FREDERICK
DOUGLASS
INSTITUTE

launches careers

The California University of Pennsylvania Magazine

CAL U REVIEW
SUMMER 2018 • VOL. 46 - NO. 2

The Cal U Review is published by the Office of Communications and Public
Relations and is distributed free. Third-class postage paid at California.

INTERIM CHANCELLOR

Dr. Karen M. Whitney
BOARD OF GOVERNORS

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Cynthia D. Shapira, chair
David M. Maser, vice chair; chair,
Student Success Committee
Samuel H. Smith, vice chair, Audit and
Compliance Committee
Sen. Ryan P. Aument
Audrey F. Bronson
Joar Dahn
Secretary of Policy and Planning
Sarah E. Galbally, governor's designee
Rep. Michael K. Hanna
Donald E. Houser Jr., vice chair,
Governance and Leadership
Committee
Rodney Kaplan Jr.
Barbara McIlvaine Smith

Marian D. Moskowitz, vice chair,
Student Success Committee
Thomas S. Muller, chair, University
Success Committee
Secretary of Education
Pedro A. Rivera
Sen. Judith L. Schwank
Harold C. Shields, chair, Governance and
Leadership Committee
Brian H. Swatt
Rep. Mike Turzai
Neil R. Weaver, vice chair, University
Success Committee
Governor Tom Wolf
Janet L. Yeomans

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Welcome Weekend is often my first opportunity to meet incoming students
and their families. As I talk with them on Move-In Day and at orientation
sessions, I’m always struck by the variety of individuals who make up our
Cal U community.
Our students come from rural areas, small towns and big cities across the
United States, and from dozens of other countries. Many are recent high
school graduates, but a growing number are adult learners who have decided
to finish a degree or add to their resume.
I meet students who are the first in their families to attend college and those
whose parents or grandparents are Cal U alumni. Some are student-athletes.
Some have served in the military. Some are eager to embrace the traditions
of campus life, while others are balancing their education with parenthood
and/or a career.
Whether they have chosen a field of study or are still exploring their options,
Cal U students are on a journey that has the power to change their lives.
No matter what they look like, where they come from, who they love or what
they believe, all are part of Vulcan Nation. Together with our faculty and
staff, they comprise a “diverse, caring and scholarly learning community,
dedicated to excellence.”
If empowered to reach their full potential, these future alumni will become
the next generation of informed, confident problem-solvers. In ways large
and small, they will change the world.
As the academic year begins, I am eager to meet more of the unique
individuals who make up our Cal U community. I can’t wait to hear their
stories – and yours, as well. Whether you’re a newcomer to Cal U or a
longtime alumnus, there are many reasons to visit campus this fall. I look
forward to welcoming you.
With warmest wishes,

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
COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES

Annette Ganassi, chair
James T. Davis ’73, vice chair
Roberta M. Betza
Sarah R. Cassin ’97
Sean T. Logue

Larry Maggi ’79
Michele M. Mandell ’69
Thomas Uram
Dr. Karen M. Whitney, interim
chancellor, ex-officio

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ashley (Baird) Roth ’10, ’12, president
Dante Morelli ’02, vice president
Robert Crall ’10, ’12, secretary
Justin Binion ’11, treasurer
Jesse Hereda ’04, immediate past
president
Alisha Carter ’06, ’11
Shelly (Fetchen) DiCesaro ’94

Mindi (D’Auria) Fisher ’07
Brendan Garay ’15, ’16
David Gwyer ’65
Erica McDill ’92
Melissa McKean ’07
Marc Quann ’88
Bryan Schuerman ’09, ’16
Tim Susick ’76, ’78

LIFETIME HONORARY MEMBERS

Paul Gentile ’62
Anthony Lazzaro ’55

Michael Napolitano ’68
George Novak ’55

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Geraldine M. (Johns) Jones ’72, ’80
Annette Ganassi
Anthony Mauro ’92, ’93

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

SAI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Hope Cox, ’00, ’01, alumna
Jessica Crosson, undergraduate
Justin DiPerna, ’16, alumnus
Dillon Gaudet, undergraduate
Omobukola Inegbenijie, undergraduate
Ryan Jerico, ’09, alumnus
Jeromy Mackey, undergraduate

Raven Reeves, undergraduate
Ashley Roth, ’10, ’12, alumna
Bryan Schuerman, ’09, ’16, alumnus
McKenna Swartzwelder, undergraduate
Marquis Washington, undergraduate
One vacancy

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Dr. Nancy Pinardi ’94, ’96, ’98, vice president for Student Affairs
Leigh Ann Lincoln, chief financial officer for SAI
Larry Sebek ’90, ’94, associate vice president for Student Affairs
FOUNDATION FOR CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Harry E. Serene ’65, president
Donald J. Thompson, secretary
Paul L. Kania ’87, treasurer
Armand E. Balsano ’74
William R. Booker ’74
Chester Chichin ’63
Yvonne Chichin
Therese J. Gass ’77
Alan K. James ’62
Zeb Jansante ’82, ’91

Jeffrey B. Jones
Robert E. Lippencott ’66
Reginald A. Long ’81
John A. Lorenzi ’15
Larry Maggi ’79
Frederick A. Retsch ’62
Anthony J. Saludis
Linda H. Serene ’64
Thomas P. Victor Jr. (student)

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

William R. Flinn II ’68, immediate past president
Geraldine M. Jones ’72, ‘80, University President
Anthony Mauro ’92, ’93, associate vice president for Development and Alumni Relations

Geraldine M. Jones
President, California University of Pennsylvania

CAL U REVIEW EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS

WRITERS

Christine Kindl

Zach Frailey
Greg Sofranko
Kelly Tunney

Wendy Mackall
Bruce Wald ’85
Kayla Kuntz

facebook.com/CalUofPA
linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19227
@CalUofPA
@CalUofPA

PAGE 8
A traveling exhibition at Manderino Library
delves into the World War II experience.

DEPARTMENTS
CAMPUS CLIPS

FEATURES



9–12

ALUMNI NEWS

18–19

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

22–23

SPORTS ROUNDUP

26–27

MILESTONES29–33

4
6

NEW HEAD
COACH FOR
MEN’S BASKETBALL
After leading one of the region's top
programs for more than a decade,
Danny Sancomb has joined the Cal U
community as head coach for the
men's basketball program.
Sancomb spent the past 11 seasons
as head coach at Wheeling Jesuit
University in West Virginia, where
he posted a 216-115 record and led
the Cardinals to three consecutive
NCAA Tournament appearances.
He succeeds Vulcans head coach
Kent McBride, who stepped down
to spend more time with his family.
"Danny (Sancomb) has a tremendous
history of coaching success," says
Cal U athletic director Dr. Karen Hjerpe.
“He brings incredible knowledge
of fundamentals, strategy and
recruiting. We are looking forward to
the start of the 2018-2019 season."

13
14
16

Launching pad for professors
At Cal U, Frederick Douglass Institute
scholars hone vital teaching skills.

One team
Service members and military veterans
find 'brothers and sisters' on campus.

Camera work
Alumnus keeps the cameras
rolling at the Olympic Games.

Prepared for success
Internships are steppingstones on
the pathway from college to career.

The journey begins
As graduates look ahead, a speaker
shares tales from his travels.

A NOTE TO OUR READERS
The Cal U Review is published three times a year to keep you updated with alumni news and
information from all four Colleges at California University. Both the current edition and back
issues, along with Cal U Review “extras,” are available online at calu.edu/review.
To stay updated, alumni may send their email address to alumni@calu.edu.
Email Milestones items to revieweditor@calu.edu.

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 3
n

Dr. Ayanna Lyles (left) director of
the Frederick Douglass Institute at
Cal U, talks with University President
Geraldine M. Jones, who was the
institute's first campus director.

Visiting scholars build teaching skills during a fellowship year

J

anie McClurkin had research
experience and scholarly
publications to her credit. She was
finishing her doctorate and headed toward
a career as a university faculty member.
But she needed to check one more box.
“I was looking for a position that
would give me teaching experience,
because my Ph.D. program was a research
assistantship. I knew that if I wanted to be
in academia and work at a larger school, I’d
need that experience,” McClurkin says.
She sharpened her skills at Cal U, where
she spent the 2015-2016 academic year
teaching science courses as a Frederick
Douglass Institute scholar.
The FDI fellowship is a component
of the Frederick Douglass Institute
Collaborative, a network of scholars at
each of the 14 schools in Pennsylvania’s
State System of Higher Education.
Named for the renowned AfricanAmerican orator and statesman, the
Frederick Douglass Collaborative focuses
on making each campus inclusive and
establishing connections among historically
underrepresented students and faculty.

4 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

Since 2003, California University’s
fellowship program has brought 16 FDI
scholars to campus, where they share their
talents and receive professional support
from experienced faculty as they prepare
for academic careers.
Cal U’s FDI director, Dr. Ayanna
Lyles, also works with faculty to bring in
speakers and organize activities such as
the Douglass Debate Society tournament
and roundtable discussions of diversity,
inclusivity and social justice issues.
McClurkin’s year in Cal U’s biology
department gave her the classroom
experience she needed. She now holds
a tenure-track position at Texas A&M
University.
“We recruit top-notch scholars,” Lyles
says. “They are well published before they
get here, so the opportunity at Cal U is to
hone their teaching skills and bring new
perspectives and insights to the University.”
Some of Cal U’s visiting scholars are
invited to fill openings at the University.
Here are the experiences of three faculty
members who first came to California
as FDI scholars.

Kelton Edmonds
This spring, the interaction between
a social media star and a social activist
galvanized students at Cal U’s 13th annual
Hip-hop Conference. It was precisely the
mix that historian Dr. Kelton Edmonds
strives for — a fresh, engaging way to foster
dialogue about much deeper subjects.
Edmonds, a professor in the Department
of History, Politics, Society and Law, created
the event when he came to California as an
FDI scholar, in 2005-2006.
Students love the conference because “it
meets them where they are,” Edmonds says.
“Hip-hop is probably the most
pervasive genre of music, so the idea was
to intellectualize that, pull back the layers,
look at the impact on society. The idea
is always to bring artists or a DJ — like
Common, or KRS-One or Mobb Deep —
and pair them up with scholars to tackle a
subject from a variety of angles.”
He also helps to coordinate Black
History Month programming each February.
“It all falls under diversity programming,”
says Edmonds, whose research pertains

to black student activism in the 1960s.
“Students need it. They need to be exposed
to (different) subcultures and regions and
mindsets and gender diversity.”
To that end, Edmonds has coordinated
a new minor in African American studies,
working with faculty in other departments
to teach courses in literature, media,
psychology, music and history.
“Students wanted it,” he says. “It’s
good to see them embracing the value
and benefits.”

Michelle Torregano
For 26 years, Dr. Michelle Torregano
was a teacher, principal and district
administrator in the New Orleans (La.)
Public Schools. In 2010-2011 she was
an FDI scholar. Now she’s an associate
professor in Cal U’s Department of
Childhood Education.
Torregano lived in New Orleans in 2005
during Hurricane Katrina — an experience
that influenced her personally, of course,
but also professionally, as the school
system was rebuilt after the disaster.
Her dissertation, “Clean Slate: Making
Sense of Public Education in the ‘NEW’
New Orleans,” addresses multicultural
education, educational policy and
equity for underrepresented groups, and

preparing pre-service teachers to
engage with diverse populations.
“I explain to my students what my
research deals with, and that what I’m
passionate about is going to come
through in my teaching,” she says.
She wants to prepare future teachers
for challenges they’re likely to face in a
21st-century classroom.
“I bring up issues of inequality to my
students, keep my opinions out of it, and
let them discuss it. I want them to have
a sense of empathy for the students they
may teach. And when they encounter
disparity in their classroom, what are they
going to do about it?”
Her desire to impact the future of
teaching led Torregano to shift her career
focus to higher education.
“This is my bliss,” she says. “I like the
idea of putting my imprint on what future
teaching is going to look like.”

Randy Tillmutt
Dr. Randy Tillmutt aced his shot.
“As an FDI scholar, you are a faculty
member — but you’re not,” says Tillmutt, a
music educator, pianist and conductor who
grew up in Kingston, Jamaica.
“I saw it as a one-year audition. It’s
not a guarantee that you’re going to keep

that position. But you could. So, is there
anything I can do to make that happen?”
How about writing, directing and
producing a musical?
Working with Cal U’s Young and Gifted
Gospel Choir, an extracurricular group that
did not have a faculty director, Tillmutt
brought Transformed — The Musical: The Story
of African-American Gospel Music to the stage.
Music Department chair Dr. Yugo Ikach
was in the audience.
“’What do you think about turning this
into a class?’” Tillmutt recalls Ikach asking.
“Of course I told him yes.”
University Gospel Choir is now a forcredit course, and Tillmutt continues to
direct the Young and Gifted choir. This
fall, in addition to teaching courses in
the commercial music technology major
and music minor, he also will direct the
University Choir.
“The opportunity to conduct a
university ensemble was always attractive
to me, because I had been in an ensemble
myself in college,” says Tillmutt, a former
elementary school music teacher.
“With a college choir, you can perform
more complex music, so that was exciting
and attractive for me.” 
By Wendy Mackall, communications
director at Cal U

Dr. Michelle Torregano
Dr. Randy Tillmutt
Dr. Kelton Edmonds

FREDERICK DOUGLASS INSTITUTE SCHOLARS

For a complete list of Cal U’s FDI scholars, visit calu.edu/review.

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 5
n

Veteran Don Fike, a geology
major, and Tahaney al-Balawi,
who's studying Arabic.

Office supports military students and veterans

T

ahaney al-Balawi is fluent in two languages.
A U.S. Navy veteran, she’s been an
interpreter and translator for both the
military and the Department of Defense, putting
her Arabic and English skills to use in locations
including the Navy’s support base in Bahrain.
But when she came to Cal U as a graduate
student, the words she appreciated most came
from the staff in the Office of Military and
Veterans Affairs.
“They were really welcoming, from the very first
email,” al-Balawi says. “It was completely different
from any other schools I contacted. I knew they were
going to be there for me.”
That’s the mission of the Office of Military and
Veterans Affairs, says director Robert Prah, a captain
in the Army Reserve. The office makes services
available to about 175 on-campus students who are
current or former service members, as well as nearly
500 military students, veterans and their dependents
enrolled in Cal U’s online degree programs.
“We want to build that sense of camaraderie,
of being part of something bigger,” Prah says.

6 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

“We are all like-minded,” adds Marine Corps
veteran Don Fike, a geology major and a former
student worker in the office. “It’s like a code: ‘one
team, one fight.’ We all help each other out.”
Active since the mid-1970s, the Office of
Military and Veterans Affairs moved last year to
a wing of Residence Hall E. A large American flag
welcomes students to a suite of rooms where they
can meet with Prah or assistant director Keith
Medley, a Navy veteran.
The pair helps student veterans apply for
benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. They assist
reserve and National Guard members who are
preparing to deploy or return to campus. And
they actively recruit new students, promoting
Cal U’s military-friendly atmosphere and
student support services.
“It’s the little things that count,” says Prah,
recalling a reception for graduating veterans
and military students.
“It meant a lot to our students that
President Jones was there. The support of
this administration makes Cal U special.”

“

These students…
still have that desire
to serve, to give back
to other people.
ROBERT PRAH

”

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MILITARY
AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Tangible benefits

The University works with veterans to
make best use of the education benefits
they’ve earned. And Cal U discounts tuition for
current and former service members from all
military branches, as well as their spouses and
eligible dependents, when they enroll through
the University’s Global Online division.
The financial support is critical, but
finding a strong, supportive peer group can
be equally important.
“Some of us have been through
experiences, like combat, that civilians don’t
understand. We find it easier talking to
another vet rather than a civilian,” Fike says.
“The military is like a sisterhood or
brotherhood,” al-Balawi explains. “When you
meet other veterans, automatically you click,
because you have that military background in
common. You know they’re always going to
help you out. You can rely on them.”
The transition to campus life can be
challenging for current and former service
members, whose experiences – and even age
– may set them apart from traditional college
students. When veterans first arrive in Prah’s
office, they often ask where they can meet
other vets.
Prah points to the lounge in Building E,
where students gather to discuss projects,
relax between classes or use computers
that can read the “smart” military ID cards
required to access benefits.

Another answer is the Veterans Club.
Active for more than 40 years, the student
organization is open to all former and current
service members. In addition to socializing,
club members raise scholarship funds, collect
toys for needy children and raise awareness
about important issues, such as suicide
among veterans.
“When you’re in the military you’re
always busy, seven days a week,” Prah says.
“When these students come back to school,
they want to find a group and get involved.
They still have that desire to serve, to give
back to other people.”

It’s one more way to build a cohesive,
inclusive community.
With his graduation date in sight, Fike
offers this advice to veterans just beginning
their Cal U journey:
“You do have support – you have us,
the other vets, on your side. Utilize it!” 
By Christine Kindl, VP for communications
and marketing at Cal U

Academic success

Military training is goal-oriented – and
for students, that goal is a college degree.
To recognize their academic achievements,
Prah brought the SALUTE Veterans National
Honor Society to campus.
August 2018 graduates al-Balawi and
Fike are among Cal U’s first inductees.
“It’s a big accomplishment, to be
recognized for academic excellence as
a veteran,” says al-Balawi, adding that
she’s proud to list her SALUTE lifetime
membership on her resume.
“I want my employer to see that.”
Both on-campus and online students
may qualify for the honor society, and for
scholarships earmarked for students with
military ties.
“Our online students want that
connection, too,” says Prah, who leads
campus tours for veterans who come to
California – often for the first time – to take
part in Commencement.
Another academic initiative aims to bring
older veterans to campus, especially those
from the Korean and Vietnam war eras. A
12-credit certificate program, scheduled to
start this winter, looks at the History of War,
Service and the American Experience.
It’s open to all Cal U students, Prah says.
And it will give veterans an opportunity to earn
an academic credential, even if military service
derailed their college plans decades ago.

Alumni, University friends, veterans
and their families are invited to attend
Families First, a fundraiser to benefit
the Commander Kerrie Gill Jr. Memorial
Family Scholarship for military families.
The event Oct. 5 at the Cal U
Convocation Center includes dinner
at 6 p.m. and an address by Denise
Rohan, Past National Commander
of the American Legion.
Separate tickets are available for
a pre-dinner Commanders Reception
at 4:30 p.m., where guests can meet
Rohan and other VIPs.
Ticket price is $25 per person,
plus $15 for the optional
Commanders Reception.
To order tickets or explore sponsorship
opportunities, contact Robert Prah,
director of the Office of Military
and Veterans Affairs, at
724-938-4076 or prah@calu.edu.

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 7
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EXHIBITION LOOKS BACK AT

Alumni, Cal U friends supplement
Heinz History Center collection

C

harlotte Glod Simmons’ big
brother Walter graduated
from California State Teachers
College in 1942, planning to begin his
career as a teacher.
Instead, he was drafted immediately
by the Army and sent to South Carolina
for training before being shipped
overseas to serve in World War II.
He died in combat on Sept. 14, 1944.
“He was involved in every activity
in California,” say Simmons, who
graduated from “Cal State” in 1949.
“It was a great loss to the family.”
To honor her brother, Simmons
has loaned family treasures to
Cal U to display in conjunction with
We Can Do It! WWII, a traveling
exhibition from the Senator John
Heinz History Center, an affiliate
of the Smithsonian Institution.
The items include a picture of her
two sisters visiting her brother’s grave
in France and a program describing
the dedication of a Hammond electric
organ to fallen Cal U students and all
students who served in the war.
Simmons also shared her
memories as part of a digital oral
history housed at the library.
In addition, visitors can learn
about the development of the jeep,
produced by the American Bantam
Car Co. in Butler, Pa., and hear stories
about Rosie the Riveter and local
Tuskegee Airmen.
Under the direction of William
Meloy, chair of the Department of
Library Services, and Daniel Zyglowicz,
archives and special collections

8 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
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technician, Cal U is displaying artifacts
from local history centers and World
War II items on loan from alumni, staff,
faculty and students.
“This is the first time I’ve been able
to discuss my brother’s service, and it
was hard to bring up the memories,”
says Simmons.
“I deliberated when I was asked
to do this. And then I thought, ‘I must
do it.’ There’s a reason for me being on
this Earth for 91 years — to bring back
some memories and let the feeling
come out that this was a great loss
of a loved one.”
Jean Hale, executive director of
community and corporate relations at
Cal U, shared her mother’s collection
of identification cards, dog tags and
troop assignments.
A scrapbook includes a remarkable
series of letters pertaining to her
father, Thomas L. Cuccaro: the first
to inform the family of his death, the
second to explain that the information
was unconfirmed, and the last to
state that he was alive but had been
taken prisoner.
“I have always felt that the letters
about my father’s presumed death,
and subsequent notifications sent to
my grandmother, represent some of
the most excruciating pain a mother
could ever feel.
“It just seemed like the right time
for me to share not only my dad’s
story, but my mother’s remarkable
stewardship of these materials.” 
By Wendy Mackall, communications
director at Cal U

SEE FOR YOURSELF
We Can Do It! WWII
is free to the public through Oct. 2
in Manderino Library. Hours are:

MON - THURS

FRI - SAT

SUN

NOON - 7 P.M.

NOON - 4 P.M.

1 - 5 P.M.

Closed Labor Day weekend.
Pay-by-meter parking is available
in campus lots 11 and 17.
Exhibition sponsors are Erie Insurance,
The Eberly Foundation, and the Institute
of Museum and Library Services.
For details and news about special
presentations: library.calu.edu/WWII.

Watch a video about Charlotte Glod
Simmons at www.calu.edu/review.

CAMPUS C L I P S
D O C T O R AT E D E S I G N E D F O R

EDUCATION LEADERS

E

ducators who aspire to become superintendents or
other school district leaders now can earn a Doctor
of Education degree at Cal U.
The Ed.D. in Education Administration and Leadership,
new this fall, is delivered entirely online, making it a convenient
choice for working educators.
The Ed.D. program has a special focus on fiscal resource
management, one of the top challenges identified by school
administrators. Coursework addresses areas such as business
practices, financial management, human resources, and ethics
and integrity in leadership.
A field project allows doctoral students to apply what they’ve
learned and make a positive impact on their school districts.
In addition to the Doctor of Education degree, program
graduates receive a post-master’s Superintendent Letter of
Eligibility, the state-approved credential required for school
superintendents in Pennsylvania. Students who already hold
the letter of eligibility can enter Cal U’s doctoral program with
advanced standing.
This is the University’s third doctoral degree. Others are
the Doctor of Health Science in Health Science and Exercise
Leadership, and the Doctor of Criminal Justice.

Dean appointed to lead
College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Kristen Majocha
was appointed
this summer to
lead the College
of Liberal Arts.
She comes
to Cal U from
the University of
Pittsburgh at Johnstown, where she was the
assistant to the vice president of academic
affairs and an associate professor in the
Communications Department.
Majocha holds a Ph.D. in Rhetoric,
with emphases on interpersonal,
intercultural and organizational
communication, and communications
ethics, from Duquesne University.
She earned an M.A. in Rhetoric and
the Philosophy of Communication, also at
Duquesne, and a B.A. in Communication
from Slippery Rock University of
Pennsylvania.
“The liberal arts are the beating
heart of any institution,” Majocha says.
“My communication background will be

important to helping the College of
Liberal Arts coalesce and form a strong
identity on this campus.”
The College of Liberal Arts houses
the departments of Art and Languages;
Communication, Design and Culture;
Criminal Justice; English; History, Politics,
Society and Law; Music and Theatre;
and Psychology.
About 1,600 students were enrolled
in liberal arts majors last fall, and every
Cal U student takes liberal arts courses to
complete general education requirements.

Staff member honored
for volunteer efforts
The Zonta Club of
Washington County,
Pa., has honored a
staff member with
more than 30 years
of service at Cal U.
Julie Kingsley,
clerical supervisor
in the Department of University Printing
Services, received the Rose Day Award
for Volunteerism at the club’s 33rd

Anniversary and Rose Day Celebration.
Zonta is an international service
organization dedicated to advancing the
status of women. Its Rose Day awards
recognize women for outstanding
leadership and service in the spheres of
business, community service, nonprofit
work, education, volunteerism, health
services and government.
Kingsley was honored for activities largely
focused on cancer prevention, including the
American Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil
Days fundraiser, which she organizes at Cal U.
She creates and sells craft items to
support Mon Valley Hospital’s fundraising
walk for cancer research. Since 2012, her
team has taken part in the Peters Township
Relay for Life, raising more than $13,000.
On campus, she also organizes food
drives for the Cal U Cupboard and serves
on the President’s Commission for the
Status of Women.
“I can make a difference by doing
one small gesture at a time,” says Kingsley,
who lost her mother to colon cancer in
2000. “I am finding my voice … and leading
by example.”

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 9
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CAMPUS C L I P S
New programs added
to academic lineup

Childhood educators
earn STEM endorsement
Future early childhood and
elementary teachers at Cal U will
earn the Pennsylvania Department of
Education’s Integrative STEM Education
Endorsement, an in-demand credential
that documents their ability to incorporate
science, technology, engineering and math
concepts into classroom learning activities.
Beginning this fall, students who
complete the bachelor’s degree program
in education for grades pre-K to 4 will
graduate with a Cal U bachelor’s degree
and Pennsylvania’s Level I teaching
certification, plus the STEM Education
Endorsement.
Students in the undergraduate special
education certification program for
grades pre-K to 4 also earn the STEM
endorsement.
Cal U is one of the only Pennsylvania
universities to include all requirements
for the credential in its standard teacher
preparation curriculum.
“Future pre-kindergarten or elementary
school teachers who study at Cal U don’t
need to fit additional courses into their
schedule or go on to graduate school to
obtain this endorsement,” says assistant
professor Dr. Diane Fine, of the Childhood
Education Department.
“In keeping with Cal U’s special mission
in science and technology, all students
who are preparing to teach young children
will complete the coursework and field
experiences required for the STEM
credential as part of their regular studies.
“This does more than save our
students time and money – it gives them
a competitive edge in the job market.
Many school districts place a premium
on teachers who are proficient in STEM
subjects and can integrate important
STEM concepts into their lessons.”

10 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

Cal U students can select from an array
of new programs this fall. Among them are:
Educational Leadership: Weather and
Climatology, a STEM-focused master’s
degree program for K-12 teachers that
incorporates tuition-free courses from
the American Meteorological Society.
Teachers take up to three AMS courses,
and then personalize the program with
additional courses in Earth sciences,
meteorology/climatology or a related focus
area, plus specialized education courses
from Cal U’s Department of Secondary
Education and Administrative Leadership.
The program is offered entirely online.
Political Science: Public Affairs, a
bachelor’s degree program that provides
background in public policy and public
administration, combined with applied
learning in policy analysis and quantitative
methods. The on-campus concentration
allows political science majors to gain indepth knowledge of public affairs and stand
out when they apply for employment or
graduate school.

African American Studies, an
undergraduate minor that encourages
students to think critically as they explore
the profound historical and contemporary
impact of African Americans on our
nation and the world. Students can
add the 21-credit minor to any program
of study.
Student Affairs, an online certificate
that prepares college graduates for entrylevel careers working with students at
colleges and universities. The 9-credit
program explores the learning and
developmental needs of college students,
as well as the legal and ethical foundations
of the field of student affairs.
In addition, seven business programs
have been converted from concentrations
within the business administration major
to full degree programs. Students now
can earn a B.S.B.A. degree in accounting,
economics, finance, human resource
management, management, marketing,
and interdisciplinary studies in business
and commerce.
To learn more about Cal U's academic
programs, visit calu.edu/academics.

Tough topics
Kayla Grimm hits a high note during the spring production of ‘Heathers: The Musical’
in Steele Hall Mainstage Theatre. Derived from the cult-classic film ‘Heathers,’ the
musical addresses issues such as shaming, bullying, homophobia and teen suicide
within a high school setting. Cal U theater students created a video to help audiences
address these sensitive topics, and they hosted a session for visiting high school
students that included a talk by an anti-bullying activist, a luncheon attended by cast
members and Cal U counselor education students, and a special performance of the
show. See the video at calu.edu/review.

technology, engineering and math. Cal U
alumni mentor a number of robotics
teams, and past competitors are enrolled in
Cal U’s engineering technology programs.
Students who attend the STEM-focused
competitions also meet Cal U admissions
staff and faculty members who serve as
judges and volunteers.

Cal U Women United
marks fifth anniversary

Persons of the Year
University President Geraldine M. Jones (center) recognizes the Spring 2018
recipients of the Person of the Year Awards, including (from left) traditional
undergraduate student Yareli Lara, faculty member Dr. Sheri Boyle, nontraditional
undergraduate Joelle Swyka and graduate student Allison Franco. The awards are
presented each semester by the President’s Commission for the Status of Women to
honor those who foster a supportive environment for women at Cal U. Staff member
Patricia McClain also received an award.

Robots test their mettle
at Convocation Center
Cal U continues to gain traction as
a premier venue for high school robotics
competitions.
“Robot season” kicked off this spring
at the Hamer Hall pool, where almost
200 middle and high school students
competed to build underwater robotic
rovers and test their performance. The
SeaPerch Underwater Robotics project
was organized in collaboration with the
Navy Recruiting District, Pittsburgh.

Fans of classic 8-bit arcade games were
in their element when competitors from nine
states, plus Taiwan and China, arrived for the
Greater Pittsburgh Regional FIRST® Robotics
Competition in the Convocation Center.
In the FIRST® POWER UP challenge,
teams maneuvered their 120-pound robots
through an environment reminiscent of
early videogames. Drivers from more
than 50 teams earned points for loading
“power cubes” onto giant balancing scales,
then ascending a central tower before the
buzzer sounded.
The Southwestern Pennsylvania
BotsIQ Finals returned to the Convocation
Center for a fifth year, bringing teams from
more than 60 schools. The action was fast
and furious inside two shatterproof arenas
as the 15-pound robots tried to smash
their opponents.
The season closed with the National
Robotics League’s national competition, a
two-day ‘bots battle that attracted more than
70 teams from across Pennsylvania and as
far away as Utah, Arizona and Puerto Rico.
Each of the competitions requires
students to demonstrate skills in science,

For five years, Cal U Women United
has helped women of color achieve
success by developing academic skills,
social awareness, civic engagement,
personal responsibility, leadership and
healthy relationships.
The group marked its anniversary
by welcoming co-founder Dr. Lisa McBride,
the University’s former special assistant
to the president for equal employment
and educational opportunity.
“It was my goal to champion inclusive
excellence at Cal U, to recruit and retain
women of color,” she told the students.
“We need to see ‘us’ on university
campuses, to see our worth, our
boundless potential.”
Members also honored co-founder
Darla Holley-Holmes, secretary in the
Department of Art and Languages,
who has been the organization’s adviser
since it was formed. In her honor, they
established the Darla Holley-Holmes
Book Scholarship, to be given to a member
of the organization with at least a 2.5
grade-point average to purchase books
and other supplies.
“Women of color need a place to
support one another,” Holley-Holmes
says. “We meet every week, and it’s a
blessing to me.
“It has made me a better woman,”
she told the members, “and I stand in
awe of all of you.”

Adviser Darla Holley-Holmes and co-founder
Dr. Lisa McBride (center) pose with members
of Cal U Women United.

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 11
n

CAMPUS C L I P S

Students Samantha Gloeckl (left) and
Allison Greenlief discuss their art history
research with Dr. Gregg Gould, director of
the Center for Undergraduate research.

Student researchers
‘Strike a Spark’

Open hearts
Recognizing that ‘open minds and open hearts make Cal U a better place to learn and
grow,’ Sheleta Camarda-Webb ’89, ’94 (center), director of Multicultural Affairs and
Diversity Education, presents certificates at Cal U’s fifth annual Lavender Graduation.
Hosted by the Lambda Bridges LGBTQA+ Program Office, the event celebrated the
achievements of 10 LGBTQA students and allies who graduated in 2018. Pictured are
(from left) Cassidy Zemrose, Ashley Ivkovich, Lakijai Bynum, Stephanie Mandella,
Camarda-Webb, Daniela Dell’Aquila, Amanda Teti and Caitlin Michaels.

Activism is theme
for Hip-hop Conference
Radio, TV and social media personality
Charlamagne tha God and Pittsburgh
social activist Leon Ford held a wideranging discussion that touched on
social activism, black pride and even
their favorite books at Cal U’s 13th
annual Hip-hop Conference.

Media personality
Charlamagne tha God
speaks at the 13th
annual Hip-Hop
Conference.

12 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

Charlamagne is a co-host of the
nationally syndicated iHeartRadio program
The Breakfast Club and author of the
New York Times bestseller Black Privilege,
Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It
(Touchstone, 2017).
Ford, of Pittsburgh’s East Side, became
a social activist after he was shot and
paralyzed by city police during a traffic stop
in 2012. He was acquitted of all criminal
charges and now travels the country to
share his story and speak out about issues
such as police-community relations,
affordable housing and accessibility.
Anika Tillery '06, a social worker in
New York City, moderated the discussion.
Students in the audience pulled out
their phones and made note of the titles as
the speakers discussed books that inspire
and motivate them.
“Take your time, trust God and be
committed,” Ford advised. “And follow
your heart. Even when things don’t go your
way, doors are opening.”
“Believe in yourself,” Charlamagne
added. “You’re you for a reason. If you tap
into your own unique, individual greatness,
good things will happen.”

A record number of students and faculty
presented their research, scholarship and
creative activity at Cal U’s fourth annual
Strike a Spark Conference, presented by the
Center for Undergraduate Research and the
Faculty Professional Development Center.
More than 200 presenters displayed
their work – a first-time experience for
many students whose posters were on
view in the Convocation Center.
“Strike a Spark is a nice way to get
feedback,” says recent graduate Senneca
Davis ’18, who presented her senior
research project, “A Critical Analysis of
Police Brutality Against African Americans
Through a Social Work Perspective.”
After two additional conference
presentations, her analysis is set to
be published in the Keystone Journal of
Undergraduate Research, a faculty-reviewed
journal that highlights the work of State
System students.
Center director Dr. Gregg Gould
describes undergraduate research as a
“high-impact practice” that offers multiple
benefits for students. In addition to taking
a deep dive into a specific topic, student
researchers build skills in research design,
data collection and analysis, information
literacy, and communication.
Dr. Stephanie Wallach, assistant vice
provost for undergraduate education at
Carnegie Mellon University, addressed the
presenters.
“Through research, you have …
developed intellectual depth and can now
talk authoritatively about the experience
of using advanced learning beyond the
classroom,” she said.
“That experience sets you apart from
most other students. You are fashioning
your own unique story line."

Camera work
Alumnus keeps NBC’s equipment functioning at 2018 Olympics

A

s athletes whooshed down hills,
sped around tracks, flitted over
ice and soared above ski jumps
during the 2018 Winter Olympics in
Pyeongchang, South Korea, the eyes of
the world were watching.
NBCUniversal captured more than 2.17
billion total streamed minutes of coverage
and 1.85 billion minutes of live-stream
coverage online.
Keeping those cameras rolling was a job
for Andrei Enache ’12, a senior field service
engineer for Sony Corp., who put his Cal U
bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
technology to work on a very big stage.
He was the only camera specialist
for NBC, in charge of preparing and
maintaining more than 200 cameras at
the International Broadcast Center and at
various competition venues.
“The cameras were still in the boxes”
when he arrived in South Korea in advance
of the games, Enache says.

“We went to all the venues to set up
the equipment. In many ways, the easiest
part for us was once the games began.”
Except for the day when high winds
delayed the start of the skiing competitions
— and toppled cameras. They were sent
to Enache, in the repair center.
“Every day is something different,”
he says of being a technical problemsolver. “It’s the part of the job I really like.”
It was Enache’s second Olympic
experience. He was in Brazil for the 2016
Summer Olympics, where he received
an award for the first broadcast in 4K
HDR, a technology that boosts a picture’s
brightness, contrast and color.
Enache, who earned a mechanical
engineering degree in his native Romania,
attended Cal U in 2010 as part of a
retraining program after Sony eliminated
his job repairing consumer electronics
such as VCRs and camcorders.
Today, he uses his electrical engineering

technology degree to set up, maintain
and repair Sony cameras, monitors
and projectors.
“I chose Cal U because the EET
program was ABET-accredited,” he says,
referring to the organization that assures
that college engineering programs meet
quality standards.
“And the labs were like being in a
candy store!”
Students in Cal U’s electrical
engineering technology program conduct
experiments in four on-campus labs —
complete with oscilloscopes, function
generators and more — and apply
classroom theories to the real world.
“It’s easier to remember when
(learning) is hands-on,” Enache says.
“I can read about a new product in a
manual, but if I get to touch it and see
how it works, I learn much better.” 
By Wendy Mackall, communications
director at Cal U

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 13
n

SUCCESS

PREPARED FOR

Interns gain real-life skills as they explore potential careers
Internships are steppingstones on the pathway from college to career.
These faculty-led experiences let students put classroom learning into
action while introducing employers to the next generation of leaders
in business, healthcare, education, science, the arts and more.
During the 2017-2018 academic year, more than 600 Cal U
students strengthened their resumes by gaining real-life
experience in workplaces across Pennsylvania and
beyond. Here’s a glimpse of how some Cal U
students and recent graduates spent
their time as interns.

Ooey, gooey, slime! Hannah Minkus spent her
internship educating future scientists at Carnegie
Science Center in Pittsburgh – a perfect fit with her
major, professional studies in education.

Joshua Luko ’18 headed outdoors
for his internship. The environmental
sciences major worked on stream
restoration, wetland mitigation and
forestry projects while interning at
Habitat Forever LLC, a subsidiary
of Pheasants Forever.

Business administration graduate
Crystal Gall ’17 interned as a
sourcing specialist for Range
Resources, where purchase
orders, vendor coordination
and accounts payable were
all in a day’s work.

Keara Ashworth ’18, a parks and recreation management
major, honed her customer service skills as she guided
zipline tours and led off-road driving experiences during
her internship at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.

14 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

For more, search
for #Prepared4PA on
Cal U’s social media sites.

Parks and recreation
management major Christine
Swain ’17 led groups on hiking,
biking, paddle-boarding, kayaking
and geocaching quests as an
intern with Venture Outdoors.

Art major Allison Greenlief interned
in the education department at the
Carnegie Museum of Art, where her
assignments included research, data
collection and assisting teachers
during summer art camps.

Brian Fritsch '17 turned his passion for politics into a
career. After an internship with a state representative,
the sociology major is now a regional legislative aide
for Republican district operations for the Pennsylvania
House of Representatives.

Criminal justice major Summer
Greenawald interned with CASA for
Kids, a nonprofit organization that
trains volunteers to become Court
Appointed Special Advocates who
speak in the best interests of children.

Jeffrey Rask, a sociology major on
track to graduate in August 2018,
scored an internship with the
Pittsburgh Riverhounds soccer
team, where he promoted
games and helped to build
a loyal fan base.

Brooke Lowe ’17 observed court cases during her
internship at the Allegheny County Courthouse.
With a B.A. in Sociology: Deviance, she’s now
pursuing a Cal U master’s degree in clinical and
mental health counseling.
SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 15
n

Psychology majors
Taylor Dunn (left) and
Lindsay Kastroll snap
a photo with Blaze
during the President's
Lunch on the Quad,
a new event for
graduates.

Y
E
N
R
U
S
O
J BEGIN
THE

Advice to graduates: ‘Choose your own path’

F
Larry Maggi '79 shares
stories from his crosscountry motorcycle
ride at Cal U's 186th
Commencement.

16 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

ittingly, the Commencement speaker’s
address focused on a journey.
As more than 1,200 students
celebrated their graduation and prepared to
set out on a new path, alumnus Larry Maggi
’79, chair of the Washington County Board
of Commissioners, described his 5,578-mile
motorcycle ride across the United States.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former
Washington County sheriff, Maggi shared
anecdotes from his 2016 journey, which
included meeting a homeless veteran in
Missouri and being invited to lead a Buffalo
Soldiers parade in Tombstone, Ariz.
Maggi enjoyed a 24-year career as a
state police trooper and criminal investigator
before entering the political arena in 1997.
He urged the graduates to occasionally
“push the envelope.”
“Once in a while, disconnect the filter,
remove the glass and look upon life without
a transparent barrier,” he said.
“It does not have to be from the back of
a motorcycle, but it does have to be with your
own eyes and your own senses. You will find
the world as it was meant to be seen, and you
will discover your place in it.”

Maggi told the graduates they are
positioned to prosper.
“You will choose your own path to
success, your own love for family, and
you will create a life after Cal U,” he said.
“I am certain that the education you
received here has prepared you for life,
and now you are ready to achieve success
as you define it.”

Next destinations

Joshua Luko is already on his way.
His 2017 internship with Partners for
Fish and Wildlife, based at Cal U, turned
into a job as a habitat specialist. Two days
after receiving his diploma in environmental
sciences, Luko headed to Garrett County,
Md., under the guidance of program
coordinator Jose Taracido.
He credits Cal U biology professor
Dr. Robert Whyte for arranging the internship.
“Dr. Whyte’s classes also gave me an
understanding of why we were completing
the work in a certain manner and how it
benefited wildlife,” Luko said. “Overall, I loved
my experience in the major and the internship.
The work was great hands-on experience.”

“

No matter what
happens, you must
follow your own moral
compass. Be courageous
and know that you can
— and will — make a
difference for those you
meet along the way.

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
GERALDINE M. JONES

”

Mariah Howze, chair of the Senior Gift
Drive Committee, presented University
President Geraldine M. Jones with a check
for more than $10,000 contributed by
graduating seniors and their families.
Howze earned her degree in psychology
with a minor in business. Her next stop:
a position in human resources.
“I definitely have a desire to make a
difference in people’s lives, and I’m ready to
improve a work environment so businesses
can be more effective,” she says.
With a term as the student member
of Cal U’s Council of Trustees behind her,
political science graduate Ellen “Mari” Boyle
is heading to Penn State Dickinson Law,
where she received a full scholarship.
“This opportunity definitely would not
have been possible without all the support
and help I was given at Cal U,” she said.
“I am certainly Cal U proud.”
Commencement ceremonies began
May 11, when master’s degree candidates
received their diplomas and were vested
in their academic hoods. Undergraduates
received their bachelor’s and associate
degrees May 12.
Rose Nelson, a graduate of Cal U’s
undergraduate nursing program, added a
master’s degree in nursing administration
and leadership.
“I learned so much in this program,” said
Nelson, who is employed by an insurance
company that handles workers compensation.
“I can tell an employer, ‘I may not have
done this yet, but I know it, and if you give me
a chance, I can do it!’”
Carlos Medina works for the Capital Area
Intermediate Unit, based in Enola, Pa. His new
master’s degree in exercise science, with a
sport psychology concentration, complements
his passion for helping athletes to succeed.
“I want to use my personal experiences
and my education to help them with their
mindset and training,” Medina said. “I’d like
to get my certification as a performance
coach and then be a consultant.”

Theatre graduates (from left) Sidney
Popielarcheck, Mark Barrett and Kayla Grimm
are all smiles as they gather outside Steele Hall.
Melissa Behanna, an education major
from Monongahela, can't wait to turn
her tassel during Commencement.

It's a great day for liberal arts major
Virgil McClendon, of Pittsburgh.

Online student Hadeel Yaqoub waves to her
family in the Convocation Center. She traveled
from Iraq to receive her master's degree in Social
Science: Arabic Language and Linguistics.

Senior Class Envoy
Mariah Nicole Howze
(right) presents a
senior gift of more
than $10,000 to
University President
Geraldine M. Jones.

Lunch on the Quad

Before the Commencement ceremonies,
graduates gathered for a new event, the
President’s Lunch on the Quad.
The informal gathering made Global
Online student Amanda Hershey’s first
visit to Cal U all the more memorable.
The Coudersport, Pa., resident and aspiring
personal trainer met Dr. Bruce Barnhart, who
began his Cal U career as an athletic trainer
and is now the University’s provost.
“The campus is amazing, and to have
this (lunch) out in the open where people
can … mingle with others is really nice,”
said Hershey, who earned a degree in sport
management studies.
“The five-hour drive here was so worth it.

I can’t wait to go up on stage and get
my degree!”
President Jones greeted each of the
graduates personally and offered them
heartfelt advice.
“Although you’ll receive your degree today,
please recognize that your education is not
done,” she told them. “Every day brings new
opportunities for learning.
“Trust in your own abilities and talents.
And no matter what happens, you must
follow your own moral compass. Be
courageous and know that you can —
and will — make a difference for those
you meet along the way.
“May you find happiness and satisfaction
in the days and years ahead.” 

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 17
n

Greetings!

FROM
THE OFFICE
OF ALUMNI
RELATIONS

ALUMNI NEWS

Hello, Vulcan Nation!
After enjoying some great alumni events during the summer
months, the Office of Alumni Relations is getting ready for
an exciting fall season. I hope you will meet us at a location
near you or visit us on campus. Don’t forget, we’ll celebrate
Vulcan Fest and Homecoming Weekend Oct. 12-14. You
won’t want to miss out on this year’s festivities!
Here is what’s hot in the Office of Alumni Relations:

Cal U + Nationwide: On your side
The Office of Alumni Relations and Nationwide Insurance
have teamed up to offer Cal U alumni discounts and
special offers on a wide array of insurance products.
More information on the special alumni rates will be
arriving in your mailbox and your email inbox soon.

Greetings from sunny Bradenton
Our annual get-together in Florida is growing! More than 80
alumni and friends gathered in Bradenton this year to watch
the Pittsburgh Pirates in action at spring training. Stay tuned
for details about the 2019 Bradenton event!

Become an Alumni Volunteer
Cal U graduates have useful advice to share and wonderful
stories to tell our current and future Vulcans. When you
volunteer your time and talent, you can make an impact
on the lives of current and prospective students. We are
seeking alumni volunteers to serve as mentors to current
students and as Alumni Ambassadors to prospective
students at Open House events each fall and spring.
To get involved as a mentor or ambassador, please
email me at barnhart_r@calu.edu.

Stay Connected
We want to stay connected with you, both electronically
and in person! We invite you to attend any or all of our
upcoming alumni events, connect with us on social media
@calualumni, and join our new online community, where
you can create an alumni profile, find information on
upcoming events, support students in need and more.
Visit calu.edu/alumni for details!

A golden opportunity
Erica Smeltzer ’08 poses with the 1983 World Series trophy
at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum before the Cal U
Alumni Night at Camden Yards, in Baltimore, Md. Nearly
two dozen Vulcans enjoyed a private reception, a tour of the
museum and photo opportunities with the Orioles’ trophy.

Also, check your inbox for the monthly edition of The
Vulcan Gazette, our electronic newsletter for Cal U alumni.
Each month it features an “Alumni Spotlight” profile of
a noteworthy graduate. Submit your Alumni Spotlight
information by email to alumni@calu.edu. Not receiving
the Gazette? Email us at alumni@calu.edu.

Paying it forward

Ryan Barnhart ’08, ’09
Director of Alumni Relations

18 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

Alumni Ambassador Jimmy Pierce, a member of the Vulcans
football team, concentrates on scoring points for his team at
the inaugural Can Jam tournament sponsored by the Student
Alumni Ambassadors. The ambassadors collected more than
200 items to support the Cal U Cupboard, which assists
students who are experiencing food insecurity.

ALUMNI CALENDAR
SEPT

7

CAL U NIGHT AT PNC PARK

Join us for the 3rd annual Cal U Night at PNC Park as the
Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Miami Marlins. Purchase your
tickets through the University to receive a voucher for a cap with
the Cal U and Pirates logos, plus info about a special pregame
reception. Check your inbox for details or email alumni@calu.edu.

SEPT

9

STEELERS WATCH PARTY
IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Kick off the NFL season in our nation’s capital, where we’ll gather
at Maddy’s Sports Bar, 1726 Connecticut Ave. NW, to cheer on the
Steelers in their season opener. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will
be on tap starting at 12:30 p.m.

SEPT

22

ALUMNI TAILGATE
AT ADAMSON STADIUM

Come root for the Vulcans as they face conference opponent
Edinboro University during the Family Day weekend. Our tailgate
starts at 11 a.m. at the alumni pavilions outside Adamson Stadium.

SEPT

25

ATHLETICS DAY OF GIVING

Be a winner! Show your support for student-athletes or direct your
donation to your favorite Vulcans team. Former student-athletes and
friends of Cal U’s athletics program are encouraged to participate in
this inaugural fundraising effort. Turn to page 28 for details.

SEPT

28

ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR IN IRWIN, PA.

Enjoy delicious wood-fired eats at the Fire Pit, 8933 Lincoln
Highway. Our alumni happy hour starts at 6:30 p.m., so stop by
for hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and great conversation with fellow
Cal U grads.

OCT

12-14

VULCAN FEST AND
HOMECOMING WEEKEND

Come home to Cal U for Vulcan Fest and our annual
Homecoming Weekend! In addition to the traditional parade
and football game, Vulcan Fest includes family-friendly
activities for the entire family. Check page 35 for a list of
Vulcan Fest and Homecoming activities.

OCT

27

ALUMNI TAILGATE
AT ADAMSON STADIUM

Join us on Appreciation Day as we recognize all the alumni and
University friends who support the Alumni Association, the Office
of Development, and Cal U. We’ll get together for a tailgate party
at 11 a.m., before the Vulcans take on Slippery Rock at 1 p.m.

NOV

4

STEELERS WATCH PARTY
IN PHILADELPHIA

The Eagles might have a bye, but we’ll be in Philadelphia, Pa., for a
Steelers watch party at the Fox & Hound, 1501 Spruce St. Meet us
at this Steelers-themed bar and grille for hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar,
and an evening watching the black and gold!

NOV

11

ALUMNI TAILGATE
AT ADAMSON STADIUM

Salute the troops at our final home game of 2018! We’ll celebrate
Military and Veterans Appreciation Day as the Vulcans take on
cross-state rival West Chester University. Tailgate begins at 11 a.m.;
game time is 1 p.m.

NOV

21

ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR
IN PITTSBURGH

Kick off the Thanksgiving weekend with Cal U at Carson City
Saloon, on Pittsburgh’s historic South Side. Share great food and
good times with fellow alumni. You won’t want to miss this soonto-be Cal U tradition!

Check the digital Vulcan Gazette for details about these and
other alumni events. To RSVP or learn more, contact the Office
of Alumni Relations at alumni@calu.edu or 724-938-4418.

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 19
n

FACULTY AWARD WINNERS

SHAPE STUDENT SUCCESS
Each year California University recognizes faculty members who contribute to
student success. These outstanding professionals exemplify excellence in teaching,
serve as role models for research and scholarship, and devote their time to service.

PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS
Recipients of the 2018 Presidential Distinguished Merit Awards were introduced at Honors
Convocation in April, where they received medallions to be worn at spring Commencement.
In addition, a scholarship will be awarded to a student in each recipient’s discipline.

DR. CAROL BOCETTI

PROFESSOR BARBARA HESS

DR. MARK TEBBITT

Dr. Carol Bocetti, a professor in
the Department of Biological and
Environmental Sciences, was honored for
excellence in teaching. She has taught
courses such as Wildlife Management
Techniques, Ornithology and
Conservation Biology since joining the
faculty in 2004. She also is the adviser for
Cal U’s student chapter of The Wildlife
Society. Bocetti has received national
recognition for her work as leader of the
recovery team for the Kirtland's warbler,
an endangered songbird species, and
an associate of the recovery team for
the formerly endangered Delmarva fox
squirrel. Over the years, she has placed
numerous students in positions working
with these and other species.

Professor Barbara Hess, honored for
excellence in service, has taught for
30 years in the Department of Math,
Computer Science and Information
Systems, where she was department
chair from 2005-2008. She was
active with the Faculty Professional
Development Committee, serving
as chair from 2001-2003 and as
coordinator of the Faculty Professional
Development Center from 20002001. Hess also was a member and
officer in California’s local chapter
of the Association of Pennsylvania
State College and University Faculties
(APSCUF). She was the local chapter’s
vice president from 2010-2014 and its
president from 2014-2018.

Dr. Mark Tebbitt, a professor in
the Department of Biological and
Environmental Sciences, was
recognized for excellence in research.
He collaborates with an international
team of researchers focused on plant
species in South America. He also
has carried out botanical fieldwork in
China, Madagascar, Mexico, the United
Kingdom and Vietnam, and in sites
across North America. Tebbitt, who
joined the faculty in 2007, has published
extensively and has supervised
numerous student research projects
and honors addenda involving Cal U
undergraduates. In 2017 he received
the Faculty Professional Development
Center Merit Award for research.

20 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
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FPDC MERIT AWARDS
Recipients of the annual Faculty Professional Development Committee Merit Awards are chosen by
faculty committees, recognized at Commencement and honored at a luncheon each spring. Each 2018
honoree received a monetary award that can be used for professional development, enhancing the
recipients’ expertise in order to provide a high-quality education for Cal U students.

DR. JUSTIN HACKETT
Dr. Justin Hackett, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology, was honored for
research. Since arriving at Cal U in 2013, he has published 13 peer-reviewed journal articles
and made many presentations at international and national conferences. They include a talk
on Antecedents and Consequences of Global Identification given at the annual meeting of the
International Society of Political Psychology in Edinburgh, Scotland. This spring, Hackett and
three advanced psychology students from Cal U gave presentations at the annual meeting of
the Society of Personality and Social Psychology in Atlanta, Ga.

DR. SHERI BOYLE
Dr. Sheri Boyle, an associate professor, chair and MSW program director in the Department
of Social Work, was honored for service and service learning. Through her involvement
with the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education, Cal U’s MSW students gain
experience at three agencies that provide services to older adults. Boyle also works with
graduate and undergraduate social work students on domestic violence issues in Fayette
County, Pa. She and Dr. Elizabeth Gruber recently were awarded a $1.9 million grant from
the Department of Health and Human Services. This interdisciplinary project prepares Cal U
students to serve rural communities in southwestern Pennsylvania as school counselors,
mental health counselors and social work practitioners. Boyle also is a clinical social worker
at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

DR. MICHAEL PERROTTI
Dr. Michael Perrotti, an assistant professor in the Department of Secondary Education
and Administrative Leadership, was honored for teaching and learning. He has taught
both undergraduate and graduate courses in secondary education and serves as the
department’s graduate coordinator, managing three Advanced Studies in Secondary
Education, Master of Arts Teaching, and Master of Educational Studies programs. Perrotti
serves on numerous committees, including the University Curriculum Committee; State
System grant reviewer, subcommittee chair; Council for CAEP Accreditation of Teacher
Education Portfolio; and Professional Development School Collaborative Advisory Board.

DR. ELIZABETH GRUBER
Dr. Elizabeth Gruber, a professor and chair of the Department of Counselor Education, was
recognized for grants and contracts. The four-year HRSA grant she and Boyle were awarded
includes $1.2 million to provide stipends for 30 Cal U graduate students as they complete the
lengthy field placements required to earn a master’s degree. Since 1999 Gruber has brought
in nearly $2.5 million in grants. Highlights include the FIPSE drug and alcohol prevention and
VAWA Violence Against Women grants, which have made a significant impact in developing
consortia of professionals and community members to address alcohol and drug abuse, as
well as dating and domestic violence.

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 21
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ALUMNI S P O T L I G H T

MUSIC

oil, gas …and

D

rew Donegan’s career has taken
him from center stage to the
corner office – all with a rock ’n’
roll soundtrack.
A member of the Class of 2008,
Donegan arrived at Cal U with plans to
study elementary education. He also
had a passion for music and played
guitar with a punk rock band.
He found he enjoyed promoting
the group – so he switched his major
to marketing.
“I applied what I learned in my
business marketing courses to shape
our branding and influence audience
perceptions,” Donegan explains.
The college band broke up, but
Donegan connected with Pittsburgh
rockers Gene the Werewolf — a party
rock band that models its music after

’70s and ’80s rock legends such as
AC/DC and Aerosmith. He remembers
performing in the Natali Student Center.
“The Cal U gig was one of our earliest
shows. The band was practically brand new
at that point. There was a camaraderie with
my college friends getting to see our show,
and spending the evening performing on
campus was special.”
After graduation, Donegan looked for
a career outside the music industry. One
of his bandmates pointed him to a job
researching titles, leases and land rights
for the oil and gas industry. It was 2009,
and the energy industry was booming.
“I went from having minimal knowledge
of oil and gas to honing my skills and
becoming a quasi-expert,” he says.
“I still learn something new every day.
It has been an interesting career path.”
Today, Donegan is president of BOP
Abstract LLC, which handles project
management, title work and other services
for the oil and gas industry.
He manages a team of 75 employees,
but even with an executive-level career,
he hasn’t abandoned his first love – music.
Gene the Werewolf plays several
regional shows and music festivals each
year. Last year, the band performed in a
classic Pittsburgh venue.
“We played in the parking lot of Heinz
Field, with The Clarks, for 10,000 people,”
Donegan says.
“I’m a huge football buff, so it was
really fun to have an all-access pass
to Heinz Field.” 
By Kayla Kuntz, social media
manager at Cal U

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MANAGEMENT BY THE MILE

T

he summer construction season
is rolling along in Ohio, where the
Ohio Department of Transportation
is investing $2.35 billion into nearly 1,000
roadway and bridge projects.
ODOT and its contractors will repair
or replace 5,645 miles of pavement —
the equivalent of a four-lane highway
from Columbus to Albuquerque, N.M.
Helping to manage those projects is
Dr. Sonja Greathouse Simpson ’98, ’99,
who was promoted to assistant director
of field operations for ODOT in March.
She directs and guides all 12 of the state’s
transportation districts and two divisions
at ODOT’s central office.
“We are constantly trying to move the
dial to meet the goals we have established
for ourselves as an agency,” she says of
her role. “We work hard to manage money
efficiently, deal with rules and regulations,
and still meet our metrics.”

Simpson earned degrees from Cal U
in environmental science, and geography
and regional planning. She has her
Doctor of Business Administration, with
a specialization in public administration,
from Northcentral University.
Simpson has been recognized for her
leadership skills — she was named to
Columbus Business First’s “Forty Under 40”
list in 2012 and was named the American
Public Works Association Manager of the
Year for Administrative Management in
2013. In 2017, she received the Women’s
Transportation Seminar Columbus
Chapter’s 2017 Rosa Parks Diversity
Leadership Award.
“I saw geography and regional planning
as ways to give back to communities,”
Simpson says. “I was a planner for the
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
for three years and learned a lot about
transportation planning. With ODOT,

the decisions we make also have a great
impact on residents’ lives.
“This is a $3 billion-a-year agency,”
she says of ODOT. “We must pay special
attention to ways we can manage tax
dollars responsibly.” 
By Wendy Mackall, communications
director at Cal U

ADVOCATE FOR CONSERVATION

H

er job is more “halls of Congress”
than “great outdoors,” but the
federal government is often where
environmental conservation truly begins.
So, naturally, it’s where you’ll find Devin
DeMario ’07.
DeMario graduated from Cal U with a
bachelor’s degree in environmental studies
that focused on fisheries and wildlife
biology. Now she is a government affairs
associate for the Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies in Washington, D.C.
Since 2016, DeMario has worked on
behalf of association members to advance
favorable fish and wildlife conservation
policies at the federal level. The agency also
helps its members to coordinate programs
regarding climate change, wildlife action
plans, energy development and more.
“The association advocates for the
states and for science-based management,”
she says. “It’s fun to inform national
programs and interface with science on
management and conservation issues.”
DeMario earned her master’s degree
in wildlife and fisheries science from
Penn State University. She gained

experience with organizations such as
the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s
Clubs, which awarded her the John F.
Laudadio Conservation Leadership
Award in 2008. She also has won
awards from the Pennsylvania Game
Commission, American Fisheries
Society and Penn State.
In 2012, she was hired by the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
(PFBC) as its legislative liaison.
“I often think, ‘How did I get here?’”
she says of her advocacy career.
“I got a lot of my legislative and policy
experience working with sportsmen’s
organizations. I was called to Harrisburg
and Washington to discuss policies that
affect hunting, trapping, fishing and
clean water.
“At Cal U, I started to take an interest
in fish health and toxicology, and I did my
honors thesis on endocrine disruption in
wild fish. That pushed me into the realm
of fish health and toxicology.”
Before graduate school, she worked
as a biologist aide at the PFBC,
pulling trap nets, electrofishing

and assessing population dynamics. Her
work, based at the Linesville State Fish
Hatchery, provided insight into fish health.
“I’ve been able to combine all of that
to integrate science into national policy,”
she says. 
By Wendy Mackall, communications
director at Cal U

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 23
n

In their own words

Each year since 1967, the California University Alumni Association has recognized outstanding
individuals with its Awards of Distinction, among the highest honors bestowed on Cal U graduates.
The 2018 award recipients were recognized this spring at a dinner in the Convocation Center – and
they made it plain that their alma mater had made an impact on their lives and their careers.

award
PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

THE W.S. JACKMAN AWARD OF DISTINCTION

My years at Cal U
were enlightening,
empowering and
enjoyable.

As a direct result
of my education here,
I enjoyed the best job
in the world.

MARY CULLEN ’85

TIMOTHY CAMUS ’84

Vice president of the nuclear propulsion program at Newport
News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries
in Newport News, Va

Deputy Inspector General for Investigations with the Treasury
Inspector General for Tax Administration, Washington, D.C.
(Hear more about Camus’ job online at calu.edu/review.)

JOHN R. GREGG AWARD FOR LOYALTY AND SERVICE

YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

This University has
given me … educational
preparedness for my life
after college, (plus) old
friends and new friends.

Cal U was so important…
to me figuring out where
I was going to go and what
I was going to do with
my career.

BARBARA FETSKO ’75, ’83

STEPHEN PEARSON ’10

Retired elementary school teacher, past president of the Cal U
Alumni Association and a current Cal Gals member.

Graphic designer; head of visual storytelling, branded
content at Gannett|USA Today Network.

PAVLAK/SHUTSY SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD

MICHAEL DUDA AWARD FOR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT

The greatest joy…
is knowing that in some
quiet way, I’ve helped
to heal their hearts.

Without question,
my time at California
helped me become the
person I am today.

NANCY SKOBEL ’87

RICK KRIVDA

Director of the Cal U Women’s Center; co-chair of the
President’s Commission for the Status of Women.

All-American player with the Vulcans baseball team; former MLB
pitcher; gold medalist with Team USA, 2000 Summer Olympics.

MERITORIOUS AWARD

C.B. WILSON DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD

In addition to getting an
amazing education here ...
what this University taught
me was … to do everything
you possibly can.
TERRI MCCLEMENTS ’85
Mid-Atlantic managing partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, a multinational professional services network.

24 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
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Cal U is a family with
countless opportunities to
find your niche, build on
your strengths and find
your passion.
DR. SHERI BOYLE
Associate professor, chair of the Department of Social Work
and coordinator of the Master of Social Work program.

Being a Vulcan
student-athlete helped
to open many doors to
amazing opportunities...
I am beyond grateful
for the experiences
I had at Cal U.

SPORTS P R O F I L E

CLARISSA ENSLIN '14

ODYSSEY

Athletics scholarship sparked swimmer’s career

I

n 2010, swimming talent brought
Clarissa Enslin ’14 to California from
her hometown of Dalview, South Africa.
Since then, she’s made as big a splash in the
environmental field as she did in the pool.
For the past two years Enslin has been
a senior consultant for the Irvine, Calif.based office of Ramboll, an independent
engineering, design and consulting firm
with more than 300 offices in 35 countries.
In October she will begin working at
the company’s office in Vancouver, Wash.
— but first she plans to complete a fivemonth, 2,650-mile hike of the Pacific Crest
Trail that she and her fiancé began in May.
Enslin’s trek will take her through
deserts, forests and mountains from
the Mexican border to Canada. But her
American journey began at Cal U, where
the 100- and 200-yard freestyle star was a
four-time NCAA Division II All-American,
seven-time All-America Honorable
Mention, and eight-time PSAC champion.
She first learned about Cal U from fellow
South African Amanda Kuiper Hardaker
’06, who also swam for the Vulcans.
“I researched the website, definitely

loved everything I heard about the
University and reached out to coach
(Ed) Denny, because I knew I could
get a good degree there,” Enslin says.
In fact, the two-time Capital One FirstTeam Academic All-American earned a
bachelor’s degree in geology with a minor
in mathematics while maintaining a 3.99
cumulative grade-point average.
“Clarissa is the definition of what a
student-athlete should be,” says Denny,
the Vulcans’ swim coach for the past 16
years. “Through hard work she seized
every athletic and academic opportunity
presented to her — and her achievements
prove this.”
After her senior year, Enslin and
teammate Kelsey Nuhfer ’14 were among
58 student-athletes from all intercollegiate
divisions to receive NCAA postgraduate
scholarships.
Enslin used hers to earn a master’s
degree in geology, with an emphasis
on environmental sciences, from Idaho
State University. But she is quick to credit
her undergraduate studies for powering
up her career.

“My education at Cal U was an
absolute delight, and my undergraduate
research pertains … to my current
environmental consulting work,” she says.
While working toward her bachelor’s
degree, Enslin conducted research on the
efficacy of a wetland system in treating acid
mine drainage at Moraine State Park. She
created a landslide susceptibility model for
southwestern Pennsylvania using ArcGIS
mapping tools, and she developed a flashflood potential index that is now being used
by national weather services.
“All the classes I took at Cal U were
beneficial to my career,” says Enslin,
former president of the student Geology
Club. “I use the knowledge and skills
I learned from them on a daily basis.
“Being a Vulcan student-athlete
helped to open many doors to amazing
opportunities,” she adds.
“There is no way I would be where
I am today if I hadn’t received the
scholarship to come (to California)
to swim. I am beyond grateful for
the experiences I had at Cal U.” 
By Bruce Wald ’85, information writer at Cal U

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 25
n

SPORTS R O U N D U P

ALL AMERICAN
F

ive must be Julie Friend’s lucky number. The standout
runner finished at No. 5 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase
this spring at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and
Field National Championships.
Her time of 10 minutes, 4.37 seconds surpassed her previous
PSAC record by nearly 15 seconds and earned her first-team
All-America recognition.
A 2017 graduate, Friend closed her stellar career as a five-time
NCAA All-American, receiving the honor four times for track and
field and once for cross country.
Before heading to nationals, Friend aced the PSAC Outdoor
Championships, where the Vulcan women took fifth place
in a field of 16 teams. She won the 500-meter run for the third
time and the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the second time.
Also earning All-PSAC honors, with second-place finishes, were
Kailah Holmes in the triple jump, and the 4x800-meter relay
team of Tatiana Beaufils, Summer Hill ’17, Jacyln Reinbold and
Alyson Pierce.
Hill also earned all-conference honors in the 1,500-meter
run, where she finished third.
Friend and Hill both received Academic All-America honors
from CoSIDA, the College Sports Information Directors
of America. 

First-year golfer makes her mark
In her first season as a Vulcans golfer, Sarah Suazo was an individual qualifier for the
2018 NCAA Division II East Super Region Championships. She finished in 43rd place.
Suazo is just the second student-athlete in league history to be selected PSAC Golfer
of the Year and Freshman of the Year in the same season.
During the regular season, she posted six top-10 finishes and won first-place medals
at the Charleston (W.Va.), Ashland (Ohio), Mercyhurst and Gannon invitationals.
Teammate Cai Yan Ho concluded her career this fall as the team’s fifth PSAC
individual champion, taking medalist honors by six strokes. That was Ho’s fifth top-10
performance of the season, and she joined Suazo as a first-team all-conference pick.
The men’s golf team closed its season by making its 11th consecutive appearance in
the NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional Championships.
Ryan Smith, a first-team all-conference selection with five top-five finishes, led the
team to a 17th-place regional finish by tying for 51st individually. Teammates Austin
Smith and Ian Dunmyer both tied for 58th.

26 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
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For baseball coach, 600 wins and counting
When the Cal U baseball team swept Gannon University in a doubleheader on
April 21, head coach Mike Conte ’95 became one of four active head coaches in PSAC
history — and the 35th active head coach in NCAA Division II — to record 600 wins.
During his 22-year coaching career at Cal U, Conte has compiled a 607-440 record.
He has been named PSAC-West Coach of the Year seven times.
Four of Conte’s baseball players received all-conference honors in 2018. First-team
selections were second baseman Garrett Brooks, first baseman Eric Fairman and right
fielder Chris Wastchak; relief pitcher Corey Fogle earned second-team honors.

Dash master earns track title

Softball
player repeats
As Champion
Scholar
Recent graduate Courtney Sinclair ’18
became the first Cal U softball player
to receive the PSAC Champion Scholar
Award in consecutive years.

Men’s track and field star Jae’Len Means was
named the Most Outstanding Track Athlete at
the PSAC Outdoor Championships after winning
both the 100- and 200-meter dash.
He also ran the anchor leg with the 4x400meter relay team, which earned all-conference
honors with a third place finish. The team also
included Caleb Foster, Kyle Tumpak and Avery
Boea-Gisela.
Means competed at the NCAA Nationals,
finishing 18th and 19th, respectively, in the
preliminaries of the 100- and 200-meter events.

Modeled on the NCAA's Elite 90
Award, the PSAC Champion Scholar
Award honors the student-athlete
with the top GPA competing at the site
of each of the conference's 23 team
championship finals.
Sinclair achieved a perfect a 4.0
cumulative grade-point average
while earning a bachelor’s degree in
psychology with a minor in criminal
justice. She appeared in 20 games
during the 2018 season, primarily
as a pinch hitter and defensive
replacement.
A native of Ontario, Canada, Sinclair
is the fourth student-athlete in school
history to earn the Champion Scholar
award more than once. In all, Cal U
student-athletes have received the
award 17 times since it began in the
2011-2012 academic year.
The Vulcans softball team made its
30th consecutive PSAC post-season
Tournament appearance in 2018.
Three players — third baseman Carlee
Wickstrom, first baseman Paige Wilson
and catcher Brooke Wilson — received
first-team all-conference honors.

Vulcans power their
way to academic success

Two club sports enjoy
post-season play
Cal U’s baseball and women’s rugby
clubs had banner seasons this spring.
The baseball club won its first 22 games
of the season and advanced to the 2018
National Club Baseball Association
Division II World Series. The Vulcans
finished fourth in the 2018 NCBA II final
top 20 poll.
The women’s rugby club also rose to
the top, competing in the National
Small College Rugby Organization’s
Women’s 7s National Championships
for the third year in a row.

Cal U’s athletics program finished
the 2017-2018 season on a high note,
collectively earning a cumulative gradepoint average of 3.27 for the spring
semester, with 28 student-athletes
chalking up a perfect 4.0.
The program overall has compiled
a GPA of 3.10 or higher for 16 of the
past 17 semesters.
The women’s cross country team
earned the highest team GPA, at 3.75.
On the men’s side, the soccer team
posted the highest GPA at 3.22.
In all, 165 Vulcan student-athletes were
named to the Spring 2018 Athletic
Director Honor Roll for achieving a
cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.

The club finished at No. 12, a program
best, and for the first time won two
matches at nationals.

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 27
n

CAL WHO?

ATHLETIC DAY OF GIVING
SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

Show your Vulcan pride!

Join the team of alumni and friends who support Cal U athletics.
Your gift provides scholarships for student-athletes.
Or direct your donation to one of Cal U’s
18 men’s and women’s athletic programs.
Give generously on September 25,
our 2018 Athletic Day of Giving.

C A LU . E D U / AT H L E TI C S - G I V E

28 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

to make a pledge or give online.

CAL U M I L E S T O N E S

50s
Pauline Holod ’51 celebrated her 105th birthday
on April 2. She is a retired elementary school
teacher who began her career in a one-room
schoolhouse in South Huntingdon Township, Pa.
Dr. Jerry Olson ’57
received the 2018
Career Achievement
Award from the Alumni
Society of the College of
Education and Human
Ecology at
Ohio State University.
The award recognizes
him for nearly 60 years of excellence in
education. Over his career, Jerry was assistant
superintendent and then superintendent of
Pittsburgh Public Schools. In 1980, then-Gov.
Richard Thornburgh appointed him to serve as
director of vocational, technical and adult
education in Pennsylvania. Jerry was president of
North Dakota State College of Science for
13 years; he retired in 2000 and was named
president emeritus. He is a volunteer consultant
with Epsilon Pi Tau, the international honor
society for the professions in technology, at
Bowling Green State University. He spends his
time in Bowling Green, Ohio, and Brookeville, Pa.

70s
William Ashton ’71 is a member of the board
of directors of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. He
is retired from a career at Amgen Inc. that
included serving as vice president of U.S. sales.
Dr. Donald Griffith ’71, of Anderson, S.C., works in
the College of Engineering and Computing
at the University of South Carolina.
Ken Alrutz '72 teaches Upper School English,
coaches girls and boys tennis, coordinates
international students, and advises the literary
arts magazine Mimesis at Saddle River Day
School in New Jersey. He and his wife of 38
years, Kellylee, live in Nanuet, N.Y.

for Golf

ALUMNI GATHER

Cal U alumni from Virginia Beach, Va.,
gather for a golf outing at the renowned
Tournament of Players Club of Myrtle
Beach, S.C. Both groups finished first in
their respective flights. Participating were
(front row, from left) David Tisza ’73,
John Carasella ’73 and Geoffrey Timlin ’76;
and (back row, from left) John Kalocay ’72,
Dennis Slavinsky ’72, Jack Sharp ’74,
Rich Sidone ’73 and Ed Timlin ’74.

Randy Haught ’73 has been inducted into
the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Alabama
Chapter. Randy, who was on the Cal U wrestling
team, has been involved in wrestling in Alabama
for 45 years as a referee and a coach.
Donald Zofchak ’74 is retired as police chief
of South Strabane Township, Pa.
Kerri Rowan ’77 has visited her 100th country. An
avid world traveler, she has toured all seven
continents and all 50 states. Kerri is a program
analyst with the IRS in Washington, D.C.

80s
Jolene Zacovic Hough
’79, ’81 retired from
teaching in the
Brownsville (Pa.) Area
School District after
36 years in public
education. Jolene is
completing her sixth year
on the board of directors
of both the Pennsylvania State Education
Association, which represents 180,000 educators,
and the National Education Association, which
represents more than 3 million educators. She is
one of eight directors from Pennsylvania on the
NEA board. She was chair of the Professional
Standards and Practices Committee for the NEA
and served on the Constitution, By-laws and Rules
Committee, the Audit Committee, and the NBI
Committee for PSEA. She has attended the NEA’s
Representative Assembly as a delegate from
Pennsylvania for 13 of the past 14 summers. Jolene
has been secretary of the Fayette County
Education Association for the past six years and
is vice chair of the Fayette County Children and
Youth Services Advisory Board. She is on the board
of directors for Southwestern Pennsylvania Human
Services (and on its Administrative Committee),
and Southwest Behavioral Services. Jolene has
been married to George Hough for more than 29
years. She has a dog, Anthony; three cats, Abby,
Colin and Othello; one outside cat, Chloe; and a
guinea pig, Oliver.

Karen Majernik Clawson ’82 teaches biology
in Palm Beach, Fla. Her husband, Larry, is the
principal of Palm Beach Gardens High School. Their
children, Mia and Corey, also are teachers
in the Palm Beach County School District — which
makes grandpa Dick Majernik ’55 very proud!
Dr. Michele Orner ’86 is superintendent of the
Octorara Area School District, in Pennsylvania.
She studied theater arts at Cal U.
Robert Orkwis ’87 is the founder of the Keystone
State Wrestling Alliance, a professional wrestling
organization that formed in 2000.
Gene Steratore ’88 retired after 15 years as
an NFL referee. Gene capped his career in
professional football on Feb. 4, 2018, when
he was the referee heading the officiating
crew for Super Bowl LII.

90s
The Rev. Christy Wise ’90, who lectures in
biblical ministry studies and communication
at Waynesburg (Pa.) University, received the
school’s 2018 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching
Excellence Award for a part-time faculty member.
John Blicha ’91 is 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.
Michael Beam ’92,
curator of special
projects for the
Castellani Art Museum
at Niagara University,
was named this year’s
Trailblazer of the Arts
during the Arts Services
Initiative of Western
New York’s fifth annual Spark Awards. Michael,
an adjunct instructor for Niagara University’s art
history with museum studies program, is an
artist, author, curator and public speaker who has
spent more than 26 years as a museum
professional and practicing artist. He has been at
the Castellani Art Museum since 2003. He
earned a fine arts degree from Cal U.
Heidi Cassell Bushko ’94 and husband Justin are
owners of Snapology of Clearwater, Fla.
Sue Kunkle ’94, softball coach at the University
of Southern Indiana since 2002, led her team to
the 2018 NCAA Division II Softball
Championship. A pitcher on the Cal U softball
team, Sue compiled a 54-12 record. She helped
the Vulcans win three Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference West championships and one NCAA
Regional Championship.
Leanna Spada ’98 is executive director of the Mon
Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. Leanna
has been a business owner in Charleroi, Pa., and
worked in insurance and human resources.

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 29
n

CAL U M I L E S T O N E S
Tim Dzurko ’96
(pictured with Gov.
Tom Wolf) was a
finalist for Teacher of
the Year in Pennsylvania
for 2018. Tim teaches
technology education
at Altoona (Pa.) Area
Junior High. He was
recognized at a ceremony in Hershey, Pa., and
also visited the Governor’s Mansion.
Christopher Sefcheck ’97 is superintendent
of the Bethlehem-Center School District in
Washington County, Pa.
The Rev. Tina Black ’97 is pastor of Hebron (Pa.)
Christian Church. She earned her bachelor’s
degree in education at Cal U.

00s
Jeremy Davis ’02 is a
partner in the law firm
of Davis & Davis in
Uniontown, Pa. He
earned his degree in
political science from
Cal U and his juris
doctorate from
Duquesne University.
Jeremy was an assistant public defender for
Fayette County, Pa., from 2006-2011 and
conflicts counsel for Fayette County from 20142015. He is a member of the American Bar
Association, Fayette County Bar Association and
Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the Western
Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers and Southwestern
Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers.

ALUMNI MEET AT
HOCKEY PLAYOFFS
Josh Famularo ’14, head equipment
manager for the Orlando Solar Bears, and
Calvin Isaac ’16, group sales and corporate
partnership manager for the Florida
Everblades, take a break from their duties
during the 2018 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs
at Germain Arena in Estero, Fla. Josh was
Cal U Hockey’s equipment manager as an
undergrad; he studied business administration
with a marketing concentration. Isaac, a sport
management major, was active in the Sport
Management Club. The two met through
Jamison Roth ’04, director of Recreational
Services and general manager of Cal U’s
men’s and women’s hockey clubs.

NEW OFFICERS
COMMISSIONED
Sean Cushman ’18 (left) and Richard Myers ’18 are commissioned as second lieutenants
in the U.S. Army at the Department of Military Science’s Reserve Officer Training Corps
commissioning ceremony in the Kara Alumni House.

Dr. Joseph Horzempa ’00, ’02 was chosen as
the 2017 Professor of the Year for West Virginia
by the Faculty Merit Foundation, earning a cash
award of $10,000. He is an associate professor
of biology and program director of the M.A./
M.S. in Biology degree program at West Liberty
University. The Faculty Merit Foundation was
created to recognize innovation and creativity
among faculty at West Virginia’s private and
public colleges and universities.

Pennsylvania Legislature. She earned her
master’s degree in education at Cal U.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Rohanna McClure ’03 was
a candidate for the 50th District seat in the

Joel Seelye ’03 received
the Michael K. Smith
Excellence in Service
Award from the
Pennsylvania Bar
Association’s Young
Lawyers Division. He
was recognized for his
willingness to offer
fellow attorneys his expertise, guidance and
assistance, as well as for his professionalism,
collegiality and dedication to the Young Lawyers
Division. Joel is a partner at Grabill & Seelye
PLLC in Altoona, Pa.

Duane Dupont ’02 was honored by the TriCounty Athletic Directors Association at its
Coach of the Year banquet. Duane, who was a
wide receiver for the Vulcans football team, has
been the athletic director for Albert Gallatin
School District, in Fayette County, Pa., for the
past 14 years.

John Rozzo ’03 is superintendent of the Upper
St. Clair (Pa.) School District. He earned his
master’s degree in education from Cal U.
Johannah Vanatta ’07 is superintendent of the
Chartiers Valley School District, in Pennsylvania.
Noel Latta Perchinsky ’07 of Cokeburg, Pa., who
majored in psychology, is a registered nurse at
West Virginia University Medicine. She and
Ronald Perchinsky were married in 2013 and
have a son, Ronald, age 4.
Kim Sell ’08, a physical education faculty
member at Jefferson Community College,

30 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

received a 2018 State University of New York
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.

Abbey Freund ’14 is the assistant girls volleyball
coach at Stoughton (Wis.) High School.

Becky Hall ’09 is the director of athletics for
Kalamazoo (Mich.) College. She previously was
the athletic director for six years at Oglethorpe
University in Georgia. Becky earned her Cal U
master’s degree in sport management.

Chauncey DeMarie Brown ’15 is the lead
kindergarten teacher at DC Prep, in Washington,
D.C. The founder of 9T Management, a brand
management and consulting company, she
earned her master’s degree in sport
management from Cal U.

Allison Knappenberger ’08 earned her Doctor of
Education in Curriculum and Instruction degree
from Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Va. She
majored in secondary education at Cal U.
Jamie Cluesman ’09 is the head women’s
basketball coach at the University of Virginia at
Wise. She earned her master’s degree in exercise
science and health promotion from Cal U.

10s
Dr. Wei Wei Xia ’10 is a chiropractor in Riverside,
Calif. She earned her master’s degree in exercise
science and health promotion from Cal U.
Matthew Wilson ’11 is director of digital
marketing and Internet sales for Maronda
Homes of Pittsburgh, Pa. He studied political
science at Cal U. Professional Builder named him
to its “40 Winners Under 40” list honoring
leaders in the building industry.
Lana Irwin ’11, from the Tender Care Learning
Centers (Meadowlands) in Washington, Pa.,
is a recipient of the 2018 Terri Lynne Lokoff
Children’s Tylenol Children’s Cyrtec National
Child Care Teacher Award. Each award recipient
designed an enhancement project that offers
educational, social and emotional benefits for
the children in their care. Lana’s project was
designed to “get children outside interacting
with nature using a garden.” She will receive a
$1,000 award: $500 to implement the project
and $500 for her dedication.
Andrew DiDonato ’11, head football coach
and professor of exercise science and physical
education at Grove City (Pa.) College, was
guest speaker at the Washington County
Prayer Breakfast.
Priscilla Giddings ’12 was seeking re-election to
represent Idaho’s 7th Legislative District. She
served nine years with the U.S. Air Force.
Tyson Brown ’12 is director of strength and
conditioning at Washington State University.
He earned his master’s degree in exercise
science and health promotion from Cal U.
Brandon Pasquale ’12 is chief of the East
Norriton Township (Pa.) Police Department.
He earned his master’s degree in law and
public policy from Cal U.
Shawana Harrison ’12 is the head girls basketball
coach at West Hall High School in Oakwood,
Ga. She earned her master’s degree in exercise
science and health promotion from Cal U.

Aaron Dinzeo ’15 is a professional runner with
New England Distance in Providence, R.I. He also
provides coaching assistance in the community to
help others achieve their fitness goals. At Cal U,
Aaron was an All-American in track and field and
was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference Track Athlete of the Year in 2014.
Alex Kanellis ’15 is the strength and conditioning
coach for the University of Iowa wrestling team.
He earned his Cal U master’s degree in exercise
science and health promotion, with a
concentration in performance enhancement and
injury prevention.
Theodore “Teddy” Mathis III ’15 graduated from
the City of Pittsburgh Policy Academy. He earned
his master’s degree in criminology from Cal U.
Mick Fennell ’16 has signed with the Washington
(Pa.) Wild Things baseball team of the Frontier
League. The outfielder was a Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference player of the year at Cal U.
Paul Butler ’16, a former tight end for the Vulcans
football team, signed a contract with the Oakland
Raiders of the National Football League.
Paula Giran ’16 is assistant principal of Eden Hall
Upper Elementary School in Gibsonia, Pa. She
earned her master’s degree in STEM education
from Cal U.

HEALTHCARE
ADVOCATE
ADDRESSES
SCHOLARS
Blayre Holmes-Davis ’12 addressed
more than 1,300 Presidential Scholars
at the annual Honors Convocation
this spring. Holmes-Davis, who
earned a degree in communication
studies, is director of community
partnerships for Adagio Health,
where she works to ensure access
to reproductive healthcare, wellness
education and nutrition. Before
joining Adagio Health, she was a
program manager at the Women
and Girls Foundation of Pittsburgh,
where she trained more than 200
high school girls to be the next
generation of civic leaders.

Gregory Christianson ’89, of Gettysburg, Pa., is the author of a
three-volume, family-oriented essay series, Gettysburg Books for
Kids. Volume One, Gettysburg Kids Who Did the Impossible!,
features stories of kids during the Battle of Gettysburg. It is
scheduled to be released later this year. The series also
includes Gettysburg: A Book for Kids! and Gettysburg: For
Those Who Can’t Get Enough!. All volumes feature Gregory’s
children, Liam and Jaden. Gregory majored in English and
played soccer at Cal U.
Gina Napoli ’95 is an author of Clunk on the Head: How the Holy
Spirit Got Our Attention. Her writing has been featured in two book
anthologies: A Community of Writers and A Secret Place. Gina
publishes regularly in two regional publications — TheBurg and
Business Woman — and the statewide magazine Keystone Edge.
Gina is married to George Kopp, has three children and is an
information technology specialist for the Department of Defense.
Robert McNally ’96 has written Life Is a Dream, the
first book in a series called A Journey of Wonderment.

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 31
n

CAL U M I L E S T O N E S

ENGAGEMENTS

ANNIVERSARIES

Emily Warne ’18 and Avery King are engaged
to be married in June 2019. Emily studied
business administration with a concentration
in economics. Emily and Avery work in the
risk management department for PNC Bank.

Thomas Hopkins ’60, a retired teacher in the
Scottsdale, Ariz., schools, and his wife, Lynda,
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with
all three of their children and five grandchildren
in the mountains of Prescott, Ariz. Tom
continues to travel internationally, touring
Morocco for the second time and making annual
summer visits to Paris and Avignon, where he
studied French during a sabbatical leave 36
years ago. He returns to western Pennsylvania
for reunions with classmates from California
High School. Tom reports that he “values his
excellent preparation for teaching from
California State Teachers College.”

GET YOUR 2018
HOLIDAY ORNAMENT
Why wait till the last minute? The 2018
Cal U holiday ornament is available
now. The second in the series, this
year’s ornament depicts Watkins Hall,
formerly Science Hall, built in 1892.
Cost for the shiny brass ornament is
$15. Pick one up at the Kara Alumni
House or add $3 to cover the cost of
mailing. Limited quantities of the first
ornament in the series, which depicts
Old Main, can be purchased at a
discounted price of $10.
Start or grow your collection!
To purchase ornaments, visit the
Kara Alumni House, phone Kathy
Kuharik at 724-938-5775, or email
alumni@calu.edu.

Amanda Platt ’17 and Nate Tabeling were
engaged at Elk Neck State Park, in Maryland.
Amanda earned her master’s degree in
advanced studies in secondary education
and administrative leadership.
Joseph Gibbons ’16 and Colby Cottell are
engaged to be married in September 2018.
Joseph is a project coordinator at Pride Mobility
and head boys basketball coach at Mountain
View High School in Kingsley, Pa.
Dawn Parasolick ’91 and Dan Adamski are
engaged to be married. Dawn is education
director at REALTORS Association of
Metropolitan Pittsburgh.

WEDDINGS

Carole Clancy ’16 is the director of pupil
services for the Solanco School District in
Lancaster County, Pa. She was director of
special education in the Oxford (Pa.) Area
School District and served 20 years in the
special education department at the School
District of Lancaster, where she was the
supervising coordinator of special education,
an intervention specialist and a teacher.
Christa Caceres ’17 was a candidate for the
Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania’s
189th Legislative District. Christa, a licensed
insurance agent, majored in legal studies at
Cal U, where she was a Presidential Scholar
and recipient of the Excellence in Jurisprudence
Award given by the faculty.
Wade Messner ’17 is an activity therapist at
Life Skills and Transition Center in Grafton, N.C.
He was a candidate for director of the Regional
Fitness Cent in Morris, Minn.

32 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

Richard Moran ’66 and JoAnne Marcischak
Moran ’68, of Presto, Pa., celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary in June. Richard began his
teaching career in Upper St. Clair, Pa., became
an assistant principal at Fort Cherry High School
and retired after 19 years as principal at West
Allegheny High School. JoAnne, an elementary
teacher, retired in 2017 from Peters Township
School District. They have three children and
three grandchildren.

BIRTHS
Abigail Wilson ’07
and Tony Mehalic ’10
announce the birth of
their daughter, Sadie
Elizabeth Mehalic, in
April 2018. The couple
lives in Latrobe, Pa.
Both are teachers in
the Greater Latrobe
School District.
Jessica Ryan Long ’08
and Matthew Long
welcomed their first
child, Brantley William
Long, in April 2018.
Jessica graduated with
a degree in chemistry
and works for PPG in
Delaware, Ohio. She
and Matthew were
married in June 2017.
Brittany Prater Zaruta ’09 and Doug Zaruta
welcomed a son, Jacob Douglas Zaruta, in
May 2018.

IN MEMORIAM
Mary Marin Marra ’14 and Scott Marra ’10, of
Dawson, Pa., were married in June 2017. Mary,
who studied liberal arts, is a member of the
therapeutic staff at Family Behavioral Resources.
Scott, who studied computer engineering, is a
package car driver for UPS.

Charles J. “Coach” Abramski Jr. ’77
Richard Gerald Ambrose Jr.,* a food services
worker at Cal U for 28 years
Thomas John Chetosky,* student
Audrey W. Christman ’69
Doris Wright Coldren ’46
Victoria Damato ’80
John Duch ’65

REMEMBRANCES

Theresa Loraine Diehl Dunston ’63
Frances L. Gray Durham ’63
Michael Godzak Jr.,* an instructor
at the Cal U Fire School
Richard S. “R.G.” Groves ’79
Terry Lee Hill ’76
Dorothy Logan Hoak ’51
Robert D. Hughes ’74, ’83
Amanda Jo James ’18, student
James William Kelly Jr. ’68
Nicole L. Kinneer ’05, ’09
Thomas Eugene Kovalchuk ’80, ’84
Dr. Ronald Lee Lombard ’69
Janice L. Boulton Mateka ’63
Raymond W. Mattie Jr. ’90, ’96
Nora Marlane Willenberg Matzus ’72
Richard McGuire ’59
Phyllis McIlwain,* emeritus professor
of elementary education
Yvonne Joyce Packroni ’62
Linda Marie Phillips ’79, ’92
Diane Teresa Crutchfield Sanford ’75
William Schweiker,* emeritus professor
of sociology
Patricia A. Kaider Shavel ’63
Inez Juanita Faux Shriver ’79
Florence Natalini Skrypak ’55
Bernice Anfield Smith ’53
Ralph A. Smith ’66
John W. Sowden Jr. ’59
Terri L. McBurnie Suchy ’04
Margaret P. Majercik Swinker ’48
Regina Encapera Tinkham ’74
John Vojnovich ’52
* No class year available or on file

Charles C. Keller ’47, a longtime supporter of California
University of Pennsylvania, died May 10, 2018. He was born
June 17, 1923, in Goshen, Ind., and was a longtime resident
of California, Pa.
Charles received the Alumni Association’s John R. Gregg
Award for Loyalty and Service in 1975, and its W.S. Jackman
Award of Distinction in 1989. In 2001 he received the Job
Johnson Award from the Foundation for California
University of Pennsylvania. In 2004, he delivered the
undergraduate Commencement address and received a
Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
Charles was a member of the Robert M. Steele Society,
which recognizes donors who have made planned gifts to the
University and the foundation. He was a past member of the
foundation board of directors and a past member of the Cal U
Alumni Association board of directors. He also chaired the
University’s capital campaign committee in 1998.

Emeritus professor Frank L. Vulcano died May 22, 2018.
He retired in 1991 as an assistant professor in the Athletics
Department and was inducted into the Cal U Athletic Hall
of Fame in 2005.
Frank was well known throughout Pennsylvania’s wrestling
community. He was the head wrestling coach at Cal U,
where he coached four PSAC champions, 10 All-Americans
and one national champion. He established the California
University Christmas Wrestling Tournament, which evolved
into what is now the Powerade Wrestling Tournament.

Send your Milestones news or address changes by email to alumni@calu.edu, by fax to
724-938-5932, or by mail to Office of Alumni Relations, California University of Pennsylvania,
250 University Ave., Box 89, California, PA 15419.
Information will be 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.

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

NAME

MAIDEN NAME

CLASS YEAR

ADDRESS

EMAIL

MAY WE LIST YOUR EMAIL ON OUR WEBSITE?

PHONE

OCCUPATION

EMPLOYER

SPOUSE’S/PARTNER’S NAME

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

SUMMER 2018 CAL U REVIEW 33
n

Decades Later,

RINGS RETURNED
In 1984, two men had their initials
engraved on commemorative rings
marking a PSAC championship for
the Vulcans football team. This spring,
those initials – and the Cal U alumni
network – brought the long-lost rings
back to their owners.

J.A.N.

James Alan Natali ’74, ’79 was
California’s sports information
director and radio play-by-play
announcer in 1984. Natali, who uses his middle
name, lost his ring the following spring while
fishing at the Lock Wall in Rices Landing, Pa.
“I think I took off the ring to
tie lures and put it in my fishing
vest,” Natali said. “I thought it
was gone forever.”
Years later, the late Arlene
Hoyle found the ring along the
shore. She gave it to her daughter,
Cyndi Coder ’82.
She and her husband, Greene
County Commissioner Dave Coder,
couldn’t find the owner. Eventually,
Dave Coder gave the ring to a friend,
Kevin Eggleston, assistant director
of the Cal U Welcome Center.
Eggleston couldn’t find J.A.N. on the 1984
football roster, but Bruce Wald ’85, of Cal U’s
public relations staff, knew “Alan” Natali’s full name.
“My wife and I are thrilled, because her mom
always wanted that ring to be returned to his
owner,” Dave Coder says.
For Natali, a member of the Cal U Athletics Hall
of Fame, the ring is a happy reminder of the past.
“It’s just a beautiful ring,” he says. “Getting it
back made me remember so many great kids on
that team who were such fun to work with. That
was a special time.”

34 CAL U REVIEW SUMMER 2018
n

H.G.H.

Harry Gerard Hirsch ’89, now of
West Chester, Pa., was a redshirt
sophomore linebacker when the
Vulcans won the conference title. He realized his
ring was missing when he graduated and moved
back home from his off-campus apartment.
Hirsch didn’t know that one of his college
roommates had the ring. And he had no idea that,
in 1990, that roommate passed it on to Michelle
Matuszky Wilson ’97, of Youngstown, Pa.
Wilson and her husband, Larry, tried
unsuccessfully to find the ring’s owner. Then they
met Mark Vallozzi ’73, also of Youngstown, a past
president of the Cal U Alumni Association.
“We kept (the ring) in our safe, and every time I
looked at it, I knew we had to do something with it,”
she says. “Mark told me about his involvement with
Cal U, and I trusted him.”
Facebook wasn’t yet on the scene, so Vallozzi
posted newspaper ads, talked to alumni and paged
through yearbooks for clues. No luck.
This spring Vallozzi brought
the ring to an alumni gathering
where Alumni Relations director
Ryan Barnhart ’08, ’09, Vulcans
football coach Gary Dunn ’94,
’96 and Welcome Center director
Jenifer Sigado ’85 recognized
the inscription.
“All this time I knew that if it
were my ring, I’d be heartbroken,”
Vallozzi says. “I’m so glad the
original owner finally has it back.”
Hirsch occasionally returns to
western Pennsylvania for alumni
golf outings and reunions. Among his friends is Derek
Dearwater ’85, starting guard on the 1984 team.
“Whenever I get together with my football
buddies, Derek is always wearing his ring,” Hirsch
says. “Each time I’d think, ‘Man, I wish I still had
mine.’ And now I do.” 

By Bruce Wald ’85, information director at Cal U

Don't miss the first ever...

VULCAN FEST
AND HOMECOMING WEEKEND

OCTOB E R 12-14 , 201 8
PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH VISIT WASHINGTON COUNTY, PA

FRIDAY
Class of 1968
Reunion

Reception at Kara
Alumni House

Vulcan Legacy
Reception

All-class reunion party
at The Meadows

Music by Joe
Grushecky ’71

Live performance
at The Meadows

SATURDAY
Party on
the Patio

Alumni brunch at
Kara Alumni House

Homecoming
Parade
and activities
on campus

Vulcan Fest

Food trucks, Kids’ Zone, live music
& more at Roadman Park

Vulcans Football

Cal U vs. Gannon at Adamson Stadium

Vulcan Fest Concert

on the lawn at Roadman Park.
FIREWORKS after the show!

SUNDAY
Explore Washington County
www.visitwashingtoncountypa.com

C A LU . E D U / V U LC A N - F E S T

for complete schedule and details

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
250 University Avenue
California, PA 15419-1394
www.calu.edu
A proud member of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education.

These boots were made for walking
After Commencement ceremonies, biology professor Dr. Carol Bocetti (center) poses with graduates from the Department
of Biological and Environmental Sciences. In a show of pride, they donned their caps and gowns — and pulled on the
waterproof boots they often wore for fieldwork — before walking across the stage to collect their diplomas.

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