EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 27,1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY TO HOST WOMEN’S PANEL
On Wednesday, March 1, Edinboro University’s Students for Women’s Equality will
present a panel discussion in recognition of Women’s History Month. Seven professional women
will share information about their work and their accomplishments in a discussion at 7:00 p.m.
in Doucette Hall room 119.
Scheduled to participate are: Carolyn Rhodes, deputy mayor of Edinboro; Dr. Dale
Hunter, professor of biology at Edinboro University; Deputy V. L. Kormanic of the Cambridge
Springs Correctional Institute; Suzanne W^nterberger, professor of art at Edinboro; Dr. Mary
Louise Keller, chairperson of Edinboro’s department of nursing; Brenda Franklin, vice president
at PNC bank; and Dr. Joyce Berry, professor of physics and volunteer firefighter.
The public is invited to attend. For additional information, contact Dr. Kathy Sotol at
732-2887 or Ann Coleman, 734-5421.
-30-

psl

A member of the State System of Higher Education

£RIE DAILY TIMES

ERIE, PA
<0,412

daily

TUESDAY

F£B 28 1995
117
• cec«

Womei

plans discussion

^Sfents for^ Womens'EqMity at
IMinboro University will hold a panel di^cuSSlhu WtJUnwsd^riii recogni­
tion of Women’s History Month.
Seven professional women will
share iiiformation about their work
and accomplishments at the event,
to begin at 7 p.m. in Room 119 of
Doucette Hall.
Carolyn Rhodes, deputy mayor of
Edinboip; Dr. Dale Hunter, profes­
sor of biology at Edinboro Universi­
ty; Deputy V.L. Kormanic of the
Cambridge Springs Correctional In­

stitute; Suzanne Winterberger, prol
fessor of art at Edinboro; Dr. Mary
Louise Keller, chairman of Edinboro’s department of nursing; Bren­
da Franklin, a vice president of PNC
Bank; and Dr. Joyce Berry, profes­
sor of physics and a volunteer fire­
fighter, are scheduled to participate.
Organizers invite the public to at­
tend and said more information is
available by contacting Dr. Kathy
Sotol at 732-2887, or Ann Coleman at
734-5421.

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 27, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEW EDINBORO GRADUATE PROGRAM WILL PREPARE
FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONERS

A new academic offering at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania will prepare students
in the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree program as family nurse practitioners,
according to an announcement by University President Foster F. Diebold.
Edinboro University has offered a Master of Science in Nursing degree for nearly 20
years, Diebold said, but began revising the program several years ago in recognition of the
increasing need for primary care providers in Pennsylvania’s rural communities.
The State System of Higher Education Board of Governors approved the program
revision in January for Edinboro to prepare students as family nurse practitioners. Edinboro is
the first to offer the M.S.N. degree for family nurse practitioners at any of the 14 State System
universities.
Edinboro University’s M.S.N. - Family Nurse Practitioner program has also been
approved by the State Board of Nursing, the State Board of Medicine, and all appropriate
University groups, including its Council of Trustees.
“We in the nursing profession recognized five years ago that this was the direction the
national health care debate was taking, and we initiated efforts then to prepare nurses to meet
the impending changes,” said Dr. Harriet Phillips, recently retired chairperson of Edinboro’s
nursing department.
“The need for nurse practitioners is reflective of the changes that have occurred and are
still occurring in the health care delivery system,” said Phillips, “and the emphasis in graduate
nursing is now on the practitioner role.”
-moreA member of the State System of Higher Education

EDINBORO GRADUATE PROGRAM, Continued

Page 2

According to Dr. Mary Louise Keller, the current chairperson of Edinboro University’s
nursing department, the new program will address the problems of the medically underserved
population in the predominantly rural areas of northwestern Pennsylvania.
An earlier study by the U.S. Census Bureau and quoted in Edinboro’s needs assessment
reported that Pennsylvania has the largest rural population in the nation. Forty-two of its 67
counties have more than half of the population living in a rural area, defined in the report as a
borough or township with less than 2,500 people.
Erie County, although classified as a Metropolitan Statistical Area, has many rural
boroughs and townships, and is bordered by two other primarily rural counties, Crawford and
Warren.
The communities surrounding Edinboro University are for the most part rural, Keller
said, and have vulnerable populations with primary and preventive health care needs that can be
remedied efficiently and cost-effectively by family nurse practitioners functioning
autonomously in most situations.
“The family nurse practitioner in the rural health care setting can offer a broad range of
services, treating both common chronic illnesses and acute illnesses among the most vulnerable
populations, such as the elderly and the very young,” Keller said.
“Family nurse practitioners can provide up to 80 percent of the care normally
administered by a medical doctor,” said Dr. Judith Schilling, of Edinboro's family nurse
practitioner faculty and, along with Keller, one of the two doctorally-prepared University
nursing faculty who will operate the program. She added that many physicians in the
northwestern Pennsylvania area are receptive and supportive of Edinboro University’s M.S.N. Family Nurse Practitioner program.
Schilling said that the new program revision requires 48 credit hours with coursework
options in either a full-time or part-time curriculum sequence. A post-master’s certificate may
also be conferred to students who already possess a master’s degree in nursing. Full-time
students can complete the 48-hour program over a two-year period. Nurses already possessing
an M.S.N. degree can earn a nurse practitioner certificate by completing 33 credits.
“Evening classes will also be offered to accommodate the working registered nurse,”
said Schilling.

-more-

EDINBORO GRADUATE PROGRAM, Continued

Page 3

“Our feasibility study showed that there is a student population for the program and
support from the health care community,” Schilling said. “Seventeen are already enrolled in the
program and another 150 have expressed interest through inquiries.”
Schilling said also that students seeking to enter the program must have a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing degree, and that the eventual class size would probably number
approximately 20.
Nurse practitioners are classified by the federal government as advanced practice nurses,
meaning they can practice in an expanded and often independent role that enables them to meet
the primary and preventive health care needs of patients. Legal permission for a nurse to
function in this capacity in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may be granted to a registered
nurse who has completed a state-approved graduate nursing program, such as Edinboro’s.
Program graduates who successfully complete all graduate-level courses with a B average, a
comprehensive examination and a thesis can then be licensed to practice as certified registered
nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania. Graduates will also be able to sit for the national
certification examination administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
While the focus of Edinboro’s program is the provision of personal health care services
for persons of all ages within the context of the rural family and community, graduates may
practice in other health care settings as well. Schilling said. “Certified registered nurse
practitioners can also find career opportunities in hospital outpatient clinics, HMOs, public
health facilities, emergency rooms, schools, and occupational health settings, such as factories.”
Edinboro’s program will operate as a pilot project for the State System of Higher
Education’s new Health Care Education initiative and will serve as a model for other State
System universities.
As part of the State System’s 1995-96 appropriations request to the Governor and
General Assembly, the Board of Governors approved a Health Care Enhancement special
purpose appropriations request for $1 million for the first year of a five-year, $5 million
program.
The System’s program is designed to assemble regional consortia to provide more
training and education to health care providers across Pennsylvania, with special emphasis on
rural areas. Regional nurse practitioner programs will be given priority as new University
programs are developed and offered to students.
-more-

EDINBORO GRADUATE PROGRAM, Continued

Page 4

Collaboration on a consortia basis among Edinboro, Clarion and Slippery Rock
universities has been built into Edinboro’s program through development of compatible
curricula, officials said. Clarion and Slippery Rock are in the process of developing family
nurse practitioner programs.
-30WARicah

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 27, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

EDINBORO ALUMNUS, STUDENT HONORED AT ERIE ENGINEERS’ WEEK
Since the mid-1960s, the Erie Engineering Societies Council (EESC) - an affiliation of
18 member societies dedicated to furthering technical education and strengthening the
engineering, scientific and technical professions - has sponsored an annual Erie Engineers’
Week and Industrial Exposition.
EESC societies are encouraged each year to recognize individual members for
outstanding achievement. Robert J. Lowther Jr., president and owner of Great Lakes Case &
Cabinet Co., Inc., was named the EESC Entrepreneur of the Year at the Council’s 32nd Annual
Erie Engineers Week Industrial Expo held Feb. 21-23 at the Erie Civic Center. Lowther, a 1977
Edinboro University graduate, was also a finalist for the 1994 Entrepreneur of the Year awards
sponsored by the Pittsburgh Business Times Journal. Lowther founded Great Lakes Case &
Cabinet in 1985 to manufacture enclosures for housing communications equipment. The
Edinboro-based company has since become an industry leader, experiencing a 20 percent growth
rate in each of the last five years.
Also honored at Erie Engineers’ Week was Jonathan Nichols, an Edinboro University
sophomore enrolled in the University’s cooperative engineering program and one of six Erie
area students to receive an EESC Louis W. Balmer Scholarship. Nichols, a Girard native and
1993 graduate of General McLane High School, transferred to Edinboro University after
attending Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. He has been a dean’s list student at both State
System of Higher Education universities.
The scholarship grants, named in Baimer’s honor to recognize his more than 30 years of
service to the community and the EESC, are awarded to students recognized and nominated by
their schools for their achievements in science, mathematics or engineering curricula.
- more A member of the State System of Higher Education

EDINBORO ALUMNUS, STUDENT HONORED, continued

page 2

Proceeds from the annual Engineers’ Week, an event which each year draws some 7,000
people and 100 exhibitors to the Erie Civic Center, make the scholarship awards possible.

-30-

WAR:psl

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 21, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

EDINBORO GRAD CREATES SUCCESSFUL RESEARCH LABORATORY

When Elizabeth “Libby” Kraftician set foot on the campus of Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania in the fall of 1966, she was determined to leave with an education that would
prepare herself for success, not just a Job.
“I’ve always felt that the purpose of an education is to prepare yourself for the world,”
said Kraftician. “I believe that you’re destined for unhappiness, unemployment and possibly
economic ruin if you see education as merely preparation for a job.”
Kraftician must have prepared herself well. Graduating from Edinboro in 1970 with a
bachelor’s degree in studio arts, Kraftician went on to teach art in elementary schools in
Pittsburgh and Wheeling, West Virginia, and then to graduate school to study microbiology and
epidemiology. While in graduate school, she turned down a job to join a large research
organization and opted to create her own research company in 1980. Since that time,
Kraftician’s company. Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd., has been recognized nationally as
one of the most successful and innovative companies in America.
She explains her success as the logical consequence of a sound education. “A good
education should teach you to be flexible,” she said. “A good education should enable you to
step from one paradigm to another, for example, from art to science to business. The key to life
is the ability to meld together all of those seemingly diverse facets in order to construct
something new, practical and meaningful.”
Kraftician’s education evidently enabled her to recognize opportunities and how to
overcome adversity.
-moreA member of the State System of Higher Education

EDINBORO GRAD CREATES RESEARCH LABORATORY, Continued

Page 2

The late 1970s found Kraftician at Ohio State University. She and a fellow graduate
student, Brian E. Joseph, recognized a disturbing national trend as manufacturers throughout
America were decimating their research and development staffs. The two science students
believed that investment in technology was critical to the nation’s economic survival. They
started their lab to fill the void left by private industry. “Americans are so inventive, but we
often don’t believe it. The people in other countries know it and want our technology,” she said.
“From the moment we met we started talking about the idea for a laboratory.”
That day came serendipitously in 1980. They went to the warehouse of a research
facility in Columbus, Ohio, looking for a certain piece of equipment to aid in Joseph’s graduate
research. Instead, they came across an electron microscope that had been dismantled, stripped
of its wiring and left for scrap. The refrigerator-sized microscope was essentially a piece of
junk. They bought it on the spot for $101.
Without a clear idea of what they were going to do with it, they rebuilt and rewired the
instrument without the help of a schematic diagram.
The microscope was the first piece of equipment for their new company which they
founded in 1980 in the unheated basement of a Carmelite monastery in Wheeling. The early
years were tough. For much of the 1980s she and Joseph, whom she married in 1985, lived in
near poverty while trying to create an industrial research laboratory from their investment of
$101. They took on odd jobs, sold real estate, and renovated old buildings - anything to keep
some money coming in. The low point came one day when she had to choose between feeding
herself or her dog. “I couldn’t tell Moxie why I couldn’t feed her, so I fed her,” Kraftician said.
“I could find other ways of fending for myself.” Moxie had dinner; Kraftician got by on
popcorn. Still, Kraftician’s confidence never wavered.
“I never thought we were going to fail,” she explained. “You can’t second guess your
decisions. Don’t look back and think how you are going to bail out - or else you will bail out.”
As business slowly picked up, they bought a 100-year-old Victorian house with a
flooded basement. They remodeled the house themselves, putting their lab in the basement,
offices on the first floor and renting out the second and third floors as apartments.
Kraftician and Joseph started Touchstone with one overriding mission: to inject
technology into the nation’s manufacturing base to boost global competitiveness, quality and
new product development.
-more-

EDINBORO GRAD CREATES RESEARCH LABORATORY, Continued

Page 3

“Libby runs the company like a hospital for sick companies that turns no one away,”
said marketing director John Mackay, a former newspaper reporter who came to work with the
company in 1989. “Its niche is helping manufacturers who only have $1,000 to spend and need
a solution in five working days.”
“The typical return on investment for our clients is approximately 10 or 15 to one,” said
Mackay. “A metal-plating manufacturer had a problem that Touchstone solved for $900. It
saved the company over $600,000.
Kraftician and Joseph had a second dream when they started the company - they also
wanted to create their own research park. In 1987 they spotted a piece of property along
Interstate 70, the busiest east-west interstate in the nation. “We knew there were a lot of people
like ourselves who had cottage industries working out of basements who needed a modern
facility,” said Kraftician. “We optioned the site and contacted Governor Arch Moore. He
became interested in the project, because he could see what we were trying to do. He called the
local development people and got them involved. All it took was a little bit of money and a lot
of faith.”
Touchstone moved into a 15,000-square-foot facility in the new Millennium Centre in
Triadelphia in December of 1989. For her efforts, she became the first person to be honored by
the West Virginia Senate for her contributions to technology.
In 1992 she was nominated to receive a national Women of Enterprise award from the
U. S. Small Business Administration and Avon Products. That same year Touchstone was
named one of the 500 fastest growing private companies in America by Inc. magazine. She and
Joseph were featured in the October 1992 issue of Inc., and Touchstone was named to the list
again in 1993.
Last year she was featured in articles in Entrepreneur and Nation's Business magazines,
and appeared on the USA Network’s “First Business” news program. The company received the
Governor’s Cup Award from the Southern Growth Policies Board of the Southern Governor’s
Association. The crowning moment came in February 1994 when Kraftician and her husband
were flown to Washington, D.C., to accept the “National Blue Chip Enterprise” award - the top
national business honor given by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
In the 15 years since its founding. Touchstone has helped thousands of clients with
projects ranging from garden tools and automotive parts to advanced composite materials for
the aerospace industry and critical materials for the Space Shuttle. An average of two research
projects a day are started and completed.
-more-

EDINBORO GRAD CREATES RESEARCH LABORATORY, Continued

Page 4

So, how can a research company handle hundreds of projects a year with only 40
employees? Much of it has to do with the kind of people Touchstone hires. “We hired people
like ourselves who are practical and mechanically-minded,” said Kraftician. “We wanted
problem solvers.”
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Touchstone’s staff is that there are no
secretaries. A couple of the technicians answer the telephone, and, since most of the calls
concern technology, they are routed directly to one of the scientists or engineers.
Kraftician said her Job is to keep the place interesting. “Many of our people work here
weekends and evenings, because they enjoy working here. It’s like an extended family.
Someone in industry asked me, ‘How do you get your people to come in on evenings and
weekends?’ I asked, ‘How do you keep your people out?”’
In two years Kraftician expects to have 100 employees. The lab is becoming more
involved in international marketing and ventures. The Swiss government is in the process of
buying a piece of equipment for which Touchstone will handle the installation and training.
Mackay also sees a bright future for the company. “When John F. Kennedy announced
in the early 1960s that the United States would go to the moon, he wasn’t sure how we were
going to get there. He just knew we were going, and he had the confidence in the people around
him and his skills as a leader to get us there,” said Mackay. “Libby is the same way. She exudes
confidence, and her confidence is contagious.”
-30BKP:bja

SATURDAY SEFTSMEER

8, 1590

Touchstone Awarded
4 NASA Subcontracts

Touchstone Research Laboratory
in Wheeling has been awarded four
Natioia] Aeronautics and Space
Administoation subcontracts totaling
more ttian 5100,(X30, said Sen. Robert
Byrd, D-W.Va.
He said the subcontracts are addi­
tions to a 5134,300 NASA subcontract
awarded" to the company earlier thf?;
year for research on piatorfa?,? used
in the space shuttle.
‘"These subcontracts, which were
awarded through USB I, a division of
United Technologies Corp,, add up to
fihuost a quarter of a million dollars
and represent important research on
materials used in NASA's space shut­
tle,” Byrd said on Friday.
‘"Diese awards demonstrate the
confidence that NASA and its prime
contractors have in West Virginia's
high-tech community,” he said.
“This is one more example of how
taien^ West Virginia companies are
contributing to the research and
development of some of our most
importot federal initiatives.”
Touchstone officials said the com­
pany win penorm research on var­
ious materials, including paints, plas­
tics, heat shield material, nylon
fasteners and lubricants to determine
their suitability in the space shuttle
program.
“We are proud that Touchstone is
performing research on something so
important to the American scientific
efiort as the NASA space shuttle,”
said Touchstone president and co-

founder Elizabeth Elraftidan.
As part of another NASA initiative,
Byrd last month- dedicated the new
NASA Teacher Resource Center at
Wheeling Jesuit College. Byrd^and
Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., added
51.4 minion to a federal appropria­
tions bill to establish the‘center.

Nation’s Business_^i4>rQ 1994

48

ENTERPRISE

pHOTQe McorrmoMnH
projections and budgets. Based on the
financial information it put together, the
agency negotiated the buyback of
Stein^s stock firom the $1.6 million
figure down to $600,000. Annual gross
billings have increased fi:t}m $11 million at
Steiner's death to $19 million.
Zimmerman, happily remarried, says
he has learned firom adversity: “When you
feel like you can’t handle another thing,
teU your sta£ Let them get involved wi^
helping you. Don’t hold on so tight to all
your problems that you i^bink you’re the
only one who can solve them.”

Nurturing R&D At Lower Cost
When they started their research com­
pany 14 years ago in the basement of a
former monastery in Wheeling, WVa.,
with one piece of used scientific equip­
ment, Eli^eth “Libby” Kraftidan and
Brian E. Joseph had a definite mission in
mind. They wanted to create a national
company that provided cost-efiective researdi and development services to
American manufacturers.
By hewing to that mission, this husband-and-wife tpam has built Touchstone
Research Laboratory, Inc., to more than
35 employees and annual sales of $2.9
million. And they have done so despite a
battle with cancen
“We started Touchstone because we
felt that American industry was losing
sight of the importance of developing new
technology and applying it... to improve
products, develop new ones, and maintain
a competitive edge,” says Kraftidan,
Touchstone’s president

The founders ofTouchsUme Research Laboratory, near Wheeling, W. Va., Libby
Kraftidan and Brian Joseph coped vhtk cancer while building their business.
Federal and university laboratories,
she and Joseph felt, were not concerned
with research that would help American
manufacturers solve problems quickly
and at affordable cost but instead fhvored
expensive, long-term projects.
“It’s not that we don’t spend enough
money,” says Joseph, who points out tlmt
the United States has plowed more than
$1 trillion into research since World War
II. But he contends that many basic
industries—especially small and medium­
sized companies—^“haven’t been touched
substantially by this major investment”
Kraftidan and Joseph, Touchstone’s
laboratory director, are proud that for as
little as a few hundred or a few thousand
dollars, they can help companies over­
come difficult technical problems, often in
a matter of days.
For example. Touchstone recently
solved a costly metal-plating problem for
one client for $900.
And a home-appliance manufacturer
paid Touchstone $^,000 to correct a paint
defect and saved more than $300,000 over
six months as a result
“That bottom line for the manufacturer,
his return on that investment, is ex­
tremely important for a small company,”
Kraftidan says.
Having been through some lean years,
Kraftidan and Joseph know firsthand the
importance of keeping costs down. Most
of their $10 million worth of scientific
equipment was purchased used, and much

of it has been rebuilt by their employees.
For more than five years of Tbuchstone’s early life, the couple say, they
were so poor they would have qualified for
food stamps.
But the toughest time came five years
ago, when Kraftidan underwent surgery
for advanced ovarian cancer. EVom her
hospital bed, she dictated parts of a
National Aeronautics and Space Admini­
stration proposal to Joseph as he sat by
her side with a computer on his lap. (They
won the $128,000 contract and have con­
tinued to do work for NASA.)
Today, Kraftidan’s health is excellent.
But while she was in that hospital bed, she
also laid final plans for West Ifirgiziia’s
first advanced-technobgy park. Now a
reality, the park, called The hfiUenninm
Centre, is locat^ on Interstate 70 in
Triadelphia and houses Touchstone and
three other hig^-technology companies,
with more to come.
Kraftidan and Joseph optioned the ste
and persuaded the Ohb Valley Indust^
and Business Development Corp. to im­
plement the project It opened in Decem­
ber 1989, and the couple says it rep^
sents exdting new career opportunities
for their state’s “sons and dau^ters.”
The center’s dedication plaque reads:
“Dedicated to the children of West Vir­
ginia, whose world is shaped by the
entrepreneurs of today.”
Two of those entrepreneurs are Libby
Kraftidan and Brian Joseph.
*

The State Of
Entrepreneurship

BY LEAH INGRAM

Jonwory 1994
From Ute Baaemciaf Up
EKzabeth
<0. and Brian
Joseph, 37, wre Idds, they used to
spend hours m their basements workuig on ^ence projects. Perhaps it's
fitting. Aen. that they started Touch­
stone Research laboratory Ltd. in
the unheated basement of a former
Carmelite monastery.
fc v
heated up quite a
bit m the 13 years since. Today,
and Joseph (president and
laboratory du-ector, respecthreiy)
^nd thw time worktog out sdenResearch and
sales of $2.9 mi^on in 1993.estimated
Joseph's entrepreneurial spirit
first surfaced ^riien he was an under^uate studying biology and physICS. *TiVhen I got to college, I was
amazed by how much knowledge
was out there, but how little influ­
ence
it had
on goverrjnent
r"'T everydaysp^s
Bves.*
he says.
"Our
Huge amounts of money on exotic
programs like space stations, but at
most totally ignores the everyday
practical problems that can maiyg or
break small businesses.”

Whra J(»eph met Kraftician in a
cofcge chemistry class, the two realthey shared the same vision,
llii our hometownsl, we were both
seeing company after company go
out of buOTess." says Joseph. ”We
realized that research labs, the very
places that could help keep these
l^u&cturers] open, were being
closed themselves, TTiat's whatdrove
ns to start our lab.”
In 1980, after finishing their
graduate studies, the two started
fteir research lab on a shoestring.
To suiqiort the business, they got
real estate licenses and earned
inoney managing properties part
tune. They lived with Joseph’s parrate to save enough money to buy
their first piece of equipment—a beatup electron microscope, the size of
three refiigerators, that cost $101.

Whsn companiM eioaad down In
to JoMph's and Ubby KraWefan's
homatowns. thay (fld mora than
just watch. Thay ataitad a troubla•hootfiifl lab to aid buahwaaaa.

It wasn’t easy convincing cfients
that two people fresh out of college
wth no real-world experience could
hradle a manufecturing plant’s techmcal problems. The two would go to
tectoriM, convince the guards to let
them in, and try to meet with the
rampany’s top technical person,
^me were polite, others weren’t*
says Joseph.
One of the first places they con^nwtod was a local steel foundry that
had a casting defect it couldn’t fix.
But Touchstone could. “I think we
charged them a few hundred dol­
lars,” says Joseph, “but what we
saved them was 100 times more valu­
able than the cost of our services.
“We buflt our business on wordof-mouth. When we’d solve a prob­
lem, the company would usually in­
troduce us to someone else who
needed a problem solved.”
As the business grew, the pair
realized fli^ needed a better loca­
tion fer their office and bought an
aoanooneo, mu-yew-oio victonan
buflding in downtown Wheeling Lo­
cating the lab in the basement, they
decided to convert die two upper
fioors mto apartments—apartments
they convinced the local bank would
W for their mortgage. Never mind
that Joseph and Kraftician had never
renovated a building b^re: Their
plan worked.
By 1983, Touchstone was big
raough to hire two employees, but
the partners weren't able to devote
themselves to the lab fiiO time until
1986. After that. Touchstone took off
like a rocket, and in 1989, the busi­
ness finally moved out of the base­
ment Into a 15,000-square-foot site in
an advanced technology park.
Every day holds something new
for die 40^ierson Touchstone team.
In the pa^ projects have ranged
from determining why a homeowner’s swimming-pool liner was
bulging, to figuring out why a
manufacturer's computer bolts kept
breaking, to testing critical materi­
als used in solid ro^et boosters for
NASA. Joseph recently testified be­
fore a Senate Committee meeting on
Commerce, Science and Transporta­
tion as an expert on research and
development And die SBA named
Joseph and Kraftician West Virginia’s
“Entrepreneurs of the Year” in 1992.
Yes, they’ve come a long way from
that unheated basement

The Times Leader
Tho Voice of Eastern ONo

Vol. 102 • No. 310 • 35 cents

Touchstone a ‘Blue Chip’ firm
• Research facility is
recognized nationally
By SANDY DICLEMENTE
Tlnn LcMkt Sufi Wrim

TOUCHSTONE RESEARCH Uboralory. which
began 14 years ago in Ihe basement of a former
Carmelite moneslary in downtown Wheeling, hat
grown over Ihe years to become one of Ihe lop four
small businesses in Ihe United Slates.
Touchstone, which is now located in the Millenium
Centre in Triadelphla, will be named Monday u one
of four of “America’s Blue Chip Enterprises” at Ihe
U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting in
' .
.
Washington D.C
The laboraiory wu select from more than 700
small businesses nationwide to compete for Blue Chip
Enterprise Initiative Awards, which are presented by
Ihe U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Connecticut
Mutuai Life Insurance. .
The national award nemes the lop small butinesses
In the country, according to oflkials, and la known
informally as “the Malcolm Baldridge award for
small business,” according to company President
Elizabeth “Libby” Kraftician. ,
. > ..

Knfticiu owns Touchstone with her huiband, Bri*
* *
in Joseph, who leives u laboratory director for the
research and development facility.
“We're enormously delighted with ounelves and
our company’s employees,^' said Kraftician of the
award, ‘mils Is the first time that any company In
West Virginia has won the National Blue Chip award.
This has been very eliciting, and we have had a series
^ delegations coming in here to congratulate us."
Touchstone, in recent years, hu won several bust*
ness awards. However, Kraftician said Ihe Blue Chip
award is Ihe biggest award Ihe company has received.
This even goes beyond being named to Ihe Inc.
300,” Kraftician said, in 1992 and 1993, the compa*
ny wu named to Ihe Inc, Magazine list of the 300
fastest-growing private companies in the United
Suucs.
I
Compantes winning Blue Chip awards are selected
from nominalioos received from throughout Ihe country.
_____________
I dldn’l‘even know we had been nominated until
' we got a letter from the
who nominated us. Dr.
< mjel Crosner and Marvin
:ldon,” wid Kraftician.
“Just being nominated itself wu enough of a vole of
confidence.”
The company wu choun u Wul Virginia's lop
T4. nioMtoeM sreveNSON
designee, over companies in Clarksburg and Morgan­ ONE OF Touchetono Research Laboratory’s employoos chocks Ms rosoan^. Such l»lrata^
•
town.
attention to delaH load tho company to its latest honor, as one of lour national wkmora of the Blue

Son, TOUCHSTONE. Page 6A

Chip Enterprise Award,, vrhich to given only to the lop small businasses In Ihe courtlry.

* Continued from Page 1A
The 31 stale nominees then com­
peted for the lop four spots. The
other designees were from MusachuKtta. Iowa and Alabama.
Kraftician said the honor rcflecu
the uemendous support given to the
busineu by the slate and communi­
ty“West Virginia is our home,”
said Kraftician. “Most of the peo­
ple who go to achool here have to
leave. We give them a chance to
stay here and work at a Job that
very few people will ever have a
chance to do.'*

'f:''

Touchstone Is also a subcontractor
for NASA and completes research
projects on several componenu of
the space shuttle.

Joseph said the company’s major
cuneni contract is through NASA
and Involves researching metal
matrix composhes.
"They are trying to make a high
temperature, stiff, high-strength
material that will enable planes to
withstand high beat," said Joseph.
“With this, they will be able to
make planes that can leave an air­
port and fly to outer space."
Joseph said there Is an Interna­
Joseph said the company's busi­
tional race to make the composites.
ness clientele list keeps growing.
“Whichever country wins the
“There’s an African saying that
says It takes a village to raise a race will dominate the air.” he uld.
child," said Joseph. “It lakes a
rha current work Is a far cry
community to raise a successful from Touchstone's early days. At
business.”
that lime, Kraftician and Joseph,
Joseph allrlbuied the award to who had Just graduated from gradu­
ate Khooi, opened their own bus!The 33 employees at Touchstone.
“We have the most remarkable neo with a rebuilt electron micro­
scope, costings 101.
staff.” he uld.. ,
Sales last'year for Ihe business
Touchstone'completes research
and developmem for small compa­ were S2.9 million, a growth of 439
nies and large corporations from percent in three years and 1,093
ihrmichnui the I'niied States. percent In five years

&

IR MORE THAN A CENTURY
s Mipnia’s oldest oewspapes older dun the
itseluTbe Intelligencer has stood giurd for
#ears agunst predataiy interests which would
te dvil iights.Tbe Int^igencer was founded
ugust24,1852.

UJME CXLll NO. 310

n

»

WHEELING, W.VA.. TUESDAY. AUGUST 23 J994

18 PAGES 2 SECTIONS

PRICE: 35 CEN

Wheeling ^ews-Register
Volume CIV, No. 283

Wheeling. W.VI, Monday Evening, August 22,1994

18 Pages<2 Sections

The Valley's
Leading
Newspaper

★ ★ ★★
35 Cents

Touchstone Wins Governor’ s Cup Award

West Virginia Gov. Gaston Caperton today announced
Touchstone Research Laboratory Ltd. of Triadelphia lias won
one of three 1994 Governor's Cup awards for innovation and
successful efforts to promote the regional economy.
The award is presented by the Southern Growth Policies
Board. Caperton made the announcement during a celebration
at West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling today.
"The Governor's Cup Award is a prestigious honor recog­
nizing a company's innovations and contributions to the com­
munity." Caperton said. "Throughout its 14-year history.
Touchstone has demonstrated initiative and an undying com­
mitment to our nation, the state of West Virginia and the area
ill which it operates."
Members of West Virginia's congressional delegation
Joined in lauding Touchstone, sending letters of congratulation
to Caperton.
Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va.. wrote, "Touchstone, a word
defined as,a test for determining.genulness or value, is an
appropriate name for this award-winning business.
"lested many times. Touchstone has over and over again
proved to be a valuable asset to West Virginia and to the entire
nation. The literal rise of Touchstone from the basement to the
frontlines of natioruil high-technology competition is a 'rags to
riches' story, from which ail West Virginians can draw inspira­
tion," Byru stated.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., stated. "This prestigious
award recognizes innovative business practices that not only
affect local communities but also tlie nation. The foresight and
wisdom of co-founders Elizabeth Kraftician and Brian Joseph
are testimony to their resourcefulness and fierce determination
to make a simple dream come true."
Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., stated. "This is certainly a
great honor for Touchstone, which is righthiliy recognized as
one of our state's most innovative technology companies.
Touchstone has quickly become a leader in the challenging
field of manufacturing technology services, and 1 offer my
heart-felt congratulations to ail res^nsibli for this success —
to company founders Libby Kraftician and Brian Joseph, who
stand out as two of West Virginia's finest entrepreneurs, and to
Touchstone's outstanding employees."
^
Touchstone won the Governor's Cup Award in the category
for companies with between 21 and 100 employees. Control
on Environment Inc. of Bedford, Va., won the award for comanies with 20 or fewer employees. Tupperware U.S. Inc. of
lemingway, S.C., won among companies with more than 100
employees.
Contestants are Judged on innovative business practices, the
economic environment within which they operate, employee
and community involvement in company gptivUies. and their
effect on local communities.

r

The three winners will be honored at the annual meeting of
the Southern Growth Policies Board in Nashville on Aug. 30.
Touchstone was nominated by Dyan Brasington, executive
director of the West Virginia Development Office.
"Touchstone Is a wonderful example of a very successtul*
business that embodies the 'caring corporation' philosuphy.i'
Brasington said. "Touchstone's founders. Libby Kraftician and
Brian Joseph, have succeeded by working to create an environ­
ment in which others succeed."
Touchstone has helped American manufacturers save mil­
lions of dollars each year through applied research and has
spearheaded the drive to establish the Millennium Centre, an
advanced technology park in Triadelphia. The Millennium
Centre's three tenants generate more than $6 million in annual
revenue and employ more than 60 scientists and engineers.
"Touchstone is helping to lead the charge In our state's eco­
nomic revolution as nign-tech companies throughout West
Virginia continue to grow, expand and. most important, gener­
ate exciting career opportunities for our West Virginia resi­
dents," Caperton said.
Founded in a Wheeling basement in 1989, Touchstone has
become one of the nation*s leading independent manufacturing
technology facilities. The firm now has about $ i 0 million
worth of scientiilc equipment and employs more than 40 peo­
ple, mostly engineers and scientists.
,

MONDAY DECEMBER

By DEBBINEER
The Intelligencer Staff
The space shuttle is making a new home right here “in West Virginijav
Part of it at least. And a simulated launching, splashdown and even a mi^-;
Atlantic Ocean are all part of making pieces from the shuttle feel more >t
home.
•.
" T"”'■'
Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd. has recently been awarded four
more subcontracts to test matermls used or being considered for the space
shuttle.
*
.
. L
The additional four subcontracts came after the completion of the nrd!
subcontract in February 1990 that also dealt with testing for the shuttle. That
document, when complete, weighed more than 30 pouijds.
•
;)•».
Everett Baker, the senior scientist at Touchstone, said," “These,
subcontracts are given out by U.S. Boosters Inc., who are contracted directly;
by NASA. They are given out on a competitive-bid basis.
‘
“But there’s more to bidding ‘ than just writing up a :propos5di.
Sometimes just getting the bid together takes several months.^’ • 'The bids consist^ of many hours of research. Baker said, because of
the materials being tested.
^ $
“All of these materials are unique. There are books where you find
testing method and then additional government documents concerning
testing,” Baker said. “Then we had to decide what equipment was need^ to
meet all the stan^rds and determine how many man-hours the project§^
would take. Then we would know how to bid.”
• »
After the subcontracts were given to Touchstone the real work began.^ J
The most recent contracts involve temperature tests and environment
tests. These tests must simulate conditions which materials on the shuttle
would experience on earth, after launch and once in space. Certain testing
devices had to be designed by Touchstone so that the most accurate results
could be found.
’
i \
Some tests include high temperature tests and tension strength tests. • .f
“We are working on different tests for different materials,” Baker saidf
“We must perform tests that meet the characteristics and'^needs of eacq'
item. Many of the t^ts do not fully explain particular usage. Modification
must be made to perform these tests to see now the materials will react id
each situation they may encounter.”
;•: ‘ 1
Items being tested include paints, plastics, heat shield mateini*
fasteners and lubricants.
^ ‘
The facility, which also is involve with problem solving and reseamj
for numerous other companies, had its beginninjg in 1980. E^lier this yea^ •
the company expanded to the N^erinium Centre in Triadelphia. . •
Baker, whose last job was as the director of research for^'Picbma. in
Texas, came but of retirement to take the job at 'Touchstone hnd call4
himself a “regular old Mountaineer.” He said that in high school he was nq|
the typical science student.
• •
.
'
' VV"
„,
“I wasn’t what you would call typecast—I was sort of in between, jhe
said. “There was only one student who was like that in my classjamd j^y he
is an astronomer.”
•.
v. ‘ ^
Baker and his co-workers are not what the average^^rson’ ttdnks; c«
when they hear the word scientist.
\
'
i. J
“We’re not eggheads. We’re just regular guys ^th families,” he saim
“We enjoy what we’re doing.
'S
'
“My wife Norma is glad to have me out of her hair.'This jbb is
something that I rwlly enjoy,” he said. “I can’t see me just^ting imij
fishing all day. I enjoy this more. It really fits the bill.”
”
t
Baker added that Touchstone has much to offer the area. • •
“We’re making contributions to the local effort by providing hew jobs,’?
he said. “We are also helping to get West Virginia known in the technology
area. Before our state wasn’t getting too much advertising as a leader in that
field. But the subcontracts with NASA and other contracters shows that we
have people with knowledge in many different areas working right h^.” i
Baker add^ that no longer will students interested in science, math of
' engineering have to leave the state to work for a high-tech company.
. “We are working with Wheeling Jesuit College and.their NASA Teacher
Resource Center^ There they .qre encouraging students to get involved with
math, science and engineering. They, are teaching them to dream al»ut
future,” he said. “Here we are making their dreams come true.”; >-->' '*

TUESDAY

€^arl0Ston 0atli|iflail

NOVEMBER 24, 19^

TOM HINOMAN/OAILY MAIL

NICTALS TESTING: Tim Channel and Jeff Moninger
^rform tests on strands of metal at Touchstone Rc-

search Laboratory Ltd.’s facility in Triadelphia. The tests
measure the strengths of a certain kinds of metal.

Firm, co-founder find healthy track
By PHIUP NUS5EL
DAILY MAIL BUSINESS EDITOR

— About four years ago Libby
Eraftidan was fighting cancer while her com­
pany was struggling from the basement of a
dreary 100-year-old former monastery in East Wheel­
riadelphia

T

ing.
Both now have a clean bill of health.
Touchstone Research Laboratory Ltd., co-founded in
1980 by Kraftician and her future husband, Brian Jo>
s^h, was ranked among the nation's 500 fastest-grow­
ing private companies in the October issue of Inc.
magazine.
After landing several lucratiye research contracts,
Toodistone's 859 percent growth rate over the last
five years has ofrered hope to the state's primitive
hi^i-teeh segment
The cmnpany employs 33 professionals and staff
members, u cdfers res^rch and development pro­
grams to both government agencies and private
companies.
“Our mission is to do quality turnaround and to
solve problems,’* Kraftician said. “We bring things in
at budget or under budget”
With 82J million in annual revenues, the company
smtinues to grow in its modernistic headquarters ofr
frteistate 70 outside of Wheeling.
John Mackay, Touchstone's head of marketing, said
it opiates like an industrial emergency room with as
many as 40 projects going on in various stages. Profit
TURNT0nRM/4O

HIGH-TECH JOBS: Alan Seid analyzes hairtike ceramic fibers at
Touchstone’s lab. He and about 33 others work at the company,
which was ranked among the nation’s 500 fastest-growing pri­
vate fimris in a recent issue of Inc. magazine.

CONTINUED FROM ID____________

margins continue to be tight,
somewhere between 1 perc^t and
5 percent in 1991, according to
Inc/s listing.
Kraftician said the company
continues to plow all profits back
into the business to buy more
equipment About $10 million in
equipment is already on*site.
*^e goal of the company from
the start was to put together all
the necessary people and equip­
ment to solve virtually any manu­
facturing problem anywhere in
America,” Mackay said.
“We're doing pretty well. If we
can’t solve the problem, we find
the solution or equipment else­
where.”
The laboratory is packed with
modern electron microscopes,
metals testing equipment, corro­
sion simulators, chemical analysis
materials and other sophisticated
devices.
A common project at the facili­
ty involves testing the strength of
metals and fibers by putting the
materials in devices that s^tch
them until they break. The work
is particularly valuable to steel
companies.
K^tician, 46, and Joseph, 35,
married about five years after
they founded the company with
nearly all of theiri life^ savings.
The two wanted to fill in gaps l^t
behind by corporate cutbacks in
research and development
“We needed to survive some
tough moments,** she said.
The two went several years
without drawing salaries from the
company, Kraftician said. They
performed a variety of outside
work, such as renovating houses,
selling real estate and doing odd
jobs, to make ends meet
In 1989, Krafician underwent
surgery for ovarian cancer and
doctors gave her a 50-50 chance
of surviving. While still recover­

ing in the hospital, Kraftician
help^ Joseph write a proposal
for a key NASA subcontract
Tending the work proved to be
breakthrough in the company’s
history.
Touchstone has now won work
on sis projects for NASA and the
U.S. Air Force. It tested materials
used in the space shuttle program
and performed corroaon testing
on a new paint-stripping process
for aircraft
Company officials credited Sen.
Robert Byrd’s efforts to get more
West Virginia companies involved
with government contracting and
subcontracting.
Byrd is obviously well regarded
at Touchstone — his picture is on
walls all over the place.
The company seems to be
weathering toe recession because
it is not dependent on one client
Its business is a near-even mb: of
government and private work, but
that ratio can change overnight
Kraftician said.
“We can compete successfully
in the commercial market and
government market” she added
By operating from Wheeling,
the company can tap private sec­
tor business throughout the corri­
dor between Pittsburgh and Co­
lumbus, officials said Kraftician
said the company improves West
Virginia’s image.
“We look out the window here
and see deer,” she said “It’s a
nice place to work.”

Wiiccling, W.Va., Tuesday Evening, Oclober 6, 1992
-------- ----------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------—................................................................................................................. .

M

, ■

■■■

,

,

,|».l

Local Businesses on Prestigious Inc. 500 List
By MARTELLA WALSH
News-Register Staff Writer
I

Two local companies have
made the prestigious Inc. 500 list
of America's fastest-growing pri­
vate companies.
Touchstone Research Labora­
tory Ltd. of Triadelphia and PosiClean Corp. of Wheeling made
the list which is based on sales
growth over the past five years
and published by Inc. magazine.
On the 1992 list. Touchstone
ranked 347th on the list, and
increased sales by 859 percent
over the previous five years. Last
year, the company achieved sales
of $2.3 million, said John
Mackay, Touchstone sTOkesman.
John Winter, Posi-Clean
spokesman, said Posi-Clean,
which ranked 470lh on the list,
achieved a Five-year mwth rate
of 659 percent and recorded
$2.02 million in sales last year.
Wiater and Mackay addressed
a news conference today at the
ofFices of the Wheeling Area
Chamber of Commerce. More
than 35 civic leaders and elected
officials were on hand for the
announcement, including Ohio
County Commission President
Samuel Anthony, Wheeling
Mayor Jack Lipphardt and Del.
Gil White, R-Ohio.
The annual Inc. list has been
published since 1982 and the
1992 list hit newsstands Monday,
Mackay said.
Libby Kraftician, co-founder of
Touchstone Research, said the

achievements of Uie higli-tech style high-tech and service sector
enterprise are due in large mea­ jobs to Uie region while preservsure to a wide array of people and ing tradiUonal manufacturing.
organizations. She cited Uie Ohio
Valley Industrial and Business
Development . Corp., Software
Valley and the chamber of com­
merce among the consortiums
which fostered the business.
Kraftician, who founded the
company with her husband, Brian
Joseph in' 1980, likened the
Touchstone story to the determi­
nation of Prerident John F. Ken­
nedy in Uie project of sending
then to Uie moon.
Wiater said Bill and Marianne
Blair, co-founders of Posi-Clean,
divided responsibiliUes with Bill
Blair Uie classic inventor and
hands-on person, and Marianne
Blair accountable for the administraUve success.
"We've come a long way from
tesUng coolants in Marianne's
oven,^' Bill Blair said. "This
proves Uiere's a future in manu­
facturing if you're willing to
pursue it."
Congratulatory letters to each
of the enterprises were sent by
Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Robert
Byrd, ,boUi D-W.Va. Rep. Alan
Mollohan, D-W Va., sent a
videotape message.
Gov. Gaston Caperton sent
spokesman Steven Weir who read
congratulatory messages from the
governor. Weir said the recogniUons, one to a high-tech business
and one to a manufacturing
concern, underscored the success­
ful strategy of attracting new-

, ^ he companies will bo recogt^i^xd at tiie annual Inc. 500
conference slated for Pittsburgh

’

Businesses co-founded by two Wheeling coupies are the only enterprises in the state to
make the 1992 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing
companies In America. From left are Touch-

beginning May 6, according to a*
letter sent to Blair by George |
Gendron, editor-in-chief of Inc.

N-R PlHito/Scott McCloskcy

stones Research Laboratory founders Brian
Joseph and Elizabeth **Libby*VKraftician and*
Posi-Clean co-founders Bill and Marlannie
Blair.

(Conlinued From Page One)

__ ^___________________________ Wheeling, W.Va., Friday Evening, Oct. 1,1993.

Ohio County Firm Captures National Honor
For the second consecutive year, an Ohio
County firm has captured a national honor which
those involved say is "indicative of the transfor­
mation of West Virginia into a hotbed of hightech activity."
Touchstone Research Laboratory Ltd., located
at The Millennium Centre in Tnadelphia, has
again made the Inc. magazine list of the 500
fasting-growing private companies in Ameriesu.
Coinciding with that accomplishment, com­
pany president and co-founder Elizabeth "Libby!*
N. Kraftician was named this week as the West
Virginia Economic Development Council’s Vol­
unteer of the Year for 1993.
The award especially recognizes Kraftician for
her efforts to help West Viiginia create the
economic climate in which it was feasible to have
a place like The Millennium Centre developed,
officials said.
This year. Touchstone is ranked 238th in the
"Inc. 500," based on sales of $2.9 million and a
sales growth rate of a whopping 1,093 percent
over the past five years.
In 1992, Touchstone was ranked 347th, with a
five-year growth rale of 859 percent

Since Touchstone is the only West Virginia
firm in the "Inc. 500" this year and the only
Mountain State company ever to make the list two
years in a row. Gov. Gaston Caperton planned to
visit The Millennium Center this afternoon to help
announce the dual accomplishments for the
business and its president.
Fresh out of graduate school, Kraftician and
her husband and business partner, Brian E.
Joseph, founded Touchstone in 1980 in the
basement of Wheeling’s former Carmelite monas­
tery with only one piece of scientific equipment, a
cannibalized electron microscrope they purchased
for $101.
Today, Touchstone has $10 million of
scientific equipment and a staff of 40 who are
mostly engineers and scientists and is considered
one of the leading applied research laboratories in
the United States.
"The company serves as the R&D (research
and development) department, chief technology
agent and technology ‘SWAT’ team for hundred

Please See Honor, Page 5

Libby Kraftician

of U.S. manufacturers, whose prod­
ucts range Crom surgical equipment
and automotive parts to Space
Shuttle materials and advanced com­
posite materials," a Touchstone
spokesman said.
"Since the days when we worked
out of an unheated basement room j
13 years ago, Touchstone’s corpo-1
rate mission has been to provide!
American manufacturers with the i
appropriate technology to help them I
develop new products and compete t
in the international marketplace," :
Kraftician said. .
"Touchstone was founded as a |
strategy to redefine how our nation’s !
techn^al expertise is harnessed to!
bolster the strength of our manufac-,
turing base. We felt this relationship, i
this process by which new technol­
ogy Is injected into the manufactur. ing environment to solve indusuial;
problems, was key to increasing our
. nation’s competitiveness in the
' global market,’' she said.
Joseph, Touchstone’s laboratory
director, said the company’s fast
growth "is indicative ot our ability
to provide very crucial technology
services to a broad spectrum of U.S.
manufacturers. It is also indicative
of the tremendous demand through­
out our nation for cost-effective,
customer-responsible, manufacturing
technology services," Joseph said.
To be eligible for the 1993 "Inc.
500," a company must be independ­
ent and privately held. The rankings
are based on the percentage increase
in sales from 1988 through 1992.
Companies also had to show at least
$100,000 in sales for 1988 and had
to register a sales increase between
1991 and 1992. The annual "Inc.
5(X)" list is featured in the October
issue of Inc. magazine.
Slate officials said Kraftician’s

selection by the economic develop­
ment council as its 1993 Volunteer
of the Year was based on several
factors: her activities working with
state, local and federal leaders to
create The Millennium Centre; her
efforts to create a positive image and
environment for West Virginia and
its high-tech industry; and her efforts
to inspire West Virginia’s school
children to pursue science, math and
engineering careers. In a typical
year, Kraftician and her staff are in
contact with more than 2,000 West
Virginia school children via talks
about careers in the sciences, science
demonstrations and science fair
judging.
.
^
The Millennium Centre is located
at a siiethat five years ago was
merely a weed-strewn field. The
research park now is home to three,
fast growing, high-tech companies:
Touchstone Research Laboratory
Ltd; Professional Computer Sys­
tems; and American Heunstics Corp.
The three companies located at The
Millennium Centre have a combined
employment of more than 60 people
and combined annual revenue of
atout $6.4 million. Touchstone has
quadrupled its staff from 10 to 40
employees since moving to The
Millennium Centre in January 1990.
■ Caperton said he believes Touch­
stone’s “amazing growth rate” of
more than 1,000 percent is an
example of the state's, expansion of
high-tech industry. “The rapid
I expansion of our state’s high-tech
I companies is a significant developjment because it emphasizes the
importance of preparing West Vir1 ginia’s sons and daughters for these
i high-tech jobs of the future,’’ Caperion said.
“Since I took office, our state has
installed more than 8,500 computers
in West Virginia classrooms. Fast­
growing, high-tech companies like
Touchstone have demonsb-ated the
wisdom of these educational invest­
ments. Our educational focus of
producing a highly-technical work
force, combined with the rapid
. ^owth of our state’s high-tech
sector, represents the critical supplyand-demand relationshipoo which
will strengthen our state for years to
come,’’ Caperton said in preparation
for today's announcements.

I

Software ‘VaCCey Update
*Ifie mzusUttzr ofJ^ppaCacfiia's

UcknoCogy community

7dcrdw'Sipn£l89l

9/oCuiru 4, 7(iLm6er 2

Kraftician Honored for High-Tech
Contributions to West Virginia
Elizabeth "Libby" Kraftician, president and co­
founder of Touchstone Research Laboratory Ltd., was
recognized by the West Virginia Senate for her contribu­
tions in technology.
The proclamation, approved at the end of the 1990
legislative session, was inspired by Kraftician’s role in
building Touchstone and in developing The Millennium
Centre, West Virginia’s first advanced technology
research park.

Photo courtesy of Touchstone Research Laboratory
W. Va . Senator Thais Blatnik, D-Ohio, (right) presents an
award to Elizabeth Kraftician, president and co-founder of
Touchstone Research Laboratory, in recognition for her
contributions to the state's high-tech industry.
The 20-acre research park, located along Interstate 70
in Triadelphia, W.Va., and less than an hour from
downtown Pittsburgh, is expected to serve as a magnet for
high-tech companies interested in relocating or expanding
to the Wheeling area. Touchstone is the anchor tenant of
the Centre's first building, a 15,000-square-foot state-ofthe-art research facility. The 270,000-square-foot park is
expected to accommodate 350 people at full capacity.
"Companies like Touchstone Research Laboratory
are breathing new life and a new spirit in the West
Virginia economy and this resolution recognizes Libby's
contribution to this new spirit," said Sen. Thais Blamik,
D-Ohio County, who delivered the proclamation.
Kraftician said that she and co-founder Brian Joseph
decided in 1980 to create Touchstone in response to the
growing need to provide cost-effective research and
development to American companies.

7

NEWS-REGISTER—Whecling.W.Va.—Sunday, July 12,1992

Dianna Green

Libby Kraftidan

Dan Peterson

Three Named as Members
Of WJC Board of Directors

A Wheeling woman is among
three new members recently named
to the Wheeling Jesuit College
Board of Directors.
The three are Elizabeth “Libby”
Kraftician, president and co-founder
of Touchstone Research Laboratory
Ltd. of Triadelphia; Dianna Green,
vice president-administrative ser­
vices for Duquesne Light Co. of
Pittsburgh; and Dan Peterson, senior
vice president of Martin Marietta
Corp.^s Washington, D.C., opera­
tions.
Kraftician graduated from Edinboro University and has done gradu^ work at The Ohio Slate Univer­
sity and the State University of New
York. As president of Touchstone
Research Laboratory, she is involved
in a range of activities including
quality control, project management,
development or test methods and
personnel management and stgrategic planning, a college spokesman
said.
Recognized in West Virginia and
throughout the United States, Kraftician’s honors include a 1992 nomi­
nation to receive one of five national
Women of Enterprise Awards from
the U.S. Small Business Administra­
tion and Avon Products; member­
ship on‘ President Reagan’s Presiden­

tial Task Force for Innovation and
Research; and membership on the
Small Business Advisory Council of
the SBA.
In June, Kraftician and her hus­
band and business partner, Brian
Joseph, were selected as West
Virginia’s Emerging Entrepreneur of
the Year. The honor qualifies them
for one of five national awards and
the National Entrepreneur of the
Year Award.
At Duquesne Light, Green is
responsible for human resources,
purchasing, public affairs and real
estate management the Wheeling
Jesuit official .said. She joined
Duquesne Light in 1988 as general
manager of human resources and
previously was vice president of
personnel for the information prod­
ucts division of Xerox Coip. of
Fremont, Calif.
Green was selected by Business
Week magazine as one of “50
women to watch” in corporate
America and both Dollars & Sense
and Ebony named
as one of the
country’s top 100 black business and
professional women. She also is the
recipient of the NAACP's outstand­
ing service award.
A graduate of Golden Gate Col­
lege, Green also holds a master’s in

business administration from Golden
Gate University. In addition to the
Wheeling Jesuit board, she serves on
the boards of Point Park College,
WQED, The Whale’s Tale and the
Urban League of Pittsburgh.

Peterson joined Martin Marietta in
1968 at ns Orlando Aerospace
operation as marketing director. He
moved to aerospace headquarters in
Washington, D.C., in 1971 as direc­
tor of marketing and in 1972 was
named vice president of aerospace
marketing. He has also served as
president of Aerospace International,
corporate vice president and senior
vice prMident and president for
information systems. He was named
to his present post in 1989 and is
responsible for coordination of con­
gressional liaison and goverment
requirements and supportmg analy­
sis.
Bom in Golden, Kan., Peterson
received his bachelor’s and master’s
degrees from the University of
Mexico. He is a member of the
Association of the United States
Army, the Air Force Association,
the National Defense Preparedness
Association and the National Secur­
ity Industrial Association.
“We are pleased to welcome
three highly talented and successful
people to our board,” said the Rev.
Thomas Acker, SJ., president of
Wheeling Jesuit “These people are
committed to a college that educates
future leaders, serves the economi­
cally disadvantaged and integrates
modem technologies in the Uberal
arts tradition,” he said.

Febraaxy 22,1991

the catholic spirit

SE-iATi: AWABD FOR B^:SI^•ESS:

St. Michaers, Wieelmg, pnunted
award to WheeSng

Simtor Thaa Bto,f%Z,va.

rpird,” said SanaSatad 3-asiness Commtt.

MM Software *l/a[Cey Update'*
education - smaCC Oitsiness - industry - government
9^arcfi/t^priC 1992

Kraftician to Receive
One of the "Women of Enterprise Awards"
Elizabetli Kraftician, president and co-founder of
TouchstoneResearch Laboratory,Ltd., in Wheeling, W.Va.,
has been nominated to receive one of five national “Women
of Enterprise Awards” presented annually by the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA) and Avon.
Tlic Women of Enterprise Awards recognizes out­
standing women enUepreneurs who have achieved success
despite encountering significant persontil or economic hard­
ship.
Kraftician has remained at the helm of the fast­
growing high-technology company despite overcoming lifetlireatening cancer in 1989. In fact, Kraftician, her husband,
and her business partner, Brian Joseph, wrote a successful
proposal to test materials for tlie NASA Space Shuttle while
Kraftician was lying in her hospital bed recuperating from
cancer surgery in May 1989.
The successful completion of that original NASA
testing program led to a string of projects involving the
testing of materials for the Space Shuttle and other aerospace
applications for Touchstone.
Kraftician and Joseph founded Touchstone in 1980
in tlie basement of tlie former Carmelite Monastery in
Wheeling with only one piece of scientific equipment. The
company is now considered one of tlie fastest growing hightechnology companies in America. Touchstone provides

industrial problem-solving and research and development
services for hundreds of manufacturers tliroughout the U.S.
ranging from steelmakers and automotive suppliers to food
manufacturers.
'
Kraftician was nominated for tlie award by the
SBA in Clarksburg, W.Va.
Marvin Shelton, West Virginia director of the U.S.
SBA, said, “Libby Kraftician is a valuable member of the
SBA’s Small Business Advisory Council. She is to be
commended for her business acumen and tenacity. Libby
has demonstrated to oUier women in business, or consider­
ing (to start) their own business, that perseverance is very
rewarding.”
Kraftician said her nomination translates to good
news for West Virginia and the Wheeling area. “This
nomination to a prestigious national award is an honor in
which we can all take pride,” she said. “I hope this nomina­
tion will continue to add to the positive publicity bestowed
on Uie business climate in the Wheeling area, to the liightcchnology movement in the Pittsburgh and Wheeling area,
and to women in business throughout the nation.”
Kraftician was previously honored for her achieve­
ments by tlie West Virginia Senate. In 1990, she became the
first person in tlie history of the State to be recognized by the
Stale Senate for her contributions in technology.

InteUi^encec.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 1, 1992
CLASSIFIED 19-21
COMICS 18
FINANCIAL 14-15
SPORTS 16-19,22
THIR’IIEEN

Touchstone Founder Aims High
Libby’ Kraftician
sJominated For
J.S. Award
By DEBBINEER
The Intelligencer Staff
All her life, Elizabeth “Libby”
raftician has set goals. Even when
xtors said there was only a 50
sicent chance that she would live,
le never stopped reaching for her
oaL
Three years ago, Kraftician, the
resident and co-founder of Touchone Research Laboratory Ltd., was
I a Pittsburgh hospital bed after
ndergoing an operation for ovarian
incer.
Present in the room was her
usband, Brian Joseph, who sat by
a bedside as she dictated parts of a
ASA proposal—which was later
ranted to the growing Touchstone
smpany in Wheeling.
Kraftician said that in all aspects
f life, choices must be made and
le chose to keep trying to obtain

vgoaL

“In life there are always decisions
> be made and I believe that you
ave to lay out all the options and
loose one and give that your best
ffort,” she said, “It’s the same
ith facing a life-threatening disise. You make a choice and stick
ith it
“I made the decision to fight and
made it long before 1 was
iagnosed. I knew I was ill but 1
^ted to fight it I made a decision
> do that,” Kraftician, 44, said. “II
ou do that, then at least you are
aster of your own wilL”
Her courage and perseverance
ave earned Kraftician a national
omination for the “Women ol
nterprise” award.
The award, given to five women
ich year by the U.S. Small Bus!ess Administration and Avon Prod*
cts, honors women in business whe
re outstanding ' entrepreneurs and
ave achieved success despite signifant hardship.
The nomination, which in itsell
lakes Kraftician “feel like a
idnner,” came after the state SBA
ent her story to the national level
“Beyrad the initial excitement of
mining that I had received a

Debbi NMf/TlM InUmscDCtf

Elizabeth “Libby” Kraftkian, co-founder and
president of Touchstone Research Laboratory Ltd,,
recently has been nominated for a national award

nomination, I was just thrilled th^
the pei^le at the state SBA office in
Qaiksburg had regard for my (and
the company’s) efforts,” ste said
“Businesswise, after (the diagnosis
and operation) we pulled ourselves
up and mov^ ourself along. We
stuck to our mission and ran our

that honors top business women who are outstand­
ing and successful despite hardships they’ve had to
face. .

been a goal for a long time.
moth^, she said, stated that Krafti­
cian h^ always been working ot
one project or another since she was
10 years old.
Award winners will be announced
in a few months. If she is selxt^
she will travel to New York City in

with one piece of equipment in a
Wheeling Yemeni
But that “child” may soon have
to m^e room for one more. Talk of
adopting a child from the Middle
East also is being discussed.
And whatever goal Kraftician
sets, she said that it must be one that

------------------------------- --------- 3 3---------------------------------------------

In life there are always decisions to be made
and I beiieve that you have to lay out all the options
and choose one and pive that your best effort, it s the
same with facing a life-threatening disease.
course.
The lab today is a success with
projects for NASA, and working
with the nation’s new^t technology,
the dreams of Kraftician and Joseph
are coming true.
Kraftician said starting a company
that- concentrates on projects has

June to receive the honor.
The fiiture looks bright, she said.
Fm* the last three years and six
exams, Kraftician has had a “clean
bill of health.”
The comply is growing and is
still like a child to the husband and
wife team that began Touchstone

is obtainable.
“People outside of you will
^ways have their own agenda and
you can’t accommodate all of them
and shouldn’t try.” she said. “You
know yourself besL I have tried to
pick my course and wiU continue to
at the

ffoals I SCL”

NBWS-RBGISTER—'Milling. W.V«.T-Hnind*y. Febniary 6.1992

i

Kraftician Nominated for Award

Elizabeth “LibbyV Kraftician,
president and co-founder of Touch­
stone Research Laboratory Ltd., lias
been nominated lo receive one of
/five national Women of Enlcrprisc
/Awards presented annually by Uie
' U.S. Small Business Administration
and Avon Products.
The Women of Enterprise Awards
recognize outstanding women entre­
preneurs who have achieved success
despite encountering significant per­
sonal or economic hardship.
Kraftician has remained at the
helm of tlie fast-growing high-tech
. company while overcoming lifethreatenmg ovarian cancer in 1989.
She and her husband and business
partner, Brian Joseph, wrote a
successful proposal to test materials
for the NASA space shuttle while
Kraftician lay in her hospital b^
recuperating from cancer surgery in
May 1989.
The successful completion of that
. original NASA testing program led
to a string of projects involving tlie

testing of materials for the space
shuttle and other aerospace applica­
tions for Touchstone.
Kraftician and Joseph founded
Touchstone in 1980 in tlie basement
of Uie fonner Carmelite monastery
in Wheeling with one piece of
scientific equipment. The comply,
now located at tlie Millennium
Centre,: Triadelpiiia, is one of tlie
fastest growing high-tech research,
compand in America. Touchsume
provides industrial problem-solving
and research and development ser­
vices for manufacturers tluougliout
the United States.
Kraftician was nominated for the
national award by Uie SBA in
Clailcsburg.
In 1990, she was Uie first person
in the state to be rccomized by Uie
West Virginia Senate lor her contri­
butions to technology. Sen. Thais
Blatnik, D-Ohio, sponsored the
Senate proclamaUon and endorsed
her for Women of Enterprise
Awards.

Elizabeth KrafUcian

NEWS-REGISTSl-Wheeling, W.Va.-Sunday, June 21,1992

BUSINESS/FINANGE

Brian E. Joseph, left, and Elizabeth “Libby’*. Krafddan, co>founders
of Touc^one Research Laboratory Ltd. of Triadelphia, are
conmtnlated on their recent awards by Larry Travis, vice president
of United National Bank-North in Wheeling.

Business Efforts May Land
Spot on Inc. Magazine Cover
Two Ohio County business
owners may end- up being featured
on the cover of Inc. magazine as the
result of a recent award.
Elizabeth “Libby” Kraftician and
Brian Joseph, co-founders of Touch­
stone Research I aboratory Ltd.,
were selected earlier this month as
West Virginia’s “Emerging Entre­
preneur of the Year.” The honor
qualifies the two local * business
owners for one of five national
awards and the National Entrepre­
neur of the Year Award, an honor
which includes being featured on the
cover of the national magazine.
“I think this is exciting that two
local business people are eligible for
a national business award and might
be featured on die cover of Inc.
magazine,** said Larry Travis, vice
president of United National Bank in
Wheeling. “I think this honor, and
the success of Touchstone Research
Laboratory, is indicative of the
strong bu^ess climate we have in
the Wheeling area,” said Travis,
who nominated Kraftician and
Joseph fix' the Entrepreneur of the
Year award.
The awards progsani, founded by
the-profe^ional services firm of
Ernst & Young and sponsored by
Inc. magazine, Merrill Lynch and
The State Journal, was established to

honor business people who are
successful entrepreneurs and those
who ^ve actively encouraged entre­
preneurs. The national awards ban­
quet will be held later this yer in
Palm Sj^gsi Calif.
Kraftician also was recently nomi­
nated to receive one of five national
“Women of Entaprise Awards”
presented annually by the U.S.
Small Business Administration and
Avon Products.
Kraftician and Joseph founded
Touchstone in 1980 at a time when
many major UJS. manufacturers
were making massive cutbacks in
their research efforts. Touchstone is
now considered one of the fastestgrowing high-tech research compa­
nies in America^
The company provides industrial
problem solving services for
hundreds of U.S. manufacturers,
from Fortune 500 companies to
small, start-up businesses. Along
with its work in the private sector,
the company has also been success­
ful in government coitracting and
has tested critical materials used by
NASA in the space shuttle. Touch­
stone, which was founded in Wheel­
ing, currently is located in The
Kfillennium Centre, an advanced
technology research park in Triadel­
phia.

Sunday, March 22,1992

The Times Leader
★

★

★ __________________

JHE VOICE OF EASTERN OHIO

Lab

ELIZABETH KRAFJJCIAN, president md cofomder of Touchstones Resemcb LHxxatory m
Trisdetidusi, oreiseescompatexiiedimsgemsJysis
research beiag petfoaoed by Eba Grove reskkat

Sleve^ ^yd, a NASA-trained metallogr^her.
Kiaftkian is rate of live nathnal redpiettis of
"Women ofEnteiprix Awards. ”

Research lab co-owner in
running for national award

By SANDY DICLEMENTE
Times Leader SUIT Writer

WHEELING
-In 1989, doctors at Magee
Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh gave Elizabeth
"Ubby" Kraftician a 50 peiceitt ctoice of surviving advanced ovarian cancer.
However. Kialddan, coowner of Touchstone
Research Laboratory in Triadelphia. not only re­
covered from the dtoae but is nominated to receive
one of five national “Women of Enterprise
Awards,” presented annually by the U.S.
Busmess Administiatioa and Avon Products.
awards recognize outstanding women en•rej^wtoin who have achieved success drepite en­
countering significant personal or economic hard­
ship.

Touchstone, an independent research laboratory,
researches a wide variety of products, including vital
components of the space shuttle’s solid fuel biters
and metals. The company has had a growth rate ol
approximately 1,000 percent over the past five
yens.
However, things weren't always that good.
Krafiidan and her husband, Brian Josqih, found­
ed the original Touchstone office in the basement of
a former Carmelite monastery in downtown Wheel­
ing right after they finished graduate school at Ohio
State University.
The two only had one piece of scientific equip­
ment, Kraftician said, “a scanning electron micro­
scope that had been cannibalized and left for dead”
in a Columbus warehouse. They bought it for $101.

See, LAB, page 9A

“My husband is from Wheeling
Continued 6om page lA
and 1 am from Pittsburgh. This is not
She said she and Joseph had been
a walk-in storefront operation, so it
thinking about starting an indepen­ really doesn’t matter where we are
dent research &cili^, but after find­ located. We just both had roots here
ing the mkioscope, “We thought, in and we liked the lifestyle hoe,” she
all of our youth arid arrogance, that
said.
we could run an organization that
She attributes much of her per­
would have a highs level of creativi­ sonal and professional success to her
ty and self-detenninatum thmi major smff.
research laboratories.”
“This kind of business attracts
Since that time, the company has ‘eagjes.’ You can put any one of
^own to include a staff of 25 techni­ these people an a deserted island, and
cians and several million doilan any one of them would overcome
worth of scientific equipment
their surroundings.”
Kraftician said the major turn­
Kraftician believes research facili­
around in the company’s life, as well ties such as Touchstones can help
as in her life, came when ^e con­
American businesses be more com­
tracted cancer. While she was recov­ petitive. However, she said, “One
ering from cancs surgery, she dic­ problem with the United States is that
tated parts of a research proixisal to there is very little venture captai
NASA that resulted in the company’s Nobody will put money into
receiving numerous contracts research.”
through NASA and other federal pro­
She said in her experience, Amer­
jects.
ican industry is moving away fom
“While I was in the hospitaL my
research and development efforts.
husband came up every ±iy alter When she and her husband be^
working all day and brou^t his
their business, she said, “U.S. Steel’s
computer and sat there and wrote research facility in MonroevQle, Pa.,
while I dictated,” Kraftician said. “I had just cut back from 1,500
had tubes strapped everywhere and
engineers (0150.”
all 1 could use was my brain.”
Kraftician is optimistic about the
The proposal resulted in future of American businesses.
Touchstone’s testing of 0-rings,
“We created the mode of manadhesives and tiles used in the space
shuttle. Kraftician said the NASA agemem and production part of in­
research began after the Challenger dustries. We wrote the book,” she
said. “We may have laid it down for
accident.
“We do the work on the interfac­ a while, but we’re picking it back up.
ing material and the metallic parts I don’t think it is too late. It’s going
and on new technology.” she ex­ to be tough. There is no doubt dim we
won’t get there and lead the market'*
plained.
If Kraftician wins the national
Additionally, Touchstone is a sub­
award,
it will not be her first major
contractor in NASA’s Space Ex­
ploration Initiative to develop honor. She is the fint person in West
technology needed to return to the Virginia to be personally honored by
the West Virginia Legislature for bi^
moon and to land on Mars.
Also while she was recovering contributions to technology, accor­
from surgery, Kraftician was finaliz­ ding to Touchstone’s Marketing
ing plans for the Millenium Center, Diircuv John Mackay. She is also a
where Touchstones is the first occu- member of the SBA’s Small Busi­
panL The Millenium Center, which ness Advisory Council
However, while she is happy that
opened in 1989, is West Virginia’s she is being recognized, Kt^tidan
first advanced technology rKearch
remains modest about all of the at­
park.
tention.
“I’m a project penon and a schol­
Kraftician said her business could
be located anywhere in the country ar at heart,” she describes herself. “I
am a nonstop student”
and succeed.

Software Valley
Business Developments:
Ki*aftician anil Joseph
Win Awantl
Elizabeth “Libby” Kraftician
and Brian E. Joseph,
co-founders of Touchstone
Research Laboratory, Ltd. arc
West Virginia’s “Emerging
Entrepreneur Of The Year” in
the Entrepreneur Of llic Year
program for 1992. They
qualify to win one of five
National awards and The
National Entrepreneur of the
Year Award, an honor which
includes being on the cover
of Inc. magazine. Kraftician
also qualifies for one of five
“Women of Enterprise”
awards. Larry Travis, vice
president of the United
National Bank in Wheeling
(on the right in photo),
nominated the two business

owners for the award which
was presented to them June 4
in Charleston. “I think this
honor, and the success of
Touchstone Research
Laboratory, is indicative of
the strong business climate
we have in the Wheeling
area,” Travis said. The
Entrepreneur Of The Year
program was founded by
Ernst & Young, a
professional services firm,
Inc. magazine, and West
Virginia’s periodical The
State Journal, to honor
business people who are
successful entrepreneurs and
who have actively
encouraged other
entrepreneurs. Kraftician

and Joseph founded
Touchstone in 1980.
Although many major U.S.
manufacturers were cutting
back m their research efforts
at that time, 'rouchstone
persevered and is now
considered one of the
fastest-growing high-tech
research companies in the
country. Ibc company
provides industrial
problem-solving services for
hundreds of U.S.
manufacturers and their
clients include FORTUNE
500 companies as well as
small busmesses and
government agencies like
NASA.

NEWS-REGISTER-WhocIIng.W.Va.-Sunday, May 31,1992
It

Art Bedway

Kraftician and Joseph

Business Founders Named
For Entrepreneur Awards
The founders of two Wheeling
area businesses — Bedway Security
Agency Inc. and Touchstone
Research Laboratory Ltd. — have
b(%n selected as finalists for West
Virginia’s Enueiireneur of the Year
awards, according to Larry Travis,
vice president of United Nations
Dunk in Whcciing.
Art Bedway, founder of Bedway
Security Agency Inc. of Wheeling,
is a finalist in the Master Entrepre­
neur of the Year category, said Paul
E. Arbogast, managing partner in the
Charleston office of Ernst & Young.
Elizabeth "Libby” ^ftician and
Brian E. Joseph, co-founders of
Touchstone Research Laboratory
Ltd. of Triadelphia, are finalists in
the Emerging Entrepreneur of the
Year category.
"This IS truly an honor to have
two local businesses as finalists in
such a prestigious competition,”
said Travis, who nominated the two
local companies for die regional
award. "I think this is indicative of
tlie excellent business cUmate we
have in the Wheeling area,
"From the days tliat Wheeling
was the terminus of Uie Nalionm

Pike along tlie Ohio River to the
1990s, Wheeling has been an excel­
‘ lent place for people to start and
prow their businesses,” lYavis said.
‘The fact that two local businesses
are finalists for this statewide com­
petition is one more example of Uie
entrepreneurial spirit we have in
Whcciing.”
1’he awards program, founded by
the professional services firm of
Ernst A Young, and sponsor^ by
Inc. Magazine, Merill Lynch and
ITie Stale Journal, was estaolished to
honor business peqile who are
successful entrepreneurs and those
who have actively encouraged entre­
preneurs. From the finahsts, eight
Entrepreneur of the Year recipients,
will be announced at an awards
banquet Thursday in Charleston.
These regional award recipients will
then be migible to receive a national
award, including the National Entre­
preneur of the Year award. These
national award recipients will be
featured in Uie December 1992 issue
of Inc. Magazine.
Bedway founded his company in
1981 with the help of a $600 loan,
Travis said. Since that Ume, Bedway
Security Agency has grown to be
one of the top 200 security compa­
nies in the country, wiUi 1992
projected sales of $13 million, he
said.
Kraftician A Joseph founded
Touchstone in 1980 In the basement
of the former Carmelite monastery
' in Wheeling wiUi one piece of
scienUfic equipment, according to
Travis, "liie company is now
considered one of the fastest grow-,
ing high-tech research companies in
America and has tested criUcal
materials used in in the NASA
Space ShutUe. Touchstone provides
industrial problem-solving and
research ana development services
for hundreds of manufacturers
throughout Uic United Stales, rang­
ing from Sieeimakers and automoUve
suppliers to food manufacturers,” he

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA
Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 16, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

EDINBORO HOSTS TEACHING WORKSHOP ON ISLAM AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Educators and students will have an opportunity to learn about America’s fastest
growing religion at a workshop on teaching about Islam and the Middle East, Wednesday,
March 22, at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Geosciences professor Dr. Baher Ghosheh
said the goal of the workshop is to provide an accurate view of mainstream Islam in the United
States and the world.
“Most Americans don’t realize what Islam is all about,” said Ghosheh. “The workshop
will develop cross-cultural understanding and ease misconceptions about Muslims.”
Conducting the day-long workshop will be Audrey Shabbas, from the Middle East
Policy Council in Washington, D.C. Among the topics to be covered are the physical and
cultural geography of the Middle East, Islamic beliefs and practices, Islam in American, the role
of women in Islam, and the factors contributing to the rapid spread of Islam in the United
States.
Because the workshop is intended primarily for people involved in education, the
extensive materials and handouts, which are being provided free for the participants, are
designed to act as teaching aids for their students and groups within their communities.
“Participants will develop a more accurate ‘sociotype’ of Muslims, Arabs and Middle
Easterners to replace the commonly held misconceptions and stereotypes,” said Ghosheh. “It is
our hope that they will lead the way to better communal - and eventually international relations.”
The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Van Houten Dining Hall. Anyone
wishing to register or obtain further information may call Edinboro University’s Institute for
Research and Community Services at 814-732-2762 or Dr. Ghosheh at 814-732-2291.
-30BKP:bja
A member of the State System of Higher Education

February 14, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PRESIDENT DIEBOLD RECOGNIZED BY
INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
Foster F Diebold, president of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, was recently
recognized by the International Management Council (IMC) for his contributions to the
organization. Diebold addressed the IMC’s 60th annual international conference, where he
spoke about his mentoring program and the importance of mentoring in both higher education
and corporate America.
The IMC is an international management organization with more than 8,000 corporate
members worldwide, including such giants such as PepsiCo, Philip Morris USA and FMC. IMC
President David Neidert said President Diebold has set an example for other higher education
institutions to follow in their fellowships with corporate America.
Mary Lou Adonizio, who served as the conference chairperson, said President Diebold
was the first university president ever to address this corporate audience. She said he
exemplifies the type of cooperation and bond which should exist between higher education and
our country’s business leaders. Adonizio currently serves as a member of the National
Executive Board of Directors of the IMC.
-30BKP:bja

Edinboro University President Foster F. Diebold, right, receives a plaque from Mary
Lou Adonizio, which recognizes the contributions of Diebold and the University to the
International Management Council (IMC). Adonizio is the director of the University’s
Institute for Research and Community Services and is a member of the National
Executive Board of Directors of the IMC. Looking on is Edinboro Provost and Vice
President for Academic Affairs, Dr. John Fleischauer.

February 14, 1995

SPECIAL TO THE SPECTATOR:

TRAFFIC PATTERNS TO CHANGE ON CAMPUS
President Foster F. Diebold has accepted several recommendations from the University’s
Parking and Traffic Control Committee to improve the flow of vehicle traffic in and out of two
currently congested parking and roadway areas.
Temporary barriers will be placed at the Scotland Road exits from Rose Hall and
Cooper Science Hall. All entry and exit from those two lots will now be restricted to Harrow
Road. Parking in the Rose Hall residence lot will be reserved for employees and Rose Hall
dormitory residents. The Cooper Hall lot remains reserved for employees. The barriers will
block all vehicle passage, but will allow pedestrian traffic to flow freely.
The second change affects the parking area known as the Lakefront Lot. On a trial basis,
the lot’s southernmost access point on Scotland Road will become an “entrance only,” while the
northernmost access will become an “exit only.” Exits from the lot will be restricted to right
turns only. New signage will be posted at both points to reflect the traffic pattern changes.
Campus police and facilities officials say that the changes will be made, weather
permitting, prior to spring break.
-30WAR:bja

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 13, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY PRESENTS PIANIST JAMES TANNENBAUM
The Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Concert and Lecture Series will present a
piano recital by Cleveland pianist James Tannenbaum on Monday, February 20, at 8:00 p.m. in
Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Edinboro University.
This concert will be the first in a series of programs celebrating the University’s annual
Academic Festival.
Tannenbaum is a member of the piano faculty at the distinguished Cleveland Institute of
Music and an artist in residence at the Willoughby School of Fine Arts. He has delighted
audiences for more than 25 years with his concert performances and has appeared regularly
with some of the finest musicians in the United States.
His first prize awards include the Battle Creek International Competition, the Michigan
State University Concerto Competition and the Cleveland Institute Solo Piano and Concerto
Competitions. He has appeared with Eleanor Steber, Helen Vanni, Paul Sperry, Mo Sharp and
Franklin Cohen and is a regular soloist on the Institute’s Wednesday Night Concert Series. He
also performs regularly at the Blossom Music Festival.
This concert is free and open to the public. For additional information, please call the
Edinboro University Office of Cultural Affairs, 814-732-2518, weekdays.
-30PSL:bja

A member of the State System of Higher Education

February 13, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

EDUCATION EVENTS HIGHLIGHT ACADEMIC FESTIVAL
Among the many education topics to be presented at the 12th annual Academic Festival
at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania will be those dealing with sexual harassment, teaching
experiences in urban schools, and the difficulties faced by middle school students.
Dr. Susan Criswell will present “Hostile Hallways: An Examination of Sexual
Harassment in America’s Public Schools,” Tuesday, February 21, at 9:30 a.m. in 334 Butterfield
Hall. “Sexual harassment is considered any unwanted and unwelcome attention,” said Criswell.
“Most of it is verbal and can occur in almost any situation in school. It can occur between
teacher and student, staff and student, or most commonly, student and student.”
Criswell said sexual harassment can be devastating because the victim will try to avoid
those situations where the harassment occurred. It can cause students to drop out of sports and
extracurricular activities. Academic performance, especially in women, may also suffer.
She will discuss the responsibilities of parents, teachers and administrators, and what
they can do.
Education professor Kathleen Benson will discuss the changes middle school children
go through, February 21, at noon in 200 Butterfield Hall. “The age of the middle school child is
very interesting,” said Benson. “So many things happen to them at that age. It is a period of
brain growth and bone growth. It is an age when self-esteem and leadership abilities develop.
But it is also the time when problems such as anorexia and drug abuse can occur.”
Benson said the presentation is intended for anyone involved with middle school
children, such as parents, teachers and other students.
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EDUCATION EVENTS HIGHLIGHT FESTIVAL, Continued

Page 2

Rural university students participating in a seminar in inner-city Philadelphia schools
will be the topic of a presentation by Dr. Charles Gallagher, February 22, at 1 p.m. in 336
Butterfield Hall. In May, a dozen Edinboro education students will have the opportunity to
participate in a two-week seminar where they will experience what it is like to teach in an urban
setting.
Gallagher said the event will help dispell misconceptions about urban life and break
down the fear and intimidation rural students might have about even looking at urban schools
as a place of employment. “Philadelphia is the fifth largest school district in the country, and
more than 90 percent of its school population is considered minority,” said Gallagher. “Yet most
teachers are white. They like their work and care about their students.”
A slide presentation will show the reactions of students from other Pennsylvania
universities who participated in the seminar last year.
The Academic Festival is Edinboro University’s celebration of people, places and ideas.
For more information on the Festival, call the Office of Public Information and Publications at
(814) 732-2745.
-30BKPibja

February 7, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

EDINBORO’S ACADEMIC FESTIVAL HOSTS BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS
As part of its observance of Black History Month, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
is offering several events on African-American issues during its Academic Festival, February
19-22.
Lisa Brown, director of intercultural relations for the University, is leading two video
presentations for educating black children, especially young black men. The first event.
Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys, will be held Monday, February 20, at 2 p.m.
in 207 University Center. Based on Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu’s workshop with teachers and
educators, this event discusses methods and strategies for educating young black males in
grades K-12. It will also speak to college-age black males.
The second video presentation. Developing Positive Self-Esteem and Discipline in
Black Children, will focus on understanding the cultural uniqueness and learning styles of black
children. The session, which will be presented Tuesday, February 21, at noon in 207 University
Center, will demonstrate methods and strategies for encouraging parents to serve as co­
educators with teachers.
Brown said both events will be very useful for anyone who deals with children. The first
program is especially helpful for recognizing stereotypes which are projected onto young black
children.
She is also hosting a third event, titled Am I Helping or Hindering the Minority
Experience? on Wednesday, February 22, at noon in 207 University Center. This will be an
informal, roundtable discussion about what it is like to be a minority student in a predominantly
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ACADEMIC FESTIVAL HOSTS BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS

Page 2

white institution. “Students will share the things they are encountering and suggest what to do
to make things more positive,” said Brown.
Another event that touches on African-American issues is Race, Writing and History:
Africa and Representation. This symposium by three Edinboro professors will look at how
Africa is represented in literature, specifically in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. African
nationalism and its discourse in contemporary African literature will also be explored.
The Academic Festival is Edinboro University’s annual celebration of people, places and
ideas. All events are open to the public. For more information on the Festival, call the Office of
Public Information and Publications at (814) 732-2745.
-30BKP:bja

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 7, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

JANE BRADY NAMED ASSISTANT TO THE VICE PRESIDENT AT EDINBORO
Jane D. Brady has been named assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs at
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
A native of Lyons, New York, Brady earned a bachelor’s degree in economics at the
University of Rochester and a master’s degree in higher education at Syracuse University.
Prior to joining the staff at Edinboro, she served as an admissions/financial aid specialist
at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York. In that position, she received the 1994
Innovation of the Year award for her work on the student affairs staff development committee.
She also participated in the National Institute for Leadership Development, a leadership training
program for two-year college women administrators.
In her new position, Brady will provide staff assistance to the Vice President for Student
Affairs, maintain student affairs policies, coordinate organizational development within the
division, and assist division directors.

-30-

psl

A member of the State System of Higher Education

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-27A5 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 3,1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JUDGE RICHARD NYGAARD TO LECTURE AT EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
On Thursday, February 16, Richard L. Nygaard, circuit judge for the United States Court
of Appeals, will present a lecture at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. His topic will be “The
Myth of Punishment: Is Prison an Appropriate Response to Crime?” The presentation is
scheduled at 2:15 p.m. in Butterfield Hall 137.
A native of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, Nygaard received his bachelor’s degree in
public administration from the University of Southern California in 1969 and his doctorate from
the University of Michigan in 1971.
President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the United States Court of Appeals for the
Third Circuit in May of 1988. He maintains chambers in Erie and Philadelphia. Prior to his
appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals, he presided for more than seven years as a trial judge
in Erie on the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas. He was appointed to that position in
December of 1980 by Governor Dick Thornburgh. Three years later he was elected to a ten-year
term following nomination by both the Republican and Democratic parties.
At the time of his appointment to the Court of Common Pleas, he was an Erie County
Councilman for the Sixth District of Erie County.
In May 1993, Nygaard was awarded an honorary doctorate from Edinboro University.
Kappa Omega Rho, the Edinboro University chapter of the National Criminal Justice
Honor Society, and the Society of Future Criminal Justice Professionals will participate in this
event.
-30-

psl

A member of the State System of Higher Education

Honorary Doctorate
The Honorable Richard L. Nygaard is a native of Thief River Falls, Min­
nesota. He received his B.S. degree in public administration from the University
of Southern California in 1969 and his J.D. from the University of Michigan in
1971.
President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the United States Court of
Appeals for the Third Circuit in May of 1988. He maintains chambers in Erie and
Philadelphia. Prior to his appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals he presided
for more than seven years as a trial judge in Erie on the Pennsylvania Court of
Common Pleas. He was appointed to that position in December of 1980 by Gov­
ernor Dick Thornburgh. Three years later he was elected to a ten-year term fol­
lowing nomination by both the Republican and Democratic parties.
At the time of his appointment to the Court of Common Pleas, he was an
Erie County Councilman for the Sixth District of Erie County.
Richard L. Nygaard

In November 1982, upon U.S. Senator Arlen Specter's request. President
Reagan appointed Nygaard as a U.S. delegate to the International Conference on
Free Elections, which was co-sponsored by the United States State Department
and the American Enterprise Institute. He addressed the conference on the
necessity of a free and independent judiciary.
The American Bar Association received a request in 1991 from Romania
for assistance in preparing the country for a democracy by developing a consti­
tution and a Bill of Rights and restructuring the judiciary. The International Law
Section of the ABA requested that Judge Nygaard act as an advisor to the Consti­
tutional Conferees of Romania and make comments on their constitution, judi­
ciary structure and Bill of Rights. Since then he has been a constitutional
consultant for the countries of Albania, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan
and Azerbiajan in the areas of judicial structure and individual rights. He also
developed a "Charter of Rights and Responsibilities" now in use to varying
extents in those countries. This Charter is molded from such existing documents
as the U.S. Bill of Rights, the United Nations Charter of Human Rights, and the
charter of the Organization of American States.
Nygaard has advised each of these nations to establish a free and inde- pendent judiciary that will have real powers to enforce the laws and the consti­
tution. He believes it is necessary to create a rule of law that remains constant,
regardless of individual political officeholders.
While in Russia he met with members of the GPU, President Boris
Yeltsin's party; the chairman of the Russian Supreme Court; and members of the
Supreme Soviet.
Nygaard was chosen to receive the degree of Legum Doctor, Honoris
Causa: Doctor of Laws in recognition of his leadership and advocacy for the
public weal, which have had positive and profound effects upon the lives of
individuals, institutions, and governments; for his public service as a statesman
and jurist; for his long and effective labor on behalf of democracy and a free,
independent judiciary; for his many contributions to the development of consti­
tutional democracy in the newly independent nations of eastern Europe; and for
his life-long commitment to the cause of justice in the United States and through­
out the world.

7

-

-

February 3, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

EDINBORO’S ACADEMIC FESTIVAL FEATURES WOMEN’S ISSUES
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s Academic Festival, February 19-22, traditionally
focuses several of its presentations on women’s issues. This year’s celebration of people, places
and ideas features four programs dealing with the topic.
History professor Terra Jenrette, along with Khalid Said, will present Whores, Warriors
and Saints: A Comparative Look at Christian and Muslim Women in Their Holy Books” on
Monday, February 20, at 3 p.m. in 100 Hendricks Hall. Jenrette and Said will examine the
mythical and real images of women in the Koran and the Bible, focusing on women s
participation in political-economic-social life.
Also on Monday, interpretive readings from an international collection of women’s
poetry will be performed at 7 p.m. in the University Center. Dr. Kathleen Golden, Cheryl Lossie
and Kristen Smart will present “The Other Self: Poetry of Women Throughout the World.”
These works were chosen because they convey women’s shared experiences, growth and
understanding.
Philosophy professor Dr. Karen Seubert will discuss “The Rights of Women and
Children in a Democratic Society According to John Locke,” on Wednesday, February 22, at
11 a.m. in 329 Butterfield Hall. Seubert’s lecture will draw on Locke and Pope John Paul II for
an examination of issues regarding the rights of women and children. It will look at what those
rights are and how they are being addressed in today’s society.
The final program on women’s issues will be “An Hour of Humor and Drama with
Contemporary Women Playwrights: Marsha Norman, Beth Henley and Wendy Wasserstem.”
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ACADEMIC FESTIVAL FEATURES WOMEN’S ISSUES, Continued

Page 2

They are the authors of three Pulitzer Prize-winning plays - Crimes of the Heart, The Heidi

Chronicles, and Night, Mother. Cuttings from those plays will be performed in oral
interpretation by Golden, Smart, Dr. Heidi Harbers, and Cynthia Niemann on February 22 at
3:30 p.m. in 100 Compton Hall. These plays were chosen by Niemann because they take three
very different approaches to portraying issues commonly faced by women.
The Academic Festival covers a wide range of topics including travel, science, music,
art, poetry, current events and history, as well as education and student issues. For more
information on the Academic Festival, call the Office of Public Information and Publications at
(814) 732-2745.
-30BKPibja

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 2, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONWAY JOINS FACULTY AT EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
Dr. Alice E. Conway, RN, recently joined the faculty at Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania. A native of Manasquan, New Jersey, Conway has been appointed as an associate
professor of nursing in pediatrics at the University.
Conway obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Syracuse University and her
master’s and doctorate in nursing care of children from the University of Pittsburgh. Conway is
a certified CPR and first aid instructor for the American Red Cross. She is also a certified
emergency responder for the American Red Cross. She is a member of the National Nursing
Honorary Society and is a designated university scholar at the University of Pittsburgh.
Prior to accepting the position at Edinboro University, Conway served as the dean of
nursing in the Intercollegiate Nursing Program at Samuel Merritt College and Saint Mary’s
College in Oakland, California. She more recently served as the chairperson in the department
of nursing at Gannon University.
Another of Conway’s accomplishments is being chairperson and member of the research
committee for the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. She was recently asked to serve on
the Maternal-Child Advisory Council for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Conway lives in Edinboro with her husband, James.
-30JMC:bja

A member of the State System of Higher Education

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 1, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEW ‘AFTER HOURS CLUB’ OPENS AT EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
A new and welcome addition to the evening social scene on the Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania campus made its debut in January when the new, alcohol-free “After Hours Club”
opened in The Kilt, the snack bar area of Edinboro’s University Center student union.
The student-run After Hours Club is open every Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission
is free to Edinboro University students and their guests, and non-alcoholic drinks and food are
available at nominal prices.
Start-up funding for the After Hours Club was made possible by Edinboro University’s
ALADIN (Alcohol and Drug Information) Project. The ALADIN Project, subtitled “A
Multidisciplinary Program to Reduce Alcohol and Other Drug Use,” was developed at Edinboro
in 1993 under a major federal grant from the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary
Education (FIPSE).
ALADIN uses a systems approach to develop a university-wide, peer education program
that offers students the opportunity to examine their attitudes about drinking, explore their
drinking habits, and learn about alcohol’s physical, psychological, legal and social effects.
Goals are to reduce alcohol and other drug use, as well as “binge” drinking.
The ALADIN Project was recognized by the federal government in 1994 with an award
from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Research and Development.
Entertainment at Edinboro’s After Hours Club will vary from week to week, with guest
bands and artists, comedy, open mike and karaoke nights, and DJ-run dances.
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A member of the State System of Higher Education

‘AFTER HOURS CLUB’AT EDINBORO, Continued

Page 2

The grand opening on January 27 was headlined by local rockers “Donna’s Private Doll
Collection.” Rick and Brian Butler are scheduled to perform on February 10.
“We’re very excited about this,” said Pam Magerle, ALADIN Project specialist, who
coordinated the grand opening. “We’ve had a lot of input from students on what they want for
atmosphere and entertainment, and we’re pleased to give them what they’ve asked for.”
On many nights the After Hours Club will be sponsored by specific clubs and
organizations recognized by the University. “We really stress that this club will be student run,”
said Mary Anne Weiner, ALADIN Project coordinator. “The project will provide them with
financial and moral support, but students will be the ones who make it work.”
For more information, call Edinboro University’s ALADIN Project Office, 732-2949.
-30WAR:bja

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 1, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ACADEMIC FESTIVAL TO HIGHLIGHT PENNSYLVANIA AQUARIUM
Dr. Jerry Covert, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s dean of Science, Management
and Technologies, and director of the proposed Pennsylvania Aquarium, will make an
informational presentation on the Aquarium, Tuesday, February 21, as part of the Academic
Festival at the University.
The Aquarium is one of many new facilities planned for Erie’s bayfront area. In his
lecture, which will be held at 4 p.m. in the Porreco Center, classroom 8, and again at 7 p.m., in
the University Center, Covert will discuss plans for the Aquarium and its mission.
“The purpose of the Aquarium is threefold,” said Covert, “going beyond a narrowlyfocused tourist attraction to include educational and research components, with a vision of
being a ‘life center,’ focusing many resources on the broader understanding of freshwater and
coastal ecosystems.”
Support for the Aquarium is coming from a consortium of educational institutions in
western Pennsylvania that Covert is putting together. These include 12 colleges and eight
school districts and the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. His
presentation will be of particular interest to teachers in northwestern Pennsylvania.
One design feature of the Aquarium calls for building an artificial stream that would
start high on the side of the Aquarium and meander downward around the building, allowing
visitors to view stream conditions from different locations, including directly underneath. Water
pumped directly from the bay would supply the stream and return to the bay after completing
its course around the Aquarium.
-moreA member of the State System of Higher Education

ACADEMIC FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS AQUARIUM, Continued

Page 2

The designers of the proposed Aquarium - Cambridge Seven Associates - are also the
architects for the highly successful Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, as well as aquariums
in Baltimore and Osaka, Japan.
Covert’s role at present is to continue to add members to the consortium and build
public support for the facility. He stresses the positive impact it will have on educational
programs at all levels, from kindergarten through graduate school.
“The Aquarium will have broad appeal, from the excitement of preschoolers as they are
attracted to the bright colors and gliding movement, to grade school children whose interest and
enthusiasm is unmatched at any other time of their life, to the high school or college student
working on a science fair or research project, to adults looking for personal development, to the
researcher striving to create a better understanding of how and why things occur.”
Critical to making the Pennsylvania Aquarium a reality is securing funding from sources
in business and industry. Covert hopes that funding will be available to begin the final design
and construction stage later this year.
In addition to a discussion of the Aquarium, Covert will show a videotape, distribute the
Aquarium’s first newsletter, and announce a conference for colleges and schools which will be
held October 7.
For further information on the Academic Festival, call the Edinboro University office of
public information and publications at (814) 732-2745.
-30BKPibJa

Pennsylvania Aquarium
to Include Stream.
Over the years, it has
been observed that lake and
bay fish are attracted to the
mouths of nearly every
stream, creek and rivulet that
enters Erie Lake and the Bay.
As the waters enter fix)m the
smaller tributaries, fish swim
against the current and attempt
to swim up-stream to the
source of the flowing water.
This phenomenon has been
observed in structures as
small as 10 inch storm sewer
pipes. The fish have been
identified as Steelhead and
Salmon.
This concept has acted
as a stimulus to the early
planning of the construction
of the Pennsylvania
Aquarium. We are currently
studying the feasibility of
building an artificial stream
that would act as a moat
around the aquarium and
would provide exciting
opportunities to observe fish
in their nearly natural
environment (See diagram
below) The course of the
stream will be varied so that
there will be ponds, rapids,
deep pools, or shallow
concourses. The bottoms can
be varied from sand to gravel
and rocks. There will be
observation points along the
course of the stream to include
bridges and banks and there
may be a possibility to have a
view from beneath the stream
bed!!

The observations will provide
excellent opportunities for
learning more about the
preferences and capabilities of
the native fish.
By building the
Aquarium directly on the bay,
there will be access to the fish
and other aquatic organisms
native to that region and if
properly designed, it will
provide the fish with an
alternative that they can
choose by swimming
upstream to the Aquarium.
Water would be pumped from
the bay to spill directiy into
the stream at the ‘high end*.
As the water flows back to the
bay, it provides the currents,
and exchange of water
throughout the entire length of
the stream. Researchers are
interested in being able to
observe fish under various
conditions. For example,
they would like to study, in
close proximity, the behavior
and physiological changes
fish and other aquatic animals
experience during the winter,
when the surface of the ponds
are covered with ice, yet the
rapids are still fi*ee flowing.

The Pennsylvania

Aquarium
12786 Forrest Drive
Edinboro, PA 16412
(814) 734-5731

FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA

AQUARIUM CONSORTIUM

CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
EDINBORO UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
GANNON UNIVERSITY
INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA*
LA ROCHE COLLEGE
MERCYHURST COLLEGE
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY/BEHREND CAMPUS
SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY*
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH/TITUSVILLE CAMPUS*
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE*
AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY, PA CHAPTER
ERIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
FORT LEBOEUF SCHOOL DISTRICT
GENERAL MC LANE SCHOOL DISTRICT
HARBORCREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT
MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
PENN CREST SCHOOL DISTRICT
UNION CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
*Currently in the process of signing agreements

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY
OF

PENNSYLVANIA

Office of Public Information and Publications
Edinboro, PA 16444
(814) 732-2745 or 2929
Fax (814) 732-2621

February 1, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

EDINBORO RECEIVES $25,000 GRANT FOR LITERACY PROGRAM
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania has received a $25,000 Pennsylvania Literacy
Corps grant to fund CHANGES - the College and High School Alliance for New Growth in
Elementary Students. The innovative program brings together college, high school and
elementary students to improve literacy and promote community service.
The program was the idea of Tacie Tonks, a 23-year-old graduate student who had been
a tutor for Edinboro’s Student Literacy Corps. Her dream was to create a big-brother, big-sister
type of program that would allow college students to act as mentors to high school students,
who in turn would be role models and tutors for elementary students in need of help with
reading.
Tonks wanted the program not only to improve literacy, but also to show high school
and elementary students a positive side of college students. Edinboro elementary education
professor Dr. Janet Fleischauer said it allows students to become more aware of the outside
world and realize they can make an impact on it. They will take field trips together and
participate in art and drama activities. “An important part of the program is building selfconfidence in the students,” said Fleischauer. She is co-directing the program with Dr. Jean
Faieta, associate professor in the department of special education and school psychology.
CHANGES has been in existence for one year and has proved so successful that the
University, with encouragement from PennSERVE, is making it into a three-credit service
learning course. The grant money is being used this semester to purchase materials and produce
the program handbook. Another grant is expected in the fall when the program’s tutoring
begins.
-moreA member of the State System of Higher Education

EDINBORO RECEIVES LITERACY GRANT, Continued

Page 2

That part of the program will likely involve 20 Edinboro University students with high
school and high-risk second grade students in the General McLane and Northwestern school
districts. They will form 20 “buddy groups,” made up of one student from each of the three
groups. Fleischauer said college students will benefit by learning leadership skills in community
service; high school students will develop supervisory, mentoring and tutoring skills; and
elementary students will improve their literacy skills and develop an appreciation for volunteer
community service. The program will provide an opportunity for the high school students to
fulfill their community service requirements.
Edinboro University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. John
Fleischauer said the grant is a significant endorsement of Edinboro’s continuing activity in
service learning and in adult literacy enhancement. Its Student Literacy Corps program began in
1990 with $47,000 in federal grant funding. This year’s grant is part of $222,224 in
Pennsylvania Literacy Corps grants announced by Pennsylvania’s former first lady Ellen Casey
to nine university programs. The Pennsylvania Literacy Corps is a program of PennSERVE, the
governor’s Office of Citizen Services.
-30BKP:bja

CHANGES_______

—From Page lA

anywhere from 20 to 40 hours a
pate in the program.
CHANGES not only encour­ week. What awaits this busy
ages literacy, it increases aware­ young woman after she graduates
ness. Environmental, disability from the university next fall?
Graduate school and marriage
and discrimination awareness are
are just two answers. She also
just three topics the program has
tackled. The time spent on dis­ hopes to get a job in an institu­
ability awareness involved a visit tion, where she can continue help­
from some of the disabled stu­ ing people.
Tonks stresses that the program
dents at EUP. “The kids leam^
not to be afraid of people in could not exist without the many
wheelchairs,” Tonks said. “The people who have help^, includ­
kids found out that these people ing the college and high school
volunteers, Fleischauer, Faieta,
are just like everyone else.
There was also a session on Rilling and Scaletta.
In tliis world where too many
drug and alcohol awareness, and
recently, the group visited a re­ people look out for themselves
and let everyone else stand alone,
tirement home here in Edinboro.
“It gives the kids an appreciation the person who takes the time
for the older people in our soci­ from a busy schedule to help
someone else is rare. Tacie Tonks
ety,” Tonks explained.
Time is also spent on other ac­ is one of those rare people.
Because of her, a program like
tivities, such as drawing posters
and making other crafts. “The CHANGES can make a person’s
Idds love the whole prograin and life a little brighter.
come all the time,” Tonks said.
Right now, Tonks wants to
make more people aware of the
program, although there has al­
ready b^n some help from the
Edinboro community. For exam­
ple, Brink Ink Screenprinting has
donated paints. “Whatever help
we’ve received so far is greatly
appreciated,” she said.
These days, Tonks is working

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CHANGES; A labor of love
about
CHANGES stands for College
High School Alliance for New
Growth in Element^ Students.
The program is designed to en­
courage literacy and to bring
young people of various backgrou^ together to interact with

By Jim Marasco

Staff intern

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This is^ the time of year when
people feel good about them­
selves and the world around them.
But these feelings of well-being
and goodwill aren*t meant to be
experioiced only at Christmas
time. They are meant to be felt all
year ’round.
Tliat’s what CHANGES is all

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each oth^.
It’s working very well. Just ask
Tacie Tonks, a 23-year-old psy­
chology major at Edinboro Uni­
versity. She is also a moving
force behind the program.
“There are 30 people in the
program,’’ she said. “Ten ele­
mentary students, 10 high school
students and lOn college stu­
dents.’’ All of the participants are
from this area, and they woik in
“buddy groups’’ consisting of
one student from each of the three
age groups. The older students tu­
tor the younger students when it
comes to academics, but everyone
benefits from the interaction.
—CHANGES took a long time to
evolve. “When I first started here
(at EUP), I saw a lot of negative
things happening,’’ Tonks ex­
plained. “I saw people getting
drunk; I saw people getting arrested.

and mentioned her work to EUP
professor Dr. Janet Fleischauer,
who said she would soon receive
a grant from the PLC to start a
program encouraging literacy. "
Though Tonks was interested
in the literacy program, she
hadn’t given up on the Big Broth­
er idea; she wanted to combine
the two into one plan.
Soon, school was over for the
semester, and Tonks went to work
at a summer camp. When she re­
turned, she found the grant had
come in. That didn’t give her
much time to get the program
rolling, but she managed to do
just that. “We put it all together
in about three weeks,’’ she said.
Fleischauer and Jean Faieta be­
came the advisors for the pro­
gram.
The grant was for one year.

Tonks had the money; now all she
needed were participants. The
high school and elementary, stur^ ,
dents chosen were ones that could
benefit from this type of progfaml !
They came from Edinboro Ele- I
mentary and General “McLane "7
High School, and were selected j
with the help of Edinboro Ele- j
mentary principal Annette Rilling
and Rick Scaletta, assistant prin­
cipal at General McLane High
School.
Choosing the college students
was a little different. “Basically, I
just hung up signs around cam­
pus, hoping enough people would
be interested,’’ Tonks said.
She needn’t have worried.
There was a turnout of 30 inter­
ested students. Out of those 30
people, 10 were chosen to particiSee CHANGES, Page 5 A

■

“But I also saw that many col­
lege students had a positive influence on the community.’’
gjjg wanted to begin a Big
Brother, Big Sister-type program,
but was told she probably
couldn’t do it.
That didn’t stop Tonks from
wanting to work with and help
others. For a time, she worked as
a p^sonal care attendant on the
Edinboro campus, assisting disabled students. Later, she became
a tutor for the Painsylvania Liter­
acy Corps. She found she liked it

CHANGES is about friendship as weii as iiteracy. Here, EUP
voiunteer Biil Kendaii helps Edinboro Elementary student Matt
McAddo with his homework.