West Chester University Magazine Summer 2016

S U MMER 2016

West Chester University MAGAZINE

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Retooling the Academic Engine

IN THIS ISSUE

The Colleges of WCU

Sciences & Mathematics 21%

Arts & Humanities 17%

Business & Public Management 24%

Health Sciences 22%

Education & Social Work 16%

New Enrollment Distribution by College

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On the Cover: Retooling the Academic Engine

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A transition coming in the fall semester will more evenly distribute the University’s resources and responsibilities among its five colleges.

Q&A: Interim President Christopher Fiorentino

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Fiorentino hit the ground running as West Chester University’s interim president.

Legacy Building: Larry Dowdy ’73, M’80

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Dowdy is hopeful the endowment can strengthen the offerings of the Multicultural Center.

Featured Alumnus: Jim Farrell ’76

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Farrell is in his 34th year in broadcasting and his 24th year as a meteorologist at WINK-TV News.

4 University News 14 WCU Profiles 20 Holiday Concert 21 Cultural Events 22 Sports News

31 Dick Yoder ’59 32 Matt Bricketto 34 Alumni Weekend 40 Alumni Notes 46 Homecoming 2016

wcupa.edu/socialmedia

LETTER FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT

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ne of the greatest joys in academia is witnessing the graduation procession of those who have worked diligently to become educated, compassionate citizens. It was just two short months ago that we had the pleasure of seeing 2,530 West Chester University graduates become alumni of this fine institution. As I shook their hands, I was taken by the overwhelming excitement and great sense of accomplishment that all of them exuded in anticipation of the future.

The energy from commencement was palpable as proud families, faculty and friends looked on with just as much enthusiasm; they, too, understood the significance of the moment, as well as the sacrifice and hard work that it ultimately took to cross the finish line.

SUMMER 2016

Editor & Executive Director of Communications Nancy Santos Gainer Associate Editors Matt Born Loretta MacAlpine Design JoAnne Mottola Contributors Amanda Lauzon Erica Thompson James Zuhlke Interim President Christopher Fiorentino Vice President for Advancement and Sponsored Research Mark Pavlovich Director of Alumni Relations Debbie Cornell Naughton

The University takes pride in being the catalyst for lives to flourish. In this spirit, West Chester University Magazine is dedicated to telling the stories of the University’s alumni, faculty and students. In this issue, we share the University’s strategic efforts to enhance student success and strengthen academic offerings and organization. You will also read about alumni who are making a difference in their communities, including virtual and artistic worlds, as well as faculty who are ensuring that students learn in innovative environments that stimulate discovery in the classroom and the laboratory. We also pay tribute to one of our most beloved and famous Golden Rams, Dick Yoder ’59, at a time when the Dixon Trophy comes home once again.

The West Chester University Magazine is published three times a year for the alumni, families, students and friends of West Chester University. We welcome letters concerning magazine content or issues pertaining to the University. Letters must be signed and kept to one typed page. Please include address and daytime phone number. We reserve the right to edit.

WCU stories are as varied as they are many. With a refreshed look, West Chester University Magazine hopes to make you even more proud.

Send correspondence to: Editor, The WCU Magazine, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383

Sincerely,

West Chester University Magazine is published by the West Chester University Office of Communications www.wcupa.edu WCU is an AA/EEO institution

Christopher M. Fiorentino Interim President

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16,000 students can’t be wrong

Learn More @

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES Barry C. Dozor ’71 Thomas A. Fillippo ’69 (chair) Christopher Franklin ’87 Jonathan Ireland ’95, M’03 Christopher A. Lewis

The West Chester University Foundation Board of Trustees Officers Keith Beale ’77 (president) Thomas E. Mills, IV ’81 (vice president) Christopher J. DiGiuseppe ’89 (treasurer) Sandra F. Mather ’64, M’68 (secretary) Richard Przywara (executive director) Trustees James P. Argires ’56 John H. Baker ’74 Frank Branca ’70 Mathew J. Bricketto, ex officio J. Alan Butcher ’88, M’92 Deborah J. Chase ’76

Kate Cipriano ’00 Thomas A. Fillippo ’69 (Council of Trustees representative) Christopher M. Fiorentino, ex officio David A. Gansky ’88 Carl Gersbach ’70 John A. Gontarz David P. Holveck ’68 Kathleen Leidheiser Emily Jane Lemole Donald R. McIlvain Mark Mixner, ex officio Tahany Naggar John N. Nickolas ’90 Michael O’Rourke John R. Panichello ’83 Mark G. Pavlovich, ex officio Michael Peich Paula D. Shaffner ’80 James Shinehouse ’80 John Stoddart ’93, M’99 Christine Warren ’90, M’99

J. Adam Matlawski ’80 (vice chair) Marian D. Moskowitz Eli Silberman Christine Costello ’04 (secretary) Robert M. Tomlinson ’70

West Chester University Alumni Association President Dean Gentekos ’07 Vice President Matt Holliday ’09 Treasurer Robert E. Smith ’72 Secretary Denise Bowman Trigo ’98 Past President Jeffrey Stein ’91 Directors Lisa Wright Bryant ’87 Clay Cauley ’96 Thomas J. Ciaccio ’91, M’03 Mark Drochek ’86 Kareem Edwards ’07 Bill Friedmann M’09

Dean Gentekos ’07 Jamie W. Goncharoff ’82 Matt Holliday ’09 Jerome Hunt ’03, M’06 Jonathan Long ’03 Nick Polcini ’00, M’05 William Scottoline ’74 Robert E. Smith ’72 Justin Sochovka ’14 Amy Miller-Spavlik ’90, M’92 Jeffrey Stein ’91 Denise Bowman Trigo ’98 Michael Willard ’03 Emeriti Carmen Evans Culp ’52, M’64 Janice Weir Etshied ’50 (deceased) Karl Helicher ’72, M’82, M’87 Richard D. Merion ’59, M’69 John F. Murphy ’43 (deceased) Luther B. Sowers ’49

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

2016

COMMENCEMENT 4 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY NEWS

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t the University’s three May commencement ceremonies, 2,530 students — 2,125 undergraduate students and 405 graduate students — earned their degrees. Karl J. Kuerner, a renowned Chester County painter in the tradition of American realism and the heritage of the Brandywine, as well as a respected art instructor, was awarded an honorary doctor of public service.

Speaking to the undergraduates in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Visual and Performing Arts, Kathy Ochse ’89 (B.A. speech communication) spoke candidly to the graduates about facing challenges in the midst of adversity. She was managing teams through a major reorganization when she was diagnosed with cancer. Ochse, who just celebrated two years of being cancer free, said, “Having cancer taught me the ultimate power of perseverance…You will no doubt experience difficulties in your career and life…

When you are faced with a challenge, exercise your power to persevere.”

Ochse is senior director, Client Services at StudioPost Operations, a Universal Studios post-production facility in Universal City, California. She has led and managed post-production customer service, project management and operations teams for 25 years.

Graduates in the colleges of Business and Public Affairs, Education, and Health Sciences listened to advice from Katherine Dougherty Stahl ’76 (B.S. elementary

education), a clinical associate professor of reading and director of New York University’s Literacy Clinic. Stahl shared advice with the graduates about selecting mentors who will provide valuable perspectives. Reflecting on her own experiences, she said, “I am grateful for the lanterns who have provided enlightenment for me along the way, not only for the important knowledge that each of them imparted, but also for modeling for me how to serve as a lantern for those I encounter along life’s journey.”

Stahl, who taught in high-poverty public elementary and middle school classrooms for more than 25 years, studies the effective instruction of reading in the elementary years and is committed to improving student achievement and school effectiveness, especially in urban settings.

Joanne Finegan M’90 (administration) is a vigorous advocate for the field of therapeutic recreation and for people with disabilities, and has been recognized with numerous awards. As the chief executive officer of US Community Behavioral, Embassy Management, LLC, and president of ReMed, Finegan works to educate others on the impact and lifelong effects of brain injury. She urged the master’s candidates to look inward, trust instincts and take risks.

She said, “Try to take time to really explore the path that allows you to get up every day and feel like you are doing something worthwhile, something significant and something that you feel passionate about.

Make this your journey.”

Left from top: Kathy Ochse ’89, Katherine Dougherty Stahl ’76, Joanne Finegan M’90, Karl J. Kuerner READ MORE about the commencement speakers at wcupa.edu/registrar/Commencement/speakers.aspx

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NEWS & NOTES Global Citizenship as a Collaborative Responsibility

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Kristen Crossney, professor of geography and planning

Is Home Ownership Only a Dream?

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or a long time, the American dream has included owning a home, but with the recession, has it become a liability?

Kristen Crossney, a WCU professor of geography and planning, is investigating a facet of that complex question: changes in home ownership in Pennsylvania’s rural areas. She has received a one-year grant of $14,947 from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania to conduct studies and analyze data that will inform state legislators and local strategies to address changes, particularly decline, in rural homeownership.

Crossney is using various methods of analysis to assess current conditions and project changes in homeownership rates. She’s identifying demographic and market characteristics related to home ownership declines in rural cities and boroughs. Residents of Pennsylvania’s Southeast region, the state’s most populous area, may not realize the state is still predominantly countryside: 48 of Pennsylvania’s 67

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counties are classified by population density as rural. Of Pennsylvania’s 12.7 million residents, nearly 3.5 million are considered rural.

“Home ownership is tied to the stability and quality of a place. It’s a way to accumulate wealth,” she notes. “There is a strong national preference for home ownership but does that hold true in the state’s rural areas? The spatial analyses will likely identify areas experiencing similar rates and changes of home ownership in rural Pennsylvania’s municipalities.”

Crossney researches an array of issues related to housing, particularly spatial patterns of predatory lending and the populations that are most at risk. This study will provide the Pennsylvania Legislature with “a better feel for the trends and explanations of changes and factors tied to rural home ownership.”

As a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

ore than 60 Costa Rican scholars from Universidad Nacional (UNA) traveled to WCU this spring to participate in the fourth Knowledge Crossing Borders conference, which addressed global citizenship. Held on the University’s campus May 31 – June 3, the four-day symposium was a collaborative effort that featured a number of highlights, including a keynote address from Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Pedro Cortés. Sessions explored global citizenship in the context of international business, arts and humanities, health and wellbeing, and cross-cultural immersion. The scholarly gathering also provided an opportunity for artistic sharing. A full evening of dance, music and theatre celebrated the creative work of students and faculty from both universities. The conference ended quite fittingly with a day spent in the “City of Brotherly Love.” During the visit, Philadelphia Deputy Mayor for Public Engagement Nina Ahmad talked to participants about Mayor of Philadelphia James Kenney’s vision for addressing the changes and challenges of global citizenship in Philadelphia. With the goal of building lasting global partnerships in higher education, WCU-UNA scholars have been visiting each other’s campuses since 2012.

UNIVERSITY UNIVERS ITY NEWS NEWS UNIVERSITY NEWS

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Works to Remove Racial Barriers

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ail C. Christopher, senior advisor and vice president, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, engaged members of the community in a dialogue regarding the Foundation’s hands-on work to instill “Racial Healing as a Public Health Imperative.” The discussion was sponsored by West Chester University’s College of Health Sciences. A nationally recognized leader in health policy, Christopher is charged with leading the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) initiative. Throughout the U.S., TRHT is actively engaged in coordinating national and local commissions dedicated to organizing public forums designed to explore real ways to eliminate racial hierarchies and establish systems that provide equitable opportunities.

PICTURED (L TO R) are Linda Thompson Adams, professor of nursing and dean, College of Health Sciences; Gail C. Christopher; Frances M. Sheehan, president and chief executive officer, Brandywine Community Health Foundation; and Maureen Tomoschuk, president and chief executive officer, Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM).

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PYRAMIDS OF PROGRESS

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n Saturday, April 2, 2016, Hollinger Field House was transformed into an Egyptian oasis for the 33rd Annual Presidential Scholarship Community Gala, Pyramids of Progress.

With nearly 400 attendees and corporate sponsorship at an all-time high, the 33rd Presidential Scholarship Gala was a tremendous success. Guests enjoyed fine Egyptian cuisine, belly dancers, live music by Midnight Hour, as well as an extensive silent auction, bidding on everything from African safaris to original art to VIP Eagles tickets. West Chester University Interim President Christopher Fiorentino, and his wife, Susan, shared co-hosting duties with Gala Co-chairs Stephanie and Ed Collison. A 1993 WCU alumnus, Ed is executive vice president and principal of Hobbs and Company, Inc., and Stephanie serves 8 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

as a business analyst/manager and a shareholder with Ultimate Software.

In honor of the March 31st retirement of the University’s 14th President Greg Weisenstein, a video tribute detailed the accomplishments from his seven years serving WCU. The 2015-2016 Presidential Scholarship recipients were also recognized: Christina George, a music major from Newton, NJ; Farzam Rahman, a chemistry-biology major from East Brunswick, NJ; and Mattheau Hunter, a theatre major in the Honors College from Mertztown, PA. Since its inception in 1983, the premier black-tie event has raised over $1.2 million dollars and funded more than 130 Presidential Scholarships for WCU’s most academically gifted students.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

The 5+ Club

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est Chester University is one of the few institutions in the world that has all five Shakespeare Folios: First (1623); Second (1632); Third, Issue 1 (1663); Third (1664); and Fourth (1685). And all were on public display in April in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death.

The program in the Francis Harvey Green Library’s Special Collections room featured a lecture explaining the history of the Folios and the uniqueness of the First; a performance of lute music of Shakespeare’s era; and a scene from The Tempest, which the Department of Theatre and Dance produced this spring.

The University’s First Folio, known as the Auchincruive Folio, was once owned by Richard Oswald, the British businessman and statesman who negotiated the Treaty of Paris, which brought an end to the American Revolution. Auchincruive was the name of Oswald’s estate in Scotland.

est Chester University has been added to “The 5+ Club,” a prestigious roster of institutions that have produced five or more physics teachers in a single year. The list, managed by the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC), includes only 12 institutions.

Physics Department Chair Anthony Nicastro notes that “WCU has graduated five or more students in our B.S.Ed. program in each of the last three years.

“To many, such a graduation rate does not sound impressive until it is put in context. Every year about 1,400 people are hired to teach high school physics [in the U.S.], but only about a third of them have a physics degree. That represents about 10 students per year per state, so WCU produces about half of a typical state’s complement of high school physics teachers.”

Nicastro says the lack of trained physics teachers is detrimental to high school students: “Two-thirds of high school physics teachers have only had a couple of physics courses in their undergraduate training, not enough to be truly prepared for some of the highly talented students who are in our nation’s secondary schools.”

PhysTEC is an education program of the American Physical Society in partnership with the American Association of Physics Teachers, with support from the National Science Foundation.

“Wherefore art thou,” Folio?

Tony Nicastro, professor of physics

Q&A with West Chester University’s New Interim President

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hristopher Fiorentino hit the ground running as West Chester University’s interim president on Friday, April 1. In fact, just two days later on Sunday, April 3, both he and his wife, Susan Roberts Fiorentino ’86, laced up their sneakers and joined the WCU masses at the Alumni Association’s 2nd Annual Ram Run 5K. A long-time runner, Fiorentino is no stranger to the fast pace of university life, having been an integral part of the WCU community since 1983. He is equipped to go the distance.

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Fiorentino began teaching economics at the University as an adjunct professor while he was completing his doctoral degree.

He later became an assistant professor and then dean of the College of Business of Public Affairs. In 2013, he was named vice president for external operations. In addition to his wife, two of their children also share great pride in being Golden Rams.

Fiorentino spoke to West Chester University Magazine recently and the following are excerpts from that conversation.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

What is your role as interim president at WCU? When I spoke with Chancellor Frank Brogan about becoming the interim president, he suggested one of two roles.

The first role was that of a caretaker — someone who would sustain dayto-day operations. The second was to be a leader moving the University’s mission and strategic plan forward. I chose the latter. In today’s environment, it is especially important to advance the University’s agenda and actively engage with the many opportunities ahead.

How has your past experience as a vice president, a dean and a faculty member prepared you for this new role?

I have a long history with WCU that has evolved over time and enabled me to see academia from a variety of perspectives. As a faculty member who became department chair, I learned that it is essential to connect with students and understand their unique points of view. I also connect with faculty and the importance of being an advocate for the academic enterprise. As a dean, I hired more than 100 tenured faculty members. I see faculty as central to fulfilling our mission as they serve our students day in and day out. As a vice president, my duties expanded. I became part of cabinet and made toplevel decisions that gave me a broader understanding of WCU’s institutional priorities, and the responsibility to implement sound strategic planning and budgeting.

• Engage faculty, both existing and new, in the life of the University

balance the University’s budget.

While annual enrollment growth has been a factor in our success, we are constrained by the University’s physical capacity. We need to seize opportunities presented to us by online education, as well as new graduate and undergraduate programs (e.g., engineering).

• Focus on overcoming state funding limitations

What are some of the University’s most recent success stories?

• Prepare and implement plans to manage enrollment growth and trends

I am very proud of our continuing commitment to student success.

Outstanding work by our faculty and staff has resulted in record retention and graduation rates. Also, the advent of doctoral education at WCU is a major milestone, as is the growth in our distance education and Philadelphia programs. I can’t forget the increasing financial support of our alumni and friends. We have set a new record for giving this year.

We must do the following: • Continue implementation of WCU’s Building on Excellence Strategic Plan and prepare the campus to engage in developing its next vision and plan

• Strengthen our collaborative relationships with area municipalities and other important alliances • Reduce the achievement gap for students from underrepresented groups • Seek Board of Governors approval to offer undergraduate programs in biomedical, and industrial and operations engineering • Create a broader understanding of the impact WCU graduates have on the region How do you plan to engage WCU? I have enjoyed engaging from day one.

This is my style. Reaching out actively to have meaningful conversations with students, faculty, staff, and alumni helps me understand perspectives about WCU’s strengths, challenges, climate and culture. These conversations have been critical in identifying some of the areas that we need to address.

How will you keep WCU moving forward?

What are the primary challenges that WCU is facing today and why?

It is critical that we help WCU gain access to new opportunities and ensure that we have the resources needed to fulfill our mission to all students, as well as future generations of students.

Funding is a primary challenge. In the face of declining state resources, we must work to maintain an affordable, high quality education for all of our students. As we try to maintain the lowest tuition possible, we must also

Why should alumni be proud of WCU? WCU has a long tradition of graduating students who achieve success in numerous fields. All alumni can feel proud of their alma mater as the University continues to grow its academic programs and enhance its brand.

What is the one-word that describes your outlook on the year ahead?

Opportunity.

CONNECT WITH the West Chester University Office of the President at wcupa.edu/president

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

Raising the Visibility of WCU Sciences

S IMAGINING POSSIBILITIES

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he Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education (PA-NAME) held its 18th annual conference, entitled Imagining Possibilities: Moving Beyond Boundaries to Realize American Democracy, at West Chester University.

The conference, which drew nearly 300 participants, featured the state’s best scholars and experts in multicultural education as they led a variety of sessions designed to celebrate differences and decrease bigotry. The conference was organized by the following PA-NAME board members and faculty from West Chester University: Beatrice Adera, associate professor and student teacher coordinator, Special Education Department, WCU; Joyce Avila, president, PANAME; Kim Doan, associate professor, Special Education Department, WCU; Tchet Dereic Dorman, social media director, PA-NAME; Kristine Lewis Grant, vice president/ president-elect, PA-NAME; Tina Keller, treasurer, PANAME; Katherine Norris (conference co-chair), associate professor and assistant chair, Early and Middle Grades Education Department, WCU; Kathleen Riley, assistant professor, Department of Literacy, WCU; Sunita Mayor (conference co-chair), associate professor, Department of Literacy, WCU; and Carol Watson, secretary, PA-NAME. Pictured are conference participants.

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igma Xi, the prestigious scientific research society, installed a chapter at West Chester University this spring. The University was approved for a chapter based on its outstanding record of faculty and student research, as well as its compelling support of scientific research. Joined by representatives of Sigma Xi’s national office and officers from local chapters, 24 WCU scientists signed the charter to establish the chapter on campus on April 12, 2016. Membership to the faculty-led honor society enables the induction of students and faculty into an organization that is recognized globally and has more than 200 Nobel Prize winners.

Women in Higher Education Leadership

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he Offices of the President and Provost inaugurated Women in Higher Education Leadership, a program designed to create a professional development opportunity for women at West Chester University. The inclusive program, which had an overwhelming response, drew participation from all areas of the University. Highlighting the afternoon was a panel discussion featuring women leaders in higher education who talked candidly about their careers and lives.

Panelists included Madeleine Wing Adler, president emerita, WCU; Ira Blake, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Bloomsburg University; Diane DeVestern, former assistant vice president for student affairs, WCU; Kathleen Howley, deputy vice chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE); and Victoria Sanders, assistant vice chancellor, PASSHE. From brainstorming to mentoring to networking, the afternoon provided a valuable opportunity for synergies to occur. A reception at Tanglewood closed the afternoon.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Pictured, L-R: Sharing a laugh at the 21st West Chester Poetry Conference in June are workshop leader Sarah Cortez, conference poet emerita Rhina Espaillat, and participant Anna Yin, who is poet laureate of Mississauga, Canada. Credit: Gerry Cambridge

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Rhyme is the Reason

hether they came for one day or all three of the 21st West Chester University Poetry Conference, Exploring Form & Narrative, the poets in attendance were “overwhelmingly positive” about their experiences, reports Sam Gwynn, conference program director.

Five undergraduate poets were honored at the conference with the Iris N. Spencer Poetry Prizes. Benefactor Kean Spencer (inset photo) named the awards for his mother, a community servant and avid reader. In first place was Rachel Ann Girty

(Northwestern University) and Abigail Wang (University of Pittsburgh) secured second place.

Ian Peck (Pitt) took first place in the Myong Cha Son Haiku competition and Josephine Carino (East Carolina University) placed second. Kyle R. Spencer created the prizes and named them for his mother-in-law.

Jeanna Matthews of SUNY at Potsdam was honored with the Rhina P. Espaillat award, named for the conference’s first poet emerita.

The Donald Justice Award went to Pat Valdata and Jeff Hardin.

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FACU LTY PROFILE

GREEN CHEMISTRY Waste Not, Want Not

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ingqiu Hu, assistant professor of chemistry, has been researching and studying renewable energy in an effort to unearth viable alternatives to fossil fuel. Thanks to a $9,200 WCU Foundation Faculty/Student Research (FaStR) grant, Hu is using backyard waste, such as cut-grass leaves and falling flower petals, to construct dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs).

Hu explains that the sun is the most abun-

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dant source of renewable energy, and DSCs work much like the photosynthesis process found in plant leaves. The solar cells use synthetic or natural dyes to absorb the sun’s energy and convert it to electricity.

DSCs, which were first reported by Michael Grätzel in 1988, have attracted a lot of attention and numerous experiments have been conducted on them by scientists. Some large drawbacks exist in developing DSCs, however. The synthetic organic dyes used

to construct DSCs can be costly to create, as well as toxic to the environment. On the other hand, using natural dyes extracted from fruits and vegetables results in competition between food and fuel. Could there be another way to develop DSCs? Yes. “I use backyard waste,” says Hu. “I am always interested in green chemistry. We combine backyard waste with other materials, such as titanium dioxide nanoparticles, that can either be made in a lab or purchased

ALUMNI PROFILE

from an outside company. We collect leaves from three different types of grass, extract them with organic solvents, and use the leaf extract to construct DSCs.” Hu says a temperamental aspect of this type of solar cell is the low-energy conversion efficiency, usually less than 12 percent. “The challenge is to make the voltage and current output higher, so it can produce more electric power for applications.”

There is no telling what this could possibly lead to one day. “This is a very active area of research,” she says. “Our goal is to identify the grass species that provides the best performance among the common turfgrass in Pennsylvania, and to improve the energy conversion efficiency by varying other components in the solar cells. Research takes time and a lot of hard work.”

The 12-month grant provided by the WCU Foundation enabled Hu to benefit from the “hard work” of two WCU students. Devan Kerecman ’16, who will be pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry in the fall at the University of Delaware, and Luke Warner, a junior chemistry major, constructed solar cells and analyzed pigments.

Hu plans to continue the project in the fall. In the interim, grass will certainly not grow under the chemists’ feet. Hu, Kerecman and Warner submitted an abstract about the project and plan to present their research in August at the 252nd American Chemical Society’s National Meeting in Philadelphia.

JINQIU HU is an assistant professor of chemistry in the College of the Sciences and Mathematics

Firefighter Extraordinaire

Daniel Matthews

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aniel Matthews, Jr. ’16, better known as “D.J.,” was recently frontpage news after single-handedly saving four people from a burning home in West Chester Borough.

Matthews, a five-year volunteer firefighter with the West Chester Fame Fire Company and a May 2016 recipient of a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and finance, heard smoke alarms sounding as he walked home after completing a shift at the fire station on March 6 at 4:30 a.m. As he traveled through his neighborhood, a house appeared to be on fire. He surveyed the scene and saw that fire was emanating from the kitchen. He knew instinctively that occupants were most likely inside the house when he saw the glow of a television screen. He entered the house through an unlocked door, awoke a man sleeping in front of the television and got him out of the house to safety. Matthews learned from the man that three other people were in the house on the second floor.

Matthews went back into the home, rushed to the second floor, found the three individuals, and got them out of the house safely. Borough police had arrived by this time, so he borrowed a fire extinguisher, and ran back into the home to put out the fire. The first fire truck arrived soon thereafter.

Matthews’ bravery was recognized by Borough Mayor Carolyn Comitta ’74 and Borough Council on April 21. The citation proclaimed him a “Firefighter Extraordinaire.” Matthews said of the honor, “It’s something I don’t ever expect.

We [volunteer fire fighters] don’t do it for the recognition. … We get up in the middle of the night to try and help out.”

Interim President Christopher Fiorentino spoke about his valor during commencement on Sunday, May 8. Asking Matthews to stand and be recognized, Fiorentino said, “D.J., you make every one of us at West Chester University very proud.”

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ALUMNI PROFILE

SIMPLY-NICOLE.COM

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icole Raudonis ’10 is a self-proclaimed “twentysomething health nut, yoga and green juice lover, and travel-obsessed blogger” who was inspired to start a healthy-living blog in her WCU apartment bedroom in 2009. Seven short years later, who would have thought that Simply-Nicole.com would be reaching well over 35,000 monthly readers with tips about practical and realistic ways to lead a healthy, balanced life that rejuvenates the mind, body and spirit.

An avid journal writer since she was a child, the lifestyle blogger’s penchant for writing blends perfectly with a passion to spread the word about all things healthy, natural and novel.

It didn’t start out that way. A psychology major and dance minor who spent most of her time in the studio when it was on South Campus, Raudonis shares that she developed an obsession for diet foods, protein bars, calorie counting, and the like when she was in college.

“After years of having a negative relationship with food, I wanted a place to share my journal entries about a healthier and happier life,” she says.

“I worked on my blog every chance I had — before classes, during breaks and late at night.

I loved sharing nutritious recipes, workouts and details

Nicole Raudonis

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about my day-to-day college life. Now, my little corner of the Internet has evolved into so much more.”

It’s actually turned into a great deal more. Raudonis, a resident of Norristown who works full-time as a content marketing specialist for Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. in West Chester, has been able to collaborate with such wellknown entities as Whole Foods Markets, Nestlé, Puma, Athleta, Wayfair, Murad Skincare, and the list goes on.

Quite single-handedly, she has created an engaged community of women from around the world who actively and regularly read Simply-Nicole. com. “The Simply-Nicole reader is someone who wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but also craves balance. She’s a woman who loves green juice and working out, but also loves rosé, cheesecake, or my personal favorite, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. She’s someone who wants to kill it at the gym, but also wants to look hot for date night.”

Raudonis’ goal is, well, simple.

She says, “My goal is to have my readers feel empowered after reading my blog and excited to make positive changes in their busy lives. I know that they don’t have all day to scour the Internet to find a quick dinner recipe or an effective fifteen-minute cardio routine.

Simply-Nicole.com is a place for them to find it all.”

READ MORE about Nicole Raudonis at Simply-Nicole.com

STUDENT PROFILES

One Major’s Endless Possibilities

Samantha Stalford

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ising senior Women’s and Gender Studies major Samantha “Sam” Jeune has a busy summer: She is interning in Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s office June 6 – Aug. 12 and is completing WCU’s intensive Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI).

In Mayor Kenney’s Office of Education, Jeune is supporting initiatives to develop 25 community schools and expand access to quality pre-k. “I’m compiling research on how to ensure these initiatives are influenced by national best practices and working closely with community members to help ensure Philadelphians have their voices heard as the programs are developed.”

Sam says she was well-prepared by her SURI role as a researcher for Women’s and Gender Studies Chair Lisa Ruchti’s studies on the experiences of women of color college students.

Jeune carries two minors, biology and peace and conflict studies, and hopes to “combine my passions into my career. One of my goals is to create a non-profit that facilitates mentoring programs for … girls of color” that would include health and sex education. “That’s why I love this major. The [career] possibilities are endless.”

Samantha Jeune

S

amantha Stalford found more than her place at WCU, from being elected vice president of the Honors College Student Association and secretary of club field hockey, to being named a Leadership Consultant (LC) last fall.

This spring, she received two awards for embracing that role: the Citizen Leader Award for “embodying the virtues of honor, embracing diversity, empathy, teamwork and social responsibility”; and the WCU Leader Award for her leadership qualities and how she has impacted the campus community.

As an LC, Stalford was quite busy this year, having been assigned student organizations that are politically oriented, including the party-affiliated College Republicans and College Democrats, both of which have actively advocated for students to register and vote.

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FACU LTY PROFILE

Designed for Comfort & Engaged Learning

C

omfort is a basic craving, so it wasn’t that unusual when a conversation between Chris Penny, professor of educational technology, and colleague Michael Mills, assistant professor of teaching and learning at the University of Central Arkansas, turned to how cozy their chairs felt at a conference in Austin, Texas. Actually, the two couldn’t stop talking about it. Penny became convinced that the furniture’s design had the potential to transform classrooms into engaging spaces where students would embrace learning as more than just a spectator sport. Penny conveyed the experience to Ken Witmer, dean of the College of Education and Social Work, who was enthusiastic about continuing the College’s movement to engage students in creative and purposeful ways. A contingent was soon formed to travel to Grand Rapids, Michigan to meet representatives from Steelcase, a furniture supplier dedicated to

18 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

providing unique space solutions for offices and classrooms.

With the addition of Corporate Interiors, a company founded and led by WCU alumna Janice Leone ’76 and dedicated to integrating furniture and technology usage, everything aligned to transform Room 311 in Recitation Hall.

“Adding an engaged classroom supports the College’s focus on remaining at the cutting-edge of education innovation and on preparing the next generation of educators to be experts as 21st century professionals,” says Witmer. “Recitation 311, and even Wayne 503, are part of the greater movement we have put in place to integrate technology into a classroom redesign that will help transform teacher education.”

The way things are shaping up, students might not want to leave Room 311, which is being painted a cool, calming blue.

Designed for comfort, modular chairs are being added that

STUDENT PROFILE

will provide lumbar support and have wheels, as well as baskets for bulging backpacks that block aisles.

Tables with wheels will be able to be separated and moved around the room easily, so student groups of various sizes can be formed. There will be fixed whiteboards, including one that is interactive to the touch; projectors; a document camera; laptop computers; and more. The room will be able to accommodate up to 25 students.

For the classroom that boasts just about everything, there will even be a campfire. “I was teaching in a computer lab and some of my students needed more help working on their electronic portfolios,” shared Penny, who has been teaching at WCU for 14 years and has become one of the leaders for the project.

“Moving around a traditional classroom is challenging. I’ll be able to move freely in the new classroom, because of the campfire space. My students will roll to the middle of the room and meet in a small group.

The room will change the entire way students will learn and faculty will teach.”

The flexible design will also accommodate the many and quite varied devices that students bring to class on a daily basis. Thanks to Mersive Technologies, Inc., a team that provides wireless media streaming, students will be able to connect to a small box that plugs directly into a projector that shares content with the entire class or just a small group.

The creative classroom is bound to get a thumbs-up when it opens in the fall. “We’ll build it and they will come,” says Penny.

CHRIS PENNY is professor of educational technology in the College of Education and Social Work

WCU Oboe Player Takes the Kimmel Stage

Samantha Schools

O

n May 11, Samantha “Sammie” Schools took the stage of the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia for a concert designed to showcase her skills as one of the region’s most talented oboe players. She joined a small group of students named 2016 Clifton Foundation Emerging Artists.

Schools, a dual major in music education and oboe performance, says professor Henry Grabb “pushes me to be great, but is understanding when I struggle and helps me along. He has done so much for me over these four years.”

She says Grabb has had an “amazing” influence on her, finding her the oboe she currently plays, continuing her lessons even over the summer and during winter and spring breaks. “Lessons with him are fun but sometimes intense — in a good

way. … The University is so lucky to have him.”

Schools is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music fraternity, which honored her with its leadership award for her service as president 2015-2016 and VP membership 2014-2015.

This spring, she won the WCU Wind Symphony Concerto Competition and gave a solo performance, accompanied by the symphony in the spring concert. Her solo is on YouTube: http://bit.ly/1U5bNMc. Now in its second year, the Emerging Artists Awards are an initiative of the Catherine R. and Anthony A. Clifton Foundation. Applicants are limited to students from the handful of schools the benefactors identified as having established music programs, but offering students limited public performance opportunities.

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School of Music

HOLIDAY

PROGRAM 2016

95th ANNUAL DECEMBER 3, 2016 EMILIE K. ASPLUNDH CONCERT HALL 3:00 pm 20 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

CULTURAL EVENTS

CULTURAL EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS SEPTEMBER

2 WCU Planetarium:

SEPT 30

We are Star Stuff

23 WCU Live!: Yesterday & Today

29 School of Music: Wind Ensemble & Wind Symphony

30 Presidential Speaker

Presidential Speaker Series GARRISON KEILLOR

Series: Garrison Keillor OCTOBER

6 School of Music: Symphony Orchestra

14 WCU Planetarium: Star Clusters

14-22 University Theatre: Once Upon A Mattress

28 School of Music: Concert Choir & Mastersingers

OCT 14

NOVEMBER

4 School of Music: Criterion Jazz Ensemble

11-12 University Dance Company: Veer

13 School of Music:

WCU Planetarium

STAR CLUSTERS, STELLAR SIBLINGS

Harp Festival

16-20 University Theatre: The Long Christmas Ride Home

17 School of Music: Chamber Orchestra Concert

18 WCU LIVE!: 100 Years of Broadway

For a full schedule of events please visit Cultural & Community Affairs at wcupa.edu/oca & the College of Arts & Humanities at wcupa.edu/arts-humanities/ eventsCalendar.aspx

NOV 11 & 12

Veer, a dance concert UNIVERSITY DANCE COMPANY S U M M E R 2 016

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SPORTS NEWS

WCU WINS DIXON TROPHY

2nd Consecutive Season & 3rd Time in 4 Years

Pat Moriarty, quarterback

F

or the second consecutive season and third time in the last four years, West Chester University has claimed the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s (PSAC) top honor as the best overall athletic program by winning the 2015-2016 Dixon Trophy.

22 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

Sarah Walasavage, outfielder

This year marks the 21st time the PSAC has recognized a Dixon Trophy recipient, given annually to the institution that accumulates the top score based on results of conference playoffs and/or regularseason records. The trophy is named in honor of F. Eugene Dixon, Jr., former

chairman of the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, and is presented annually at the PSAC Board of Directors’ meeting.

The award is given to the program that generates the top average point value among each PSAC championship sport it sponsors. Each sport champion

earns 18 points — based on the league’s membership total — and descending point values are awarded for respective placement.

West Chester University established an overall average of 12.36 points, narrowly edging out Shippensburg University, which netted an 11.88 average.

California University came in third place by averaging 11.50 points while Slippery Rock University was fourth with 11.26.

A total of 21 of West Chester University’s 22 PSAC-sponsored sports reached the conference tournament this past academic season with three winning PSAC titles (men’s and women’s swimming, baseball) and three others reaching the PSAC Championship Game (football, men’s basketball, women’s lacrosse). Eight of the 11 team sports reached the semifinals of the conference tournament.

By winning the all-sports award for the third time, West Chester University became the third school to win the Dixon Trophy three times. Shippensburg University owns the most titles with seven. Bloomsburg and Lock Haven universities have each won three titles, while California University is a twotime winner. Kutztown, Millersville and Slippery Rock universities have also won an all-sports crown.

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER

3 @ Bentley

10 Slippery Rock (Hall of Fame) 17 @ Edinboro 24 Lock Haven (Family Day)

OCTOBER

1 @ Kutztown

8 Shippensburg

15 @ Bloomsburg

22 Cheyney (Homecoming)

29 @ East Stroudsburg

NOVEMBER

5 Millersville 12 @ Clarion (or PSAC Championship) ATTENDING THE DIXON TROPHY CEREMONY WERE (L TO R) W. Craig Stevens, faculty athletic representative; James Zuhlke, sports information director; Kelli Milliner, assistant athletic director; Maddy Shaak, junior, women’s tennis athlete; Matt Bricketto, vice president for student affairs; Terry Beattie, associate athletics director; Tina Tharp (Coach of the Year), men’s and women’s tennis coach; Bill Zwaan (Coach of the Year), football coach; and Diane Lokey (Coach of the Year), women’s softball coach.

LEARN MORE about the schedule of sporting events at wcupagoldenrams.com

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COVER STORY

5 2

24 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

1 6

4 3

COVER STORY

Retooling the Academic Engine

A

transition coming in the fall semester will more evenly distribute the University’s resources and responsibilities among its five colleges. The colleges have been realigned and some departments gathered into new colleges.

No departments or jobs have been eliminated.

Instead, WCU continues to add faculty in response to growing enrollment. The reorganization “allows us to leverage our resources and more effectively serve all of our students,� notes Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Laurie Bernotsky.

Her office is responsible for overseeing the changes, from planning and discussions to implementation and evaluation.

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COVER STORY

R. LORRAINE BERNOTSKY is the provost of West Chester University

The change arose from this goal in the University’s strategic plan: “WCU will transform itself into an institution whose organizational structures are strategically arranged so as to facilitate excellence in teaching and learning.” That directive led senior academic administration to examine the current structure of the colleges, finding it unsustainable in the allocation of both administrative support and administrative complexity (see pie charts).

Visual & Performing Arts 4%

Health Sciences 21%

Sciences & Mathematics 21%

Arts & Humanities 17%

Education 10% Business & Public Affairs 21%

Arts & Sciences 44%

FORMER ENROLLMENT DISTRIBUTION BY COLLEGE

26 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

Health Sciences 22%

Business & Public Management 24%

16% Education & Social Work

NEW ENROLLMENT DISTRIBUTION BY COLLEGE

Arts & Humanities TIMOTHY BLAIR, DEAN

The realignment is based on “pedagogical anchors” identified by each dean, said Bernotsky. More balance should be achieved in the production of student credit hours, and the new organization will build on pedagogical and/or disciplinary commonalities, as well as provide new connections for interdisciplinarity.

“There is no fundamental difference in the student experience,” explains Bernotsky. “They will still identify primarily with their departments.”

Discussions began in 2014 within the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the University’s largest college, counting 5,000 undergraduates and 700 graduate students in 13 departments and a number of interdisciplinary programs. CAS currently has two schools: Humanities and Liberal Arts with eight undergraduate majors; and Science and Mathematics with nine undergraduate majors. This fall, departments in the existing CAS, along with departments from two other existing colleges, will become part of two new colleges: the

Sciences & Mathematics JACK WABER, INTERIM DEAN

College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) and the College of the Sciences and Mathematics (CSM), which includes natural, behavioral, and social sciences.

The new CAH will bring together the School of Humanities and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Timothy Blair, former dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, which included the School of Music, becomes CAH dean. He is enthusiastic about the opportunities for faculty and students from those varied disciplines to research, create, teach and learn alongside one another: “I look forward to working with my colleagues on behalf of our students to create new and vibrant collaborations.”

Interim Dean of the College of the Sciences and Mathematics Jack Waber, who moves from his role as chair of the Biology Department for the past 12 years, adds, “Our shared goal is to be dedicated to the institutional mission of the University by

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COVER STORY

Education & Social Work KENNETH WITMER, JR. , DEAN

ensuring that this new College demonstrates the critical role that the social, natural and physical sciences and mathematics play in preparing students in a liberal arts tradition.”

The new College of Education and Social Work (CESW) includes both undergraduate and graduate social work programs.

“The reorganization has brought together the social work, education, and counselor professional preparation programs to create a college that can have a significant, positive impact on the lives of children, families and our communities,” says Kenneth D. Witmer, Jr., dean, College of Education, and head of the Professional Education Unit.

Says Michelle Patrick, dean of the new College of Business and Public Management (CBPM), “I am looking forward to the future of our College and how we continue to grow as a result of the reorganization. [We] have seven departments that are working together to ensure excellent programs that are focused on being impactful, inspiring, interdisciplinary, innovative, and inclusive.”

28 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

Business & Public Management MICHELLE PATRICK, DEAN

While there were no changes to the College of Health Sciences, its dean, Linda Thompson Adams, acknowledges the benefits of the transition to faculty and students: “The reorganization will facilitate interdisciplinary programs to develop future professionals in the human sciences.”

Interdisciplinary programs are being realigned with each college and within the Office of the Provost/Vice Provost, and plans are being developed for an organizational structure to support programs that focus on social change.

Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies Jeffery Osgood, Jr. will oversee the new School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies, which includes the University Libraries and Undergraduate Studies & Student Support Services, as well as these programs: African American Studies, Honors College, Liberal Studies, and Professional Studies.

Notes Osgood, “The establishment of the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies provides an administrative home for certain

Health Sciences LINDA ADAMS, DEAN

academic programs that are building on West Chester’s excellence in interdisciplinarity. It is my goal to provide these faculty, staff and students with an environment that allows them to reach their fullest potential … and provide students with the opportunity to explore material of interest to them through the lenses of multiple disciplines. These students will be uniquely prepared to address future issues and design solutions to problems that do not yet exist because they will have the ability to think critically from multiple perspectives. This School will help these and other interdisciplinary programs flourish at WCU.” In addition, during the transitional period, Bernotsky established two new positions in the Provost’s Office: interim associate provost for academic and budgetary planning, and interim associate provost

Interdisciplinary & Graduate Studies JEFFERY OSGOOD, JR. , VICE PROVOST AND DEAN

for curricular planning and development. English Department Chair Jen Bacon will fill the former role and Psychology Department Chair Loretta Rieser-Danner the latter. These positions, notes Bernotsky, “will be critical to the reorganization efforts in which we are engaged and they will provide significant support.”

Last fall, Bernotsky’s office held seven open campus forums and incorporated feedback from them into their planning.

An unintended consequence of the forums, she noted, is the visibility of a number of existing department and faculty collaborations — synergy that will be better facilitated by the new academic structure.

FOR MORE DETAILS, see the provost’s website at wcupa.edu/_admin/provost/reorganization.aspx

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COVER STORY

The Colleges of West Chester University College of Arts and Humanities Timothy Blair, Dean Departments Applied Music Art + Design Communication Studies English History Languages and Cultures Music Education Music Theory, History, and Composition Philosophy Theatre and Dance Women’s and Gender Studies Programs Ethnic Studies Holocaust and Genocide Studies Latin American and Latino Studies Linguistics Peace and Conflict Studies Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) College of Business and Public Management Michelle Patrick, Dean Accounting Criminal Justice Economics and Finance Geography and Planning Management Marketing Public Policy and Administration College of Education and Social Work Kenneth Witmer, Jr., Dean Departments Counselor Education Early and Middle Grades Graduate Social Work Literacy Professional and Secondary Education Special Education Undergraduate Social Work Programs Youth Empowerment and Urban Studies

30 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

College of Health Sciences Linda Adams, Dean Communication Sciences and Disorders Health Kinesiology Nursing Nutrition Sports Medicine College of the Sciences and Mathematics Jack Waber, Interim Dean Departments Anthropology and Sociology Biology Chemistry Computer Science Geology and Astronomy Mathematics Physics Political Science Psychology Programs Pharmaceutical Product Development Pre-Med School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies Jeffery Osgood, Jr., Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies African American Studies Honors College Liberal Studies Professional Studies Undergraduate Studies & Student Support Services University Libraries

IN MEMORIAM

Dick Yoder ’59: A Great Influence in Our Lives

O

n May 3, the Borough of West Chester lost a part of its identity, part of what made the Borough the Borough, when lifetime resident and former West Chester University alumnus, professor, coach, administrator and athletic director, Richard B. “Dick” Yoder’59, passed away. He was 79 years old.

Often referred to as “The Mayor” or “Mr. West Chester,” Yoder was born and raised in the Borough of West Chester and spent the majority of his life in his hometown. He graduated from West Chester High School in 1955 and West Chester State Teachers College in 1959, where he starred on the football field for both institutions. Upon graduation, he spent time in the Marine Corps from 1959-1965. He also received his master’s degree in administration from Villanova University in 1962.

“Dick Yoder hired me as the first full-time head coach of women’s basketball. For that, I will be forever grateful,” says Deirdre Kane.

“As mayor, Dick would come out to practice at the start of the school year and speak to the student athletes about responsible student behavior in the neighborhoods. His talks were relevant and always on point.”

During a 40-year teaching career, Yoder spent time at his high school alma mater,

before moving over to West Chester University in 1962 to become assistant professor of physical education. It was during this stint at his college alma mater that Yoder served as an assistant football coach and track & field coach for the Golden Rams’ athletic department for 17 years. He developed, taught and coordinated the graduate program of Sport and Athletic Administration and also served as chair of the Physical Education Department, acting as associate dean of the School of Health Sciences and coordinator of Safety Education.

In 1979, he was named the athletics director at West Chester University, a position he held until 1988. While the athletics director at WCU, Yoder served on 11 different National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) committees and was elected to the prestigious NCAA Council and NCAA Football Committee. He was also elected president of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and served on 13 other ECAC committees.

He was also responsible for relocating the Philadelphia Eagles’ summer training camp to West Chester University in 1979.

He retired from WCU in 2000. Following his career in education, Yoder served two terms as the mayor of the Borough of West Ches-

ter (2002-2010). Most recently, he served as color commentator on West Chester University’s football broadcasts on WCHE 1520 AM radio for the past two seasons.

His accomplishments, awards and recognitions are too numerous to mention in their entirety, but they include: West Chester University Killinger Foundation Hall of Fame, Russell Sturzebecker Hall of Fame (2001), West Chester University Distinguished Alumni Award (2009), Lifetime Achievement Award (2009), Chester County Sports Hall of Fame (2009), Citizen of the Year (2015), and most recently the ECAC Hall of Fame (2016).

“Coach Yoder will certainly be missed at West Chester University and the Athletic Department, but also by the greater West Chester community,” says Director of Athletics Ed Matejkovic ’69. “He has been a very public figure for many years and had a profound influence on a great number of students, athletes and community members who, like me, were fortunate to have been associated with him. Personally, he will be sorely missed as a coach, a professor and as a friend. We have lost a great influence in our lives.”

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ALUMNI

Matt Bricketto:

Student Centered, Student Driven

I

n 1986, a student affairs professional hailing from South Jersey arrived on campus for a series of interviews for the position of dean of students. He liked what he saw — a high quality university steeped in the tradition of student success with a staff dedicated to helping young adults flourish.

Named dean of students at WCU in September 1986, he moved his family to West Chester and decided to spend “a few years” at the University. Almost 30 years later, it’s hard to tell where the seasoned professional starts and the University ends. Matt Bricketto, vice president for student affairs, and West Chester University have been united for years in the common goal of student success.

In a way that complements the academic mission of WCU, the Division of Student Affairs plays an essential role in the development of students outside the classroom. Students understand the end goal. “Dr. Bricketto works immensely hard behind the scenes to make sure students are getting everything they need out of this University,” says Student Government Association President Montana Leaks. “I would not be the student or leader

32 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

that I am today had it not been for his guidance. He is an incredible man and I can speak for many students on campus when I say that he will truly be missed, and we are extremely happy to have attended WCU while under his leadership.”

Generations of WCU students and alumni have been fortunate beneficiaries of the work put forth by Bricketto and his student affairs teams. The fruits of their labor can be seen in the positive town-gown relationship between the University and West Chester Borough, the development of an Office of Service-Learning & Volunteer Programs, the creation of the Office of Student Leadership & Involvement, the designation of a Multicultural Center, the establishment of the Office of LGBTQA Services, the doubling in size of Greek Life, and the tremendous success of the athletic program. Thanks to the Student Affairs Division, in partnership with the Facilities Division, a number of building projects have also benefitted WCU students, including the Campus Recreation Center, the expansion of Sykes Student Union, South Campus apartment complex, and the Student Health Center in Commonwealth Hall.

ALUMNI As WCU’s enrollments have grown, so, too, have Bricketto’s responsibilities to ensure that students mature as socially responsible citizens. Prior to his appointment as vice president for student affairs in 2003 by then WCU President Madeleine Wing Adler, he served the University in roles which included interim vice president for student affairs, associate vice president for student affairs, dean of students, and advancement executive.

His student-centered approach is inherent. “As the leader of student affairs, Matt has proven himself as a staunch advocate for both his students and his staff,” says Sara Hinkle, assistant vice president for student affairs. “During his 30-year career at WCU, he’s built wonderful collegial relationships with people from all sectors of campus and the local community that have paved the way for the success of his division, and, ultimately, our students.

These relationships, and the bridges he’s been able to build, are the legacy that my colleagues and I will strive to carry forward in our work with students.”

It’s quite easy to understand why Bricketto will be so missed. “I had the opportunity to shake hands and give students their degree covers,” he says of his last official role as a member of President’s Cabinet during commencement. “You see the joy on their faces and you get to congratulate them. I’m just excited for the students as they celebrate their accomplishments here at WCU, and I am confident they are ready to embark on the next phase of their lives.”

MATT BRICKETTO retires as the vice president of student affairs

RAMS on the Road

florida

Twenty-five alumni joined John Nickolas ’90, vice president, chief financial officer for the Phillies (top row, second from right), at spring training in Clearwater.

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2016 James Worthington ’78

Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

A

fter graduating from West Chester University with a degree in health and physical education, Jim worked for four years in the stock market. He always had dreams of starting a business in health and fitness. He has created one of the largest and most successful health clubs in America, the Newtown Athletic Club. For the past 37 years, he has made maverick contributions to the fitness industry by pioneering industry initiatives and trends that have been emulated by others throughout the industry.

He has been a tireless advocate to improve the health and wellbeing of thousands of families in the Bucks County area. He has consistently innovated and broken away from the norm to find new and creative ways to encourage families to be more active and smarter with their health decisions. His business ventures reach beyond the health club industry and include banking, real estate, and finance. He is also the president/owner of Real Estate Development Projects; owner of First Priority Bank and the president and founder of the Delaware Valley Association of Health Clubs.

As a humanitarian and philanthropist, Jim is a strong supporter of his community and charity organizations — both on a personal and a professional level. He is the founder of Have a Heart Foundation, which has funded many initiatives with six-figure contributions, most notably a special needs playground and a lifesaving kidney transplant. Jim also founded the HatboroHorsham Education Foundation and the Hatboro-Horsham Hall of Fame. He is the founder of the Hatboro-Horsham High FOR MORE INFORMATION or to he has been president for School Alumni Association, where support the Lawrence A. Dowdy 26 years. He has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Multicultural Endowscholarships andCenter established one of the largest endowments for ment, please contact Pennsylvania public schoolsSusan with a perpetual scholarship fund Vanscovich at svanscovich@ awarding multiple annual scholarships. In his own words, Jim wcufoundation.org. attributes his accomplishments to a simple idea, “Being willing to do what others can do, but they choose not to do.”

34 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

ALUMNI NOTES

ALUMNI NOTES

2016 Major Dawn Layman ’97

Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

2016

ALUMNI

Weekend

M

ajor Dawn Layman began her career in law enforcement as a police officer with the West Chester University Police Department. While at WCU, she was instrumental in starting one of the first police bike patrols in Pennsylvania. In 1991, she was named Rookie of the Year and in 1992, she was named Department Officer of the Year. After moving to Lenexa in 1993, she became the division commander for the Lenexa Police Staff Services Department, which includes technology, dispatch, technical services, property and evidence, and public service officers. She is also dedicated to mentoring and developing others, and places special emphasis in developing women in law enforcement careers. As president of the National Association of Women in Law Enforcement, she has worked tirelessly to initiate its first strategic plan and also stepped in as its executive director. Major Layman is known throughout the Kansas City Metro Law Enforcement community as a strong and inclusive leader. She was the project lead in securing body worn cameras, license plate readers, and incorporated video traffic technology by acquiring several grants to pay for the systems.

Every sworn officer, and many of the code enforcement personnel and firefighters, wear body cameras because of her testimony to Kansas legislators supporting a mandate requiring all officers to wear a camera. Major Layman is the recipient of the Innovation Award, Vision Award, and the 2015 Motorola Woman Law Enforcement Executive of the Year. She is also active in many charitable programs, including the Kansas Special Olympics, the Polar Bear Plunge, and Tip-a-Cop. Major Layman earned a master of public administration degree from the University of Kansas and a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from WCU. She also graduated from the FBI National Academy. She exemplifies everything the WCU Distinguished Award stands for: leading change, managing people, building coalitions, driving results, and giving back to her community and her profession by building the next generation of women law enforcement executives.

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LEGACY BUILDING

Larry Dowdy (left) receiving the 2015 Civility Award from former President Greg Weisenstein.

LARRY DOWDY ’73, M’80

“D

uring my first couple of years at West Chester, I made a personal pledge to do whatever I could to help ensure a climate that is welcoming to all who step on to campus,” says Larry Dowdy ’73, M’80. Dowdy, who retired last year as executive deputy to the president and governmental relations officer at West Chester University, made good on that vow for more than 30 years.

This year, Larry and his wife, Meryl, took a significant step toward ensuring that hard work continues when they made a lead pledge of $25,000 to the Lawrence A. Dowdy Multicultural Center Endowment.

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“When I came to West Chester in 1969, it was a different place than it is now. Today, it’s a welcoming place,” says Dowdy. “When I reflected on my tenure — and what was said about my tenure by others — what I saw largely revolved around promoting servant leadership, civility and inclusion. We worked to make it a more welcoming place for everyone. I wanted to do something to help create new programs — and support existing ones — to continue that progress.”

Looking forward, Dowdy is hopeful the endowment can strengthen the offerings of the Multicultural Center, leading to significant new resources for students. He envisions off-campus leadership development opportunities for multicultural students

and biennial on-campus symposiums, aimed at exploring the concepts of civility and inclusion, for all student leaders. “How does an organization behave in a civil way?” he asks. “How is inclusion defined?

What is the role of the student leader in a student organization that embraces civility and inclusion?

These are important questions, and necessary dialog, for the community,” he says.

Following seven years serving Cheyney University in a variety of roles, Dowdy returned to West Chester in 1983 as affirmative action officer. His university, higher ed, and community leadership stretched to a broad spectrum of responsibilities, and the many honors he received included the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award from the Frederick Douglass Society, the Mary Baltimore Award from the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education, and the President’s Medallion for Service from WCU. Upon receipt of the President’s Medallion, it was said “Larry Dowdy has been engaged in every major decision WCU has made for the past 30 years,” a statement that, incredibly, may understate the role he played. And he’s justifiably proud of the campus’s progress during those thirty years, citing among many things the Frederick Douglass Society and the robust Frederick Douglass Institute, now present on all 14 state system university campuses.

Each organization is now a vital thread in the fabric of WCU. “Collaborating with others, we changed the place for the better, and that’s very powerful and positive,” he says. “And while we’ve come a long way, there’s always room for improvement.” With their pledge this winter, Meryl and Larry Dowdy set the cornerstone for the work that is yet to come — while sustaining the promise Larry made to himself more than 40 years earlier.

With the endorsement of Interim President Christopher Fiorentino, an appeal will be launched this summer to inspire financial support for the Endowment. The mission and purpose of this endowment is to put in perpetuity the funding to ensure that Larry’s steadfast commitment to foster a university climate that is truly welcoming to all is a neverending journey.

FOR MORE INFORMATION or to support the Lawrence A. Dowdy Multicultural Center Endowment, please contact Susan Vanscovich at svanscovich@wcufoundation.org

2016 Joseph Kienle ’72, M’74 Alumni Service Award Winner

F

or almost three decades, Joe Kienle has been a respected and valued member of the West Chester University community. Appointed to the WCUAA Board of Directors in 1987, Joe was also elected to the board to serve two terms. He served as treasurer for four years, vice president for four years, president for two years, and past president for two years.

He also was the chair of the finance committee for four years and has served on this committee for more than 20 years. He has chaired the affinity committee for three years out of the eight years he has served. An active member of the Chester County Alumni Chapter, Joe has also held the offices of president, past president and treasurer. During his board tenure, he was instrumental in obtaining the credit card program for the Alumni Association, which resulted in thousands of dollars of royalty income. Joe also procured a corporate partnership with the alumni insurance partner, resulting in substantial royalties to the Alumni Association.

Joe earned his bachelor of science degree in kinesiology and his master of science degree in education from WCU. Professionally, Joe started his career at WCU as the first resident director of Wayne Hall in 1973. He moved on to other universities throughout the country for the next ten years and then earned his securities license in 1989.

For the next 20 plus years, he worked for Morgan Stanley until 2010 and then finished his career at Wells Fargo for the last five years until his retirement. Perhaps one of the most rewarding accomplishments Joe has achieved is working with students as a volunteer basketball official for the past 38 years.

Joe’s family continues the WCU tradition. His daughter, Jessica, graduated from WCU, as well as his daughter, Stephanie, who is also currently obtaining her master’s degree. Joe’s mantra throughout his life has been, “When asked, I serve.”

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FEATURED ALUMNUS

JIM FARRELL ’76, Chief Meteorologist, WINK News

“E

veryone has a difficult first day on the job,” says Jim Farrell ’76. “But if you screw up — and you will — well, let’s just say it’s different when 100,000 people know right away.”

Now in his 34th year in broadcasting and his 24th year as a meteorologist at WINK-TV News, Farrell laughs as he recalls his first day on air. “Knowing you’re live, and that you have all those people watching you,” he says, “puts just a little pressure on.”

Farrell, the chief meteorologist at the Fort Myers, Florida CBS affiliate, says it was during his undergraduate days at West Chester when he discovered his rather unusual blend of interests: science and broadcasting. An education major who would go on to teach high school science for a year, he fell in with the college

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radio station, WCUR, and there was no looking back: he was hooked on radio and the thrill of the live broadcast. Ultimately, the realization that “there aren’t too many sixty-year-old DJs out there” led him to television, and with his background in the sciences, meteorology seemed like a natural fit. Recognized by the American Meteorological Society as a certified broadcast meteorologist, Farrell also is a recipient of the prestigious Silver Circle Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; those professional landmarks, among others, suggest the natural fit was indeed a perfect fit. But that perfect fit started coming together at West Chester.

“If we didn’t have WCUR, and the opportunities that afforded, there’s no way I would have had the experience to get even

ALUMNI my first job,” Farrell says. In fact, the WCUR connection provided more than experience. It was there that Farrell met David Adams ’74, who preceded him as station manager. Adams graduated and went to work at radio station WEEX in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he was instrumental in getting Farrell on board upon his graduation the following year.

“David opened doors for several of us at WCUR,” Farrell recalls.

When asked how things might have played out differently had it been other doors that opened, Farrell lingers over the thought for a moment. Befitting someone who loves their work, Farrell struggles to imagine another reality. “It’s hard to think of something else, really,” he says. “I just always wanted to be on the radio. I loved radio and everything about it…dialing in distant stations at night, picking up stations from so far away.” He lists a handful of call letters without hesitation, still well up on his W’s and K’s. “And I knew I wanted to be in broadcasting.”

Now, some 30-plus years later, Farrell not only has survived that harrowing first day on the job but has flourished in the profession he dreamed about early on. He’s seen a lot — three massive hurricanes, the end of paper maps and the advent of computer graphics, and the never-ending evolution of the science behind weather forecasting. And while he marvels at the advancements in the technology, he says it’s still a blend of art and science. “You have to develop your own instincts,” he explains. “And you have to get a feel for how you bounce that instinct off the models that gather the data. You learn which ones will have a better handle on your particular area, your microclimate. The science gets better all the time, but it’ll never be perfect,” he says, quickly adding, “which is good, since they wouldn’t need me!”

And the best thing about his job? “I know what the weather will be before anyone else does.”

RAMS on the Road

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Thirty alumni and friends were on the set for WINKTV’s noon newscast hosted by Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell ’76 (front row, with striped tie).

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ALUMNI

Alumni Association’s 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award on May 13.

1980s Crounse ’93

Flamini ’94

1960s Frank Girardi ’61 has been named to the 2016 National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame class as a divisional (non-FBS) coach.

Harry Frey ’62 was inducted into the Lancaster-Lebanon League Hall of Fame.

Harry Johnson ’67 was inducted into West Shore Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

1970s Nancy Taylor Doeller ’71 had her entry selected by Food Network’s “Chopped at Home Challenge” by Sargento for public voting.

Joseph Kienle ’72 M’74 was presented with the West Chester University Alumni Association’s 2016 Service Award on May 13.

Jean Biesecker ’76 is a solo practitioner with a family law and dispute resolution practice serving primarily the Montgomery and Chester County communities. After 30 years representing clients through traditional court processes, she committed that, beginning in September 2016, she will devote her time exclusively to non-court, resolution processes for resolving

40 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

van Mol ’11

Fulton ’12

disputes, namely mediation and collaborative law. In January 2016, Jean began offering workshops for women contemplating separation or divorce, or perhaps already separated and in the divorce process.

She also mediates special education matters for Pennsylvania’s Office of Dispute Resolution and is currently an adjunct professor in the Mediation Clinic of the University of Pennsylvania’s Gittis Center for Clinical Legal Studies.

Thomas McCabe ’76 had the article “A Strategy for the ISIS Foreign Fighter Threat” published in the foreign policy journal Orbis. Tom is a retired career analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense and a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

David Sheaffer ’76 M’90 has been active as a musician and college adjunct instructor since retirement from his position as a classroom/ choral music educator. He traveled to Shenzhen, China in April to serve as guest conductor of the Children’s Choir at the 2016 Shenzhen Bay International Schools Music Festival. This is the 10th choral festival for which David has been invited to be guest conductor since 1992 and it was his first international opportunity.

Jim Worthington ’78 was presented with the West Chester University

Jo Anne W. Norris ’81, school counselor for Columbia Borough School District, has been recognized by Worldwide Branding for excellence in education management.

Gloria Galante ’83, founder of the West Chester University harp program since 1990, was recently featured in the Bucks County Courier Times for her support of the Silver Lake Nature Center in Bristol Township.

Mary Beth Davis ’86 celebrated the graduation of two of her sons this May from WCU — Quintin with a B.S. in exercise science and Kyle with an M.S. in exercise and sport physiology.

Steven Price ’86 is the new superintendent of Cumberland Regional High School District.

1990s Steve Crounse ’93 is currently the athletic director at Patuxent High School in Lusby, Maryland. He is also the head football coach and this year the team won its first 2A State Football Championship. He was named All Met Coach of the Year by The Washington Post and received his 100th win this season.

Stephanie Flamini ’94 earned her first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year Award in February 2016.

Maurice G. Smith ’95, has starred in productions such as Cooley High - The Musical under the direction

A Message from the Director On a recent trip to the campus store, I handed my purchases to the cashier. She asked me if I had the store’s coupon. When I said that I did not know there was a store coupon, she promptly gave me the discount coupon and applied it to my purchase. I left the store as a very happy customer and thought — why can’t everyone experience such exceptional customer service?

This experience started me thinking about the role of customer service in alumni programs and events. Our customers — WCU alumni — deserve to be treated with the highest respect and should expect exceptional customer service.

People tend to post their negative experiences on social media sites.

However, our alumni share great stories, fun memories, and interesting photos. The Alumni Relations Office is committed to helping our constituents thrive and making them feel proud to be alumni.

So, next time you think of West Chester University, please share a memory, a photo, or a story on one or all of our social media sites. Go to www.wcualumni.org and click on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram or Flickr icons. Like us, follow us, or simply read what other Rams are saying. Join in the conversation. You will be proud.

“

Director of Alumni Relations Debbie Cornell Naughton dnaughton@wcupa.edu Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Jenna Cardaciotto Birch ’06 jbirch@wcupa.edu 610-436-2813 alumni@wcupa.edu www.wcualumni.org

DEBBIE CORNELL NAUGHTON Director, Alumni Relations

of Freedom Theatre’s Walter Dallas and The Piano Lesson (film), which he was nominated Best Actor in the Wilmington Drama League 97-98.

Maurice has been featured in Adam Sandler’s Mr. Deeds and Jim Carey’s Bruce Almighty, and can also be seen on television in recurring roles on Viva Laughlin and Kelsey Grammer’s “Back to You.” He is known as the lovable character Reggie on Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns.”

Dawn Layman ’97 was presented with the West Chester University Alumni Association’s 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award on May 13.

Chris Day ’98 was named Women’s Basketball Coach at University of Vermont.

2000s Joseph Meade ’02 was appointed

by Governor Tom Wolf to serve in his administration in the capacity of deputy secretary for community affairs & development. Effective March 2016, Joe accepted a role with La Salle University as the chief of staff to the president and director of government affairs.

Shawn Schrader ’02 serves as group creative director at Google in Tokyo, Japan. In the position, Shawn leads a group of digital and branding experts that define the Google experience.

Brian Rhode M’04 had a chapter published in the book De-Testing and De-Grading Schools Revised Edition.

Kevin Sheridan ’04 principal owner of EJS Medical, recently cofounded Love from Liam, a nonprofit organization that offers financial assistance to children who are fighting Retinoblastoma, a cancer of the retina. Learn more at facebook. com/Lovefromliam.

Greg Offner ’05 was elected to the board of directors of the Valley Forge Military Academy Alumni Association, effective May 1, 2016.

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ALUMNI

Christopher Phillips Bannan ’06, director, Programmatic Media Buying at CMI/Compas, has recently contributed to an article in PharmaVOICE: Programmatic Advertising.

Bill Davis ’07 has joined HomeStarr Realty as a licensed Realtor in Philadelphia.

Composer Jon Manness ’07 has completed an original score for the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ Road To Macy’s documentary, a film following the 2015-2016 West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band as they prepared and performed in the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The film premiered March 2016 in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall for over 700 attendees.

Justin Rentzel ’08 has joined Red Tettemer O’Connell + Partners as art director. He will be working with clients such as Dockers, Reyka Vodka, Century 21, New Balance, MorningStar Farms, and NBCUniversal.

Whitney (D’Errico) Carullo ’11 from Liven Up Health and Fitness will be honored at Lehigh Valley Business’ 2016 Forty Under 40 Awards. This awards program celebrates 40 of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s most accomplished young businessmen and women who have been making headlines in their field and who share a commitment to business growth, professional excellence and to the community.

Hans van Mol ’11 announced his candidacy for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Hans is a music education graduate and has previously served as parliamentarian for both the WCU Alumni Association and the Chester County Democratic Commit-

42 WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY

tee. He just completed his term as president of the Chester County Pops Orchestra.

Jenn O’Mara ’11 was recently promoted to assistant director of university stewardship at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been working in development and alumni relations since graduation.

Jenn also recently accepted the position of alumni coordinator on the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC) Executive Board of Directors.

Joshua Fulton ’12 was awarded the 2015 Joshua M. Freeman Officer of the Year award for determination and persistence in investigating a service-firearm theft, following a nearly cold trail to solve a string of local thefts and burglaries. Fulton was also awarded the 2015 Delaware State Police Firearms Award for displaying marksmanship and dedication to the art of shooting while enrolled in the police academy. Fulton is a full-time police officer at Bethany Beach Police Department since 2014.

Class of 1957

Friends from the Class of 1957 still get together for lunch a few times a year. Affectionately tagged “WCU Hotties” from left to right are Marilyn (Neff) Reynolds, Jone Bush, Pat (Melrath) Crowther, Jo (Good) Frank, Clodagh (Ryan) Wotring, and Carm (Cinquina) Harmon.

Class of 1991

Matthew Williams ’12, art director at 20/10 Solutions, recently completed creative work for the 2016 Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Challenge. Working with Ron Jaworski and Jaws Youth Playbook, Matthew developed the invitation, signage and collateral for the widely popular event at The Pool at Harrah’s and Blue Heron Pine Golf Course in New Jersey.

SUBMIT your class notes to the Office of Alumni Relations at www.wcualumni.org

Andrew Yozviak ’91 recently led the WCU Chamber Wind Ensemble on a tour throughout Italy. The ensemble visited and performed in many cities, including Olgiate Comasco, Verona, and Montecatinni Terme.

ALUMNI

Marriages

in memoriam

(1) Jonathan Polidoro ’11 to Ashlynn Andrascik ’12

1927 Irene Fosnocht Montgomery 1934 Katherine Laudenslager Schumaker 1941 Velma Mitman Williams 1950 John Russel Dawson 1953 James Dell 1954 Mary Jane Mercer Johnson 1956 Eleanor Prizer 1958 Richard Davidson 1958 George Evinski 1958 John Jack Johnstone 1958 Ellen Wiley Sleat 1960 Lois Hardican Law 1982 Daniel Miorelli

(2) John Burdumy ’12 to Kristen Murphy ’13

Engagements (3) Matthew Ruggieri ’12 to Kylie McCullough

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(4) Stephanie Storino ’07 to Stephen Blank, Jr. Daniel Piemontese ’09 to Jamie Morgan ’11

future alumni (5) Kira Labagh Jahoda ’08 and John Jahoda welcomed John Patrick Jahoda in Febuary 2016 (6) John Farly, Jr. ’08 and Elizabeth Gower Farly ’08 welcomed Liam John Farley in December 2015 Josh Deane ’06 and Jackie Bigio Deane ’07 welcomed Brynn Madelyn Deane in March 2016

DEATH NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE Contact the Alumni Relations Office with a copy of the decedent’s obituary from a newspaper or the internet, or, a copy of a letter or email from a family member of the deceased.

Please note: death notifications will not be accepted via telephone.

SENIOR SEND OFF!

The Alumni Association welcomed the Class of 2016 into the ranks RIGHT: Event Chair Rob Malone ’08, Rammy, Denise Bowman Trigo ’98 and Toril Johannssen ’67 joined in the festivities.

LEFT: WCUAA President Dean Gentekos ’07 presented the raffle winner with a television.

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ALUMNI

2015-16

WCUAA CHAPTERS ANNUAL REPORT

Alumni Weekend – BAC Networking Event Barnaby’s, May 16, 2016 – 40 attended Mentoring Program–Summer Fun Mentees, June 18, 2016 –30 attended

CHESTER COUNTY CHAPTER BANDS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Officers: Andrea Hahn, Alison Sharpe Beidler, Rachel Smolinsky

Officers: Kyle Rheiner – President Brigid Gallagher – Vice President Andrew Sweet – Secretary Toril Johannessen – Treasurer

Events: Sanderson Wine and Cheese – October 1, 2015 – 15 attended Happy Hour at Barnaby’s – December 3, 2015 – 12 attended

GRADUATE STUDENT ALUMNI CHAPTER Officers: Heather Martin – President Alyssa Polakowski - Secretary Molly Byrne -Liaison Events: Evening with Dan Rather – November 6, 2015 – 48 attended Happy Hour Networking Event – June 8, 2016 – 50 attended

Events: Homecoming Alumni Band Reunion, October 23, 2015 – 70 attended Alumni Concert Band Reading Session – May 14, 2016 – 30 attended

Events: Levante Brewing Happy Hour – 88 attended Princess/Super Hero Tea Party – 160 attended

ALUMNI DANCE CHAPTER

Officers: N/A

BLACK ALUMNI CHAPTER

Officers: Lauren Baraglio - Secretary Sara Rupert- Treasurer Val Ziegler-Vice President of Development

Events: Author Terry Mutchler, Tanglewood Reception – September 30, 2015 – 40 attended LGBTQA 40th Anniversary – October 11, 2015 – 82 attended

Officers: Deidre Gray-President Lovisha Love-Diggs -Vice President Adrena Carter -Secretary Tiffany Robertson Brown -Treasurer Events: Family Skate Party, August 29, 2015 – 84 attended Homecoming Welcome Happy Hour, October 27, 2015 – 60 attended Homecoming Tailgate, October 28, 2015 Homecoming After-Party, October 28, 2015 – 151 attended Kente Ceremony – Fall 2015, December 12, 2015 – 100+ attended Mentoring Kick-Off Event, March 15, 2016 – 50 attended Mentoring Finals Survival Weekend, April 30, 2016 Kente Ceremony – Spring 2016, May 6, 2016 – 200+ attended Alumni Weekend – BAC Reunion, May 14, 2016 – 40 attended

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Events: Social – Home of Member Chris Perez Rehearsals – Sundays from November – January Service Project – December 14, 2015 at Bancroft Elementary School teaching a dance class to children in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration Winter Dance Festival – April 16, 2016 – Adler Theatre (rescheduled), 350 guests & 45 participating alumni

DELAWARE COUNTY CHAPTER Officers: Nancy Baulis - President Michael Willard-Vice President

LGBTQA

OMEGA DELTA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Officers: Montik Goodwin, Darius Taylor, Terrance Heath, Lawrence Turner Events: Back to School Community Day – August 22, 2015 – 57 attended Teacher Appreciation at Morris Elementary School – September 25, 2015 – 50 attended Homecoming Reclamation Program – October 17, 2015 – 76 attended Meet and Greet Mentoring – November 14, 2015 – 42 attended

WASHINGTON, D.C. CHAPTER Officers: Emial Sachs – President Rick McClement – Vice President Bill Hibbs – Secretary/Treasurer

ALUMNIALUMNI NOTES

Colin Bagwell – Parliamentarian Sara Mischo – Immediate Past President Jessica Lord – Events Chair Events: Nationals Vs. Phillies Game – September 26, 2015 – 15 attended Happy Hour – November 10, 2015 – 10 attended Happy Hour May 15, 2016 – 15 attended

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YORK COUNTY CHAPTER Officers: Mike Snell – President Taylor Gingerich – Vice President Rick Guinan – Secretary Marlene Miller Dyke – Treasurer Events: Annual Scholarship Banquet – May 12, 2016 – 24 attended

Photo Submission Guidelines Photos should be no less than 300 DPI and in JPG format.

If you are scanning a printed photo, please set the scanning resolution to at least 300 dpi.

Digital camera and/or cell phone shots should be taken on the highest resolution setting available.

Photos should be emailed as an attachment, not pasted into the email or document.

We reserve the right to not publish a photo of low quality, and not all photos can be published.

Please send your photos as email attachments to the attention of the WCU Alumni Relations Office at alumni@wcupa.edu.

Alumni gathered in Naples for lunch to plan next year’s events. Back Row: Francis Schneider, Henrianne E. Schneider ’72, Helene Gordon ’71, Tracee Young ’92, Doris Gustafson ’74, Andy Gustafson, Debbie Cornell Naughton, Joan Ramaika ’86, M’04, Greg Longenhagen ’89

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