California University

Volume 21, Number 16 NOV. 4, 2019
KEEP UP WITH CAL U NEWS ONLINE: calu.edu/news

Harrisburg Internship Prepares
Student for Law School

S

enior Christopher Gentile is getting
a head start on his law career.
A political science major,
Gentile is working in the Pennsylvania
Board of Pardons office in Harrisburg as
part of a 15-week internship sponsored
by Pennsylvania’s State System of
Higher Education.
He is one of 11 students participating
this fall in The Harrisburg Internship
Semester program.
THIS gives students from each of
the 14 State System universities the
opportunity to work in state government
while earning a full semester’s worth of
credits. Students receive a $3,500 stipend
to assist with living expenses while they
live in the Harrisburg region.
Gentile and his fellow THIS interns
attend academic seminars and complete
an individualized research project as part
of the program’s requirements.
One of Gentile’s duties is to help
prepare an analysis report for each
applicant, which is used during review
hearings. The five-member Board
of Pardons votes to determine if the
application should be forwarded to the
governor for consideration.
Gentile’s research paper on criminal
justice reform in Pennsylvania focuses
on Clean Slate, a new Pennsylvania law
that will automatically seal 30 million
criminal records. The law is intended
to help minimize the damage of old
low-level criminal convictions for
nonviolent crimes.
The new law covers charges that
did not result in convictions, summary
judgments, nonviolent crimes committed
a decade or more ago, as well as more
recent minor misdemeanor offenses that

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Christopher Gentile is participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester.

resulted in less than two years in prison.
While interning Gentile has met
many politicians, including Gov. Tom
Wolf, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and
Attorney General Josh Shapiro. His
sponsor is Brandon Flood, secretary of
the Board of Pardons.
“I honestly could not have chosen a
better place to intern to prepare for law
school,” Gentile said. “The Board of
Pardons is very busy but really exciting
as well, and this has been an incredible
experience for me.”
After graduation Gentile, a nontraditional student, will take the Law
School Admission Test and hopes to
begin in the fall. He and his fiancee,
Meghan McConville, had their first
child, Elle Quin, this past spring.
Dr. Melanie Blumberg, campus

coordinator for THIS and a professor
in the Department of History, Politics,
Society and Law, praised Gentile, who
she said excelled as a Campus Vote
Project Democracy Fellow.
“Chris Gentile jumped at the chance
to apply for this internship, as he
realized the instrumental role it could
have in his career trajectory,” Blumberg
said. “He takes his responsibilities
seriously and sets a perfect example for
students who are returning to Cal to
complete their degrees.”
For information about THIS,
students may contact
Dr. Melanie Blumberg at
blumberg@calu.edu or call the Dixon
University Center in Harrisburg at
717-720-4089. Details are available at
passhe.edu/this.

Mueller
Wins
Educator
Award

D

r. Thomas Mueller, a professor
of geography at Cal U, has
been honored for developing a
high school curriculum to help children
study a tragic event in Ukrainian history.
The 2019 Holodomor Research and
Education Consortium, a project of
the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian
Studies at the University of Alberta,
awarded Mueller the 2019 HREC
Educator Award for his work.
His winning lesson plan,
“Holodomor — Three Issues to
Examine (High School Edition),”
uses currently mapped research data
to help students better understand the
Ukrainian genocide.
The Holodomor, as it is called,
took place in the territory of Ukraine
in 1932-1934. The Holodomor is
included in curricula on human rights,
genocide, history and social justice
in many parts of Canada, and is one
of five genocides recognized by the
Canadian government.
Mueller’s areas of expertise are
geographic information systems
(GIS), geography education and world
regional geography.
The HREC Educator Award
for Holodomor Lesson Plan
Development is awarded annually. It
is intended to foster the development
of innovative, creative and interactive
lessons for grades K-12 that develop
— Continued on page 2

SAB and Adviser Feted at Conference

al U’s Student Activities Board
received impressive awards at
the Northeast APCA (Association
for the Promotion of Campus Activity)
conference, which was held in
Teaneck, N.J., Oct. 4-6.
SAB was named the 2019 Northeast
APCA Organization of the year. The
organization also received third-place
awards in the graphics competition for
printed material and novelty items.
Melissa Dunn, director of Student
Activities and Leadership for the Office
of Student Affairs, was named 2019
Northeast APCA Advisor of the Year.
“Being named organization of the
year was one of the coolest things I have
experienced here at Cal U,” said
Miranda Anderson, a senior graphic
design major and president of SAB’s
executive board. “I’ve been involved with
SAB since my freshman year. All of us
put in so much work, so it’s very nice to
be recognized for our efforts.”
Anderson, who minors in marketing
and event planning, designed the third-

place award-winners — a poster
highlighting a concert at last spring’s
President’s Backyard Celebration and a
Cal U tumbler for new SAB members.
APCA promotes campus engagement
through educational experiences,
affordable entertainment and community
service initiatives. It is divided into
five regions, and last year more than
2,000 students and higher education
professionals from more than 600
schools attended APCA conferences
and institutes.
At the campus activities planning
conferences students experience a diverse
educational curriculum, stellar live
showcase line-up, novelty vendors, wellknown speakers, student government
training, networking opportunities and
community service components.
APCA provides schools within a
region the opportunity to merge their
buying power and save money by sharing
the travel costs for events and programs
they book.
— Continued on page 3

SAB Executive Board Members Nikki Tartler (front row, left), Miranda Anderson,
Morgan Madanick, Destiny Brooks (back row, left), Josh Bennett, Melissa Dunn (adviser),
Mike Bordonaro and Marcus Purtlebaugh.

Page 2

NOV. 4, 2019

Agreement
to Benefit
ESL
Teachers

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Taylor Kodric (seated, left), Destinie Olesko, Madison Groover, Chloe Guie, Emily Sloan, Taylor Assad (standing, left), Peter Livengood,
Calvin Livengood, Giovani Marian, Robert Eberly Jr., Kathy Eberly, President Geraldine Jones, Jeff Jones, Thomas Victor, Michael McKitrick,
Mason Kelly, Katlyn Massey.

Eberly Scholarship Recipients,
President Say Thanks

S

tudents gathered in Kara Alumni
House on Oct. 23 to express
their gratitude for a full-tuition
scholarship that has helped them
pursue a Cal U degree.
Robert E. Eberly Jr., president of the
Eberly Foundation, and his wife, Kathy,
met with recipients of the Eberly Family
Scholarship at a luncheon.
In all, 24 students are Eberly
scholarship recipients.
Several of them addressed the
Eberlys at the luncheon.
“It was one of the most normal
days of my life — until I got the
scholarship letter,” said Dominick
Melchek, a first-year student majoring
in secondary education.
“It opens up so many doors for
my future.”
“I’m happy to be of assistance,”

Eberly told the students. “Cal U has a
special place in my heart because of all
of you and your successes. I wish you
all the very best. At some point, when
you’re able, remember this moment and
think about doing something that will
benefit future generations.”
The Eberly Foundation was
established more than 55 years ago by
Robert Eberly Jr.’s grandfather, Orville,
who did not finish high school but
educated himself by reading and taking
correspondence courses. He eventually
invested in oil and gas, then got into
banking. He established the Eberly
Foundation to support education through
scholarships and other initiatives.
“It’s been such a blessing, and I’m
so honored,” said Taylor Kodric, an
undergraduate psychology major who is
already taking credits toward a master’s

degree in school psychology.
“I’m a first-generation student
with other siblings in a one-income
household. The scholarship allowed
me to focus on my academics and take
full advantage of the extracurricular
opportunities at Cal U. I’ve been able
to work on research projects and my
honors thesis, I’ve been active on the
SAI Board, I’ve been a campus tour
guide and worked in the Academic
Success Office.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to
thank the Eberlys in person for what a
difference they have made in my life.”
President Geraldine M. Jones also
expressed her thanks.
“We appreciate your generosity,” she
said. “Your care and concern has helped
set the course for our students for the
rest of their lives.”

Cal U, Community Prepare for ‛Elf’

T

he Department of Music and Theatre is preparing a
holiday treat at Cal U for fans of Elf.
For the first time, a license to perform the stage version
— Elf The Musical — is available to educational and amateur
theaters, and Cal U has secured the production for 2019 and 2020.
Elf The Musical, based on the 2003 motion picture starring
Will Ferrell, will be performed at 7 p.m. Nov. 21-23, with
matinees at 2 p.m. Nov. 23-24.
The show, which sees community members joining Cal U
students onstage and behind the scenes, is open to the public
and will be performed in the Mainstage Theatre of Steele Hall.
This modern holiday classic follows Buddy the Elf in his
quest to find his true identity.
Ticket price is $12 for adults; $6 for those 60 and older and 12

and younger. Cal U students with valid CalCards pay 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.

Opening night reception

An opening night reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 21
in Kara Alumni House. Guests can mingle with theater patrons
and President Geraldine Jones. The menu will include hearty
appetizers — and perhaps the four main Elf food groups, candy,
candy corn, candy canes and syrup!
Cost is $30 and includes a ticket to the show, which begins
at 7. Proceeds benefit Cal U theater legacy projects. For tickets
visit tinyurl.com/caluelf

al U and Intermediate Unit 1
have signed an agreement
intended to bring more highly
qualified teachers of English as a
Second Language into area schools.
The pact translates to savings for
ESL teachers who are seeking a master’s
degree at Cal U.
The agreement applies to teachers
from area school districts who have
taken ESL courses offered by IU1 and
who enroll in Cal U’s online Masters of
Education in ESL.
Under the five-year agreement, IU1
teachers apply to Cal U and, if accepted,
enroll as tuition-paying students.
Once they have earned 12 credits by
successfully completing four graduatelevel courses required for the M.Ed., the
University will accept up to nine credits
earned through the intermediate unit’s
ESL program in these courses:
• EDE 704: Introduction to
Teaching English as a Second Language
(3 credits).
• EDE 709: Developing Cultural
Awareness (3 credits).
• EDE 713: Language Acquisition
and Development (3 credits).
Teachers then complete nine
additional credits (three graduate-level
courses) at Cal U to earn the degree.
All Cal U coursework for the
master’s degree in ESL can be
completed entirely online, making it
convenient for busy, working educators.
Teachers save when their IU1 credits are
transferred to California University at
no additional cost.
“Our school-age population is
becoming more diverse,” says
Dr. Susan Morris-Rutledge, coordinator
of the University’s ESL program.
“Both our children and our school
districts benefit when educators are
skilled in teaching English language
learners — and teachers with an
advanced degree in ESL may find more
opportunities available to them.”
Teachers from IU1 can apply to
Cal U online at calu.edu/apply.
Candidates must submit a letter
attesting to their completion of all IU1
coursework in ESL prior to application
and enrollment.
The M.Ed. program covered under
the agreement does not include initial
teacher certification or ESL certification.
Separately, Cal U does offer an M.Ed.
program that includes ESL certification,
as well as a certificate-only option.
Prospective students can learn about
all of Cal U’s academic programs at
calu.edu/academics.

Mueller Honored for Curriculum Development
— Continued from page 1

Dr. Thomas Mueller

critical thinking skills while addressing the
genocide, and to recognize the outstanding
educators who create them.
“I am excited and humbled at winning this
award,” Mueller said. “I could not have done it
without my mentors and friends at California
University of Pennsylvania and Harvard’s
Ukraine Research Institute MAPA Program.”

This is the first time the award has gone to an
American educator.
Mueller is an educational associate team
member for the MAPA program, which uses
GIS to illustrate and explain economic,
historical, political and social transformations
within Ukraine.
In 2018, he created a lesson plan for Cal U
students — “MAPA in the Classroom: Ukraine
and Language Exercise.”

For the Holodomor project, students will
use data from Harvard’s Ukraine Research
Institute to create maps illustrating the
population losses during the Holodomor. That
information can then be compared to facts about
collectivization, environmental issues or losses
by nationalities.
Mueller worked with student
William Greene and plans to use the curriculum
in his Introduction to Geography class.

NOV. 4, 2019

Page 3

­­­Campus BRIEFS
One More Open
House This Fall

The Harlem Globetrotters will perform at the Convocation Center Jan. 9.

Harlem Globetrotters
Return Jan. 9

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he world-famous Harlem
Globetrotters, featuring largerthan-life entertainers, will bring
their all-new show, “Pushing the
Limits,” to the Convocation Center
on Jan. 9, 2020.
Showtime is 7 p.m. Doors open to
the general public at 6 p.m.
General admission tickets are $30.
Those purchasing a “Magic Pass” for
an additional $17 will be admitted at
5:30 p.m. for a 30-minute pre-show that
includes court access and photo and
autograph opportunities with the players.
Tickets are available at
ticketweb.com.
Every Harlem Globetrotters show
features a blend of hilarious hijinks and

incredible basketball skills, including ball
handling, high-flying dunks and a new
record-breaking attempt.
Globetrotter stars include
Big Easy Lofton, Hi-Lite Bruton and
female stars TNT Lister, Swish Sutton
and Torch George.
This is the third time that the Harlem
Globetrotters have made the Cal U
Convocation Center a stop on their
World Tour.
“We are excited to have the Harlem
Globetrotters back at Cal U,” says
Becky McMillen, executive director of
University Conference Services. “This
event is always a wonderful night of
family-friendly entertainment that brings
the regional community to campus.”

Cal U will hold this fall’s final
Open House program for prospective
undergraduate students on Nov. 9.
The events introduce prospective
students to Cal U or give students
who have been accepted a chance to
explore the campus.
Students and families learn more
about Cal U’s programs of study,
housing and student life. They can
talk with Cal U students, meet
faculty members from their academic
area of interest, tour the main
campus and visit Vulcan Village on
the upper campus.
The Open House begins with
registration at 9:30 a.m. in the
Natali Student Center followed by a
welcome and overview. All students
receive a free Cal U T-shirt at the
end of the day.
To register for an Open House
date and see a schedule of events,
visit calu.edu/visit or call
724-938-4404.

Spring Registration
Begins Nov. 4
Current students may register
for Spring 2020 classes beginning
Nov. 4.
Students should log in to the
Vulcan Information Portal (VIP)
and click on “academic info” to see
class level, academic standing and
registration day.
Students are encouraged to stay
on top of their academic progress,

Garcia Speaker at Vets Dinner

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children from his family to earn a
. David Garcia, Cal U’s first
college degree.
vice president of Enrollment
Garcia served six years in the 148th
Management, will be the guest
Bravo Company located in Bowling
speaker at the 46th annual Veterans Day
Green, Ohio. From 1987 to
dinner Nov. 7.
1993, he served as an infantry
Hosted by the Cal U
soldier and completed basic
Veterans Club, the event
and advanced individual
will be held in the south
training at Fort Benning, in
conference wing of the
Georgia. Garcia earned the
Convocation Center. Doors
rank of E-4 Specialist before
open at 5 p.m.; the program
being honorably discharged
begins at 6 p.m.
after serving his commitment.
Garcia, who started at
“Dave’s ‘student-first’
Cal U in March, has more
T. David Garcia
approach to success and his
than 28 years of higher
commitment to our veterans
education experience at four
on campus and building a sense of
different institutions.
community made him an ideal choice
Through the assistance of
for this year’s guest speaker,” said
military benefits from the Ohio Army
National Guard, he is the first of eight
Robert Prah, director of the Office of

Military and Veterans Affairs. “He
is sincerely concerned with not only
helping recruit veterans to come to
Cal U but also in seeing they do well
here and after they graduate.
“He certainly adds to our
dinner’s longstanding list of
distinguished speakers.
Cal U students are admitted free;
so are Cal U alumni who are current
or former service members. Cost for all
guests is $15. Checks should be made
payable to SAI-Vets Club.
Reservations are required; deadline
to register is Nov. 4.
To make a reservation or inquire
about payment options, email
veterans@calu.edu or call 724-938-4076.
Banners honoring Cal U veterans
also will be displayed on campus.

and timely registration maximizes
the ability to register for classes
students will need to complete their
degrees on time.
For more information, visit the
Office of Academic Success in Noss
Hall or call 724-938-4186.

Musicians Prepare
for Holiday
Performances
Cal U’s talented student
musicians are tuning up for holiday
performances.
Jazz ensembles under the
direction of Dr. Frank Stetar
will perform holiday tunes and
an assortment of jazz melodies
at 8 p.m. Nov. 21 in the
Performance Center, inside
the Natali Student Center.
Two 7 p.m. holiday concerts
directed by Dr. Randy Tillmutt, will
take place in the Old Main Chapel
on Nov. 23-24.
The Young and Gifted Gospel
Choir will perform a selection of
holiday favorites on Nov. 23.
On Nov. 24 University Choir,
Cal Singers, Acapella Stella,
Vulcanize, and Isolated Incident will
all perform and encourage audiences
to sing along.
All three events are free and open
to community.
For details about performances
by Cal U musicians, contact
the Department of Music and
Theatre at 724-938-4878 or
email tillmutt@calu.edu or
stetar@calu.edu.

Spots Open on
D.C. Bus Trip

T

ickets are still available for
the Department of Art and
Language’s trip to Washington,
D.C., a regular item on the University’s
calendar for the past 11 years.
The one-day excursion is open to
students, alumni, staff and faculty. Cost
is $25 and can be paid in Vulcan Hall
Room 100.
This year’s destination is the
Smithsonian’s National Air and
Space Museum. The bus will depart
at 6 a.m. Nov. 6, arrive at the museum
by 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., depart from
the museum at 7 p.m. and return to
campus by 11 p.m.
For information, email
Maggy Aston at aston@calu.edu.

SAB and Adviser Feted at Conference
— Continued from page 1
Dunn explained that an outside
agency nominated Cal U SAB for their
organization award and praised the
Cal U students.
“This honor speaks volumes of
our students, and frankly they carry
themselves much different than other
schools do at the conference,” Dunn
said. “There’s a bit of a carnival
atmosphere there with a lot of
complimentary items and entertainers,

but our students are more about doing
business than chasing the shiny objects.
“I strongly believe the association and

agencies see and are influenced by the
professional way they handle themselves
as undergraduates.”
Though humbled to receive her
award, which was selected by APCA
staff, agencies and fellow advisers,
Dunn was most honored that she was
nominated by SAB.
“Everything I do, I do for my
students. They are what keeps me
coming back every single day, because
every single day is different with them,”
she said. “Knowing that I’ve been able

to impact them with their college careers
and maybe their career paths means
more to me than anything.”
Anderson said she and her SAB peers
were thrilled to nominate Dunn.
“Missy deserves this and so much
more because she does so much for us
and everyone on campus,” Anderson
said. “She always puts her best foot
forward and is always there for you if
you need help with anything or even
life advice.
“She’s a great mentor.”

Page 4

NOV. 4, 2019

Vulcans
Have
NCAA
Roles

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The Cal U’s men’s soccer team takes a break after participating at the 25th annual Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh Buddy Walk at
Highmark Stadium.

Soccer Team Volunteers at Walk

T

he Vulcans men’s soccer
program recently participated
in the 25th-annual Down
Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh
(DSAP) Buddy Walk held Oct. 19 at
Highmark Stadium.
The event was introduced to the
program courtesy of the team’s athletic
trainer, Mindi Fisher, who has two
uncles with Down syndrome. She is a
member of the planning committee for
the event as well as a volunteer
The Vulcans contributed in a

variety of activities, including setting
up prior to the event, leading the walk
from Highmark Stadium, handing out
medals to participants and engaging
with families on the soccer field at the
conclusion of the walk.
“For us it was important to show our
support to Mindi and her family at this
event,” said head coach Emedin Sabic.
“She does a lot for our team and it was
great for us to give back to an event that
means a lot to Mindi, her family and so
many people that are affected.”

The Buddy Walk is the largest
fundraiser of the Down Syndrome
Association of Pittsburgh. Their mission
is to enrich the lives of individuals with
Down syndrome and their families
in the community, which is largely
funded through the Buddy Walk team
and individual donations. They fulfill
that mission in two ways: creating
opportunities for families to share
resources and create community and
by funding the Down Syndrome
Center of Pittsburgh.

Student Competes for Warrior Title

C

al U first-year student
Jordan Amrhein endured
constant mental and physical
challenges for four straight days — with
hopes of doing it again next year.
A private first class in the U.S. Army
Reserve and ROTC student, Amrhein
competed for the title of Best Warrior at
Niagara Falls, N.Y., earlier this fall.
The annual competition was a
preliminary event used by major
Army Reserve commands to select
the best junior enlisted soldier and
noncommissioned officer in their
ranks. The winners represented their
units at the 18th annual United States
Army Reserve Command Best
Warrior Competition last month at
Fort A.P. Hill, Va.
Amrhein, of South Park, Pa.,
competed in a variety of challenges
including firing weapons, a six-mile
ruck march, formal interviews, warfare
simulations, land navigation, the Army
Physical Fitness Test, written exams,
and various “mystery events.”
He is part of the 393rd Medical
Company out of Coraopolis, Pa., and
was one of three nominated from a
120-person field to compete among the
439th Battalion by 1st Sgt. Brian Hogan.
Though Amrhein did not
advance, he hopes to return to

Jordan Amrhein competed in a contest to find the best Army Reserve soldier.

the competition next year.
“It was definitely a learning
experience that helped show me where
I am at in my military career and how
much I need to develop,” said Amrhein,
who enlisted in the Army in April 2018
while still a student at South Park High
School. “Having gone through it once
will give me a pretty good advantage
moving forward next year.”
Amrhein is majoring in computer

engineering technology. His goal is to
be commissioned as a second lieutenant
when he graduates and then go to
Ranger School and Special Operations
before active duty.
“Growing up I’ve always wanted to
be in the military,” he said. “But I also
really enjoy working with computers and
my academics here can only help me in
my military career and will always be
something I have in the future.”

wo Vulcans athletics
administrators are representing
the University at the NCAA
Division II level.
Jenni Morrison, Cal U’s associate
athletic director of business operations
and senior woman
administrator, is
beginning her first
year as chair of the
NCAA Division
II Women’s
Basketball Atlantic
Region Committee.
She has been a
committee member
Jenni Morrison
for three years.
Athletic
Director
Dr. Karen Hjerpe
is in her fourth
and final year as
the chair of the
NCAA Division
II Women’s
Volleyball Atlantic
Region Committee.
Dr. Karen Hjerpe
Women’s
and men’s golf coach Peter Coughlin
finished serving as regional and national
chair for men’s golf this past spring.
Regional committee chairs
automatically serve on the national
committees for those sports.
Responsibilities as chair include
leading the regional committee in the
review of teams and statistics each week
and helping the national committee
evaluate teams for weekly rankings and
post-season tournament appearances.
“To have both Jenni and I on the
national committee and Peter having
already served certainly shows a level
of commitment to each of the sports
and a willingness to volunteer and
serve,” Hjerpe said.
Obligations also include serving as
NCAA site representative at both the
regional and national tournaments.
At the national tournaments, the
committee members also participate in
community service projects.
Hjerpe said at last year’s NCAA
II volleyball championships, which
were contested in Pittsburgh, Pa., her
committee worked with student-athletes
to distribute items to patients at UPMC
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
“I have also visited veterans
hospitals and worked with high
school gym class students through my
experiences,” she said. “It provides
a great professional development
opportunity because you get to work
with leaders at other institutions as well
as the NCAA staff while representing
and talking about Cal U.”

The California Journal is published by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
Geraldine M. Jones
University President
Dr. Bruce Barnhart
Provost and Senior Vice President
for Academic Affairs

Dr. Nancy Pinardi
Vice President for Student Affairs
Christine Kindl
Vice President for Communications
and Marketing

Office of Communications and Public Relations

Robert Thorn
Vice President for Administration and Finance
Anthony Mauro
Vice President for University
Development and Alumni Relations

250 University Avenue

California, PA 15419

T. David Garcia
Vice President for Enrollment
Management

724-938-4195

Wendy Mackall
Editor
Bruce Wald
Writer

wald@calu.edu­­­­­­­­­