California University

Volume 21, Number 3 FEB. 18, 2019
KEEP UP WITH CAL U NEWS ONLINE: calu.edu/news

New
Logos
To Be
Revealed

S

ay good-bye to the beefy guy
with the ’80s-style sweatband.
It’s time to meet the new Vulcan.
Over the past 16 months,
hundreds of students, faculty and
staff have shared their opinions
as part of the University’s overall
rebranding initiative.
At 11 a.m. Feb. 21, Cal U will
introduce its new brand elements,
including an updated Vulcan logo.
Attend the pep rally in the
Performance Center, and you’ll be
among the first to see the new logos
created for Vulcans Athletics and the
University as a whole.
You might even take home a
T-shirt or other swag showcasing the
new designs.
Brand identity specialists at
Carnegie Dartlet invited the entire
Cal U community to participate in
focus groups and online surveys that
determined Cal U’s true “personality.”
Based on that knowledge – plus
on-campus and national surveys
– they created up-to-date logos
for Vulcan Athletics. Cal U’s own
Creative Services team built on that
research and held in-person polling to
refresh the University symbols.
Mascot Blaze is among the VIPs
who will be on hand to view the
new Vulcan, along with University
President Geraldine Jones, athletic
director Karen Hjerpe, Cal U
cheerleaders and dance team, student
musicians and more. Ryan Barnhart,
director of Alumni Relations, will
emcee the event, which is open to all
students, faculty, staff and alumni.
“Logos inspire loyalty, but if
they aren’t refreshed every few years,
they can begin to look dated,” says
Christine Kindl, vice president for
Communications and Marketing.
“These bold new designs
honor our Cal U traditions. At the
same time, they capture the spirit
of our University and Vulcans
Athletics today.”
For a limited time after the pep
rally, items with the new designs will
be on sale at the Cal U Bookstore.
Feb. 23 is T-Shirt Day at the women’s
and men’s basketball games, and the
new Vulcan logo will be featured.
The old-style Vulcan – as well
as the “red block” and “Cal script”
logos – will fade into Cal U history
as the updated brand elements
gradually take their place.
“Cal U doesn’t stand still. We are
always moving forward,” Kindl says.
“These logos reflect our history, our
strength and our Vulcans pride. It’s
an exciting time to be at Cal U.”

Josh Martin, left, and Sean Adams both secured internships with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns for the 2019 exhibition season.

Two Seniors Land Internships
with Cleveland Browns

F

aculty-student teamwork continues
to place students in desirable
internships.
This time, two athletic training majors
will be heading to training camp with the
Cleveland Browns.
Seniors Sean Adams and Josh Martin
are scheduled to graduate in May with
bachelor’s degrees in athletic training.
They will work with the Browns’ athletic
training staff beginning July 20 and
lasting through the team’s four-game
exhibition season.
The two have been “study and

T

workout buddies” since their first year
at Cal U.
“When I was offered the position, I
sort of had to stop and think wow, this
is really happening,” said Martin, of
Hanover, Pa. “This internship is a great
opportunity and such an
important beginning.
“The many different experiences
Cal U has provided make me feel
completely prepared to tackle anything
that comes my way when I get to this
level.”
Adams, of East Setauket, N.Y., who

interned last year with the Browns, has
been accepted into Cal U’s master’s
program in exercise science and health
promotion. He will concentrate in
performance enhancement and injury
prevention with a certificate in nutrition.
He had never been to an NFL game
before working on the Browns sideline
last summer.
“I could never have a better first
experience than that,” Adams said.
“Going from a Division II school to
the NFL was really something, but
— Continued on page 3

Steele’s New Sound System
Spotlights Spring Season

he curtain is rising on a new era
for the Department of Music and
Theatre as Steele Hall begins its
first full performance season with new
sound systems in both Mainstage and
Blaney theaters.
Installed by Intertech, the sound
system in Steele Hall’s 639-seat
Mainstage Theatre was completed last
fall for the December production of
The Happy Elf. The system will be
used for the first time in the 150-seat
Blaney Theatre Feb. 21-23 during the
production of Edges.
The systems enhance opportunities for
students in Cal U’s programs in theater,
commercial music technology, and design
and entertainment technology.
Both systems include new digital
Yamaha QL 5 and QL 1 sound boards,
DANTE software, and an overhaul
of all speakers, microphones and
communication systems.
Assistive listening is also available
on Cal U’s new sound system. Patrons
can request headphones at the box

Graduating senior theater and design entertainment technology major Jeshua Myers works
with Steele Hall’s new soundboard.

office that feed into the system.
“Now we are ADA compliant in a
completely different way and can now
bring the sound directly to people that

have difficulty hearing,” Pagen said. “It
makes our venue even more attractive.”
The new system takes a strictly analog
— Continued on page 3

Page 2

FEB. 18, 2019

Speaker Offers Motivational Message

C

al U students have the ability to
succeed by applying themselves,
making smart decisions and
taking advantage of the opportunities in
front of them.
This straightforward advice from
Joe Webb — motivational speaker,
trainer, coach, entrepreneur and mentor
— began Cal U’s Black History Month
celebration.
He delivered a presentation, “Walking
Both Sides of the Street: The Road to
Academic Success,” in the Performance
Center on Jan. 29.
Originally from Donora, Pa., Webb
shared his journey of growing up in
foster care, brushes with the law and
experiencing the smell of failure before
enjoying the taste of success.
He holds a bachelor’s and master’s
degree and is pursuing a doctoral degree
in higher education administration.
“A pastor told me God will never
put yourself into a situation you
can’t handle,” he said. “College is an

investment that you can control, and
you’re only as good as you want to be,
but you have to make that choice.
“You can’t think about it, you can’t
talk about it, you have to do it.”
He encouraged students to take
advantage of the opportunities on
campus.
“Utilize the resources here,” said
Webb, noting they help with achievement.
Despite owning two degrees and
being a standout scholastic and collegiate
football player, Webb had difficulties
landing a job in higher education until
getting a criminal offense as a teen-ager
expunged from his record.
He said the pastor’s message kept him
on the right track in challenging times.
“As young men and women you have
to realize that you won’t reap immediate
reward from many of the decisions you
make today, but you’ll benefit from them
for the rest of your life because your
actions will become lifelong habits,”
Webb said.

“Identify your strengths and apply
them because the foundation you are
building for the rest of your life is now.”
Corey White, a junior majoring
in communication studies with a minor
in psychology, appreciated Webb’s
message.
After beginning his collegiate career
with a 0.8 grade-point average White has
made the Dean’s List three consecutive
semesters. During the question-andanswer session, Webb advised White to
become a mentor.
“I thought the saying about never
being put in a situation you can’t handle
was beautiful because we are where we
are, and so much is about attitude and
not giving up,” White said. “I gave up
mentally my freshman year but am
now focused.
“I have definitely come a long
way, and hearing him speak makes me
realize that I was supposed to have gone
through what I did. I am going to take his
advice and want to help other people.”

Black History Month guest speaker
Joe Webb urges students to apply
themselves, make smart decisions and
take advantage of opportunities.

Register for
Summer
College

R
From left: Geraldine M. Jones, Cal U President; Renette Oklewicz ´69, Job Johnson Award recipient; Dr. Richard Nemec ’65, Dixonians Award
recipient; Frank Paterra, commander of the Charleroi American Legion Post 22, Society of 1852 Award recipient; and Dr. Harry E. Serene ’65,
Foundation for California University president.

T

Foundation Names Officers,
Annual Award Winners

he Foundation for
California University has
elected officers and presented its
annual awards to two individuals and
one organization.
Elected to one-year terms were
Dr. Harry E. Serene ’65, president;
Frederick A. Retsch ’62, vice president;
Dr. Donald J. Thompson, secretary; and
Paul L. Kania ‘87, treasurer.
The board added five new members:
Courtney Cochran ´12, ´13,
Nathaniel Dixon ´12, Ryan Fisher ´15,
Chelsea Gump ´17, ´18, and
Bethany Hoag Salmen ´05. Newly
elected Alumni Association President
Ashley Baird Roth ´10, ´12 is now an
ex-officio member.
The 2018 recipient of the Job Johnson
Award for leadership and community
service is Renette Oklewicz ´69.
Recipient of the Dixonians Award
for service to the University is
Dr. Richard Nemec ’65.
The Society of 1852 Award for
philanthropy was presented to the
Charleroi American Legion Post 22.

Awards and winners
Job Johnson was among the founders
of what eventually became California

University of Pennsylvania. The award
named in his honor recognizes alumni
who have received recognition outside
the University for excellence, innovation,
community service or other notable
achievements.
Dedicated to improving conditions
for children and families in need,
Oklewicz is the founder of the Freddie
Mac Foundation, based in Washington,
D.C. She retired as the organization’s first
program manager.
Oklewicz was responsible for the
foundation’s foster care and adoption
portfolio, including the Wednesday’s
Child national adoption program. She
co-founded National Adoption Day, which
has achieved more than 45,000 finalized
adoptions over the past 14 years.
Oklewicz also managed the
production of the documentary The Beat
Down Club, a portrait of life after foster
care that aired on PBS.
She has established the Ronald and
Renette Oklewicz Endowed Scholarship
at Cal U.
The Dixonians Award is named in
honor of John N. Dixon, who served on
the Board of Trustees for 46 years.
An emeritus professor, Nemec
taught for 32 years in the Department of

Communication Disorders, working with
graduate and undergraduate students and
supervising the department’s outpatient
clinic.
A past department chair, he
supervised student teachers and
students involved with programs at
the Pennsylvania Health Center in
Monessen.
Nemec is treasurer for both the
California University Emeriti Faculty
Association and American Legion Post
22. He was instrumental in Post 22
establishing an endowed scholarship at
Cal U.
To support students in the
Department of Communication
Disorders, he and other faculty members
established the Dr. John Bitonti Memorial
Scholarship.
The Society of 1852 Award
recognizes distinguished contributions
to the enhancement and excellence of
California University.
Along with establishing an endowed
scholarship, members of the Charleroi
American Legion Post 22 have been
advocates of the University’s students
who serve or have served in the military.
Accepting on the Legion’s behalf was
Frank Paterra, post commander.

egistration opens Feb.
18 for Summer College
at Cal U.
Students who attend
any college or university,
including the 14 universities in
Pennsylvania’s State System
of Higher Education, have
a choice of more than 200
credit courses at either the
undergraduate or graduate level.
Both on-campus and online
courses are offered during
the 2019 summer term in
convenient five-week, seven
week and 10-week sessions.
The summer sessions begin on
May 20 and end on Aug. 9.
The flexibility of Summer
College is designed for students
to advance their education
and careers.
“Our Summer College is
an ideal way to help students
get ahead or catch up on credits
and improve their GPAs,”
said Kathy Gavazzi, Cal U’s
associate registrar and director
of Summer College and
Winter Session.
“For others, it’s an
opportunity to focus on a single
course, or to take a class in a
subject they’ve always wanted
to learn more about.”
Current Cal U students do
not have to apply for Summer
College; they can register online
through VIP or email
summer@calu.edu.
Visiting students can apply
and view the 2019 Summer
College brochure, with all
course offerings, sessions and
dates at https://www.calu.edu/
admissions/visiting/summerwinter.aspx.
To learn more about
Summer College, email
summer@calu.edu or call
724-938-5962.

FEB. 18, 2019

Page 3

Two Land
Browns
Internships

— Continued from page 1

learning how to treat all kind of injuries
that happen through different types of
athletics has really been important.”

Cal U Connections

Preparing for ‘Edges’ are, from left: Jeromy Mackey, Daniel Nuttall, Marissa Sorenson, Erin Stump, Alexandra Wilson and E.J. Christopher.

'Edges' Opens Theater Season

T

he Department of Music and Theatre will open its
spring season with the a journey through adulthood
in Edges.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Feb. 21-22 and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Feb. 23 in Steele Hall Blaney Theatre.
Edges, from award-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and
Justin Paul, is “a traditional song-cycle, where we see the
cast portraying young adults struggling with decisions as they
take journeys through the various songs,” said Dr. Michele
Pagen, director. “This really hits home for everyone in one

way or another, and it has funny and touching moments.
“The students have worked hard, and this is also a great
opportunity for the ones with musical theater concentrations
to really show all the voice character and voice creation
they’ve worked on in class.”
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.

New Sound System for Spring
— Continued from page 1
broadcasting system and brings it into
the new digital realm. Nearly all of the
equipment can communicate over a
single digital network that is controlled
by DANTE, Digital Audio Networking
Through Ethernet.
“With a DANTE System, it is
possible to have multiple mixing
consoles, microphones, etc. to
seamlessly communicate with one
another with a few simple ‘clicks,’
said Greg Davis, aassistant professor
in Cal U’s commercial music
technology program.
“During a live performance,
for example, the pit orchestra could
be miked and performing in the
Blaney Theater, and the mixing
engineer in the Mainstage can receive
those signals and output them to

the audience in real time.”
Pagen said providing hands-on
experience with ‘live sound’ and an
updated system benefits students.
“Training in studio sound and
training in live sound are very different
beasts, and all of these students as
well as technology education students
seeking to be involved with, say, theater
programs at high schools they work at
will all benefit greatly.”
Theater and design entertainment
technology major Jeshua Myers said
alumni who work as professional sound
technicians tell him this technology is
what they see in venues nationwide.
“This prepares me to be able to go
into a facility where I am immediately
familiar with their boards and can
begin working right away, which is an
important advantage,” Myers said.
“As an actor, understanding sound

and how it works has been beneficial
in the process of microphone checks
and communicating and helping other
performers during rehearsals.”
Experiencing and working with
the new sound system was a highlight
that attracted several hundred students
and professionals in theater design and
technology to participate in the United
States Institute for Theatre Technology
Ohio Valley Section’s fall conference
last November in Steele Hall.
Pagen also is looking forward to the
benefits of the new system this summer,
when Cal U hosts its annual five-day
Estill International Vocal Workshop.
“It’s the latest state-of-the-art
equipment that’s used in prominent
performing venues, so students will
want to come here to work on this
system,” said Pagen.
“This is a big step for us.”

Adams and Martin are the most recent
members of the Cal U family to star off
the field on NFL teams. Cleveland’s head
athletic trainer is exercise science master’s
graduate Joe Sheehan.
Assistant athletic trainer
Gordon Williams, who interviewed Martin
for the position, is also an alumnus.
Adams and Williams both served as
athletic trainers for Cal U’s baseball team
and longtime head coach Mike Conte.
“It’s really cool to work with a guy
who has been in my shoes and to continue
the pipeline through Cal U, especially now
with Josh because we’ve been tight since
our freshman year,” Adams said.
Four more alumni, all graduates of
Cal U’s exercise science program, were
part of the 2018 Super Bowl champion
Philadelphia Eagles’ Sports Science team:
Shaun Huls, Joe O’Pella, Keith Gray and
Ben Wagner.
Adams and Martin credited faculty
such as Dr. Jamie Weary, who served as
Cal U’s head athletic trainer for 13 years,
Dr. Scott Zema, current head athletic
trainer, and Dr. Kayla Shinew, director
of the athletic training program, with
opening doors.
“Without Cal U’s faculty and their
contacts, I would have never had this
internship or been able to get to the next
level,” Adams said. “If you have good
rapport with faculty, the doors are
always open.”
“They have connections all over,”
Martin said. “Cal is really a great
place that helps get your name out
there big time.”
Weary has taught Adams and Martin
in many courses.
“It’s been so impressive to watch them
grow, develop and be the professionals
they’ve turned into,” she said. “On the
educator side, you can provide all the
opportunities, give all the information,
but it takes the effort, will, motivation and
drive from the students — and these two
stand out and excel.
“We don’t make that call until the
student proves themselves, shows their
skills. Fortunately, we have good track
records, and our students are out there.”

Spring Open House
Programs Begin Feb. 23

C

al U has scheduled three
Open House programs during
the spring semester.
Open House programs are scheduled
from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23;
Saturday, March 23; and Saturday,
April 27. Registration for each event
begins at 8 a.m. on the third floor of the
Natali Student Center.
At an Open House, prospective
students can meet faculty and current
students, take a campus tour, learn about
our clubs and organizations and more.
Campus tours will include the

residence halls, classrooms and academic
departments, and facilities such as the
Herron Recreation and Fitness Center,
and the Convocation Center. Students
and families can talk with Cal U students
and meet faculty members.
To register for one of the
undergraduate Spring Open House dates,
visit calu.edu/admissions/visit.
For information about the admissions
process at Cal U, visit calu.edu/
admissions or call 724-938-4404. To
explore academic majors, visit
calu.edu/academics.

Spring Open House programs, including campus tours, will be held Feb. 23, March 23 and
April 27.

Page 4

FEB. 18, 2019

Athletic Hall of Fame Adds Four

F

our former Vulcans standouts will
comprise Cal U’s 24th Athletic
Hall of Fame class.
The 2019 inductees are former
baseball pitcher Les Bakos, 1968;
football wide receiver Nate Forse, 2007;
softball outfielder/shortstop
Kristen Heslop Siget, 2002; and tennis
player Helena VanEysendeyk, 2007
and 2009.
• Bakos was a four-year pitcher for
the baseball team from 1965-1968. He
helped the Vulcans earn NAIA District
18 playoff appearances in 1966 and 1968,
and in 1967 he led the team with a 1.35
ERA and 26.1 innings pitched.
During his senior season, Bakos went
7-1 overall — a single-season school
record for individual pitching victories
that still ranks eighth in the Vulcans’
record book. He earned all-section honors
and helped the team achieve its sixth
post-season appearance in nine years.
• Forse transferred to Cal U, where
he was was a three-year all-conference
wide receiver for the football team from
2005-2007.
He finished his playing career with
148 total receptions, 2,0248 yards and 15

touchdowns. His 10 touchdowns in the
2007 season ranked third in the PSAC.
Forse helped the Vulcans compile
a 29-6 cumulative record with three
consecutive PSAC-West titles, including
advancing to the 2007 NCAA Division II
national semifinals in the program’s first
NCAA playoff appearance.
• Heslop was a four-year starter and
three-time all-conference outfielder and
shortstop for the softball team from
1999-2002.
Her 184 career RBI total is still a
school record, while her 38 home runs
rank third. Other career totals include a
.373 batting average, 221 hits, 13 triples
and 160 runs scored. Her 67 RBI total
in 2000 also remains a school record.
The 2002 PSAC-West Athlete of the
Year and a second-team All-American,
Heslop helped the Vulcans compile a
149-49 cumulative overall record and
71-9 divisional record, with four
PSAC-West titles, four NCAA postseason appearances, two PSAC
championships and one NCAA
regional crown.
• VanEysendeyk was a three-year
standout for the women’s tennis team

from the 2006-2007 season through
2008-2009. She compiled career records
of 92-7 in singles play and 92-11 in
doubles competition.
A three-time International Tennis
Association All-American and Scholar
Athlete and two-time PSAC-West
Athlete of the Year, she was named the
ITA National Senior Player of the Year
in 2009.
During her three seasons with
Vulcans tennis, VanEysendeyk helped
the program compile a 77-8 cumulative
record, with three consecutive PSAC
team championships and trips to the
NCAA Division II national quarterfinals.

Hall of Fame Honors
The 2019 Hall of Fame inductees will
be recognized at California University’s
signature fundraiser, the Bow Ties &
Pearls Ball, set for June 29 in the Cal U
Convocation Center.
The event is open to the public;
proceeds benefit scholarships for
Cal U students and legacy projects
on campus. Ticket prices and more
information will be available online at
calu.edu/bowtiesball.

Helena VanEysendeyk will become the
fourth women’s tennis player to earn
Cal U Hall of Fame honors.

­­­Campus BRIEFS
Faculty-Staff
Convocation Tuesday
University President
Geraldine M. Jones will deliver
her state of the University report
at the 2019 Spring Faculty-Staff
Convocation, set for 11 a.m. Feb. 19
in the Performance Center.
Cal U will host Les Mills Sprint® training for group fitness instructors March 30 and 31.

G

Cal U Hosts Group
Fitness Training

roup fitness instructors — or
those who aspire to that
role — can obtain certification
in the Les Mills Sprint® fitness program
March 30-31.
Cal U is a partner with Les Mills,
whose workouts are licensed to more
than 19,500 fitness clubs in 100
countries. Worldwide, about 130,000
certified Les Mills instructors lead
creative, motivating workouts for
millions of people every day.
Les Mills Sprint® is a 30-minute,
high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
workout that uses indoor bicycles to burn
calories and build fitness. The low-impact
workout combines burst of intense
activity with periods of rest to motivate
participants and help them reach fitness
goals quickly.

Cal U will host the Les Mills Sprint®
training for group fitness instructors
from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. March 30 and 31
in the Herron Fitness and Recreation
Center. To earn certification, participants
must attend the entire two-day training
module.
Registration for Cal U affiliated
instructors is $175.
The training program is designed
for instructors who are physically
fit and in good mental health. It
includes both practical and theoretical
components that can be physically
and mentally challenging. Participants
need a computer and internet access to
download training materials.
For more information or to register,
contact Terry Carnathan at 724-938-4820
or email carnathan@calu.edu.

Black History
Month Concludes
The University’s Black History
Month celebration concludes with
four free events open to the Cal U
community and public.
• Feb. 22: The Black Student
Union Culture Café will be held from
7-10 p.m. in the Performance Center
inside the Natali Student Union.
Students performing music, spoken
word and dance will be featured.
• Feb. 25: All are welcome to
enjoy African drummers and dancers
who will perform at 11 a.m. in the
Natali Student Center’s Food Court.
• Feb. 26: At 11 a.m. in Eberly Hall
Room 110 a panel of faculty, staff
and students will have an interactive
discussion on intersections of culture
and how they contribute to growth
and success. The event is sponsored by
the Office of Multicultural Affairs and
Diversity Education
• Feb. 28: Live painting and
spoken word by students will
highlight the Black Arts Festival at
7 p.m. in the Vulcan Hall Gallery.

Music, giveaways and refreshments
will be part of the event sponsored by
the Department of Art and Languages
and Cal U Women United.

Website is Hub
for Weather Alerts
Even though Punxsutawney
Phil did not see his shadow wintry
weather remains. Students and
employees should register for
Emergency Text Alerts and keep an
eye on the Cal U website.
Weather announcements will be
made only if the University’s regular
operation is disrupted. A red banner
on top of the homepage and every
page at calu.edu will direct users to
the Emergency Information section,
where information will be updated,
if needed, as conditions change.
Text alerts may be issued for the
most significant announcements,
such as cancellations or delays.
Users must register for text alerts
using a campus email address and
password; registration must be
renewed annually.
For details on Cal U Text Alerts,
visit calu.edu/inside/campus-safety.
For quick links to register, look
for “Text Alerts” on the resources
pages for current students (calu.edu/
students) or faculty and staff
(calu.edu/faculty or calu.edu/staff).
Notice of cancellations or delays
may be available on local television
stations and on the Cal U hotline at
724-938-4507 or 800-422-5639.

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