California University

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

Cal U Reveals New Logos

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alifornia University of
Pennsylvania revealed a new
visual identity for both the
University and its athletics programs on
Feb. 21 in the Performance Center.
The new logos are part of a multiphase rebranding initiative designed
to tell Cal U’s story, standardize
the emblems used to represent the
University and its athletics programs,
and refresh images and wordmarks
that had become dated.
With mascot Blaze, the
Cal U cheerleaders and
members of the band
energizing the crowd,
emcee Ryan Barnhart,
director of Alumni
Relations, began the
pep rally by introducing
University President
Geraldine M. Jones.
Though she is proud of Cal U’s
history and traditions, President Jones
said the school logos were due to be
refreshed.
“We invited our entire University
family to get involved in the process,
and the logos capture the spirit of
Cal U — proud and resilient, dedicated
and caring,” she said. “The new symbols
keep our traditions intact.
“We are still Cal U and will always
be the Vulcans. Our University logos
reflect our past, but they have a bold,
contemporary look that will tell the
story of who we are today and who we
will be well into the future.”
Elements of California’s history
are embedded in the new symbols. For
example, the time on the clock tower is
always 6:52 p.m. — or 18:52 in military
time, a reference to the year the school
was founded.

Cal U’s own Creative Services
team designed the complementary
University logos and wordmark.
Following a video, the new
University logo was unveiled
followed by T-shirts tossed randomly
to the delight of the spirited crowd.
Cal U’s Marketing team worked
with Carnegie Dartlet, a leading
brand identity firm, to conduct brand
research over a 16-month period and
develop the athletics logos.
The Vulcans name dates
to 1932, when California’s
student newspaper sponsored
a contest to select to select
a nickname for the
school. The shape
of Vulcan’s hammer
appears inside the
“C”in the athletics
wordmark.
Dr. Karen Hjerpe, Cal U’s athletic
director, explained that modernizing
the Vulcan image and bringing some
consistency to the athletic uniforms were
two key goals.
​“Right now, some of our uniforms
say ‘Cal’, some say ‘California’ and
some say ‘Cal U,’" she pointed out. “As
we gradually purchase new uniforms
and gear, a shared identity will emerge
for our athletics program.
“Without a doubt, our fans will
know who we are. And our studentathletes and our Vulcan fans can feel a
shared sense of pride.”
Before the unveiling, student
remarks came from Seth Shiley,
Student Government president, and
Madeleine McKenna, president of the
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Student clubs and organizations have
the option to request an official logo

using the updated symbols.
"It’s exciting to be the first group of
students to claim the updated look,”
Shiley said.
“You will be seeing these new
logos on team uniforms, T-shirts and
other gear from our bookstore,” said
McKenna, a women's volleyball player.
“Just like our student-athletes, these
logos compete with anything NCAA
Division II has to offer.”
First-year communication studies
major Noah Mitchell, the football team’s
starting quarterback, reflected the event’s
enthusiasm.
“I loved both logos and the way
they came up with the design,” said last
season’s PSAC-West Rookie of the Year.
“It looks modern and more complete
with everyone looking the same out
there now. It will be exciting seeing the
new logo on the field next season.”
Graduating senior Emily Suckling,
a guard on the women’s basketball
team, was one of many to get her photo
taken after the event with the new logo,
Blaze, President Jones and some of her
teammates.
“It’s definitely different but cool,”
said the sport management major. “I
think it will make us stand out more
nationally now, and change is part of
everything, which is good.”
For a complete look at Cal U’s
rebranding guide visit calu.edu/brand.

Program Achievements Highlight
Faculty-Staff Convocation

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resident Geraldine M. Jones
shared her “pride in what we’ve
accomplished and excitement
about what lies ahead” during her
spring semester faculty-staff convocation
address on Feb. 19.
“When we look at them collectively,
we can see how our achievements add
up, and how their positive momentum is
moving our entire University forward,”
President Jones said.
Beginning with academics,
which she called the heart of Cal U’s
mission, President Jones pointed
out the 14 degree programs — nine
undergraduate and five MBA — in
Cal U’s Department of Business and
Economics that have been newly
accredited by the Accreditation Council
for Business Schools and Programs.
Seven other academic degree
programs were reaccredited this past fall,
bringing the total number of accredited
— Continued on page 2

President Geraldine M. Jones delivers remarks to faculty and staff on Feb. 19.

Student
Interns at
Governor’s
Office

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unior Angel Hart Funk believes
her passion for politics, major, and
educational opportunities provided
by Cal U are preparing her well as
she aspires to be a government affairs
representative.
A communications and public
relations major, with a minor in
journalism, Funk is working in the
office of Gov. Tom Wolf this semester
as part of a 15-week internship
sponsored by
Pennsylvania’s
State System of
Higher Education.
She is one
of 12 students
participating
this term in
The Harrisburg
Internship Semester
Angel Hart Funk
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. Funk
and her fellow THIS participants will
attend academic seminars and complete
an individualized research project as
part of the program’s requirements.
Funk, of California, Pa., serves as
a liaison through written and verbal
correspondence for the governor with
constituents and different agencies.
During her first few weeks in
Harrisburg, several memorable
experiences included sitting on the floor
of the House for the budget address,
attending Wolf ’s news conference
announcing plans for increasing
minimum wage, and receiving advice
from APSCUF president Dr. Ken Mash
and staff members Sean Crampsie and
Kathryn Morton. She called meeting
the governor in person “incredible.”
“All of the people in the governor’s
office truly want to see you learn and
grow as a young professional,” Funk
said. “I’ve already made amazing
connections, and every day I get to
witness change-makers and people
who truly care about the future of
Pennsylvania.
“It’s empowering and inspires me to
follow in their footsteps.”
Dr. Melanie Blumberg, campus
coordinator for THIS and a professor
in the Department of History, Politics,
Society and Law, praised Funk.
“Angel’s background in
communications and love of politics
make her a perfect fit for the Harrisburg
internship,” Blumberg said.
Funk intends on sharing her
experience and research with
students in the spring, possibly at the
— Continued on page 2

Page 2

MARCH 4, 2019

Spring Club Fair Showcases Student Life

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here’s always something to do at
Cal U, and more than 400 students
got a firsthand look at many
available opportunities at the 2019 spring
semester’s Club and Organizational Fair.
More than 100 clubs and
organizations were inside and around the
Performance Center on Feb. 12, offering
academic, faith and religion, volunteer,
sports, arts and event planning options.
Computer science major Scott
Trunzo, in his first semester, seemed to
find a perfect fit when he explored the
Computer Club table.
“I liked what I saw,” said Trunzo.
“They said they do a lot of 3-D printing,
which is a lot of both physical aspect of
printing and a software aspect because
you have to make a 3-D document.
“I’ve enjoyed it here so far, and this is
something I will look into.”
Mecia Howard, a graduating senior
who is studying environmental science
and is the secretary of the Sustainability
Club, learned about a speaker that the
Finance Club is bringing to campus.
“Not only is this good to get
information, but for me, it’s good to see
what my school is doing. It’s nice to see
that there’s plenty of things for students
to get involved in,” she said. “It’s great
to see new clubs are coming up and the
underclassmen getting so involved.”

Business major Diana Rodriguez and mechatronics major Carlos Miguel talk to students
visiting their International Club booth.

Diane Hasbrouck, director of the
Center for Volunteer Programs and
Service Learning and co-coordinator
of the fair, said the event helps clubs
and organizations attract new
members.
“While first-year seminar students
and underclassmen will come to explore
clubs, the fair also gives the groups
opportunities to talk and potentially

partner with each other on certain
activities or projects or future programs,”
she said.
Hasbrouck also pointed out that
club participation benefits a student’s
Activities Transcript — an official
University document that records student
leadership roles, community service and
other clubs and activities that can be
shared with potential employers.

Many students who come to the
fair become involved and flourish in
clubs. Macy Gross is a sophomore
middle level education major and
treasurer of the Mathematics Association
of America.
“We try to raise awareness of math
and bring in speakers and play math
games to advance our skills at our
biweekly meetings,” she said. “It’s fun.
I joined my first semester and have been
there ever since.”
Alex Koenigsberg, a first-year
physics major, started going to STAND
(Students Taking a New Direction) last
fall and is now club secretary.
“Those meetings moved me, so I
joined the leadership team this semester
and am glad we’ve had some students
stop by today,” he said. “This is a
good club to learn the relationship you
can have with others and connecting
with God.”
Sophomore Xavier Baney, a special
education K-4 major, is an officer with
the Council for Exceptional Children.
The CEC frequently visits schools,
where they read to children and even
have dances.
“It’s a great club to enhance your
communication skills, and we’ve met a
lot of interested students today, which is
awesome,” he said.

Intern Serves
With Governor

— Continued from page 1

Fantastic Flamingos

Todd Pinkham worked with Cal U students to create and paint flamingos that were installed Feb. 9-10 for Frostburn, a music and arts festival
in Masontown, W.Va. Pinkham, an associate professor in the Department of Art and Languages at Cal U, and Grafton Lee, a sculptor from Ohio,
received a grant to build the pieces. Frostburn, held Feb. 15-17 at Marvin’s Mountaintop, is similar to Burning Man, an exploration of artistic selfexpression that is held each year in Nevada. Burning Man takes its name from its culmination, the symbolic ritual burning of a large wooden effigy
('The Man') at the end of the event. Pinkham’s pieces were effigies for a 'temple' at the Regional Burn Event of Frostburn.

Strike-A-Spark Conference.
“More than anything I would love to
speak to students about what an absolutely
once-in-a lifetime opportunity THIS is, as
the experience already has opened so many
doors for me that I could have never reached
on my own,” she said.
Funk said her classes and experience
working with student media services helped
prime her for the internship.
“The academic experience I’ve
received at Cal U has created a solid
foundation that set me up to take on the
landscape in a government position,” she
said. “I can honestly say that the internship
was the supplement I need to figure out
the career path I want to pursue after
graduation.”
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.

President Offers Good News at Convocation
— Continued from page 1
programs at Cal U to more than 50
in all.
“In many disciplines, accreditation
makes a real difference,” she said.
“Prospective students and their parents
may seek out accredited programs as
an assurance of academic quality and
excellence in teaching. Graduates can
point to program accreditation as a sign
that their education met the highest
professional standards.”
Cal U maintaining its overall
accreditation status with the Middle
States Commission on Higher
Education is another essential matter
President Jones emphasized.

The University is halfway through the
two-year self-study, and 12 committees
are working to produce a comprehensive
self-study report as Cal U prepares for
a re-accreditation visit by the Middle
States Peer Evaluation Team next spring.
“Maintaining our accreditation will
require a fundamental shift toward more
accountable and data-driven decisionmaking,” President Jones said. “Our
self-study is focused on the future: Its
ultimate purpose is to improve our
University and inform the mission and
goals of our strategic plan for the years
2020 through 2025.
“This is truly a campus-wide effort.”
Along with the victories President
Jones reported that there is more than a

6 percent decline in student headcount
from a year ago. However, she added
that a number of critical investments
in new faculty and staff positions have
been made during this fiscal year with a
goal of enhancing academic programs
and the University’s recruitment and
retention efforts.
One major addition is the new Office
of Enrollment Management, which will
be led by Thomas “David” Garcia, who
will begin as vice president on March 4.
“David will provide strategic
leadership for the new division, steering
it toward success with a ‘students first’
attitude, data-based decision-making
and an entrepreneurial spirit,” President
Jones said.

Before her closing remarks,
President Jones announced that two
new awards will honor outstanding
staff members. The Vulcan Exceptional
Service Award will recognize a staff
member who has provided outstanding
customer service to students and their
families, fellow employees or community
members. The Vulcan President’s Circle
Award will honor a staff member for
exceptional job performance, with a
special focus on collaboration, University
pride or innovation.
Award recipients will be selected by a
Staff Recognition Program Committee,
led by the director of human resources.
Details of the staff recognition
program will be available soon.

MARCH 4, 2019

Page 3

Cal U
Again
Military
Friendly

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Cal U welcomes the public to three robotics events this spring.

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Robots Return to Cal U

his spring, thousands of high
school students from western
Pennsylvania and across the
country will pack their toolkits and bring
their custom-designed robots to campus.
Cal U welcomes the public to three
robotics events this season. Admission to
all events is free:
• March 21-23: FIRST® Robotics,
Greater Pittsburgh Regional
Competition. In the Convocation
Center arena, more than 1,100 high
school students compete at FIRST®,
putting their 120-lb., custom-designed
robots to the test in a challenge called
DESTINATION: DEEP SPACE
presented by the Boeing company.

Two competing alliances will combat
unpredictable terrain and weather
patterns, making remote robot operation
essential to their mission on the planet.
With only 2 minutes, 30 seconds until
liftoff, the alliances must gather as many
cargo pods as possible and prepare their
spaceships for departure before the next
sandstorm arrives.
About FIRST® Robotics:
https://www.firstinspires.org/
• April 26-27: BotsIQ, Southwestern
Pennsylvania Finals. Teams from
85 regional schools and community
organizations battle for dominance
in gladiator-style matches in the
Convocation Center arena. Sparks fly as

the 15-pound ’bots clash, smash and try
to trash the competition.
About BotsIQ:
http://www.botsiqpa.org/about/
• May 16-18 National Robotics League.
The action is fast and furious when
about 70 high school teams from across
the country, including some southwestrn
Pennsylvania BotsIQ competitors,
send their robots into battle inside the
Convocation Center arena.
Explore the NRL: http://gonrl.org/
Faculty or staff who wish to set
up a display during the events at the
Convocation Center may contact
Becky McMillen, director of Conference
Services, at mcmillen_b@calu.edu.

Cal U Hosts Science Olympiad

M

iddle school and high school
students from 13 counties
will compete in earth science,
biology, physics, chemistry, computer
science and math when Cal U hosts the
Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional
Science Olympiad on March 6 at the
Convocation Center.
Events will be contested in the
Convocation Center, and in Hamer,
New Science, Gallagher and
Eberly halls.
The competition is broken down
into 15-member teams in two divisions
— grades 6-9 and 9-12. Last year, 8,000
teams completed in 450 invitational,
regional, state and national tournaments.
Cal U has hosted this prestigious
event for almost 30 years. Nearly 50
schools are scheduled for this year’s
regional, with Cal U faculty from
different academic departments serving
as event supervisors.
“I believe in the value of science
and wanting to foster more interest and
passion for learning about it,” said
Dr. Swarndeep Gill, regional site
director and associate professor in
Cal U’s Department of Earth Sciences.
“Science Olympiad gets students
engaged in science outside of the
classroom, and I think it’s important that
they feel it was worth that extra effort.
“Having a well-run tournament goes
a long way to honoring that.”

Gateway High School students Cyann Williams (left) and Sal Namasivayam compete at last
year’s Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Science Olympiad at the Convocation Center. This
year’s event will take place March 6.

Based on a percentage of teams
registered at regional sites, the highestscoring middle school and high school
teams from the region will qualify for
the state competition on April 27 at
Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa.
The National Science Olympiad will
be June 1 at Cornell University in
Ithaca, N.Y.
For more information about
the Pennsylvania Southwestern

Pennsylvania Regional Science
Olympiad at Cal U, including a
schedule of events with locations and
times, visit the event website at
calu.edu/science-olympiad. Those
interested in volunteering can also
register on the website.
Questions can also be emailed to
Gill at gill@calu.edu or regional site
assistant director Samantha Mrozinski
at mro7187@calu.edu.

alifornia University of
Pennsylvania has been
recognized as a 2019-2020
Military Friendly School® for the
University’s commitment to military
service members, veterans and
their families.
The designation is awarded by
VIQTORY, publisher of G.I. Jobs®,
STEM Jobs® and Military Spouse
magazines. Cal U has earned a spot on
the list every year since 2010.
The military-friendly ranking is
designed to help service members and
their families make the best use of
federal benefits, including the Post-9/11
GI Bill, by selecting a college where
they can acquire the education needed
to pursue a civilian career.
Methodology, criteria, and
weightings were determined by
VIQTORY with input from the
Military Friendly® Advisory
Council of independent leaders in
the higher education and military
recruitment community. Final ratings
were determined by combining the
institution’s survey scores with the
assessment of the institution’s ability to
meet thresholds for student retention,
graduation, job placement, loan
repayment, persistence and loan default
rates for all students and, specifically,
for student veterans.
The Office of Military and Veterans
Affairs at Cal U helps eligible students
and their families with career guidance
and information about financial aid.
Nearly 200 military veterans and
dependents attend classes on Cal U’s
campus, and more than 500 service
members around the world are enrolled
in Global Online, Cal U’s Internetbased learning community. Cal U
provides discounted tuition costs for
active-duty members and veterans of
all U.S. military branches, their spouses
and their eligible dependents who
enroll in Global Online programs.
An active Veterans Club provides
networking and community service
opportunities.
“Cal U is committed to supporting
our members of the military, our
veterans and their families,” said
Robert Prah ’06, ’10, director of the
Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Students,
Families Visit
March 23

O

n March 23, Cal U welcomes
students and their families to
the second Open House of the
spring semester. Registration begins at
8 a.m. on the third floor of the Natali
Student Center.
Prospective students can meet
faculty and students, take a tour,
learn about clubs and organizations,
and more.
The last scheduled spring open
house will be held April 27.
To register for a Spring Open
House, visit calu.edu/admissions/visit.

Page 4

MARCH 4, 2019

National
Artists Join
‘Joyfest’

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ationally known gospel artists
Chandler Moore, Kendall
McDowell and Geoffrey Golden
will be the featured performers when
Cal U’s Young and Gifted Gospel Choir
hosts its annual Joyfest gospel concert.
Joyfest 2019 will take place at
7 p.m. March 23 in the Performance
Center. Admission is free. Doors open
at 6:30 p.m.
A singer, songwriter, and
instrumentalist, Moore has written
songs for VaShawn Mitchell, Briana
“Bri” Babineaux & Tye Tribbett. His
2016 recording of The Songs We Sing is a
collection of worship songs.
A pastor, songwriter, revivalist,
educator and entrepreneur, McDowell is
founder of The Revival Now Network Inc.
and Kendall McDowell Ministries Inc.
In 2017 McDowell and RAW Worship
recorded their first live album, The Sound
of NOW LIVE (The SON LIVE).
Golden’s music career started in 2014
with a victory on “Sunday Best,” a gospel
singing competition. He released Kingdom
... LIVE!, which hit No. 4 on the Billboard
Top Gospel Albums chart in 2015.
The Young and Gifted Gospel Choir is
open to all Cal U students. Its repertoire
includes traditional spirituals and AfricanAmerican gospel music.
At Joyfest, choir members have the
opportunity to learn from and perform
with gospel music professionals.
For more information email
Dr. Randy Tillmutt assistant professor in
the Department of Music and Theatre
and director of choral activities, at
tillmutt@calu.edu.

Cal U’s student chapter of the National Wildlife Society will host its annual game dinner March 23.

Wild Game is What’s for Dinner

C

al U’s student chapter will host
its 22nd annual Outdoor Bash
and Wild Game Dinner at
6 p.m. March 23 at the Richeyville
(Pa.) Volunteer Fire Department.
Doors open at 5 p.m.
In cooperation with the Local
No. 1 of the National Wild Turkey
Federation, the chapter will offer a
variety of dishes, such as deer, elk, bear,
pheasant, rabbit, wild turkey, duck,
goose, beaver, fish, turtle and alligator.
Outdoor gear, artwork and free
passes to many future wildlife-related
activities will be raffled off and
awarded as door prizes throughout the
evening, while guests enjoy a “wild”
array of foods.
Cost is $20; tickets can be purchased
in advance or at the door.
Proceeds from this event supports

­­­Campus BRIEFS
Spring Break
Schedule
No classes will be held from
March 11-15 as Cal U marks spring
break for students.
All University offices will be open
during the break.
Classes resume March 18.
Residence Halls will close at
8 p.m. Friday, March 8. They will
re-open at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 17.

Trustees Meet
March 6
The California University
Council of Trustees will hold its
first quarterly meeting of 2019 at
7 p.m. March 6 in the President’s
conference room, Old Main,
Room 110.

student trips to various conferences,
such as the National Wildlife Society
Conference, training workshops for
wildlife management restoration,
fire ecology as well as chainsaw
certification and CPR/First Aid
certification training.
Funding also gives students the
opportunity to participate in long-term
monitoring program of Delmarva
fox squirrels in Maryland and present
environmental education programming
to primary and secondary students in
the region.
“My favorite aspect of this is
interacting with the guest attending
and talking to them about wildlife
and how their support helps us,” said
chapter president Tanner Sink, a senior
majoring in fisheries and wildlife
biology.

“It’s a good time and way for
people to learn, enjoy and appreciate
wildlife.”
“It is great to see a group of young
wildlife professionals doing their best
to ensure that moments like these are
available for future members,” said
chapter treasurer Kirstin Palumbo,
a junior majoring in environmental
studies with a concentration in fisheries
and wildlife biology.
Dr. Carol Bocetti, club adviser
and professor in the Department
of Biological and Environmental
Sciences, added, “The common theme
of all these activities is professional
development of our student members
and that’s why the wild game dinner is
so important to them.”
To purchase tickets, email Bocetti at
bocetti@calu.edu, or call 724-938-5967.

Professor on Fulbright Committee

D

r. Kimberly Vanderlaan, an
D.C., to make the selections. The
associate professor of English
teaching assistants are bachelor’s and
at Cal U, serves
master’s graduates who will
on a national committee of
spend 20 to 24 hours per
three to select participants
week in primary schools,
for the Fulbright English
secondary schools, middle
Teaching Assistant Program
vocational training schools
in the Netherlands.
and universities of applied
The ETA fellowship
science in the Netherlands.
is part of the Fulbright
Vanderlaan is also the
U.S. Student Program,
Dr. Kimberly Vanderlaan Fulbright program adviser
which facilitates cultural
at Cal U.
exchange through direct interactions
“Dean Mohammed Yamba (the
in the classroom and also through
former dean of the College of Liberal
encouraging extracurricular activities
Arts) appointed me as the adviser in
while serving as English instructors.
2014,” Vanderlaan said. “I was
invited to serve on the national
The Fulbright English Teaching
screening committee for the English
Assistant programs place grantees in
Teaching Assistants in 2017 for a
schools overseas to supplement local
three-year term.”
English language instruction and to
Vanderlaan has encouraged
provide native speaker presence in
the classrooms.
Cal U students to apply for Fulbright
Vanderlaan traveled to Washington,
scholarships and hosted a forum

featuring Fulbright specialists —
well-established faculty members
and professionals across academic
disciplines — for Cal U students
interested in applying.
Four Cal U faculty members
have participated in the Fulbright
Specialist Program. Two faculty
members participated in the Fulbright
Student Program. The University
also has welcomed three Fulbright
Foreign Language Teaching
Assistants to campus.
“I have enjoyed serving on the
ETA in the Netherlands committee,”
Vanderlaan said. “The applicants are so
inspirational. Also, it gives me insights
into what committees may be looking
for from our students at Cal U. Of
course, I am hopeful that one of our
own students in the near future will
secure one of these prestigious and
extraordinary fellowships.”

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

250 University Avenue

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

California, PA 15419

724-938-4195

Wendy Mackall
Editor
Bruce Wald
Writer

wald@calu.edu­­­­­­­­­