2009nov23journaldraft1.qxp:03-24-08 CAL U JOURNAL.qxd 11/17/09 4:19 PM Page 1

California University

VOLUME 11, NUMBER 31 NOV. 23, 2009

Professor’s
Focus:
Suicide
Prevention

P

Veterans (from left) Kerrie Gill, Charles A. Rapp and Dave Mason salute the flag during the national anthem at the 36th annual California
University Veterans Day luncheon.

Luncheon Honors Cal’s Veterans

I

t was a call to action for Cal U’s
military veterans.
“Let the same patriotic service that
brought you to serve in the military
continue to guide you in the community
and in public life,” said Maj. Roy C.
Nickerson, a student at the U.S. Army
Staff and General Command College and
the guest speaker at Cal U’s 36th annual
Veterans Day luncheon.
Turning to the civilians in the
audience, he added: “You need to honor
veterans every day and not just on
Veterans Day. You can do this by freely
speaking your mind, exercising the
freedom and pursuing the right to
happiness that the vets and those on active
duty defend.”
Nickerson is on assignment to be a
planner on the 101st Division Staff at Fort
Campbell, on the Tennessee-Kentucky
state line. Earlier this decade, however, he
was instrumental in helping to revive the
ROTC program at Cal U.
When he arrived on campus, the
program consisted of just seven cadets and
three contracted cadets, the major recalled.
The military comprises a diverse

group of people, he said, and each has
a different reason for answering the
call to arms.
“Serving for me is a very personal
thing that I value every day,” said
Nickerson whose military honors
include the Meritorious Service Medal
with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army
Commendation Medal with two Oak
Leaf Clusters, the National Defense
Service Medal with Bronze Star, the
Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, and the Air Assault Badge.
“While on this campus, Dr.
Armenti’s sincere caring for all
branches of the military was clearly
evident, and he must be recognized
for his contributions and support.”
President Angelo Armenti, Jr. also
offered remarks before accepting
awards on behalf of Cal U from the
Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve, a Department of Defense
organization that works with
employers, reservists, military
leadership and volunteer committees
to develop and maintain relationships
with employers.

“It is our responsibility to ensure
that those men and women who
served our country and, especially,
those who have made the ultimate
sacrifice in defense of this country
and our way of life are never
forgotten,” the President said.
“We have a responsibility to see
that their bravery and commitment
will always be not only remembered,
but also honored with deep gratitude
for allowing us and our families to live
in freedom and security. The Cal U
community offers you both our
greatest respect and deepest thanks.”
The President presented a medal
recognizing the patriotism of alumnus
Charles Keller ’47, a former U.S.
Army Air Corps pilot who served in
Europe during World War II. He
retired with the rank of lieutenant
colonel after 30 years of service as a
Judge Advocate with the U.S. Air
Force.
The luncheon featured a televised
greeting from U.S. Sen. Robert P. Casey
Jr. emphasizing the need to recognize all
— Continued on page 3

rofessor Sam Lonich, chair of the
Department of Psychology, has
been accredited as a school
suicide prevention specialist by the
American Association of Suicidology.
AAS is a membership organization
for those involved in suicide prevention
and intervention, and for individuals
who have been touched by suicide. The
association works to prevent suicide
through research, education and
training, and by developing standards,
resources and survivor support services.
“In completing our accreditation
program, Sam has demonstrated
knowledge competencies in areas
crucial to working with at-risk students
in managing suicide prevention in
schools,” said Lanny Berman, AAS
executive director.
As a school suicide prevention
specialist, Lonich will provide education
and in-service training to school
administrators, faculty and staff, helping
them to identify and intervene with atrisk students and to develop ageappropriate and culturally relevant
curriculum.
He also will help school districts
develop and implement school-based
suicide prevention programs, identify
evidence-based suicide prevention
practices, and assist students in dealing
with traumatic loss.
His accreditation also will benefit
Cal U students.
“I am now able to provide training
to students in school psychology,
education and counseling programs on
the identification of risk factors for
youth suicide, prevention and postvention principles, and how to assess a
youth at risk,” said Lonich.
— Continued on page 4

Online Auction Adds
to Scholarship Fund

A

n online auction of Pittsburgh
Penguins collectibles and a oncein-a-lifetime “game night
experience” at Mellon Arena will support
scholarships for Cal U students.
The auction begins Nov. 30 at
www.pittsburghpenguins.com. Bidding
closes at 5 p.m. Dec. 11, 2009.
Auction proceeds will go to a
scholarship fund bearing the Penguins
name and managed by the Foundation for
California University of Pennsylvania.
“As state funding for higher education
declines, public universities must pay
more attention to fundraising than ever
before,” said University President Angelo

Armenti, Jr. “At Cal U, student
scholarships continue to be our greatest
need.”
Hockey fans who log on to the
Penguins’ website can bid on three
jerseys, signed by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni
Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury; three
hockey sticks, signed by the same players;
and a Game Night Experience on Dec.
27, when the Pens face off against the
Toronto Maple Leafs at home.
The Game Night package includes
four Igloo seats for the game, one stick
autographed by Crosby, a chance to
watch warm-ups from the penalty box,
— Continued on page 3

Fans of the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins will have the opportunity to bid on
team memorabilia and a Game Night Experience during an online auction, which runs
Nov. 30 through Dec. 11. Proceeds will support Cal U student scholarships.

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Workshop
Explains
‘Data
About
Data’

M

ore than 70 students in the
Geographical Information
Systems program had a
chance to learn more about metadata
— information about data or other
information — at a U.S. Geological
Survey workshop this fall.
Dr. Thomas Mueller, associate
professor in the Department of Earth
Sciences, organized the workshop at
Cal U. It was presented by Vivian B.
Hutchison, metadata coordinator for
the USGS’ National Biological
Information Infrastructure. The
USGS covered all of her expenses.
“I feel that (learning about)
metadata, in general, is best started
with younger people in college, before
they start jobs at federal governments
or state agencies,” Hutchison said.
“The more
awareness we
can start on at
the university
level, the better
our programs
will be.
“The Cal
students were
very attentive,
asked good
questions and I
Vivian Hutchison
have had some
follow-up e-mails.”
Metadata helps to organize
information and put it in context.
“If someone opens up your data,
they see a bunch of numbers,” she
explained. “But if a metadata record
is also there, it will define the
numbers, say what they mean, when
they were collected and even offer
publication links.
“What these records are used for
is to give a long-term effect to the
data, so data can be reused down the
road for things not even conceived at
the time.”
Mueller said he was pleased to
hold the workshop on campus.
“Our students are now able to put
on their resumes that they
participated in an official USGS
metadata workshop,” he said. “This is
another initiative of our University
trying to do the best it can to make
our students more marketable.”
Mueller looks forward to
presenting the metadata workshop
himself this spring or summer at
Washington & Jefferson College in
Washington, Pa., and Allegheny
College in Meadville, Pa.
In addition, he plans to
incorporate the topic into his GIS
classes.
“The fact that he is willing to take
those slides and integrate them into
classes he will teach … is exactly
want we want to happen,” Hutchison
said.
“Tom is just fantastic. You can see
why students would love to take his
classes, because his energy is
contagious. That’s important … when
you are talking about something like
metadata.”

2

Cayli Coey, a sophomore at Uniontown Area High School, uses a viewfinder to scale subjects while learning the finer techniques of drawing
during the Art and Writing Encounter offered by Cal U’s Art and Design and English departments.

Young Artists, Writers at Work

M

ore than 250 middle school and high school
students from 17 districts in Washington, Greene
and Fayette counties visited the campus Nov. 6 to
learn more about art and writing, and to jump-start their
creativity.
The visiting students toured Cal U, observed classes and
participated in art and writing workshops taught by faculty
from the departments of Art and Design and English. Cal U
undergraduates assisted.
“It is a good program, and I would like to come back and
take different courses to learn more,” said Tanner Holt, from
Uniontown Area High School.
The “Art and Writing Encounter” helped to prepare
students for an awards program sponsored by Scholastic, the
global children’s publishing, education and media company.
Scholastic’s corporate mission includes helping children
around the world to read and learn.

In January, Cal U will host the Scholastic Art and Writing
Awards ceremony and art show, honoring the best young
writers and artists in the region.
“This was not only a great way to introduce the students
to the campus, but also to get them pumped up to get their
submissions turned in for the awards ceremony,” said Greg
Harrison, chair of the Department of Art and Design.
“They had a full day of productive activity here, and in
January we will have a big show with a few hundred pieces on
display.”
Harrison thanked Dr. Krystia Nora from the English
Department and the participating faculty from both
departments. The College of Liberal Arts and the Scholastic
board of directors also supported the activity.
For more information about January’s awards ceremony
and show, contact the Department of Art and Design at
724-938-4182 or the Department of English at 724-938-4070.

P.E.A.C.E. Project
Celebrates First Decade
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the P.E.A.C.E
Project — Prevention, Education, Advocacy for
Change and Empowerment — are (from left)
Cheryl Danko, project coordinator and victim
advocate; Dr. Tim Susick, associate vice president
for Student Development and Services; Betsy
Dane, administrator of the Washington County
District Attorney’s crime victim and witness
assistance program; and Dr. Elizabeth Gruber, a
professor of counselor education and a former
project director. The P.E.A.C.E. Project is
committed to raising awareness about sexual
assault, relationship violence and stalking on
campus and in the community. It also provides
prevention education and supports victims and
their families. The P.E.A.C.E. Project director is
Nancy Skobel. For more information, call
724-938-5707 or e-mail peace@calu.edu.

PASSHE Chancellor Vice Chair of National Panel

D

3.5 million students, nearly half of all of those
r. John C. Cavanaugh, chancellor of the
attending public colleges and universities in the
Pennsylvania State System of Higher
United States. They are student centered and
Education (PASSHE), has been selected to
committed to serving the needs of their
serve as vice chair of the American Association of
communities, their regions and the nation.”
State Colleges and Universities’ Committee on
The committee appointment is the second
Policies and Purposes.
national post to which Cavanaugh has been named
The committee serves as AASCU’s “think
since becoming PASSHE chancellor in July 2008.
tank” to help the organization remain on the
Last year he was appointed to the State Higher
cutting edge of issues that will have an impact on
Education Executive Officers’ (SHEEO) Federal
member campuses. AASCU comprises 430 public
colleges and universities in the United States and in Dr. John C. Cavanaugh Relations Committee. Earlier this year, he was
named the committee’s vice chair.
Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
SHEEO represents public college and university systems
Cavanaugh’s appointment runs through November 2010.
and coordinating boards for postsecondary education. The
“I look forward to participating and contributing to the
Federal Relations Committee is responsible for shaping
discussion of issues of vital importance to higher education
SHEEO’s federal priorities and strategies and leading its
and our nation,” Cavanaugh said. “AASCU institutions
communications with Congress and the Obama administration.
provide access an educational opportunities to more than

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Women Move to NCAA Contests Hundreds

Attend
GACO Fair

Volleyball and
Soccer Teams
Win PSAC titles

S

T

he women’s volleyball and soccer
teams have won Pennsylvania
State Athletic Conference titles
and are advancing in NCAA
tournament play.

Volleyball
Under the direction of second-year
head coach Stephanie Burner, the
volleyball team won its third
consecutive PSAC title Nov. 15,
defeating Lock Haven after earlier
victories over Gannon and
Shippensburg in the state tournament.
Senior Renata da Silva was named
the PSAC Tournament’s Most Valuable
Player.
This is the team’s fourth PSAC title
in five years. The volleyball team has
won 13 of its last 14 matches in PSAC
tournaments.
This past weekend the Vulcans (335) made their fifth consecutive
appearance in the NCAA tourney,
hoping to win their third consecutive
NCAA Atlantic Regional
Championship at Hamer Hall. Contest
results are available at
www.calvulcans.com.

Soccer
The women’s soccer team has
enjoyed its finest season in school
history this fall.

Senior Renata da Silva helped the women’s volleyball team win a third consecutive PSAC
championship and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Under the direction of third-year
head coach Al Alvine, the team won its
first PSAC-West title with a 10-3-1
divisional record and then the program’s
first PSAC tournament win, 2-0 over
Gannon, while advancing to the
semifinals.
The Vulcans received their first
NCAA tournament bid and recorded
impressive victories over West Virginia
Wesleyan (1-0) and Kutztown (3-1) to
reach the Round of 16 at press time.
Updates are available at
www.calvulcans.com.

Led by senior forward Amanda
Heister and sophomore goalkeeper
Paula Jackson, the 2009 team also set a
new single-season victory total with an
18-5-1 overall record through the first
two rounds of the NCAA tourney. The
previous record was 12 wins, set by the
2008, 1994 and 1992 squads.
Heister and Alvine received PSACWest Athlete and Coach of the Year
honors. Jackson, junior Sam Regney,
sophomore Kayla Klimasko and
freshman Carley Work all earned allconference honors.

ince its inception in 1985, Cal
U’s Government Agency
Coordination Office has helped
local businesses obtain more than
$2.2 billion in government contracts
and subcontracts.
At GACO’s yearly Procurement
Opportunities Fair, business owners
can meet face to face with
representatives of government
agencies, corporations and service
organizations.
Nearly 90 organizations staffed
booths at this year’s fair, which drew
466 regional business owners, sales
representatives and other participants
to Mars, Pa.
Among the organizations represented were the U.S. Navy; U.S.
Army Intelligence and Security
Command; Defense Supply Centers
in Columbus, Philadelphia and
Richmond, Va.; the U.S. Veterans
Administration; the Office of Surface
Mining; and businesses including
Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems,
Bechtel Plant Machinery and
Mascaro Construction.
A seminar on “Doing Business
with the Navy” was presented by
Susan Burrows, associate director of
the Office of Small Business
Programs at the Naval Supply
Systems Command in Arlington, Va.

Campus BRIEFS
Major Roy
Nickerson
offers
remarks as
the guest
speaker.
He urged
veterans
and all
those in
attendance
to honor
soldiers of
the past,
present
and future.

Climb to the Top

Luncheon Honors Cal’s Veterans
— Continued from page 1
veterans and not to undervalue those
who have not seen direct combat.
“All of them have given time away
from their families to support our
country’s freedom, and that alone is a
real sacrifice,” he said.
Four students received the 2009-2010
Col. Arthur L. Bakewell Veterans
Scholarships. Awarded annually in
memory of the longtime Cal U Veterans
Club adviser, the scholarships have

grown from $250 to $1,000 through the
generosity of the Veterans Scholarship
Fund 500 Club.
Taking part in the presentation was
the late Col. Bakewell’s daughter, Cherie
Sears. This year’s recipients were Konrad
Kearcher, Dewayne Bramlett, Adler
Volmar and Robyn Weidner.
The luncheon also honored three staff
members who have returned from recent
deployments: Robert Prah, who served
as the emcee, Thomas Kapolka and
Gena Sproul.

Auction Adds to Scholarship Fund
— Continued from page 1
and tours of the Mellon Arena press box and the Penguins radio booth during the
game. One member of the group can ride the Zamboni during the first intermission.
Cal U entered a partnership agreement with the Penguins this year, and “the team
has been terrific to work with,” said Craig Butzine, Cal U’s director of marketing.
“I try to include both internship and scholarship opportunities for our students in
each of our partnership agreements,” he added.
“We hope our alumni and University friends take part in the auction, but it’s not
restricted in any way. Any adult can make a bid. These are great prizes, but in the
end, our students will be the real winners.”

Are you interested but unsure
about climbing the 33-foot-tall
obelisk in the renovated Herron
Recreation and Fitness Center?
Help is available. A certified
climbing wall instructor will get
you to the top after just two
lessons.
Training is available for all
faculty members, staff and students
from 6-7 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 7;
from 7-8 p.m., Dec. 2 and 9; and
from 8-9 p.m. Dec. 3.
This training is not required to
climb the obelisk. Times are subject
to change without notice; check the
climbing wall area for changes in
the training schedule.

New MSN Program Offered Online
Beginning in January, Cal U’s Global Online program will offer a new
graduate program — a Master of Science in Nursing Administration and
Leadership.
Delivered 100 percent online, the MSN program prepares advanced
practitioners in nursing administration and leadership to address prevailing
health and nursing issues. It offers students a comprehensive
understanding of and beginning competence in nursing research, as well as
a foundation for doctoral study in nursing.
For more information, send e-mail to msnonline@calu.edu or to
program coordinator Mary O’Connor at oconnor@calu.edu. Details are
available by phone at 724-938-5958 or 1-866-595-6348.
To learn more about Cal U’s nursing programs, including its bachelor’s
degree in nursing, visit www.calu.edu/go/nursing.

Happy Thanksgiving
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday there will be no classes at Cal U’s
main campus or Southpointe location beginning Wednesday, Nov. 25. All
University offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday. Classes
will begin and all offices open again on Monday, Nov. 30.

3

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THE CALIFORNIA
UNIVERSITY FORUM

THE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY FORUM
December 1, 2009/4:00 p.m.

LRC Auditorium

TENTATIVE AGENDA

November 3, 2009/4:00 p.m.

I. CALL TO ORDER

MINUTES

II. ROLL CALL
III. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
IV. MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3, 2009
(Approved by e-mail ballot – refer to Forum website or Public Folders in Outlook)
V. MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(Informational Only – Minutes November 17, 2009)
VI. PRESIDING OFFICER’S REPORT
A. Notice of Executive Committee Meeting: January 19, 2010 – University
Community Welcome
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS
VIII. INTERPELLATION
IX. NEW BUSINESS
X. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next FORUM Meeting January 26, 2010
XI. ADJOURNMENT

The California
University Forum met
in regular session
Tuesday, November
3, 2009, in the LRC
Auditorium. Presiding
Officer Hoover called
the meeting order at
4:10 p.m.
The following
senators were in
attendance:
Ms. Cinthia Arcuri
Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr.
Ms. Ashley Baird
Ms. Jessica Bettilyon
Dr. Bill Biddington
Ms. Angela Burrows
Mrs. Roberta Busha
Dr. Leonard Colelli
Ms. Jenna Dunmire
Ms. Sharon Elkettani
Dr. Joyce Hanley

LRC Auditorium

Dr. Tom Mueller
Dr. John Nass
Dr. Nancy Pinardi
Dr. Susan Ryan
Mr. Gary Seelye
Mr. Paul Sible
Mr. Bryan Tolle
The following were
also in attendance:
Mr. Douglas Hoover,
Presiding Officer
Mr. Loring Prest,
Parliamentarian
Mrs. Dana Turcic,
Recording Secretary
The following
senators were absent:
Dr. Lenora Angelone
Ms. Brittany Balaz
Mr. Rick Bertagnolli
Mr. Richard Bolinger
Dr. Jane Bonari
Ms. Jackie Davis
Ms. Kay Dorrance

Ms. Fran Fayish
Ms. Rachel Fletcher
Mr. Thomas
Hasbrouck
Ms. Geraldine Jones
Mr. Keith Kappel
Dr. Kevin Koury
Mr. Josh Mrosko
Ms. Ashley MunozBriggs
Ms. Rebecca Nichols
Mrs. Jenifer Sigado
Dr. Michael Slaven
Dr. Linda Toth
Dr. Tom Wickham
Dr. Brian Wood
Dr. Kimberly Woznack

Due to the lack of
a quorum of Forum
senators, Presiding
Officer Hoover
adjourned the
meeting at 4:15 p.m.

New Media Promotes
Cal U’s Inkwell

S

Sam Lonich, chair and professor for the Department of Psychology, has been accredited as a school
suicide prevention specialist by the American Association of Suicidology.

Professor Earns Accreditation
as Suicide Prevention Specialist
— Continued from page 1
Each day about 11 young Americans
take their own lives, he added, and 17
percent of high school students seriously
consider suicide.
“Addressing and helping people
understand this issue is so important,” he
said.
Dr. Michael Hummel, Cal U’s Dean of
the College of Liberal Arts, noted that
Lonich discussed youth suicide last month
at Cal U’s third annual Conference on

Corporate and Homeland Security, which
focused on school security. He also
delivered the keynote address, “Changing
Nature of Crisis,” at the annual conference
of the Crisis Intervention Association of
Pennsylvania, held in September at Seven
Springs Mountain Resort.
“This (accreditation) is a very
significant accomplishment by one of our
scholars,” Hummel said. “Sam has done a
super job, especially with his ongoing work
to preserve one of our most precious
resources — our young people.”

tudents producing this fall’s
version of The Inkwell, Cal U’s
online literary magazine, have
created a blog and a Facebook page
chronicling their work.
The blog, at http://inkwellclass.
blogspot.com, was created by the
photography team of the Publishing
the Magazine class, which has
produced The Inkwell since 2005.
Other class members are
updating the photography team’s
work on the blog, treating it as a
journal of their progress and a place
for the public to observe the
magazine’s progression.
The Facebook page, developed
by the poetry team and updated by
other class members, can be reached
by searching “Cal U Inkwell 2009”
on Facebook’s website. The class’s
page should be the first item that
pops up from the search and is
listed as an Entertainment and Arts
group. Any member of Facebook
can join the group.
Devon Maloney, a graphic
design major, is producing a video
documentary of the class as an
honors addendum. Maloney and
the Web team are designing the
’zine’s website with advice from
Pam DelVerne, director of the
Multimedia Center in the Natali
Student Center.

This fall’s version of The Inkwell can
be viewed at http://inkwellclass.
blogspot.com.

The fiction, creative nonfiction,
poetry and photography staffs have
begun notifying those from the Cal
U community who submitted work
for The Inkwell about whether their
pieces have been accepted.
Previous editions of The Inkwell
can be viewed at http://sai.calu.
edu/inkwell. The 2009 edition
should be available by the end of the
semester. Associate Professor of
English Margo Wilson teaches the
Publishing the Magazine class.

Thank you
Bob Winwood (Custodial Services) would like to thank the university
community for all of their support, generosity and acts of kindness following the loss of his son, Brian. The thoughtfulness is sincerely appreciated.

The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr.
University President

Eric Larmi
Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance

Geraldine M. Jones
Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Lenora Angelone
Vice President for Student Development and Services

Dr. Joyce Hanley
Executive Vice President

Dr. Charles Mance
Vice President of Information Technology

Angela J. Burrows
Vice President for University Relations
Christine Kindl
Editor

Bruce Wald
Writer

OfficeofCommunicationsandPublicRelations,
250UniversityAvenue,California,PA15419
724-938-4195wald@calu.edu

The Journal is printed on paper made from trees harvested under the principles of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (www.SFIprogram.org).

4

Wendy Mackall
Writer