C A L I F O R N I A U N I V E R S I T Y O F P E N N S Y LV A N I A ’ S M A G A Z I N E

SUMMER 2019

HELPING
HANDS
Teacher’s class
builds prosthetics
for kids

CAL U REVIEW

ON THE COVER
Using a 3D printer, a STEM teacher and his
eighth-graders are changing children's lives.

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA’S MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2019 • VOL. 48 • NO. 2

STORY: PAGE 4

The Cal U Review is published three times a year by the Office
of Communications and Marketing and is distributed free.
Third-class postage paid at California.

CHANCE LLOR
Dr. Daniel Greenstein

PRESIDENT

I

t’s the start of the fall semester, and there’s excitement in the
air. Our students are back, our campus is energized and classes
are underway.

There’s something special about the back-to-school season. It’s
a fresh start, filled with promise and potential. As the academic
year begins, we have much to celebrate at Cal U.
Coover Hall has reopened after a two-year renovation that
transformed its classrooms, studios and labs. With new academic
programs in place, students are preparing for careers in veterinary
technology, molecular biology and corporate communication.
Renovations are complete at Lilley Field, home of Vulcans softball.
Our calendar of campus events is already filling up, and we are
looking forward to Family Day on Sept. 21 and Homecoming and
Vulcan Fest Weekend Oct. 11-13.
Above all, our students and alumni continue to rock the world. They
are scholars and teachers, researchers and innovators, athletes and
artists. They build careers and serve their communities – and their
achievements are the truest measure of our University’s success.
In this edition of the Review, you’ll be inspired to see how our Cal U
community is making a difference through scholarship, research,
creativity and service to others.
Come share the excitement! Our campus is especially beautiful in fall,
and alumni are always welcome. Let that back-to-school spirit steer
you “home” to Cal U. We’ll be watching for you!
With warm wishes,

CALIFORNIA UNIVE RSIT Y OF PE NNSYLVANIA
Geraldine M. Jones, University president
Dr. Bruce Barnhart, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs
Robert Thorn, vice president for Administration and Finance
Dr. Nancy Pinardi, vice president for Student Affairs
Christine Kindl, vice president for Communications and Marketing
Anthony Mauro, vice president for University Development and Alumni Relations
T. David Garcia, vice president for Enrollment Management
COUNCIL OF TRUSTE ES
James T. Davis ’73, acting chair
Anthony H. Amadio ’73
Alex Arnold, student trustee/secretary
Roberta M. Betza
Stephen M. DeFrank ’92

Sean T. Logue
Larry Maggi ’79
Michele M. Mandell ’69
Thomas Uram
Dr. Daniel Greenstein, chancellor, ex-officio

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ashely (Baird) Roth ’10, ’12, president
Alisha Carter ’06, ’11
Dante Morelli ’02, vice president
Brendan Garay ’15, ’16
Robert Crall ’10, ’12, secretary
Erica McDill ’92
Justin Binion ’11, treasurer
Marc Quann ’88
Jesse Hereda ’04, immediate past president
Tim Susick ’76, ’78
LIFETIME HONOR ARY MEMBERS
Paul Gentile ’62
Anthony Lazzaro ’55

Michael Napolitano ’68
George Novak ’55

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Geraldine M. (Johns) Jones ’72, ’80
James T. Davis ’73
Anthony Mauro ’92, ’93

Harry Serene ’65
Craig Smith
Ryan Barnhart ’08, ’09

SAI BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Amanda Considine, undergraduate
Hope Cox ’00, ’01, alumna
Maria Dovshek, undergraduate
Justin DiPerna ’16, alumnus
Marguerite Haldin ’09, ’11, alumna
Taylor Kodric, undergraduate

Jeromy Mackey, undergraduate
Cynthia Obiekezie, undergraduate
Ashley Roth ’10, ’12, alumna
Seth Shiley, undergraduate
Skylar Steinhart, undergraduate
Two vacancies

PRESIDENT, CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

06
ON THINNING ICE
In the Arctic, sensors
contribute to climate
research.

07
HEADS UP
FOR HAWKS
Brothers make
breakthroughs with
study of raptors.

FOUNDATION FOR CALIFORNIA UNIVE RSIT Y
OF PE NNSYLVANIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Harry E. Serene ’65, president
Chelsea M. Gump ’17, ’18
Frederick A. Retsch ’62, vice president
Alan James ’62
Donald J. Thompson, secretary
Zeb Jansante ’82, ’91
Paul L. Kania ’87, treasurer
Jeffrey B. Jones
William R. Booker ’74
Robert E. Lippencott ’66
Chester J. Chichin ’63
Reginald A. Long ’81
John A. Lorenzi ’15
Yvonne Chichin
Larry Maggi ’79
Courtney Cochran ’12, ’13
Bethany Hoag-Salmen ’05
Nate Dixon ’12
Linda H. Serene ’64
Ryan Fisher ’15
Thomas P. Victor Jr. (student)
Therese J. Gass ’77

CAL U RE VIE W E DITOR
Christine Kindl

WRITERS
Wendy Mackall
Bruce Wald ’85

PHOTOGR APHE RS
Zach Frailey
Jeff Helsel ’02
Greg Sofranko
Kelly Tunney

08
FIRST LOOK:
COOVER HALL
Campus landmark
reopens with more
space, upgraded
technology.

14
SCREEN TIME
As robots battle,
students master
AV skills.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Dr. Nancy Pinardi ’94, ’96, ’98, vice president for Student Affairs, dean of students
Leigh Ann Lincoln, chief financial officer for SAI
Larry Sebek ’90, ’94, associate vice president for Student Affairs
Brenda DePaoli, assistant to the SAI Board of Directors

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Geraldine M. Jones ’72, ’80, University President
Anthony Mauro ’92, ’93, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations
Ashley Roth ’10, ’12, Alumni Association president

Geraldine M. Jones

A LOOK INSIDE

16
‘BE THE HERO’
TV exec tells graduates
to shape their own future.

18
BOW TIES &
PEARLS
Sold-out fundraiser
supports legacy
projects, scholarships.

10

Campus Clips

15

Faculty Awards

20

Alumni News & Events

22

Alumni Awards

24

Alumni Spotlight

26

Sports Roundup

28

Sports Profile

30

Milestones

SUMMER 2019

FROM THE

BOARD OF GOVE RNORS
Cynthia D. Shapira, chair
David M. Maser, vice chair; chair, Student Success Committee
Samuel H. Smith, vice chair; chair, Audit and Compliance Committee
Rep. Tim Briggs
Audrey F. Bronson
Donald E. Houser Jr., chair, Governance and Leadership Committee
Marian D. Moskowitz, vice chair, Student Success Committee
Thomas S. Muller, chair, University Success Committee
Noe Ortega, secretary of education’s designee
Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera
Rep. Brad Roae
Sen. Judith L. Schwank
Meg Snead, governor’s designee
Neil R. Weaver, vice chair, University Success Committee
Governor Tom Wolf
Janet L. Yeomans

3

STEM WITH A PURPOSE
Sikorski developed biology and genetics
lessons to teach students about
how a body’s limbs work and about
symbrachydactyly. Math lessons teach
students to take proper measurements so
the artificial hands fit and function properly.
Engineering skills ensure components are
assembled correctly.

STEM teacher Gavin
Sikorski '13 shows his
eighth-grade class how
the prosthetic hand they
produced will operate.

The fingers on the prosthetics don’t move
independently. Elastic bands and strings
allow the plastic fingers to move.
“The hand can perform basic functions,”
Sikorski explains. “Children can grab a bike
handle, open the fridge, hold a towel to wash
dishes, hold a knife and fork. We take simple
tasks like holding a glass or opening a door
for granted. Imagine what a difference that
makes to them.”

Teacher’s class builds prosthetics for kids

The hands, which cost about $25 each to
produce, are custom-designed to reflect the
recipients’ interests. These kids requested
Daniel Tiger and Iron Man themes.

Sikorski divides his class into teams to
manage the process. The communication
team handles logo and packaging designs.
The assembly team creates the hand.
The presentation team takes photos for a
montage that documents the production
from start to finish.
The students also thank the family for the
opportunity and provide some tips for using
the new device.
“Everything starts as a base size, and we
increase it based on the … measurements
they send us,” explains student Hannah
Burnsworth. “We draw the hand, and the
child gets to pick what he likes.
“It’s interesting, in case I need a future job.
I like how challenging it is.”

T

CAL U REVIEW

wenty-five new hands and counting.
That’s the tally for the eighth-grade
students in teacher Gavin Sikorski’s
STEM class at Southmoreland Middle
School, in Scottdale, Pa.

4

For three years now, Sikorski’s
students have used STEM
concepts and 3D printing skills
to make prosthetic hands for
children from around the world
who have symbrachydactyly,
a congenital abnormality that
results in limb abnormalities.
“My job is to teach my students concepts in
science, technology, engineering and math,
and to relate those ideas to the outside
world,” says Sikorski ’13, a graduate of Cal U’s

technology education program.

“I like making videos,” says Lilly Richter, a
member of the presentation team. “You get
to play around with photo-editing and skills
like that. We believe each family should get
to see what happens to make the hand.”

“I was looking for a project that would make
a difference not only in my students’ lives,
but also in someone else’s life.”

Requests for the prosthetic hands have
come from across the United States, around
the world and right down the road: One of the
most memorable came from a kindergarten
student in the Southmoreland School District.
Another one landed in Sikorski’s inbox –
in French. With an assist from Google’s
translation tool, he connected with the
family and his class created a customized
hand with a Mickey Mouse design.
In 2019, Sikorski was recognized as an AllStar Teacher by the Pittsburgh Pirates and
Pirates Charities, Chevron and the Grable
Foundation. He plans to use the $1,000
award to purchase more 3D printers, “so
nobody has to wait to use one in class.”
He also was one of 13 Pennsylvania educators
to receive a Teacher as Hero Award from the
National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia.
Sikorski is proud of the awards and grateful
to Southmoreland for its ongoing support
of STEM education. But he also finds great
satisfaction in the deeper lessons his
students learn.
“The kids get to give something back,
instead of just having me ask them to do
or learn something for my class,” he says.

Sikorski turned to the internet for ideas.
He found a video of someone using a
prosthetic hand made on a 3D printer and
began to do his own research. Soon he was
testing concepts and designs and creating
lesson plans to complement the project.
“After a lot of digging on social media, I also
found a few posts from people who were
seeking ways to get help for their children
who needed hands. I thought, ‘We could be a
volunteer organization for these families and
donate the hands for free.’”

‘GIVE SOMETHING BACK’

“We had two occasions where we were able
to deliver the hands personally. One family
drove five hours from New York to pick theirs
up. Those were very cool experiences.”

Students learn how
to load the 3D printer
with monofilament.

“It was fascinating to learn how to do it,”
says Alayna Cross, from the assembly team.
“And it was a very fun experience to get
to help someone. That’s my favorite.” 
By Wendy Mackall
Communications director at Cal U

SUMMER 2019

HELPING HANDS

Just before they went home for summer
break, Sikorski’s students finished hands for
two children, ages 2 and 6.

5

Photo by
Kirby Broyles

ON THINNING

ICE

HEADS UP FOR

I N T H E A R C T I C , S E N S O R S M O N I T O R C H A N G I N G C L I M AT E

Dr. Petros Katsioloudis ’03, ’04 is a professor
and chair of the STEM Education and
Professional Studies Department at Old
Dominion University. With the help of lecturer
Basim Matrood, he led development of the
new cost-efficient and reliable light sensor,
which collects data underneath the polar ice.
The Cal U alumnus is part of a research team,
headed by colleague Dr. Victoria Hill, that is

Photo by @TODAY

studying the effects of climate change on the
rate of ice-cap melting in the Arctic.

The buoy that the sensors are attached
to is a $40,000 investment.

In April, Katsioloudis made his third trip
to help launch WArming and IrRadiance
Measurement (WARM) buoys in the Arctic
Ocean north of Utqiagvik, Alaska.

“We can manufacture a sensor for one-tenth
of the cost, and it collects the same data.”

The buoys, either tethered to the ice or
floating in the water, measure temperature,
salinity and the amount of sunlight absorbed
by the water under the thinning ice pack.
They send hourly observations via satellite
to Old Dominion and to the National Science
Foundation’s Arctic Data Center website.
Old Dominion is located in the coastal city
of Norfolk, Va., making research into climate
change a priority for the school.
“Dr. Hill has been conducting research
in the Arctic for more than a decade, and
I asked if there was a way we could help,”
Katsioloudis says.

CAL U REVIEW

A grant from the NSF Office of Polar
Programs and the Joshua P. and Elizabeth
Darden Foundation is funding the research.

6

“Every trip we take costs $100,000,”
Katsioloudis says. “Because of the harsh
climate, equipment has to be replaced
every year, so it’s important that sensors
be manufactured in a cost-efficient way.
We need special clothing and equipment.

NBC’s Today show featured live reports about
the team’s trip to the Arctic Ocean in April.
“It was a very special year,” Katsioloudis
says. “Having that type of exposure is every
researcher’s dream. It allows us to share
the work that we are doing with the world.”

BROTHERS CONTRIBUTE TO RESEARCH ON RAPTORS

T

he Livengood brothers had a hunch:
Chestnut Ridge, the westernmost
in the Allegheny Mountains, was
an active spot for migrating raptors.
Now they have the scientific research to
support it.

Katsioloudis earned his bachelor’s degree in
industrial technology from Cal U, then added
a master’s degree in technology education.

Under the guidance of biology professor
Dr. Carol Bocetti, Calvin and Peter Livengood
completed an independent investigation:
“Discovering and Modeling Raptor Migration
on the Westernmost Ridge in the Allegheny
Mountains.”

With a smile, he acknowledges that
a professor in his school’s College of
Education might not be the most obvious
candidate to assist with climate change
research in the Arctic.

Their findings: Temperature and wind
direction can help to predict the species
of hawks, eagles and other birds of prey
likely to be found migrating through a
specific area.

He credits his undergraduate work in
industrial technology with providing
a foundation of technical expertise in
designing and precision manufacturing.

They also counted the number and species
of migrating birds at two sites, Summit Golf
Course and Laurel Caverns.

“My industrial technology degree was
very helpful,” he says. “It’s a unique degree
and very rewarding, because it allows
you to work in many different areas.” 
By Wendy Mackall
Communications director at Cal U

“We couldn’t find any records with the Hawk
Migration Association of North America that
raptors had been documented on the ridge,”
which is 90 miles long, Peter says.
Thanks to their interest, The Summit
Mountain Hawkwatch is now a location
at hawkcount.org.

“One main thing we can say is that
Chestnut Ridge exists as a migration
route for raptors,” says Peter, who took
the research course through Cal U’s
High School Early Admit Program.
This fall he’s enrolled at Cal U as a dual
major, in fisheries and wildlife biology
and parks and recreation management.
“We counted 1,000 birds in the fall. It’s
also notable to say that the eastern golden
eagle is not migrating through this area.”
“It was a unique feeling to see the first
group of hawks come through,” says Calvin,
a Cal U junior in the environmental studies
and business administration programs.
“We’re just students, but we discovered
a new watch site.”
For Bocetti, it was important that the
Livengoods do more than a bird count.
“My role as their adviser was to help
them target the project, to focus on the
questions that are answerable. They used
a model-building approach and worked
with (statistics professor) Dr. Melissa Sovak
to build a mathematical model. They wrote
a proposal, and we discussed hypotheses
and predictors.

“They were very self-motivated and easy
to coach and teach.”
The Livengoods presented their research
at Cal U this spring as part of the Strike a
Spark Conference, the University’s annual
showcase of undergraduate research,
creative works and scholarship.
The brothers received a grant for their study
from Cal U’s Center for Undergraduate
Research. They also received funding from
the Dr. Barry Hunter Memorial Fund and the
Jesse B. Guttman Student Research Grant.
“We are a hands-on program,” Bocetti says.
“We get students out in the woods for lines
on a resume that will get them jobs. The
Undergraduate Research Center allows them
to get outside, get dirty and learn
the science.” 
By Wendy Mackall
Communications director at Cal U

MEET THE
RESEARCHERS
To hear the Livengood brothers
explain their study of birds on
Chestnut Ridge, visit calu.edu/hawk.

SUMMER 2019

A

light sensor made with a 3D printer
for about $40 per cell is contributing
to invaluable research into climate
change above the Arctic Circle.

7

FIRST LOOK:

C A M P U S L A N D M A R K R E O P E N S W I T H M O R E S PAC E , U P G R A D E D T E C H N O LO GY

C

oover Hall has been transformed.
The former industrial arts building,
constructed in 1938, reopens this
fall with a larger footprint, updated utilities,
state-of-the-art technology and a bold
new look.
New construction added more than 4,200
square feet, and moving a steam line
doubled the studio and classroom space on
the lower level.

CAL U REVIEW

The building is air conditioned. An elevator
improves access. High-efficiency windows
bring natural light into 90% of the interior,
and energy-saving LED lamps brighten
remodeled hallways, classrooms and labs.

8

The main floor provides space for the
mechatronics engineering technology,
industrial technology and technology
education programs, including a STEM/
Clean Prototyping Lab where students can

work with 3D printers, laser engravers, a
digital flatbed cutter and a small-format
CNC milling machine.
The Physical Technologies Lab is equipped
for light fabrication; a separate room is
designed for working with metals, plastics
and woods on a larger scale.
Coover also houses art and graphic design
courses, with studios for jewelry-making and
sculpture/3D design on the lower level.
Throughout the building, the latest technology
has been installed in “smart” classrooms and
instructional computer labs.
The two-year, $11 million project was funded
through the state Department of General
Services, with an additional $1.1 million
allocated for built-in furnishings. Robert
Thorn, vice president for Administration and
Finance, calls it “a significant investment in

our instructional core.”
The building’s past has not been erased.
New brickwork and windows mimic its
original design. The original brass banister
and display cases stand just inside the
heavy front doors.
But the interior is bright, sleek and
streamlined, with a contemporary
industrial style.
“Coover Hall was constructed for the
industrial arts program – the original
STEM education,” says Joseph Schickel,
chair of the Department of Applied
Engineering and Technology.
“It will continue to serve as a modern,
advanced facility for teaching and
learning in technology areas.” 
By Christine Kindl
VP for Communications and Marketing

WHAT'S INSIDE?
SPECIALIZED AREAS INCLUDE:
AUTOMATED CONTROLS LAB
FLUIDS LAB
HEAVY FABRICATION LAB
JEWELRY/METALS STUDIO
PHYSICAL TECHNOLOGIES LAB
PRINTMAKING STUDIO
SCULPTURE/3D DESIGN STUDIO
SENIOR PROJECTS LAB
STEM/CLEAN PROTOTYPING LAB
STRENGTH AND MATERIALS LAB

SUMMER 2019

COOVER HALL

9

degrees and her doctorate while working
in Student Affairs. She has led that division
since 2012.

GRANTS PROVIDE

“I work with a wonderful group of
professionals,” Pinardi says. “Student Affairs
is about all of us combined getting the
work done … to help our students. This is a
wonderful honor, but it’s more a reflection on
our whole team.”

Three grants totaling $23.5 million are providing state-of-the-art
software to enhance the geology program at Cal U.

PRESIDENT RECEIVES NAACP
HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD

The computer programs integrate geoscience, geophysics
and engineering assessments. Geology students use them for
mapping, data management, reservoir modeling, well planning,
borehole positioning and geophysical seismic analysis.

University President
Geraldine M. Jones
’72, ’80 received the
2019 Human Rights
Award from the
NAACP Washington
(Pa.) Branch.

Collecting data is the first step for geologists tasked with
identifying, mapping or extracting energy and mineral resources,
explains Dr. Daniel Harris, assistant professor of geology. Step
two – converting that data into charts, graphs and 3D models –
requires high-tech digital tools.

The award was presented this spring at
the organization’s 59th annual Human
Rights Award Banquet.

“Training on these competitive software packages gives
students the opportunity to develop skills desired by the oil and
gas, geotechnical and engineering sectors,” says Harris, who
notes that energy and environmental companies are among
those employing Cal U geology graduates.
“It’s a boon for our students to be able to say they have some
experience with Petrel, Kingdom or GeoGraphix (software),”
Harris says. “They are all used across a variety of industries.”

NEW ON-CAMPUS
PROGRAMS BEGINNING
THIS FALL
Cal U students have new academic options
as the Fall 2019 semester begins.
A newly outfitted laboratory in Eberly Hall
houses the bachelor’s degree program in
molecular biology, a key part of leadingedge fields such as biotechnology,
pharmaceutical development, and
medical and clinical diagnostics.

CAL U REVIEW

Students in this on-campus program
study all aspects of molecular biology,
including advanced techniques in cell
culture, DNA analysis and genetic
engineering.

10

Eberly Hall is also the home of associate
and bachelor’s degree programs in
veterinary technology, one of the nation’s
fastest-growing occupations. Coursework
includes classroom theory, hands-on training
and 240 hours of clinical experience with live
animals on campus.

Jones is the first woman and the first
person of color to serve as president of
Cal U, where she earned both her master’s
and bachelor’s degrees.
Geology major Makayla Froseth and assistant
professor Dr. Daniel Harris use new mapping software.

Graduates of the two-year “vet tech” program
can work with companion and service
animals, working animals, livestock, wildlife
or exotic animals as part of a veterinary care
team. Graduates of the four-year program
receive specialized training in fields such
as small- or large-animal care, laboratory
animal management, or shelter medicine.
In the business department, a new
concentration in corporate communication
gets students ready for employment as
public relations specialists, media relations
managers, special events planners or
communications consultants.
The undergraduate program offers a
blend of communication classes and core
business courses.

STUDENT AFFAIRS LEADER
ACCEPTS SYSTEM AWARD
Dr. Nancy Pinardi
’94, ’96, ’98, vice
president for
Student Affairs,
has received the
Suzanne S. Brown
Distinguished
Service and Outstanding Professional Award.
Established in 1997, the award was
created to recognize an outstanding
student affairs professional from one of
the 14 universities in Pennsylvania’s State
System of Higher Education.

Coming next summer: a new Master
of Accountancy program that prepares
accounting graduates to sit for the CPA
certification exam.

The award is presented annually by the
Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers.
It is named for Suzanne S. Brown, who
served with distinction as the associate vice
chancellor for academic and student affairs
at System headquarters in Harrisburg, Pa.

For details about Cal U’s academic
programs, visit calu.edu/academics.

Pinardi has been a Cal U employee for
more than 30 years. She earned three Cal U

“The NAACP Washington Branch has
worked tirelessly for decades to promote
equal rights and opportunities for residents
of southwestern Pennsylvania and
beyond,” the President said in her
acceptance speech.
“I have devoted my life to education because
I believe in its power to help individuals from
all backgrounds reach their full potential.
When we prepare students for success in
their careers and in their lives, we also help
their families and our communities to thrive.”

RECOGNITION HAS BENEFITS
FOR STUDENTS, HR PROS
Cal U has joined
a select group of
colleges and
universities whose
programming in
human resource management is aligned
with education standards defined by the
Society for Human Resource Management
(SHRM), the world’s largest professional
society for human resources.
Typically, years of experience are required
for an individual to earn SHRM certification,
a respected credential in the HR profession.
But through the University’s affiliation with
SHRM, qualified seniors in Cal U’s human
resource management program may apply
to take the SHRM-CP certification exam.
In addition, Cal U students and HR
professionals may enroll in a new,
3-credit course that prepares them for
the rigorous test. Classes meet twice
weekly on campus; information is online
at calu.edu/shrm-course.
“This is one more example of how Cal U
empowers students to build the successful
future they envision,” says Dr. Stephanie
Adam, an associate professor in the
Department of Business and Economics,
and a SHRM-certified instructor.
Adam and Dr. Jean Hale, Cal U’s executive
director of corporate and community
relations, facilitated the SHRM affiliation.
Organizations or businesses seeking
mutually beneficial partnerships with the
University can reach Hale at 724-938-4628
or hale@calu.edu.

TWO ROTC CADETS
ARE NOW OFFICERS
Before they graduated, ROTC cadets Nicholas
Miller and Whitney Ptak were commissioned
as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
They took the oath of office and received
the gold bars signifying their new rank at
a commissioning ceremony in May.
“The commissioning ceremony is the
culmination of years of study and hard work
in both your academic discipline and your
development as a leader,” said guest speaker
Lt. Col. Jason Eddy, Three Rivers Battalion
Commander and chair of the University of
Pittsburgh’s Department of Military Science.
Miller earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal
justice with a concentration in homeland and
international security. He is commissioned as
an active-duty infantry officer.
Ptak earned her bachelor’s in criminal
justice with a concentration in criminology.
Commissioned as a field artillery officer, her
first duty station is in Mount Pleasant, Pa.,
where she is a platoon leader with the 110th
Infantry Unit.

Spring cleaning
Members of Acacia fraternity clean
out the basement of California
Area Public Library, one of nearly
40 community sites where students
pitched in during The Big Event.
Part of a national initiative for
college students, the annual day
of community service encourages
students to volunteer as a ‘thank
you’ to the communities where their
schools are located. This spring,
489 Cal U students tackled projects
at community agencies, churches,
parks and residents’ homes in the
greater California area.

SUMMER 2019

CAMPUS CLIPS

11

Patriotic service

“Advocacy on campus is important to me,”
says Buffington. “The dancers researched
the topic in depth. We spent a lot of time
making sure the dance matched the
research and statistics.”

Criminal justice majors Logan
Tantlinger (left), Emma Gebrosky
and Brandon Perrodin display the
Presidential Medal for Patriotic
Service each received this spring.
The award, created in 2005, is given
to students who return to Cal U
after being called to active military
service. Tantlinger and Gebrosky
served with the Pennsylvania
Army National Guard in support
of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Perrodin served with the U.S. Army
Reserve in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom. All three were
on active duty from January 2018
to January 2019.

AT HIP-HOP CONFERENCE,
BLUNT TALK ABOUT RACISM
At Cal U’s 11th annual Hip-hop Conference,
two figures with national stature reminded
students to stand up for their rights, work
together and continue the fight against racism.
More than 150 students, faculty and staff
attended a wide-ranging discussion with
Sybrina Fulton, mother of the late Trayvon
Martin, and Chuck D, founder of the
groundbreaking rap group Public Enemy.

Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities
could provide more opportunities for
students. Although the redesign is still in
the planning stage, he mentioned study
abroad, career services and even academic
courses as resources that might be shared.

CHANCELLOR DESCRIBES
STATE SYSTEM REDESIGN
Chancellor Dan Greenstein spoke at the
Strike a Spark conference, Cal U’s annual
showcase of student research, and held
an open forum to update the campus
community about efforts to redesign the
State System of Higher Education.
The chancellor also held meetings with
faculty, staff and students, University
leadership and Cal U trustees during his
daylong visit this spring.

CAL U REVIEW

“It is going to require enormous
transformational innovation to move
our System and our universities into the
future,” Greenstein said.

12

“This redesign places our students at
the center of what we are doing, invests
and pools together our faculty and staff.
Transforming fundamentally is how we’ll
sustain ourselves.”
The chancellor discussed ways that
sharing educational resources among

“Each university has unique strengths,”
Greenstein said. “By greater collaboration
among our 14 universities, we can prepare
our students for their best possible future,
address our many challenges, and position
our universities … to thrive in the 21st century.”

SECURITY CONFERENCE
SPEAKER RECALLS
SHOOTING AT CHURCH
“Protecting Places of Worship” was the timely
topic for Cal U’s 11th annual Conference on
Homeland and International Security.
Keynote speaker
was Gregory
Mullen, who was
chief of police in
Charleston, S.C.,
in June 2015
when a gunman
with white-supremacist views took the
lives of nine black congregants at Emanuel
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mullen described his role in coordinating
the incident action planning, crisis
communications and media management
after the shooting. In 2016 the perpetrator
was convicted of 33 federal hate crimes and
sentenced to death.

Mullen said his department’s strong, ongoing
relationships with agencies, activists and
community groups proved their value in the
days and weeks after the tragedy.
“This was not a law enforcement event …
it was a community event. By having those
relationships, connections and people coming
together, it was amazing how things calmed
themselves throughout the community.”
Years of building a culture of respect and
cooperation between police and residents
were validated, he said.
“Afterward, a pastor told me that the killer
wanted to start a race war, but what he did
was start a revival. Creating relationships
at the time prepared us for a night when the
unthinkable happened.”

DANCERS ADDRESS
SUICIDE PREVENTION
The Cal U Dance Ensemble partnered with
the Student Wellness Center this spring to
address a nationwide epidemic: suicide.
The highlight of “You Matter: A Suicide
Prevention Presentation” was an eight-minute
dance about suicide, the second-leading
cause of death for people ages 15-24.
Before the performance, psychology
professor Dr. Holiday Adair discussed
warning signs and risk factors. Dancers
Rachel Wells and Alexandra Wilson provided
a student perspective, and Diane Eperthener
Buffington, who teaches dance and
psychology, outlined current statistics.

Both speakers talked bluntly about racism
in America – comments that appeared to
resonate with both the black and white
students in the audience.
“People with big voices, with celebrity status,
don’t always speak out,” said Fulton, whose
son was shot and killed in 2012. “How can
you be silent (about racism) when you know
it’s wrong?”
Chuck D, who redefined hip-hop as a socially
conscious art form, urged students to learn
about local government and get involved
with community affairs.
“You’ve got to come back from college,
come back to where you live, with something
your community can use.”
The message resonated with journalism
major Jerron Corley, who said people of all

races need to face these difficult issues.
“It’s important to allow a diverse group of
people into that space. We have to all work
together to find a solution.”

‘A FAMILY WITH
58,000 MEMBERS’
They stood out in the crowd at
Commencement — graduates wearing redand-white cords and red tassels to signal
their membership in the 1852 Society.
The new group takes the Class Gift
Drive – which since its inception in 2010
has raised more than $140,000 toward
student scholarships – and adds a spirit
of volunteerism and fun to build a legacy
at Cal U.
Members are asked to support the gift drive
through recurring subscriptions. Students and
alumni are encouraged to volunteer during at
least one community service event. Alumni are
invited to visit campus for special events and
stay engaged with the Alumni Association.
“When you graduate from Cal U, you join
a family that has 58,000 members,” says
Ryan Barnhart, director of Alumni Relations.
“And with involvement comes a greater
connection to the University.”
To learn more about the 1852 Society,
email alumni@calu.edu.

COMPETITIVE ANGLERS
IN NATIONAL TOURNEY
The co-founders of Cal U’s Bass Fishing
Club joined teams from around the
country for the 2019 YETI Fishing League
Worldwide (FLW) College Fishing National
Championship Tournament this summer
on the Potomac River in Marbury, Md.

Nick Fulks and David Blaker qualified for
the national event last summer when they
finished in 10th place among more than 110
teams at a tournament on Mountain Lake in
Bedford, Va.
YETI FLW College Fishing teams compete in
three regular-season qualifying tournaments
in one of five regional conferences. Cal U,
whose club began in 2017, competes in the
Northern Conference, which includes fishing
duos from Division I universities such as
Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State.
The top 10 teams from each division’s
three regular-season tournaments and the
top 20 teams from the annual FLW College
Fishing Open advanced to the national
championship.
“It’s a very historic and challenging river,”
says Fulks, the club’s president. “We’re very
excited to compete in such a special event.”
Both Cal U anglers are seniors in the
fisheries and wildlife biology program.

Persons of the year
Dr. Laura Miller, associate professor of sport management,
and Carol Jones, information systems administrator at
Manderino Library, display awards from the President’s
Commission for the Status of Women. Miller was recognized
as Outstanding Faculty Member and Jones as Outstanding
Staff Member during a luncheon ceremony this spring. The
commission also presented graduating senior and social
work major Alexandria Gariepy ’19 with the Outstanding
Student of the Year award for her work with the End
Violence Center and as a Community Assistant in the
residence halls. Twice each year the commission recognizes
students and employees for their support of women and
women’s issues on campus.

SUMMER 2019

Dr. Dawn Moeller and Dr. Jayna Bonfini, from
Cal U’s Counseling Center, explained where
to get help on campus.

13

exemplars

EXCELLENCE

Control room crew:
Marisa Fanelli '19 (left),
Joe Uliano, Clarke Yancey

Three faculty members – each one dedicated to student
success – received the 2019 Presidential Distinguished Merit
Awards at the close of the spring semester. University President
Geraldine Jones presented each recipient with a medallion to be worn at
Commencement, plus a scholarship for a student in each of their disciplines.

Students learn AV skills at robotics competition

Southwestern Pennsylvania BotsIQ
uses gladiator-style battles and a spirit
of competition to build students’ skills in
science, technology, engineering and math.
It’s a spectator sport as well, with loud, proud
supporters who follow their favorite teams.
Under the guidance of Gloria Minutello,
director of facilities presentation, Cal U
students made sure fans didn’t miss
a minute.

CAL U REVIEW

Seventeen students were involved in
filming ‘bots battles for display on the
Convocation Center’s scoreboard. They
prepared graphics, set up lighting stands,
ran the audio board and worked with the
Daktronics equipment in the control room
to choreograph the audiovisual experience.

14

Three were work-study students, two were
commercial music technology majors
completing practicums with Minutello,
and 12 were taking a media class.
To prepare them to work in the audiovisual
business, “we try to give students a lot
of experience with the control room, so

they know … what they can expect,”
says Minutello, who manages a variety
of digital displays around campus, including
the tower outside the Convocation Center.
Communication studies major Marisa Fanelli,
who graduated in May, positioned equipment
in the arena before the robot bouts began.
“Gloria encourages us to be very hands-on,”
Fanelli says. “At first I wanted a career
in front of the camera, but now I’m very
interested in the back side of it. I didn’t know
about the behind-the-scenes aspects when
I started working with her, but Gloria has
pushed me beyond my comfort zone.”
The Convocation Center’s equipment is on
par with the gear at major entertainment and
sports venues, Minutello says.
“We treat BotsIQ like a sporting event. We
plan intro music and graphics, so it’s more
like an in-game entertainment experience.”
Clarke Yancey, a communication studies
major, says her Cal U event experience has
confirmed her interest in sports broadcasting.
“It’s so hands-on, which has helped me
so much,” says Yancey, who spent her
summer as an intern with the Washington
Wild Things baseball team.
At the Convocation Center, “we use
equipment that’s just like what’s used in

the real world. And we really learn this stuff.
We know it. And if there’s something we
don’t know, Gloria is here to help us.”
For Minutello, the students provide
much-needed assistance in the midst of
high-energy events. Teaching them
is rewarding, too.
“We’ve built relationships with the
professors in commercial music technology
and communication studies,” she says.
“We are able to use this on-campus facility
to provide students with hands-on learning.

Dr. Kyle Fredrick

Dr. Rosalie Smiley

Dr. Craig Smith

“There’s no experience necessary. It can
seem intimidating, but it’s really not. I started
with no experience. You learn as you go.” 

IN TEACHING

IN SERVICE

IN RESEARCH

Dr. Kyle Fredrick, a professor in the
Department of Earth Sciences, is an
expert in hydrology and groundwater
modeling. His courses teach students
to address water quality concerns and
improve environmental conditions in
our communities.

A professor in the Department of
Social Work, Dr. Rosalie Smiley teaches
in the Master of Social Work program
and supervises students in their
field placements.

Dr. Craig Smith, a professor in the
Department of History, Politics, Society
and Law, focuses his research on the
work of the Supreme Court and its
justices, and how legal decisions
impact people’s lives.

By Wendy Mackall
Communications director at Cal U

WANT ’BOTS?
In spring, Cal U’s Convocation
Center is where the robots come
out to play. Watch calu.edu/news
for information about
robotics competitions
and other events
on campus.

PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED
MERIT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Fredrick involves students in research
projects, including monitoring local
streams to improve water quality
and mitigate flooding hazards.
He also leads annual field trips to notable
geologic sites across the United States,
providing students with memorable
outdoor learning experiences that improve
their understanding of the natural world.

PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED
MERIT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Throughout her career as a licensed
social worker, she has served countless
families and children, often in underserved, low-income communities.
At the University, Smiley has
assisted with two departmental
reaccreditations. She also serves on
the MSW Program Committee, advises
the Graduate Social Work Students
Association and is active in the
Frederick Douglass Institute at Cal U.

PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED
MERIT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Smith is the author of Failing
Justice: Charles Evans Whittaker on
the Supreme Court (McFarland, 2005).
He has contributed chapters to several
books, and his research led to several
articles for the Journal of Supreme
Court History.
Smith is working on a new biography
of Justice Tom C. Clark, who served
on the court from 1949-1967.

SUMMER 2019

W

hen 80 high school teams took
their robots into battle at the
Convocation Center, a small
army of audiovisual experts captured
every bash, clash and smash.

15

TURNING THE PAGE

Commencement ceremonies began May 10,
when doctoral and master’s degree candidates
received their diplomas and were vested in
their academic hoods. Nineteen students
became the first cohort to graduate from
Cal U's Doctor of Criminal Justice program.

hero

Daniel Arnold, a chief warrant officer and
mechanic in the U.S. Army, earned his
master’s degree in exercise science and
health promotion. He’s stationed in North
Carolina, and he traveled to Cal U for the first
time to pick up his diploma.
“I learned quite a bit about rehabilitation,
performance enhancement and injury
prevention,” he said. “I am looking to
change my career and move into
occupational therapy."
Brett Mohney, a unit director at UPMC Mercy,
also earned an advanced degree online. He
came to campus to receive his Master of
Science in Nursing.

be the

“This is a big accomplishment,” he said.
“It’s very nice to come here and make the
physical connection with the place where I
earned this degree.”

TV exec tells graduates to shape their own future

“Every graduate in the audience today can
be the hero of their own story,” said Terence
Carter, executive vice president of drama
and comedy development for Twentieth
Century Fox.

CAL U REVIEW

Cal U awarded degrees to nearly 1,200
students at its 188th Commencement.
Ceremonies were held in the Convocation
Center.

16

“Take inventory of the knowledge you
accumulated at Cal U,” Carter said. “Decide
what is most important to you and … weave
it into your story moving forward.
“You are all staring at a blank sheet of paper
upon which to write the story of the rest

As she had done the evening before,
President Geraldine Jones greeted each of
the new graduates personally and offered
them heartfelt advice.
“Please know that I am very proud of each of
you for your hard work and the sacrifices you
have made to reach this point,” she said.
“Take in the moment, and savor your
success. You have worked hard, you have
persevered, and you have accomplished
something significant.”

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

Mary Fritz, chair of the Senior Gift Drive
Committee, presented President Jones with
a check for more than $11,000 contributed
by graduating seniors and their families.
Fritz earned her undergraduate degrees in
criminal justice and sociology, with a minor in
deviance. A Cal U scholarship and a summer
internship led to a job with T.W. Ponessa
Counseling Services, where she’s working
while pursuing a master’s in sociology.
“Cal U taught me the leadership skills

I needed to excel,” she said. “I was
overwhelmed walking across the stage,
because all the hard work that we … put
into our classes, clubs and community
has paid off.”
Austin Owens, who studied management
and marketing, started an inside sales
associate job in June with Bisnow Media in
New York.
“Four years ago, I never expected to do
all the things that I’ve done here,” he said.
“Many people helped me, which is cool. I’m
incredibly excited to do something new and
experience what’s next.”
Steve Ruffing earned his degree
in communication studies, with a
concentration in radio and television.
The president of CUTV, he covered Vulcans
athletics as a camera operator, producer,
host, reporter and anchor – and he thought
about those experiences during his brief
walk across the graduation stage.
“I've gained so much knowledge and
experience from this school, it's hard to
put into words,” he said. “I am so thankful
for my time here.” 

Provost Bruce Barnhart and
University President Geraldine Jones
personally greet each graduate.

of your life, in all of its potential glory and
possible splendor.”
Although he’s not an alumnus, Carter’s
own story has ties to the University’s.
He is the great-great-grandson of Elizabeth
“Jennie” Adams Carter, Class of 1881,
California’s first African-American graduate.
The speaker stopped to see his ancestor’s
photo and related artifacts in Carter
residence hall, which also houses Cal U’s
Multicultural Center.
“She wasn’t handed an easy life, but
she overcame adversity to grow into
a woman of intellect, strength and
determination,” Carter told the graduates.
“Jennie started on a path to help those
whom she believed were entitled to more
than society would readily give them.”

Before Commencement, Cal U's first graduates of the
Doctor of Criminal Justice program join faculty for a photo.

You are all staring at a
blank sheet of paper upon
which to write the story of
the rest of your life, in all
of its potential glory and
possible splendor.”
TERENCE CARTER

Social work major
Dantasia Green joins the
procession of graduates.

Beau Stoiff is feeling positive as
Cal U undergraduates walk across
campus to the Convocation Center.

Graduate Michael Daye
is happy to have a business
management degree.

SUMMER 2019

A

ppropriately, the Commencement
speaker’s address focused on
a story.

Undergraduates received their bachelor’s
and associate degrees May 11.

17

University President Geraldine
Jones and first gentlleman Jeff
Jones get the dancing started.

Bow Ties & Pearls Ball
Sold-out fundraiser supports legacy projects, scholarships

These were the ingredients for Cal U’s
inaugural Bow Ties & Pearls Ball, held
June 29 in the Convocation Center Arena.
Thanks to generous sponsors, donors
and guests, the sparkling event brought
in about $100,000. Proceeds will support
alumni recognition projects and student
scholarships.

CAL U REVIEW

Emcees Andrew Stockey, of WTAE-TV,
and Melanie Taylor, of STAR 100.7 FM
radio, helped to welcome a quartet of
former student-athletes to Cal U’s Athletic
Hall of Fame.

18

University President Geraldine M. Jones
presented the Lillian M. Bassi Core Values

Enjoying the evening: Dr. Nancy Pinardi '94,
'96, '98, vice president for Student Affairs,
and T. David Garcia, vice president for
Enrollment Management.

Guests included Cherie Sears '81, '17, director
of the University's Rutledge Institute preschool
program, and husband Michael Sears,
superintendent of California Area School District.

Award – one of the University’s most
prestigious honors – to William “Bill”
Booker ’74.
The President also announced plans for
a donor-funded initiative, Champions Way,
to showcase artworks honoring Cal U’s
national championship teams and
information about Hall of Fame honorees.
After dinner, Pittsburgh Penguins broadcast
personality Phil Bourque noted that “there’s
just something special about this school”
as he encouraged bidders to vie for prizes
in a silent auction. Guests enjoyed a buffet
of tempting desserts, casino games and
dancing as the evening came to a close.
“We had a wonderful mix of old friends and
new faces,” says Tony Mauro ’92, ’93, vice
president for University Development and
Alumni Relations. “Everyone had a good
time, and it felt even more special because
it was all for a good purpose.” 

Inducted into Cal U’s Athletic Hall of Fame during the Bow Ties & Pearls Ball
(from left): Dr. Les Bakos '68, baseball; Helena van Eysendeyk '07, '09, tennis;
Kristin Heslop '02, softball; and Nate Forse '07, football.

University trustees (from left) Thomas Uram, Larry Maggi '79 and
acting council chair James Davis '73 share a laugh before dinner.

Champions Way
An artist’s rendering shows Champions
Way, a proposed donor-funded project.
Here, current and future students could
learn about the University’s past and
see themselves as part of Cal U’s
winning tradition.

SUMMER 2019

n elegant venue complete with
“red carpet” and dance floor.
A sellout crowd of 300 alumni and
University friends. Delicious food, dynamic
entertainment and delightful company.

Backed by a childhood photo, William ‘Bill’
Booker '74 accepts the Lillian M. Bassi Core
Values Award, one of California University’s
most prestigious honors.

Making the Bow Ties & Pearls Ball a family affair are
(from left) Fred Smith III '12, of Arlington, Va., and his
parents, Karen Smith '83 and Fred Smith Jr. '83.

19

ALUMNI CALENDAR

UPCOMING EVENTS

WELCOME
HOME,
This year marks the 70th anniversary of our annual
Homecoming festivities and the second annual Vulcan
Fest, which adds more family-friendly and community events
to our biggest party of the year.
Last year we welcomed nearly 1,000 alumni to Vulcan Fest
and Homecoming Weekend, and we hope to celebrate with
even more graduates Oct. 11-13 this year!

SEPT

6

SEPT

14

STAY THE WEEKEND
One day just isn’t enough for our Vulcan Fest and Homecoming
activities. Plan to stay the weekend and take in everything we
have to offer – campus tours, a 5K run and the Friday-night
All-Alumni Reunion, Saturday’s Party on the Patio and tailgate
party at Roadman Park, Sunday’s farewell brunch in the Gold
Rush and opportunities for exploring Washington County.
Don’t miss a minute of Cal U’s biggest weekend celebration!
See the full schedule and RSVP at calu.edu/vulcan-fest.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD
Vulcan Fest and Homecoming Weekend is the perfect time
to connect with old and new friends, reminisce and make
new memories, and share Cal U with your family and friends.
So encourage your Cal U friends and connections to make
the trip “back home” to California.
Remind them to update their email and postal address
at calu.edu/alumni, so they can stay up to date with what’s
happening on campus and within our alumni circle. Join them
in making Vulcan Fest and Homecoming Weekend your new
Cal U tradition.

SEPT

21

SEPT

27
OCT

11-13

ALUMNI PHOTO ALBUM

GRADUATES GATHER AT HOME AND AWAY

CAL U NIGHT AT PNC PARK
Celebrate the 4th annual Cal U Night with the best
skyline view from any Major League ballpark. Your
box seat ticket includes a custom ballcap with the
Pittsburgh Pirates and Cal U logos.

CAN-DO SPIRIT
Mary Fritz ’19 (left) and future alumnae
Alexis Zosky, Sarah Zajac, Abigail
Wingrove and Gabrielle Federico
team up at the second annual Kan
Jam Tournament sponsored by the
Student Alumni Ambassadors. Canned
goods were the price of admission;
in all, players donated 300 items for
the Cal U Cupboard, which fights food
insecurity among Cal U students.

VULCAN HUDDLE TAILGATE
VS. KUTZTOWN
Cal who? Cal YOU! Party in the park before the
football home opener, then claim your seat in
Adamson Stadium to watch the Vulcans face
off against the Kutztown Golden Bears.

FAMILY DAY
Celebrate Family Day with us, including our Vulcan
Huddle tailgate party at Roadman Park. It’s Cal U
vs. Shippensburg – and you’ll want to be there!

CLEVELAND ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR
Meet us at Nano Brew Cleveland, a neighborhood
brewpub with 24 craft beers on tap. Sip a brew
and enjoy some food with alumni from the greater
Cleveland area and throughout Ohio.

VULCAN FEST AND
HOMECOMING WEEKEND
Meet up with friends or bring the family – it’s
Cal U’s biggest party of the year! Events include
the new Vulcan Fest 5K Run/Walk, our All-Alumni
Reunion, the popular Party on the Patio, the 70th
annual Homecoming parade, and our Vulcan Fest
tailgate party at Roadman Park. Check out the full
schedule at calu.edu/vulcan-fest.

CENTER OF ATTENTION

HELLO, FLORIDA

Cal U students and alumni surround
Dr. Margaret Starkes ’93 (center),
who was recognized as alumna of the
year by Cal U Women United. Starkes,
known as ‘The Rapping Principal,’
uses music to engage with students
at Miller African-Centered Academy in
Pittsburgh’s Hill District. She has been a
teacher and administrator in Pittsburgh
Public Schools for more than 25 years.
The award was presented at Kara
Alumni House during Cal U Women
United’s annual Sankofa ceremony.

Cal U’s first couple visited with more
than 125 alumni during the annual
Cal U Weekend in the Tampa-Bradenton
area. Pictured at the Columbia
Restaurant in Tampa are (front
row, from left) President Geraldine
Jones '72,' 80; Ryan Barnhart ’08,
’09, director of Alumni Relations; and
alumni Jacqlyn Baughman ’15 and
Zach Schibner ’13; (second row, from
left) Cal U development associate
Justin James ’12, ’14 and alumnus
Trevor Consavage ’06; and (back
row) Jeff Jones and Anthony Mauro
’92, ’93, vice president for University
Development and Alumni Relations.

Student Alumni Ambassadors and
members of the Alumni Relations staff
turned up at the Improv in Pittsburgh
for a performance by comedian Craig
Shoemaker ’10. At the show (from left):
ambassadors Hannah Burgess and
Justin Shoemaker; comic Shoemaker;
staff members Staci Tedrow and Randi
Minerva ’98; former Cal U student
Melissa Marks; staff members Ryan
Barnhart ’08, ’09 and Cathy Connelly ’95,
’96; and former student Ty Marks.

LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH
In addition to the Cal U Review, monthly communications from
the Office of Alumni Relations keep you informed about people,
programs and progress at Cal U. Around the first of each month,
the Alumni Blog is published exclusively at calu.edu/alumni.

For details about these and other upcoming events,
visit calu.edu/alumni online, email us at alumni@calu.edu,
or call us at 724-938-4418.

On the 15th of each month, listen to The Vulcan Nation,
The Only Cal U Podcast You Should Listen To.™ Toward the
end of each month, The Vulcan Gazette drops via email and
online at calu.edu/alumni.
Stay informed – and don’t forget to “like” and follow us on
social media @calualumni.

CAL U REVIEW

See you soon,

20

Ryan Barnhart ’08, ’09
DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

GET SET FOR
THE HOLIDAYS
Add to your Cal U collection with the 2019 holiday
ornament featuring Dixon Hall. These limited-edition
keepsakes are just $15; to get yours, call Kathy Kuharik
at 724-938-5775 or email kuharik@calu.edu. A limited
number of 2017 (Old Main) and 2018 (Watkins Hall)
ornaments are still available to round out your collection!

JUST FOR LAUGHS

SPRING TRAINING
Alumni dressed in black and gold
gather at LECOM Park in Bradenton,
Fla., home of the Pittsburgh Pirates
spring training camp. The annual
get-together brings Cal U grads
from Florida and across the country
to watch a game and enjoy a
pre-game reception with President
Geraldine Jones ’72, ’80 (center)
and her husband, Jeff.

SUMMER 2019

ALUMNI NEWS

21

2019

ALUMNI
AWARDS
Cal U celebrates graduates
who have made a difference

An inventor, a pro athlete, a military officer and two “everyday
heroes” were among the 14 honorees recognized at Cal U’s
52nd annual Alumni Awards ceremony.
Not present at the recognition dinner in April were Cal U faculty
member Dr. Emily Sweitzer ’92, ’93, C.B. Wilson Distinguished
Faculty Award; human capital executive Melinda Bickerstaff ’65,
W.S. Jackman Award of Distinction; entrepreneur Shane Fox ’09,
Young Alumni Award; and Michael Smith ’09, Illustrious Californian,
who rescued a disabled woman who had fallen over a cliff.
The ceremony also honored members of the 2008 Vulcans men’s
hockey team on the 10th anniversary of their American College
Hockey Association National Championship.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

National Football
League player

CAL U REVIEW

MICHAEL DUDA
AWARD FOR
ATHLETIC
ACHIEVEMENT

22

“Cal U showed
me how to be
successful on
and off the field.”

DR. NANCY
PINARDI ’94, ’96, ’98
CARL
DELLAPENNA ’89
Business owner
MERITORIOUS
AWARD

“This University
was the gateway
to my success.”

Vice President for
Student Affairs, Cal U
PAVLAK/SHUTSY
SPECIAL SERVICE
AWARD

“The rewards
of working with
students make it
all worthwhile.”

COL. LANCE
OSKEY ’93
U.S. Army officer
FURLONG AWARD
FOR MILITARY
SERVICE

“Cal U was exactly
the type of school
I needed.”

SAM
DIMATTEO ’10
Founder,
The SD Project
HUMANITARIAN
AWARD

“Without the
help of (many
others), we
couldn’t do this.”

DR. JOHN
KALLIS ’75, ’80
Emeritus dean,
emeritus professor,
Cal U
JOHN R. GREGG
AWARD FOR LOYALTY
AND SERVICE

“Professors
polished you to
be a leader in
the community.”

JAMES
GWYER ’89

SHELETA
CAMARDA-WEBB ’89, ’94

Investment
professional

Director of
Multicultural Affairs
and Diversity
Education, Cal U

PROFESSIONAL
EXCELLENCE
AWARD

DIVERSITY AND
INCLUSION
LEADERSHIP AWARD

“We were
expected to
help others.”

“Wonderful
mentors … shined
a light on my path.”

DR. FRED
SAMMONS ’51
Inventor and
business owner
LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD

“I’ve built a
career developing
things that
people needed.”

JEFF
LYND ’09
Teacher, donated
a kidney to a
fellow Pittsburgh
Penguins fan
ILLUSTRIOUS
CALIFORNIAN
AWARD

“I’m just lucky
I’m healthy
enough.”

SUMMER 2019

ERIC
KUSH ’12

23

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

GEM STATE
SHOWCASE

T

he Idaho State Museum is a newly
buffed jewel. The Boise museum
reopened in fall 2018 after a fouryear, $16 million renovation that added
18,000 square feet of new exhibit space.
Officials expect 115,000 visitors in the
first year.
The Origins Gallery tells the story of
Idaho’s five federally recognized Native
tribes and the region’s geological
beginnings. New exhibits devoted to
the vast landscapes and stories of Idaho
are told geographically through North,
Central and South Idaho galleries.
With a core mission of educating the state’s
K-12 students, the museum includes a large
classroom and an interactive Boomtown
Gallery, a space designed for children to
interact and play while learning.
Managing this thoroughly modern look
at Idaho’s past is Liz Hobson ’05, who
graduated from Cal U with a degree
in history.

TRICK SHOT

“As a museum administrator, I oversee the
staff and day-to-day operations,” Hobson

SPECIALIST
Trevor Consavage can match that
distance from his knees.

CAL U REVIEW

Consavage, of Tampa, Fla., is a professional
golf entertainer and owner of Macho Man
Entertainment Inc. His golf entertainment
shows include trick shots, instructional
clinics and power demonstrations.

24

“I pretty much try to find the hardest ways
to hit golf balls,” Consavage says. That
includes hitting golf balls through random
objects such as watermelons and sheets
of plywood.
He describes his act as like “the Harlem
Globetrotters of golf” and has used his
skills at charity outings and to entertain

troops at 35 U.S. Air Force bases all over
the world.
One of his more impressive tricks features
a chip shot from PGA Tour player John
Daly that Consavage blasts out of mid-air.
Consavage, who was a pitcher for the
Vulcans, majored in sport management
and took a few courses in Cal U's new
professional golf management program
before he graduated in 2006.
Then he took a job at the Grand Cypress
Resort in Orlando, Fla. While he was
joining one of his golf members for a
round, the member “asked me if I had
always hit the ball that far.”
He entered a long-drive tournament
three weeks later and won both the local
and the regional qualifiers, which landed
him a spot in the Re/Max World Long
Drive Championship.
That same golf member introduced
Consavage to Chi-Chi Rodriguez,

Hobson has worked at the Idaho State
Museum since early 2018.
She earned her master’s degree in public
history from Middle Tennessee State
University. Her experience includes an
internship at Harper’s Ferry National Historic
Park; work at a living history farm in Kansas;
research at the Women’s Rights National

Historical Park in Seneca Falls, N.Y.; and
interpretation and education management at
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area in
Lawrence, Kan.
“Those experiences allowed me to home in
on what I like about the field,” Hobson says.
“I knew this was a big job when I applied for
it, but those who knew me thought I would
excel at this role.”
“I enjoy the engagement with visitors and
partnerships with other organizations.” 

CLO ‘DREAM JOB’

A

a Hall of Fame golfer who was
known for his showmanship and
skill during his playing days.

s office spaces go, Sidney
Popielarcheck’s is a dandy — the
Benedum Center for the Performing
Arts, in the Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

“Chi-Chi and I really hit it off, and he
told me that my abilities and hand-eye
coordination were better suited to golf
entertainment and exhibitions.”

Popielarcheck ’18 isn’t on stage, but she’s
one of the reasons patrons pack the house
for the Pittsburgh CLO’s Summer Season.

Consavage started small, doing only
five to eight shows per year starting
in 2007. He formed Macho Man
Entertainment in 2011 to pursue
entertainment as a full-time career.
These days, Consavage performs
at up to 130 events per year.
“I’m living the dream,” he says. 

SEE FOR YOURSELF
Watch golf entertainer Trevor
Consavage ’06 make one of his
trademark shots at calu.edu/review.

As communications coordinator for the
theater organization, she helps the CLO
promote its summertime shows at the
Benedum, year-round performances at the
CLO Cabaret, and its holiday production
of A Musical Christmas Carol at the
Byham Theater.
She describes it as a dream job that
combines two loves: theater and marketing.
“My favorite days are when we open a
new show. I’m responsible for uploading
show photos to our website and building
email blasts that go to over 80,000 patrons,”
she says.
“Watching the show we’ve been working
so hard to put up makes it all worth it.”
When she came to Cal U as a theater
major, Popielarcheck envisioned a career
on the stage.
“I love performing, but I’ve always been
interested in the behind-the-scenes aspect of
theater. When I started to discover that I was
interested in marketing, I asked Dr. (Michele)

Pagen if I could run the theater program’s
social media accounts,” she recalls.
“I also picked up some marketing and
communication classes along the way.”
In 2017, Popielarcheck completed a
marketing and public relations internship
with the CLO. She started there full time on
the Monday after Commencement.
“Take advantage of every opportunity,” she
advises. “I wouldn’t have gotten this job
without the internship.”
And she wouldn’t have wanted the internship
without some exploration at Cal U.
“Even up until my junior year, I wanted to
perform,” Popielarcheck says. “It’s OK if you
aren’t sure what you want to do yet.
Try everything.
“It is amazing to work in the Benedum
Center every day,” she adds. “This is my
dream job, and you can have one, too!” 
By Wendy Mackall
Communications director at Cal U

SUMMER 2019

S

tanding
upright,
the best
golfers on the
PGA Tour can
drive a golf ball
at least 300 yards.

says. “I work with each area — collections,
exhibits, education and visitor services —
to help the museum succeed.”

25

SPORTS ROUNDUP

LILLEY FIELD RENOVATIONS COMPLETE

V

“We’re very excited to have the field coming back, so we can play our
home games here on campus,” says athletic director Dr. Karen Hjerpe.

Renovations included regrading the playing field, upgrading electrical
systems, and installing a new press box, bleachers, batting cage, warning
track and dugouts.

Support softball and all our Vulcans teams on Cal U’s second
annual Athletics Day of Giving. For details, visit calu.edu/athletics-give.

CAL U REVIEW

Overall, Cal U Athletics has
compiled a GPA of 3.10 or higher
for 18 of the past 19 semesters.

26

The women’s volleyball team
earned the highest team GPA this
spring, at 3.66. On the men’s side,
the golf team posted the highest
GPA, at 3.44.

The Vulcans made their 15th PSAC
Tournament appearance in the past 19
years under head coach Mike Conte,
who was named PSAC-West Coach of
the Year and the National Collegiate
Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA)
Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
First baseman Eric Fairman was tabbed
PSAC-West Player of the Year, and right
fielder Patrick Brogan collected PSACWest Freshman of the Year honors.
Fairman batted .370, with a schoolrecord 44 stolen bases and 10 home
runs, a .669 slugging percentage and
42 RBI. A middle-level education major
with a 3.66 GPA, he was a College

Distance runner Kyle Tumpak
also earned all-conference status,
with second-place finishes in the
1,500- and 800-meter runs.

Lilley Field is named for Thomas Lilley, whose 82-acre farm was purchased in
the mid-1930s by the forerunner of Cal U’s nonprofit Student Association Inc.

Collectively, Cal U student-athletes
earned a 3.26 cumulative gradepoint average for the spring
semester, with 23 student-athletes
scoring a perfect 4.0.

Cal U’s baseball team finished the year
with a 37-15 overall record and a 19-9
PSAC-West mark, both school records
for a single season.

Means will be remembered for
a regular-season meet at Duke
University, where he broke a 28-year
conference record in the 200 meters
with a time of 21.01 seconds.

“We have a great following for women’s softball, and the improvements
provide a great atmosphere for our student-athletes, parents and other
spectators who come to watch our team compete.”

Our Vulcans are scholars, as well
as players.

Jae’Len Means ’19
ended his collegiate
running career this
spring by repeating
as PSAC champion
in both the 100- and
200-meter dashes,
and earning a combined eight
individual conference titles in the
60-, 100- and 200-meter events.
The speedy Vulcan also made
his fourth appearance in the
NCAA Division II Track and Field
Championships, finishing 18th.
Previously, he earned All-America
status twice, both times in the
200-meter run.

ulcans softball comes home to California after a major
renovation at Lilley Field. The updated facility at Roadman
Park, on Cal U’s upper campus, will be rededicated at 11 a.m.
Sept. 21 as part of Family Weekend activities.

191 SCORE SPOT ON
AD’S HONOR ROLL

COACH FIELDS HONORS AS
BASEBALL SETS RECORDS

The men’s golf team made its
12th consecutive appearance
in the NCAA Division II Atlantic/
East Regional Championship this
spring. Cal U was regional host of
the event at Totteridge Golf Club in
Greensburg, Pa.
Ryan Smith, a first-team allconference selection, led the
Vulcans to a 17th-place regional
finish by tying for 10th place in a
field of more than 100 golfers.
He and teammate Austin Smith
each earned five top-20 finishes in
2018-2019.

Brogan batted .338, with 14 extra-base
hits and a .989 fielding percentage.
Centerfielder Ben Maudie joined
Fairman and Brogan as first-team allconference selections, while second
baseman Nico Marchetti, pitcher Nick
Riggle and catcher Kristian Webb
earned second-team honors.

ALL-AMERICA HONORS FOR
SOFTBALL PITCHER

On the women’s
side, Alicia Collier
won the 100-meter
dash at the PSAC
Championship
and earned
all-conference
recognition for finishing third
in the 200-meter dash.

MEN’S GOLF
HOSTS REGIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP

Sports Information Directors of
America (CoSIDA) third-team
Academic All-American.

Softball standout Taylor Robblee’s fine allround play earned her National Fastpitch
Coaches Association (NFCA) First-Team AllAmerica honors as a utility player/pitcher.
On the mound she won 10 games and
finished second among all PSAC pitchers
with a 1.75 ERA and team-high 77 strikeouts.
At the plate she batted .382, with nine home
runs, a .765 slugging percentage, 22 RBI, 19
runs and 20 extra-base hits.

Another standout for the women’s
team was Divonne Franklin, who
earned all-conference honors with
a second-place finish in the 200meter dash and finished fourth in
the 100 meters.

Robblee and catcher Brooke Wilson received
all-conference honors for the second straight
year; they were joined by pitcher/infielder
Emily Dowling.

GOLFER QUALIFIES FOR
POST-SEASON PLAY
For the second consecutive year,
women’s golfer Sarah Suazo qualified
individually for the NCAA Division II East
Super Region Championships and was
named PSAC Athlete of the Year.

She finished the super-region contest
tied for 45th place.
In the past two years Suazo has scored
15 top-10 finishes, with six medalist
performances.
Golfer Rachel Wilson was the PSAC Freshman
of the Year, with three top-15 finishes.

SUMMER 2019

HOME FIELD

TRACK STAR ENDS RUN
AT TOP OF CONFERENCE

27

SPORTS PROFILE

GIVE TO CAL U

stronger,
faster,
safer
B

efore the athletes from CanonMcMillan High School take the field,
an award-winning strength and
conditioning coach makes sure they are
training safely.

At Canon-McMillan, Marnich writes,
develops and implements training programs
for 14 boys and girls teams. The goal: to
improve young athletes’ strength, power,
speed, flexibility and mobility.

Bill Marnich has worked for the school
district since 2015, when he earned his
Cal U master’s degree in exercise science
and health promotion, with a concentration
in performance enhancement and
injury prevention.

ON THE FIELD

He recently was named the Pennsylvania
High School Strength and Conditioning
Coach of the Year by the National High
School Strength and Conditioning
Association (NHSSCA).

CAL U REVIEW

Schools in the South frequently employ
strength coaches for their teenage athletes,
and scholastic coaches are gaining ground
in other parts of the country, as well.

28

“The award validates what we are doing (at
Canon-McMillan), but more than anything I
hope it validates to other high schools that
strength and conditioning is a position of
need, especially to teach safety and proper
lifting techniques,” says Marnich, who also
owns an online training business, Training
with a Why.
“Most kids are going to lift weights on their
own anyway, and it’s a very safe thing to do if
you do it properly.”

Physical training has always been part of
Marnich’s life. He was born with a condition
that prevented the bones below his left knee
from growing correctly, and he was fitted
with his first prosthetic when he was just
9 months old.
He grew up to be captain of Ringgold
High School’s football team. He played
for two years as a defensive lineman at
Waynesburg University before knee injuries
shifted him to the sidelines as a student
assistant coach.
Marnich’s interest in strength and
conditioning was piqued in high school,
where the strength coach was Phil
Vitalbo, who now runs Cal U’s strength
and conditioning program with coach
Bobby Sepesy.
While finishing his bachelor’s degree at
Waynesburg, Marnich landed an internship
with Sepesy and Vitalbo at California. He
joined them as a graduate assistant for the
2014-2015 academic year, while he earned
his Cal U master’s degree online.
Vitalbo says Marnich made his own success.

“When I first started working with Bill, he
was very interested in all the intricacies
of strength training – and because of his
injuries, he was always trying to get ahead of
the game. He was so diligent with even the
littlest of things to better himself every day.”
Marnich says he’s found his niche
working with high school athletes, and
Canon-McMillan’s athletic director, Frank
Vulcano Jr. ’85, ’87, is glad he did.
“Bill is really a big help to both our studentathletes and our coaches, who are very
pleased with how he works with the kids
during their seasons and in the off-seasons,”
says Vulcano, a member of Cal U’s Athletic
Hall of Fame.
“What he’s doing is top-level. He has
organized what was weight-lifting into a
quality strength and conditioning program.” 
By Bruce Wald ’85
information writer at Cal U

Exercise
Science
Learn more about Cal U’s
online programs in exercise
science and health promotion at:
calu.edu/exercise-science

A legacy

of

literature
Estate gift enhances collection at Manderino Library

D

avid Argent met James Demcheck
in the mid-1980s, when the
North Allegheny Senior High
School teacher came to Argent’s middle
school class to recruit for an Honors
English course.
“We stayed in touch after I graduated from
high school — he was at my wedding and all
of my college graduations,” says Argent, a
fisheries and wildlife professor at Cal U.
Demcheck, who died in October 2018,
graduated from Cal U in 1969, something
Argent didn’t learn about his dear friend
until 2012.
“I think we bonded because I was born in
England, and he was a bit of an Anglophile,”
Argent says. “He had a passion for
Shakespeare and the English war poets.”
Over the years, as Demcheck traveled the
world, he acquired a collection of books,
magazines, CDs and DVDs, many of them
rare or obscure titles.

“He wanted the collection to stay together,”
says Argent, who became the administrator
of Demcheck’s estate. “I suggested Cal U.”
Now, more than 600 titles have been added
to Manderino Library’s collection.
The endowed James H. Demcheck
Memorial Scholarship Fund also has been
established to help with student-teaching
expenses for Cal U students who are
studying secondary education with an
English concentration.
“(Demcheck’s) collection of Shakespeare
and English literature books will be a great
resource to English scholars,” says Douglas
Hoover, dean of Library Services. Other
topics include travel, opera and history.
“We are happy to have it – these types of
donations help the library to build a wellrounded collection that better serves the
California University community.” 
By Wendy Mackall
Communications director at Cal U

How to donate
To support a scholarship
or make a gift to Cal U,
contact the Office of
University Development
and Alumni Relations at
724-938-5775 or email
Vice President Tony Mauro
at mauro@calu.edu.

SUMMER 2019

Award-winning strength coach trains young athletes

29

60s
Nancy Herr
Schleicher ’69,
of Deltona, Fla.,
provides a living
biography, in
costume, of Dolly
Madison to local
organizations in Volusia County. She retired
10 years ago after teaching elementary
school for 39 years. She served two years as
president of the Deltona Civic Association.
Nancy was a member of the Deltona
Incorporation Feasibility Study Committee
and served four years as a city commissioner
and one year as vice mayor of Deltona. She
is a member of Deltona’s Wall of Fame for
service to the city and local organizations.

70s
George Howarth ’74 and Kathleen Howarth
’74 are retired and living in Dothan, Ala.
George was a microbiology supervisor at
Monongahela Valley Hospital. Kathleen was
an elementary teacher at Monessen (Pa.)
City School District and previously taught
at Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic School
in Monessen.

CAL U REVIEW

SISTER ACTS

30

Sisters Samantha Bochna ’12
and Becca Bochna ’18 work for
the Walt Disney Co. in Orlando,
Fla. During Samantha’s final
semester at Cal U, she was
accepted into the Disney College
Program, and after completing
the program she joined the
entertainment department
as a character performer. The
former sport management
major lives in Kissimmee, Fla.
Becca, who earned associate and
bachelor’s degrees in graphics
and multimedia, also completed
the Disney College Program.
She is a photo pass photographer
for the company and lives in
Winter Garden, Fla.

Barry Pichard ’75 retired as elementary
principal for Brevard County Schools, in
Florida. During his career, he taught in
schools in West Virginia and Florida. He
and Darla Pichard live in Palm Bay, Fla.
Barry majored in elementary education
and was in the men’s glee club at Cal U.
Mark Caffrey ’78 retired from his position as
a wrestling coach at McGuffey High School,
in Claysville, Pa. He posted a 417-108 record
at McGuffey and is one of four Western
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League
coaches with 400 or more victories.

80s
L. Francis Hanlin ’83 retired from the Warren
County Adult Probation Department as
deputy chief. He and his wife, Becky, now
live in Henderson, Nev. At Cal U he majored
in business administration and was a
member of the cross country team.
Steve Johnson ’87 is acting president and
chief executive officer of Cornerstone
Television Network, a Christian media
ministry based in Wall, Pa.
Paul Allison ’89 is associate vice president
for information technology at Cal U. He
majored in computer science and industrial
management at Cal U and has worked in
higher education technology for almost
20 years.

Marc Mascara ’87 is director of the
customer communications advisory service
at Keypoint Intelligence - InfoTrends. He is
responsible for conducting market research
and analysis, forecasting market growth,
handling client care, and covering industry
events in the customer communications
market. Marc studied industrial
management technology at Cal U.

90s

technology at Liberty Middle School, has
spent 23 years in education, and has been
with Hanover since 2016.
Kathy Polakovsky Grosser ’94 celebrated
20 years as a disability insurance claims
manager for Cigna Group Insurance. She
and Nathan Grosser live in Greensburg, Pa.
Christopher Reed ’97 is vice president
of client management in southeastern
Pennsylvania for WSFS Bank. He majored
in psychology at Cal U.
Jeff St. Clair ’97,
a church planter,
launched Longleaf
Church in St. Johns,
Fla., with 600
people in April
2019.

Frank Pelesky ’90 was seeking a position
on the Somerset County (Pa.) Board of
Commissioners. He works in the personal
care and Alzheimer’s unit at Laurel View
Village in Davidsville, Pa.
Ed Victor ’90 was a candidate for Luzerne
Township (Pa.) supervisor. He majored in
business administration at Cal U and has
more than 30 years of business experience
in the lumber, fabrication and technology
industries.
Eric Scholl ’90 is the public address
announcer for the men’s and women’s
basketball teams at Yale University. He
was the announcer for the 2019 men’s
and women’s NCAA Ivy League basketball
tournament. Eric also has been the
announcer for some Yale men’s and
women’s lacrosse and baseball games.
John Blicha ’91 was promoted to
senior director of global marketing and
communications for Eriez, a leader in
separation technologies for manufacturing.
He earned his master’s degree in business
administration from Cal U.
Nino Sapone ’92 is the deputy airport director
of operations and maintenance at the Bishop
International Airport in Flint, Mich.
Sherri Fredlock ’92, ’93 is on the board of
directors of the Children’s League, having
worked previously for the organization as
a speech pathologist. Sherri co-owns C&S
Fredlock Funeral Home and lives in Oakland,
Md. Her degrees are in education and
speech language pathology.
Dr. John Cornish II ’73, ’85, ’93 has been
inducted into the Water Ski & Wake Sports
Foundation Hall of Fame with the award
of distinction for his work in the discipline
of barefoot water skiing. He retired from
education after 40 years as a teacher,
principal, superintendent and Intermediate
Unit executive director.
Mara Bauer Lambert ’94 was named teacher
of the year in the Hanover County (Va.)
Public Schools. She teaches instructional

Greg Boggs ’92, ’97 is the head football
coach at Frazier High School in Perryopolis,
Pa. He is a teacher in the Belle Vernon Area
(Pa.) School District.
Amanda Nickeson ’99 is director
of development for Harbor Branch
Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic
University. She studied geography and
regional planning at Cal U and lives in
Vero Beach, Fla.
Sonja Simpson ’98, ’99 is office manager
for the Columbus, Ohio, operation of
Michael Baker International, a provider
of engineering, planning and consulting
services. She joined the company after
working for the Ohio Department of
Transportation.

00s
Chad Ewing ’02 is a technical service
manager for HPC, a gas fire pit manufacturer
based in Dayton, Ohio. He studied computer
science and computer information systems
at Cal U.
The Rev. Scott Gallagher ’02 was a
candidate for the Gateway School Board,
Allegheny County, Pa. The district serves the
communities of Monroeville and Pitcairn.
Courtney Jacobs ’03 is a sales representative
for Morefield Communications. He earned
his master’s degree in business
administration from Cal U.
Patrick Dennison ’03 is a partner with Fisher
Phillips LLP and is one of three partners
opening the firm’s Pittsburgh office. He
defends clients in the areas of occupational
and mine safety and health. Patrick’s wife
is Desiree Bronder Dennison ’04.

CAL U AT THE POLE
The Review was thrilled when Michael Penn ’92, a teacher in the Shaler Area
School District, told us he would be one of 11 teachers in the United States to
participate in PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating)
for six weeks. As a ‘cool’ bonus, he offered to take a little bit of Cal U to Antarctica
during the educational experience, which partners science teachers with
academic researchers involved in polar science research. In Antarctica, Michael
was based at both McMurdo Station and South Pole Station. His team installed
automatic weather stations to collect information about weather conditions and
measurements that are used by meteorologists and climate scientists.

Aaron Nelson ’04 is an athletic trainer for
the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA.
Jordan Ochoa ’05 is assistant vice president
and trust investment officer for Somerset
Trust Co. At Cal U he majored in business
administration with a concentration in
management. Jordan and Carrie Ochoa
live in Johnstown, Pa.
Angel Mason ’07 is director of athletics
at Berry College, Georgia. She earned her
master’s degree in sport management
from Cal U.
Jermaine Moye ’07 is CEO of Grynd athletic
company in Morgantown, W.Va. He majored
in liberal arts and played baseball and
football at Cal U.
Justin Leader ’05, ’07 is vice president
of business development for Benefit Design
Specialists in Mechanicsburg, Pa. He
majored in biology and in exercise science
and health promotion at Cal U. He and
Kimberly Leader live in Hummelstown, Pa.
Derek Oberlander ’08 is superintendent of
SCI Forest, responsible for overseeing 655
employees and 2,300 inmates at the state

correctional institution in Forest County, Pa.
Kevin McKiernan ’08 is principal at North
Hills High School in Ross Township, Pa.
Bethany Gronsky ’09 is a CAD designer
for Adalet PLM in Cleveland, Ohio. Bethany
studied industrial technology at Cal U and
participated in track and field. She and
Derek Gronsky live in North Olmsted, Ohio.
Carl Jay ‘08, ’09, of Carrollton, Texas, is
an associate podiatric surgeon at Complete
Foot and Ankle Care of North Texas, P.A. He
earned his degrees in biology and in exercise
science and health promotion. At Cal U, he
was a residence life director, played football,
and was in the Wildlife Society, Chemistry
Club and Equestrian Club.

10s
Aaron Spina ’11 is associate director of
admissions at Harrisburg University of
Science and Technology. Aaron, who lives
in Harrisburg, Pa., majored in business
administration at Cal U and was active
with Future Business Leaders of America.

SUMMER 2019

MILESTONES

31

Erin Sulkosky ’10 is a brand ambassador
for Rodan + Fields. She majored in business
administration. Erin was involved in the
marching band at Cal U. She and her
husband, Richard Altman, live in Derry, Pa.
Carlos Daniel ’10 is the strength and
conditioning coach for Vanderbilt University
in Nashville, Tenn. Previously, he was
assistant strength and conditioning coach
for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. He earned
his Cal U master’s degree in exercise science
and health promotion.
Samantha Hudeck ’11 is manager of
administrative services for FeneTech Inc.,
a software supplier for the window
manufacturing industry.
Meghan Bielich ’11 is the director of
basketball operations/assistant to the
head coach for the West Virginia University
women’s basketball team. Meghan earned
her master’s degree in sport management.

Mercedes Himmons ’10, ’11 is an assistant
athletic trainer and clinical instructor at
Cal U. As an athletic training and exercise
science and health promotion major,
Mercedes, of Canonsburg, Pa., was in
Phi Sigma Pi, the Athletic Training Club,
and was an orientation leader.
Cody Elias ’12 is a morning show
producer for 95.7 The Game in San
Francisco, Calif. Cody, who majored in
communication studies, and Dina Marvulli
live in San Jose, Calif.
Samuel Silva ’12, of Uniontown, Pa., is
head audio engineer for Apex Touring,
based in Fort Myers, Fla. He majored in
theater at Cal U.
Nate Wright ’12 and Steve Ventura ’12
perform with the Mon Valley Push, a polka
band based in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The band is led by Dr. Frank Stetar, co-chair
of the Department of Music and Theatre
at Cal U. Another member is former Cal U
administrator Barry Niccolai ’93, executive
director of Centerville Clinics.

Kimberly Kestner ’12 works for Novant
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and is
a personal trainer and yoga instructor.
She majored in exercise science and
health promotion at Cal U.
Jacob “Ryan” Stout ’13 lives in Steubenville,
Ohio. He majored in secondary education
at Cal U.
Jesse Byrd ’13 is a quality control coach for
the University of Miami (Fla.) football program.
Hope Stinson Pistner ’13, a former
communication disorders major, and
Jacob Pistner ’14 live in Clearfield, Pa.
Hope was in Alpha Sigma Alpha and the
Speech and Hearing Club at Cal U.

CAL U REVIEW

32

David Winfrey ’17 is director of transportation
for the Uniontown (Pa.) Area School District.

Stephanie Anderson ’13 is the head
women’s basketball coach at Fairmont State
University, in West Virginia. She majored in
biology and played basketball at Cal U.
Adam Fantone ’13 is the principal at
Springfield Elementary School in the
Fort Mill School District, S.C. He joined
Fort Mill in 2010 as a teacher at Orchard
Park Elementary School and was assistant
principal at Doby’s Bridge Elementary School.

Kristin Bomboy ’18 is pursuing a master’s
degree in biology at Indiana University
of Pennsylvania. She holds a bachelor’s
degree in environmental science with a
concentration in fisheries and wildlife
from Cal U.

Luke Pleta ’14, of Atlanta, Ga., is an
investment banking associate for the
Lenox Group. He majored in business
administration at Cal U, with a concentration
in finance and accounting.

Michelle Ritzler ’18 was a candidate for
district judge in Clarion County, Pa. She
studied applied criminology at Cal U.

Ashlaa Zuniga ’15 is the girls basketball
coach in the Waxahachie Independent
School District, Texas. She earned her
master’s degree in sport management
from Cal U.

The Vulcans baseball office now displays a jersey worn by the late Bruce Dal
Canton ’63 when he was the pitching coach for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans from
1999-2008. Steve Russell ’70 (right), general chairman of the Mid Mon Valley All
Sports Hall of Fame, presented the jersey to Vulcans head baseball coach Mike
Conte and athletics director Dr. Karen Hjerpe. After winning 51 games in the
Major Leagues, Bruce enjoyed a 26-year coaching career with the Atlanta Braves
organization. His 1.30 ERA for the Vulcans in 1962 remains a single-season school
and conference record.

Nia Sullivan ’16, a social work major, lives in
Columbus, Ohio, with Olli Tähtinen. At Cal U,
Nia was involved in Student Government, the
Cal Singers, Alpha Phi Omega and the Social
Work Association.

Mikayla “Miki” Glenn ’17 is an assistant
women’s basketball coach at Fairmont
State University. She majored in chemistry
at Cal U. Miki and Jessica Self Glenn ’16
live in Core, W.Va. Jessica majored in
environmental science at Cal U.

Patrick Weber ’15 is the assistant high
school principal and athletic director
in the North Hills (Pa.) School District.
He earned his principal certification and
master’s degree in educational leadership
from Cal U.

KEEPSAKE FINDS A HOME

Benjamin Bevevino ’16 was named assistant
coach of the year in the South/Southeast
region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross
Country Coaches Association. Benjamin is
a coach for Texas Lutheran University.
He earned his master’s degree in exercise
science and health promotion.

Leah Zerbe ’16 won a Women in
Conservation Award from PennFuture,
a nonprofit statewide conservation
organization. She was named the 2019
Woman of Environmental Media, Marketing
and Communications. Leah is a senior
editor for Dr. Axe, an online natural health
and wellness company, and a former
environmental health journalist at Rodale
Publishing. A personal trainer, she earned
her master’s degree in exercise science
and health promotion from Cal U.
Carla Gardner ’16, ’17, of Huntington Beach,
Calif., is a personal trainer, wellness coach
and exercise specialist for Infinite Wellness
Lifestyles in Huntington Beach.

ANNIVERSARY
Bruce Broglie ’68 and Mary Piccioni Broglie
’69, who met and fell in love at California
State College, celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary. Bruce was an industrial arts/
technology education teacher at Steel Valley
High School, and Mary was an English
teacher at Bethel Park Senior High School,
both in Pennsylvania. They have two children
and six grandchildren.

IN PRINT
Danielle Desmond ’11 published her first book of poetry,
Afternoon Tea, using the pen name Orielle Muin. Her work
covers topics from love and pain to faith, femininity and
empowerment, community, and spirituality. Danielle
earned her degree in elementary education and works
for the Fox Chapel (Pa.) Area School District.

Dr. Selina Matis ’06, ’07, ’12, an instructor in the Social
Work Department at Cal U, has co-authored a book,
The Social Work Field Placement. This core text helps BSW
and MSW students structure their field placement learning
around the nine professional social work competencies
of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

On the Mon, a publication by Dr. John Kent Folmar I,
emeritus professor of history, features the index of
Voice of the Mon, the publication of the Monongahela
River Buffs Association. Voice of the Mon was published
from 1979-2015, with Folmar as its editor from 1981-2015.
The book is published by Yohogania Press, California, Pa.

David Orange ’70 is the author of Forever Stained.
David majored in education at Cal U and also played
baseball. He has twice co-starred on Broadway, had
several guest-star roles on episodic television shows,
and performed in 300 TV commercials.

ENGAGEMENT
Eric Spurlin ’11 and Trisha Runtich ’11, ’13
are engaged. This Cal U couple is planning
a June 2020 wedding in the Dominican
Republic. Eric is the supervisor at Trupar
America, and Trisha is a special education
teacher with Intermediate Unit 1. They live
in West Newton, Pa.

James Kwiatkowski ’13 and Shannen
Skursha ’16 were married in September
2018. James is a steamfitter for Local
449, and Shannen is a recruiter at UPMC.

WEDDINGS
Tiffany Harris ’13 and Tell Vickers were
married in March 2019. Tiffany majored in
fine arts at Cal U.
Skye Sankey ’11, ’17 and Adrian Walcott
were married June 2, 2019. Skye is a fitness
and nutrition professional in the Tampa, Fla.,
area. At Cal U, she was a member of the
track and field program and the Bodybuilding
and Fitness Club. She has degrees in sport
management and exercise science.

SUMMER 2019

MILESTONES

33

MILESTONES

2 N D A N N UA L

REMEMBRANCE

IN MEMORIAM
Charles E. “Chuck” Anderson,* former Cal U
employee
Marilyn Coyle Ecoff Anderson ’70
Todd Battung, M.D. ’97
Edward E. Blacka Sr.*
Joseph K. Caldwell ’74
Thomas Leslie Carter Jr. ’70
Iva Kay Conjelko ’64, ’72
Bruce A. Cook ’63
Dr. Robert DiSibio ’67, ’70
Joseph M. Domjancic ’72
David G. Dubinsky ’67
David J. Dyky ’74
OraLee Foringer ’68
Cherryl Illene Swenson Forsythe ’81
Dr. Catherine R. Russell Gira ’53
Patrick R. Glott ’49
Rebekah Jane Greely
Beatrice “Bea” Brown Imbrogno ’61
Dr. David L. Johnson ’74, emeritus faculty,
Physical Science Department
Brian Knapp ’15
Donella “Donna” Kraft ’78
Emily “Jeannette” Brownfield Long ’78
James Todd Macdonald ’87
Ian James Marks ’15
Joseph R. Markulike Sr. ’64
Dr. Charles Martoni ’71, ’74
Jacqueline Henretty McCardell ’71

Elmo Natali ’53 died May 28, 2019,
at age 92. He held many positions
at California before he retired from
the University in 1992. In 2018, Cal U
awarded him an honorary doctorate
in recognition of his dedication to
students, his decades of service to
the University and his lasting legacy.
From 1962-1966 he was a professor
of education and assistant football
coach at California State College.
After a brief stint at Community
College of Broward County, Fla., he
returned to California in 1967 to
rejoin the football staff and work
with students as assistant dean of
men and then dean of men, a role
he held for seven years. He became

James M. Mullen ’72
Virginia Gene Bennati Niemela ’47
Amanda Scott Pauls*
Yvonne M. Popielarczyk,* former custodian
Roxanne Leigh Russell ’90
David Paul Schubert*
Joseph Edward Spiker ’74
August Hale Vandermer ’60
Wallace J. Zielinski ’62

Cal U’s vice president for Student
Development in 1977. He received
many accolades during his career
at California, including the Alumni
Association’s 1983 John R. Gregg
Award for Loyalty and Service. The
University retired his football jersey
number, 34, and inducted him into
the inaugural class of the Cal U
Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. His
name and photo are visible in the
Elmo Natali Student Center.

Roberta Suzanne “Bertie” Zollars ’90
Grace Ann Zubricky ’52
*Graduation year unavailable or not on file
Setting the record straight: The Spring
2019 edition listed an incorrect graduation
date for the late Stanley “Nunnie” Milchovich.
According to the Office of Academic
Records, he received his B.S.Ed. in 1957.

A ND HOMEC OMI NG
WEEK END

O CTO B ER 1 1 –1 3, 2 01 9
Presented in partnership
with Visit Washington County, Pa.

FRIDAY
Class of 1969 Reunion
Vulcan Fest All-Alumni Reunion

SATURDAY
NEW! Vulcan Fest 5K Run/Walk
Party on the Patio

KEEP IN TOUCH!

SEND YOUR MILESTONES NEWS OR ADDRESS CHANGES TO:

Information is published as space and
deadlines allow. Please indicate on
another sheet what activities or sports you
participated in while you were a student.
We welcome high-resolution electronic
photographs. Please email images to
revieweditor@calu.edu; put the words
“Milestones photo” on the subject line
of your email, and be sure to tell us your
name, year of graduation and the identity
of everyone in the picture. Please do not
send computer printouts or low-resolution
digital photos, as they will not reproduce
well in this magazine.

map-marker-alt

Stay connected to the Cal U Alumni
Association’s online community!
Your personal ID number is on this
magazine’s mailing label.

Office of Alumni Relations
California University of Pennsylvania
250 University Ave., Box 89,
California, PA 15419.

NAME

envelope
fax

70th annual Homecoming Parade

alumni@calu.edu

Vulcan Fest Tailgate

724-938-5932

with Food Trucks and DJs

Vulcans Football
MAIDEN NAME

CLASS YEAR

Cal U vs. Kutztown

SUNDAY

ADDRESS

Explore Washington County
EMAIL

MAY WE LIST YOUR EMAIL ON OUR WEBSITE?

OCCUPATION

EMPLOYER

SPOUSE’S / PARTNER’S NAME

SPOUSE’S / PARTNER’S CLASS (IF CAL U GRAD)

www.visitwashingtoncounty.com

CALU.EDU/VULCAN-FEST

For complete schedule and details

250 University Ave., California, PA 15419-1394
www.calu.edu
A proud member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education

facebooklinkedin twitter

instagram

youtube

CONNECT WITH @CalUofPA

BACKYARD CELEBRATION
Cal U caps off the spring
semester with an outdoor
concert for students and
the local community.

NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CALIFORNIA
UNIVERSITY OF
PENNSYLVANIA

SEE THESE STORIES AND MORE AT CALU.EDU/REVIEW