California University

Volume 20, Number 17 NOV. 19, 2018
KEEP UP WITH CAL U NEWS ONLINE: calu.edu/news

‘Mindhunter’
crew talks
sociology,
holds open
auditions

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al U students can learn more
about the Netflix original series
Mindhunter — and audition for
roles as extras on the award-winning
show — from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday,
Nov. 27, in the Performance Center inside
the Natali Student Center.
Now filming its second season,
Mindhunter stars Jonathan Groff and
Holt McCallany as FBI agents who
attempt to solve cases by exploring the
deviant thinking of serial killers.
In Season 1, set in the 1970s and
filmed in the greater Pittsburgh area,
Netflix says the agents “expand criminal
science by delving into the psychology of
murder and getting uneasily close to alltoo-real monsters.”
The true-crime drama shines
a spotlight on sociology, says
Dr. Emily Sweitzer, a sociology professor
and director of Cal U’s program in social
deviance. At Cal U, a Mindhunter cast
member and the show’s casting director
will discuss the sociological principles the
characters use to build a “profile” that can
aid in understanding — and ultimately
apprehending — these sadistic killers.
The show is based on the book
Mindhunter by John Douglas, one of the
original FBI profilers. Douglas holds a
degree in sociology, Sweitzer says, and
class discussions and exercises in Cal U’s
deviance program — especially in the
— Continued on page 2

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Jared Lyon, president and CEO of Student Veterans of America, addresses guests at the 45th annual Veterans Day dinner.

Military, Veterans Honored
As part of its 2018 Military and Veterans Week
celebration, the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs
hosted the 45th annual Veterans Day dinner on Nov. 8 with
guest speaker Jared Lyon, president and CEO of Student
Veterans of America.
SVA supports more than 700,000 student veterans with
their higher education experience. The organization includes
more than 1,500 chapters on campuses in all 50 states and
four countries.
Lyon, a Navy veteran, emphasized the success of the
student veteran.
“Student veterans are among the most successful
students in higher education by any measure,” he said.
“They are yesterday’s warriors, today’s scholars and
tomorrow’s leaders.”

Nov. 5-9 ‘Military and Veterans
Appreciation Week’/See photo, page 2
According to Lyon, student veterans have a 3.35 gradepoint average and the second-highest graduation rate of any
population of students in higher education.
Lyon praised Cal U for its tradition of honoring veterans.
“Forty-five years, that’s really rather remarkable,” he said.
“The life of a veteran and the life that we live connects all
Americans to those who did not come home. We remember
their lives and celebrate the lives of veterans continuing to
serve as leaders on campus and our communities.”
— Continued on page 3

Professor Shares Fascination with Science

ngaging, intriguing and
educational.
That’s science, says
Dr. Gregg Gould, a professor in the
Department of Chemistry and Physics
at Cal U.
To encourage a love of science
among students in middle and high
school, as well as the general public,
Gould and his son, Colin, presented
“Science You Can See (and Hear)” on
Nov. 13 and 14 at Soldiers and Sailors
Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh.
The annual Faraday Lecture —
named for 19th-century British
scientist Michael Faraday, renowned
for his study of electromagnetism and
electrochemistry — was presented by
the Society for Analytical Chemists of
Pittsburgh and the Spectroscopy Society
of Pittsburgh.
Both nonprofit organizations
are dedicated to furthering scientific
education in Western Pennsylvania.
The lectures used unusually large
equipment designed to make scientific
principles of sound, magnetism and

Cal U Professor Gregg Gould and his son, Colin, demonstrate scientific principles at the
Faraday Lecture in Pittsburgh.

electromagnetism visible and audible to
the audience.
“I like to get people intrigued and
then begin to ask and answer questions

about the science involved,” said Gould,
who earned his doctorate in analytical
chemistry from the University of North
Carolina.

In one demonstration, the team used
a fishing magnet to lift a volunteer from
the audience. In another, wave amplitude
and frequency was easy to see with a
standing wave generator.
“It’s like a standing guitar string,”
Gould explained.
“The natural sciences are near and
dear to my heart, so I like to share that
fascination,” he said.
“Science was very high profile during
my childhood, with events like the
Apollo missions. I’m afraid we’ve gotten
away from that. Computer science is
now what physics and chemistry used
to be. It’s nice to have events like this,
to get people excited about the natural
sciences again.”
Colin Gould majored in chemistry
and is pursuing his Ph.D. in molecular
magnetism at the University of
California.
“Nobody is going to mistake me for
a college student,” Gregg Gould said
with a smile. “It’s good to have someone
younger to make a connection to the
students.”

Page 2

NOV. 19, 2018

Tax Law
Among
Seminars
Set for
Legal Pros

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Cal U Honors Military and Veterans

University President Geraldine M. Jones (seated) signs a proclamation that designated Nov. 5-9 ‘Military and Veterans Appreciation Week’ at Cal U.
Looking on as the proclamation is signed are (from left) Dr. Kristen Majocha, a U.S. Navy veteran and dean of the College of Liberal Arts; U.S. Army
veteran Whitney Ptak, a senior in Cal U’s criminal justice program and an ROTC cadet; and Robert Prah, director of the Office of Military and Veterans
Affairs. The proclamation states that Cal U ‘is committed to providing services and support to members of our military family’ and notes that the
week is ‘a symbolic way to honor, recognize and support the service and sacrifice of current, former and fallen members’ of the Cal U community. As
a tribute Cal U is honoring its service members and veterans for a sixth consecutive year by displaying colorful banners that highlight their military
service. Each red-white-and-blue banner includes a photo of the Cal U student, graduate, employee or family member being recognized, along with
details about his or her military service. The patriotic display has grown to include 64 banners, and they will be on display on campus through Dec.
14-15 Winter Commencement ceremonies.

Students Present WWII Videos

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fter showing their work on
campus in conjunction with
the closing of We Can Do It!
World War II exhibition, Cal U students
will present their work on the road next
month.
Students in Dr. Christina Fisanick’s
honors English class have created a
series of digital stories related to the
World War II era, and their work will
next be presented in a free event at
6 p.m. Dec. 7, National Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day, at the Historical
Society of Mt. Lebanon.
That location is the next site for the
We Can Do It! WWII traveling exhibition
from the Senator John Heinz History
Center, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The digital stories complement
World War II archives from local
historical societies, which were on
display in Manderino Library from July
through October. Students conducted
interviews with local WWII veterans
and those who were on the home front
during the conflict.

• Estate and Gift Tax Planning
Under Existing Tax Act of 2017
and Proposed Tax Cuts 2.0 —
9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Dec. 12
Attorney John M. Hartzell Jr.
will discuss aspects of the Tax Cuts
and Jobs Act of 2017, including the
temporary and “permanent” provisions,
the recently proposed tax legislation
(“Tax Cuts 2.0”) and non-tax reasons to
engage in estate and gift tax planning.
PACLE approved: 3 substantive credits.
Cost is $75.
• How to Avoid Construction
Litigation — 1-4:15 p.m. Dec. 12
Attorney Rebecca Bowman
will discuss tools for managing the
construction process and avoiding
disputes. The focus will be residential
construction, but commercial, light
industrial, and heavy construction will
be addressed. PACLE approved: 2
substantive credits, 1 ethics credit.
Cost: $79.

Alumna Charlotte Glod Simmons speaks with students in Dr. Christina Fisanick’s honors
English class about her experiences on the home front during World War II.

'Mindhunters' on Campus Nov. 27

firsthand with the cast, with their
analyses in hand, is a phenomenal
opportunity.”
course Sociology and the Sociopath —
In addition to teaching,
focus on a sociological analysis
Sweitzer consults for television
of many of the actual killers
programs such as Lucifer,
portrayed in the Netflix series.
Rosewood, The Blacklist, Bones,
“This is a fabulous
CSI and Notorious. She has
opportunity for students to
completed training in violent
gain a real-world perspective
behavior with former and
on how their degree in social
retired members of the FBI’s
deviance can be utilized,”
behavioral science unit.
Sweitzer said, “and to see how
The program, held
the principles discussed in class
Dr. Emily Sweitzer
are applied and employed in
during Common Hour, is
a popular media series that is
open to all members of the
based on actual, historical FBI cases.
Cal U community.
“For students to be able to interact
After the presentation, the casting
— Continued from page 1

ontinuing education programs
from the Institute for Law and
Public Policy at California
University of Pennsylvania will be held
Dec. 12-13 in Canonsburg, Pa.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of
2017 made significant changes to the
individual income tax — including
reforms that will impact estate and gift
tax planning.
Navigating the new rules is one
of the topics in a series of seminars
presented by the Institute for Law and
Public Policy at California University of
Pennsylvania. Each seminar is approved
for Pennsylvania Continuing Legal
Education (PACLE) credits.
The programs for attorneys
and other legal professionals will
be held at the Frank Sarris Public
Library, Canonsburg, Pa., Dec. 12-13.
Registration is now open for these
seminars:

director for Mindhunter will hold open
auditions for “extras” to appear in the
show’s second season, which references
events from the 1970s.
People from a wide variety of
backgrounds are needed.
Interested applicants can bring
recent photos (one forward-facing
portrait, from the waist up, and one
profile image); and a page with contact
information (your name, phone and
email) and sizes (height, weight, waist
measurement and shirt, pants and
shoe sizes).
Successful applicants will be
contacted with details about the
filming schedule.

• Pennsylvania Oil and Gas
Litigation Update — 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Dec. 13
Attorney Robert J. Burnett will
review significant oil and gas decisions
from Pennsylvania courts in 2018.
PACLE approved: 3 substantive credits.
Cost: $75.
• Estate Administration and Ethical
Concerns — 1-4:15 p.m. Dec. 13
Attorneys William R. Friedman and
Tammy Singleton-English will review
estate administration and the ethical
issues that may arise. The program will
include an overview of Pennsylvania
Rules of Professional Conduct and
their application to the practice of law
and a discussion of the Pennsylvania
disciplinary system. PACLE approved 1
substantive credit, 2 ethics credits.
Cost: $85.
Legal professionals may register now for
these continuing education programs. For
seminar details, costs and online registration,
visit calu.edu/ilpp.

NOV. 19, 2018

Page 3

Panel Discusses Education Legislation

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proposed piece of legislation
called the Pennsylvania Promise
would show a recommitment to
education in Pennsylvania.
This was the consensus during
a panel discussion sponsored by the
American Democracy Project at Cal U
on Oct. 30.
Panelists included Dr. Kevin Koury,
dean of the College of Education
and Human Services;
Dr. Susan Morris Rutledge, assistant
professor, Secondary Education and
Administrative Leadership;
Sean Crampsie, director of government
relations for the Association of
Pennsylvania State College and
University Faculties; and
India Washington, a student majoring
in political science who is a Campus
Election Engagement Project fellow.  
The Pennsylvania Promise would pay
for two years at Pennsylvania’s public
community colleges or four years at its
public universities for students whose
family income is below $110,000.
Citing statistics from debt.org,
Washington said average student loan
debt in 2017 was more than $37,000, and
a total of $1.5 trillion in total student
loan debt is carried in the United States.
“The student loan debt has gotten
out of hand, and this stops milestones
of achievements for the young graduates

From left, Sean Crampsie, Dr. Susan Morris Rutledge, Dr. Kevin Koury and India Washington discuss proposed education legislation.

who are too burdened with debt,” she
said. “We can’t keep going this way and
expect people to regularly spend in the
economy.”
Koury touched on the uphill battle
this bill faces.
He explained that, led by
Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/
Montgomery), this legislation was
introduced to committees in June as
Senate Bill 1111 and House Bill 2444.
“The actual bill submitted to both
committees is the same language, but
I want you to see the dynamics and
dichotomous issue that we deal with in
politics,” Koury said.
Koury said he sees “zero chance” of
the legislation being brought up this year.
Morris Rutledge said she still owes
for her education, despite paying on it

for 20 years and spending 11 years in the
U.S. Army Reserve.
“Regardless of the type of education,
we all want to be educated. But
somebody’s got to pay for it,” she said.
“That being said, the Promise gives you
another alternative, another choice.
“Pennsylvania will be successful
if this goes through. If they choose
not to, then it is on the state and is its
responsibility and accountability for not
educating its (residents).”
Crampsie said Pennsylvania
ranks 47th in per capita funding for
higher education.
“We are at the bottom of the barrel,
and it’s kind of embarrassing when you
look at what other states are doing,”
he said. “Our state is punting on its
obligation to higher education.”

He said the 14 schools in
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher
Education take students from the bottom
60 percent of household incomes across
the state. The majority end up in the top
40 percent of state earners.
“We are taking students who are
working-class and turning them into
higher earners, but the downside is we
see more than a million people with some
college credit who have not finished.”
Koury and Morris Rutledge
concluded the discussion with
simple advice.
“Contact your legislators and tell
them you support the bills,” Koury said.
Morris Rutledge added, “At the end
of the day, we all want an education, and
if you fight for it, you’ll get it, because
your voice matters.”

Dinner Highlights
Military, Veterans Week

— Continued from page 1

The Department of Music and Theatre is preparing for performances of 'The Happy Elf.'
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Dec. 6-8 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8-9 in Steele Hall Mainstage Theatre.

‘The Happy Elf’
Opens Dec. 6

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or the third consecutive year
community members will join
Cal U students onstage
and behind the scenes when the
Department of Music and Theatre
performs The Happy Elf.
The holiday production is based on
a song by Grammy award-winner
Harry Connick Jr.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Dec. 6-8 and
2 p.m. Dec. 8-9 in Steele Hall
Mainstage Theatre. All performances
are open to the public. Children from
area school districts will attend a school
matinee at 10 a.m. Dec. 8.
The family-friendly musical comedy
tells the story of Eubie the Elf, one of
Santa’s helpers, whose rose-colored
view of the holiday season is put to the

test when he sets out to bring Christmas
joy to a dreary town called Bluesville.
“We are again excited to do a fun
holiday performance that the audiences
love which has such a heart-warming
message,” said Dr. Michele Pagen,
who directs the production. “It’s also
always a thrill to have many members
of the community come together
with our students and bring this show
to life.”
Ticket price is $12 for adults; $6 for
those 55 and older and 12 and younger.
Cal U students with valid CalCards
pay 50 cents, plus a $5 deposit that is
refunded at the show.
For ticket information, or to charge
tickets by phone, call the Steele Hall Box
Office at 724-938-5943.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 270
students, faculty and staff at Cal U have
served in the U.S. military, including a
number of students who have served
multiple deployments in Iraq, Kuwait
and Afghanistan
“We have a long history of honoring
their courage and sacrifice — and
we wholeheartedly welcome those
veterans and service members who join
our University family,” said President
Geraldine M. Jones during her opening
remarks at the dinner.
Lyon urged the audience to be
inclusive of all people, renew their
personal convictions to live worthy lives,
pursue their aspirations and continue to
serve others.
“Do this and together we will
honor our fallen, celebrate our
sisters and brothers in arms, and
help this generation of veterans live
up to our potential as America’s next
greatest generation.”

Dinner presentations
Since 1984, the recipients of the
Col. Arthur L. Bakewell Veterans

I

Scholarship have been recognized
at the dinner. The scholarship is
awarded annually in memory of
Bakewell, the first Veterans Club
adviser. It is funded through the
generosity of the Veterans
Scholarship Fund 500 Club.
This year’s recipients are
undergraduate Guy P. Bertrand
and graduate student Sean D. Mageau,
who are both majoring in exercise
science.
After Lyon’s talk, Mike Moskal,
of Belle Vernon, Pa., presented a
check for $500 to President Jones
for Cal U’s Commander Kerrie Gill
Sr. Memorial Family Scholarship for
military families.
Robert Prah, director of the Office
of Military and Veterans Affairs,
awarded the Presidential Patriotic
Service medal to Cherie Sears ´81,
Bakewell’s daughter.
Sears is a member of the Veterans
Scholarship Fund 500 Club and
governor of Rotary District 7330.
“I can’t think of anyone more
deserving of this award, and I am
proud to call her an honorary member
of our Veterans Club,” Prah said.

Graduate School Holds Final
Fall Information Session

nterested in an advanced business degree? Cal U plans a graduate school
information session 6-8 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Kara Alumni House to answer
questions about our Master of Business Administration options.
At the information session, future students can meet with faculty, financial aid
staff, students and alumni to learn about the benefits of a Cal U graduate program.
The session is free, but registration is requested at calu.edu/informationsession.
For more information about Cal U’s programs, visit calu.edu/academics. For
information about the School of Graduate Studies and Research, call 724-938-4187
or email gradschool@calu.edu.

Page 4

NOV. 19, 2018

­­­Campus BRIEFS
Destination Day
Nov 30
Cal U plans a Destination Day
on Nov. 30 for college students
considering a transfer to the
University.
The Destination Days program
streamlines the transfer process. All
services are free, and the University
will waive the application fee for
students who apply on Nov. 30.
Students considering a transfer
may visit Dixon Hall, Room
312, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Evening
appointments are available
by appointment only. Phone
appointments also are available.
Students can register online at
calu.edu/inside/lp/destination-days
or just walk in for services such
as transcript evaluation, financial
aid information and orientation
scheduling.
For more information, visit
calu.edu/transfer, email
transfer@calu.edu or call
724-938-5939.

Alicia Belko is the third student-athlete in school history and second in two years to win the
PSAC Women’s Cross Country Championship.

Belko Wins PSAC
Championship

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enior Alicia Belko became just the
third Vulcans student-athlete in
program history — but the second
in two years — to win the Pennsylvania
State Athletic Conference (PSAC)
women’s cross country championship.
Teammate and fellow senior
Alyson Pierce finished second at the
Nov. 3 event, which consisted of 175
runners and was contested on a wet
and muddy 6-kilometer course at
Edinboro University.
Belko, who is from Hainesport, N.J.,
won the race by 33 seconds with a time
of 23 minutes, 20 seconds. She joins Julie
Friend (2017) and Melissa Brooks (1980)
as Cal U’s PSAC women’s cross country
individual champions.
During the 2018 regular season’s
five races, Belko won three individual
titles and added a runner-up and
third-place finish.
She transferred to Cal U from
Stockton (N.J.) University, where she
finished second overall at the New
Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC)
Championships, was a two-time national
qualifier and was a field hockey standout.
She is on track to earn her master’s
degree next month in exercise science:
performance enhancement and injury
prevention and aspires to be a coach.
“Her way of operating and her
attitude is significant — Alicia fit right in
from the moment she came here,” said
Daniel Caulfield, Cal U’s women’s and
men’s cross country and track and field
head coach. “She’s extremely intelligent,
a talented team player and a quality
person who will be an excellent coach.”
Pierce, who is from West Middlesex,
Pa., posted a time of 23:53 and used a
late surge to edge a Seton Hill runner for
second place by just one second.
At the 2017 league meet,
Pierce placed third on the team and
finished 26th overall. As a freshman in
2015, she helped the Vulcans win the
NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional
team championship.
“Alyson has always come on strong

at the end of the year, which is always
our goal, because if you want to make
nationals you have to do it at the regional
meet,” Caulfield said.
Pierce is a two-time U.S. Track
and Field and Cross Country Coaches
Association All-Academic selection.
Belko and Pierce both received
All-PSAC First-Team laurels after the
race, and Belko was also named Most
Outstanding Runner of the league
championships. Pierce earned All-PSAC
honors for a consecutive year; she earned
second-team status in 2017.
The Cal U duo’s impressive
performance enabled the Vulcans to
finish in third-place at the PSAC race
and tie the 1980 team for the highest
team finish in program history. The
Vulcans were seeded sixth.
Rounding out Cal U’s team score
were sophomore Megan Bateman (28th),
freshman Saralynn Vance (36th) and
sophomore Shaye Beckett (44th).
Junior Shae Grinnell (48th) and senior
Jaclyn Reinbold (62nd) also competed
and completed the course.
“This was one of our best team
performances from not only a standpoint
of placing but just from a determination
to get the job done,” Caulfield said.
“Everyone was on the same page and
this showing bodes well for the tradition
that’s being established.”
The Vulcans returned to action at
the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional
Championships on Nov. 17. The event
will be hosted by Slippery Rock at the
Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley
Park in Pittsburgh.
Cal U will hope to qualify for the
NCAA II National Championships as a
team for the third time in four years.
“That’s been our goal all year,
and we’re excited to sort of be in that
position as we prepare for the regional,”
Caulfield said. “When you work as hard
and have the desire as these ladies do,
there’s a natural confidence regardless of
the conditions, and they will be ready for
the challenge.”

Holly Day
Set for Dec. 2
The California Borough
Recreation Authority and Cal U
welcome everyone to California
Holly Day, 4-6 p.m. Dec. 2 in the
Natali Student Center.
The free event includes horseand-buggy and trackless-train rides
in front of the Student Center,
roving carolers and performance of
The Happy Elf by students in Cal U’s
Department of Music and Theatre,

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a photo opportunity with Santa
Claus, cookies, hot chocolate, and
treat bags for the first 100 children
who attend.
During the two-hour Holly Day,
A Charlie Brown Christmas will be
shown continuously in the Vulcan
Theater. There will also be a holiday
craft fair from 3-6 p.m. in the
Performance Center.
Free parking is available in the
lots behind the Student Center.
Guests are invited to bring new
scarves, hats, and gloves for a winter
clothing drive sponsored by the
Student Government Association.
For more information, email
Melissa Dunn at dunn@calu.edu.

Trustees Meet Dec. 5
The California University
Council of Trustees will hold its final
quarterly meeting of 2018 at 7 p.m.
Dec. 5 in the President’s conference
room, Old Main, Room 110.

Schedules Change
for Thanksgiving
So that students can observe the
Thanksgiving holiday, no classes will
be held Nov. 21-26.
The University will be closed
Nov. 22-25 and will reopen Monday,
Nov. 26. Classes will resume on
Tuesday, Nov. 27.
Residence halls will close at 8
p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, and re-open
at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25.
The final print Journal of the
Fall 2018 semester will be available
Dec. 10.

Holiday Pottery Sale
Begins Finals Week

he annual Holiday Student
Pottery Sale will be held from
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 10-11 in the
Ceramics Studio, near Vulcan Hall.
The sale is open to the public,
and complimentary refreshments will
be served.
Members of the Student Pottery
Association have created an array of
mugs, bowls, pitchers, jars and vases.
“Our students take considerable
pride in the pottery sale, and hopefully
it gives the campus community a
relaxing break from the hectic end of
the semester,” said Richard “Duke”
Miecznikowski, professor in the
Department of Art and Languages.
For more information, contact
the Department of Art and
Languages at 724-938-4182 or
Miecznikowski at 724-938-4083 or
miecznikowski@calu.edu.

Handmade items are available Dec. 10-11
at the annual Holiday Pottery Sale.

The California Journal is published by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
Geraldine M. Jones
University President
Dr. Bruce Barnhart
Provost and Senior Vice President
for Academic Affairs

Dr. Nancy Pinardi
Vice President for Student Affairs
Christine Kindl
Vice President for Communications
and Marketing

Office of Communications and Public Relations

250 University Avenue

Robert Thorn
Vice President for Administration and Finance
Anthony Mauro
Vice President for University Development
and Alumni Relations

California, PA 15419

724-938-4195

Wendy Mackall
Editor
Bruce Wald
Writer

wald@calu.edu­­­­­­­­­