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California University

Volume 15, Number 9 APrIl 1, 2013
Read the JouRnal online: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal

Board Changes Jones’ Title to ‘Interim,’
Ratifies Faculty Contract

C

all her Interim President Jones.
At a special meeting on March 20, the
PASSHE Board of Governors removed the
“acting” label and named Geraldine M. Jones interim
president of Cal U.
A resolution recommending the change in title had
been approved on March 6 by the University’s Council
of Trustees.
“I am honored and humbled by this vote of
confidence,” said Interim President Jones.
“California University is my alma mater, and it has
been the focus of my professional life for 40 years. I am
confident that a bright future lies ahead for this
institution, and with the help of our faculty, students and
staff, I will make every effort to keep Cal U moving
forward.”
The University’s acting president since May 16, 2012,
President Jones previously served as Cal U’s provost and
vice president for Academic Affairs. She is a 1972
graduate of then-California State College, where she also
earned her master’s degree.
At the same meeting in Harrisburg, the Board of
Governors ratified a pair of new collective bargaining
agreements with the Association of Pennsylvania State
College and University Faculties (APSCUF), the union
that represents faculty and coaches at State System
schools, including Cal U.
The separate agreements run through June 30, 2015.

They had been ratified previously by the bargaining
units’ members.
Board Chairman Guido M. Pichini said the
ratifications end “a more than two-year process during
which we successfully negotiated new agreements with
all of our labor unions.”
The new contracts include salary increases similar to
those provided to other state employee unions, according
to a news release from PASSHE. They also “make
changes in PASSHE’s health care plan and other
workplace revisions that should produce both immediate
and long-term savings for the State System.”
Eligible faculty and coaches will have a one-time
opportunity to accept a retirement incentive similar to
the one offered to other PASSHE workers in 2010.
The new agreement with APSCUF includes general
pay increases of 1 percent each in the current academic
year and in 2013-2014, and 2 percent in 2014-2015.
About one-third of aculty members also are eligible for
either annual service increments as they move up the
salary schedule or annual cash payments if they already
are at the top of the pay scale.
The new agreement with coaches includes salary
increases of 2.5 percent in the current academic year and
2.25 percent in 2013-2014, as well as performance-based
merit pools of 3 percent each in 2013-2014 and 20142015. Coaches do not receive annual service increments.
— Continued on page 3

After serving as acting president for 10 months, Geraldine
M. Jones is now interim president of California University.

New VP Looks Forward to Campaign Completion

W

ith an eye toward a strong
finish to Cal U’s capital
campaign, Jessica Urbanik ’00
is settling in to her new role as interim
vice president of University
Development and Cal U for Life.
“Cal U is a very special to me for
many reasons, and I am honored by
having been chosen to serve my alma
mater in this new capacity,” Urbanik
said.
“I am especially looking forward to
the opportunity to lead a talented and
committed team as we work hard to
close out our $35 million capital

major gifts at Children’s
campaign and set our sights on
Hospital of Pittsburgh
new and exciting initiatives.”
Foundation. She also served as
The campaign, which will
coordinator of the Annual
provide scholarships for
Fund, conducting the hospital’s
students and other educational
annual physician and employee
opportunities, has raised $32.9
fundraising campaigns.
million toward its $35 million
Before joining the nonprofit
goal.
sector, Urbanik was director of
Urbanik leads a 13-member
corporate communications for
staff that is responsible for
The SecondHalf Coach, a
private fundraising, alumni
Jessica Urbanik
financial planning firm
relations and the Cal U for
specializing in retirement planning. She
Life engagement initiative.
was responsible for all communication to
Prior to joining Cal U in 2008 as a
the firm’s high net-worth clients.
major-gift fundraiser, she was director of

In 2003, Urbanik was chosen to
serve as a certified professional speaker
with Making it Count programs. In that
role she delivered motivational
presentations to high school students
across Pennsylvania on success
strategies for their education after high
school.
Urbanik received her bachelor’s
degree in communications from Cal U
and a master’s degree in corporate
communications from Duquesne
University, Pittsburgh. She and her
husband, Bill, live in Latrobe with their
twins, Aidan and Jacob.

Annual Convocation
Honors Top Scholars

J

Scholarship Donors Honored
Tom and Karen Rutledge reminisce about their time on campus and emphasize how
education is an opportunity while addressing scholars at a special luncheon held in
their honor March 15. The Rutledge family is among Cal U’s most generous
scholarship donors. See story on page 2.

esse Hereda ’04, a graduate of the
University Honors Program, will deliver
the honors address when California
University recognizes more than 1,400 of its
most accomplished scholars at an Honors
Convocation 2 p.m. Saturday in the
Convocation Center.
The University rewards academic
excellence on the part of master’s, bachelor’s
and associate degree-seeking students by
honoring Presidential Scholars at this annual
event.
In addition to meeting other requirements,
Presidential Scholars carry a grade-point
average of 3.25 or above. Both full- and part-

time students are eligible for the award.
The names of qualifying students will be
announced, and each student will receive a
personal greeting and a special Presidential
Scholar pin.
Interim University President Geraldine
M. Jones will preside over the Convocation,
and Acting Provost Bruce Barnhart will
introduce the platform party. Dr. Patricia
Milford will serve as faculty mace-bearer.
In keeping with tradition, a distinguished
alumnus will address the scholars. Hereda is
director of finance for the Disciplinary Board
of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
— Continued on page 3

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APrIl 1, 2013

Scholarship Donors Hear Heartfelt Thanks

“Y

ou changed my life.”
Over and over, students
delivered that message to
Tom ’77 and Karen Rutledge, the guests
of honor at a luncheon March 15 in the
Kara Alumni House.
The Rutledge family is among Cal U’s
most generous scholarship donors,
providing financial assistance to 49
Rutledge scholars and interns this year.
Acting President Geraldine M. Jones
expressed the University’s gratitude for
“the care and concern you have shown
for our students over the years.”
Recipients of the Rutledge Family
Scholarship are full-time students who
are married or have children. Rutledge
Internship Awards assists students who
accept internships outside the region.
In addition, several students currently
are attending Cal U with the support of
the Rutledge Family Scholarships in
Economics.
Speaking on behalf of the Rutledge
Interns, senior Lucie Fremeau explained
that her award made all the difference
when she was offered an internship last
summer at Fox News headquarters in
New York City.
“I was the only intern who didn’t
have to have a part-time job, so I was
there from Monday to Friday. I became
the go-to-person, the person who knew
everyone — and that’s who I wanted to
be,” she said.
Fremeau returned to New York for a

Tom Rutledge speaks with scholarship recipient Jennifer Krivijanski, a senior majoring in
psychology and elementary education during a luncheon at the Kara Alumni House.

second internship during winter break.
“And just yesterday I officially
accepted a job offer from Fox News,” she
said, with tears in her eyes. “I couldn’t
have done it without your help, and I
thank you so very much.”
Speaking on behalf of the Rutledge
Scholars, commercial music technology
student Regis Whetzel described the
“positive impact” of his scholarship.
“I still had to work really hard, but
your gift has made the burden so much

lighter,” he said. “Your generosity will
touch lives for uncountable years to
come.”
A number of other students rose to
describe the effect of the Rutledge
family’s gift.
“I found out I don’t want to be a
politician after all,” said Bruce Grover,
whose internship award allowed him to
attend the National Democratic
Convention last fall. “It opened my eyes.
I want to do civil litigation. I’m studying

JLS Speaker
Series
Continues

Say ‘Ole!’
Students from professor
Margarita Ribar’s Spanish
102 class kicked off their
spring break with a visit to
a Spanish restaurant,
where students socialized
after ordering a meal
entirely in Spanish.
Waiters sang the traditional song ‘Las Mananitas’
to a student who was
celebrating her birthday,
and the class enjoyed a
cake decorated with the
slogan ‘Feliz Vacacion 102,’
which wished them a
‘happy spring break.’

T

he speaker series sponsored by the
Department of Justice, Law and
Society continues with a talk by Brian
P. Bittner, Penn State University’s director
of Emergency Management, at 11 a.m.
Tuesday in Eberly Hall, Room 110.
The series is
intended to promote
student awareness of
the interrelated and
specialized careers
within the areas of
justice studies,
sociology,
anthropology, women’s
studies and leadership.
Brian P. Bittner
Bittner is
responsible for the emergency
management needs at Penn State’s main
campus in University Park and all 21
branch campuses. His office manages the
business continuity and emergency
operations planning for the university and
provides guidance through incident action
planning and general emergency
preparedness.
Previously, Bittner held positions with
Penn State’s police department, eventually
reaching the rank of patrol sergeant. He
has been involved in emergency services
for the past 20 years, volunteering and
serving in leadership roles for his local fire
department and hazardous materials
response team.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in
criminology with a minor in political
science from Indiana University of
Pennsylvania, with a major in criminology
and a minor in political science.
Admission to the series is free, and the
talks are open to the public.

pre-law, and I’m more committed than
ever to my education.”
“I wish you could have seen the look
on my father’s face when I received that
(award) letter,” said freshman Keri Potter,
a business-economics major. “It was such
a financial relief.”
Tom and Karen Rutledge reminisced
briefly about their time on campus in the
1970s. A nontraditional student, Tom
Rutledge attended classes at Cal U while
his wife waited tables and cared for their
young daughter.
“I suppose it was hard, but I
remember it as a happy time,” he said.
Tom Rutledge went on to build a
successful career in the cable television
industry. The former chief operating
officer at Cablevision Systems Corp., he
now is CEO and president of Charter
Communications Inc., the nation’s
fourth-largest cable operator.
“It’s a lot of fun to get a grant, but it’s
even more fun to give it,” said Tom
Rutledge, whose mother, son, sister, niece
and nephew also attended the luncheon.
“It’s a pleasure to connect with the
community we’ve been a part of for 35
years.”
“An education is an opportunity,”
added Karen Rutledge, who told the
students that she reads every one of the
letters and holiday cards they send her.
“Someday you, too, will be able to
help someone else. Remember to hold the
door open for the person behind you.”

GRANT AWARDED
The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research reports that:
• Nancy Skobel, associate dean for student affairs, and
Diane Williams, director of the Center for
Civic Engagement, have again been
awarded AmeriCorps Community Fellows.
The Pennsylvania Campus Compact
awarded Cal U’s Office of Civic
Engagement 40 Community Fellow
positions for the 2013-2014 academic
year. This represents a total of $47,000
Williams
in potential scholarships for 40 Cal U
students once they complete 300 service hours each.
• Skobel and Williams received another grant award that
will benefit Cal U students and the community. The
Philadelphia Higher Education Network for
Neighborhood Development awarded the Center for Civic
Engagement 20 AmeriCorps positions through the
Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania program. This
represents a total of $23,500 in potential scholarships
for 20 Cal U students who complete 300 service
hours each.
• Dr. Susan Ryan, professor in the Department of Earth
Sciences and director of the Cal U Tourism Research

Center, has been awarded $8,500 to continue her
work with the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors
Bureau. This funding will be used to continue data
collection and reporting for the Gettysburg visitor
intercept survey and the Adams County-wide visitor
self-complete survey.
• Dr. Gregg Gould, professor in the Department of
Chemistry and Physics, has been awarded $3,000 from
the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh. This
funding will be used to acquire laboratory equipment for
the Chemistry Department.
•Fran Fayish, a nurse practitioner at the Cal U Wellness
Center, has been awarded $1,000 from the
Pennsylvania Faculty Health and Welfare Fund. This
award will be used to support the 26th annual Health
Fair in the Fall 2013 semester.
The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research serves faculty and
staff by providing comprehensive resources related to external
funding for sponsored projects. The OSPR provides support in
developing proposals for funding from federal, state and local grants,
contracts, foundations and related associations. For more information
call 724-938-1662 or e-mail vogrig@calu.edu .

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Campus BRIEFS
‘Newsboys’ Tickets Still Available
Tickets are still available for a concert by the Christian pop-rock band
Newsboys, performing at 7 p.m. April 11 in the Convocation Center.
Grammy Award nominees and five-time winners of the Gospel Music
Association’s Dove Award, Newsboys have five gold albums to their credit
and 28 No. 1 radio hits. Their 2010 album, Born Again, reached No. 4 on the
overall Billboard chart.
Appearing with Newsboys is the Nashville-based singer-songwriter Britt
Nicole, a Grammy Award nominee for her 2012 album, Gold.
Opening acts are All Things New and the new duo Campbell.
General admission tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 on the day of the
show. For $77, guests can enjoy a special Newsboys’ VIP Experience with
priority check-in, an exclusive autograph session, a Q&A event with the band
and limited edition merchandise.
Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com , by phone at 800745-3000, or at the Convocation Center Box Office, open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
Cal U’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents a spring dance concert in Steele Hall’s
Mainstage Theatre with 8 p.m. performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Spring Dance Explores
Human Behavior

T

he Department of Theatre and Dance continues its 2013 season with a spring
dance concert featuring innovative choreography by faculty and students.
Dancers will perform “Human Behavior and Emotion” at 8 p.m. Thursday,
Friday and Saturday in Steele Hall Mainstage Theatre.
The eclectic concert showcases a variety of genres in an entertaining evening of
dance. Faculty choreographer is Diane Buffington; student Tairah Shankle is the
assistant manager.
Graduates Maria Gismondi ’02 and Britney Vokish ’11 are returning to campus to
perform, and local hip-hop dancer E.J. Ferencak will guest star.
“We dance because we find the process and outcome to be a positive reinforcement
both physically and psychologically,” said Buffington.
Ticket price is $12 for adults, seniors and children. Students with valid CalCards
are admitted free; their $5 deposit will be returned when they attend the performance.
For ticket information, or to charge by phone, call the Steele Box Office at 724-938-5943.

Convocation Honors
Presidential Scholars
— Continued from page 1

member of the board of
directors for the Student
Association Inc. He served for
Previously, he was the
three years as the student
conservatorship manager for
member of the Council of
the same board.
Trustees. A co-founder of Cal
Before returning to
Campaign Consultants, he was
Pennsylvania he worked in the
a member of honors fraternities
mortgage industry in Las
Phi Sigma Pi, Pi Sigma Alpha
Vegas, Nev., and held a finance
Political Science and Phi Alpha
position at the Bellagio Resort
Jesse Hereda
Theta History.
and Casino on the Vegas strip.
Hereda has been a generous
Hereda earned a bachelor’s degree in
political science/pre-law at Cal U. He also benefactor to the University, as well as a
member of the Alumni Association Board
holds an MBA in international finance
of Directors. He has established the Jesse
from the Keller Graduate School of
G. Hereda Honors Scholarship, which is
Management at DeVry University.
awarded to students enrolled in the
As an undergraduate, Hereda was
University Honors Program.
president of Student Government and a

Board Changes Jones’ Title
— Continued from page 1
Both faculty and coaches will pay higher costs for health care. PASSHE and
APSCUF will meet to develop an optional defined contribution health care plan for
future retirees.
The agreement with faculty includes $400,000 a year for faculty professional
development, including programs related to teaching innovation and improved
outcomes in student learning.
“In the rapidly changing world of higher education, innovation is essential. We
want to encourage such efforts among all of our faculty,” Pichini said.
The new contract eliminates the payments faculty currently receive for developing
distance education and online courses, “while ensuring faculty have the technical
support they need,” PASSHE announced.
The Board of Governors also approved a “merit pool” to cover potential salary
increases for non-represented employees, who do not receive general pay increases.

Dylan Appears in Concert April 13
Tickets are on sale for a performance by American music icon Bob Dylan
and his band, appearing in concert at 7:30 p.m. April 13 in the Convocation
Center.
A member of the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame since 1988, Dylan is the
winner of 10 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and the
National Medal of Arts. Last year he received the Presidential Medal of
Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, at a White House ceremony.
Appearing with Dylan is Dawes, a rock band from Los Angeles, Calif.
Ticket price is $52 at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Convocation
Center Box Office, which is open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
A limited number of student tickets are available only at the Convocation
Center Box Office. Cost for student tickets is $29.50; buyers must appear in
person and show a valid student ID from any university. Sales are limited to
two tickets per student ID.
Doors to the Convocation Center will open at 6 p.m. April 13. Parking is
available in the Vulcan Garage, off Third Street near the campus entrance.
For more information, visit www.calu.edu .

Cal U Part of Free Concert
On April 8, California University’s concert band will join Community
Band South to present their annual shared concert. The music starts at 8 p.m.
in the Upper St. Clair High School Theater, 1825 McLaughlin Run Road.
Each band will perform separately, then jointly perform John Philip
Sousa’s “Semper Fidelis.”
Community Band South was created so former high school and college
band members can continue to play together.
The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact
Cal U’s Department of Music at 724-938-4878 or Community Band South at
412-596-7829.

Destination: Air and Space Museum
Seats are still available for the Department of Art and Design’s 15th field
trip to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
The April 12 field trip is open to all students and faculty at a cost of $25.
The bus departs at 6 a.m. from the Pollack Building on campus. The return
trip leaves the museum at 5:30 p.m., with an expected arrival time of 11 p.m.
Participants can register at the Department of Art and Design, Room 100,
Vulcan Hall, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
For more information, contact Jim Bové, associate professor in the
Department of Art and Design, at bove@calu.edu or 724-938-5761.

April 4 Summit Addresses Exploitation
Social work students will report on their community outreach work at
“Shatter the Silence II,” a summit addressing the exploitation of children,
teens and young adults.
Presented in partnership with the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children, the summit begins at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the
Performance Center. Speakers include a NCMEC representative and the
former police chief from Monroeville, Pa.
Admission is free; a box lunch is provided. Registration is required.
For registration and a complete summit schedule, visit www.calu.edu .

Garland Appointed Acting Chancellor
Through an appointment by the PASSHE Board of Governors, Dr. Peter
H. Garland has served as acting chancellor of the State System of Higher
Education since March 1.
Garland has held numerous senior-level leadership positions with the
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, including executive associate
to the chancellor and executive vice chancellor. He will serve as acting
chancellor until Nov. 1, or until a new chancellor is named.
Dr. John C. Cavanaugh, who had served as PASSHE’s chancellor since
June 2008, left office Feb. 28 to become president and chief executive officer
of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area,
based in Washington, D.C.

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T

APrIl 1, 2013

TEAC Excels at National Conference

wenty-nine Cal U students traveled to Columbus,
Ohio, last month for the Technology
Engineering and Education Collegiate
Association (TEECA) International Conference.
The conference is held annually in conjunction
with the International Technology and Engineering
Education Association (ITEEA) conference, the
largest technology conference in the world.
Cal U’s delegation represented the Technology
Education Association of California (TEAC), a
professional organization for students majoring in
technology education.
The group was one of 50 teams from 15 universities
competing in seven events.
Despite competing against mostly larger schools,
TEAC came home with a first-place award in
Manufacturing, second-place award in Robotics, and
third-place finishes in the Problem Solving, Teaching
Lesson, and Transportation contests.
The manufacturing team consisted of students Brett
Kymer, Taylor Melidona, Matthew Plummer, Kelly
O’Neil and Zach Szczerba.
Comprising the robotics team were Marissa Averell,
Leigh Durka, Trent Errett, Frank Guyer, Jesse Heubel
and Kyle Laipple
Competing in the problem-solving contest were
Jason Sharek, Ryan Randolph, Kyle McCabe and
Brandon Prentice.
Adam Benson and Cody Buterbaugh delivered the
Teaching Lesson, and the Transportation team
consisted of Stefan Bleakney, Brandon Ruby, Brant
Ruby and Adam Rudderow.
Dr. Laura Hummell, Dr. Mark Nowak and Dr. Peter
Wright accompanied the students to the regional
conference and helped them to prepare.
Additional conference recognition went to.
• Buterbaugh, who received the individual Chapter

Student members of the Technology Education Association of California (TEAC) join Cal U faculty members at the International
Technology Education and Engineering Association Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

Service Award for his commitment and service to the
local chapter.
• Andrew Marra, who received the Award of
Distinction for his commitment and service to the local
and national chapters. He has been a local officer and
national officer, serving as TEECA’s recorder in 20112012 and vice president for 2012-2013.
• Guyer, who will be TEECA’s recorder for 20132014.
• Former TEAC member Dale Moll ’05, who
received The Donald Maley Spirit of Excellence
Outstanding Graduate Student Citation.

• Hummell, who received the ITEEA
Distinguished Technology Educator Award. The
honor recognizes technology educators who have
demonstrated a high level of competence and
conscientiousness in the field of technology and
engineering education.
“I am continually amazed by the dedication and
effort the TEAC members devote to their competitive
event entries, community service projects and
academics,” Hummel said. “Their hard work has once
again been recognized and rewarded. They demonstrate
the best of Cal U.”

THE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY FORUM
Academic Policy Committee Faculty Election Results

Presiding Officer Hoover presented the
following Academic Policy Committee
Faculty election results to the Executive
Committee via e-mail ballot for
certification. The Office of Continuous
Improvement submitted the
electronically-tallied results. The term
for the faculty seats is a three-year term
(2013-2016). Notification and voting
instructions were sent via e-mail to
eligible faculty members on February
21 and 22, 2013, which were the dates
the elections were held. Two hundred
forty-nine (249) full-time permanent
faculty members were eligible to vote.
One hundred twenty-one (121) votes
were reported for a voter participation
rate of forty-nine percent (49%).

Craig A. Smith
Clarissa Confer
Eberly College of Science &
Technology
David Argent
Gregg Gould
Kyle Fredrick
Mario Majcen

56
51
41
68

65
47
43
34

Therefore, the top two vote-getters from
each college are as follows:
College of Education & Human
Services
Barbara Bonfanti
Laura Miller
College of Liberal Arts
Marta McClintock-Comeaux
Craig A. Smith
Eberly College of Science &
Technology
David Argent
Gregg Gould

Notification and Certification of Faculty
Election Votes
The election results are presented as
follows:
College of Education & Human
Services
Barbara Bonfanti
Laura Miller
Denise Joseph
College of Liberal Arts
Marta McClintock-Comeaux

62
54

By a majority e-mail vote of the
executive committee, the Academic
Policy Faculty election results were
certified electronically on March 13,
2013 as presented. The successful
candidates will assume their terms at
the beginning of the fall 2013 semester.

Good Times
Enjoying their work in Manderino Library’s Justice Studies Lab while looking over a
project for the Leadership and Ethics course are (from left) Shantae Motley; Dan Ritter;
Dr. Michael Hummel, associate professor, Department of Justice, Law and Society;
Andrea Godor; Addison Raymond; and Jay Zollars.

The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Geraldine M. Jones
Interim University President

Robert Thorn
Vice President for Administration and Finance

Jessica Urbanik
Interim Vice President for University Development and Cal U for Life

Dr. Bruce Barnhart
Acting Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Craig Butzine
Vice President for Marketing and University Relations

Christine Kindl
Editor

Dr. Charles Mance
Vice President for University Technology Services

Dr. Nancy Pinardi
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs

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