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California University
Volume 21, Number 5 MARCH 25, 2019
KEEP UP WITH CAL U NEWS ONLINE: calu.edu/news
Cal U’s Female Leaders Discuss Journeys
R
espect others.
Have confidence.
Seize the opportunities.
Empower each other.
At two events on March 7, Cal U
celebrated the success of women and the
opportunities women have to affirm and
encourage others.
Leadership Panel
Five female leaders shared
lessons learned along their personal
and professional journeys as part
of a Women’s History Month panel
sponsored by the Student Affairs
Diversity Committee.
Panelists were President
Geraldine M. Jones; Dr. Nancy Pinardi,
vice president for Student Affairs;
Christine Kindl, vice president for
Communications and Marketing;
Dr. Brenda Fredette, dean of Eberly
College of Science and Technology; and
Dr. Kristen Majocha, dean of the College
of Liberal Arts.
President Jones — a first-generation
college student, a Cal U alumna, and
the University’s first female and AfricanAmerican president — explained there
were fewer than two handfuls of female
faculty and even fewer African-American
faculty when she started working at
the University.
Her path to the presidency included
positions where she supervised faculty
who taught her.
“Treat people with respect, the way
you want to be treated, and don’t let
anyone define you,” she said. “Don’t ever
say ‘can’t,’ and it’s OK to fail.”
President Jones, who has been
married to Jeff Jones for almost 45 years,
said, “You must have balance, with
everyone in your family working as a
team, and your relationships will become
even stronger.”
Dr. Kristen Majocha (left), Dr. Nancy Pinardi, President Geraldine Jones, Christine Kindl and Dr.
Brenda Fredette participate in a Women’s History Month panel discussion.
Garcia Leads Office of
Enrollment Management
T
Cal U
Recognized for
Election Efforts
C
alifornia University of Pennsylvania has been
named a Voter Friendly Campus for
2019-2020, one of 10 universities in the
state to be recognized by the Fair Election Center’s
Campus Vote Project and NASPA-Student Affairs
Administrators in Higher Education.
It is the second time the university has been named
a Voter Friendly Campus.
Nationwide, 123 campuses in 31 states received the
designation for developing plans to engage students in
the electoral process.
Schools were evaluated on developing a plan to
engage students in the midterm elections in 2018,
facilitating voter engagement efforts on campus and
analyzing the success of the initiatives.
The American Democracy Project at Cal U
partnered with other campus groups to prioritize voter
education, registration and mobilization.
ADP provided registration tables at campus events;
organized forums on campaign issues; planned rides
to the polls on Election Day; and welcomed a panel of
experts to analyze the results.
Also in 2018, Cal U received a $6,000 grant from
the Campus Vote Project that was used, in part, for
stipends for two students who were chosen as election
and voter engagement fellows.
“Cal U invests much time and effort into civic
engagement programming, because today’s college
students will be tomorrow’s community leaders,”
said Dr. Melanie Blumberg, director of the American
Democracy Project at Cal U and a professor of
political science.
the Enrollment Management Office
homas “Dave” Garcia has begun
toward success with a “students first”
work as Cal U’s first vice president
attitude, data-based decision-making and
for Enrollment Management.
an entrepreneurial spirit. He will serve as a
The Office of Enrollment Management
member of the President’s leadership team.
was created through a reorganization
“As an educator, my goal is to reach out
of existing staff, with a goal of better
and encourage students to excel and strive
coordinating the full scope of Cal U’s
for greatness,” Garcia says. “As a leader
strategic enrollment and student success
for the enrollment management division,
efforts. It comprises the offices of
I know the important role we all play in
Admissions, Financial Aid, Student
Thomas 'Dave' Garcia
creating an environment that is user friendly,
Success, and Career and Professional
caring and student-centered.”
Development, plus the Welcome Center and
“I am so excited to join the Cal U family,” Garcia
Student Orientation.
says. “I was highly impressed with the beautiful
Garcia, who started March 4, comes to Cal U
campus and the excellent academic programs here at
from Kent State University, in Ohio, where he created
Cal U.
and implemented strategic enrollment plans resulting
“With the leadership and vision of President Jones
in 10 consecutive years of enrollment growth. He
and the outstanding faculty and staff at Cal U, I have
also introduced several new financial aid programs,
no doubt that we will be able to grow enrollment to
including initiatives designed to assist first-generation
higher levels in the years to come.”
and low-income students, and to help college seniors
The office of Enrollment Management is located in
graduate.
Dixon Hall Room 302.
At Cal U, Garcia has been charged with steering
Science
Olympiad
at Cal U
McGuffey High School
sophomores Lauren Baker
and Nate Witkowsky identify
reptiles at the Southwestern
Pennsylvania Regional Science
Olympiad on March 6 at the
Convocation Center. Middle
school and high school students
from 13 counties competed in
STEM-related events. Teams
from Shady Side, Franklin
Regional, Quaker Valley,
Norwin, Winchester Thurston,
Peters Township and Mount
Lebanon advanced to the state
competition April 27 at Juniata
College in Huntingdon, Pa. The
National Science Olympiad will
be June 1 at Cornell University
in Ithaca, N.Y.
Page 2
B
MARCH 25, 2019
Trustees Get a Peek at Coover Hall
efore getting down to business at
its March 7 quarterly meeting,
members of Cal U’s Council
of Trustees toured a renovated and
expanded Coover Hall, which is
scheduled to open for the fall semester.
Funded by the state Department
of General Services, the two-year,
$11 million project included a total
life-cycle renovation, plus a two-story,
42,000-square-foot addition.
It will house the Department of
Applied Engineering and Technology, as
well as classes in art and design.
At the meeting, chairwoman
Annette Ganassi introduced new trustee
Anthony H. Amadio ’73, who recently
was appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf.
This is the second consecutive
meeting with a new trustee at the
table: Stephen M. DeFrank ’92
attended his first quarterly council
meeting in December. He is now
Cal U’s representative at PACT, the
Pennsylvania Association of Councils
of Trustees.
Amadio is seeking his fourth term as
Beaver County commissioner. A retired
teacher and former township supervisor,
he is a lifelong Beaver County resident
whose children, Tony Amadio ’92 and
Amy Fredericks ’03, also are Cal U
alumni.
“I have to give so much credit to
Cal U, because without my degree from
here I would not be where I am today,”
Amadio said.
Anthony H. Amadio
Stephen M. DeFrank
In her report to the trustees,
University President
Geraldine M. Jones praised the
exemplary work of the Facilities
Management and Student Affairs staffs
during the Feb. 20 power outage on
campus.
The Facilities Management team
worked tirelessly to identify the problem
and make repairs, she said, while the
Student Affairs staff went above and
beyond to keep Cal U’s students safe
and comfortable when the power
went out.
“You can tell a lot about the
character of a community by watching
how it responds to unexpected
circumstances,” she told the trustees.
“I saw dedication, collaboration and a
tremendous amount of hard work.”
In other business:
• Dr. Bruce Barnhart, provost and
senior vice president for Academic
Affairs, received approval to forward
proposals for two academic programs
to the Office of the Chancellor. Cal U is
seeking to convert the Arabic Language
and Linguistics program from a
concentration within the M.A. in Social
Science to a master’s degree program,
and to offer a Master of Science in
Accountancy.
In his enrollment update, Barnhart
reported some positive trends, despite a
decrease in overall headcount of more
than 6 percent compared to spring 2018.
The number of new first-year students
taking on-campus courses is rising,
he said, and enrollment by military
students increased by about 1.6 percent
compared to last spring.
Cal U’s headcount ranks seventh
among the 14 State System universities.
Registration for Summer College
sessions began Feb. 18.
• Robert Thorn, vice president
for Administration and Finance,
received approval for an updated
five-year capital spending plan that
prioritizes construction of a new science
building to replace Frich and New
Science halls.
The capital spending plan, which
must be approved annually, sets the new
building’s cost at more than $44 million.
Like Coover Hall, the science center will
be constructed with state funds.
• Dr. Nancy Pinardi, vice president
for Student Affairs, introduced
Becky McMillen and Lindsay Mongell
of University Conference Services.
Their presentation focused on the
Convocation Center, highlighting the
professional development opportunities
available to Cal U students. In addition
to work-study opportunities and
graduate assistantships, students in
programs such as commercial music
technology, sport management and
tourism gain hands-on experience at the
Convocation Center.
Since 2011, more than 425,000
visitors have come through the
building’s doors.
• Tony Mauro, vice president for
University Development and Alumni
Relations, reported that his office
has raised more than $3.5 million in
donations, which includes more than
$2 million in cash donations, so far in
fiscal year 2018-2019.
Both of these totals are the second
highest in the past seven years.
Christine Kindl, vice president
for Communications and Marketing,
teamed up with Keli Henderson,
director of Marketing, and
Greg Sofranko, director of Creative
Services, to introduce an updated visual
identity for the University and Vulcans
athletic programs.
The Cal U community
enthusiastically welcomed new
University and athletics logos at a Logo
Reveal Rally on Feb. 21 — the most
recent milestone in Cal U’s ongoing
re-branding project.
The Council of Trustees is scheduled
to meet again June 5.
Fundraiser Promotes Kindness
C
Graduate
School Sets
Information
Sessions
I
nterested in enhancing your resume
and advancing your career with a
master’s or doctoral degree? Cal U
is planning graduate school information
sessions 6-8 p.m. March 27 and June 19
to learn about academic programs and
options. Both sessions will be held in the
Convocation Center, on campus.
The graduate school at Cal U offers
both face-to-face classes and degree
programs delivered 100 percent online.
At the information sessions, future
students can meet with faculty, financial
aid staff, students and alumni to learn
about the benefits of a Cal U graduate
program. There will also be campus
tours, free applications and information
on graduate assistantships.
Certificate and licensure programs
are available in a variety of disciplines.
Doctoral programs are offered in
criminal justice, health science and
exercise leadership, and education and
administration leadership.
All information sessions are free but
online registration is requested.
For more information about Cal U’s
programs, visit calu.edu/academics.
For information about the School of
Graduate Studies and Research,
call 724-938-4187 or email
gradschool@calu.edu.
ookies and camaraderie
highlighted a campus event
to benefit the victims of last
October’s Tree of Life Synagogue
tragedy.
Proceeds from “Take a Bite Out of
Hate: Cookies for a Cause” Feb. 26 went
to the Jewish Federation of Greater
Pittsburgh’s Fund for Victims of Terror.
On Oct. 27, 2018, 11 people were killed
in a mass shooting at the synagogue,
located in the Squirrel Hill section of
the city.
Those who donated were treated
to cookies — representing Mexico,
Norway, Germany, France, South
Africa, China, Italy, the United States,
Poland, Scotland, Canada and Israel
— prepared by Cal U Dining and
Hospitality Services.
Cal U faculty members
Dr. Emily Sweitzer and
Dr. Christina Toras collaborated
on the fundraiser.
Preschool children from the
Karen and Tom Rutledge Institute for
Early Childhood Education, members
of the Cal U String Orchestra and
children from the Calvary Chapel
Christian School in Brownsville
performed at the event.
The Rutledge students sang “Spread
Kindness” and made banners depicting
what love means to them.
“The children made the day
extremely special, and this is a good
start to what hopefully becomes a nice
tradition that just gets bigger and better,”
Toras said.
Cherie Sears, director of the Rutledge
Institute Preschool Program, said it
was important for the preschoolers to
participate.
“Kids have an innocence to them.
Let’s try and keep that, but let’s also
show them that we can all get along
and be kind to each other,” she said.
After performing with his classmates, Hunter Smiley, 12, of Calvary Chapel Christian School's
choir, enjoys cookies from around the world at Cal U's 'Take a Bite Out of Hate' fundraiser.
“Unfortunately, the tragedy was so close
to home, and lot of them know about it
because the TVs are on. They need some
kind of reassurance.
“Today they got to be the little
helpers,” she said, a reference to the
late Fred Rogers’ advice to “look for the
helpers” for comfort and inspiration in
times of tragedy.
Cal U first-year athletic training
major Katelynn Sahady, a graduate
of Calvary Chapel Christian School,
enjoyed hearing some of her former
schoolmates sing a medley.
“I think it’s great to raise money
and keep a positive awareness of what
happened,” she said.
Cal U cross country and track and
head coach Daniel Caulfield attended
the event with his wife, Jackie, who is
also an assistant coach.
“It’s a lovely event that deals with
such a tragic situation. It’s important
in taking the University where it wants
to go in coming together and moving
forward, especially for our students,”
he said.
“You must appreciate the time and
effort put into this.”
Scott Bush, an instructor in
the Department of Biological and
Environmental Sciences, was glad he
made the event part of his day.
“This was a something different, a
very classy event for a good cause,”
he said.
Sweitzer estimated 180 members of
the Cal U community stopped by the
Performance Center.
“We want to continue addressing
causes or issues,” Sweitzer said of future
events. “It’s very natural to do so by
being in each other” company for pure
enjoyment,” she said.
MARCH 25, 2019
Page 3
Conference Proposals
Due April 3
P
roposals for the fifth annual Strike a
Spark Conference are due April 3.
Presented by the Center
for Undergraduate Research and the
Faculty Professional Development
Center, the event showcases the research,
scholarship, creative activity and
application of students and faculty.
This year’s conference will be from
9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 24 in the Convocation
Center. Dr. Dan Greenstein, Chancellor
of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher
Education, will deliver the conference’s
keynote address at 11 a.m.
All University members who have
been involved in research, scholarship or
creative activity are encouraged to share
their work.
Call for Judges
Faculty, alumni, regional experts
and professionals outside the campus
community in fields representing
Cal U’s array of majors are encouraged
to participate as judges of student work.
Those interested in serving as a judge
should email their names, discipline, and
morning or afternoon availability to
Dr. Keat Murray by March 31 at
murray@calu.edu with “Conference
Judge” in the subject line.
To learn about this year’s conference
and how to submit a proposal, visit
calu.edu/strikeaspark. Questions can
be directed to Dr. Louise Nicholson at
nicholson@calu.edu or Dr. Gregg Gould
at gould@calu.edu.
Samantha Gloeckl (left) and Allison Greenlief discuss their research on art history
methodologies with Dr. Gregg Gould at last spring’s Strike a Spark Conference.
Young Women's Leadership Conference Set
C
al U is hosting a conference
designed to empower young
women.
The Cal U Young Women's
Leadership Conference, "You Can
at Cal U," will take place from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29 in the south
wing of the Convocation Center.
Panel discussions will focus on
career pathways. Panelists will
include Cal U professors, students
and graduates.
Conference participants include girls
in seventh through 11th grades from
surrounding school districts such as
Belle Vernon, Brownsville, California,
Charleroi, Frazier, Monessen, and
Ringgold.
As part of the application
process for this free conference,
participants complete the Holland
Code RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative,
Artistic, Social, Enterprising,
Conventional) test, which helps
determine career interests.
Based on the test results, students will
be placed in panel discussion that focus
on particular career interests, according
to coordinator Dr. Mary Kreis, associate
professor in Cal U’s Department of
Exercise Science and Sport Studies.
The visiting students will also take
a campus tour, receive lunch and hear
from clubs and interest groups to get
examples of the campus-life experience
outside the classroom as well.
Cal U administrators and faculty
who will lead panels include
Dr. Brenda Fredette, dean of Eberly
College of Science and Technology;
Dr. Kristen Majocha, dean of the
College of Liberal Arts; Christine Kindl,
vice president for Communications and
Marketing; Dr. Laura Miller, director of
the sport management program;
Dr. Jodi Dusi, director of the physical
therapist assistant program;
Dr. Ayana Lyles, associate professor in
the Department of Health Science;
Dr. Shelly Fetchen, coordinator of
clinical education for the bachelor’s
degree in athletic training.
Cal U graduates include
Female Leaders Discuss Journeys
— Continued from page 1
Kindl came to Cal U in 2008 after
being a teacher and then a journalist
for 20 years. She became a vice
president last summer.
As a female reporter, Kindl was
assigned to features and lifestyle stories
but rose to become an associate editor.
“If I didn’t make the decision to
step up, I was not going to advance,
so I made the decision right away to
take on opportunities and challenges to
move out of the little box I was put in.
“When you graduate, you probably
have a vision of who you want to be,
and if you don’t follow that straight
path you might feel you’ve failed. But
that’s not the case.”
Fredette came to Cal U in 2018
from Medaille College in Buffalo,
N.Y., where she was the assistant vice
president for Student Success and a
professor in Medaille’s Division of
Veterinary and Natural Sciences.
As a young female teacher in a
male-dominated STEM field, she was
told by a Ph.D. adviser that she could
not have both a family and a career.
“I got a new adviser,” Fredette
said. “You don’t have to make a choice
between a family and a career, and I
knew I was good at what I did."
Pinardi earned three degrees from
Cal U and a doctoral degree while
working in Student Affairs. She has led
that division since 2012.
“Never underestimate your own
abilities. You are as good as anyone,”
she advised the young females in
attendance.
Pinardi also encouraged women to
pay it forward.
“As women, we must help other
women get to the table and support
them to get where we are now.”
Majocha came to Cal U in 2018
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.
A U.S. Navy veteran and single
parent, she recalled a lasting
impression early in her teaching career,
when a disheveled but creative student
described himself as organized in front
of her class.
“Right then I learned the most
important thing is to be yourself,”
she said. “I realized the student could
not hide from who he was and neither
could I. You have to be yourself.”
She also emphasized resilience,
describing how she turned several
professional rejections into positive
experiences.
“I faced my fear by feeling it,
learning from it and moved forward,”
Majocha said. “I don’t believe in
barriers.”
Women’s History
Month Dinner
The celebration continued March 7
with the 10th annual Women’s History
Month dinner. The event recognizes
the efforts of organizations including
the President’s Commission for the
Status of Women; the PASSHE
Women’s Consortium; the Cal U
Women’s Center and its I Am That
Girl program; the women’s studies
minor; “The Vagina Monologues”
cast; Cal U Women United; and
the Serene Institute, which supports
the Audrey Beth Fitch Women’s
Leadership retreat.
Keynote speaker Dr. Azadeh Block,
of the Social Work Department, spoke
to the group about microaggressions —
brief, everyday interactions based on a
person’s appearance or other external
characteristics. Too often, women and
people of color are subject to these
instances of subtle discrimination.
“Rising up will only happen if we
are all in this together,” Block told
the audience. “Strength lies in our
collective experience of seeing things
as they are.”
Dr. Dara Rinchuse, orthodontist;
Allison Kotarsky, owner of Paper Hearts
Invitations; and Amy Smiley, vice
president of Marketing for 84 Lumber.
“We are very excited and hope this
inspires these young students to continue
leading and to feel empowered to do so
in their schools and communities,” Kreis
said.
Cal U faculty are welcome to
participate in the conference. Email Kreis
at kreis@calu.edu or call 724-809-6051.
Cal U students and alumni who
wish to participate are also welcome to
contact Kreis.
“This is a wonderful outreach for us
and a way to showcase our University to
truly up-and-coming female students,”
Kreis said.
“We know you can have an impact
on these girls’ lives.”
Women’s
History
Month Ends
C
al U’s Women’s History
Month celebration concludes
with two free events.
March 26 — Free the Girls,
11 a.m.-2 p.m., Natali Student
Center: Educational content and fun
activities will take place throughout
the building to bring awareness and
knowledge of the Free the Girls
campaign and the international
problem of human trafficking.
Free the Girls is an international
organization that accepts financial
donations as well as donations of
new and gently used bras to help
survivors of human trafficking
start their own businesses selling
bras. Donation boxes are located in
campus buildings. Sponsor: Women’s
Studies and the Women’s Center.
March 28 — RBG, 11 a.m.,
Vulcan Theatre: This 2018 film
covers the exceptional life and career
of U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has
developed a breathtaking legal legacy
while becoming an unexpected pop
culture icon. Sponsor: Women’s
Studies and the Women’s Center.
Page 4
MARCH 25, 2019
Theater
Season
Continues
T
he Department of Music
and Theatre will continue its
spring season with a night of
the unexpected.
One-act plays by
Maurice Maeterlinck,
Susan Glaspell and Valery Bryusov
will make audiences’ minds roam
and hearts yearn while keeping them
on the edges of their seats.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. April 4-5
and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 6 in
Steele Hall Mainstage Theatre.
Tickets are $12 for adults; $6
for those 55 and older and 12 and
younger. Cal U students with valid
CalCards pay 50 cents, plus a $5
deposit that is refunded at the show.
For ticket information, or to
charge tickets by phone, call the Steele
Hall Box Office at 724-938-5943.
Students Celebrate National TRIO Day
Cal U student Maritza Bernal (front right) meets with some of the high school juniors in the TRIO Upward Bound program. More than 90 high school
students from Cal U’s TRIO Upward Bound program marched through campus carrying posters on Feb. 23 as part of the 33rd annual National TRIO
Day. TRIO Upward Bound is a federally-funded program that helps to prepare eligible students for success in postsecondary education. Cal U hosts
Upward Bound programs for Washington, Fayette and Greene counties.
GRANTS AWARDED
The Office of Sponsored Programs
and Research reports that:
• Dr. Elizabeth Gruber, of the
Department of Counselor
Education, and Dr. Sheri Boyle,
of the Department of Social
Work, have received the
second-year funding of
$478,012 as part of a four
year $1,901,791 grant from
the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services,
Health Resources and Services
Administration. This four-year
grant provides 30 stipends
per year and interdisciplinary
training to graduate students in
Cal U’s Master of Social Work,
Master of School Counseling,
and Master of Mental Health
Counseling during their
longitudinal field placements
preceding graduation.
• Jennifer Ramsey, of the
Department of TRIO and
Academic Services, has received
$465,903 for Upward Bound
Fayette and $328,912 for
Upward Bound Monongahela
from the U.S. Department of
Education. The program helps
to prepare eligible high school
students for success in college.
• Dr. Katherine Mitchem, of the
Department of Special
Education, has received
two grants from the Edith L.
Trees Charitable Trust. She
received $66,000 for a program
entitled “Using Technology to
Prepare Teacher Candidates
and Their Students with ICD
with 21st Century Skills.” She
also received $25,000 for an
Endowed Chair in Education.
Receiver Catches Hall of Fame Nod
Editor’s Note: The 2019 Hall of Fame
inductees will be recognized at California
University’s signature fundraiser, the Bow
Ties & Pearls Ball, June 29 in the Cal U
Convocation Center. The event is open to the
public; proceeds benefit scholarships for Cal U
students and legacy projects on campus. For
information, visit calu.edu/bowtiesball.
N
ate Forse contemplated quitting
football before coming to Cal U,
but his decision not to resulted in
a successful professional career and now a
spot in the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame.
A three-year starting and allconference receiver for the football team
from 2005 through 2007, Forse earned his
bachelor’s degree in sport management
from Cal U in 2007.
He owns and operates Forse Lifestyle
Coaching, in Los Angeles, Calif.
“Cal was not my first choice, because
of my dream out of high school of
playing Division I. But coming here was
a blessing in disguise,” said Forse who
transferred from West Virginia University.
“I believe everything in life happens for
a purpose, and it might not happen the
way you plan it, but Cal U shaped and
molded me into who I am today.”
Football success was immediate for
Forse at Cal U, where he led all receivers
with 39 catches for 496 yards and two
touchdowns in 2005.
The Vulcans won eight games and
their first PSAC-West title in 21 years.
The following year Forse again led the
team with 50 receptions for 768 yards and
three touchdowns. The Vulcans repeated
as PSAC-West champions and again won
eight games.
In 2007, Forse caught 59 balls for 804
yards and 10 touchdowns as the Vulcans
Former star receiver Nate Forse will be the
fourth player from Cal U’s 2007 national
semifinalist football team to be inducted
into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
compiled a 13-1 overall record and earned
the team’s first-ever NCAA Division II
playoff appearance. Cal won two playoff
games and advanced to their first of three
straight national semifinal appearances.
Forse earned his third all-conference
accolade at season’s end.
“We had a lot of transfers, but we
were so cohesive, and there were no “I”
guys on our team,” Forse said. “The
coaching staff always emphasized that
how we’d play on gameday was all about
how we prepared all week, and for me it
was a fresh start.”
Two of Forse’s touchdowns his senior
season came in a 38-12 win at IUP, which
was Cal U’s second win over their nearby
rivals in three years after losing 20 times
previously. Forse had two touchdowns
and 239 yards in the NCAA playoffs.
“I regret we did not make the national
title game, because we had the team to
do it, but that’s football,” Forse said.
“You don’t get a second chance in games,
and you have to be grateful for what you
have and take in the most of every single
day. Those are big lessons I’ve learned
from football.”
He finished his collegiate career with
148 total receptions, 2,068 yards and 15
touchdowns. His career receptions and
yards still rank fifth and 10th, respectively,
in the school record book.
During Forse’s three seasons, the
Vulcans won 29 of 35 games with a 16-2
PSAC-West mark under former head
coach John Luckhardt. Forse praised
Bobby Sepesy, Cal U’s head strength and
conditioning coach.
“He’s a huge influence on my life and
what I do now,” said Forse, who is from
Uniontown, Pa. “He really instilled a love
of nutrition and a passion for training. I
stayed at Cal and really dedicated myself
to training and eating well before my
senior season, and it was no accident that
was my best year.”
Before starting his business, Forse
played five Arena Football League
seasons and made 199 career receptions
for 2,332 yards and 38 touchdowns. He
lives in Marina del Ray, Calif.
“Southwestern Pennsylvania will
always be home,” Forse said. “I am super
humbled, honored and blown away by
making the Hall of Fame. “I feel like
I’ve come full circle and can’t believe
this is happening.
“Cal U was a huge influence on me,
and I could not be more grateful for my
time there.”
The California Journal is published by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
Geraldine M. Jones
Dr. Nancy Pinardi
Robert Thorn
University President
Vice President for Student Affairs
Vice President for Administration and Finance
Dr. Bruce Barnhart
Christine Kindl
Anthony Mauro
Provost and Senior Vice President
for Academic Affairs
Vice President for Communications
and Marketing
Vice President for University
Development and Alumni Relations
Office of Communications and Public Relations
250 University Avenue
Thomas Garcia
Vice President for Enrollment
Management
California, PA 15419
724-938-4195
Wendy Mackall
Editor
Bruce Wald
Writer
wald@calu.edu
Volume 21, Number 5 MARCH 25, 2019
KEEP UP WITH CAL U NEWS ONLINE: calu.edu/news
Cal U’s Female Leaders Discuss Journeys
R
espect others.
Have confidence.
Seize the opportunities.
Empower each other.
At two events on March 7, Cal U
celebrated the success of women and the
opportunities women have to affirm and
encourage others.
Leadership Panel
Five female leaders shared
lessons learned along their personal
and professional journeys as part
of a Women’s History Month panel
sponsored by the Student Affairs
Diversity Committee.
Panelists were President
Geraldine M. Jones; Dr. Nancy Pinardi,
vice president for Student Affairs;
Christine Kindl, vice president for
Communications and Marketing;
Dr. Brenda Fredette, dean of Eberly
College of Science and Technology; and
Dr. Kristen Majocha, dean of the College
of Liberal Arts.
President Jones — a first-generation
college student, a Cal U alumna, and
the University’s first female and AfricanAmerican president — explained there
were fewer than two handfuls of female
faculty and even fewer African-American
faculty when she started working at
the University.
Her path to the presidency included
positions where she supervised faculty
who taught her.
“Treat people with respect, the way
you want to be treated, and don’t let
anyone define you,” she said. “Don’t ever
say ‘can’t,’ and it’s OK to fail.”
President Jones, who has been
married to Jeff Jones for almost 45 years,
said, “You must have balance, with
everyone in your family working as a
team, and your relationships will become
even stronger.”
Dr. Kristen Majocha (left), Dr. Nancy Pinardi, President Geraldine Jones, Christine Kindl and Dr.
Brenda Fredette participate in a Women’s History Month panel discussion.
Garcia Leads Office of
Enrollment Management
T
Cal U
Recognized for
Election Efforts
C
alifornia University of Pennsylvania has been
named a Voter Friendly Campus for
2019-2020, one of 10 universities in the
state to be recognized by the Fair Election Center’s
Campus Vote Project and NASPA-Student Affairs
Administrators in Higher Education.
It is the second time the university has been named
a Voter Friendly Campus.
Nationwide, 123 campuses in 31 states received the
designation for developing plans to engage students in
the electoral process.
Schools were evaluated on developing a plan to
engage students in the midterm elections in 2018,
facilitating voter engagement efforts on campus and
analyzing the success of the initiatives.
The American Democracy Project at Cal U
partnered with other campus groups to prioritize voter
education, registration and mobilization.
ADP provided registration tables at campus events;
organized forums on campaign issues; planned rides
to the polls on Election Day; and welcomed a panel of
experts to analyze the results.
Also in 2018, Cal U received a $6,000 grant from
the Campus Vote Project that was used, in part, for
stipends for two students who were chosen as election
and voter engagement fellows.
“Cal U invests much time and effort into civic
engagement programming, because today’s college
students will be tomorrow’s community leaders,”
said Dr. Melanie Blumberg, director of the American
Democracy Project at Cal U and a professor of
political science.
the Enrollment Management Office
homas “Dave” Garcia has begun
toward success with a “students first”
work as Cal U’s first vice president
attitude, data-based decision-making and
for Enrollment Management.
an entrepreneurial spirit. He will serve as a
The Office of Enrollment Management
member of the President’s leadership team.
was created through a reorganization
“As an educator, my goal is to reach out
of existing staff, with a goal of better
and encourage students to excel and strive
coordinating the full scope of Cal U’s
for greatness,” Garcia says. “As a leader
strategic enrollment and student success
for the enrollment management division,
efforts. It comprises the offices of
I know the important role we all play in
Admissions, Financial Aid, Student
Thomas 'Dave' Garcia
creating an environment that is user friendly,
Success, and Career and Professional
caring and student-centered.”
Development, plus the Welcome Center and
“I am so excited to join the Cal U family,” Garcia
Student Orientation.
says. “I was highly impressed with the beautiful
Garcia, who started March 4, comes to Cal U
campus and the excellent academic programs here at
from Kent State University, in Ohio, where he created
Cal U.
and implemented strategic enrollment plans resulting
“With the leadership and vision of President Jones
in 10 consecutive years of enrollment growth. He
and the outstanding faculty and staff at Cal U, I have
also introduced several new financial aid programs,
no doubt that we will be able to grow enrollment to
including initiatives designed to assist first-generation
higher levels in the years to come.”
and low-income students, and to help college seniors
The office of Enrollment Management is located in
graduate.
Dixon Hall Room 302.
At Cal U, Garcia has been charged with steering
Science
Olympiad
at Cal U
McGuffey High School
sophomores Lauren Baker
and Nate Witkowsky identify
reptiles at the Southwestern
Pennsylvania Regional Science
Olympiad on March 6 at the
Convocation Center. Middle
school and high school students
from 13 counties competed in
STEM-related events. Teams
from Shady Side, Franklin
Regional, Quaker Valley,
Norwin, Winchester Thurston,
Peters Township and Mount
Lebanon advanced to the state
competition April 27 at Juniata
College in Huntingdon, Pa. The
National Science Olympiad will
be June 1 at Cornell University
in Ithaca, N.Y.
Page 2
B
MARCH 25, 2019
Trustees Get a Peek at Coover Hall
efore getting down to business at
its March 7 quarterly meeting,
members of Cal U’s Council
of Trustees toured a renovated and
expanded Coover Hall, which is
scheduled to open for the fall semester.
Funded by the state Department
of General Services, the two-year,
$11 million project included a total
life-cycle renovation, plus a two-story,
42,000-square-foot addition.
It will house the Department of
Applied Engineering and Technology, as
well as classes in art and design.
At the meeting, chairwoman
Annette Ganassi introduced new trustee
Anthony H. Amadio ’73, who recently
was appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf.
This is the second consecutive
meeting with a new trustee at the
table: Stephen M. DeFrank ’92
attended his first quarterly council
meeting in December. He is now
Cal U’s representative at PACT, the
Pennsylvania Association of Councils
of Trustees.
Amadio is seeking his fourth term as
Beaver County commissioner. A retired
teacher and former township supervisor,
he is a lifelong Beaver County resident
whose children, Tony Amadio ’92 and
Amy Fredericks ’03, also are Cal U
alumni.
“I have to give so much credit to
Cal U, because without my degree from
here I would not be where I am today,”
Amadio said.
Anthony H. Amadio
Stephen M. DeFrank
In her report to the trustees,
University President
Geraldine M. Jones praised the
exemplary work of the Facilities
Management and Student Affairs staffs
during the Feb. 20 power outage on
campus.
The Facilities Management team
worked tirelessly to identify the problem
and make repairs, she said, while the
Student Affairs staff went above and
beyond to keep Cal U’s students safe
and comfortable when the power
went out.
“You can tell a lot about the
character of a community by watching
how it responds to unexpected
circumstances,” she told the trustees.
“I saw dedication, collaboration and a
tremendous amount of hard work.”
In other business:
• Dr. Bruce Barnhart, provost and
senior vice president for Academic
Affairs, received approval to forward
proposals for two academic programs
to the Office of the Chancellor. Cal U is
seeking to convert the Arabic Language
and Linguistics program from a
concentration within the M.A. in Social
Science to a master’s degree program,
and to offer a Master of Science in
Accountancy.
In his enrollment update, Barnhart
reported some positive trends, despite a
decrease in overall headcount of more
than 6 percent compared to spring 2018.
The number of new first-year students
taking on-campus courses is rising,
he said, and enrollment by military
students increased by about 1.6 percent
compared to last spring.
Cal U’s headcount ranks seventh
among the 14 State System universities.
Registration for Summer College
sessions began Feb. 18.
• Robert Thorn, vice president
for Administration and Finance,
received approval for an updated
five-year capital spending plan that
prioritizes construction of a new science
building to replace Frich and New
Science halls.
The capital spending plan, which
must be approved annually, sets the new
building’s cost at more than $44 million.
Like Coover Hall, the science center will
be constructed with state funds.
• Dr. Nancy Pinardi, vice president
for Student Affairs, introduced
Becky McMillen and Lindsay Mongell
of University Conference Services.
Their presentation focused on the
Convocation Center, highlighting the
professional development opportunities
available to Cal U students. In addition
to work-study opportunities and
graduate assistantships, students in
programs such as commercial music
technology, sport management and
tourism gain hands-on experience at the
Convocation Center.
Since 2011, more than 425,000
visitors have come through the
building’s doors.
• Tony Mauro, vice president for
University Development and Alumni
Relations, reported that his office
has raised more than $3.5 million in
donations, which includes more than
$2 million in cash donations, so far in
fiscal year 2018-2019.
Both of these totals are the second
highest in the past seven years.
Christine Kindl, vice president
for Communications and Marketing,
teamed up with Keli Henderson,
director of Marketing, and
Greg Sofranko, director of Creative
Services, to introduce an updated visual
identity for the University and Vulcans
athletic programs.
The Cal U community
enthusiastically welcomed new
University and athletics logos at a Logo
Reveal Rally on Feb. 21 — the most
recent milestone in Cal U’s ongoing
re-branding project.
The Council of Trustees is scheduled
to meet again June 5.
Fundraiser Promotes Kindness
C
Graduate
School Sets
Information
Sessions
I
nterested in enhancing your resume
and advancing your career with a
master’s or doctoral degree? Cal U
is planning graduate school information
sessions 6-8 p.m. March 27 and June 19
to learn about academic programs and
options. Both sessions will be held in the
Convocation Center, on campus.
The graduate school at Cal U offers
both face-to-face classes and degree
programs delivered 100 percent online.
At the information sessions, future
students can meet with faculty, financial
aid staff, students and alumni to learn
about the benefits of a Cal U graduate
program. There will also be campus
tours, free applications and information
on graduate assistantships.
Certificate and licensure programs
are available in a variety of disciplines.
Doctoral programs are offered in
criminal justice, health science and
exercise leadership, and education and
administration leadership.
All information sessions are free but
online registration is requested.
For more information about Cal U’s
programs, visit calu.edu/academics.
For information about the School of
Graduate Studies and Research,
call 724-938-4187 or email
gradschool@calu.edu.
ookies and camaraderie
highlighted a campus event
to benefit the victims of last
October’s Tree of Life Synagogue
tragedy.
Proceeds from “Take a Bite Out of
Hate: Cookies for a Cause” Feb. 26 went
to the Jewish Federation of Greater
Pittsburgh’s Fund for Victims of Terror.
On Oct. 27, 2018, 11 people were killed
in a mass shooting at the synagogue,
located in the Squirrel Hill section of
the city.
Those who donated were treated
to cookies — representing Mexico,
Norway, Germany, France, South
Africa, China, Italy, the United States,
Poland, Scotland, Canada and Israel
— prepared by Cal U Dining and
Hospitality Services.
Cal U faculty members
Dr. Emily Sweitzer and
Dr. Christina Toras collaborated
on the fundraiser.
Preschool children from the
Karen and Tom Rutledge Institute for
Early Childhood Education, members
of the Cal U String Orchestra and
children from the Calvary Chapel
Christian School in Brownsville
performed at the event.
The Rutledge students sang “Spread
Kindness” and made banners depicting
what love means to them.
“The children made the day
extremely special, and this is a good
start to what hopefully becomes a nice
tradition that just gets bigger and better,”
Toras said.
Cherie Sears, director of the Rutledge
Institute Preschool Program, said it
was important for the preschoolers to
participate.
“Kids have an innocence to them.
Let’s try and keep that, but let’s also
show them that we can all get along
and be kind to each other,” she said.
After performing with his classmates, Hunter Smiley, 12, of Calvary Chapel Christian School's
choir, enjoys cookies from around the world at Cal U's 'Take a Bite Out of Hate' fundraiser.
“Unfortunately, the tragedy was so close
to home, and lot of them know about it
because the TVs are on. They need some
kind of reassurance.
“Today they got to be the little
helpers,” she said, a reference to the
late Fred Rogers’ advice to “look for the
helpers” for comfort and inspiration in
times of tragedy.
Cal U first-year athletic training
major Katelynn Sahady, a graduate
of Calvary Chapel Christian School,
enjoyed hearing some of her former
schoolmates sing a medley.
“I think it’s great to raise money
and keep a positive awareness of what
happened,” she said.
Cal U cross country and track and
head coach Daniel Caulfield attended
the event with his wife, Jackie, who is
also an assistant coach.
“It’s a lovely event that deals with
such a tragic situation. It’s important
in taking the University where it wants
to go in coming together and moving
forward, especially for our students,”
he said.
“You must appreciate the time and
effort put into this.”
Scott Bush, an instructor in
the Department of Biological and
Environmental Sciences, was glad he
made the event part of his day.
“This was a something different, a
very classy event for a good cause,”
he said.
Sweitzer estimated 180 members of
the Cal U community stopped by the
Performance Center.
“We want to continue addressing
causes or issues,” Sweitzer said of future
events. “It’s very natural to do so by
being in each other” company for pure
enjoyment,” she said.
MARCH 25, 2019
Page 3
Conference Proposals
Due April 3
P
roposals for the fifth annual Strike a
Spark Conference are due April 3.
Presented by the Center
for Undergraduate Research and the
Faculty Professional Development
Center, the event showcases the research,
scholarship, creative activity and
application of students and faculty.
This year’s conference will be from
9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 24 in the Convocation
Center. Dr. Dan Greenstein, Chancellor
of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher
Education, will deliver the conference’s
keynote address at 11 a.m.
All University members who have
been involved in research, scholarship or
creative activity are encouraged to share
their work.
Call for Judges
Faculty, alumni, regional experts
and professionals outside the campus
community in fields representing
Cal U’s array of majors are encouraged
to participate as judges of student work.
Those interested in serving as a judge
should email their names, discipline, and
morning or afternoon availability to
Dr. Keat Murray by March 31 at
murray@calu.edu with “Conference
Judge” in the subject line.
To learn about this year’s conference
and how to submit a proposal, visit
calu.edu/strikeaspark. Questions can
be directed to Dr. Louise Nicholson at
nicholson@calu.edu or Dr. Gregg Gould
at gould@calu.edu.
Samantha Gloeckl (left) and Allison Greenlief discuss their research on art history
methodologies with Dr. Gregg Gould at last spring’s Strike a Spark Conference.
Young Women's Leadership Conference Set
C
al U is hosting a conference
designed to empower young
women.
The Cal U Young Women's
Leadership Conference, "You Can
at Cal U," will take place from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29 in the south
wing of the Convocation Center.
Panel discussions will focus on
career pathways. Panelists will
include Cal U professors, students
and graduates.
Conference participants include girls
in seventh through 11th grades from
surrounding school districts such as
Belle Vernon, Brownsville, California,
Charleroi, Frazier, Monessen, and
Ringgold.
As part of the application
process for this free conference,
participants complete the Holland
Code RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative,
Artistic, Social, Enterprising,
Conventional) test, which helps
determine career interests.
Based on the test results, students will
be placed in panel discussion that focus
on particular career interests, according
to coordinator Dr. Mary Kreis, associate
professor in Cal U’s Department of
Exercise Science and Sport Studies.
The visiting students will also take
a campus tour, receive lunch and hear
from clubs and interest groups to get
examples of the campus-life experience
outside the classroom as well.
Cal U administrators and faculty
who will lead panels include
Dr. Brenda Fredette, dean of Eberly
College of Science and Technology;
Dr. Kristen Majocha, dean of the
College of Liberal Arts; Christine Kindl,
vice president for Communications and
Marketing; Dr. Laura Miller, director of
the sport management program;
Dr. Jodi Dusi, director of the physical
therapist assistant program;
Dr. Ayana Lyles, associate professor in
the Department of Health Science;
Dr. Shelly Fetchen, coordinator of
clinical education for the bachelor’s
degree in athletic training.
Cal U graduates include
Female Leaders Discuss Journeys
— Continued from page 1
Kindl came to Cal U in 2008 after
being a teacher and then a journalist
for 20 years. She became a vice
president last summer.
As a female reporter, Kindl was
assigned to features and lifestyle stories
but rose to become an associate editor.
“If I didn’t make the decision to
step up, I was not going to advance,
so I made the decision right away to
take on opportunities and challenges to
move out of the little box I was put in.
“When you graduate, you probably
have a vision of who you want to be,
and if you don’t follow that straight
path you might feel you’ve failed. But
that’s not the case.”
Fredette came to Cal U in 2018
from Medaille College in Buffalo,
N.Y., where she was the assistant vice
president for Student Success and a
professor in Medaille’s Division of
Veterinary and Natural Sciences.
As a young female teacher in a
male-dominated STEM field, she was
told by a Ph.D. adviser that she could
not have both a family and a career.
“I got a new adviser,” Fredette
said. “You don’t have to make a choice
between a family and a career, and I
knew I was good at what I did."
Pinardi earned three degrees from
Cal U and a doctoral degree while
working in Student Affairs. She has led
that division since 2012.
“Never underestimate your own
abilities. You are as good as anyone,”
she advised the young females in
attendance.
Pinardi also encouraged women to
pay it forward.
“As women, we must help other
women get to the table and support
them to get where we are now.”
Majocha came to Cal U in 2018
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.
A U.S. Navy veteran and single
parent, she recalled a lasting
impression early in her teaching career,
when a disheveled but creative student
described himself as organized in front
of her class.
“Right then I learned the most
important thing is to be yourself,”
she said. “I realized the student could
not hide from who he was and neither
could I. You have to be yourself.”
She also emphasized resilience,
describing how she turned several
professional rejections into positive
experiences.
“I faced my fear by feeling it,
learning from it and moved forward,”
Majocha said. “I don’t believe in
barriers.”
Women’s History
Month Dinner
The celebration continued March 7
with the 10th annual Women’s History
Month dinner. The event recognizes
the efforts of organizations including
the President’s Commission for the
Status of Women; the PASSHE
Women’s Consortium; the Cal U
Women’s Center and its I Am That
Girl program; the women’s studies
minor; “The Vagina Monologues”
cast; Cal U Women United; and
the Serene Institute, which supports
the Audrey Beth Fitch Women’s
Leadership retreat.
Keynote speaker Dr. Azadeh Block,
of the Social Work Department, spoke
to the group about microaggressions —
brief, everyday interactions based on a
person’s appearance or other external
characteristics. Too often, women and
people of color are subject to these
instances of subtle discrimination.
“Rising up will only happen if we
are all in this together,” Block told
the audience. “Strength lies in our
collective experience of seeing things
as they are.”
Dr. Dara Rinchuse, orthodontist;
Allison Kotarsky, owner of Paper Hearts
Invitations; and Amy Smiley, vice
president of Marketing for 84 Lumber.
“We are very excited and hope this
inspires these young students to continue
leading and to feel empowered to do so
in their schools and communities,” Kreis
said.
Cal U faculty are welcome to
participate in the conference. Email Kreis
at kreis@calu.edu or call 724-809-6051.
Cal U students and alumni who
wish to participate are also welcome to
contact Kreis.
“This is a wonderful outreach for us
and a way to showcase our University to
truly up-and-coming female students,”
Kreis said.
“We know you can have an impact
on these girls’ lives.”
Women’s
History
Month Ends
C
al U’s Women’s History
Month celebration concludes
with two free events.
March 26 — Free the Girls,
11 a.m.-2 p.m., Natali Student
Center: Educational content and fun
activities will take place throughout
the building to bring awareness and
knowledge of the Free the Girls
campaign and the international
problem of human trafficking.
Free the Girls is an international
organization that accepts financial
donations as well as donations of
new and gently used bras to help
survivors of human trafficking
start their own businesses selling
bras. Donation boxes are located in
campus buildings. Sponsor: Women’s
Studies and the Women’s Center.
March 28 — RBG, 11 a.m.,
Vulcan Theatre: This 2018 film
covers the exceptional life and career
of U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has
developed a breathtaking legal legacy
while becoming an unexpected pop
culture icon. Sponsor: Women’s
Studies and the Women’s Center.
Page 4
MARCH 25, 2019
Theater
Season
Continues
T
he Department of Music
and Theatre will continue its
spring season with a night of
the unexpected.
One-act plays by
Maurice Maeterlinck,
Susan Glaspell and Valery Bryusov
will make audiences’ minds roam
and hearts yearn while keeping them
on the edges of their seats.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. April 4-5
and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 6 in
Steele Hall Mainstage Theatre.
Tickets are $12 for adults; $6
for those 55 and older and 12 and
younger. Cal U students with valid
CalCards pay 50 cents, plus a $5
deposit that is refunded at the show.
For ticket information, or to
charge tickets by phone, call the Steele
Hall Box Office at 724-938-5943.
Students Celebrate National TRIO Day
Cal U student Maritza Bernal (front right) meets with some of the high school juniors in the TRIO Upward Bound program. More than 90 high school
students from Cal U’s TRIO Upward Bound program marched through campus carrying posters on Feb. 23 as part of the 33rd annual National TRIO
Day. TRIO Upward Bound is a federally-funded program that helps to prepare eligible students for success in postsecondary education. Cal U hosts
Upward Bound programs for Washington, Fayette and Greene counties.
GRANTS AWARDED
The Office of Sponsored Programs
and Research reports that:
• Dr. Elizabeth Gruber, of the
Department of Counselor
Education, and Dr. Sheri Boyle,
of the Department of Social
Work, have received the
second-year funding of
$478,012 as part of a four
year $1,901,791 grant from
the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services,
Health Resources and Services
Administration. This four-year
grant provides 30 stipends
per year and interdisciplinary
training to graduate students in
Cal U’s Master of Social Work,
Master of School Counseling,
and Master of Mental Health
Counseling during their
longitudinal field placements
preceding graduation.
• Jennifer Ramsey, of the
Department of TRIO and
Academic Services, has received
$465,903 for Upward Bound
Fayette and $328,912 for
Upward Bound Monongahela
from the U.S. Department of
Education. The program helps
to prepare eligible high school
students for success in college.
• Dr. Katherine Mitchem, of the
Department of Special
Education, has received
two grants from the Edith L.
Trees Charitable Trust. She
received $66,000 for a program
entitled “Using Technology to
Prepare Teacher Candidates
and Their Students with ICD
with 21st Century Skills.” She
also received $25,000 for an
Endowed Chair in Education.
Receiver Catches Hall of Fame Nod
Editor’s Note: The 2019 Hall of Fame
inductees will be recognized at California
University’s signature fundraiser, the Bow
Ties & Pearls Ball, June 29 in the Cal U
Convocation Center. The event is open to the
public; proceeds benefit scholarships for Cal U
students and legacy projects on campus. For
information, visit calu.edu/bowtiesball.
N
ate Forse contemplated quitting
football before coming to Cal U,
but his decision not to resulted in
a successful professional career and now a
spot in the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame.
A three-year starting and allconference receiver for the football team
from 2005 through 2007, Forse earned his
bachelor’s degree in sport management
from Cal U in 2007.
He owns and operates Forse Lifestyle
Coaching, in Los Angeles, Calif.
“Cal was not my first choice, because
of my dream out of high school of
playing Division I. But coming here was
a blessing in disguise,” said Forse who
transferred from West Virginia University.
“I believe everything in life happens for
a purpose, and it might not happen the
way you plan it, but Cal U shaped and
molded me into who I am today.”
Football success was immediate for
Forse at Cal U, where he led all receivers
with 39 catches for 496 yards and two
touchdowns in 2005.
The Vulcans won eight games and
their first PSAC-West title in 21 years.
The following year Forse again led the
team with 50 receptions for 768 yards and
three touchdowns. The Vulcans repeated
as PSAC-West champions and again won
eight games.
In 2007, Forse caught 59 balls for 804
yards and 10 touchdowns as the Vulcans
Former star receiver Nate Forse will be the
fourth player from Cal U’s 2007 national
semifinalist football team to be inducted
into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
compiled a 13-1 overall record and earned
the team’s first-ever NCAA Division II
playoff appearance. Cal won two playoff
games and advanced to their first of three
straight national semifinal appearances.
Forse earned his third all-conference
accolade at season’s end.
“We had a lot of transfers, but we
were so cohesive, and there were no “I”
guys on our team,” Forse said. “The
coaching staff always emphasized that
how we’d play on gameday was all about
how we prepared all week, and for me it
was a fresh start.”
Two of Forse’s touchdowns his senior
season came in a 38-12 win at IUP, which
was Cal U’s second win over their nearby
rivals in three years after losing 20 times
previously. Forse had two touchdowns
and 239 yards in the NCAA playoffs.
“I regret we did not make the national
title game, because we had the team to
do it, but that’s football,” Forse said.
“You don’t get a second chance in games,
and you have to be grateful for what you
have and take in the most of every single
day. Those are big lessons I’ve learned
from football.”
He finished his collegiate career with
148 total receptions, 2,068 yards and 15
touchdowns. His career receptions and
yards still rank fifth and 10th, respectively,
in the school record book.
During Forse’s three seasons, the
Vulcans won 29 of 35 games with a 16-2
PSAC-West mark under former head
coach John Luckhardt. Forse praised
Bobby Sepesy, Cal U’s head strength and
conditioning coach.
“He’s a huge influence on my life and
what I do now,” said Forse, who is from
Uniontown, Pa. “He really instilled a love
of nutrition and a passion for training. I
stayed at Cal and really dedicated myself
to training and eating well before my
senior season, and it was no accident that
was my best year.”
Before starting his business, Forse
played five Arena Football League
seasons and made 199 career receptions
for 2,332 yards and 38 touchdowns. He
lives in Marina del Ray, Calif.
“Southwestern Pennsylvania will
always be home,” Forse said. “I am super
humbled, honored and blown away by
making the Hall of Fame. “I feel like
I’ve come full circle and can’t believe
this is happening.
“Cal U was a huge influence on me,
and I could not be more grateful for my
time there.”
The California Journal is published by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
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