California University

VOLUME 13, NUMBER 16 MAY 23, 2011

Alumni Address Class of 2011
Nearly 1,200 Grads
Receive Degrees May 6

I

nspiration and advice from three distinguished
alumni highlighted Cal U’s 172nd Commencement.
President Angelo Armenti, Jr. conferred degrees
on nearly 1,200 associate, bachelor’s and master’s
degree candidates, including students whose diplomas
were awarded in absentia.
“I invite you to return often and to keep in touch
with us,” President Armenti said.
“Be sure to let us know about your life after you
leave here. Please know that California University of
Pennsylvania is extremely proud of you and your
accomplishments.”
Daryl Zupan ’77 addressed the master’s degree
candidates May 6 in Hamer Hall, and Raymond
Milchovich ’71 delivered remarks May 7 at the
undergraduate event, which was held outdoors at
Adamson Stadium for the second consecutive year.
Before the undergraduates received their diplomas,
Provost Geraldine Jones introduced Charles S. Pryor
’73, who was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters,
honoris causa.

Senior Gift
Before students received their diplomas, graduating
senior Taylor Williams, chair of the Senior Gift Drive
Committee, presented President Armenti with a check
for more than $6,700 contributed by seniors and their
families.
In recognition of their generosity, President Armenti
and First Lady Barbara Armenti contributed $1 for each
student donor and $2 for each family donation to the
Senior Gift Drive.
To date, more than $14,000 has been raised for an
endowed scholarship since this Cal U for Life initiative
began with the first senior class donation at the spring
2010 Commencement.
Graduating seniors who donated to the 2011 gift

Kristin Ross celebrates after receiving balloons and confetti from faculty members of the Theatre and Dance Department and
her diploma from President Armenti.

drive wore red tassels affixed to their caps.
“Those of us who worked on the senior class gift
drive embrace Cal U for Life, which is an important
initiative,” Williams said.
“Even though we were not exposed to Cal U for Life
as the incoming freshman are now, we take seriously
the lifelong relationship we want to have with our alma
mater.”

Commission Honors
Outstanding Young Women

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he President’s Commission for the Status of
Women presented awards to two outstanding
students during a luncheon May 4 in Kara
Alumni House.
Graduate student Katie Mercadante and
undergraduate Amanda Smith were recognized at
the spring 2011 Woman of the Year event.
The awards are given each semester by the
commission, which was established in 1990.
President Angelo Armenti, Jr. and Provost Geraldine
Jones were among those at the luncheon to
congratulate the honorees.
This is the second Woman of the Year honor for
Mercadante, who received the undergraduate award
in fall 2009. She has earned three degrees in six
years: a bachelor’s degree in earth science with a
concentration in meteorology; a bachelor’s in
secondary education: earth and space science; and a
master’s degree in mentally/physically handicapped
education.
Mercadante has organized several residence hall
programs geared toward women, such as a Think
Pink program for breast cancer awareness and Walk
a Mile in Her Shoes to help prevent domestic
violence. She also writes curriculum for summer
— Continued on page 3

At The Podium
At both ceremonies, speakers with local ties took
the podium to address the graduates.
Milchovich, a leader in the energy industry, retired
from Foster Wheeler AG in 2010. A native of Roscoe,
Pa., he remains the non-executive chairman of the
board for Foster Wheeler, a global engineering and
— Continued on page 2

Alumni
Weekend, Gala
Set June 3-4

C

Amanda Smith (left) and Katie Mercadante received the
spring 2011 Outstanding Woman of the Year Awards from
the President’s Commission for the Status of Women.

alifornia University will honor alumni,
recognize faculty and raise funds for student
scholarships during the 2011 Alumni
Weekend and President’s Gala, set for June 3-4.
President Angelo Armenti, Jr. and First Lady
Barbara Armenti will host the annual President’s
Gala, “Puttin on the Ritz,” in the Grand Ballroom of
the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown
Pittsburgh.
Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit student
scholarships.
The Gala reception begins at 6 p.m. on June 4,
followed by dinner at 7 p.m. A silent auction, casino
games and dancing also are on the agenda.
During the festivities, President Armenti will
honor Mrs. Gwendolyn G. Simmons, winner of the
Lillian M. Bassi Core Values Award.
Also being honored are faculty members Dr.
Christine Patti, of the Department of Educational
Administration and Leadership, who will receive the
President’s Faculty Award for Teaching; Dr. Robert
— Continued on page 3

Alumni Address Graduates at Commencement
— Continued from page 1

construction firm with offices in 25
nations.
His advice: Have a plan, be yourself,
embrace and confront failure, and form
relationships.
“This is not rocket science, because I
do not believe success in life is rocket
science,” Milchovich said. “This isn’t
complicated. It’s just really, really hard
work.”
Milchovich traveled the world during
his 40-year career, but he called
southwestern Pennsylvania a unique
region populated by honest, hardworking and caring people.
“You have been raised, nurtured and
educated by these people,” he told the
graduates. “I would suggest you use that
edge to your advantage and begin
building the life you always imagined.”
Zupan, who grew up in Charleroi,
Pa., is president and CEO for the AFCO
and CAFO brands and Prime Rate
Premium Finance Co. of BB&T Corp.,
one of the largest and oldest companies
financing property and casualty
premiums in North America.
He used the final three letters of
Cal U’s website address in his talk,
noting that E stands for education, D is
for determination and U represents the
unexpected.
“Don’t forget that address,” said
Zupan. “It has served you well up to this

Guest speaker Raymond J. Milchovich ’71
addresses the student body at the
undergraduate Commencement at
Adamson Stadium.

Sarah Howarth celebrates during the graduate Commencement in Hamer Hall.

point, and it will continue to do so far
into the future — particularly if you
build on the education you received here,
and add for good measure determination
and confidence in meeting the
unexpected.”

Pryor, the vice president of business
development for L.R. Kimball, lauded
President Armenti for transforming
Cal U into the “flagship for the State
System and the envy of the higher
education community.”

A generous benefactor, Pryor said he
was humbled by his selection to receive
the honorary degree.
In his address, Pryor commented that
when he was a student-athlete at
California, the country was in an
unpopular war and had both a flat
economy and high unemployment.
“That sounds familiar, but … the
country survived and flourished. It will
do so again because of you, the new
leaders for the 21st century,” he said.
“As you leave here today to begin
your journey, opportunities will present
themselves to you. What you do with
those opportunities will be up to you.”

Four Faculty Members Earn Merit Awards

F

our Cal U faculty members with
different areas of expertise are
recipients of the 2011 Faculty
Merit Awards.
Given by the subcommittees of the
Faculty Professional Development
Committee (FPDC), the awards
recognize Cal U professors who are
engaged in exceptional research,
committed to teaching, using grants and
contracts, devoted to service or exploring
cutting-edge technology.
The awards were presented at a
luncheon on May 6. Winners are Dr.
John Confer (earth sciences) for research;
Dr. Cheryl Hettman (nursing) for service
and service-learning; Dr. Margo Wilson
(English) for technology; and Dr. Carol
Bocetti (biological and environmental
sciences) for teaching and learning.
Along with wooden plaques, each
recipient received a $1,000 award and
was recognized at Commencement. The

monetary awards can be used for
professional activity such as travel,
supplies, equipment, books or periodicals,
publications, or professional
memberships.
“There are many good things going
on within the University,” said President
Angelo Armenti, Jr., “and I believe the
FPDC is the jewel in the crown of
California University’s excellence.”
He commended the award winners
for their efforts and said they should be
proud to be honored by their peers,
something that takes hard work and
dedication.
Dr. David Argent, of the Department
of Biological and Environmental
Sciences, received the Robert A. Vargo
Lifetime Achievement Award.
Co-chairs of the FPDC for 2010-2011
were Drs. Ali Sezer and Craig Smith.
The Faculty Center coordinator is Dr.
Kurt Kearcher.

Among those taking part in the FPDC Merit Awards presentation were (standing, from left)
Dr. Ali Sezer, FPDC co-chair; President Angelo Armenti, Jr.; Provost G eraldine Jones; and Dr.
Craig Smith, FPDC co-chair; (seated, from left) Dr. Margo Wilson, Technology Merit Award;
Dr. Carol Bocetti, Teaching and Learning Merit Award; and Dr. John Confer, Research Merit
Award.

Campus BRIEFS

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Say It In Spanish

Staff Recognition Dinner Set

Health care professionals from the University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center, the Veterans Affairs
Pittsburgh Healthcare System and the Cal U faculty
attended Survival Spanish for Nursing, a workshop
held April 30 at Cal U’s Southpointe Center.
Andrea Cencich, an instructor in the Department
of Modern Languages and Cultures, presented the
workshop with the assistance of students Margaret
Fike, Justine Fartini and Valerie Wortley.
Participants learned about the culture of the
Hispanic/Latino community as it relates to medicine
and practiced techniques that health care workers who
are not fluent in Spanish can use to communicate
with Spanish-speaking individuals.
In addition to workshops, Cal U is serving the
needs of a diverse community with certificate
programs in Spanish for business and for law
enforcement.

Staff members should mark their calendars for the
30th annual Staff Recognition Dinner on June 10. The
event will include dinner, entertainment, and door prizes
provided by the Foundation for California University.
The President, Trustees and vice presidents look
forward to celebrating the work of staff members and
recognizing their employment anniversaries.
Staff members should reserve their seats now for
what promises to be a memorable evening.

Student Marketers
Win Awards
The Student Marketing Association at Cal U
won three awards at the 33rd annual American
Marketing Association International Collegiate
Conference, held recently in New Orleans, La.
The chapter won Outstanding Efforts in

Community Service, Outstanding Efforts in
Communication and Overall Efforts in Chapter
Planning.
More than 160 collegiate chapters participated in
the competition.
SMA president Katy Ostronic and executive vice
president Matthew Roos, both of whom graduated
this month, gave presentations to the international
membership about how to recruit and retain
members effectively.
Roos, who was nominated for International
Student Marketer of the Year, was the first Cal U
student to serve as a student judge for the selection
of the Hugh G. Wales International Collegiate
Faculty Advisor of the Year Award. Last year, Dr.
Shirley Lazorchak was the recipient of this award.
Cody Foster has been elected president of the
SMA for 2011-2012.

Camp-O-Ree
Dr. Michael Hummel, director of the Linda and
Harry Serene Leadership institute, talks with
Boy Scouts from troops in the G reater
Pittsburgh Council during their spring Camp-ORee, held May 13-15 at Cal U . The Scouts
camped outdoors at Roadman Park and spent
a full day enjoying workshops and career
exploration activities on the main campus.
Despite rainy weather, about 150 Scouts and
troop leaders attended.

GIS Students Help Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

F

or students in Dr. Tom Mueller’s
Environmental Applications of
GIS class, the spring semester
literally was a walk in the park.
Along with their coursework, the
students divided into six groups and
worked on geographic information
systems projects for the Pittsburgh Parks
Conservancy.
After Mueller and his colleague Dr.
John Confer arranged the work with the
Conservancy, senior restoration ecologist
Erin Copeland visited the class, presented
data and suggested a few project ideas.
The students then devised heir own
projects. They used equipment at Cal U’s
GIS Laboratory, visited the parks and
looked at spatial data to analyze their
information. Then they created detailed
posters and presented their results to
members of the Parks Conservancy at
Riverview Park.
“Their projects covered everything
from the slopes of recreational trails to …
what soils were good for planting trees to
demographic analysis of the populations
around the parks to crime mapping,”
Mueller said.
Grant Eaton, a junior GIS major,
headed a group that used ArcInfo and
ESRI software to relate crime data to
weather. They analyzed crime patterns in

Standing in front of a poster presented to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy are GIS students
(from left) G rant Eaton, Vicki Dulnikowski, F red Smith and Joshua Alderson.G

certain areas, looking at times of the year
when crime rates were higher or lower.
“Using the equipment for this project
was really helpful and a good experience,”
Eaton said. “After our presentations we
also received excellent feedback from the
people at the Parks Conservancy.”
Vicki Dulnikowski’s group conducted
a demographic analysis of all four major
parks in Pittsburgh — Frick, Highland,
Riverview and Schenley.
“We focused on what should be
brought to the parks and taken away,” she

said. “Our emphasis was more on
attracting youths to the parks, because
they will return to the parks for the rest of
their lives and later bring their families.”
Her group’s findings suggested that
elementary school children could get
involved by designing tiles and creating
mosaics to enhance the parks’
appearance. The group also cited a need
for basketball courts at Riverview Park.
Another project, led by student Fred
Smith, analyzed the parks’ wooded areas
and found that Schenley Park had a 160

Alumni Weekend, Gala Set
recognition will be given to the
Class of 1961, but all alumni may
attend; ticket price is $15.
Whyte, of the Biological and
On June 4, the annual meeting
Environmental Sciences
of the Alumni Association will
Department, who will receive the
open at 8:30 a.m. in Room 206/207
President’s Faculty Award for
of the Natali Student Center. At 11
Research; and Dr. Ralph
a.m. guests will convene for the
Belsterling, of the
annual Alumni Association Awards
Communication Disorders
of Distinction Luncheon in the
Department, recipient of the
Performance Center inside the
President’s Faculty Award for
Gwendolyn Simmons
student center. Cost is $15.
Service.
Alumni award recipients are Dr. Stan
Retired professors Dr. Donald Thompson
Komacek ’80, recipient of the John R. Gregg
and Marsha Nolf will receive the President’s
Award for Loyalty and Service; Dr. Kate
Emeriti Faculty Awards.
Mitchem, the C.B. Wilson Distinguished
Honorary chairs are Robert ’66 and
Faculty Award; Margaret Lappan Green ‘70,
Suzanne Lippencott.
the W.S. Jackman Award of Distinction; Dave
The President’s Gala is the highlight of
Alumni Weekend festivities that begin June 3 Robey ’77, ’80, the Michael Duda Award for
Athletic Achievement; Dr. Emily Sweitzer
with campus tours at 3 p.m., Cal U trivia at
4 p.m. and a 5 p.m. reception for members of ‘92, the Pavlak/Shutsy Special Service
Award; Fred Gladney ’92, the Professional
the Class of 1961 in the Kara Alumni
Excellence Award; Oliver Comstock ’08, the
House.
The annual Pioneer Dinner follows at 5:45 Young Alumni Award; and Adele Lynn ’74,
the Meritorious Award.
p.m. in the Kara Alumni House. Special
— Continued from page 1

percent gain in woodland.
“We thoroughly valued the time and
work the students put into the GIS
analysis, map creation and presentations,”
Copeland said. “There were many things
our staff learned.”
Mueller consulted with Drs. Tom
Wickham and Harrison Pinckney before
and during the process. He said he was
impressed with the diversity of the
projects students devised.
“These projects really gave our
students a real-world experience,” he said.
“They had to deal with real data, real
questions and real methodology on how
to solve those problems, and then analyze
the data they received. This was a
complete project, and I am proud of them
and pleased with their results.”
Cal U’s relationship with the
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is
apparently just beginning. Copeland said
the Conservancy looks forward to future
collaboration with the University to
conduct projects such as a spectral
analysis of sections of Highland Park,
plus mapping and data creation, editing
and analysis.
“It is very exciting to us that every
semester we have access to classes, interns
or work-study projects that will help us
with our GIS needs,” she said.

Young Women Honored

— Continued from page 1

camp programs at the Carnegie Science Center and volunteers at Old
Economy Village in Ambridge, Pa.
Mercadante, who graduated May 6, has accepted a position as
assistant director of residence life at Gannon University in Erie, Pa.
Smith graduated May 7 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and
a minor in women’s studies. She completed an internship with the
Women’s Studies program at Cal U in spring 2010.
Smith’s outstanding contributions as an intern and then a workstudy student were particularly evident while Dr. Marta McClintockComeaux was on maternity leave this semester. Smith was one of the
keys to the success of the recent Audrey-Beth Fitch Women’s Studies
Conference.
A member of Pi Gamma Mu honor society, Smith worked with
other undergraduate students to start Social Justice Activism Now —
So Just Act Now. She is a member of the women’s hockey team and
was named its most valuable player during the final game of the
season.
Also at the luncheon, Dr. Lisa McBride was announced as president
of the President’s Commission for the Status of Women. She had been
serving as interim president.
Rhonda Gifford will be vice president of the organization. She served
on the spring semester’s nominating committee, along with Dr. Melanie
Blumberg, Dr. Emily Sweitzer, Rose Markovich and Sheleta Webb.

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Alumnus to
Enter Sports
Hall of Fame

F

Dr. Michael Hummel pins a gold bar on the uniform of his son, Joseph Hummel, during the May 4 ROTC
commissioning ceremony at Steele Hall.

Six ROTC Cadets
Commissioned as Officers

L

eadership principles took center stage when
six ROTC cadets were commissioned as
second lieutenants in the U.S. Army at a
ceremony May 4 in Steele Hall Mainstage Theatre.
Cal U cadets Zachary Drysdale, Joseph
Hummel, Konrad Kearcher, Nicholas Messina and
David Schott Jr. received the gold bars signifying
their new rank at the Department of Military
Science’s Reserve Officer Training Corps
commissioning ceremony.
They were joined by cadet James Cooper, who
attends the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.
Before taking the oath of office, the cadets
heard words of advice from Dr. Michael Hummel,
director of the Linda and Harry Serene Leadership
Institute at Cal U and a retired Army officer with
more than 23 years of military service.
“Leading and learning are lifelong obligations,”
said Hummel, whose son was among those being
commissioned.
“Hold people to a tough and high standard, and
yourself to an even tougher and higher standard.”
The six new officers have different

military assignments.
Drysdale will serve in the Field Artillery, and
the younger Hummel will receive a National Guard
commission into the infantry. Kearcher, who
received an educational delay, will attend law
school in the fall.
Messina will enter the Army Corps of
Engineers. Schott, recognized as a Distinguished
Military Graduate, will enter the Military
Intelligence Corps. Cooper also will be assigned to
military intelligence.
After completing his address, the elder Hummel
joined other family members who, one by one,
pinned a gold bar to a cadet’s uniform. Following
Army tradition, each newly minted second
lieutenant gave a silver dollar to an officer in
exchange for his first salute.
Lt. Col. Joseph P. Alessi, professor of military
science at the University of Pittsburgh, closed the
ceremony.
“We free people, protect people and calm
people,” he told the new officers. “You are a
defender and will be for the rest of your life.”

Spring
Sports
Score
Junior Annabel Pieschi
helped Cal U ’s women’s
tennis team win its fifth
consecutive PSAC and
NCAA Atlantic Region
titles this spring. The
Vulcans reached the
NCAA national
quarterfinals and finished
the season with a 22-8
overall record. Also
advancing to NCAA postseason play this spring
were the men’s and
women’s golf teams, the
softball team, and several
individual track-and-field
competitors. f or
complete results, visit
www.calvulcans.com .

or the fifth consecutive year, a California University
graduate will be inducted into the Mid-Mon Valley All
Sports Hall of Fame (MMVASHOF). This year’s
inductee is Paul Zolak ’69.
A graduate of Donora High School, where he was a
multi-sport star, Zolak earned a degree from California State
College and enjoyed a distinguished career in athletic
administration.
Zolak was the
starting kicker and
backup quarterback
on Cal’s 1968 PSAC
co-championship
team. He made all
four extra points in
the Vulcans’ 28-28
state championship tie
with East
Stroudsburg.
After college
Zolak taught for eight
years in Ringgold
School District and
A previous winner of Cal U 's Michael
served as an assistant
Duda Award for Athletic
football coach for nine
Achievement, Paul Zolak '69 will be
years. He was
inducted into the Mid-Mon Valley
All Sports hall of f ame. This marks
Ringgold’s athletic
the fifth straight year that a past
director for 20 years,
Vulcan great has received this
honor.
and then served in
that same capacity at
Bethel Park High
School for nine years before retiring in June 2006.
During his nearly 30 years as an athletic director, Zolak
established himself as one of the premier athletic
administrators in the WPIAL. In 2004 he received the
Pennsylvania State Athletic Director Association’s
Distinguished Service Award. He was a member of the
WPIAL’s basketball, football, baseball and softball
committees, and the athletic directors’ representative on the
WPIAL Board of Control.
He founded the Tri-County Athletic Directors
Association, and under his leadership Ringgold was the first
school in the nation to install FieldTurf on its football field.
Zolak also helped with the successful merger of the
Monongahela and Donora campuses into the unified
Ringgold High School in 1979.
Zolak credits Cal U and the late President Emeritus Dr.
Michael Duda — also an MMVASHOF inductee — for
instilling in him the importance of academics. During his
initial meeting with Duda, Zolak recalled, the college
president challenged him to make the dean’s list.
“He was instrumental in me developing a desire to strive
for success in academics and ultimately to parallel that with
athletics,” Zolak said. “I was so proud when I was able to
report to him that I had made the dean’s list.”
Zolak said that Dr. Duda and California made him look
at academics and athletics as partners in excellence.
“This is a motto I took with me to the Ringgold and
Bethel Park school districts,” he said. “I tried to use this
motto to the best of my ability with the student-athletes.”
At Cal U, Zolak received the Alumni Association’s
Michael Duda Award for Athletic Achievement in 2005.
This year’s Mon Valley Hall of Fame banquet will be held
at 5:30 p.m. June 17 in the Willow Room, Rostraver
Township. The other inductees are the late Willie Ross,
Charles Ahlborn, John Hostetler, Charles “Yogi” Jones, Don
Law and Michael Moorer.

The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr.
University President

Dr. Charles Mance
Vice President for University Technology Services

Craig Butzine
Interim Vice President for Marketing and University Relations

Geraldine M. Jones
Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Ron Huiatt
Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

Christine Kindl
Editor

Dr. Lenora Angelone
Vice President for Student Affairs

Robert Thorn
Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance

Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall, Jeff Bender
Writers

Office of Communications and Public Relations

250 University Avenue

California, PA 15419

724-938-4195

wald@calu.edu

The Journal is printed on paper made from trees harvested under the principles of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative ( www.SFIprogram.org ).

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