Rock Magazine Winter 2022

COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES

Matt Lautman, chair Elise Michaux, vice chair Samantha Hawk, secretary

Angelucci

Ionta

Daniel Greenstein, chancellor

PRESIDENT

William Behre

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

• Abbey Zink

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

• Amir Mohammadi

Senior Vice President for Administration, Global Engagement and Economic Development

• Dennis Washington

Vice President for University Advancement

• Carrie Birckbichler

Chief Financial and Data Officer

• Anthony Jones

Chief Diversity Officer

• Robb King

Chief Communication and Public Affairs Officer

• Tina Moser

Chief of Staff

• Lynne Motyl

Chief Human Resources Officer

• David Wilmes

Chief Student Affairs Officer

• Amanda Yale

Chief Enrollment Management Officer

CREDITS

Executive Editor: Robb King, chief communication and public affairs officer, University Communication and Public Affairs.

Editor: Justin Zackal, communication specialist, University Communication and Public Affairs.

Designer: Sandy Busch, graphic communication director; Megan Cassioli, graphic communications assistant director: Lara Mechling, intern, University Communication and Public Affairs.

Contributors: Jon Holtz, director, Athletic Communication; Tyler McIntosh, assistant director, Athletic Communication; Karl Schwab.

Photographers: Mike Schnelle, digital design director, University Communication and Public Affairs; Alumni Relations; SRU alumni.

The ROCK is an Educational Advertising, Collegiate Advertising and CUPRAP (Cuppie) award winner.

THE ROCK

The ROCK is published three times annually by the Office of University Communication and Public Affairs for friends and alumni of the University.

Send address changes to: Slippery Rock University University Communication and Public Affairs 104 Maltby Avenue, Suite 201 Slippery Rock, PA 16057

ABOUT THE COVER:

SRU senior engineering major Tiffany Jolayemi pours liquid nitrogen into a cryostat machine at a laboratory inside the Vincent Science Center as part of NASA ­funded research to test parts of an atomic force microscope. See page 18.

RESPECT THE TECH

The SRU Theatre Department hosted its musical theater production of “Techies” in November 2021 at the Miller Theater in the Performing Arts Center. “Techies” is a story about the conflict in a high school theater production between the actors and the technical theater specialists for a foothold on the school‘s social ladder.

rock quarry

SRU names Anthony Jones as new chief diversity officer

Anthony Jones joined Slippery Rock University as its new chief diversity officer in December. Jones will work collaboratively with campus and external communities to advance SRU‘s commitment to all aspects of global diversity and inclusion and serve as a member of the President‘s Cabinet.

Jones, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, comes to SRU after a three ­year stint at Thiel College. While there, he led efforts to foster and maintain an increasingly

inclusive environment that “welcomed, embraced, supported and celebrated diversity in all its forms.”

Jones recently earned his doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies from Eastern Kentucky University, where he also earned a master‘s degree in student personnel with a concentration in counseling (2013). His doctoral thesis at EKU focused on why Black males persist and graduate from predominately white institutions. He is also a 2006 graduate of the University of Mount Union with a bachelor‘s degree in art.

Prior to his work at Thiel College, Jones worked as the director of multicultural student affairs at Eastern Kentucky University (2016 ­18) and Marietta (Ohio) College (2009­11) where he conducted

programs to educate campus populations about minority group social issues and cultural competence.

“Part of what I do is helping to mentor and guide students through successful college careers that transcend graduation,” Jones said. “As a firstgeneration college student, I understand the significance of potential and maximizing that potential to better one‘s future. I‘m always looking forward to meeting and interacting with parents, faculty, and staff, but most importantly students. I believe, without question, that college students are the building blocks that will broaden many horizons domestically and internationally throughout the communities in which we learn and live.”

The Rock racks up multiple academic awards

Slippery Rock University has been lauded by a number of national outlets for its outstanding academics.

The U.S. News & World Report released its 2022 Best Colleges rankings and SRU appeared on five of the guide‘s lists. SRU ranked 78th on the “Best Regional Universities – North” list and 22nd on the list of “Top Public Schools ­ Regional Universities North.” SRU also ranked among regional universities in the North for “Best Colleges for Veterans” (32nd), “Best Value Schools” (43rd) and as a top performer for “Social Mobility” (82nd). SRU also earned a spot on the national publication‘s Best Regional Universities list for a 13th straight year in 2022.

College Factual, a data analytics company that offers advanced college matching resources for college ­bound students, ranked SRU, as well as dozens of its academic programs, in its 2022 Best Colleges Rankings. SRU ranked in the top 15% in the nation in term of overall quality and was awarded 364 ranking badges.

Overall, SRU ranked 409th out of 2,576 schools.

The University also placed in the top 5% for overall value in the “Best Bachelor‘s Degree Colleges for the Money Ranking.” Among degree program rankings, SRU ranked No. 1 for “Best Quality Control Technology Bachelor‘s Degree Schools,” “Best Occupational Safety & Health Technology Bachelor Degree Schools,” “Best Engineering Technology Bachelor

Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” and “Best Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Master‘s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania.”

SRU also ranked No. 1 for “Best Value” for “English and Language Arts Education” and “Physical Sciences,” along with “Most Popular Online” for “Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Schools,” “Accounting Schools” and “Bachelor‘s Degree Online Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Schools,” and “Most Focused” for “Master‘s Degree Colleges for Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy.”

For the sixth consecutive year, the University also secured a spot on the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. SRU was ranked nationally in the >600 band among 796 institutions for 2022. The WSJ/THE, which started ranking colleges and universities in 2017, bases its rankings on several data sources, including annual surveys of more than 170,000 U.S. students across all ranked colleges and 10,000 academic professionals and other experts.

Finally, the Princeton Review has named SRU to its “Best Northeastern” list published on its “2022 Best College: Region by Region” resource. SRU is among 654 schools, which is just 23% of the nation‘s fourth­year colleges, recognized across five zones – Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West and International – that the editors of The Princeton Review recommend as “regional bests.”

2020 (RE)VISION

Slippery Rock University hosted nearly 200 graduates from the Class of 2020 for their long­ awaited, inperson commencement ceremony, Oct. 15, at the Aebersold Student Recreation Center. Graduates from this class were invited back to campus for their very own inperson ceremony that coincided with SRU‘s Homecoming weekend, after the Class of 2020‘s commencement was postponed a year and a half because of the COVID ­19 pandemic.

FILES rock

SRU cuts ribbon on Butler SUCCEED community outreach office

SRU hosted a ribbon­ cutting ceremony last September to officially open its new community outreach office in downtown Butler. The facility, located at 150 N. Main Street, is the Slippery Rock University Center for Community Engagement, Empowerment and Development, known as Butler SUCCEED, which is the hub for civic engagement between SRU and the Butler County community. SRU faculty, staff and students also participated in a Community Service Day clean­up in Butler to coincide with the event.

John Sabo, ’01, Bachelor of Science, Safety and Environmental Management

HOME:

I’m originally from the Steel Valley area of Munhall and Homestead. I moved back to Slippery Rock about six years ago as I had fallen in love with the town during my time at SRU and wanted to raise my family here. It also got me closer to my office in Zelienople.

PROFESSION:

I’m currently the vice president of business development for Deep Well Services, an oilfield completion services company based in Zelienople. I’ve spent 10 years with the company and have served as health, safety, quality and environmental director and COO prior to my current position.

HOBBIES:

Hunting, fishing, weightlifting and watching my kids play sports.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Having a family with my wife, Tammi, and raising three wonderful kids.

WHY I GIVE:

Since I left The Rock, I’ve spent a lot of time, energy and effort helping graduates and alumni find jobs, and speaking to safety management and petroleum engineering students about career opportunities in the field of energy. I also speak annually to the football team, as well as contribute financially to various other groups at The Rock.

Jeffrey Arnold

HOME: Pittsburgh.

PROFESSION:

President of Leadership Adventures Inc., which helps organizations to accelerate the development of their people as leaders at work and at home.

HOBBIES/INTERESTS:

In addition to being on an advisory board member for SRU’s Storm Harbor Equestrian Center, I enjoy camping, fly hiking. I’m an Airstream enthusiast, and I’m a “dog dad” to a Hungarian vizsla.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Being named the recipient of the esteemed North America Inspiring Leadership Award, was an exciting highlight for me. Also, being featured in JH Style and Strides magazines to discuss the use of experiential, equine ­ assisted leadership development, and authoring a case study chapter in Maynard’s Industrial Engineering Handbook.

WHY I GIVE:

In addition to providing weekly equine ­ assisted activities for people of all ages with cognitive, physical, emotional and social disabilities, SRU’s Storm Harbor Equestrian Center provides a unique venue to host corporate retreats and experiential workshops to help grow leaders in our communities. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the leadership of Storm Harbor to help develop local leaders while also helping to fund their programs that serve children and adults with disabilities.

Greetings from Slippery Rock University.

It is my hope that, as you read this issue of The ROCK magazine, that you and your family and friends are safe and healthy as we begin the new year.

During my nearly four years as president of SRU, I am continually impressed by the generosity of our alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the University in support of our students. As higher education continues to experience changes and challenges, it is more important than ever to ensure that our students – present and future – have an opportunity to secure a quality education with as little financial strain as possible. Your contributions provide them relief.

During the 2020 ­21 academic year, more than $3.5 million was raised to launch or continue the funding of established scholarships, support athletic teams and extracurricular activities, sponsor student­faculty research, and enhance the SRU experience.

One shining example of that enhancement came to us from Joseph McCandless. Joe, who passed away Jan. 14, 2020, at the age of 98, left a gift of more than $1.1 million to SRU, which is the largest gift by a private individual in the University‘s history. The gift will be used to establish an endowed scholarship named in honor of Joe’s mother, Sylvia Cooper McCandless, Class of 1909, and sister, Sara Jane McCandless, ’50, both of whom are SRU alumnae.

Although Joe did not attend SRU, he was born in Slippery Rock and he had a strong affinity for the University and its Normal School roots. Sylvia and Sara Jane were both teachers and Joe and his sister purchased and donated a one ­ room schoolhouse for the University in 1988 to celebrate SRU‘s tradition of teacher preparation. The Hickory Corner

Schoolhouse, which previously served as a school in nearby Franklin Township, Butler County, from 1891 ­ 1963, currently occupies a prominent space on SRU‘s campus along Maltby Avenue.

The gift is a huge investment on the part of the McCandless family and we‘re grateful for this support. Such a substantial gift will directly benefit our students and have a lasting impact for years to come.

Additionally, Sunset Serenade generated $115,000 to assist horseback riders with disabilities at Storm Harbor Equestrian Center; and SRU‘s pair of Giving Days exceeded all expectations by raising more than $400,000 from 1,800 donations.

While space won’t allow me to thank everyone who gave to the University during this past year, we are highlighting a few of those who made the University flourish during the previous 12 months in the midst of a pandemic.

Even during these unprecedented times, in the midst of a pandemic, our donors have risen to the occasion to ensure our students attain a Rock Solid education, and for this we are all grateful.

On behalf of our University, thank you for your support, and I look forward to our continued work together to enhance our investment in our students and our University.

All the best, Bill Behre President

DESIGNATION OF FUNDS

NATION DESIGNATED MORE THAN $125,000 to funds for students facing emergency circumstances $413,731 raised via two crowdfunding projects

THAN $3.5 MILLION in private support for generous financial aid & programmatic support 1,294 Students received scholarships TOTAL ENDOWMENT $46,299,434

STAN KENDZIORSKI

FORMER PROFESSOR AND ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH

Stan Kendziorski knows a thing or two about teamwork.

“ AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE REASON WE GAVE WAS THAT WE BOTH BELIEVED IF WE HAVE (THE MEANS TO BE ABLE TO GIVE), THAT WE NEED TO GIVE, AND SO THAT‘S WHY WE DID IT.”

As an assistant coach for the Slippery Rock University football team, the Michigan native spent 15 seasons (1968 ­92) coaching The Rock’s defensive backs. During his tenure, the team posted 82 wins and earned three Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference titles (1972­74) while Kendziorski coached 15 all­ PSAC defensive backs, including All­ Americans Jay Robbins (1976) and Tony Emanuele (1982). Additionally, the 1972­74 coaching staffs were presented with the first Special Recognition Award by the SRU Athletics Hall of Fame for winning consecutive PSAC championships.

It’s that same team mentality that Kendziorski and his wife of 53 years, Phyllis, a former SRU staffer in the College of Education who passed away in 2018, used in their personal lives.

“We made all of our decisions together as a unit,” said Kendziorski. “And one of those decisions was to give back to the University that had given us so much.”

In terms of giving, the Kendziorskis have been nothing short of gold – or in their case, garnet, a designation provided by the SRU Foundation, Inc. to members of the Lifetime Giving Society whose philanthropic support of SRU has reached $5,000 or more. In the Kendziorskis‘ case, that is close to $250,000 through support of a number of scholarships, including the Donna and Bob McMullen International Scholarship, Robert DiSpirito Scholarship, Phyllis and Stan Kendziorski International Student Scholarship, Robert N. Aebersold Scholarship, Ronald J. Hunt Scholarship and athletic scholarships for members of The Rock football program. The University has also been named as a beneficiary in the Kendziorski estate plan.

“When you have a job, you have to do it,” Kendziorski said. “That‘s what giving back to the University, in order to benefit others, is about for me. That’s just the way that Phyllis and I had always felt.

“We both came from families that weren‘t rich by any means. Don’t get me wrong, we had food on our tables, but we weren’t rolling in it. Now, once we were married and established and settled in Slippery Rock, we were fortunate enough to do well with some investments and that’s allowed us to be able to contribute to those scholarships and programs that were important to us.

“At the end of the day, the reason we gave was that we both believed if we have (the means to be able to give), that we need to give, and so that‘s why we did it.”

In addition to his time patrolling the sidelines, Kendziorski spent 30 years (1968 ­98) as a professor in the then ­ Allied Health Department, was director of International Studies (1980 ­98), was a 1978 recipient of an SRU Distinguished Faculty Award, authored a high school textbook on human sexuality and was named a professor emeritus by SRU’s council of trustees in December 1999.

Prior to his arrival in Slippery Rock, Kendziorski, who graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in physical education, coached football at Marshall and Union City high schools in Michigan for five years.

“I had aspirations to be a Division I coach at some point,” said Kendziorski. “I thought SRU would be the next logical step on my way there. However, Phyllis really liked it here and after I attended a coaches’ conference and overheard two guys in their late 50s talk about recently getting fired, I came back and told her, ‘You know what? If you want to stay, we’re going to stay.’

“We didn’t need to go into that rat race and worry about chasing the next job. I was coaching, I started teaching, we had children and ended up building ourselves a nice life and it was Slippery Rock – the town and the University – that made it possible.”

Giving back to Slippery Rock University wasn’t something Tony and Regina Robinson had planned but recognized that it was more so a responsibility.

“We see that we have been blessed and fortunate in various aspects of our lives and believe that we should be sharing our blessings amongst others,” said Tony Robinson, a ’93 SRU political science graduate with a minor in accounting. The Robinsons’ relational roots (started as friends which later developed into life partners) began at The Rock and they both continue to share the same vision regarding helping others.

“We believe that it is our obligation to give back to individuals who come from similar geographical and demographics as us,” Tony Robinson said.

“We both came from humble backgrounds and both experienced the struggle to get to and through college. As proud Rock alumni, we understand and appreciate the impact of a college degree,” said Regina Robinson, a ’92 SRU social work graduate with a minor in Spanish. The Robinsons are aware that there are multiple individuals who come from very similar backgrounds and beginnings such as theirs and are committed to assisting those individuals “in changing their lives and putting them in better financial positions to afford higher education.”

Tony was a Pennsylvania Board of Governor and athletic (football) scholarship recipient during his time at The Rock and verbalized the significant impact scholarships played in assisting him complete his education at SRU. Since graduating from The Rock, both continued their education; Tony a Juris Doctorate degree and Regina a master of social work. Tony is currently employed with Ernst & Young, LLP as the Americas indirect/state and local tax leader and Regina is a

manager of clinical case management with Innovista Health Solutions, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The couple established the Tony and Regina Robinson Endowed Scholarship in 2020. The scholarship provides “financial assistance to Black and/or African American undergraduate students who are pursuing a four­year degree at SRU.” The annual scholarship provides the recipient a minimum of $2,000 for the given academic year and is eligible for renewal –although not automatically – for up to an additional three years if the recipient meets the established criteria.

Financial support isn’t the only thing that the Robinsons provide to SRU, as the couple will be serving as Midwest co ­ chairs for the University’s upcoming capital campaign. It’s a role that comes with a significant commitment of time and energy in order to be successful.

“Our schedules are pretty packed and Tony’s is even more chaotic than mine, so when President Behre asked us about it, we had to take the proper time to discuss it and give it the consideration it deserved,” said Regina Robinson. “At the end of our discussion, we understood the actual impact that our participation could potentially have, not only on the University, but specifically on minority students with our being a part of the campaign.”

“Regina said to me, ‘If we do this, we have to be fully committed, together, as a team, to make it work for ourselves and the University,’ and she was spot on,” Tony Robinson said. “Everything is about balance, and as we talked about our potential involvement, we saw the greater need in regard to the amount of time it will take in order to achieve a greater purpose. It’s because of that greater purpose that we decided to move forward with it and hopefully continue to make a difference for those who really need it.”

REGINA ROBINSON, ’92

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK

TONY ROBINSON, ’93

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

“ WE BOTH CAME FROM HUMBLE BACKGROUNDS AND BOTH EXPERIENCED THE STRUGGLE TO GET TO AND THROUGH COLLEGE. AS PROUD ROCK ALUMNI, WE UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE IMPACT OF A COLLEGE DEGREE.”

BEN ADDISON, ’87

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN COMPUTER

SCIENCE

“ MY TIME ON CAMPUS WAS SO INCREDIBLY VALUABLE TO HELPING SHAPE WHO I WAS

For Ben Addison, establishing a trio of scholarships at his alma mater is simply a matter of paying it forward.

Addison was a first­ generation college student before graduating from Slippery Rock University in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He was a member of the University’s marching band, involved with the Association of Residence Hall Students and, as a student ambassador, credits the generosity of others with helping him graduate from The Rock with zero loan debt.

His additional philanthropic support of the University includes being a member of the SRU Foundation, Inc.’s Lifetime Giving Society, with gifts totaling more than $50,000, and the 1889 Society, whose members have named SRU as a beneficiary of a planned gift.

Addison, a native of Sharon, is also a past president of the SRU Alumni Association (199799), and during his time in that role, he helped to establish the Past President’s and Alumni Association scholarships. He continues to serve on the association’s scholarship committee.

THOUGHT.”

PERSONALLY, AND EVENTUALLY PROFESSIONALLY, THAT GIVING BACK TO THE UNIVERSITY ALWAYS SEEMED LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND WITHOUT A SECOND

“My parents worked very hard to help make college a reality for me and were able to pay for half my education,” said Addison. “Scholarship availability helped cover most of the other half, in addition to what I was able to contribute via my work study. That‘s one of the reasons why I wanted to give back (by establishing the three scholarships).”

The scholarships founded by Addison, who has spent the past 25 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers, a multinational accounting firm, include:

• The Addison Family Scholarship that provides an annual award of $900 to a student who graduated from a Mercer County high school, maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA and “demonstrates involvement in community service and/or University activities.”

• The Ben Addison Scholarship for the School of Business and Computer Science Department that provides a $1,000 per year, renewable award to a student enrolled in a major from SRU’s School of Business or Computer Science Department.

• The Ben Addison Scholarship for the SRU Marching Pride that provides a $1,000 nonrenewable award to a first­year student who performs with the marching band.

“I know how important (scholarships) were for me and my education and I hope what I’m able to provide for someone else can have the same beneficial impact, whatever the amount,” said Addison.

In fact, Addison started providing that impact immediately after graduation.

“My first fulltime job was with Liberty Mutual and they provided matching grant money to employees who made donations, so I took advantage of that and started giving back to The Rock as soon as I left,” Addison said.

“My time on campus was so incredibly valuable to helping shape who I was personally, and eventually professionally, that giving back to the University always seemed like the right thing to do and without a second thought. From the educational experience to taking part in a variety of extracurricular activities, everything I touched while I was there helped to inform and form who I was and what I would become. Each encounter was a positive step in learning, not only in the classroom, but life, and if I can help foster that for others, then The Rock taught me the right lessons.”

As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. A pair of former Slippery Rock University student-athletes have followed this axiom by supporting something that worked well for them. And in doing so, they are helping to make a difference in the lives of those who are following in their footsteps.

“(Giving back) is important to us because when you‘re in college and committed to bettering yourself (through education), any little bit helps,” Lindsay Mulvihill said. “Both my husband, Dave, and I were partial scholarship recipients and we know how important those monies were to us, and since we’re able to provide for someone else like it was done for us, we do what we can.”

“It’s all about giving somebody else an opportunity,” Dave Mulvihill said. “If you think about it, we’re all molded by our past experiences and SRU gave each of us opportunities to pursue our academic and athletic ventures and it was through scholarships that I was able to go to college in the first place. I didn‘t have a college fund to fall back on.

“We have the ability (to give), so after all that

SRU did for us, why wouldn’t we? We are where we are because someone thought enough to provide financial assistance when we needed it, so if we can help somebody have the same opportunity, it seems like the right thing to do. We don’t give a ton but what we do give is having an impact.”

Both of the Mulvihills has established an annual scholarship, Lindsay with the ’06 Weber­ Mulvihill Volleyball Scholarship and Dave with the ’07 Weber­ Mulvihill Football Scholarship. Lindsay was a walk­ on member of the SRU volleyball team (200205) and Dave was an offensive lineman for The Rock football team (2003 ­ 07).

The volleyball scholarship, valued at $1,000 per year, is geared toward a full ­time student who is a women’s volleyball player, with preference for a student who becomes a member of the women’s team as a walk­ on player, and is renewable as long as the student continues to play volleyball.

The football scholarship, also valued at $1,000 per year, is awarded to full ­time students who competed in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League during high school and are offensive linemen for The Rock football team. The scholarship is renewable as long as the recipient continues to play on the football team.

Lindsay Mulvihill, a 2006 SRU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sport management, has spent the past six years as director of business development with the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund. She previously worked with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Bruno Event Team and the LPGA after earning a master’s degree in sport management from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dave Mulvihill, a 2007 SRU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in safety management, has spent the past seven years with Deep Well Services where he is currently the vice president of HSQE and administration.

“I don‘t think, in terms of becoming prepared professionally and for the real world in general, that you can get better than what you get at SRU, particularly as a student­ athlete and learning to be a functional member of a team,” said Lindsay Mulvihill. “I think that‘s more important than just about anything. I learned so much through time management skills alone; it was a huge benefit for me. Being able to play a sport was a privilege and I think that helped shape me just as much as the academics did.”

DAVE MULVIHILL, ’07

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SAFETY

LINDSAY MULVIHILL, ’06

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SPORT MANAGEMENT

“

WE HAVE THE ABILITY (TO GIVE),

SO AFTER ALL THAT SRU DID FOR US, WHY WOULDN’T WE? WE ARE WHERE WE ARE BECAUSE SOMEONE THOUGHT ENOUGH TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHEN WE NEEDED IT, SO IF WE CAN HELP SOMEBODY HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY, IT SEEMS LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO.”

campus community.

Abent, a native of Jackson, Michigan, passed away Jan. 11, 2021, at the age of 69, following a yearlong battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

“Rita was a trusted leader within our University community,” said SRU President William Behre. “She provided many of us with uncanny insight and wise counsel in addition to playing a central role in helping shape SRU during her time here. She embodied the principles and values to which we aspire as a University and was a warm and genuine friend to so many. Everyone misses her terribly.”

Gifted Planner Makes a Planned Gift

Abent, who began her employment at SRU Oct. 30, 2006, came to The Rock from Eastern Michigan University where she had spent the previous 12 years, finishing her time at EMU as its executive director for marketing and communication. She worked at EMU a total of 22 years, including an earlier stint from 1979­ 89, during which she was director of student media, leading the university‘s independent student newspaper to its first Associated Press Sweepstakes Award and numerous fiveAmerica ratings by the Associated Collegiate Press.

She also worked at Wichita State University (1992­94), as director of undergraduate admissions, and as an editor at two newspapers in Florida, the Sun ­Tattler (1989­90) and the Hollywood Sun (1990 ­92).

At SRU, Abent worked tirelessly for the betterment of the University and involved herself in every aspect of campus life. She knew that every segment of campus affected the University’s overall public image.

“Rita joined us at an important time in our history,” said former SRU President Robert Smith, who hired Abent. “She was one of the best that I’ve ever worked with in developing strategic responses to crises and providing the perfect public tone in moments of stress.

“She was excellent at reputation management. Through Rita, we began a serious, strategic communication marketing campaign using a coordinated team of professionals that generated a lot of positive attention for the University, particularly in the Pittsburgh area, that was important to our enrollment initiatives. She even talked me into using billboards, something I didn’t believe in (at the time).

“Rita took a small, dedicated staff and added student interns to help the growing demand for our communication services. Those student interns flourished under her guidance. She was tireless in working with them to become the best version of themselves.”

Former SRU President Cheryl Norton echoed those sentiments.

“Rita believed in education and the potential of a university degree to change the trajectory of a person‘s life,” Norton said. “For that reason, she understood the importance of communicating the excellent education that Slippery Rock University provides students. Rita was connected to and knowledgeable about all facets of the institution and the Slippery Rock community. When I began my SRU presidency, her campus and community involvement was invaluable. I will always be thankful for the advice and counsel she provided in good times and with challenging issues. More importantly, Rita’s commitment to SRU knew no boundaries.”

That commitment will continue in her absence via the Abent Family Scholarship.

The scholarship will provide financial assistance to a fulltime, incoming first­year student with high financial need. First consideration will be to a first­ generation college student with one recipient selected each academic year.

The scholarship will be renewable through a student’s traditional senior year as long as they maintain a 3.0 GPA. If, for any reason, a student is not renewed, another student will be selected from that cohort to receive the scholarship. The scholarship has been established through an endowed gift from Abent’s estate.

“Rita believed that anyone who wanted to go to college should be able to go,” said MaryAnn Trudeau, Abent’s niece. “With that in mind, the scholarship is based solely on financial need for a first­ generation student.”

Abent earned her bachelor‘s degree from Central Michigan University with a double major in journalism and physical

education, before earning a master’s degree in educational communication from Syracuse University. She later spent time on the faculty of Syracuse University’s School Press Institute and as a high school journalism teacher in Saginaw, Michigan, before resuming her career in higher education.

“She truly was (at SRU) to serve students, faculty and the administration,” said Norton. “The SRU community was fortunate to have her expertise, dedication and leadership on campus. It’s fitting that her family has added to Rita‘s legacy with a scholarship in her name.”

In addition to her duties with the University, Abent used her expertise to benefit Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, serving on the State System’s Public Relations Council, meeting frequently with colleagues to strategize on issues facing higher education, including state funding.

“Rita was a trusted leader within our University community. She provided many of us with uncanny insight and wise counsel in addition to playing a central role in helping shape SRU during her time here.”

– SRU President William Behre

“Rita was a true professional in every sense of the word,” said Kenn Marshall, the now­retired PASSHE manager of media relations. “She was someone I frequently counted on both for advice on sensitive subjects and for assistance in projects that involved the entire State System. While she always put SRU first, as was appropriate, she never hesitated to offer her support at the System level. She saw the big picture and was a tremendous team member.

“It always made my job easier when I knew campus­level communications were in good hands, and, with Rita in charge, there was never any doubt SRU was in great shape.”

For more information about the Abent Family Scholarship or to learn more about planned giving to SRU, contact University Advancement at 724.738.2004.

From left, members of the Abent family – Patrick Abent, Rita Abent, Patty Abent, Linda (Abent) Brown and Harold Abent. The family funded the Abent Family Scholarship to honor Rita‘s 15-year legacy at SRU.

CHOPPER HOPPER

Members of SRU’s Army ROTC program, including cadet Justin Gibson, participated in an air movement exercise last fall aboard a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that departed from campus.

for Research SPACE

The building of one small microscope is a giant leap for student researchers at Slippery Rock University, and someday their creation might touch the surface of a planet. Eleven SRU students have been on a research project led by Sagar Bhandari, assistant professor of physics and engineering, that was funded by a $25,000 grant from NASA through the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium.

The research team is working on a portable cryogenic atomic force microscope system that is intended to analyze particles on interplanetary surfaces. A portable microscope is needed because it‘s much more difficult and expensive to have a spacecraft retrieve samples from space to bring back to Earth and analyze under a big microscope. Instead, the SRU researchers are developing a microscope that is small and resilient enough to be sent to interplanetary surfaces such as Mars or the moon.

“There is a need for having a compact tool that you can send to these planets,” Bhandari said. “This microscope will allow research scientists to scan over the surface to see what the structure of the soil is like down to a few nanometers of resolution. This will give scientists a better understanding of the physical and chemical properties of the soil there and maybe that will shed some light on the origin of a place like Mars and explain its current state.”

Bhandari, who joined the SRU faculty in 2019, previously studied electron imaging and microscopy of quantum

SRU RECEIVES NASA GRANT TO BUILD ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE

materials while earning his Ph.D. in applied physics from Harvard University. He‘s using some of his designs and techniques for this NASA-funded project that is intended to get more undergraduate students involved with this type of graduate-level research that would normally be conducted at advanced research-intensive institutions, known as Research I universities.

Established in 1989 at Penn State University, the PSGC‘s mission is to expand opportunities for people to learn about

and participate in NASA‘s aeronautics and space programs by supporting and enhancing science and engineering education, research and outreach programs.

“It is rare to have undergraduates work on these types of projects,” Bhandari said. “This research is complex because you need to find the right recipe to build this tool and have the microscope function properly, both mechanically and electrically, in extreme temperatures and without gravity.”

“This research is exciting because it‘s not something that a student like me at a smaller school would normally get to do,” said Sara Danowski, a senior industrial and systems engineering major from Manorville, New York. “This will definitely look good on a resume, but it‘s also not just everyday research ... it‘s space research.”

Danowski and six other students were paid through the grant to work 20 hours per week last summer in a lab at SRU‘s Vincent Science Center. Each student had a designated role, such as Danowski using software to design parts that are generated using one of three 3D printers in the lab. But all of the students worked together and got to perform tasks such as pouring liquid nitrogen into a cryostat machine, which is a closed-cycle chamber that is used to test parts in temperatures as low as minus-340 degrees Fahrenheit.

from Beaver; Logan Murray, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Cheswick; Erica Perry, a senior physics major from Franklin; Charleigh Rondeau, a junior industrial and systems engineering major from Amherst, New York; and Andrew Smeltzer, a senior physics major from Irwin.

Although the atomic force microscope the students are building will only be about 10-by-10 centimeters, there are many steps involved to test the instrument using simulated conditions it would encounter in the fluctuating temperatures and in the vacuum of space.

“You cannot buy this type of equipment; you have to build it,” Bhandari said. “A commercial-level atomic force microscope would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and it would take up a lot of space. When you‘re sending something into space, every kilogram increases the cost.”

PSGC‘s mission is to expand opportunities for people to learn about and participate in NASA‘s aeronautics and space programs by supporting and enhancing science and engineering education, research and outreach programs.

The exact microscope that the SRU researchers are building won‘t necessarily end up on a space shuttle anytime soon, but the project could spur further research by others through open-source sharing, thereby benefitting the entire scientific community.

“Especially after having online classes last year because of COVID-19, this is great to have hands-on experiences with professors and work as part of a team, which is a huge part of engineering,” Danowski said. “This project has been really good for introducing us to new skills and to what it will be like to work on a project as an engineer.”

Students received technical skills as well, such as using SolidWork, the computer-aided design and engineering program that Danowski used, or a computerized numerical control milling machine used by Robert Taylor, a senior physics major from Pittsburgh.

Other students who have worked on the project include Ashton Bloom, a senior physics major from East Berlin; Crystal Gross, a senior physics major from Pittsburgh; Zachary Hanlon, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Oakmont; Tiffany Jolayemi, a senior industrial and systems engineering major from Murrysville; Alexander Kanell, a senior industrial and systems engineering major

“NASA continues to send more robots to Mars to study the surface and they could learn from our design,” Bhandari said. “Even if NASA doesn‘t use our equipment, other researchers can use our design to build a low-cost, atomic force microscope that works at low temperatures and low vacuum. This microscope could also be used to study things like semiconducting devices or other materials beyond space particles.”

Since work began in summer 2020, the SRU research team has presented at the Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education STEM Student Research Conference last fall. They also started designing a robotic arm and an automated sample sorter that would allow them to find a sample autonomously and place it on the microscope.

From left, SRU students Charleigh Rondeau and Tiffany Jolayemi pour liquid nitrogen into a cryostat machine; a 3D printer makes parts for an atomic force microscope, prepared by students using computer-aided design software, all under the direction of Sagar Bhandari (standing) with students Jolayemi, Rondeau and Robert Taylor.

Trustee, the process

Elise Michaux enjoying new role on SRU council

For someone who once thought enrolling at Slippery Rock University seemed out of reach, Elise Michaux sure has a firm grasp of the college experience. She‘s not only a distinguished graduate who works in higher education, she‘s a member of SRU‘s council of trustees. According to Michaux, she‘s simply reciprocating the trust that SRU put in her when she was a student by faithfully serving the University as a member of the council.

“I did not think I was going to go to college,” said Michaux, ’11, ’13M, who earned a bachelor‘s degree at SRU in English literature and master‘s degree in student affairs in higher education. “And, so, when I was accepted and SRU took a chance on me, I felt forever indebted. To serve in this capacity as a trustee, to continue helping to improve the University and being a part of the great things that we‘re doing is humbling and an honor.”

That‘s why, to Michaux, her role as a trustee is much more than attending quarterly meetings.

“It‘s about providing amazing experiences for students,” said Michaux, who joined the COT in 2020. “That‘s what we want them talking about when they go home or they are off campus on semester break, so that even more people will want to experience The Rock.”

Michaux is still talking about her amazing experiences as well. She served as the Slippery Rock Student Government Association speaker of the senate, a FYRST seminar peer leader, vice president of the graduate student association, master of ceremonies for Up ’til 2 – a benefit for St. Jude Children‘s Research Hospital – and she advised the Chosen Generation Gospel Choir, to name a few.

“I learned about leadership and keeping a positive mindset at SRU,” Michaux said.

“It‘s important to me to give back to the students who came after me.”

This doesn‘t mean she‘s on the council simply to provide alumni testimonials. In addition to being the vice chairperson of the council, Michaux feels called to represent all students, but particularly those with her identities as an African American woman who came from a community, Connellsville, with similar demographics to Butler County.

“For our Black students who are attending a predominantly white institution in an area like Slippery Rock, it can be very jarring,” Michaux said. “I grew up in an all­white area, so I‘m used to being the minority, but for many of the students who come here, it can be different for them. To have faces that look like mine (in a position of leadership), it speaks volumes, and it gives them something to reach for.”

Michaux is the fourth Black person to serve as a trustee since 1988 and the first since Grace Hawkins and Eric Holmes were on the council in 2013.

“Part of advocacy is how we are thinking about the people who aren‘t at the table,” Michaux said. “I can help do that. That‘s part of my job. No matter how busy I am, I‘ll participate on a search committee or participate any way I can in the life of our students, whether it be attending or speaking at an event. That‘s why I‘m here.”

higher education. After graduating from SRU, she started her career as a counselor for special student populations at Robert Morris University, working with studentathletes and assisting them in creating their academic schedules, connecting them to appropriate academic support services and ensuring their overall well­being.

After two years at RMU, she became director of student involvement at Seton Hill University, where she expanded SHU‘s definition and understanding of involvement. Through a collaborative effort with faculty, staff and students, she helped roll out new leadership programming while supervising more than

A young, Black woman who is an SRU alumna is not the only perspective that Michaux provides. She also works in

In 2021, after six years at SHU, Michaux entered her current role as the founding director of enrollment management at Erie County Community College, where she is responsible for defining the strategic direction, range planning mentation of the enrollment management functions, as well as developing and managing all aspects of the recruiting and retention strategies for students. She‘s doing all this while working toward her doctoral degree in organizational learning and leadership

“Working on a college campus myself, I get to bring students in and show them what is possible when they pursue a degree,” Michaux said. “I wouldn‘t be in the career that I am in today if it weren‘t for having great experiences as an undergrad (at SRU).”

Beyond college campuses, Michaux is

involved with community organizations. She is a consultant to the Reimagining Westmoreland‘s Inclusivity Committee and she manages outreach and promotions for the Fountain of Life Church in Pittsburgh.

Even before Michaux became a trustee, she was involved with SRU the community. In 2019, she was recognized by the SRU Alumni Association at its Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet for personal

“I wouldn‘t be in the career that I am in today if it weren‘t for having great experiences as an undergrad (at SRU).”

and professional achievements, and in January 2020 she returned to campus as part of SRU‘s Alumni Speaker Series.

These engagements eventually led to her being identified as a trustee candidate.

“I first met Elise when she was recognized at an alumni awards event, and I was struck by her personal insights about the value of an SRU education,” said SRU President Bill Behre. “Now, having the opportunity to work together, I‘m continually impressed by her thoughtful leadership, guidance and overall passion for helping SRU to continually improve. I am grateful for her insight. We are fortunate to have her voice as part of our council.”

“I‘m very grateful for SRU and to be around a table with people who care just as much as me. It’s pretty amazing,” Michaux said.

Elise Michaux, ’11, ’13M, is the fourth Black person to serve on the SRU council of trustees since 1988.

Picture

Before she considered colleges to attend, Samantha Callen aspired to be a nurse because she wanted to help people. But when she discovered the array of academic programs offered by Slippery Rock University, she found other opportunities to improve people’s lives and still work in health care.

Today, she is among the growing number of SRU alumni who work in health professions and meet the vital needs of people living in western Pennsylvania. Callen, a 2011 SRU graduate with a degree in health services administration, works for Allegheny Health Network as a manager of patient experiences for AHN Grove City and AHN Allegheny Valley hospitals. Her job involves analyzing patient feedback to improve AHN services, advocate on behalf of patients and help them and their families navigate the health care system.

Health care companies such as AHN, UPMC and Highmark rank in the top 10 among employers of SRU alumni. Although Callen is an example of the thousands of SRU graduates who were prepared to enter the health care industry, there is room for growth.

SRU will have an even greater foothold in connecting quality health care workers with the region’s employers as the

of Health

University is creating a College of Health Professions, beginning in fall 2022. The new college will be largely made up of existing academic departments currently housed within the College of Health, Engineering and Science, which is the largest of SRU‘s four colleges with 15 departments. As a result of the COHP’s creation, the CHES will be renamed the College of Engineering and Science.

Samantha Callen, ’01

“Health care needs are constantly evolving,” Callen said. “What’s great about SRU having this new college is that it further diversifies and enhances the programs for what health care needs. I found out that I wasn’t cut out to be a nurse, but there are so many other opportunities and with so many different courses that SRU offers. The syllabus of every course would always match what health care needed at that point in time.”

According to SRU administrators, the creation of a new college gives greater visibility to what the University has to offer, and it makes SRU’s robust program offerings run more smoothly with greater efficiency and more concentrated leadership.

“SRU continues to be an innovator in establishing professional health care programs in western Pennsylvania to meet the needs of our growing and aging populations,” said SRU President William Behre. “The new College of Health Professions will enable students in these programs to work in greater harmony with each other and to prepare for careers that are very much in demand in our community, the commonwealth and the country.”

The creation of the new college will not correlate with the immediate addition of any new academic programs. The existing College of Health, Engineering and Science consists of 158 full ­ and part­time faculty and programs that enroll 3,438 full ­ and part­time students. Each of those headcounts exceed a third of all faculty and students, respectively.

The exact number of departments that will comprise the new college is not yet determined, but they will include departments from CHES that offer health programs, as well as a department that will include Health Care Administration, which will move from the College of Business.

“This change provides us the opportunity to enhance the configuration of the colleges,” said Abbey Zink, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “With the addition of health programs in recent years, we have a need to emphasize and appropriately focus attention on our health

programs, and our engineering and science programs, by having them in separate colleges. It‘s difficult for one dean to effectively build all those programs with all the accreditations and complexities, but beyond that, having a college dedicated toward health professions is going to set us up as a regional leader and highlight our outstanding health profession programs.”

Among the new programs added in the last five years are graduate programs in health informatics and public health, along with the physician assistant and occupational therapy programs that are housed in the Harrisville Building. A former elementary school that was renovated in 2016, the Harrisville Building includes 13 labs and four exam rooms that include cameras for professors to monitor student progress and equipment that simulates real ­time patient care.

“With state ­ of­the ­ art facilities and a dedicated faculty, we are in a unique position to launch this comprehensive college that will not only meet a wide variety of educational needs but serve the people of our region in a most advantageous way,” Behre said. “This opportunity has the potential to foster engagement in interprofessional education that will be a tremendous asset for our University and our region.”

Leading the transition of the new College of Health Professions is John Bonaguro, who was hired in March 2021 as the founding dean. Bonaguro was the founding dean of Western Kentucky University‘s College of Health and Human Services in 2003, serving as dean and professor of public health at WKU before retiring in 2016.

“What attracted me to this position is how SRU is student and faculty focused and how enthusiastic and supportive the administration is in establishing this new college,” Bonaguro said.

“With the addition of health programs in recent years, we have a need to emphasize and appropriately focus attention on our health programs, and our engineering and science programs, by having them in separate colleges.”

– Abbey Zink, provost and vice president for academic affairs

“A key to success as a founding dean is having a shared vision among the University‘s leaders and that‘s why I‘m excited to join SRU.

“Creating a new college unifies the different academic programs together in one place. It gives us greater visibility and outreach and makes us more attractive to our constituents, but it is also cost effective as well. This means more efficient administration where you would otherwise have many separate departments and it also means better advising, articulation agreements, affiliations and other benefits that would be lost without a centralized focus of leadership.”

NOMANOFGOD ORIGINAL TED TALK THE

SRU ALUM AND FORMER FBI AGENT WHO PROFILED

TED BUNDY IS PORTRAYED IN HOLLYWOOD FILM

The world’s most notorious serial killer was incredulous: the FBI sent a Slippery Rock University graduate to profile him.

“You went to Slippery Rock?” Ted Bundy asked the man visiting him in a Florida State Prison in the late 1980s. “Why did (the FBI) pick you?”

“You don’t know much about Slippery Rock, do you?” Bill Hagmaier responded from across the table.

“No, I don’t,” said Bundy, who studied at four different institutions, earning a psychology degree “with distinction” from the University of Washington before entering law school at the University of Utah.

“It’s a great school,” said Hagmaier, touting SRU, the school where he earned two degrees, a bachelor’s degree in

secondary education in 1969 and a master’s in counseling services in 1974.

Hagmaier went on to tell Bundy how his family didn’t own a car and he had to hitchhike to SRU, then known as Slippery Rock State College, from his home on the North Side of Pittsburgh. By sharing his own story, Hagmaier got Bundy to open up. Bundy shared details that helped the FBI learn more about preventing and capturing other serial killers by attempting to understand the criminal methods and motives of convicts like him.

Bundy was charged with killing more than 20 women, ages 12­26 in multiple states, in the mid ­1970s. He was arrested multiple times and escaped prison twice before he was finally apprehended for good in 1978. A year later, he was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of two Florida State University students, Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy. Other trials and subsequent death sentences followed.

Hagmaier’s interviews with Bundy, which spanned more than 200 hours from 1984 ­ 89 while Bundy was on death row, are the subject of a movie, “No Man of God.” Released in August 2021, the movie stars Elijah Wood, of “Lord of the Rings” fame, playing the role of Hagmaier, and Luke Kirby, portraying Bundy.

The film focuses on Hagmaier’s complicated relationship with Bundy, with him having to empathize with such a heinous person just to perform his job. Hagmaier’s role became even more precarious later when Bundy was about to offer a confession to extend his stay of execution. He requested to only speak to Hagmaier,

whom he referred to as his “best friend.”

“I knew the hand of the man who called me his best friend also cut the heads off other people‘s daughters or sisters,” Hagmaier said. “It wasn’t (uncomfortable) when he said that and it was just the two of us, but when other people heard about this and they’d ask, ‘How can you be friends

Scenes from the 2021 movie “No Man of God” starring actor Elijah Wood (bottom, first full frame from right, photos courtesy of RJLE Films) who played SRU alumnus and retired FBI agent Bill Hagmaier (above, photo by Mike Morones, The Free Lance Star).

Bill Hagmaier, ’69, ’74

worth answering one of Bundy’s other questions: How did Hagmaier, as an SRU graduate, become an FBI agent?

“I worked hard andand God made that decision for my life and it worked out,’” Hagmaier told Bundy, before sharing details of his humble beginnings.

Hagmaier grew up in a three ­bedroom house with three brothers and two sisters – none of whom finished high school –along with his parents and his great aunt.

“When I went to college and I lived in Patterson Hall, it was the first time I had my own bed,” Hagmaier said. “(My

THE FILM FOCUSES ON HAGMAIER’S COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP WITH BUNDY, WITH HIM HAVING TO EMPATHIZE WITH SUCH A HEINOUS PERSON JUST TO PERFORM HIS JOB.

family) hardly ever ate in restaurants, so this was great for me, getting to eat in the dining hall. I was in heaven. I enjoyed the classes. Slippery Rock was great for me. People were very kind. I didn‘t have a winter jacket and (my fraternity brothers) gave me a winter jacket and I ended up living in the fraternity house for a couple years without paying rent because I had a job cleaning the bathrooms.”

After graduating, Hagmaier was drafted into the Army and served for two years. He returned to SRU to get his

master’s degree because he wanted to become a guidance counselor. There, he met his wife, Barbara, and he wound up working for the Department of Labor’s Job Corps, counseling youths to work in the trades. Through that program he was a liaison to the Pittsburgh Police Department for troubled youth, and, having additional background from serving in the Military Police during his time in the Army, he developed a greater interest and aptitude for law enforcement. He missed an opportunity to enter the police academy because there was a lottery system in place at the time, but when he later successfully interviewed for the FBI, he jumped at the chance to pursue his newfound passion.

After four years working at the FBI’s Minneapolis Headquarters, Hagmaier was transferred to New York City and worked on a task force with the NYPD on major investigations. In 1983, he joined the FBI Academy‘s Behavioral Science Unit in Quantico, Virginia, specializing in crime analysis, criminal personality profiling and interviewing techniques.

While still relatively new to the profiling unit, and working as one of the FBI’s first full ­time profilers, he floated the idea of adding Bundy to their roster of interviewees. Many of his colleagues in the BSU doubted Bundy would talk, saying that at best Hagmaier was wasting his time or at worst he’d embarrass the FBI, but he got buy­ in from the BSU chief and worked his contacts at the Florida State Prison where Bundy was serving his sentence.

The warden there vouched for Hagmaier, recognizing that the new BSU profiler wouldn’t exploit the access like other FBI agents, and Bundy agreed to meet with Hagmaier after the two exchanged just one letter. Hagmaier noticed that Bundy was very familiar with his unit’s work.

“He was just a unique serial killer,” Hagmaier said. “I‘ve taken confessions from four or five of them, but none of them were so articulate or had the insights that he had.”

Hagmaier returned several times, finding that Bundy was researching papers published by the BSU that even Hagmaier wasn’t aware of.

“And he never told (his attorney) he was talking to me,” Hagmaier said. “If the other prisoners knew that an FBI agent was coming in, they’d label him a snitch and he’d get whacked really quick. He appreciated the fact that I never published anything or never said anything public about it and kept everything secret.”

Hagmaier was reluctant to obtain Bundy’s confession when called upon in the days before Bundy’s execution.

“My job was to do research on what made him tick and get any input from him,” Hagmaier said. “We never really expected him to confess, and I wouldn’t really know all the questions (to ask). It really was the local police officers, detectives and prosecutors that should have had that opportunity, but he wouldn‘t (make the confession) without me.”

Bundy confessed to 30 murders, but the true total remains unknown.

In the last couple of hours that Hagmaier and Bundy were together,

Top left, Hagmaier at his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia (photo courtesy of Mike Morones, The Free Lance Star). Hagmaier (above, from left) profiling Ted Bundy in the late 1980s.

Bundy was prepared to die by suicide rather than sit in the electric chair. Hagmaier talked him out of it.

“You know, I’m probably the worst person that God ever put on this earth,’” Bundy told Hagmaier, while suggesting that Hagmaier should cowrite Bundy’s autobiography. “Nobody can write anything that’s going to be worse than what I did. But, you know, at least I know you‘ll say the truth and how many times I (murdered) and where, and you heard me pray and ask for forgiveness.”

In the years following Bundy’s execution, Hagmaier was approached with several lucrative book and movie deals, but he turned them down, although he had agreed to work with Tom Clancy, whom he’d become close friends when Clancy consulted Hagmaier to inform his crime novels, but the author passed away in 2013. There was even one producer who planned to have Tom Hanks play Hagmaier and use Tom Cruise as Bundy.

“I have tremendous feelings for victims’ families, and I would not allow any sex or graphic violence in movies,” said Hagmaier, who retired as an FBI agent in 2001 and now lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia. “So I had a couple contracts, but the next thing I know, they‘re changing the scripts and then they still wanted me to sign.”

‘Mr. Hagmaier, I‘m honored to play you,’” Hagmaier said. “He said, ‘There are two things I want you to know: The first is, I want this to reflect very well on the FBI and what your contributions were, and the other is that I‘ll try not to stand up because you‘re a foot taller than I am.’ We got off on a good step and he’s really a nice person.”

Hagmaier was pleased with the result of the movie, although he acknowledged some things that were “Hollywood,” such as some of the explicit language that was used to give the movie a harder­ edged R rating, as well as how the films suggests that Hagmaier had a similar broken relationship with his father as Bundy did with his stepfather. And, of course, there

“ HE WAS JUST A UNIQUE SERIAL KILLER. I‘VE TAKEN CONFESSIONS FROM FOUR OR FIVE OF THEM, BUT NONE OF THEM WERE SO ARTICULATE OR HAD THE INSIGHTS THAT HE HAD.”

– Bill Hagmaier

It wasn’t until recent years that Hagmaier was approached by an executive producer, Scott Derrickson, with a script and deal that he found agreeable. The film, “No Man of God,” was ultimately directed by Amber Sealey, written by Kit Lesser, produced by Company X and distributed by RLJE Films.

The timing wasn’t exactly ideal because the pandemic forced Hagmaier to work remotely with the director and actors, spending hours on the phone describing the settings and what the characters were like, even down to their facial expressions.

Hagmaier, who is not much of a movie buff, didn’t know who Wood was, even with his two adult children identifying him as Frodo Baggins from the “Lord of the Rings,” among other credits.

“(Wood) called me up and he said,

was a scene with Hagmaier crying. That didn’t happen, The Rock alumnus insisted. But Hagmaier said he tried to convince the director to include the Slippery Rock reference in the film.

“Slippery Rock?” Bundy said once more during one of their first visits.

Hagmaier fired back to Bundy: “Well, you know, when that big iron door closes at six o‘clock tonight, you know where I‘m going to be? I‘m going to be on the other side of it, and you know where you‘re going to be with all your (credentials) at big schools? You‘re still gonna be on death row.

“He looked at me, started laughing and gave me a high ­ five, because he thought that was kind of neat.”

Husband and wife educators endow SRU scholarship

“We were already supporting the University through various donations and we agreed that creating a scholarship for education students from western Pennsylvania would be the next logical step.”

– Ronald Wasilak

When Ronald Wasilak and Patricia Williams enrolled at then ­ Slippery Rock State Teachers College, they never anticipated a 59­year marriage, decades of dedicated education service or that one day they would endow a scholarship that’s named after them.

The two retired educators now make their home in Murrysville after first meeting as freshmen at SRU. Both graduated in 1962, Ronald in secondary education, social studies and English, and Patricia in health and physical education, with a social studies minor.

An orientation program at SRU helped set their path.

“Freshmen were assembled outside North Hall, with the men required to wear green ties and green dinks [small skull caps] and the women wearing green scarves,” said Ronald Wasilak. “I guess I was not paying attention, so I began to hum. An orientation leader, concerned with my lack of interest, thought I should stand on a light post pillar and sing to my fellow freshmen. Pat claims that is where she first saw me. I later noticed her, and asked a roommate for her name. I called her, asking her to go to The Roxy, the local movie house at the time, and she accepted.”

The couple dated throughout college and married in December 1962 following their June graduation. Both began committed and passionate careers in education.

Initially hired by the Allegheny Valley School District as a 10th grade English and world history teacher (1962­79), Ronald Wasilak would go on to earn a master’s degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1966) and doctoral degree in education administration from the University of Pittsburgh (1978). During his career at AVSD he became assistant principal, and later principal, at Springdale High school.

He then steadily moved up the district’s administration ladder, becoming assistant superintendent in 1986, before spending 15 years as superintendent, a post he remained at until his retirement in 2002.

“After 40 years, I decided it was time to spend more time with my family, including my wife, two sons and two granddaughters,” Ronald Wasilak said.

Patricia Wasilak, whose family has a rich history of producing teachers, also followed the education route, but chose a slightly different path.

Above: During her days at SRU, Patricia Williams, now Patricia Wasilak, was an active member and captain of the university‘s Rocklette Drill Team. As part of her longtime teaching career in the Allegheny Valley School District, she used many of those skills as advisor and mentor to the school‘s cheerleader squad.

“Right after graduation, I accepted a teaching position at Norwin Junior High School,” said Patricia Wasilak. “The year after we were married (in 1962), we had our first child, R. James, and in those days pregnant women had to resign, so I took some time off. In 1965, the Allegheny Valley School District, where Ron was teaching, needed a health and physical education teacher. I signed on for that position and also taught 8th grade science. Because I had been cheerleading captain in high school and captain of the University’s Rocklette Drill Team, I also became involved with the AVSD varsity cheerleaders. Ron and I were always involved and active in college, including house councils and other campus clubs, so we carried that over to our school and students when we became teachers.

“When I got pregnant with our second son, Matthew, in 1969, I again took the required time off. In 1972, AVSD called again offering a part­time physical education teacher position. I did that for two years before moving to a full ­time position. When our oldest son went to college, the district asked me to move to the high school to teach 8th grade science. Well, Ronald was the principal and while we saw that as a challenge, we knew we could make it work and we did.”

In fact, it worked so well that Patricia spent 20 years teaching general science, physical science and life sciences, at every grade level, before retiring in 1997.

“While the actual sciences did not change that much, new technology came to the classroom while I was there,” Patricia Wasilak said. “First, we had a school computer room, later there were computers and computer ­ aided learning programs in every classroom. I think that really benefitted the students, especially those who learn better visually.

“It was a hectic time. We were both working full time, I was coaching cheerleading and our children were involved in band and soccer. But, it was also a lot of fun.”

Although now retired for nearly 20 years, Ronald Wasilak said he still fondly recalls his leadership role.

“The best part of being superintendent was in achieving some of the goals I had when first assuming the position,” he said. “It was a small district, and I had hoped we could direct the staff and the district to achieve educational excellence. And, as time went on, with participation of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the University of Pittsburgh through a partnership, we were able to offer extensive Advanced Placement and satellite courses. Our performance scores on the tests the state used at the time were in the 80 and 90 achievement percentiles. It really was, I believe, a Golden Age for the district in terms of academic achievement and excellence.”

Following the deaths of Ronald Wasilak’s parents in the early

’80s, the Wasilaks established a scholarship at Springdale High School for students in “good academic standing and planning a career in education.”

That scholarship planted the seed for what would become the Dr. Ronald J. and Patricia J. Williams Wasilak Education Scholarship at SRU that provides financial assistance to SRU students majoring in education who are graduates of AVSD’s Springdale Junior/Senior High School, Bethlehem Center High School in Fredericktown, or Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School in Cranberry Township. “We were already supporting the University through various donations and we agreed that creating a scholarship for education students from western Pennsylvania would be the next logical step,” said Ronald Wasilak.

The couple was also instrumental in the creation of the Class of 1962 Scholarship, also earmarked for an SRU education major.

For more information about the Dr. Ronald J. and Patricia J. Williams Wasilak Education Scholarship or to learn more about other scholarship opportunities at SRU, contact University Advancement at 724.738.2004.

Top left, Ronald and Patricia Wasilak as SRU students in the early 1960s and a recent photo of the Wasilaks showing their SRU pride during their vacation to Hawaii.

rock CLASS NOTES

EDITORIAL INFORMATION

To submit “Class Notes,” email us at alumni@sru.edu or go to www.rockalumni.com.

We do not publish engagements or pregnancies, but we do publish marriages and births.

Please note that due to space restrictions, submissions may be edited. However, remember that we are proud of all our alumni and all they do. GO ROCK!

1940s

Ed Cottrell, ’43, and former World War II fighter pilot, celebrated his 100th birthday by skydiving. Cottrell says his jump was not only to mark his centenarian milestone but also to remember his fallen brothers. Following the skydive, he went to Raeford to place the first flag and dog tags on a display to honor military members and their families.

1960s

Mary Killmeyer Cherry, ’65, shares a legacy family photo taken while celebrating Rock football. Pictured, left to right, are Mary, ’65, LuAnn Kennedy Cherry, ’75, Alicia Cherry, ’98, Kenneth Cherry, ’73, and Donna Cherry Wymer, ’69. ● 1

their Rock Pride in The Villages, Florida. ● 2

1980s

Cathy (Warner) King, ’82, received a master’s degree in software development from the Boston University Metropolitan College of Computer Science and Information Technology in May 2021. King is a senior software engineer and has been working in technology since 1985. She currently resides in Grapevine, Texas.

Museum of Natural History’s broad collections of artifacts and specimens. The exhibit is in Gallery One of the Carnegie Museum of Art through March 6. Bey, a Beltzhoover native, is an associate professor of art at Syracuse University.

Raylene Dufresne, ’99, was promoted to vice president of IT services at Miller and Long Co., Inc.

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

2021-2022

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President ­ Melissa Visco, ’04

President Elect ­ Michael Zody, ’88

Treasurer ­ Keith Warcup, ’75

Acting Secretary ­ Don Huddart, ’87

Immediate Past President ­

L. Michael Ross, ’77

Executive Committee HonoraryRichard Manning, ’75

BOARD MEMBERS

Andrea Boggs, ’14

Geno Bonetti, ’79

Joe Dropp, ’03

Ashley Ganoe, ’05, ’09

Sue Greaves, ’80, ’85

Michael Harich, ’94

Rajeev Karmacharya, ’96

Donna Kratz, ’84

Bruce Newton, ’78

Karen Perry, ’79

Corey Riddell, ’88

Ron Shidemantle, ’92

Donna Kratz, ’84

Patrick Geho, ’92

Alexandra Vaughan, ’15

Ann Tager Winter, ’15, ’17

Sam Zyroll, ’78

Dianne (Miller) Oliger, ’65, and her husband, Robert, celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary Oct. 7, 2021.

1970s

Pamela Miller, ’79, was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Women‘s Basketball Hall of Fame. Miller has worked 45 years as an NCAA referee for women‘s basketball, women‘s lacrosse and field hockey.

Mark Previte, ’75, retired from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, where he served as an associate professor of social studies education.

Kathy Keeno Sutyak, ’75, and Terry Sutyak, ’77, proudly sport

Diane Magliocca, ’86, joins alumni and friends who gathered for the Annual Newman Center/ Catholic Campus Ministry Reunion, July 30 ­ Aug. 1, 2021. Pictured are (first row) Jen Zafris, Susan Halttunen Chapin, ’71, ’86, Phil Braden, ’74, Lois Ament; (second row) Danette Hopkin, ’74, Dave Trozzo, ’73, Mary Angert, ’73, Holly Getz Holdren, ’74; (third row) Nancy Graham Spohn, ’72, Fr. John Oesterle; (back row) Dave Zafris, Maureen “Reenie” Wood Siverling, ’72, Chuck Spohn, Bob Simoni, ’73, Tom Surdyk, ’74. ● 3

1990s

The latest exhibition, “Excavations,” by Sharif Bey, ’98, is currently on display at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh. Bey’s sculptures include mask­ like forms, necklaces made from pinch pot­ style vessels as beads and site ­ specific temporary installations that incorporate Carnegie

Pat Farabaugh, ’99, has published “Disastrous Floods and the Demise of Steel in Johnstown” via History Press. Farabaugh is a professor of communications at Saint Francis University. ● 4

Kristin Mathers, ’96, has been named chief human resources officer for Commercial Vehicle Group of New Albany, Ohio. CVG is a global provider of components and assemblies for both the vehicle and U.S. technology integrator markets.

David Scott Weed, ’97, has authored his second novel, “They Only Come at Night.” The paranormal suspense thriller is about Anna, a soldier who returns home to her small town and deals with readjusting to civilian life after the war in Afghanistan. Anna struggles to find peace within herself while fighting an ancient spirit who wants to take her town, her family and her life. The book is available on Amazon.

Barry Wooten Jr., ’96, retired after 25 years with the Pennsylvania State Police. Wooten resides in Elimsport with wife, Jenelle, and children, Kade and Sloan.

2000s

Matthew Barbee,’07, was hired as chief operating officer of eCaring, a company that provides software to the home health care industry.

Marianne Biangone, ’01, completed her Ph.D. in nursing education and administration in August 2020 and was recently named director of clinical trials operations and practice at Stanford Health Care in Stanford, California.

Abraxis Blackwell, ’06, Corey Carrington, ’11, and Constance Mulbah, ’12, were named to the Pittsburgh Magazine 40 Under 40 List. Each year, Pittsburgh Magazine recognizes 40 outstanding individuals under the age of 40 whose “creativity, vision and passion enrich the Pittsburgh region.”

Robyn Burns, ’06, received the 2021 Distinguished Leader award from the North Shore Chamber of Commerce in Salem, Massachusetts.

James Litzinger, ’05, won his third USA Cycling National Title. Litzinger is the USA Cycling Marathon National Single Speed Champ and was awarded the National Ultra Endurance Series Single Speed championship in September 2020. He was also awarded his seventh consecutive Single Speed Champion of the “Month of Mud” series where he was inducted into the Month of Mud Hall of Fame. ● 5

2010s

Tasia Armstead, ’12, has joined the staff of Pittsburgh’s New Century Careers as student services and development associate. Armstead will support training, program development and administration as well as fundraising and grant­ making.

Clint Bleil, ’16, was the recipient of the 2021 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award from the American

Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Foundation and the Newport Festivals Foundation.

Curt Hesidenz, ’11, was hired as assistant vice president in the Property and Casualty Division at HUB International, one of the largest insurance advising companies in the world. Hesidenz is working at HUB’s regional headquarters in Pittsburgh, where he positions unique business intelligence tools and resources into organizations to impact their profitability.

Rocco Martini, ’18, was named one of Pennsylvania Business Central’s “Signature Leaders Under 30” and a National Safety Council “Rising Star of Safety.” Martini is a health and safety specialist for Shell Polymers.

Kristopher Oliveira, ’15, was appointed assistant dean for diversity and inclusion and director of the Gender + Sexuality Resource Center at Princeton University. Oliveira will lead Princeton’s newly created GSRC which serves women, femme ­ identifying students and LGBTQIA+ students, offering gender and sexuality programming and cocurricular experiences for the campus community.

Weddings

Greg Belmondo, ’08, and Leah Howell were married Sept. 18, 2021. ● 6

Sarah Butterfield, ’15, and Troy Kumar were married Oct. 10, 2020, in Pittsburgh. The couple resides in Pittsburgh. ● 7

Stephanie Clark, ’13, and Philip Vitalbo were married July 31, 2021, in Marion Center. The couple resides in Homer City. ● 8

Dylon Fleming, ’20, and Anthony Nguyen were married Sept. 20, 2021, in Waterloo, Ontario. The couple splits

In Memory

Ruth Oberfeitinger, ‘43

Robert Henry, ‘50

August Macaluso, ‘50

Joan Chew, ‘51

Lysle Frew, ‘51

Jack Moore, ‘52

Charles Travers, ‘56

Leo Crawford, ‘58

Sallie Kinch, ‘58

Leonard Scimio, ‘58

Donald Olshansky, ‘61

James Pasquale, ‘61

Maxine Davis, ‘62

Larry Henry, ‘62

Sandra Saxton, ‘62

Charles Suder, ‘63

Carl Banks, ‘67

Laura Sackett, ‘67

Clarence Adams, ‘69

Michael Ferrara, ‘69

Carol Sylvis, ‘69

James Allen, ‘70

Thomas Morton, ‘70

Francis Barnes, ‘71

Mary Corner, ‘71

Richard Updegraff, ‘71

Patricia Jachimowicz, ‘72

William Caughie, ‘73

Randall Deemer, ‘73

Mark Miller, ‘73

their time between Pittsburgh and Toronto. ● 9

Jacob Lewis, ’16, and Sara Hershberger, ’16, were married Aug. 7, 2021, on the campus of SRU. ● 10

Laura Yash, ’11, and Andrew Lenz, ’11, were married Oct. 16, 2021. The couple resides in Mantua, Ohio. ● 11

William Rilling, ‘73

Thomas Streicher, ‘73

Ronald Smith, ‘75

Gary Doutt, ‘77

Lynn Kime, ‘78

Debra Doyle, ‘79

Dorothy Ferrang, ‘80

Paul Kuszaj, ‘88

William Philson, ‘88

Janice Snow, ‘89

John Garber, ‘90

Diana Geibel, ‘90

Dustin Burnett, ‘92

Jennifer Alexander, ‘93

Deborah Lane, ‘96

Thomas Yelovich, ‘97

Melissa Seybolt, ‘01

Robert Heal, ‘07

Russell Worthy, ‘07

Trista Cottrill, ‘14

Dennis Buffington, Retired Manager

Hannah Case, Professor Emeritus

Janet Croll, Retired Staff

Robert Davis, Professor Emeritus

James Leone, Retired Staff

F. Duane Rose, Professor Emeritus

Todd Simmers, Staff

Joseph Stahlman, Retired Staff

Joseph Timko, Staff

Births

Becky (Carnahan) Cozad, ’03, and her husband, Dave, welcomed their son, Ryan Gabriel, May 26, 2021. ● 12

Brittany Donatelli-Parks, ’11, and her husband, Chris, welcomed their son, Dylan, April 26, 2021. ● 13

Joshua Lewis, ’14, and Emily (Donaldson) Lewis, ’14, welcomed their son, Jack Elliot, on January 5, 2021. ● 14

‘A Terrific SRU coach John Papa calling it a career after 35 successful years

As

a student-athlete, John Papa helped SRU’s men’s track and field team win the 1979 NCAA team national championship before later becoming the team’s coach in 1987.

Run’

John Papa coaches student­ athletes to improve their strides and win sprints, among other events, but in his own career he’s perfected the long run. For the last 35 years, he’s coached the Slippery Rock University track and field and cross country teams, becoming one of the most successful coaches in SRU history in any sport but will soon step down after devoting more than 40 years of his life to the University, first as an All ­ American student­ athlete and then as a coach.

“I‘ve had a terrific run here at SRU,” said Papa. “From my time as a student­ athlete to the many years coaching our track and field and cross country programs, Slippery Rock has been a wonderful place to call home.”

The 2021­22 academic year is Papa’s final year at The Rock as he will retire from his position June 3, 2022.

“I will certainly miss The Rock and working with our students on a daily basis, but I am also looking forward to what comes next,” Papa said. “I really want to thank all of our current and former assistant coaches and student­ athletes. Without them, none of our success would have been possible.”

NCAA national championship team in 1979, Papa was inducted into the SRU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.

A native of Monroeville, Papa chose to attend SRU in 1975 after graduating from Gateway High School.

“I wasn’t going to go to college,” he said. “I was a vo ­tech guy and was going to go into marketing and work in the business world. But Bill Lennox, who was coaching at SRU at the time, came and spoke at our cross country banquet my senior year. I told him I had tried the decathlon one time and I liked it and he convinced me to come to SRU and give it a go. If Bill hadn’t come to that banquet and talked to me, I don’t really have any idea what my life would have looked like.”

“ I‘ve had a terrific run here at SRU, from my time as a student-athlete to the many years coaching our track and field and cross country programs, Slippery Rock has been a wonderful place to call home.”

Papa wasted little time in acclimating to the rigors of collegiate athletics, placing third in the decathlon at the PSAC Championships his freshman year, despite needing to make a quick trip to the hospital in Bloomsburg in the middle of competition after getting pieces of a broken pole vault pole stuck in his arm.

The next year, Papa reached an even higher level of success by earning All­ America honors with a sixth­place finish in the decathlon at the NCAA Division II National Championships.

of the students were already gone for the summer, so we didn’t get much of a celebration. Looking back more than 40 years later, it certainly brings me a great deal of pride to know I was able to contribute to something so significant for the University.”

After graduating from SRU in 1979 with a degree in elementary education, Papa moved to Leesburg, Virginia, to begin a

teaching career. He also scratched an itch to stay involved with track and field by coaching at Loudon County High School, where he helped the team to second­ and third­place finishes at the state championships.

Papa is serving as the head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field teams for the remainder of the 202122 academic year before a search is conducted for his replacement.

The legacy that Papa will leave at SRU cannot be overstated.

An All­ American in the decathlon and a key contributor to the University’s only

He followed that up by helping The Rock win back­to ­back PSAC titles in 1978 and 1979, concluding his athletic career with a runner­up finish at the national championships in 1979 while helping SRU to claim the team national title.

“I don’t think we understood the gravity of the moment back then,” Papa said. “We put a lot more focus on winning the PSAC title than the national title, and when we got back to campus, the rest

“I was just starting my career as a teacher and coach when Bill Lennox called me and tried to convince me to come back to Slippery Rock,” Papa said. “He said I should come back and be a graduate assistant and help coach the team while getting my master’s degree. I had put four years into teaching and had earned a one­year leave of absence from my job, so I thought, ‘Why not?’ I could take my job back the following year if I wanted, so I

Papa competing in the decathlon for The Rock track team that won PSAC titles in 1978 and 1979.

agreed to come back up to The Rock. I didn’t realize it would be for good.”

Papa returned to SRU in summer 1984 to serve as a graduate assistant with the track and field program. He earned his master‘s degree in athletic administration before accepting an assistant coaching position with the team. Less than a year later, in fall 1987, Papa was named head coach of the cross country and track and field programs by his former coach and thenathletic director, Lennox.

The 2021­22 academic year marks Papa‘s 35th full­time year as the head coach of those six SRU athletics teams.

What Papa has done as a coach overshadows even his own athletic accomplishments.

and won two NCAA East Region cross country titles.

The individual honors earned under Papa are even more staggering than the team accomplishments.

“ Our goal is always to have everybody on the team reach their potential. Not everyone can be a PSAC champion, but everyone can set a goal and be excited about hitting it. That‘s what we‘re all about – no one‘s left out.”

During his time at the helm, SRU has claimed 25 total PSAC titles, including 18 women‘s track and field titles, five men‘s track and field titles, one men‘s cross country title and one women‘s cross country title. The Rock have also picked up 28 PSAC runner­up finishes

Since Papa took over the program in 1987, SRU has seen 12 student­ athletes claim individual national titles, 123 student­ athletes named as Division II All­ Americans and an incredible 336 student­ athletes claim individual PSAC titles.

Perhaps even more impressive than the athletic accomplishments of teams coached by Papa are the academic honors accrued during the past 35 years.

SRU annually carries well above a 3.0 GPA for its men‘s and women‘s teams. Papa has overseen 40 CoSIDA Academic All­ Americans, 28 PSAC Top 10 award winners and five PSAC Pete Nevins Scholar­ Athlete of the Year award winners, in addition to more than 500 student­ athletes that have earned PSAC Scholar­ Athlete honors.

Papa has been honored by his coaching peers with 21 PSAC Coach of the Year awards and 16 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Coach of the Year awards.

The success of the track and field programs under Papa can be directly linked to his coaching philosophy, which has remained steady throughout his tenure.

“Our goal is always to have everybody on the team reach their potential,” Papa said. “Not everyone can be a PSAC champion, but everyone can set a goal and be excited about hitting it. That‘s what we‘re all about – no one‘s left out.”

That attitude has touched the lives of roughly 1,000 student­ athletes that have competed for Papa during the past 35 years and will likely leave an even longer lasting legacy at The Rock than all of the titles and awards.

Papa’s career will be celebrated by SRU with an event that is currently being planned for the 2022 Alumni XC Race and alumni weekend in August. Details for the celebration will be announced during the spring semester.

Papa has worked closely with all members of his teams, not just those with All-America potential, so that everyone gets excited about setting a goal and “no one’s left out.”

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY GRADUATE PROGRAMS

MASTER’S DEGREES*:

• Accountancy (blended)

• Athletic Training (on-campus)

• Counseling and Student Affairs (on-campus)

• Criminal Justice (online)

• Data Analytics (online)

• Elementary Education (online)

• English (online)

• Environmental Education (online)

• Health Informatics (online)

• Health Information Management (online/onsite)

• History (online)

• Hospitality and Tourism Management (online)

• Lifelong Wellness through Innovative Learning (blended)

• MBA (blended/online)

• Music Therapy (blended)

• Parks and Resource Management (online)

DOCTORAL DEGREES:

• Educational Leadership and Administration (online)

• Occupational Therapy (onsite)

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• Physical Therapy (onsite)

• Special Education (online)

• Physician Assistant Studies (on-campus)

• Public Health (online)

• School Nursing (online)

• Secondary Education (blended/online)

• Social Work (blended)

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• Teaching Online (online)

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*All business programs are AACSB accredited.

EMAIL: graduate.admissions@sru.edu

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Experience the Difference

I am the

Randi (Smith) Guthard, ’88, bachelor’s in management

DAY JOB: I am a private wealth adviser with Synovus Bank in Jacksonville, Florida, specializing in medical private banking, in which I work primarily with physicians and medical practices. I provide advice and guidance through a concierge ­style approach, handling a portfolio of consumer and commercial loans, along with investments and financial planning. I love helping my clients achieve their personal and professional financial goals so that they can focus on doing what they do best: taking great care of their patients.

BACKGROUND: I was born in New Jersey but grew up just outside of Pittsburgh in Economy Borough. An internship with Howard Johnson’s in Hollywood Beach, Florida, led to my first job after I graduated from SRU. That five ­year stay segued into my taking advantage of the management training program at Enterprise Rent­ A ­ Car. From there, I transitioned into a role as a retail branch manager with The Bank of New York, where I earned my securities licenses and worked my way into private wealth management and the role I have now. My husband, Kevin, and I love to be at the beach, travel and play a lot of tennis and golf.

INFLUENCE OF SRU: I love to tell everyone who I meet about the wonderful experience I had at SRU and what a positive impact it had on shaping me into the person I am today. I worked at Morrow Field House and I was lucky enough to play on The Rock’s first­ ever PSAC title ­winning volleyball team. My teammates became lifelong friends and we love to get together for volleyball reunions back on campus. It’s been incredible seeing the new buildings on campus and how SRU has evolved over time. I take the pride of being a part of Rock Nation with me everywhere I go.