 Get together with graduates from the greater Pittsburgh area from 6-8 p.m. at the Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh, 2705 S. Water St. The social gathering will include an update for our alumni and their guests.

SAVE THE DATE! Plan to attend Cal U’s 2013 Homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 12. Mark your calendar, and watch for details at www.facebook.com/CalUHomecoming.

Jessica Urbanik ’00 Interim vice president, University Development and Cal U for Life

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For more information about alumni events, or to register to attend an alumni gathering, contact the Office of Cal U for Life at 724-938-4418.

Florida stop

Corporate appreciation

New York minutes

Basketball Alumni Day

About 125 people, including more than a dozen Cal U alumni, gathered in the Sunshine State this winter for a Mon Valley Florida Reunion. Enjoying the event are (from left) Gordon Core, Cal U’s director of planned giving; Lou Sepe ’58 and DJ ‘Kraz,’ who provided entertainment for the gathering.

At a series of events Feb. 26-27 in New York City, Cal U alumni discussed ways to become more involved with fundraising, recruitment and alumni engagement. More than 30 people attended the events, which included a dinner at Etcetera, Etcetera and a reception at the home of Dr. Deborah Shanley ’74 in Manhattan. Shown enjoying the reception are (from left) David Zema ‘75, Josh Giffin ‘12, Shendy Hershfield ‘09, Amanda Aldrich ‘07 and Shanley. The next NYC alumni event will be held in August. Watch for details!

More than 25 Cal U alumni, all of them U.S. Steel employees, attended the first Cal U Corporate Appreciation event at the Doubletree hotel in Pittsburgh. U.S. Steel has more than 80 employees who graduated from the University, and Interim President Geraldine M. Jones ’72, ’80 thanked U.S. Steel for its longstanding interest in hiring Cal U students. In turn, company executives outlined future workforce needs and expressed their appreciation for the workforce-ready employees coming from California. For more information on corporate partnership initiatives, contact Tony Mauro ‘92 at mauro@calu.edu.

After being named Alumnus of the Year at Cal U’s annual Basketball Alumni Day, Bill Stahl ’57 (center) savors the moment with Interim President Geraldine M. Jones ’72, ’80 and head basketball coach Bill Brown. Alumni from the men’s and women’s basketball teams returned to campus for the event on Feb. 9. Festivities began with a men’s alumni game, followed by a reception in the Convocation Center. Capping off the day’s events, the Vulcan men’s and women’s teams took on Gannon University.

Capital time

Alumni from the Washington, D.C., area gathered at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse on New York Avenue to meet with Interim President Geraldine M. Jones ’72, ’80 and learn about campus initiatives. Joining her at the March 19 event were graduates from the classes of 1963 through 2012, including (from left) Mitch Kozikowski, associate vice president for University Development, and Sara and Mark ’76 Camillo. Jones charged the entire group with helping to spread the word about Cal U to those in the capital region. For more information about future events in the Washington area, e-mail the Alumni Office at alumni@calu.edu.

A student’s story

Senior Valerie Herrero, a fine arts student and a member of the University Honors Program, spoke to Foundation for California University board members at their annual meeting. A recipient of the Norman Hasbrouck Honors Scholarship, Herrero thanked the board members for ‘a generous investment in my education; a generous reminder to believe in myself; and the reason why I can wholeheartedly dedicate myself to my academics despite the financial hardships that I, along with many students, face. … When you make a gift to Cal U, you are supporting the dreams of students like me.’

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EVERY GIFT MATTERS Annual Fund’s success depends on alumni participation

hen it comes to the Cal U Annual Fund, participation counts. “It’s important for us to reach as many alumni as possible before the end of our fiscal year,” says Cathy Connelly ’95, ‘96, senior director of Cal U for Life. “Last year more than 3,000 alumni donated to the Annual Fund. This year, our goal is to double that number.” The Cal U Annual Fund supports student scholarships, academic programs and other campus initiatives. When they contribute to the Annual Fund, donors can designate how they wish their gift to be assigned, or they can give to the Fund for Cal U, which addresses the University’s greatest needs. Nine out of 10 Cal U students receive some form of financial aid, often in the form of loans. By supporting scholarships, a gift to the Annual Fund can lessen that burden. “We welcome contributions of any amount,” Connelly says. “Often we hear from people who aren’t able to make a substantial gift, so instead they give nothing at all. “But many small gifts can add up to a

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very impressive total. We appreciate gifts of $5, $20, $50 — any amount, really. What’s most important is that everyone gets involved.” Some alumni direct their Annual Fund donation to their former major. Others choose to support Greek life, Student Government, Vulcan athletics or other activities. Still other alumni remember receiving help when they were students. Now they use the Annual Fund as a way of “paying it forward.” “As a new graduate, I can’t afford to give very much,” says Courtney Cochran ’12 “But I know how much my scholarship meant to me. By giving to the Annual Fund, I can add my small donation to so many others’ — and together we can make a difference.” “There is something about Cal U that matters most to each of our graduates,” Connelly says. “A gift to the Annual Fund can acknowledge that special connection.” Current Cal U students are phoning alumni now, as the fiscal year winds down, to ask for their support. An Annual Fund request may also reach graduates via

e-mail or letter. To make giving convenient, an envelope is included with this magazine, and gifts are accepted online at www.calu.edu/giving. “Whether you graduated last year or 50 years ago, one thing remains the same, and that is Cal U’s commitment to providing all students with the chance to receive an outstanding education,” Connelly says. “Every one of our graduates can help us to keep that commitment. Every gift matters.”

Address Annual Fund contributions to: Foundation for Cal U P.O. Box 668, California, PA 15419. Or make your donation available immediately by giving securely online at www.calu.edu/giving. To learn more about the Cal U Annual Fund, contact Cathy Connelly at 724-938-4286 or connelly@calu.edu.

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

GLOBAL AWARENESS Liberal Arts presents new voices and viewpoints

overview

of the COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Dean:

Dr. Mohamed Yamba

Department Chairs: Professor Greg Harrison Art and Design

Dr. Gregory Spicer Communication Studies

Professor Margo Wilson English

Dr. Laura Tuennerman History and Political Science

Dr. Emily Sweitzer Justice, Law and Society

Dr. Arcides Gonzales Modern Languages and Cultures

Dr. Yugo Ikach Music

Dr. Nancy Shaffer Philosophy

Dr. Holiday Adair Psychology

Dr. Michael Slavin Theatre and Dance

Program Directors: Dr. Melanie J. Blumberg American Democracy Project

Dr. Clarissa Confer LaDonna Harris Indigenous Peoples Institute

Dr. Michael Hummel Leadership Studies

Dr. Kelton Edmonds Frederick Douglass Institute

Dr. Kurt Kearcher Composition Program and Writing Center

Greetings! A liberal arts education provides a level of enlightenment and creates a person for all seasons. The “millennial generation” has arrived, and faculty members in the College of Liberal Arts are up to the challenges and opportunities presented by this digital generation. They are developing new programs, modifying old ways, creating innovative learning activities and globalizing our students’ perspectives. The Communication Studies Department has set the mission of becoming “the most dynamic and innovative program in the region” by the end of the decade. Progress on the department’s new TV studio provides just one example of its emphases on academic excellence. On March 14, 2013, an acclaimed poet and professor of English literature visited Cal U. Dr. Kofi Anyidoho, of Ghana, a UNESCO resource poet for cultural and linguistic diversity in education, recited from his written works in both English and Ewe, his native language, as part of the College’s globalization initiative. Cal U knows England best. Last summer Dr. Michael Slavin, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, led a group of students to London as part of a continuing annual study-abroad program, and Dr. Paul Crawford escorted honors students to Oxford. Faculty accomplishments within the College of Liberal Arts speak to the relevance of service-learning: Dr. Cassandra Kuba, of the Department of Justice, Law and Society, shares her expertise in forensic anthropology with writers of TV crime dramas, and CSI cast members held a videoconference with her students; Dr. Michael Hummel, also of Justice, Law and Society, delivered a keynote address to government and security delegates at a conference in Jordan; and Dr. Susan Jasko, of the Department of Communication Studies, assisted disaster management experts from the National Weather Service in their ongoing effort to communicate more effectively. Finally, Dr. Emily Sweitzer’s and Dr. Michael Hummel’s sixth annual Conference on Homeland and International Security attracted experts to California University to discuss the problem of “Managing the Disaster” last year. These are just a few examples of an active College of Liberal Arts that is dedicated to exposing our students to the winds of change, the cultures of a diverse world, and knowledge that helps them to build both character and careers.

Dr. Marta McClintock-Comeaux Women’s Studies

Sincerely,

To learn more about the programs featured in Focus On, visit the Cal U website, www.calu.edu. On the cover: After speaking to classes about his poetry, Dr. Kofi Anyidoho, of Ghana (left), joins Dr. Mohamed Yamba, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, in Duda Hall. 2

Dr. Mohamed Yamba Dean, College of Liberal Arts

NEW VOICE OF AFRICA A poet from Ghana shares ‘the beauty of everyday life’

s the recorded voice of his late mother sang in Ewe, his native language, poet Kofi Anyidoho stepped on stage to read from his work — and to share a perspective new to the Cal U community. “I believe he is the first African writer to visit our University,” says Dr. Mohamed Yamba, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “Not only is he a trained, academic poet, but his work arises from a long tradition of African poetry. He has performed all around the world, and I’m glad he was able to bring his global perspective to Cal U.

Dr. Kofi Anyidoho, of Ghana, works with students in the creative writing program.

“I said to the students, ‘Dig up the last love letter you wrote. You will see that you are a poet after all.’” That universal message is just what Yamba was hoping to hear. As dean, he seeks to promote global awareness within the College of Liberal Arts. Study-abroad and travel programs are one facet of that initiative; bringing fresh perspectives to campus is another. “That narrow world-view must open up,” Yamba says. “There’s a bigger world out there, filled with universal ideas. Poetry is the rhythm of life, and that rhythm is universal.” Sophomore Deven Bourquin, a journalism major, seemed to take Anyidoho’s message to heart. “He told us that everything about everyday life is poetry. It all has a beauty to it, and it’s the poet’s job to translate that into meaningful words.” “Western poetry, too, arose from an oral tradition,” adds Margo Wilson, chair of the English Department. “It was mindexpanding to see how some cultures preserve and honor their ties to their cultural roots.” Before his public performance, Anyidoho presented Interim University President Geraldine M. Jones with translations of his books and an anthology of African literature that will be placed in Manderino Library. The poet spoke hopefully of strengthening the connection between Cal U and the University of Ghana, noting “the remarkable transformation of students who travel far from home.” “I have seen with my own eyes how this can make a difference,” he says. “The more we share time together, the more we recognize our common humanity.” By Christine Kindl, communications director at Cal U

“Kofi and I were freshmen together at the University of Ghana,” Yamba adds. “Even then he was being interviewed by the international media as a poet who was ‘the new voice of Africa.’” Anyidoho, of Ghana, is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) resource poet for cultural and linguistic diversity in education. A published author, respected educator and sought-after speaker in Ghana and abroad, he is renowned for powerful live performances that address contemporary culture while honoring the spoken-word tradition of his family’s Ewe ethnic group. At Cal U, Anyidoho spoke with students in creative writing classes — young people not so different from those he teaches at the University of Ghana and at NYU Accra, New York University’s campus in Ghana’s capital city. “I told them to avoid the mistake of thinking that poetry is only in books,” Anyidoho says. “The questions that poetry concerns itself with — What are our aspirations? Our fears? Our hopes? — these are what poetry is all about.

MEET KOFI ANYIDOHO Education: B.A., University of Ghana; M.A., Indiana University-Bloomington; Ph.D., University of Texas Career highlights: Literature professor and first Kwame Nkrumah Chair in African Studies, University of GhanaLegon; executive producer, Ghana Television’s African Heritage series. Publications: Six books of poetry, including The Place We Call Home & Other Poems and Ancestral Logic and Caribbean Blues; a bilingual children’s play (English and Ewe); multiple spoken-word recordings.

BRITISH INVASION Study-abroad experiences take students to London, Oxford

wo summertime study-abroad programs led by California University professors have given students from Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities an intensive, hands-on learning experience in the United Kingdom. Dr. Michael Slavin, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, took 15 students to London to study theater. Dr. Paul Crawford, of the Department of History and Political Science, was one of four Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education faculty members to lead honors program students to Oxford, England. Although their academic pursuits were a priority, many students say they learned more about themselves and another culture than they ever imagined. “Because the U.K. is so influential in our media, you assume a lot of things are going to be very similar, but they definitely are not,” says junior Madelaine Dudley, a Cal U theater major. “People in the U.K. have a very different demeanor. They are very introverted, and that was hard for me, because I am a naturally eccentric person.”

Students stop for a photo in London’s famed Trafalgar Square.

In London, students spent an entire month living together in flats, attending lectures and viewing theatrical performances. They saw shows in some of London’s best-known venues, including The Globe Theatre, a modern re-creation of the playhouse built in 1599 by Shakespeare’s theater company. “British theater has a very different style to it than American theater does, and their comedy was absolutely fantastic,” says Dudley. Students were encouraged to visit museums and other local attractions on their days off. Slavin even organized excursions to Paris and other nearby cities.

With London’s Big Ben in the background, PASSHE students pause on a city street in London.

“We claim that we are a global society, but in reality most people have almost no idea what it is like to live in another country,” he says. “This gives (students) an opportunity to live in a recognizable culture, but one different enough that they are learning new things about themselves and about the world.” Slavin and Dr. Scott Lowe, a philosophy professor at Bloomsburg University, will lead another study-abroad program this year. Crawford spent two weeks with select honors program students in Oxford, less than 60 miles northwest of London. They toured Oxford University and traced the path of a famous after-dinner walk by authors J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. The students’ learning experience followed a traditional British model, fusing classroom lectures with social interactions after class. “I think each student got something different out of the trip,” Crawford says. “They broadened their horizons and got to visit a foreign country.” The students spent much of their time conducting interviews and research for assigned projects. They also visited Canterbury and enjoyed late-night discussions about religion, politics and other high-level topics. “The experience allowed me to examine subject material through the classical liberal arts tradition that would not be available to me in any other venue,” says senior Daniel Bach, a biology major at West Chester University. “It has helped me to grow into a more worldly and cultured individual.” By Jeff Bender, PR/Web writer at Cal U

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE New curriculum, facilities upgrade broadcast studio

n outdated instructional TV studio in Morgan Hall is being transformed into a digital communications command center. The space once was limited to teaching the basics of broadcast radio and television to students in the Communication Studies Department. Now it’s becoming a high-tech studio designed to give students a competitive edge in the field for years to come. “We designed the studio not only to address our needs as a program now, but also in the future,” says department chair Dr. Greg Spicer. “Almost all of our new equipment is mobile and can be easily transported, which soon will be standard throughout the industry.” The early 1990s studio was stripped down completely and then rebuilt. Spicer worked with University architect Doug Philp to create a more functional space for instruction. The area now houses a large broadcast studio, an audio production room, a post-production area and a lobby. Equipped like a professional broadcast facility, the studio is ready for a decade of technological innovation. Small, mobile, TV cameras have replaced their bulky predecessors. LED lighting provides a cooler environment for broadcasters, who once worked under hot, bright lights. And a modern “infinity green screen” lets the broadcast talent interact seamlessly with stunning digital backgrounds. A large control room and audio production and post-production rooms overlook the broadcast area through giant soundproof windows. Wireless communication capabilities allow students to connect with one another throughout the entire studio. New equipment is nice to have, says senior James Palanza, a communication studies major. But he focuses squarely on student success. “The industry has been rapidly changing in the last decade, and this will give students a competitive edge in the job market,” he says.

With renovations under way, Dr. Greg Spicer checks plans for updating the broadcast studio in Morgan Hall.

“With such a cutting-edge facility, future radio and television students can hone their skills while the entire communications department can better collaborate on a variety of projects.” Preparing students for the future has become a point of emphasis for the department, where new courses have been designed to integrate with the studio’s technology. One of the major curriculum changes comes in the capstone course required for graduation. The new capstone requires students to create a professional-grade portfolio and draft a five-year career plan.

Before the changes, “we didn’t have the ability to alter our curriculum to focus on transmedia, or broadcasting on a combination of traditional media platforms and the new digital and mobile platforms,” Spicer says. “The new studio isn’t just about teaching our students to use modern technology. Instead, the focus is on integrating that technology into our curriculum and giving our students the skills and experience necessary for a successful career after Cal U.” By Jeff Bender, PR/Web writer at Cal U

We designed the studio not only to address our needs as a program now, but also in the future. Almost all of our new equipment is mobile and can be easily transported, which soon will be standard throughout the industry. Dr. Greg Spicer CHAIR, COMMUNICATION STUDIES DEPARTMENT

SKELETONS IN THE SCRIPT Anthropologist gets students involved in television crime shows

r. Cassandra Kuba is making her way to the small screen, and her students are making no bones about it: They want to get involved, too. An assistant professor in the Department of Justice, Law and Society, Kuba is a biological anthropologist, specializing in forensic anthropology and historical bio-archaeology. When she is not uncovering the mysteries of the human skeleton with her students, she helps writers of television crime shows answer technical questions. Writers from TV shows CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Bones, and Rizzoli & Isles have all turned to Kuba for her expert opinion on the structure of decomposed or diseased skeletons. “It was by chance, and most likely through a Google search, that I received the first request from a television show,” Kuba says. “Writers need information quickly, and I usually respond immediately.” It’s not only her quick response that has made her popular among writers. Her creativity counts, too. And Kuba often turns to her students for help in determining if a storyline is plausible.

I really enjoy it when we discuss the television shows. It lets you be part of the show and makes you think outside the box. Fuad Abdulkader ARCHAEOLOGY MAJOR

“We never like to tell the writers ‘no,’ even on technically impossible cases,” she says. “We can usually suggest a few tweaks to the storyline to make the situation in the show more likely to happen in real life.” Kuba often asks students to brainstorm ideas for making a show’s storyline more

Dr. Cassandra Kuba knows bones, and she lends her expertise to the writers of TV crime dramas.

realistic. Her classes also discuss TV “cases” that feature forensic anthropology. “I really enjoy it when we discuss the television shows,” says sophomore Fuad Abdulkader, an archaeology major. “It lets you be part of the show and makes you think outside the box.” Students aren’t the only ones who get excited about unraveling television crime scenes. Actors also do, says Jon Wellner, who plays DNA analyst Henry Andrews on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. “A lot of the success we’ve had on CSI is because we have real components,” he says. “It also keeps us based in reality as actors.” In addition to acting, Wellner is co-owner of Entertainment Research Consultants, a company that serves as a liaison between television writers and technical experts. The company often contacts Kuba for her professional help. “She has been wonderful,” Wellner says. “She knows the shows and really

understands that even though we try to be realistic, it is still entertainment before education. She always makes the impossible possible.” Wellner says he enjoys speaking with students and recently held an educational videoconference with a group at Cal U. Students were able to ask him questions about the acting industry and the role forensics plays in TV crime shows. “There is great interest among students in both sides of our work,” Wellner says. “It is just great to hear the questions, interact with students and spark interest in both acting and forensics.” Overall, Kuba has created a learning environment where students are eager to participate. “I just love everything about this,” says Barbara Shumar, a nontraditional student who is majoring in forensic anthropology. “I enjoy discussing the television cases, my courses and conducting research on my own. I just love all of it.” By Jeff Bender, PR/Web writer at Cal U

BEYOND OUR BORDERS Liberal Arts professors address global concerns

Faculty members in the College of Liberal Arts explore wide-ranging issues in their publications and scholarly activities. Among their recent accomplishments: DR. JOSEPH HEIM gained UNESCO acclaim with his article, “Wahhabism in South Asia from Shah Walliullah to the Deoband School” in the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Encyclopedia of Islam (June 2013). The encyclopedia was edited by Dr. Cernak Cenak, head of the International Relations and Diplomacy Department of Turkey’s Osmangazi University in Istanbul. Heim, who teaches in Cal U’s Department of History and Political Science, also has contributed an article, “The Louisiana Purchase and the Principles of Jeffersonian Diplomacy,” to the Handbook of American Diplomatic History, to be published this June by Routledge. DR. JOHN CENCICH, of the Department of Justice, Law and Society, is an expert in international crimes and security who has served the United Nations in various advisory capacities, including the investigation of war crimes in the Balkans. His first book about those experiences, The Devil’s Garden: A War Crime Investigator’s Story (Potomac Books), is scheduled to hit bookstores in June. Recently elected as vice chair of the International Section of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), he presented a paper on “International Security in War Zones: An Experiential Perspective” at the ACJS conference in Dallas, Texas.

DR. MARIANA PENSA, of the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, published “300 milliones La Isla desierta da Roberto Arlt: el espacio modernizador del epresiomo y estetica en el teatro argentiono de las primeras decadas del siglo XX,” (“300 Milliones and La Isla Desierta, by Roberto Arlt: The modernity of Expressionism and its aesthetics in early 20th- century Argentinean theater”) in Critica Hispanica, XXXIV, 2 (December 2012). She also published “Caballos salvajes: el esapcio de la huida, la salvacion y las dos Argentinas,” (“Caballos Salvajes: Escaping, salvation and the two Argentinas”) in Rondas Literarias de Pittsburgh 2011 (Grelin Press, 2012), edited by Gregorio C. Martin of New Kensington, Pa. DR. MARY RANDALL, also of the Department of Modern Languages, was asked by Alstrom Grid, a French company that manufactures electrical grid solutions, to teach French to the company’s employees in fall 2012.

DR. RAYMOND HSIEH, of the Department of Justice, Law and Society, delivered the opening paper, “Managing the Cyber Disaster,” at California University of Pennsylvania’s sixth annual Conference on Homeland and International Security. The conference, which focused on “Managing the Disaster,” was held at Cal U in October 2012.

REINFORCING HUMAN SECURITY Faculty members address new threats at annual conference

alifornia University faculty members are helping nations adapt to new human security threats, and they will share their knowledge at Cal U’s 7th annual Conference on Homeland and International Security. Dr. Michael Hummel and Dr. Aref M. Al-Khattar, both of the Department of Justice, Law and Society, played key roles at the 2012 International Conference on Human Security and Social Movements, held at Mutah University in Karak, Jordan.

Attendees discussed a variety of topics, and Hummel delivered a keynote talk that specifically addressed the security of aid workers in hostile territories. Al-Khattar was part of a panel discussion aired live on Al Jazeera TV. “A lot of the events that occur across our globe have to take into consideration the political aspects, along with the technical, since there are people who believe water, food and medicine are weapons of war,” says Hummel.

This is a global society. If we isolate ourselves in our own backyard, we will never be able to expand as a University. Dr. Michael Hummel ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, LAW AND SOCIET Y

Human security has become such an important topic that it will be the theme of the 2013 Conference on Homeland and International Security, planned for Oct. 22 at Cal U. Presentations will address topics such as human trafficking, security for refugees, counter-extremist operations and community stability operations. The department hopes the conference will build on discussions Al-Khattar had in Jordan about arranging student exchange and security training programs, says Hummel. “This is a global society,” he says. “If we isolate ourselves in our own backyard, we will never be able to expand as a University. There are a lot of jobs internationally, and we have to reach out and partner with universities and businesses around the world.” By Jeff Bender, PR/Web writer at Cal U

For more information about the 7th annual Conference on Homeland and International Security, visit www.calu.edu.

California University of Pennsylvania The College of Liberal Arts 250 University Avenue, California, PA 15419-1394 Phone: 724-938-4240 Fax: 724-938-5871 E-mail: liberalarts@calu.edu On the Web: www.calu.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts A proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Integrity, Civility, Responsibility

LEADERSHIP

BEGINS AT HOME

Fall start set for living-learning program at Vulcan Village

r. Scott M. Helfrich is pretty easy to reach these days. Along with his wife, Maureen, and their three children, the director of upper-campus housing is living in a renovated apartment in Building 6 of Vulcan Village as he prepares to launch a new residential program for Cal U students. A Leadership Living-Learning Community, which will be based in that building, is set to begin this fall. As many as 40 students are expected to participate in its first year. The residential program at the University’s upper-campus apartment complex is designed to build leadership skills, provide service opportunities and enrich students’ educational experiences.

In partnership with the Center for Civic Engagement, students will engage in a variety of service learning opportunities with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and California Borough. They also will take part in Leadership Chats with campus and community leaders about topics such as team supervision and careers in leadership. Field trips and other special events are planned. “The Living-Learning Community will be a hands-on experience that will give our students skills that employers are looking for, such as leading projects, being a team player and supervising others,” Helfrich said. “We want them to be able to emphasize skills on their resumes that demonstrate that they learned about working with the community, recruiting volunteers and planning events. We are confident that the Leadership Living Learning Community will teach them these skills.” Helfrich said living on-site will help the program grow. He added that his family

is adjusting well after their move from Washington, Pa. “It’s been good so far. We enjoy it. There isn’t a 25-minute commute each way, so I am able to be more responsive,” he says. “Because the students also will live in the building, they can come down to our residence and participate in activities. There is a greater chance for them to discuss what they’ve learned and to build relationships. “If students are attached to a program like this, it is more likely they will stay at Cal U and more likely that they will graduate. We believe students should get more out of their housing experience. “As I told President Jones, the Learning Community is like diet and exercise: Not only is it good for you, it’s also something you should do. It’s a no-brainer for Cal U.” By Wendy Mackall, assistant communications director at Cal U

APPLY NOW

Dr. Scott M. Helfrich, director of upper campus housing, lives with his family at Vulcan Village.

Applications are now being accepted for the Leadership Living-Learning Community, a Vulcan Village program that will begin in fall 2013. For information about the community and a link to the application, students may visit www.calu.edu or www.vulcanvillageleaders.com.

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ALUMNI S P O T L I G H T

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

Band members (from left) John Lovett ‘98, David DiFilippo, Stephen McGough and Ray Cygrymus.

Band of teachers battles bullying

ohn Lovett ’98 and his fellow teachers at McMurray Elementary School, in the Peters Township (Pa.) School District, believe there should be no child left behind when it comes to teaching about kindness and compassion. Enter NTLB, or No Tune Left Behind, and members Ray Cygrymus, David DiFilippo, Stephen McGough and Lovett. The educator-musicians formed the band in 2004 to provide background music for student singers at the school’s talent show. Soon, the school’s Character Education Committee approached them about performing a song for Anti-Bullying Week. “Our first song was ‘Bully Bully,’ based on the classic ‘Wooly Bully’ by Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs,” Lovett says. “It was a big hit! So we followed it up with ‘Don’t Bully on the Bus,’ based on the ZZ Top song ‘Waitin’ for the Bus.’

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“We have a few original songs,” Lovett says, “but mostly we try to find songs that the students know and that carry a strong message of kindness and compassion.” The bus video is on the band’s website, www.notuneleftbehind. com, along with a five-part series, “Fall O’ the Queen,” about the “queen bee syndrome” among teen-age girls. The teachers are also working on curriculum guides for grades 4-8 that go along with their videos and shows. In addition to performing in their school district, NTLB recently put on a show at the Peters Township Library. Interviews with students — about bullying or other issues — were followed by videos and songs to address those situations. “We try to keep our shows lively and upbeat while getting the message across,” Lovett says.

In October, the band will be featured at the Character Education Partnership National Convention in Washington, D.C., the second time they have been invited to the event. “What we are hoping to do is to get the students, along with their parents and educators, to look at themselves and simply ask, ‘Am I a good person?’” Lovett says. “Hopefully, through a little bit of rock ’n’ roll, NTLB can influence them so the answer can be ‘yes.’” By Wendy Mackall, assistant communications director at Cal U

Listen to the band

To see music videos by No Tune Left Behind, including ‘Don’t Bully on the Bus,’ visit www.calu.edu/news. Click on ‘Cal U Review’ and choose ‘As Seen in the Review.’

Diving into aquatics

ngela Hammer ’97, ’98 is riding the wave of a new career based on her passion for aquatics. The former head swim coach at Conestoga Valley High School, where eventual three-time NCAA national champion Melissa Gates ’12 was on her team, Hammer founded HammerGuard Aquatics last year. The company offers lifeguard staffing and training, progressive swim lessons, residential water management, and organized training in CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators. Its mission, Hammer says, is to staff and manage aquatic facilities around the world, especially on U.S. military bases. Hammer’s husband, Andrew, served in the military, and company co-owner Christina Donnelly once managed the aquatics facility at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The company looks to hire veterans, working with the Wounded Warriors project and the Lancaster County (Pa.) Department of Veterans Affairs.

“You read about service members who are unable to get jobs once they return from duty,” Hammer says. “If we are getting contracts to staff, manage and operate facilities, what better people are out there?” Hammer studied parks and recreation management, and then geography and regional planning at Cal U, but her career path always pointed toward the pool. She taught and coached swimming. For 12 years she was the aquatics director at the Lancaster (Pa.) Family YMCA. And she spent five years as a consultant and liaison for a natatorium architect, working on studies that helped towns secure funds for recreational swim facilities. “My background from Cal U served me well, because I learned the recreational side and also a lot about design based on function,” Hammer says. Now the mother of three is reaching back to her alma mater as

Angela Hammer ‘97, ‘98 is living the life aquatic.

her new business expands. She has contacted Cal U’s Internship Center and attended a networking event on campus. Eventually, she hopes to offer internships at an aquatics facility overseas. “I was a Cal U student 15 years ago,” Hammer says. “I know some of the experiences they’ve had and what they need to learn. I feel fortunate to be able to provide those opportunities for students that want and need them.” By Bruce Wald ’85, information writer at Cal U

Quail conservation

enjy Strope ’96 says his fascination with wildlife started when he was a child growing up on a farm between Waynesburg and Jefferson in Greene County, Pa. That keen interest played a role in establishing some of the finest bobwhite quail habitats in North Carolina. Strope, a technical assistance biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, won the 2012 Wildlife Management Excellence Award from the Southeastern Section of The Wildlife Society. He was recognized for establishing and managing a 15,980-acre project that is part of National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative. “I was honored to win the award,” says Strope, who also was the Division of Wildlife Management Biologist of the Year in 2011. “My passion for wildlife conservation goes back to my childhood. I have always had a desire to know what bird or other creature was that, what plant is that, and why is it there.” Over the years, Strope has secured more than $500,000 in North Carolina Department of Justice Environmental Enhancement Grant funding to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in the southeastern part of the state. The area now has one of the highest density quail populations in North Carolina. It also supports a variety of songbirds whose numbers are declining.

Benjy Strope ‘96 clears brush to create better habitat for wildlife.

Strope says that his Cal U degree in wildlife biology gave him the background he needed to be successful in his career. He also credits his participation in Envirothon, an environmental education program for Pennsylvania high school students. “Growing up on a farm and being pained to see what we as humans often do to our environment led to my interest in conservation,” Strope says. “Once I was involved with the Envirothon, I quickly learned that I wanted a career involving wildlife.” By Jeff Bender, PR/Web writer at Cal U

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Into the woods Wildlife conservation officers protect state’s natural resources

hawn Barron ’11 and Mark Gritzer ’01 work where law enforcement meets the great outdoors. Wildlife conservation officers for the state Game Commission, they enforce the laws that protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources and regulate outdoor recreation. The pair graduated in March from the Ross Leffler School of Conservation in Harrisburg, Pa., the only U.S. school devoted entirely to training the officers formerly known as “game wardens.” Their 51 weeks of training followed an application process that took nearly a year to complete. Just 36 applicants were chosen from a pool of more than 900. The graduating class had 30 members. “It’s been a lot of hard work and a long process,” says Barron, who now is a wildlife conservation officer in southern Somerset County. “I’ve wanted to be a game warden since I was 5 years old. This has been a lifelong dream.” In addition to enforcing the state Game and Wildlife Code and other state and federal regulations, the officers trap bears and turkeys for research and respond to “nuisance wildlife” complaints. Wildlife management fieldwork, conservation education, and working directly with hunters and trappers are all part of the job. Internships with the Game Commission helped both Barron and Gritzer jump-start their careers. As a student, Barron worked in the Forestry Division, where he assisted with timber marking and state gamelands operations. Gritzer interned with Joseph Stefko, a wildlife education supervisor in Westmoreland County. That led to work as an elk biologist aide in northcentral Pennsylvania. Now, with his training complete, Gritzer says he’s glad to be “back in my old stomping grounds” as a wildlife conservation officer in Clearfield County. “As a Cal U student we learned the fundamentals and received a solid foundation in so many different subjects,” he says. “The internship was a great

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Wildlife conservation officers Mark Gritzer ‘01 (left) and Shawn Barron ‘11

opportunity to apply what we learned in real-life situations.” Stefko has been working with Cal U interns since 2000. He often speaks to classes, and he occasionally brings a live bear to campus so students can learn how to trap, tag and process the animals before returning them to the wild. Cal U’s Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences provides a pool of “top-notch” candidates, he says. “The students are interested in what they do, focused on their futures and really know where they want to go with their careers. The biology program at Cal U has given them the right perspective to get gainful employment.” Faculty are pleased that two more program graduates are working in Penn’s Woods. “This is truly a significant accomplishment,” said Dr. David Argent, department chair. “I am tremendously proud of Mark and Shawn for their completion of this rigorous program. “I can think of few other students who are better suited to this career. I know both will work diligently to protect the natural wildlife resources of this state.” By Bruce Wald ’85, information writer at Cal U

ON THE JOB Among other ‘success stories’ mentioned by Joseph Stefko, a Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife education supervisor, are these Cal U alumni: Greg Huchko ’02, Umpqua River Salmon/Trout Enhancement Program biologist, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Andrea Montony ’03, endangered species biologist, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado River Molly Giles ’05, wildlife biologist, Pennsylvania Game Commission Brian Zahuranic ’05, contract manager, U.S.D.A. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Devin DeMario ’07, legislative liaison for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission on Capitol Hill Tim Kimmel ’08, wildlife biologist/ environmental consultant, Baton Rouge, La. Laura Loeser ’10, black bear researcher, Texas Parks and Recreation

SPORTS P R O F I L E

SHOOTING FOR THE TOP Internship, drive propel hockey equipment manager to the NHL

osh Carter ’13 didn’t make Cal U’s club hockey team, but he really doesn’t mind. Today he’s working in the National Hockey League. Carter had played the sport growing up, and as a youngster he’d started working with the equipment staff for the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears. He kept at it until he left home for Cal U, gaining experience with the Bears’ three Calder Cup championship teams. Although Carter didn’t make the roster when he tried out for the Vulcans’ College Hockey East (CHE) team as a player in 2009, Cal U head coach Justin Berger and general manager Jamison Roth didn’t let his experience go to waste. They installed him as head equipment manager for all three Vulcan hockey teams — two men’s and one women’s — and had him travel with the CHE squad through the fall 2012 semester. But Carter was shooting for a bigger arena. When the National Hockey League ended its lockout in January, he began an internship with the equipment staff of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, where his uncle, Doug Shearer, is head equipment manager. This month Carter completed his bachelor’s degree in sport management, picked up his diploma and signed on as the Ducks’ assistant equipment manager. “It was always a goal of mine to make it to the big leagues,” says Carter, who completed his studies online while working in Anaheim. “Getting there is very hard work, but it’s also very fulfilling knowing that I am where I want to be. It’s just a dream come true.” Carter credits faculty members Dr. Roy Yarbrough, Dr. Charles Crowley and Dr. Brian Wood with teaching him to organize and execute events. “I loved what they taught me, which was not just bookwork and

Getting there is very hard work, but it’s also very fulfilling knowing that I am where I want to be. It’s just a dream come true.

Josh Carter ‘13 sharpens skates at CONSOL Energy Center. Now he’s working for the Anaheim Ducks.

tests,” Carter says. “There was hands-on activity that made you interact with people in public, which really helped me not be afraid to communicate openly with others.” He says he considers both Roth and Berger lifelong friends and mentors. “It’s like a big family,” Carter says of the Vulcan hockey program. “We play at the club level, but it’s run like an NCAA program because that’s how they approach everything. It’s top-notch, no doubt.” Carter always made sure that all three teams got what they needed, Berger says. He even took time off in March to help out the new Cal U hockey equipment manager, Josh Famularo, at the 2013 ACHA National Tournament in Missouri. “Josh was also willing to go the extra mile,” Berger says, “and his expertise helped to propel our organization to the next level.” Carter’s uncle insisted that his nephew return to Cal U to attend Commencement and pick up his diploma in person. “Looking back, I am very glad that I didn’t make the hockey team, because I would never have had this experience,” Carter says. “Working as the equipment manager for Cal U gave me some of the best times in my life. I wouldn’t change what happened for the world.” By Bruce Wald ’85, information writer at Cal U

Josh Carter ‘13 ASSISTANT EQUIPMENT MANAGER, ANAHEIM DUCKS SPRING 2013 CAL U REVIEW 23 n

SPORTS R O U N D U P

POST-SEASON PLAY FOUR TEAMS COMPETE IN NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS Women’s swimming

Erin Kling

espite groundhog Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast of an early spring, three varsity sports teams extended their winter seasons with appearances in NCAA national tournaments. In club sports, both the men’s and women’s hockey teams also kept springtime at bay with national playoff showings. Topping off the winter season, senior runner Erin Kling became only the second Cal U student-athlete to receive consecutive PSAC Champion Scholar Awards. Presented at each of the 23 PSAC team championships, the award honors the male and female student with the highest cumulative grade-point average. Kling, a biology major, chalked up a perfect cumulative GPA of 4.00. She also owns the school record in the 5,000-meter run, with a time of 18 minutes, 0.98 seconds.

losing by three points to host Gannon University in the Atlantic Regional championship game. Since 2002, the team has made six trips to the NCAA’s “Sweet Sixteen” round of play. Senior guard Stephanie Michael earned first-team all-conference honors, and junior Kate Seebohm was a secondteam selection. Michael led the Vulcans (20-9) in scoring, averaging 14 points per game, and was second among all PSAC leaders in three-point baskets, with 89. She was named to the Regional All-Tournament team after averaging 20 points in three games. Seebohm averaged six points and four rebounds per game and was second conference-wide in assists, averaging 5.2 per game.

Women’s basketball For the 11th time in a dozen years, the women’s basketball team won 20 or more games and competed in the NCAA Division II Tournament. Under second-year head coach Jess Strom, the team made a strong postseason showing, upsetting higher seeds Edinboro and Glenville State before 24 CAL U REVIEW SPRING 2013 n

Stephanie Michael

The third time was the charm for junior Clarissa Enslin, who swam in three heats at the NCAA Division II Championships. She placed 20th in the 200-yard and 30th in the 50-yard freestyle events. Then Enslin turned on the speed, finishing seventh in the 100-yard freestyle finals to earn AllAmerican honors for the fourth time in her career. Under head coach Ed Denny, Cal U’s swim team has produced at least one national All-American in each of the past six seasons. In that time, 31 Cal U swimmers have qualified for the NCAA Championships.

Clarissa Enslin

DVCHC women’s hockey After a third-place finish at the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference tournament, the women’s hockey team qualified for the ACHA Division II National Tournament for the second year in a row. The Vulcans went 1-1-1 at the national tourney, with freshman Kelsey DeNardo scoring three goals in the team’s 4-3 victory over North Dakota State. The team finished the season with a 22-5-1 overall record. Head coach is Gregg Kaminski. Leading scorers during the regular season were juniors Megan Cooper and Alli Paratore, with 25 points each. Freshman goalkeeper Maria Sciacca had four shutouts, with a 1.32 goalsagainst average.

Men’s basketball

CHE men’s hockey

Playing under head coach Bill Brown, the Vulcans advanced to the PSAC playoffs for the 13th time in 17 years. Leading the way for the Vulcans was senior Keith Lowe, who was a second-team all-conference pick after averaging 15.8 points per game. He also ranked second in the PSAC in steals, with 59, and fifth in assists, with 97.

Under the direction of head coach Justin Berger, the Cal U men’s team competed in the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s Division III National Championship Tournament for the seventh time in nine years. The Vulcans won two of three games at the ACHA national tourney and finished their season with a 29-3 overall record. Cal U also won the Collegiate Hockey East Championship for the seventh straight season. Sophomore Justin Locante, the CHE playoffs’ Most Valuable Player, led the team in regular-season scoring with 40 points and 26 goals in 19 games. This was his second consecutive season as the team’s high scorer. Jeremy Pell had 35 points with 11 goals, and goalkeeper Zach Stewart recorded a 2.19 goals-against average and a 16-1 record. Both players are sophomores.

Keith Lowe

CHA men’s hockey

Freshman Jake Jacubec was named Cal U’s PSAC-West Freshman of the Year. He averaged seven points per game and tossed 33 three-pointers.

Track and field Junior Aaron Dinzeo kept the track and field season running with an appearance at the 2013 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. Dinzeo earned All-American honors by placing seventh in the 5,000-meter run, with a time of 14 minutes, 20.60 seconds. The second runner in school history to earn All-American recognition in the 5,000 meters, he finished No. 2 in the same event at the PSAC indoor championships. Head coach for the team is Roger Kingdom.

Cal U’s Collegiate Hockey Association men’s team ended its season by repeating as CHA champions. The team finished with a 22-1 overall record and an 8-0 conference record, winning the CHA South Division for head coach Ed Newill. Senior forward Peter Ellis was the team’s top scorer, with 39 points and 20 goals. Forwards James Breen, a senior, and junior Chad Gwynn had 35 and 33 points, respectively. Sophomore goalie Garrett Hudson won 14 of 15 games in the net, with a 2.10 goals-against average.

HALL OF FAME Softball coach Rick Bertagnolli will be been inducted this fall into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame Now in his 20th year at Cal U, he is only the second coach from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference to receive this honor. Heading into the 2013 season, Bertagnolli owned a 667-221 cumulative record at Cal U, with a 295-52 PSAC-West mark. Including his previous coaching stints at Wabash (Ill.) Valley and South Carolina-Spartanburg, his career record is 929-271. At Cal U, Bertagnolli’s teams have won 14 divisional titles and five conference championships, as well as NCAA Division II National Championships in 1997 and 1998. Bertagnolli’s teams have produced 32 All-Americans, 10 national Academic All-Americans, 104 All-Region selections and 127 all-conference players. Eight of his players are in the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame, and two have played for Team Canada in the Summer Olympics.

Good grades All in all, fall 2012 was another stellar semester for Cal U studentathletes. The varsity athletic programs compiled a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or higher for the 13th consecutive semester, and 31 studentathletes boasted a perfect 4.0 GPA. Overall, the Vulcans posted a cumulative GPA of 3.187, the highest in school history. Women’s golf achieved the highest team GPA at 3.565. The cross country team led for the men, with 3.479. By Bruce Wald ’85, information writer at Cal U SPRING 2013 CAL U REVIEW 25 n

PLANNED GIFTS SUPPORT CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Cal U welcomes the chance to thank donors and honor their intentions

lanned giving has made a great impact on the success of the Campaign to Build Character and Careers, California University’s $35 million capital campaign. Nearly 30 percent of the campaign total raised to date has come in the form of planned gifts — private donations that are directed to the Foundation for California University through the donor’s estate or long-range financial planning, and usually for completion after their lifetime. The impact of planned giving is being felt in two ways. First, plans made long ago by alumni and friends are being realized only now as gifts to the Foundation from their wills, trusts, life insurance and IRAs. These and other types of beneficiary provisions can come from plans made decades ago, but the University often does not know of such generosity until notification is received. After the donors’ lifetimes, the gifts become available for distribution to University programs and students. Some plans are complex and some are simple, but the intentions of those who made them are always honored, and a donor’s generosity is recognized when it becomes known. A more immediate impact on the campaign’s progress has come from those who plan their giving and then share their plans. Alumni and friends increasingly are choosing to document gift plans to state clearly and simply the purpose and estimated amount of their gift provisions. As a result, the University has been able to begin honoring their intentions and recognizing their gifts as a part of the Campaign to Build Character and Careers. For example, Foundation president and longtime Cal U benefactor Dr. David L. Amati ’70, ’72 recently

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added his planned gift to the campaign. In 2003 he established the David L. and Nancy M. Sivek Amati Early Childhood/Elementary Education Scholarship as a permanent endowment. Amati named the Foundation for California University in his estate planning at around the same time. Since then he has regularly expanded that scholarship with his gifts to the campaign. During a later review of his giving plans for Cal U, Amati realized that with a Statement of Estate Commitment he could reaffirm his gift plans while enhancing the progress of the campaign. “This is an excellent example of how a longtime supporter of the University has added impact to his estate provisions, helping to advance the campaign and encouraging others to do likewise for the ultimate benefit of our students,” says Gordon Core, director of planned giving. “There are countless other Cal U alumni and friends who have made confidential provisions for the University in their estate planning, and the University welcomes the opportunity to thank them and honor their intentions as soon as they choose to make them known.” Gordon Core is available to speak with those who wish to share information about their gift planning in private, or to discuss adding Cal U to their plans. Contact him by phone at 724-938-5985 or by e-mail at core@calu.edu. Additional resources about financial planning and charitable gifts to Cal U can be found on the Cal U website at www.calu.edu/giving; click on “Legacy and Planned Giving.”

PAYING IT F O R W A R D

A LASTING TRIBUTE

Memorial scholarship honors geology student

n a cold Sunday afternoon in late February, about 75 people gathered at the Brunswick Zone in Belle Vernon, Pa., to swap stories, laugh a little and participate in one of the sports Kody Dwire loved best: bowling. It was a fun day, but one that was bittersweet. The group gathered to raise money for the Kody Gene Dwire Scholarship Fund, an endowment established in memory of the smart, fun-loving, athletic, brighten-up-a-room young man who died in a car crash last August. The event was organized by the Cal U Geology Club. Dwire was a geology major and a club member. He would have graduated this spring. “I thought this would be a nice atmosphere to socialize and give Kody’s parents a chance to see the students in a less-structured environment,” said club adviser and associate professor Dr. Kyle Fredrick. “This event was born out of a horrible tragedy, but we are trying to draw some positives out of it. It helps remind our students to make the most out of all their opportunities.” Fredrick was a mentor for their son, Randy and Amy Dwire say. “He was undecided about his major,” Amy Dwire recalls, “but he came home on a Friday and said, ‘I know now: It’s geology.’ “Kody was comfortable with Dr. Fredrick, and he reminds me of someone from my family — he’s easy to talk to and he enjoys nature.”

A bowling event supported the Kody Gene Dwire Scholarship Fund.

The bowling event raised almost $1,200 for the scholarship fund, which was endowed with the help of gifts from Amy Dwire’s family and a contribution from the Pittsburgh Geological Society, where Kody was a member. Donations of several hundred dollars also came from graduates of the geology program. The scholarship will be awarded annually. A bench and a tree on campus also have been named in memory of Kody Dwire. The first recipient of the scholarship, Andrew Jinkens, met the Dwires at the bowling fund-raiser. “It’s great that his family took the initiative to create the scholarship,” says Jinkens, who was on track to graduate in May. “I didn’t know Kody all that well, but I know he was a Philadelphia sports fan, so we joked about that.

This event was born out of a horrible tragedy, but we are trying to draw some positives out of it. It helps remind our students to make the most out of all their opportunities. DR. KYLE FREDRICK

“It was nice to meet his family — very bittersweet.” For the Dwires, giving back to the University was an obvious decision. “Kody chose Cal U because of the campus atmosphere and because the tuition was more affordable,” says Amy Dwire. “And Kody liked it because it was close to home (in Somerset, Pa.). “Kody would help any friend who called him,” adds Randy Dwire. “So if we can help another student not to have to struggle, we want to do that. And this is a great way to continue his memory.” “The years at Cal U define you,” says Randi Minerva ‘98, coordinator of parent and alumni relations at Cal U. That’s why families may choose to establish some type of memorial at the University, she says. “It can provide a very meaningful way for family and friends to stay connected to their loved one.” For more information on contributing to or establishing a memorial scholarship at California University of Pennsylvania, contact Randi Minerva in the Office of University Development and Cal U for Life at 724-938-4248 or minerva@calu.edu. By Wendy Mackall, assistant communications director at Cal U

ADVISER, CAL U GEOLOGY CLUB

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WELCOMES TH E 2013

Pittsburgh Diversity & Leadership Conference

W IT H K E Y N OT E S P E A K E R

General Colin Powell September 19, 2013 I N T H E C A L U CO N VO C ATI O N C E N T E R

Watch for more information at www.calu.edu.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact University Conference Services at 1-866-941-7437. 28 CAL U REVIEW SPRING 2013 n

CAL U M I L E S T O N E S 50s Louis ’58 and Maria ’66 Sepe were among the coordinators of the annual Mon Valley Florida Day, which was held at a restaurant in Clearwater. The informal event brings together people with ties to the Monongahela Valley for a day of reminiscing. Gordon Core, director of planned giving at Cal U, attended the event and provided Cal U grads in attendance with pins from the University.

60s Michael Kozak ’63 is retired. He lives in Johnstown, Pa., with his wife, Monica. At Cal U, he majored in industrial arts. He also was in the marching band, dance band and concert band, and was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma. Mary Demco Perkins ’63 is retired and lives in San Luis Obispo, Calif. At Cal U, she played volleyball and was active in Sigma Kappa and Alpha Psi Omega. Dr. Thomas Munnell ’64 lives in Aurora, Colo., with his wife, Cynthia. He was class president during his freshman and sophomore years at Cal U and student body president as a junior. Thomas majored in elementary education at Cal U and now holds a Ph.D.

70s Diane Magill Bechtel ’72 is a retired educator. She and her husband, Scott, live in Delta, Ohio. Barron Deetscreek ’73 is retired. He lives in Nanty Glo, Pa., with his wife, Janice Swartz. At Cal U he was a member of Epsilon Pi Tau. The Rev. Philip S. Gilmore ’73 is the senior pastor at Church of the Nazarene. He and his wife, Debra, live in Corry, Pa. Thomas Langenhop ’75 is an engineer for Jayco. He lives in Elkhart, Ind., with his wife, Kathy. At Cal U he was a wrestler. David Izzo ’76 is a teacher at Canfield (Ohio) Local Schools. He lives in Poland, Ohio. He earned his degree in industrial arts education at Cal U. Douglas Eckstein ’77 is a carpenter. He lives in Dover, Pa., with his wife, Jennifer. He studied industrial arts and special education at Cal U.

80s Dr. Kevin Elko ’81, a sports author and motivational speaker, recently addressed the 90th annual Andalusia (Ala.) Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting and awards banquet. Kevin has consulted with corporate clients and various professional sports teams. He also is the author of four books: Nerves of

Steel, The Pep Talk, True Greatness: Master the Inner Game of Business Success, and Touchdown: Achieving Your Greatness on the Playing Field of Business and Life. Howard Leland Smith ’82 is a professor at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss., where he lives with his wife, Linda. He earned his master’s degree in education at Cal U. Karen Majernik Clawson ’82 teaches biology at Wellington High School in Palm Beach County, Fla. Her son, Corey, a recent graduate of the University of Florida, teaches math a few doors away. Corey’s sister Mia is a junior at the University of Florida. Karen’s husband, Larry, was recently named principal at Palm Beach Gardens High School. The family lives in Lake Worth. Caroline Bruni Batrack ’85 is a substitute teacher. She lives in Murrysville, Pa. Jennifer Lowe Ross ’86 was scheduled to be inducted into the Penn Hills Hall of Fame in April. The fourth Vulcan women’s basketball player to surpass the 1,000-point plateau, Jennifer went on to be the varsity assistant coach and junior high basketball coach for 17 seasons at Chartiers-Houston High School in Washington County, Pa. Dr. Brian Barnhart ’86 has been named executive director, effective August 2013, of Lancaster-Lebanon (Pa.) Intermediate Unit 13. Brian also is an adjunct faculty member in Cal U’s online superintendent letter of eligibility program. Dr. David Williams ’87 is the founder and operator of Medfast Urgent Care locations in Brevard County, Fla. Bill Jones ’87 is the new Pittsburgh wideformat print solutions market manager for Océ North America, a Canon Group Company. Bill lives with his wife, Sharon, and sons, Ryan and Brent, in McMurray, Pa. Frank Vulcano Jr. ’85, ’87, athletic director in the Chartiers Valley (Pa.) School District and a member of the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame, has been selected for the statewide Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association District VII Athletic Director of the Year Award. Frank is chairman of the WPIAL Wrestling Steering Committee and has been tournament director for all section and district tournaments for the past nine years. He has served on the PIAA Wrestling Steering Committee since 2004 and is vice president of the Washington County Chapter of the PIAA Wrestling Officials. He has been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Washington-Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. For the past 27 years, he has been

director of the Powerade Christmas Wrestling Tournament. Frank Tenuta ’88 is a physician liaison for Excela Health. A political science major at Cal U, he now lives in Belle Vernon, Pa., with his wife, Julann Polkabla. Richard Trotta Jr. ’89 has joined the financial services firm Liberty Wealth Management in Allentown, Pa. Richard has served as an investment strategist and financial planner with Wachovia Securities and Wells Fargo Advisors.

90s James Chaffee ’90 lives in Iowa with his wife, Tammy, and works at the Tippee College of Business at the University of Iowa. Iisha Carey ’91 is a flight attendant. She lives in Covington, Ga. Amy Shingleton Zombek ’92 is a teacher in the South Allegheny (Pa.) School District. She lives in Elizabeth, Pa., with her husband, Donald. Michael Savona ’93 has joined the Land Use and Zoning Practice Group at Eastburn and Gray P.C., which has offices in Doylestown and Blue Bell, Pa. Michael has served as solicitor to numerous municipalities and government agencies in Pennsylvania. He also is an experienced trial and appellate attorney. Helen Ireton Weigand ’93 is employed at Aldine Independent School District in Texas as an inclusion/resource teacher covering English and reading. She proudly watched as her daughters, Alaina, 17, and Cassie, 16, marched in the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York with the Oak Ridge Marching Band. John Blicha ’95 has been promoted to director of corporate communications for Eriez, where he will oversee advertising, literature, trade shows and inquiry management efforts, and manage all corporate public relations and promotional activities. He earned his Master of Science in Business Administration at Cal U. Dr. Timothy A. Sheets ’88, ’95 received a Doctorate in Education in educational leadership from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. He is an assistant professor of early childhood education at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. At Cal U he was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and sang with the University Choir and California Chorale. Charles Porter ’96 has been promoted to vice president with Hill International’s Project Management Group. He has nearly 40 years of experience in project and construction management. He is a certified construction manager, certified commissioning professional and a LEED green associate. He earned his master’s degree in business administration at Cal U.

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CAL U M I L E S T O N E S New vice president Jessica Urbanik ’00 has been named interim vice president of University Development and Cal U for Life at California University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Cal U in 2008 as a major-gift fundraiser, Urbanik was director of major gifts at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. She also served as coordinator of the Annual Fund, conducting the hospital’s annual physician and employee fundraising campaigns.

Martin Samek ’98 is the new head football coach at Parkland High School in WinstonSalem, N.C. He played football for two years at Cal U and was an assistant at Waynesburg (Pa.) Central High School for three seasons while he was in college. Mike Yurcich ’99 is the offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma State University football team. Mike was a two-year captain for the Vulcans and a three-year regular at quarterback. He graduated with a degree in psychology. Darrell Gifford ’99 is a software developer for U.S. Steel. He lives in Fair Oaks, Pa. At Cal U, he majored in applied computer science. Justin Tatar ’99 of Monongahela, Pa., was promoted to assistant dean of Community College of Allegheny County’s Washington County Center, in Washington, Pa. Dena Montini ’99 recently stepped down after 12 years as head volleyball coach at Grafton (W.Va.) High School. She plans to spend more time with her family, including her husband and twin girls. Desiree Jackson McCray ’99 works for the City of Philadelphia. A psychology major at Cal U, she now lives in the city with her husband, the Rev. Terrell McCray. Frank J. Shoaf ’99 was named the 2012 Officer of the Year for the 112th Air Operations Squadron, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, State College, Pa. He was promoted to the rank of major on Dec. 8, 2012. Frank has been active in the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, serving on the committee for program planning and development, and the subcommittee on awards. He also served on the development committee for Millersville University’s certified public manager program. Frank recently completed a five-year term as an appointed member of the Blair County Airport

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Before joining the nonprofit sector, Urbanik was director of corporate communications for The SecondHalf Coach, a financial planning firm specializing in retirement planning. In 2003, Urbanik was chosen to serve as a certified professional speaker with Making it Count programs. In that role she delivered motivational presentations to high school students across Pennsylvania. Urbanik received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Cal U and a master’s degree in corporate communications from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. She and her husband, Bill, live in Latrobe, Pa., with their twins, Aidan and Jacob.

Authority. At Cal U, he was a member of Acacia fraternity, Order of Omega, the marching band, and the National Society of Pershing Rifles. Frank and his wife, Tammy Panik Shoaf ’98, live in Duncansville, Pa., with their three children, Kylee, Abigail and Ethan.

00s Ryan Richmond ’01 lives in Edinburg, Va., with his wife, Christine ’00.

principal, assistant secondary principal and director of choral activities at Brookville (Pa.) Area School District. Mark also taught K-12 music at Commodore Perry School District in Pennsylvania and elementary music at Pine Bush Central School District in New York. He is past District 3 president and Region 2 chair of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. At Cal U, he earned his principal certification and a master’s degree in educational administration. Matthew Ireland ’04 works for Duquesne University. Julie Nelson Weber ’04 is an academic services coordinator at Rosedale Technical School. She and husband, Chad, live in Bethel Park, Pa. Kazia “Kaye” Lucas-Reynolds ’04 is a case manager for McCullough and Mitchell P.A. She and her husband, Reggie Reynolds, live in Orlando, Fla. She majored in liberal arts at Cal U. Justin Leader ’05 is an employee benefits broker for Special Risk Inc. A biology major at Cal U, he now lives in York, Pa. Jacqueline Britt ’04, ’05 has been appointed branch manager for MVB Bank’s newest location, in the historic district of downtown Clarksburg, W.Va. Previously, she was branch manager at MVB’S Morgantown office. Jacqueline earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration.

Shaun Valente ’02, who has taught technology classes for 10 years at Laurel Highlands Middle School in Uniontown, Pa., is one of 18 teachers in Pennsylvania to be awarded a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) grant. Shaun will use the $500 FirstEnergy Corp. grant to teach students about the trend toward LED (light emitting diode) bulbs. He majored in technology education at Cal U.

Jeffrey Putt ’06 is the new assistant principal at Marion Center (Pa.) Area Junior-Senior High School. He received his principal certification and a master’s degree in education at Cal U.

Matt Kowalski ’02 is a senior conservation technician for Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District, based in Strasburg, Va. Matt has spent the past several years with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Elana David Anthony ’07 writes a blog, The Laws of Exercise, at www.chicagonow.com. She is married and has six daughters and one granddaughter. Her Cal U degree is in exercise science and health promotion.

Richard Charnovich ’02 is a town manager in Maryland. He lives in Columbia, Md. He studied economics and political science at Cal U. Gregory Huchko ’02 is employed by the state of Oregon as a fisheries biologist. He and wife, Holly, live in Roseburg, Ore. Eric Fields ’03 is a teacher. He lives in Duquesne, Pa. J. Mark Heckman ’04 has been hired as superintendent of the DuBois (Pa.) Area School District, effective July 1, 2013. He has been the district’s assistant superintendent since 2009. He also was elementary school

Nick Frangella ’07 is back for his second season as athletic trainer for the Iowa Cubs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Nick earned his master’s degree at Cal U.

Christine Lee ’07 works with RT Environmental Services in Washington, Pa. She also owns an Internet marketing company, where she works part time. Abigail Wilson ’07 is a family and consumer science teacher at McGuffey School District in Washington, Pa. She lives in Monroeville, Pa. William Best Jr. ’07 is a workforce management specialist for Teletech and lives in Fairchance, Pa. He studied mathematics and business management at Cal U, where he was a peer mentor and participated in Upward Bound and the Rainbow Alliance. Adam Lucidi ’08, a stand-up comedian from Uniontown, Pa., who moved to New York to

hone his craft, recently took a road trip back home to perform in Pittsburgh, Pa. Greg Strimel ’08 is a coordinator of K-12 partnerships for West Virginia University. He lives in Houston, Pa., with his wife, Krista. He majored in technology education at Cal U. Elisse Bolin Bachman ’08 is a graduate student and an autism advocate. She lives in Bloomsburg, Pa., with her husband, Corey. She studied human services and elementary education at Cal U, where she also was secretary of the Student Republicans and an assistant in the Athletics Department. Sarah Jakubovic ’09 lives in South Park, Pa. Angie Deal ’09 is the director of the Burgettstown (Pa.) Area Senior Center. Angie had worked at the Canonsburg (Pa.) Senior Center for eight years. Chris Kranjc ’09 has been named assistant athletic director at Hastings College, where he also coaches the men’s soccer team. He received his master’s degree in sport management from Cal U. Doug Davis ’09 has been named the head strength and conditioning coach for football at Purdue University in Indiana. He earned his master’s degree in exercise science at Cal U. Most recently, he worked for two years as head

strength and conditioning coach at Kent State University, Ohio, under current Purdue head coach Darrell Hazell.

Tiffany Prah ’10 is a material technician for FirstEnergy. A business major at Cal U, she now lives in McClellandtown, Pa.

Andrew Fike ’09, of Dunbar, Pa., works for the Pittsburgh accounting firm Goff Backa Alfera and Co. He received his Cal U degree in business administration, with an accounting concentration.

Mary Trigg ’10 has been named the women’s head soccer coach at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. She was the assistant women’s soccer coach at Sacramento State University for the past two seasons and was in the same position at San Francisco State University from 2008 to 2011. While at SFSU, Mary helped to guide her teams to a pair of NCAA Division II playoff appearances and a California Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 2010. She earned her master’s degree in sport management at Cal U.

Bryan Schuerman ’09 is a meteorologist and teacher for the Washington County (Md.) Public Schools. He lives in Hagerstown, Md. At Cal U, he was on the SAI Board of Directors and a member of Student Government and Student Cabinet. He also was a member of the University Choir, the Internship Ambassador Club and the Covey Seven Habits Club.

10s Joe Powell ’10 is the head coach for the Baldwin (Pa.) High School Highlanders hockey team. He joined the coaching staff last season as an assistant. Also an assistant coach for Cal U’s College Hockey East team, Joe played hockey at Cal U from 2005-2010. Rodney K. Taylor ’10 completed his master’s degree in English at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in fall 2012. He majored in English at Cal U. Josh Kakareka ’10, of Jacksonville, Fla., works in the corporate trust department at Bank of New York Mellon. Zachary Simmons ’10 is a physical therapy assistant for D1 Sports Training and Therapy. He received his master’s degree in performance enhancement and injury prevention from Cal U. He lives in El Paso, Texas, with his wife, April. Allison Juchem ’10 is an account manager for inside sales for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) RailRiders. The team is a Triple-A affiliate for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.

Rising in rank Dustin Fuller ’12 (left) and Brittany Hall ’12 were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army at a ceremony on Dec. 14, 2012, at Cal U. Both received the gold bars signifying their new rank at the Department of Military Science’s Reserve Officer Training Corps commissioning ceremony. Speakers at the event included Interim University President Geraldine M. Jones; Dr. Michael Hummel, director of the Linda and Harry Serene Leadership Institute at Cal U; and Dr. John Kallis, interim dean of the Eberly College of Science and Technology.

Andrew Collins ’10 is an officer in the U.S. Army. He majored in information technology management at Cal U and also participated in cross country, track and field, and ROTC. Anthony Canzonieri ’10, a U.S. Army veteran, is the coordinator for Edinboro University’s Veterans Success Center, which seeks to help veterans earn their degrees. Steve Roach ’10 has been hired as Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s associate athletic director of compliance. He earned his degree in sport management at Cal U. Robert Pomazak ’10 has been hired as a physical education instructor and head football coach at St. Charles (Ill.) North High School. He has a master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion from Cal U. Previously, he worked as a physical education teacher at Elk Grove High School, near Chicago, Ill.

Wayne Richter ’10 is an account manager for AlliedBarton Security Services. He lives in McKeesport, Pa. Marylloyd Claytor ’07, ’10 is an implementation specialist consultant with RCG Research Consulting Group and the president and artistic director of Marylloyd Claytor Dance Co. In addition to her career, Marylloyd conducts professional development workshops on self-regulated learning and multiple intelligences for Community College of Allegheny County’s Professional Development Days. She earned her Master of Education and superintendent’s letter of eligibility at Cal U. Dave Bellomo ’11 lives in the Williamsport, Pa., area and works in the fields of corporate wellness and personal fitness training. The owner of Bellomo Personal Fitness, he earned his master’s degree in exercise science at Cal U. Nicole Martin ’11, a secondary education major at Cal U, now lives in Richeyville, Pa. Adam Green ’11, of Chicago, Ill., is expected to be on the USA Open Men’s Soccer team that will participate in the 19th World Maccabiah Games, scheduled for July in Israel. Justin Heinle ’11 works for the Gloucester, Va., Tidewater Performance Center, which offers personal and sports performance training for athletes and adults. David Mornak ’11 has joined Health Insurance Options in Rostraver Township, Pa., as a benefit sales consultant. He graduated from Cal U with a degree in business administration. While attending Cal U, he worked for his family business, Mornak Excavation Inc. Lauren McLelland Mauldin ’11 is a teacher in the Stanly County (N.C) Schools. She and her husband, Eric, live in New London, N.C. Jackie Glunz ’11 is a field representative for Dean Foods Dairy Direct program in the northeastern part of the United States. She lives in Cooperstown, N.Y. Christopher Blosenski ’11 is an environmental consultant with The Mahfood Group in McMurray, Pa.

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CAL U M I L E S T O N E S In print Kelly Kovacs ’09, a fourth-grade teacher in the Mt. Lebanon (Pa.) School District, recently published her first book, The Climbing Tree, an inspirational, poetrybased book that teaches children about making wise choices. Also with messages adults will appreciate, the book is illustrated by Jill Majestic, an art teacher in the school district. Kelly graduated from Cal U with a master’s degree in school administration. For more information about the book, visit http://theclimbingtreebook.com/.

Michael Bibbo ’12 is a trainer for the Batavia Muckdogs, the New York-Pennsylvania League affiliate of the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball. Michael lives in West Chester, Pa., with his wife, Elizabeth, and stepson, Andrew. He earned his master’s degree in exercise science and health promotion, with a rehabilitation science concentration, at Cal U. Asha Dean ’12, who earned a Master of Education with a concentration in English as a Second Language, lives in Pittsburgh, Pa. Galen Sisco ’09, ’12 is a quality assurance coordinator and fiscal liaison for Community Options Inc. He lives in Carnegie, Pa.

ENGAGEMENTS Ashlee Kooser ’05 and Greg Carleton are engaged. Ashlee works for the Department of Justice. Greg works for UPS. They are planning an August 2013 wedding. Ryan Paluda ’11 and Jenna Johnson are engaged. Ryan graduated from Cal U with a degree in industrial technology. He is the controls designer at PA Breaker. Jenna is a senior at West Virginia University. They are planning a wedding in September 2013.

Dan Cordell ’10, ’11 has begun studying for a Doctorate of Health Education at A.T. Still University in Missouri. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Sport Management: Wellness and Fitness and his Master of Science in Exercise Science at Cal U. Dax Lyons ’12 lives in Pittsburgh, Pa. At Cal U he majored in biology with a minor in chemistry. Solimar Ricca Moyer ’12, of Greensburg, Pa., provides classroom assistance at Clairview School. She earned a master’s degree in technology education at Cal U. Shane Ratcliff ’12 is a firefighter at Naval Station Great Lakes, in Illinois. He lives in Chicago. Elizabeth Maruskin ’12 is a nonprofit manager for Dress for Success Pittsburgh. She lives in Morgantown, W.Va. Christa Roth ’12, who received her Master of Arts Teaching degree at Cal U, lives in Pittsburgh, Pa. Elisa Ashton ’12 is a food service worker for UPMC Mercy. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pa. At Cal U, she was a member of the History Club. Justin Allen ’12 is a junior account manager at DisplayIt Inc. A resident of Los Angeles, Calif., he graduated with a degree in sport management: wellness and fitness. 32 CAL U REVIEW SPRING 2013 n

Kirsten Sears and Cameron Kopec are engaged. Kirsten is pursuing her Master of Arts Teaching degree at Cal U and works at The Village Child Care and Preschool. Cameron is an airman first class in the U.S. Air Force and works as a support technician. He also attends Point Park University. They are planning a June 2013 wedding in California, Pa. Holly Williams ’08 and Stephen Currie are engaged. Holly is pursuing her Ph.D. in chemistry at West Virginia University, where she is a graduate assistant. Stephen is a West Virginia University police officer. They plan to marry in August 2013. Alyssa Ford ’12 and Brad Lancaster are engaged. Alyssa graduated from Cal U with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is a registered nurse in Washington, Pa. Brad is an independent contractor. They are planning a June 2013 wedding. Michael Santos ’11, of Indiana, Pa., and Maggie Mack, of Brush Valley, Pa., are engaged. Michael works for Don Huey Custom Building and Remodeling and is a volunteer firefighter for the Indiana Fire Association. He aspires to be a full-time firefighter. Maggie is a nursing student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania who is scheduled to graduate in May. They are planning a September 2013 wedding at The Hayloft in Rockwood, Pa. Christy Voithofer ’08 and Jonathan Pleban are engaged. Christy graduated with a degree in early childhood/elementary education and works for Westgate Management Co. as a social service coordinator at the Village of Searights in Uniontown, Pa. Jonathan works as a business manager for Fike Chevrolet in

Masontown, Pa. They are planning a wedding in October 2013. Nicole Oliver ’08 and Samuel Desmond III ’09 are engaged. Nicole earned her Master of Science in Business Administration at Cal U and is a national account manager for Align Networks. Samuel earned his bachelor’s degree in business information systems and works for NOV-Wilson. They are planning a spring 2014 wedding. Jessica Kish ’06, ’08, of Point Marion, Pa., and Travis Kirby, of McMurray, Pa., are planning a wedding for July 2013. Jessica earned a Master of Education at Cal U and works as a special education teacher in the Albert Gallatin School District in Uniontown, Pa. Travis is a facilities engineer with Range Resources and a captain in the West Virginia Army National Guard, where he serves as a senior instructor at the 197th Regional Training Institute. Mitchell Walker ’09 and Kristin Frye are engaged. Mitchell is a national admissions representative at EDMC in Greentree, Pa. Kristin is completing a dual master’s degree program at the University of Pittsburgh. They are planning a February 2014 wedding. Christopher Paschke ’06 and Sara Nieman have announced their engagement. Christopher works for Ductmate Industries. Sara works for WVU Healthcare. They are planning a wedding for October 2013 in Morgantown, W.Va. James Wadsworth ’06 and Kelly Voss are planning a wedding for June 2013 in Seattle, Wash. James is an Iraq War veteran and works as a P3-C flight engineer in the U.S. Navy. He served recently in the Middle East with the Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Kelly works for the University of Washington. The couple is planning a reception in Perryopolis, Pa., in October. Ty Schaefer ’12 and Britian Smith are planning an August 2013 wedding in West Overton, Pa. Ty is a recreation coordinator at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, Pa. Britian is a guest services representative at Savage River Lodge in Frostburg, Md. Marguerite Smith ’09, ’11 and Sean Haldin are planning a wedding for July 2013. Marguerite graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a Master of Education: Reading Specialist K-12. She is a science teacher at Propel Schools. Sean is a systems administrator at Duquesne University. While at Cal U, Marguerite was the student member of the Council of Trustees in 2008-2009. She was also involved in the peer mentoring program, as well as the SAI Board of Directors, Student Government and the University Choir.

Jacqueline Christopher ’04 and Matthew Devine were planning a May 2013 wedding at The Barn at West Overton, in Scottdale, Pa. A licensed funeral director and embalmer, Jacqueline earned a degree in communications from Cal U. Matthew is director of sales for Atrium Medical: Cardiothoracic Surgery Division. Matthew Rehrig ’06 and Ayumi Wakamatsu are engaged. Matthew works for ECC Japan as an English teacher. Ayumi works for Yamaha Corp. in the English Education Department. They are planning an August 2013 wedding and are living in Tokai City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Ashli Hughes ’06 and Jarred Detweiler have announced their engagement. Ashli earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Cal U and recently was a kindergarten teacher with the Diocese of Greensburg. She is a substitute teacher in the Pittsburgh area, where she lives. Jarred works for EQT Corp. They are planning to marry in June 2013. Roxanne Zoretich ’12, of Bentleyville, Pa., and Jordan Sweany, of Deemston, Pa., are engaged. Roxanne earned a bachelor’s degree in social work at Cal U and is a caseworker at Washington County Health Center. Jordan works at Washington County Adult Probation. They are planning an October 2014 wedding. Bethany Hoag ’05 and Ken Salmen were engaged at Nemacolin Woodlands on July 7, 2012. The couple pland to wed in August 2013 at St. Bernard Church in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. Jennifer Greer Gordon ’04 and Jennifer Conley Pelsor ’04 will be bridesmaids. The couple plans to live in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Pa. Ryan Fuller ’11 and Nicole Petrunak ’11 are engaged. Ryan is employed at D.E.P. in Pittsburgh, Pa., and is an ammunition specialist in the Army National Guard. He is serving in Afghanistan. Nicole is a secondary English teacher at Altoona (Pa.) Area High School. A December 2013 wedding is planned. Sarah Ashley Cigana ’07 and John Karger, both of Wexford, Pa., are engaged to be married in June 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Sarah Ashley was a high school teacher at Ringgold High School for six years. Currently, she is an admissions counselor at La Roche College, Pittsburgh. John has been working at Deloitte as a risk consultant for six years. Sarah Ashley and John are both post-secondary graduates of Duquesne University. They expect to be moving to Charlotte, N.C., in the near future.

MARRIAGES Joel Leroy ’08 and Jessica Petrella were married Feb. 23, 2013. After five years of working in professional baseball, Joel now works for Staples corporate offices in the Boston, Mass., area. Jessica works for Liberty Mutual Asset Management Inc. as a senior global portfolio analyst. Nicole Batovsky ’08, ’10 and Ryan Stauffer were married Dec. 15, 2012, in Mary Mother of the Church, Charleroi, Pa. Nicole is a certified public accountant at Houston & Associated LLC in Washington, Pa. Ryan is a materials chemist at Ferro Corp., also in Washington. They took a honeymoon trip to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and are living in Donora, Pa. Jennifer Martin ’95 and Tim “Biff” Maloy ’96 were planning to be married May 26, 2013. Tim is a member of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, and Jennifer is a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Both studied communications at Cal U, where they met at new student orientation in August 1991. Philip Scabis ’06, ’08 and Dana Pawlikowsky were married Aug. 18, 2012, at St. John the Baptist Church in Scottdale, Pa. The matron of honor was Katherine Weir ’73. Philip received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and his master’s degree in legal studies and homeland security at Cal U. He is an investigator for the federal government. Dana is a math teacher in Fairfax, Va. Following a honeymoon in Puerto Morales, Mexico, they are living in Fairfax. Mark Gates ’08 and Lauren Clark were married Sept. 1, 2012, on the beach in Clearwater, Fla. Mark — son of Richard Gates ’74 — graduated from Cal U with a master’s degree in geography and regional planning. He is the assistant director of events services/ senior coordinator at the Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry Township, Pa. Lauren is a sales consultant for Verizon Communications in Pittsburgh, Pa. After a honeymoon trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, they are living in Kennedy Township, Pa. Bryan Broccolo ’01 and Katie Domachowski were married Sept. 8, 2012, in Life Church in Washington, Pa. Bryan earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science at Cal U. He is a pharmaceutical sales representative. Katie is pursuing a degree in the medical field. Louis Richards Jr. ’10 and Angela Lutrario ’08, both of Uniontown, Pa., were married May 19, 2012, in St. Mary’s (Nativity) Church. Louis earned his degree in justice studies. Angela’s degree is in elementary education. They are living in Uniontown.

Jason Mounts ’08 and Monica Balla ’11 were married Oct. 20, 2012, in St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church. Monica earned her liberal arts degree at Cal U. She is a pharmacy technician at Giant Eagle in Washington, Pa. Jason graduated with a degree in sport management. He works for Atlas Energy in Waynesburg, Pa. Jeffrey Crum ’08 and Jessica Dayton ’09 were married July 14, 2012, at Rolling Hills Country Club, McMurray, Pa. Jeffrey received his degree in criminal justice and was a member of the Acacia fraternity at Cal U. He is a University of Pittsburgh police officer. Jessica earned her degree in elementary/special education and is a learning support teacher in the Avella (Pa.) Elementary Center. Tessa Unice ’00, of Smithfield, Pa., and Gerald Rogers, of Uniontown, Pa., were married July 7, 2012, at St. George Maronite Catholic Church in Uniontown. Tessa received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and is a teacher in the Laurel Highlands School District. Gerald is pursuing a doctorate in history from Lehigh University. They are living in Uniontown. Tina Ross ’04, ’06, of Coal Center, Pa., and Darrin Dillow, of Smithfield, Pa., were married July 21, 2012, at Grace United Methodist Church in Coal Center. Their reception was held at Nemacolin Country Club. Tina is a kindergarten teacher at California (Pa.) Area Middle School. Darrin is a history teacher and coach at California Area High School. They visited the Riviera Maya, Mexico, for their honeymoon and are living in Coal Center. Amanda Heister ’09 and Zachary Delgreco ’07 were married in October 2012. Amanda is a loan specialist at PNC Bank. The couple lives in Pittsburgh, Pa. Colleen Elms ’09 and Robert Geletko ’04 were married Oct. 20, 2012, at the West End Overlook park, with a reception at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, both in Pittsburgh, Pa. Colleen is the director of marketing and events at Hello Productions. Robert is an accountant in the Bethel Park School District. They live in the Brookline neighborhood of Pittsburgh and are expecting their first child in July 2013.

SPRING 2013 CAL U REVIEW 33 n

CAL U M I L E S T O N E S Ashley Milcheck ’07 and Steve Illar were married on Sept. 15, 2012. Ashley is a caseworker for Washington County, Pa. Steve is a mechanic for Shumar Industries. The couple planned to take an Alaskan cruise in March 2013 for their honeymoon. Ian Powell ’06 and Amber Nichole Harig were married Nov. 10, 2012, at Chartiers Hill United Presbyterian Church in Canonsburg, Pa. Ian is employed at FTS International, and Amber is a substitute teacher for Peters Township (Pa.) School District. Eric Swinchock ’10 and Mallory Johnstone were married Oct. 27, 2012. Eric is a journeyman carpenter in Santa Barbara, Calif. The newlyweds spent a honeymoon vacation in Kauai, Hawaii.

ANNIVERSARY

IN MEMORIAM

Mary Toth Fabian ’85 and Michael E. Fabian ’82 celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on the boat docks at Smitty’s Marina in Belle Vernon, Pa., in June 2012. Mary is the director of the Lawrence County (Pa.) Area Agency on Aging Senior Centers. Michael is a lead quality engineer for General Motors at the Lordstown, Ohio, Assembly Complex. They live in Canfield, Ohio.

Marian Rita Barbuscak ’74 Alan Bickel ’58 Andy M. Bryner ’59 Louis Robert Drop ’67 Veronica “Verne” Duda, Cal U’s first lady, 1956-1968 Thomas A. Dutch ’49 Gwendolyn S. Zoretic Galica ’59 Robert E. Gandley ’62 Judith Sandorf Ewing Garofalo ’85, ’95 Roger A. Gillot ’79 Davidine Diane Glad ’75 Ronald L. Gratz ’67 Kenneth H. “Deke” Greene Jr. ’90 Cheryl Slater Homistek ’70 John Andrew Kaczynski ’73 Bruce L. Kaiser ’68 Alex E. Kovacs ’51 David “Sonny” Micija* Victoria A. “Vickie” Mance Morrell ’74 Eleanor J. Morris ’86 Kenneth L. Noel* George Razum ’60 Gary W. Reighard ’59 Grace P. Rippel ’34 John J. Ross ’53 Sherry “Whit” Renee Shumaker ’85 Matthew C. Talaga ’85 Edward C. Vercoe ’74 John W. Wherry III ’67 Dr. Maurice “Eugene” Wilson,* former psychology department faculty

BIRTHS Jonathan Malone ’98 and his wife, Joanna, announce the birth of their fifth child, Michael Patrick, born Aug. 30, 2012. The family lives in Mooresville, N.C. Jonathan is a financial advisor and owns a wealth management practice. Shannon Leturgey Meredith ’91 and her husband, William, welcomed their fourth child, Faith Angeline Meredith, on Sept. 11, 2012. Daniel P. Spinda ’03 and his wife, Julie, are pleased to announce the birth of their first child, Danilo Stone Spinda, on Jan. 21, 2013. Danilo weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. The couple was married Sept. 17, 2011, and they live in Bethel Park, Pa.

*Indicates no class year provided or on file

Send your Milestones news or address changes by fax to 724-938-5932, by mail to Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 89, California, PA 15419, or by e-mail to alumni@calu.edu. Questions? Call 724-938-4418.

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