rock magazine winter 2004
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Nationally prominent graduate studiesTRANSCRIPT
M A G A Z I N ES L I P P E R Y R O C K U N I V E R S I T Y
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About this IssueGraduate studies at Slippery Rock University features nationally prominent programs that attract students fromacross the country and beyond. This edition examines our reputation for graduate education, described as "verystrong right down the line."
On the CoverJulie Vasicek is a doctor of physical therapy candidate. A national leader in physical therapy education, SRUconferred 43 doctoral degrees in 2002-2003.
The Rock MagazineSlippery Rock University publishes The Rock Magazine to keep alumni and others informed about its activities and programs and to encourage support for the University. Members of the Slippery Rock UniversityAlumni Association receive an additional section of the magazine, The Rock Insider, which contains news and feature articles about alumni and association activities. University Public Relations, 201 Old Main, Slippery Rock, PA 16057. Editor’s e-mail is: [email protected]
CreditsDesign: Vance Wright Adams and Associates Inc.Photography: Visual Perceptions, Inc., ADM Photography, University Public Relations, Liz EllisThe Rock Magazine is a National Admissions Marketing merit award winner
Slippery Rock UniversityofPennsylvania Winter 2004
A member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Council of Trustees
Robert Marcus, Chairperson Dennis E. Murray, Vice ChairpersonGary Rose, SecretaryMr. Kenneth B. BlairMartha KingRex MartinOrvan B. PetersonArlene QuinlanJohn ThornburghSuzanne VessellaJoshua YoungJudy G. Hample, Ex-Officio
Interim President
Robert M. Smith
Administration
William F. WilliamsInterim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Charles T. CurryVice President for Finance andAdministrative Affairs
Robert J. WatsonVice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Robert J. Mollenhauer Vice President for University Advancement
Ross C. FeltzDirector, Public Relations
Jane Fulton, Dean, College of Health, Environment and Sciences
Bruce RussellDean, College of Business, Information and Social Sciences
C. Jay HertzogDean, College of Education
William J. McKinneyDean, College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts
James KushnerDean, Lifelong Learning
Board of Governors of thePennsylvania State Systemof Higher Education
Charles A. GomulkaR. Benjamin WileyVice Chair
Kim E. LyttleVice Chair
Matthew E. BakerMarie A. Conley LammandoThe Honorable Jeffrey W. CoyBrandon W. DanzPaul S. DlugoleckiRegina M. DonatoDaniel P. ElbyDavid P. HolveckVincent J. HughesChristine J. OlsonC. R. “Chuck” PennoniVicki L. PhillipsGovernor Edward RendellThe Honorable James J. RhoadesDavid M. SankoRonald L. Strickler, Jr.John K. Thornburgh
Chancellor, Pennsylvania StateSystem of Higher Education
Judy G. Hample
1 A View from The Rock
2 Graduate Studies at SRU: ‘Very Strong Right Down the Line.
6 Graduate Programs Draw Students on a National Level
10 Technology Boosts Learning
11 North Hills Center Provides Convenient Options for Working Professionals
12 Master’s Degree Graduates Credit SRU for Building
Rock Solid Foundation for Success
14 The Caring Nature of SRU
14 Are You an Insider?
31 News from The Rock
34 Rock Scoops
35 College of Business, Information and Social Sciences
36 College of Education
37 College of Health, Environment and Science
38 College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts
39 Advancement: Capital Campaign News
43 Athletics
Vision Statement
Slippery Rock University will excel as a caring community
of lifelong learners connecting with the world.
www.SRU.edu
Interim President Robert Smith (left) presents gift to Pittsburgh Post Gazette columnist Tony Norman, who served as speaker at December’scommencement. Among the 420 graduates were 71 master’s degrees recipients.
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Graduate education represents aboutten percent of Slippery Rock University’senrollment but a critical component of our educational mission. Graduatedegrees provide a valuable stepping-stone for careers and graduate researchplays an important part in economicdevelopment. Graduate programshelp recruit talented students andfaculty to both graduate programs aswell as our undergraduate departments.Nationally recognized graduateprograms shape the academicreputation of the entire university.
Nationally prominent at The RockGraduate studies at Slippery Rock Universityserve all of these purposes. We are a recognizedleader in many of our graduate programs.Our school of physical therapy graduatesconsistently exceed the national average forthe first-time pass rate on doctor of physicaltherapy licensure exams. Our collaborativemaster’s in nursing is considered one of themost innovative in the country. The PittsburghPost Gazette cited the leadership of ourmaster’s in sustainable systems program aspart of a major article on environmentalchanges in the region. Our park rangerprogram was rated among the best in thecountry by Outside magazine, which called it one of the 10 “fast tracks to adventure.”These and our 19 other graduate programsare featured in this issue. I hope what youread will make you proud of this part of ouracademic community.
What you will also discover about ourgraduate programs is how responsive we are tothe changing character of graduate education.Like every other aspect of higher education,
graduate education is undergoing radicalchange. An evolving economy, demands forspecialized credentials, shifts in funding forresearch, state and governing board expectationsof accountability, and internal budget prioritiescoupled with our enrollment growth all haveplayed a role in shaping graduate educationnationwide and at SRU, specifically.
Today’s graduate studentsOne of the most significant changes tograduate education in the last decade has beenthe profile of the student. The contemporarygraduate student is older, has family andcareer responsibilities and attends graduateschool on a part time basis. You will readinspiring stories of these students throughoutthese pages. You will also discover how adaptiveand innovative our faculty has been to servethe needs of our students.
Graduate programs involve specializedknowledge and concentrated study in onearea. The semesters devoted to course workare occasions when students sharpen theiranalytical and critical skills as well as delvemore deeply into the literature of a particularfield or subspecialty. During this period,students become self-starting, read broadly,take the initiative to research areas withoutfaculty class requirement, and look at topicsthat may generate even more questions leadingto more involved research. In this respect, itdiffers from undergraduate study, whichintroduces you to a wide range of subjects.
Graduate programs are more focused ona specific area of interest and on acquiringspecialized skills to practice a profession ordo advanced research. However, it does notmerely entail an additional number of courses.It requires active participation in research as
a method for shaping intellectual inquiry.The cornerstone for building a foundationfor such advance thinking is research. Dr.Joyce Penrose, one of our distinguishednursing faculty, explains the benefit of theresearch component of graduate educationas one of learning a framework for evaluatingan idea: “Students first need to become adaptat asking a research question,” she explains.“Next they need to be able to select validand reliable instruments for measurementand the right methodology. Then there mustbe a comfort level with tools for analysis.Last, and not least, is the ability tocommunicate your findings.”
Slippery Rock University will continue to provide quality graduate education thatremains focused, individualized, andresearch-based. Sustaining that commitmentis challenging during times of decliningfunding sources and the pressures of ourincreased enrollment.
You expect us to be rigorous,responsive, and responsible with all of our programs. These commitmentsmean we will continue to hold ourprograms to high standards. We willcontinue to look at new models forboth curriculum and pedagogy. In thecoming years you will see examplesof these demands as we continue toprovide Rock Solid Graduate Education.
Sincerely,
Robert M. SmithInterim President
VIEW FROM THE ROCK
2 The Rock Winter 2004
Graduate Studies atSlippery Rock University:
Master’s in Doctor of physical therapy (below)and sustainable systems (above) are just twoof our high-profile graduate programs.
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here. Many give up things – family andleisure time – because they see the benefitsof graduate education. They see it as thenext step for that promotion, the start of arewarding second career, or the process bywhich they become better professionals intheir chosen fields.”
Excellence across the board,opportunities for researchIn addition to the University being fullyaccredited by the Middle StatesCommission on Higher Education, manyof SRU’s graduate programs have achievedlevels of professional accreditation thatadd to the measures of excellence.
Students benefit from abundantresearch, including joint projects withgraduate faculty. Many write papers forpublication in peer-reviewed journals, andthe Graduate School of Physical Therapyconducts a research symposium, as doother departments.
“It’s important for our students to havea graduate research component, becausemany of our students go on to doctoralstudies,” Dr. Jay Hertzog, dean of theCollege of Education and chair of theGraduate Council, said. “If students don’thave a research base, they’re at adisadvantage. Graduate students comehere not just to get an advanced degreeand earn higher pay, but because of thereputation for teaching and researchcapabilities.”
Student projects are diverse andmeaningful:• Sustainable systems student Heath
Gamache is gathering data on thefeasibility of using wind, a clean energysource, to generate electricity for somecampus buildings. He installed a 100-foot meteorological tower near thefootball stadium to measure windvelocity for a year.
• Exercise and rehabilitative sciencestudents and faculty are studyingwheelchair propulsion to determineactive, healthy lifestyles for people withdisabilities.
• Physical therapy student MadelieneAtzeva received a grant to researchpostnatal muscle development inprimates. Her abstract has been acceptedfor presentation at the annual meetingof the American Association of PhysicalAnthropologists, April 2004.
SRU granted 153 master’sand 43 Doctor of
physical therapy degreesin 2002-2003
• Parks and Recreation Assistant ProfessorDr. John Lisco obtained a $205,000contract from the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers so that students can researchpark use and deliver lectures, operatetours and provide related historicalinformation at the Bulltown VisitorCenter at Bulltown Historical Area,Burnsville Lake, W. Va.“The experience graduate students gain
by doing research is highly beneficial forprofessional development,” said Lisco.“In addition to the professional benefits,graduate students who participate inresearch are taking the first step inbecoming active participants in academia.”
Our largest graduate department,counseling and educational psychology,has 169 majors. Students take classes in afacility converted specifically for use as acounseling laboratory, something fewother universities offer.
With career-oriented focus and many research opportunities, graduate programsbecome national draws
Interim President Robert Smith congratulatesa doctor of physical therapy graduate.
Graduate school is not one thing—itis many things. It is the path tospecialized training, higher levelsof influence and pay, or the gate-
way to a second career. It is a meansby which future college professorsearn their stripes. It’s part of lifelonglearning, and it can also be a passportout of a weak economy.
Graduate school is about improvingskills and credentials – a valuable ticket inthese times. Ask writer Kat Ricker, wholeft Oregon specifically to enroll inSlippery Rock University’s master of artsin English, focus on professional writing.
A national search of colleges anduniversities convinced Ricker – a writerwith 10 years experience – that SRUoffered the best program in the countryfor her.
“It’s very cutting edge and perfect forpeople like me who have workedsuccessfully in journalism, PR and variousother writing and editing venues. You justcan’t pin us down to one career dream,and SRU’s Professional Writing Programnurtures this diversity. I’ll come out armedfor a number of writing and editing jobs,which is exactly what I want.”
Graduate studies at Slippery RockUniversity provide career-orientededucation for important fields. Not onlyhas enrollment increased each of the pastfive years, several programs have becomenational draws, because of their excellence.They include the doctor of physicaltherapy, sustainable systems (MS3), sportmanagement, exercise science, park andresource management, and counseling andeducational psychology. Total graduateenrollment stands at 735.
“We have very strong graduateprograms right down the lineacademically,” Dr. Duncan Sargent,graduate studies director, said. “I am veryproud of graduate students who come
4 The Rock Winter 2004
Research opportunities in exercisescience revolve around faculty and studentinterests, said Dr. Nelson Ng, graduatecoordinator. Topics include exercisephysiology, biomechanics and adaptedactivity/special populations. Researchusually culminates in dissemination ofresults at professional conferences at thestate, national, and international levels.
“The primary benefit is that researchand presentation of findings allowstudents to broaden their horizon byapplying their knowledge to explore real-world problems,” Ng said.
Many advantages ofgraduate-level preparationMany professions prefer or requiregraduate degrees. For example,
undergraduate programs in physicaltherapy no longer exist because accreditingagencies stopped accrediting them.Physical therapists must graduate fromaccredited universities to become licensedto practice in the U.S.
SRU doctoral students complete fourcourses of research, culminating in astudent-faculty project, said Dr. TimothySmith, associate professor of physicaltherapy. Numerous student groups havesubmitted manuscripts for publication inpeer-reviewed journals, and faculty-student publications have appeared injournals such as Anatomical Record,Ergonomics and Sports Physical Therapy.
“The faculty of the Graduate School ofPhysical Therapy considers the researchcurriculum and the research conducted byfaculty and students to be one of theparticular strengths of the program,”Smith said
Career opportunities While physical therapy has attractedstudents from as far as Louisiana, sportmanagement enrolled its first graduate
student from Colorado this fall, MattCarson, who arrived following internshipswith the Detroit Lions and NFL Europe.
Said Carson, “I came to Slippery RockUniversity because I saw a greatopportunity to attend graduate school inone of the strongest sport managementprograms in the country. I firmly believethat this was the right decision for me tobetter myself and improve my careeropportunities.”
Essence of graduate educationStudents meet in small groups or one-on-one to become critical thinkers who cansolve problems independently orcollaboratively. They benefit from facultymentoring.
A graduate council comprised of onestudent from each of our 11 graduatedepartments provides input on studentneeds. SRU offers more than 100 graduateassistantships, full and part-time. Full timeincludes a stipend of $3,500 a year, plus afull tuition waiver.
Ricker, the writer from Oregon, landeda graduate assistantship with the Englishdepartment, saying, “I am absolutelyecstatic with the opportunity SRU isgiving me.”
Graduate Departments and Academic Programs at Slippery Rock University
Counseling and EducationalPsychology • Community Counseling—
Addiction Counseling• Community Counseling—
Adult Counseling• Community Counseling—
Child and Adolescent• Elementary School Counseling• Secondary School Counseling• Student Personnel• Principal Certification
Elementary Education/Early Childhood• Elementary Education—Math/Science• Elementary Education—Reading• Elementary Education—Reading
(Certificate Only)
English• English (Literature and Composition or
Professional Writing focus)
Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences• Exercise and Wellness Promotion
History• History
Parks and Resource Management• Environmental Education• Park and Resource Management• Sustainable Systems• Environmental Education
(Certificate only)
Physical Education and Sport Management• Physical Education• Sport Management
Secondary Education/Foundations of Education• Instructional Technology
(SRU Certificate only)• Secondary Education Math/Science
Special Education• Master Teacher• Supervision• Mentally and Physically Handicapped
(Certificate only)• Supervision (Certificate only)
Graduate School of Physical Therapy• Doctor of Physical Therapy
Nursing• Co-operative Master of Science
in Nursing
SRU Certificate• Gerontology
There are many good reasons to enroll in a graduate program• To practice in certain fields, such as physical therapy, you need an advanced degree• If you want to be a college professor, you may need a doctorate. A master’s degree is the first step• To transition into a different career or acquire skills for a rewarding second career• To increase your salary and career advancement opportunities• For the love of learning and to further your expertise in a certain field
Graduate enrollmentstands at 735, up 11 percent in five years
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“Graduate education is a critical component of the overall impression people haveof a university, of its quality, of its delivery of academics, of its continuation in lifelong
learning. Our alumni and prospective students look to Slippery Rock Universitybecause they are ready for retraining, ready for the next step in their career.
They’re saying, ‘I’m ready for that life change that I want your University to provide.’”— Dr. Duncan Sargent, director of Graduate Studies
Graduate
Jessica Zakrie (right), a student in SRU’s master of science in park and resource management, met President Bush in August when he visited theSanta Monica Mountains in California. Zakrie, a New Jersey native, enrolled in the distance-education program from California, where she works asan outdoor recreation planner for the National Park Service. “I am completing my first semester on the on-line program and you could not ask for amore affordable and convenient way to pursue my master’s,” she said. “The on-line program provides me with the perfect opportunity to maintainemployment with a public park agency and manage my student requirements on my schedule.”
that draw on a national level are numerous at TheRock. Students enroll for many reasons – distinctivecurriculum, meaningful research, small classes,internships, experienced faculty and technology,including the convenience of distance education andWeb-enhanced coursework. While all 22 graduateprograms feature quality, the following have made aname for themselves in national circles.
6 The Rock Winter 2004
PROGRAMS
www.sru.edu 7
Park and Resource ManagementNot only has SRU been recognized as anational leader for park ranger education,students can earn the master of science inpark and resource management withoutsetting foot on campus. SRU offers allnine courses online, a convenience thathas attracted students from Arizona,Arkansas, California, Maine, NorthCarolina and Utah.
Graduate students take two courses each semester, moving through therequirements as a group. They orderbooks and receive log-in instructions tojoin virtual classes from any computer inthe world. Many students enroll whilethey manage full-time jobs at state andnational parks.
SRU launched the program in 1999.Other students attend classes on campus.“I chose to pursue my degree at The Rockfor a few reasons,” graduate student CoreyThompson of Lumberton, N.C., said.“Not only is Slippery Rock Universityknown for its name, but more importantly,it is known for the quality of education. I was also impressed with the prompt and helpful responses I received wheninquiring about the graduate program.”
Doctor of Physical TherapyContinued excellence on board exams,placement of graduates across the countryand research opportunities are just someof the reasons SRU’s Doctor of PhysicalTherapy Program is one of the best in thecountry.
Many graduates have made solidcontributions as part-time instructors atother universities, become sole owners oftheir own practices or have even gone onto medical school.
Professors say the program representsthe future of PT education: a challengingcurriculum emphasizing evidence-baseddiagnosis, promotion of wellness, anddissection work.
“The number one priority for ourfaculty is teaching students,” says Dr.Chris Hughes, professor of physicaltherapy. “Since we have about 50 percentof our current faculty active in practice, we believe students get the most updatedinformation on what PT’s see in the clinicand how they treat them.”
“Not only is Slippery RockUniversity known for itsname, but more importantly,it is known for the qualityof its education.”
Corey ThompsonLumberton, N.C.Park and Resource Management
“What separates us from other schoolswould be the experience of the instructor,”adds Dr. Regis Turocy, assistant professorof physical therapy. “I have over 30 yearsof clinical experience to share with thestudents, and I’m just one of manyexperienced faculty.”
Exercise and Wellness PromotionThe master of science in exercise andwellness promotion prepares students forjobs in the booming fitness industry.Graduates design, implement and manageexercise and wellness programs forcompanies, as well as hospitals, YMCAs,universities and fitness clubs. Thisincludes working with special populations,including senior citizens, athletes andobese children.
SRU redesigned its program in 1999 tofocus on health promotion and wellness.The change from a purely clinical to amore practical program reflectshealthcare’s increasing emphasis onprimary prevention of disease and
Benefits of new PhysicalTherapy Building“From my visit of other programsI can honestly say we have muchbigger space compared to otherprograms. The smart classroomsoffer a technological edge.The building is student friendly.It provides lounge area andplenty of space for them to notonly attend classes but alsosocialize and also havetechnology convenience of thecomputer labs.”
Dr. Chris Hughes,Professor of Physical Therapy
continued on page 12
8 The Rock Winter 2004
disability, said Dr. Susan Hannam, chairof exercise and rehabilitative sciences. Inresponse to national trends, SRUintroduced two new electives in 2003,“Pediatric Exercise Science” and“Spirituality and Wellness.”
Faculty place a special emphasis onpractical experience in laboratory andworkplace settings. Students are preparedwith knowledge and skills to pass theAmerican College of Sports MedicineHealth Fitness Instructor examination.
Graduate student Rochelle Rashidwants to become a college professor in exercise physiology. “My overallexperience at SRU has been a wonderfuland positive one,” she says. “I have gainedso much knowledge and insight that I willcarry with me throughout my educationaland professional career.”
“I have full confidence that I will leave SRU next year with all of thequalifications needed to land a rewardingjob in the field of exercise and wellnesspromotion,” says Julie Kumor, anothergraduate student.
Sport ManagementThe Sport Management Program isinternationally recognized for itsexcellence and has a strong reputation forjob placement. LeTourneau University inTexas hired Shane Meling, a 2003graduate, as sports information directorwithin a few weeks of graduation.
Another graduate, Erica Nelson, foundemployment with New York City 2012, agroup working to bring the SummerOlympics to NYC. Others go into sportsmarketing, game and event operations orjobs with professional teams.
In the U.S., sports represent a $200billion industry. “We try to provide thesports industry with middle managementindividuals,” said Dr. Robin Ammon, Jr.,program coordinator. “The program is anextension of Slippery Rock’s excellentreputation for sport management at theundergraduate level.”
Graduate students Rochelle Rashid (left) and Julie Kumor have full confidence that TheRock’s Exercise and Wellness Promotion Program will propel them to rewarding careers.
Sport management graduate Shane Meling, ’03, (at laptop) covers a basketball game at LeTourneau University in Texas, where he works as sports information director. “SlipperyRock’s Sport Management Program, along with my graduate assistantship, prepared mefor my job,” he said. “I was given the opportunity to work on many different things insideand outside of the classroom that have a direct, real-world application, and I’m thankful forthat. I also received a great deal of one-on-one attention from my professors.”
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NursingThe master of science in nursing issponsored jointly by Slippery Rock,Clarion and Edinboro universities. Anoutstanding faculty is drawn from thethree universities, and graduates receive ajoint degree from the institutions.
The program uses distance educationto offer classes at each university. Manystudents pursue degrees while working asnurses and balancing family demands.
There are two concentrations, familynurse practitioner or nurse educator. Theuniversities recently launched an RN-to-MSN program as well.
Elementary Education/Early ChildhoodSRU offers outstanding graduate programsin elementary education math/science andelementary reading.
Math/science students take courses toimprove their ability to teach elementarymath and science by utilizing the tools of technology. Graduates of the readingconcentration are eligible to receivePennsylvania Reading Specialist Certification.
Counseling and Educational Psychology SRU offers three programs: the master ofeducation in school counseling, the masterof arts in student personnel and themaster of arts in community counseling.
Department Chair Dr. Gerard Lovesays they are highly sophisticated.Students take classes in a house convertedfor use as a counseling laboratory,something few other universities offer.Interactive television enables faculty andstudents to watch counseling sessionsfrom another room in the facility. Facultyuse wireless technology to communicateto group leaders during sessions. Groupleaders wear earplugs.
The three programs place graduates incommunity mental health clinics,universities, Catholic Charities, schoolsand hospitals. Student personnelgraduates have found employment atMichigan State, DePaul, Florida State,and the University of Pittsburgh, amongothers.
ustainable Systems
The mission of sustainability is supporting projects that are
ecologically sound, economically viableand socially just – concepts SlipperyRock University excels at with its Masterof Science in Sustainable SystemsProgram (MS3). The program preparesstudents to better face environmentalchallenges using principles ofsustainability as a framework for action.
Most graduates go to work in service-related jobs in private, government oragricultural sectors. Our latest graduatesare employed by the National ResourcesConservation Service, the PennsylvaniaAssociation for Sustainable Agricultureand Community College of Vermont-Burlington.
Established in 1990, the curriculumhas drawn students from as far away asFlorida, Canada and Ukraine, because itis one of the few programs like it in thenation. Study topics include agriculture,wetlands recovery, forest management,ecological health, campus greening andpreservation of natural resources.
S
10 The Rock Winter 2004
Classes in Parks and Recreation,Nursing Available 24-7It’s 3 a.m., you can’t sleep; or your “lunchbreak” on the overnight shift at the hospi-tal is at 4 a.m. and you have your laptop.Why not go to class?
That is just what a number of SlipperyRock University graduate students study-ing in park and resource management orin the joint Clarion-Edinboro-SRU NursePractitioner Program do on a regular basis.
TECHNOLOGY
“We find students adapt very well toWeb-based instruction, especially whenthey are already pressed for study time dueto job and family responsibilities,” saysDr. John Lisco, assistant professor of parksand recreation/environmental educationand an on campus leader in his depart-ment’s online master’s program in parkand resource management.
Likewise, Dr. Joyce Penrose, professorof nursing and coordinator of the jointMaster of Science in Nursing Program,echoes those sentiments, adding, “We’refinding the use of distance-based approachallows us to reach an audience that other-wise would not have access to graduateeducation.”
Penrose adds the increased access “ulti-mately affects the citizens of westernPennsylvania who need the services ofnurse practitioners who provide primarycare in their areas.” She explains the pro-gram also provides nurse educators whowork in nursing schools to educate nursesfor entry-level positions in a variety ofagencies, such as hospitals, hospices andpublic health settings.
The joint NPP expanded from the ini-tial use of interactive television classesjoining two sites to the current emphasison linking faculty and students at threesites simultaneously. In addition, the pro-gram increasingly uses a “multi-media”approach, including videotaping classesand using Web-based instruction. Facultymember Gretchen Schumacher is experi-menting with the use of Web-casting thatprovides lectures in streaming video for-mat delivered via the Web. Students areable to download a specific class lectureand, Penrose explains, “Our Web-cast lec-tures allows students to review the sessionat a time that is convenient and permitsthem to replays it if they are having diffi-culties with a particular segment. We findby combining modalities to emphasizewhat works best for teaching differentcontent, results in improved teaching andadds to student learning.”
Lisco, a longtime Web-based learningproponent, says his students most oftencite convenience, noting their jobs in stateand national parks are often considerabledistances from traditional college class-rooms. “Our programs give students theaccess they need and at times that meettheir schedules,” he says.
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SRU’s North Hills Center, convenientlylocated 15 miles north of Pittsburgh,makes graduate study possible for workingprofessionals and others who don’t want tocommute to main campus.
Classrooms are furnished to suit adultstudents in a comfortable, yet professionalatmosphere. Amenities include free park-ing, computer lab access time, a studentlounge and conference room.
Graduate courses and workshops areheld in the evening to accommodate stu-dents who work during the day. Current
programs include transitional doctor ofphysical therapy, special education, read-ing specialist certificate, elementary andsecondary school counseling and Englishprofessional writing.
“The North Hills Center is a neutralland between the University and the cor-porations who will employ our profes-sional writing graduates,” says Dr. WilliamBoggs, who teaches English courses there.“The site provides an interface betweenthe learning and the doing through ongo-ing communication with stakeholders.Everyone benefits.”
Rock Magazine asked alumnusGordon Ovenshine, 41, aboutreturning for graduate school.
So long, and thanks for themaster’s degree.In September, on a sunny day with clearblue skies, I took the first step toward thatgoal by entering a classroom for the firsttime in 15 years, as a graduate student inEnglish at Slippery Rock University.
Since then, I have had plenty of timeto reflect and develop a few thoughts forothers who may be hedging.
You’re not too old. When I entered theclassroom, I was surprised to see that I wasnot the class relic. In fact, students in“Advertising and Public Relations Writing”are 23 to 55. Age differences enrich learning,as do the diverse professional backgrounds:journalism, teaching, advertising, grantwriting, administration and graphic design.
Graduate education is not just “moreof the same”—it is fundamentally differ-ent from undergraduate education. It’smore like collaboration between professorand student. Students should take advan-tage of the informal atmosphere, partici-pate in discussions and ask questions.
Recognize graduate school as the step-ping stone to a higher level in your profes-sion, or the start of a rewarding secondcareer. Develop a sense of purpose andmanage your time wisely.
You don’t have to be a genius to dowell. You must be capable, but many fac-tors determine success, such as motiva-tion, initiative and communication skills.
Remember, you’re no smarter justbecause you enrolled. The important thingis that you become more knowledgeable.For me, that started in September.
About the author Gordon Ovenshine, ‘88, is senior publicrelations writer for Slippery Rock University.He received an undergraduate degree inEnglish from SRU and is pursuing the mas-ter’s in professional writing at the NorthHills Center. He worked as a newspaperreporter before returning to his alma mater.
Starting graduate school as a ‘non-traditional’ student
North Hills Center provides convenient optionsfor working professionals
Phyllis Kendziorski, information writer forthe College of Education, helps coordinatean assessment day for SRU’s PrincipalshipCertification Program. With her isDr. David Pietro New Brighton MiddleSchool principal.
The North Hill Center’s foyer illustratesthe business-like atmosphere.
SRU’s North Hills Center at WaterfrontCorporate Park offers several graduate classes.
Since its 2000 launch, overall enroll-ment at the North Hills Center hasincreased from 125 to 390.
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12 The Rock Winter 2004
Master’s Degree Graduates Credit SRUWith Building Rock Solid Foundation for Success
Alumni from SRU’s graduate programs are leaders in every profession imaginable. They are teachers andschool administrators, physical therapists, social workers, university professors, youth development and mentalhealth counselors, attorneys, doctors, administrative assistants, military officers, business executives,researchers, marketing analysts, coaches, financial planners, psychologists, fitness directors, contractors, andnews editors and reporters. The list is extensive.
All are making use of their SRU education, and many credit their Rock Solid education, including campusdiversity and access to internships, leadership positions and dedicated faculty and staff as helping them moldtheir career talents and capitalize on opportunities.
Since SRU’s first graduate school diploma was presented to Beverly J. Corll for her master of education degreestudies in health and physical education at a 1964 commencement, the University has expanded its graduateprograms to award nearly 5,050 master’s and doctorate degrees. More than 2,150 SRU graduates hold masterof education degrees, while nearly 600 hold master or doctor of physical therapy degrees.
The Rock Magazine contacted several alumni to ask how their graduate studies have aided them in the careers:
Patrick Cappatt turns master of educationdegree into opportunities in business
For Patrick Cappatt,current business develop-ment manager for thePittsburgh office of theaccounting and tax assis-tance firm Deloitte &Touches, the road tograduate school at SRUwas circuitous. “I earnedmy undergraduate degreein physical education in1973 at The Rock andbegan teaching school inFt. Lauderdale, Fla. I
quickly found I wanted to get into higher educationadministration – and earn more money. I saw graduateschool as the answer,” he recalls.
Admitted as a graduate assistant in the College ofEducation, Cappatt began studies for a master of educa-tion degree in counseling services completing his acade-mic work in 1976. “I was familiar with the program, andthe program being offered was exactly what I needed.I found graduate school extremely beneficial. It openeddoors for me in business that set my career path.”
In discussing opening doors, Cappatt recalls thethen-dean of students, Dr. Timothy Gallineau “hadreceived a call from an upstate New York college col-league that he then used to help me link to an idealbusiness job in Milwaukee, Wisc. That opened addi-tional doors in business providing me with a career insales, sales management, marketing management andbusiness development – all now part of my job atDeloitte & Touche. All-in-all, my SRU education hasbeen extremely beneficial.”
Programs in diversity provided background for studentpersonnel graduate now leading at Ohio State University“Diversity was the key for me,” says Tracy Stuck, now a director ofthe Ohio Union, the student union at The Ohio State University andan SRU master’s graduate in educational psychology.
Talking from her OSU office while in the midst of selling footballbowl game trip packages, Stuck explains her course work in studentpersonnel at SRU gave her substantial preparation for her currentpost. “My SRU classes prepared me very well. The biggest thing forme personally was having my eyes opened to the whole concept ofdiversity,” says the 1990 graduate. “The SRU program involved mewith people from different countries, people with different beliefs,different sexual orientations — and all of that was a very goodthing.”
Stuck adds, “I will always value my studies at SRU. I did notrealize how much time I would spend counseling college students.Every day I see students needing help with handling everything fromcareer planning, to dealing with relationships and helping developtheir abilities as leaders.”
She urges students considering graduate school to take advantageof as many practicum experiences as possible and “to get involved inas many organizations and projects as possible. Look for a programthat involves diversity as part of thecurriculum, and look for mentors,” sheadds, pointing out her SRU programincluded diversity in administration, andcareer and individual counseling.
By keeping in touch with SRU, Stucknotes some of those she worked with whileat the SRU Student Union, including Dr.John Bonando, now assistant vice presidentof student services, and Dr. Robert Watson,now vice president for student life, serve asher inspirations. “I had them as mentors,and it is great to see their careers advance.”
www.sru.edu 13
Dr. Arlene Ellen Hall says SRU taught her to always look at broader prospective“Slippery Rock University is a quality institution that at the time I was a master’s degree student pro-
vided quality instruction in physical education as well as organization and administration of physical edu-cation, which played a very large role in my current work,” says Dr. Arlene Ellen Hall, director ofacademic affairs at Pennsylvania State University, New Kensington Campus.
A member of the master’s degree class of 1975, Hall completed her SRU undergraduate work tobecome a physical education teacher at the K-12 level in 1969. After several years in the secondary schoolclassroom teaching physical education, she opted to return to her alma mater seeking a higher degree inhealth and physical education. “I thought Slippery Rock to be the perfect location, rather than taking ascattered approach and certainly in view of Pennsylvania’s certification rules,” she explains.
“SRU was truly a stepping stone in my career in higher education,” Hall explains adding, after earningher doctorate from Penn State she joined the faculty as instructor, taught physical education classes whilemoving up in rank to reach her current post five years ago.
At New Kensington, her primarily responsibilities are in handing faculty affairs and programs. Shecredits her SRU work with helping her learn to take a broader perspective in looking at any project or
program. “Anytime you take a course at the graduate level dealing with administrative issues, the class teaches you to look at thebroader picture – and that is what SRU did for me. SRU is a great institution.”
Dr. Corrie J. Odom among first to earn SRU’sDoctor of PT; led to teaching at Duke“I came through in a program that meant a change ofcareers for me. The choice to go to Slippery RockUniversity meant I had to leave my then-present posi-tion in athletic training and take a year of prerequisitesat Bloomsburg University before being accepted intoSRU’s Physical Therapy Program,” says Dr. Corrie J.Odom, an academic coordinator of clinical educationand assistant clinical professor in the doctor of physicaltherapy division at Duke University, Durham N.C.
Odom, PT, DPT, MS, ATC-L, undertook under-graduate and master’s degree work at Florida StateUniversity, taught in Kentucky and worked in a NewJersey outpatient clinic for three years, before turningto SRU for her master’s degree in 1995. She returnedto SRU again to join the first class to earn a doctorof physical therapy degree in 1998 following theUniversity’s PT Program expansion. She has been partof the Duke teaching staff since 1999.
“Completing the program was, in my opinion, oneof the longest master’s programs in the country at thattime, but it was also one of the best. It prepared mevery, very well, especially considering my prior experi-ence in the related field of exercise science.”
A member of the North Carolina Physical TherapyAssociation, a certified member of the National AthleticTrainers Association, anda member of the NorthCarolina Athletic TrainersAssociation, Odem haswritten extensively inher field.
“With my prior experi-ence in teaching in highereducation, SRU’s DPTprogram was the ticket tocome back into highereducation on a differentlevel,” she says proudly.
Studies at SRU, led Robert Murray to doctorate,then research work at Gatorade Institute
“My graduate education in exercise sci-ence at Slippery Rock Universityserved as a great stepping stone beforeI went on to earn my doctorate inexercise physiology at Ohio State,” saysDr. Robert Murray, who earned hismaster’s degree at SRU in 1971. “Ithink, at that time, the SRU programgot me excited about exercise sciencewhile giving me the fundamentalbuilding blocks to complete my doc-toral work.”
Murray, now director of theGatorade Sports Science Institute
outside Chicago, says, “We do all kinds of research and educationalofferings through our Web site to make sure Gatorade remains thebest sports drink on the planet. We constantly look at ways andresearch that can make it better.”
“In my year-and-a-half at SRU, and three years of doctoratework, I found that continuing education was the perfect spring-board for me to pursue a very interesting career.” He points outthat just as he was leaving SRU new strides in exercise nutritionand related areas were taking place in the industry, putting himat the forefront.
Murray says his best recommendation to students interested infurthering their education is to follow the maxim “study hard andlearn as much as you can,” adding, “You will be amazed at howoften it comes in handy in later life.”
Make A Difference Day Event Shows Caring Nature of SRUMore than 100 volunteers from SRU, local neighborhoods and Lowe's in New Castle renovated
the University's I CARE House in New Castle on Make A Difference Day. Volunteers installed a newfront fire door and a second-floor fire escape. I CARE House provides tutoring and other services tolow-income children, as well as meals to senior citizens.
I CARE House director Alice Kaiser-Drobney led the Institute for Community, Service-Learningand Nonprofit Leadership project.
Helping out were Interim President Smith, Interim Provost William Williams and students.Lowe's donated a fire door, wood and labor.
Looking For Class Notes? >>>If the next page of this magazine is the front cover of The Rock Insider, you are a member of the AlumniAssociation, or you have been chosen at random to preview a copy of The Rock Insider. If the next page is page31, you're missing out on class notes, information about Alumni Reunion Weekend, Upcoming Events, RockAlumni Around the Globe, and other alumni news. The Rock Insider is the official alumni publication of theSlippery Rock University Alumni Association and is sent exclusively to members of the Association. To startgetting your copy of The Rock Insider, call 1-800-GET-ROCK or e-mail us at [email protected] The Rock Winter 2004
Across the street, volunteers readied the I CARE Community Garden
N E W S F R O M
Fourth consecutive year ofgrowth includes 12 percentincrease in African-American enrollment For the fourth straight year enrollment hasincreased to now stand at 7,789, thehighest figure since 1991. African-American enrollment rose 12 percent overa year ago, and Hispanic enrollmentincreased nearly 31 percent.
“A multitude of factors are part of ourincrease,” said Dr. Amanda Yale, interimassociate provost of enrollment services.“Additional recruitment programs withspecial efforts targeting our areas ofdistinction, improved advertising andUniversity branding, increased efforts inretaining upperclass students andnationwide recognition of the increasedvalue of a college education are all reasonsfor our growth.”
SRU named one of 98great schools to considerby Princeton ReviewNationally respected Princeton Review hasnamed Slippery Rock University one of the98 best universities in the nation’s six-state,mid-Atlantic region.
“Princeton Review’s ranking are consideredespecially important because of theinfluence current students have on therankings,” Interim President Smith said.
SRU students reported that the environsof the University “provide an academicsetting for those serious about learning,”and they praised the small classes sizes and“excellent Tutoring Center, the WritingCenter and resident hall study groups.”
The review also reported a “markedfriendliness pervades the Slippery Rockatmosphere.”
In writing to Smith, author RobertFranek said it was “a great pleasurereviewing your school’s credentials; youhave much to brag about.” The mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware,Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C.,West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Scenic splendor at Slippery Rock University, one of the top institutions in the mid-Atlantic.
www.SRU.edu 31
While overall enrollment rose 3.3percent, students are also taking increasedacademic loads. This year, students signedup for a total 106,334 hours, comparedwith 101,790 credit hours a year ago,which represents a 4.5 percent increase.
Women in leadershipspeaker series beginsA new Women In Leadership Speaker Series,sponsored by Slippery Rock University’sWomen’s Leadership Initiative and SPRINT,is bringing women business leaders to campusto share professional development advice withstudents and the general public.
SRU formed the Women’s LeadershipInitiative to help shape the next generation ofwomen leaders. The speaker series began inNovember with the Rock Women in BusinessRoundtable, featuring SRU graduates who arenow business leaders in western Pennsylvania.Jan Sargert, ’63, served as moderator.
Panel participants included:
Mary Del Brady - ’72, president, BioSpace Development
Betty Berkely - ’70, vice president,Great American Federal
Linda Gill Jones - ’70, senior vice president, Mellon Bank
Elaine Jewart - ’66, owner,Jewart Gymnastics
Regina Rossi - ’87, senior acquisition manager, Pepsi
Candy Hartley - ’88, owner,Temps Unlimited
Saving livesIn an effort to help save lives following aheart attack, Slippery Rock University hasmade available 14 automatic externaldefibrillators, known as “AEDs,” at hightraffic locations throughout campus. Theunits have also become standard equipmentfor campus police cruisers.
The units deliver a powerful electric shockto stop abnormal heat rhythm and allow theheart to return to a more normal beatingpattern.
32 The Rock Winter 2004
Veteran’s Memorialtakes shapeA gift from the classes of ’51, ’52 and ’53enabled the University to construct anddedicate a new Veteran’s Memorial this fall.Located in front of the Russell WrightAlumni House, the site is a tribute to allSRU alumni who served in the military.
National recognition forfacilities and planningoperationThinking outside the box to save moneyand labor has earned Slippery RockUniversity’s facilities and planningoperation an “Effective and InnovativePractices Award” from the Association ofHigher Education Facilities Officers.
The association honored SRU’s“Stockless Custodial Supply Chain” plan.
“Our staff devised the plan, looked at allof the criteria necessary to make it workand reviewed the potential cost savings inboth time and labor before approving itsfinal implementation,”said Dr. CharlesCurry, vice president of finance andadministrative affairs.
Five pillars of UniversityexcellenceTo complete the development of whatought to be known nationally as a“uniquely engaged intellectual community,”Interim President Smith has identified fivecharacteristics that embody excellence atThe Rock. These five pillars define themission of the University.• Providing enriched learning experiences:
More than 345 students participating atacademic conferences, the studentnewspaper’s 30 national journalismawards and students who swept all theawards at a statewide philosophyconference are just some examples.
• Determining our own destiny: Sustainingan engaged intellectual communityrequires revenue streams independent oftraditional sources. The University’scapital campaign produced a record $3.6million in gift income in the fiscal yearcompleted June 30.
• Gathering diverse people: Of new tenure-track faculty hired this year, 40 percent arepeople of color. And, the University hasincreased the number of students of color.
• Creating accepting space: SRU recentlyrefurbished 37 classrooms, twolaboratories and one auditorium. TheUniversity also remodeled 51 facultyoffices and two conference rooms, andopened 14 new faculty offices in CarruthRizza Hall.
• Promoting hope: The most precious anddefining element of an engagedintellectual community is that itpromotes hope for all of its participants.
The Rocket newspaper, winner of more than 30 nationaljournalism awards, is just one component of an “engaged
intellectual community.” Editors paginate the paperThursday night. The Rocket has placed graduates at
several daily newspapers.
N E W S F R O M
Nursing faculty provideshealthcare in Haiti Dr. Joyce Penrose’s summer was bothoverwhelmingly educational anddepressingly reflective as she used hernursing expertise to lend a hand to thePittsburgh-based Partners in Hope indelivering healthcare to residents ofpoverty-stricken Haiti.
The SRU professor of nursing,coordinator of the Clarion, Edinboro andSlippery Rock Universities Master ofScience in Nursing Program, says the two-week summer program gave her a growingappreciation of the poor health andoverwhelming needs of residents of theisland nation.
“The best way of helping Americanstudents understand the global nature ofhealthcare is to help them see forthemselves how care is provided in othercountries,” she says.
Other Americans, including two nurses,three U.S. physicians and a number ofvolunteers without health backgroundsjoined Penrose. The U.S. team was joinedby two Haitian physicians.
Judy Hample, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State Systemof Higher Education.
Newly restored Pauland Carolyn CarruthRizza Hall opensThe dedication of Paul and CarolynCarruth Rizza Hall drew more than 100enthusiastic supporters to campus,including Pennsylvania State System ofHigher Education Chancellor JudyHample.
The 103-year-old landmark next toMiller Auditorium, formerly known as“West Hall,” serves as the new home ofmodern languages and cultures and theOffice of International Initiatives.
“We know the campus, as well as formerstudents, are impressed with the restorationwork that included refurbishing thebuilding’s original woodwork andfloorboards, and re-opening the long-closed, glass-ceiling atrium to create ashowcase building for students,” InterimPresident Smith said.
A gift of $2.5 million from Mrs. EthelCarruth enabled the restoration. Mrs.Carruth of Houston, Texas, is mother-in-law and mother to the building’s newnamesakes who are retired SRU faculty.
Robert Mollenhauer, vice president of UniversityAdvancement, thanks supporters during the dedication.
www.SRU.edu 33
Paul and Carolyn Carruth Rizza HallPaul and Carolyn Carruth Rizza Hall
CARRUTHRIZZA HALLCARRUTHRIZZA HALL
sru ROCKSCOOPS
a s u m m a r y o f n e w s r e p o r t s
a b o u t t h e u n i v e r s i t y
FOX SPORTS INTERVIEWS COACH MIHALIK Stadium lights and a new playing field at N. KerrThompson Stadium drew Fox Sports Pittsburghto campus to interview head football coachGeorge Mihalik. Reporter Rich Walsh asked thecoach about the significance of playing a homegame at night under lights for the first time, andthe new field. Mihalik said both were milestonesin Rock football. Cameraman Rich Stuphenvideotaped the interview.
TRIB QUOTES SRU PROFESSOR OFSOCIAL WORKPittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Brandon Keatturned to SRU’s Thomas Bechard, assistantprofessor of sociology/anthropology/social work,for help in assessing a legal system that allowed a4-month-old girl to die at the hands of hermentally ill relative.
The infant’s grandmother had asked thatButler County Children and Youth Services placethe infant with her. No action was taken beforethe baby girl was suffocated.
“The child is a victim of the law that’s tryingto protect it,” Bechard told the Trib. Bechard saidhe sympathized with social workers who mightsuspect abuse but can’t act. Even more so, hesympathized with the grandmother who tried tointervene. “She did her heroic best to get thechild removed.”
IRAQI NATIVE TELLS BUTLER EAGLE MOSTIRAQIS WELCOME CHANGEIraq can be a force in the Middle East for positivechange, SRU’s Dr. Abbass Alkhafaji, an Iraqinative, told the Butler Eagle during a profile. Thenewspaper interviewed Alkhafaji after he returnedfrom sabbatical in the United Arab Emirates, nextto Saudi Arabia.
When asked whether Iraq can move toward ademocracy, Alkhafaji responded, “Of course itwill. The majority of Iraqis – and we’re talking 90percent of the population here – want democracyand welcome the change.”
I CARE HOUSE MAKES FRONT PAGE NEWSThe New Castle News gave front-page coverageto a Make A Difference Day event at SRU’s ICARE House in New Castle’s East Sideneighborhood. The newspaper headlined onearticle “A chance to give back,” the other, “Time,effort show caring, concern for community.”
Sponsor USA Weekend posted the project onits Make A Difference Day Web site.
I CARE House provides tutoring and clubs tostudents from neighborhood households andmeals to senior citizens.
The Slippery Rock University Foundation,which sponsors I CARE House, teamed up withLowe’s home improvement, the University andNew Castle High School students to overhaul thebuilding’s second floor and adjoining garden.More than 100 people volunteered.
LEARNING CHANNEL VIDEOTAPES NATIONALSHOW ON CAMPUSThe Learning Channel came to campus tovideotape a feature story on Lynette Mullan, a2001 Slippery Rock Area High School graduate.
The producer wanted images from Mullan’shometown, so a video crew shot tape of herteaching tennis to Peggy Kanterman (left). TheLearning Channel reunited Mullan with a formerboyfriend and aired the show nationally inOctober. While on campus, the crew alsocaptured pictures of SRU signs and broadcastthem.
COMMUNICATION PROFESSOR PART OFNATIONAL DOCUMENTARYAssociate Professor of Communication Dr.Thomas Flynn was interviewed for a nationallyproduced documentary titled “In Love with TheMob,” a detailed report on Youngstown, Ohio’sconnection with the underworld. It broadcast inNovember on WYSU-FM (88.5).
Flynn is an expert on former U.S.Congressman James A. Traficant, who wasconvicted of violations of the federal anti-racketeering laws and is now serving time.
KIDZ ’N CRANBERRY MAGAZINE PROFILESOUTDOOR LEARNING CENTERFifth graders pictured at McKeever EnvironmentalCenter, an outdoor education facilityadministered by Slippery Rock University,occupied the cover of the November edition ofKidz ’n Cranberry magazine.
The magazine published five additionalphotographs of McKeever for its cover story.
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE COVERS ‘SPOOKYADVENTURE’ AT SRU’S OLD STONE HOUSEThe Post-Gazette profiled Halloween tours atSRU’s Old Stone House, noting more than 500visitors braved the 19th-century former tavern’sdrafty, candlelit rooms for a spooky adventure.
In each room, visitors heard fireside yarns orsaw ensemble performances by volunteer actorsassembled by Slippery Rock University ProfessorDr. David Dixon, Old Stone House curator.
“People get really scared when we go throughthe story,” said Brianna Wise, who told the storyof a witch trying to create a horrible monster.
34 The Rock Winter 2004
www.sru.edu 35
College of BUSINESS • INFORMATION • SOCIAL SCIENCESSchool of Business; including programs in management, marketing, accounting, finance and economics. Departments of Communication, Computer Science, Government and Public Affairs, Military Science, Sociology/Anthropology/Social Work; Center for Government Contracting Assistance
TRAVELING IN SPACE: Students in Dr. Abbass Alkafaji’s classrecently took time for an “e-mission” – an innovative “electronicspace mission” bringing more technology to the classroom in aprogram that simulates space missions developed by the ChallengerLearning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University. Leading students(right), including Corey Wasserman, a business management seniorfrom New Wilmington, on the computer-generated voyage wasNancy Sturm, director of WJ’s simulation program. The technologysession encouraged students to consider additional businessapplications, including team building, that can be generated bymaking use of technology in the workplace.
SRU sets goal to make allgraduates ‘Computer Literate’It is a simple goal, universally accepted asvital to success. Dr. Paul M. Mullins,computer science professor, and fellowfaculty across the University are attemptingto carry it off. The goal: Every SRUgraduate will be computer literate.
“It is attainable. It is a goal all facultyknow is important,” Mullins says, adding itis appropriate for every course to include acomputer-related component. Inundertaking the project, Mullins says thebasic problems are defining “computerliterate” and finding ways to ensure allstudents can meet — or exceed —performance levels.
“Students arrive with a plethora ofcomputer skills. Some have formal highschool classes; others, computer talentspicked up on the streets. Acquiring basicskills and concepts is essential, and we havedevised ways students can receive a‘Computer Literate’ stamp on theirtranscript without adding formal courses,”he says. The adopted model includes 10basic skills areas and 10 concept areas asrecommended by the National ResearchCouncil. Implementation begins next fall.
To be computer fluent, an additionalstep and stamp, students must be able toexpress themselves creatively, to reformulateknowledge and to synthesize new info-rmation. “It is a case of being able tocontinually update in the way informationtechnology affects them in the workplaceand personal lives. Computer fluency is alifelong learning process,” Mullins explains.
He is developing an on-line exam to testfor computer literacy when students believethey have the necessary skills. Remediationthrough existing courses, tutorials and labinstruction are available to help accumulatethe skills, Mullins explains. Fluency wouldbe infused in existing curricula. “Our goalis to assure students — and their employers — that SRU graduates are fluent ininformation technology without addingcourse requirements,” he says.
He emphasizes daily life, particularly in
the workplace, requires understanding ofcomputers and information technology forsuccess. “We want our students to succeed,and no matter what field they enter,technology is already playing a crucial rolethat will only continue to expand. Ourprogram will make students ready for thatexpansion.”
ACCOUNTING TEAM TAKES HONORABLE MENTIONIN STATEWIDE CHALLENGE: A four-member team of SRUaccounting students was named state finalists in the PennsylvaniaInstitute of Certified Public Accountants Business Plan Challengeand went on to compete in Philadelphia where they earnedhonorable mention honors. Team members joined here by Dr. SusanLubinski, assistant professor in the School of Business, are Gary Kerrof Levittown, Lauren Goob of Pittsburgh, Jeremiah Libby of SouthPortland, Maine, and Richard Allen of Slippery Rock. In Phase I ofthe competition, the team was given a month to submit a smallbusiness operation plan. In Phase II, they had four hours to considerspecial circumstances related to their plan before submitting newbusiness strategies. PICPA members judged the competition. SRU's2001 team took first place.
School of BusinessAdvisory Committeeoff to ambitious beginningIts mission is clear; the agenda full. Thenewly formed School of Business AdvisoryCouncil is off to an ambitious start with agoal of having 50 active member volunteersby May.
At its first meeting, held in October, thegroup was charged by Dr. David Culp,chair of the business school, with creating ashadowing/mentoring program forstudents; conducting focus groups ofstudents, faculty and other stakeholders;providing faculty with professionaldevelopment opportunities; establishingadditional student internship opportunitiesand a speaker's bureau; and providing helpin fundraising for scholarships, assistancewith community outreach andparticipation in the annual School ofBusiness Week program.
"It is an impressive and demandingagenda," says Culp, adding, "by gettingalumni and other business leaders involved,students will reap substantial rewards. Bysimply being exposed to business leaders,seeing how they work, their jobresponsibilities and their abilities to managemultiple tasks, our students will improvetheir leadership abilities. This volunteercouncil will be a tremendous asset to ourprogram and our University."
College of EDUCATIONDepartments of Counseling/Educational Psychology, Elementary Education/Early Childhood, Physical Education/Sport Management, Secondary Education/Foundations of Education, and Special Education
cutting-edge ventures in which ourstudents are provided supervision andguidance in honing their teaching underthe eyes of an outstanding practicingphysical education educator…I can thinkof no one who better emulates theestablished standards for this prestigiousaward.”
Another supporter, Dr. Rhonda R.Ridinger at Southwest Missouri StateUniversity, added, “I have worked withmany fine teachers, but assuredly, nonewith the passion for teaching, theunmitigated drive and the abilities ofDr. Betsy McKinley. Teaching physicaleducation is her forte; sharing her expertiseis her gift.”
As recipient of SRU’s President’s Awardfor Excellence in Teaching at the 2000Academic Honors Convocation, McKinleywas nominated for her continuedcommitment and obvious passion toteaching. Students praise her classroomstyle, noting she also models techniquesthey can employ as educators.
McKinley says her year as PSAHPERDpresident allowed for lobbying legislators,school boards, school administrators,parents and even students on theimportance of physical education andhealthy lifestyles in the school educationprogram. “We know as budgets tighten,physical education and health classes areamong the first things considered for cuts,yet, we also know they are among the mostimportant academic subjects that can havea critical and lifelong impact on learners ofall ages.”
McKinley has also been involved withthe Pennsylvania Governor’s Institute forHealth, Safety and Physical Education andas a consultant to the five-year, $1 million,Missouri Goals 2000 project. She iseducational consultant for the U.S.Lifesaving Manual, writing lessons plans toaccompany its “Open Water LifesavingManual,” and she supervises studentteachers in SRU’s teacher educationprogram in Dublin, Ireland.
She earned her doctorate at TempleUniversity, her master’s degree at SRU andher undergraduate degree at Lock HavenUniversity.
Physical education professortakes top honors as‘University Teacher of the Year’Slippery Rock University recognized heroutstanding teaching talents in 2000 andnow the Pennsylvania State Association forHealth, Physical Education, Recreation andDance has reached the same conclusion,naming Dr. Betsy A. McKinley its“University Teacher of the Year.”
McKinley, a 23-year K-12 health andphysical education public school veteranand a nine-year, SRU faculty member,received the statewide award at theassociation’s state convention.
An associate professor of physicaleducation and sport management in theCollege of Education, McKinley isimmediate past president of PSAHPERDhaving served a year as president-elect andpresident. As president, she focused on“Imagine the Possibilities: Take NewDirection,” including legislative advocacyenhancing physical education, health andwellness programs across Pennsylvania. Thefocus included workshops on effectivelobbying to emphasize the importance ofretaining physical education classes insecondary schools.
“I am truly honored to have been namedrecipient of this year’s award, and I thankthose who supported my nomination,”McKinley said in receiving the honor. Dr.Jay Hertzog, dean, supported her selection,saying, “Dr. McKinley has been a drivingforce in the Physical Education/TeacherEducation Program with her initiative todevelop and implement ‘Teaching Centers’in several area schools. These centers are
SRU student teachers inIreland may learnas much as they teachWhen education professors Dr. RichardAltenbaugh and Dr. Patrick Grant take 17SRU education majors to Dublin, Ireland,for six weeks of student teaching, theyknow their students will do well. They alsoknow the students will learn as much asthey teach.
“This is a tremendous learningopportunity for everyone involved,” saysGrant, a special education professorundertaking his first trip to the EmeraldIsle. Altenbaugh, a veteran in the Dublinprogram, says, “I am constantly impressedwith the teaching talents our students takewith them; I’m equally impressed with theself-confidence and education they gainduring the experience.”
The hand-selected students take theirrequired student teaching course byspending the first seven weeks in a regionalschool classroom working with acooperating teaching and supervised by anSRU education professor. They then spendsix weeks teaching in a small school inIreland, Altenbaugh explains. “This splitprogram allows them to contrast the schoolsystems and student learning styles. It isvery educational for everyone concerned.Some of our students have even beenoffered teaching jobs in Ireland.”
Grant, who has led international studyprograms to Trinidad, says the SRUstudents will benefit from both theirlearning in the classroom as they serve asteacher, and outside the classroom as theytravel through Dublin, the nearbycountryside and nearby countries. “We willhave weekends free to explore,” he sayswith a hearty laugh.
36 The Rock Winter 2004
www.sru.edu 37
College of HEALTH • ENVIRONMENT • SCIENCESchool of Physical Therapy; Departments of Allied Health, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences, Geography, Geology and the Environment, Mathematics, Nursing, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Education, and Psychology; the Robert A. Macoskey Centerfor Sustainable Systems Education and Research; the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education
National recognition fortherapeutic recreationPROFESSOR WINS TOP AWARD
Therapeutic recreation faculty DeborahHutchins received the 2003 OutstandingProfessional Award from the AmericanTherapeutic Recreation Association, whichpresents only one such award a year.
Hutchins earned top honors because“her vast experience as a practitionercontributes to her ability to serve as aknowledgeable and motivating educator,”ATRA spokeswoman Laurie Jake said.Hutchins served as past ATRA president,past chair of the American TherapeuticRecreation Foundation Board of Trusteesand is team leader for the ATRA ClinicalEducation Task Force.
SRU SENIOR ONE OF BEST THERAPEUTIC
RECREATION MAJORS IN NATION
The American Therapeutic RecreationAssociation has named senior AmandaBreindel one of eight top therapeuticrecreation students in the nation.
Breindel received the association’s $1,000Peg Connolly Scholarship, because shemaintains a 4.0 grade-point average in hermajor (3.6 overall) and volunteers to helpindividuals with disabilities.
Cosmos come alive inupgraded planetariumTo provide enhanced earth/space scienceeducation, SRU upgraded its planetariumin Vincent Science Hall. Forty-nine newchairs, new control electronics and modernaudio system enable students to view thechanging sky with ease and comfort, as aprojector presents the relative position ofstars and planets.
Seats, mounted in a reclining position,were arranged in an oval shape for betterviewing.
SRU prepares for 1,000 newresidents – all of them batsA new bat house on campus providesopportunities for ecological study,environmental stewardship and an alternativeto chemical pest management of insects.
Wildlife biologist Cal “Batman”Butchkoski of the Pennsylvania GameCommission designed the 8-by-8-footstructure, erected near the Ski Lodge.
Students have opportunities to studycolonization, foraging and flight habits ofthe nocturnal mammals that eatmosquitoes and other insects.
Park Ranger Program namedbest in nation Outside magazine named Slippery RockUniversity’s Park Ranger Program best inthe country, calling it one of 10 “fast tracksto adventure” in higher education. Thespecial edition on colleges, sent to 650,000readers, noted that SRU’s program is sogood students may soon be callingYosemite “the office.”
“There has never been a better time tostart a career in this field,” SRU’s Dr. JohnLisco, assistant professor, says. “The payhas increased significantly over the last 10years, and many parks expect to experiencesignificant retirements in the next two tosix years.”
SRU launched its program 30 years ago.Graduates have found employment atYellowstone National Park, Great SmokyMountains National Park and AntietamBattlefield, among others.
The future looks even brighter for
the College of Health, Environment
and Science. Several more programs
achieved powerhouse status and
national recognition this fall. The
college completed facility upgrades
and introduced new learning
opportunities. Highlights:
Therapeutic recreation faculty Deborah Hutchins (left), one of thenation’s top professionals in her field, works with therapeuticrecreation major Gina Toth during a class exercise behind the SkiLodge. Students learned how to organize and implement activitiesfor people with disabilities.
New chairs in the planetarium provide a great view for shows.Physics faculty Dr. Krishna Mukherjee explains a constellation.New chairs in the planetarium provide a great view for shows.Physics faculty Dr. Krishna Mukherjee explains a constellation.
College of HUMANITIES • FINE & PERFORMING ARTSDepartments of Art, Dance, English, History, Modern Languages and Cultures, Music, Philosophy, Theater, and Women’s Studies
SRU senior, one of 20 elitedrummers in nation, landsresidency at DisneylandIt’s a part of the college years for moststudents: Finding a seasonal job.
A new twist on the tale played itself outwhen senior Patrick Kennedy qualified tobecame the drummer for Disneyland’s2003 All-American College Band. Only 20college students in the nation passedDisney’s audition to join the elite band for11 weeks.
“It was the best musical experience of mylife,” Kennedy, a music education major,said. “I grew as a musician, and it enabledme to practice many of the techniques Ilearned at Slippery Rock.”
Participants were selected during aneight-city national audition tour.
“Pat is one of the finest musicians wehave had here, and his involvement in theDisney program places him in the nationalelite as well,” said SRU’s Dr. David Glover,assistant professor of music.
Jazz combo recreatesJohn Coltrane album Members of SRU’s Jazz Combo recreatedfamed jazz artist John Coltrane’s “BlueTrain” album and performed it during alive performance at Swope Music Hall.
Recorded in 1957, “Blue Train” featuressix great jazz musicians on five songs.
“The students developed this idea overthe summer,” says SRU’s Terry Steele,combo director and associate professor ofmusic. “They wanted to recreate the entirealbum as a live performance.”
Theater students performShakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’in outdoor tentTalk about dedication: SRU is renovatingMiller Auditorium. But that didn’t stoptheater students from setting up a tent fornine outdoor performances of Shakespeare’scomic masterpiece “Twelfth Night.”
The cast performed the play inNovember. Actors included Emily Watson,Jim Rudick, Brett Hockenberry, ChaseCarlson, Tricia Colosimo, Jeff Feola andEvan Endres. Rebecca Morrice, assistantprofessor of theater, and Dr. GordonPhetteplace, assistant professor of theater,handled costumes, scenery and lighting.
Chinese and Korean languagecourses offered to public, highschool studentsExchange agreements between SRU andNanjing University in China andKangweon University in Korea provideexciting learning opportunities for students.Beginning this spring, qualified high schoolstudents and community residents willbenefit as well.
SRU is opening up classes in beginningChinese and in Korean to the public andlocal high school students. TheDepartment of Modern Languages andCultures believes China and Korea’s role inthe global economy make them importanttargets of opportunity for students.
‘Focus on French Week’highlightsThe Department of Modern Languagesand Cultures held its annual “Focus onFrench Week” to highlight the wealth ofdiversity of the cultures of the French-speaking world, including a gildingdemonstration and the sound of drumsfrom French-speaking African nations.
Students also studied French films,including the classic “8 Femmes.”
Students in the College of
Humanities, Fine and Performing
Arts experience the world. Fall
semester saw them immersed in
Focus on French Week, Indian
classical music, an outdoor
performance of a Shakespeare classic
and the music of jazz legend John
Coltrane. Others performed 3,000
miles from home. Highlights:
Master gilder Joseph Youss Kadri demonstrates his technique duringFocus on French week. Looking on is SRU’s Dr. Melinda Ristvey,chair of modern languages and cultures. It is an exciting time formodern languages, which recently moved into newly restoredCarruth Rizza Hall.
INDIVIDUALS SPARK CAMPAIGN AS IT NEARS HALF-WAY MARK programs. It is only through the
‘margin of excellence’ sustained
by charitable gifts that Slippery
Rock University will be able to
improve and to expand
opportunities for students to
realize their dreams.”
The Campaign for Slippery
Rock University has three
featured objectives: $17 million
for portions of capital projects,
including a new Science and
Technology Building,
Performing Arts Center,
Regional Learning Alliance in
Pittsburgh’s North Hills and a
Crossroads building that will
provide computer labs, study
areas and student service
facilities. Gifts will also fund
enhancements to existing
buildings including McKay
Education Buildings, $8 million
for scholarship endowment to
enable Slippery Rock University
to recruit academically
deserving students and to offer
a college education to those
students who might not
otherwise be able to afford it;
and $8 million for academic
excellence, including an Honors
College, new and enhanced
academic programs and
technology upgrades.
surpassed the $11 million goal
in just the first 18 months of
the campaign.
“The outstanding generosity
of individuals, particularly the
graduates of this institution
who know it best because they
are the products of its mission,
displays an unequivocal
commitment to helping develop
SRU into an engaged
intellectual community,” says
Interim President Smith.
“Finding ways to determine our
own destiny is one of the
requisites of this effort.
Significant and consistent
charitable gift support from
individuals and from our other
valued constituencies provides
the vital resources necessary for
Slippery Rock University to
accomplish this objective.”
Smith adds, “ On behalf of
the students, faculty, and staff, I
am extremely grateful for the
numerous acts of generosity by
our constituents that has
proliferated a culture of giving
during the initial three years of
The Campaign for Slippery
Rock University. They realize
more than ever that state
support will always help the
University to maintain existing
Gifts and commitments from
alumni total $3.3 million or
22.7 percent of the total.
In addition, gifts and
commitments from the
corporate community total $5.1
million or 35 percent of the
campaign total. And some 6
percent of the total, $813,860,
was gifted by foundations and
other organizations.
Publicly announced in
January 2001, the campaign’s
original five-year goal was $11
million. The goal of The
Campaign for Slippery Rock
University was increased to $33
million within 10-years due to
the overwhelming response that
Charitable gifts from
individuals – specifically alumni
and friends – continue to spark
the success of The Campaign
for Slippery Rock University as
it heads toward the half-way
mark of its $33 million goal.
Individuals have contributed
and committed $8,618,229 or
nearly 60 percent of the
$14,614,307 (nearly 45 percent
of the campaign goal) realized
to date after three years from
the start of the most significant
fundraising effort in the
University’s history. Friends of
the University have gifted and
committed nearly $5.2 million
– 35 percent of current total.
THE CAMPAIGN FOR SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITYGOAL: $33 MILLION
FRIENDS $ 5,302,895 36.3%CORPORATIONS $ 5,182,216 35%ALUMNI $ 3,315,334 22.7%FOUNDATIONS $ 600,559 4%ORGANIZATIONS $ 213,301 2%
TOTALS $14,614,307 100%(44.3% OF GOAL)
www.sru.edu 39
ESTATE GIFT INCREASES NKT
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Alfred J. Barnes, ’38, was well
respected by a reputation of
always helping — helping his
family, friends, classmates,
teammates and students.
Although he passed away July
27 at age 86, his generous
nature will continue helping
deserving student athletes at
Slippery Rock University
through a generous gift of
$210,000 from his estate to the
N. Kerr Thompson Scholarship
Fund.
Mr. Barnes’ gift will increase
the value of the scholarship’s
endowment fund that supports
Rock student athletes in a
variety of sports. The scholarship
is named for legendary coach
N. Kerr Thompson.
Inducted into the Slippery
Rock University Athletic Hall of
Fame in 1990, Mr. Barnes was a
talented athlete and earned nine
letters at The Rock: four in
basketball, three in tennis, and
two in football.
Harry “Hats” Keown, ’39,
one of Al’s former teammates,
maintained a longtime
friendship with him following
their playing days on The
Rock’s football teams of the late
’30s. “Al wasn’t the biggest or
the fastest guy on the team,”
Keown recalls, “but you could
always count on Al for
everything and to get the job
done well.”
HEADLAND PHILANTHROPY
SURPASSES $110,000 MARK; $25,000
GIFT ENABLES WATERFALLS PROJECT
The continued philanthropic
efforts of Howard L. “Budd”
and Margaret ’70, “Maggie”
Rehm Headland of Greenville
have surpassed the $110,000
mark in support Slippery Rock
University.
The Headlands recently
contributed $25,000 to help
provide for the cost of the rock
waterfalls project being
constructed on campus
adjacent to Bailey Library. The
Slippery Rock University
Student Government
Association funded $28,600,
and the Slippery Rock
University Foundation, Inc.,
provided $18,400. Dr. Robert
J. Watson, ’70, vice president
of student life, and his wife,
Karen, ’73, generously provided
100 tons of rocks from their
farm for the campus
beautification project.
“The faculty, students and
staff of Slippery Rock
University are extremely
Mr. Barnes was both
educator and coach for 40 years
in the Sharon School District.
He taught physical education
and social studies, and also
served as guidance counselor
and as assistant high school
principal. He coached junior
high school football and
basketball, and served as an
assistant coach for the high
school football team. He was a
well-known scholastic
basketball official in western
Pennsylvania for 15 years. In
addition, he was a veteran of
World War II and served in the
Atlantic and Mediterranean
theatres of operation. He
attained the rank of lieutenant
junior grade in the United
States Navy.
An active leader in numerous
professional and community
organizations, he was a lifetime
member of the Slippery Rock
University Alumni Association.
grateful for Budd and Maggie’s
continuing support,” said
Interim President Smith.
“Budd and Maggie are
exceptionally kind and
thoughtful individuals whose
consistent generosity has
stimulated the ‘culture of
giving’ that pervades Slippery
Rock University. Indeed, we are
proud to include them among
our most loyal and dedicated
benefactors.”
In addition to their most
recent gift, the Headlands have
endowed an academic
scholarship valued at $75,000.
The Howard L. and Margaret
Rehm Headland Scholarship is
awarded to students from
Woodland Hills High School
in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburb
who demonstrate a
commitment to career
development and community
service. They have also gifted
$10,000 for director’s office
furnishings in the Russell
Wright Alumni House to
honor Budd’s father, the late
Dr. Howard Lonsdale
Headland.
Budd is retired following a
30-year career with
Westinghouse Corp. Also
retired, Maggie taught physical
education in the Churchill
School District for 25 years.
The couple served as grand
marshals for the 2003
Homecoming Parade at
The Rock.
Alfred J. Barnes1938 Saxigenia Photo
Howard and Margaret Headland
40 The Rock Winter 2004
MSA EXTENDS REAL ESTATE GIFT
Mine Safety Appliances Co.,
the world leader in safety
products and systems, has
increased its $2 million real estate
gift to the Regional Learning
Alliance with an additional gift
of adjacent property valued at
nearly $235,000.
The one-acre tract is adjacent
to the 20-acre parcel gifted by
MSA that is providing the prime
location for the Regional
Learning Alliance. The total $2.2
million gift of land by MSA
significantly surpasses any of the
company’s previous philanthropic
support and represents the largest
corporate gift in the University’s
history. Also, it is the third largest
gift ever to a university within
the Pennsylvania State System of
Higher Education.
“We are deeply grateful to
Mine Safety Appliances Co. for
continuing its support of this
important project,” said Interim
President Smith. “I commend
the MSA directors and
management for their leadership
in helping to position the
Regional Learning Alliance to
serve the regional workforce
development demands within
one of the fastest growing
markets in Pennsylvania.”
The primary purpose of the
RLA is to efficiently and
effectively meet the training and
educational needs of the
businesses and industries within a
two-hour radius of southwestern
Pennsylvania. SRU will serve as
the facility manager and will
broker educational services to
match business, industry, and
community needs with the best
educational providers.
Located in Cranberry Woods
Office Park in Marshall
Township adjacent to Cranberry
Township, the 60,000 square-
foot facility will be a
combination of high-tech
classrooms, technology specialty
manufacturing training centers,
conference and meeting space,
media production facilities,
career development service and
faculty offices, a technology
service center, virtual library,
bookstore, child care center and
food service operations.
SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNIZES
COACH ‘MAC’
Slippery Rock University did
not play a football game for 14
years without Jim ‘Mac’
McElhaney. Beginning with the
first day of those hot, summer
pre-season training camps
through the end of each season,
Mac was there coaching the wide
receivers and looking after the
needs of any player needing help.
That consistency ended just
prior to the start of training
camp for the 2003-2004
football season for The Rock
with Mac’s unexpected death.
His wife, Bonnie, a 1963
SRU graduate, who had been
with him and the team for each
of those 154 games, has ensured
that Mac’s ability to influence
deserving Rock football players
will continue forever through
the Coach Mac McElhaney
Football Scholarship
Endowment. Bonnie initiated
the endowment with a generous
gift of $20,000.
Beginning in the 2004-2005
football season the Coach Mac
McElhaney Football Scholarship
annually will support a talented
member of The Rock football
team playing on the offensive
side of the scrimmage line.
“The Rock football program
has suffered a tremendous loss,”
says head coach Dr. George
Mihalik. “Coach Mac is
irreplaceable. Without fail, our
wide receivers stimulated our
offense, and they were always
prepared for every challenge and
situation.”
He adds, “I am grateful to
Bonnie for this tremendous
scholarship. It is a wonderful
way to permanently recognize
Mac’s outstanding values and
ideals and his many amazing
accomplishments.”
His own abilities and talents
as a wide receiver coupled with
his training and experience as
an educator prepared him for a
distinguished coaching career.
For example, Mac tutored seven
Rock players who attained
national All-America honors.
Jim and Bonnie McElhaney
A 1964 SRU graduate, Mac
was one of the greatest wide
receivers in school history. He
held nearly every pass receiving
record at one time. Mac
currently ranks third in career
receptions, fourth in career
receiving yardage and seventh
in single-season receiving
yardage. He still holds the
record for the longest reception
(94 yards vs. Westminster in
1961). Also, Mac taught
physical education for 39 years
in the Moniteau School
District.
“There is no question that
through this scholarship Mac
will forever be a positive
influence on future Rock
football players,” says Mihalik.
“Bonnie is as much a part of
Rock football as anyone. She
always knows the right thing to
do, and I commend her for
ensuring that Mac will be a
part of Rock football forever.”
www.sru.edu 41
leader in every way. He always
appreciated the work ethic of
students, faculty and staff. Stan
and his wife, Marilyn,
contributed more than $1
million to various initiatives. I
am sure his ideals and the impact
of his charitable giving will
continue to positively influence
Slippery Rock University.”
While living in western
Pennsylvania, Dr. Kraus was a
leader in real estate
development in nearby
SRU BENEFACTOR
STANLEY B. KRAUS DIES AT 81
Dr. Stanley B. Kraus, the man
for whom Slippery Rock
University’s Kraus Hall is named,
a recipient of an honorary doctor
of laws degree from the
University and a generous
benefactor, died Aug. 27 in Boca
Raton, Fla. He was 81.
“Slippery Rock University has
lost one of its greatest friends,”
said Interim President Smith.
“Stan was a gentleman and a
Stanley B. Kraus
HOFFMAN GIFT WILL BENEFIT
MATURE LEARNERS
Believing that learning is a
lifetime endeavor, a Slippery
Rock University professor
emeritus and his wife have
gifted $10,000 to the
University’s Institute for
Learning in Retirement.
The gift from Dr. Frank M.
Hoffman, and his wife, Ruth, of
Grove City, will be used to
provide for operating and for
special programming needs of
the ILR, a non-profit, member-
run organization that maintains
learning experiences to enable
mature adults to pursue their
intellectual interests. Currently,
the ILR offers 50 classes and
fieldtrips in only its sixth
semester.
“This is a tremendous gift to
this relatively new program that
has become extremely popular
for area seniors,” says Interim
President Smith. “I am grateful
to Frank and Ruth for their
generosity and for their
leadership in ensuring quality
programs for mature learners. I
appreciate their passion for the
ILR”
Hoffman retired in 1999 as
professor of biology following a
distinguished career of nearly
33 years serving SRU students.
He serves as vice president of
the ILR and as an instructor for
several programs. His wife is
retired from the Franklin Area
School District where she
taught eighth grade English. In
addition to the ILR, the
Hoffmans are involved with
many volunteer activities,
including Meals on Wheels.
FORMER PLAYER ESTABLISHES
SOCCER SCHOLARSHIPS
A gift of $10,600 by former
SRU soccer player Gary E.
Sphar, ’76, and his wife, Janet
E. Robertson Sphar, a 1978
SRU graduate, has provided
immediate support for the
men’s soccer team along with
additional team support
through funding for an
endowed scholarship held by
the Slippery Rock University
Foundation, Inc.
The Sphar’s established the
Sphar Family Scholarship that
will provided $2,000 annually
to a member of the men’s soccer
team. The scholarship is
renewable for up to four years.
The couple also initiated the
Sphar Family Endowed
Scholarship to benefit future
generations of soccer players at
The Rock.
“We are extremely grateful to
Gary and Janet for their
generous commitment to the
men’s soccer program,” said
Paul Lueken, SRU athletic
director. “The Sphar Family
Scholarship will help coach
Matt Thompson recruit
talented players and increase
the team’s level of
competition.”
Sphar is vice president and
corporate controller at Mylan
Laboratories, a pharmaceutical
firm with annual sales of $1
billion. The couple reside in
Morgantown, W. Va., and have
three children – Clayton,
Emily and Kylie — all talented
soccer players.
Dr, Frank M. and Ruth Hoffman
New Castle. His service to the
University included the
Slippery Rock University
Foundation, Inc., Board of
Directors, and the President’s
Advisory Council. Slippery
Rock University presented Dr.
Kraus with an honorary doctor
of laws degree in 1996. The
couple was honored in 2002
with of the Eberly Medal for
Philanthropy by the
Pennsylvania State System of
Higher Education.
42 The Rock Winter 2004
Women’s soccer celebrates 10thAnniversary Season in styleThe 10th Anniversary Season of Rockwomen’s soccer will be one toremember for years to come.
The Rock culminateda season-long celebration bywinning the program’s first-everPennsylvania State AthleticConference regular-season andplayoff championships. SRU alsoearned a berth in the NCAA DivisionII regional playoffs for the second time inthree seasons and was ranked 12th in thefinal National Soccer Coaches Associationof America Division II national poll.
This year’s squad set a school record forsingle-season wins in the course ofcompiling a 15-3-2 overall record and a 9-1-2 PSAC mark. The old wins record of 14was set in 1996 and tied in2001; SRU had 14-5final records in eachof those seasons.
As is fitting for achampionshipteam, The Rockswept up all threeindividual honorsawarded this fall bythe PSAC.
Junior forward SARAH ARSENAULT wasnamed as the conference’s “Athlete of the
Year” after leading theconference in scoring. In
the process, Arsenaultset new SRU recordsfor single-season (23)and career (49) goalsscored and single-season (54) and
career (116) points.She is tied for third in
career assists with 18.
Freshman forward MEGHAN MCGRATH earnedPSAC “Rookie of the Year” honors thisfall after scoring 11 goals and handing out10 assists for 32 points. Her first-yeartotals ranked second (tie) for assists,eighth (tie) for goals and fifth for points
in SRU single-season history. She is inposition to join the career top-10 listin all three categories next fall.
In addition to their special honors,Arsenault and McGrath werenamed to first-team All-PSAC
honors. Teammates LAUREN STEELE(freshman midfielder/forward) and
CHERYL WICKERHAM (sophomoredefender) were named to second-
team All-PSAC honors.
Rock head coach NOREEN HERLIHY wasselected by her coaching peers as thisyear’s PSAC “Coach of the Year.” Thehonor was the second earned by Herlihyin nine seasons as The Rock’s head coach;she was also honored in 1996.
Herlihy recorded her100th win as TheRock women’s coachthis fall. Thememorable momentcame when SRUdowned Millersville,5-2, in PSACsemifinal action onNovember 7. Shewill enter the 2004season with a 101-56-6 career record.
Another milestone in Rock women’ssoccer history was attained during the2003 Homecoming Weekend festivitieswhen groundbreaking ceremonies for anew locker room facility were held. Thefacility will be located on the east end ofcampus, adjacent to the softball complex,and will house both the women’s soccerand softball teams.
As memorable as the 2003 season was,though, it may only be the start of thingsto come. The Rock will graduate only twoseniors – midfielders Heather Herd andANNIE MANNO – from their 2003 roster.
Meghan McGrath earned PSAC “Rookie of the Year”honors after scoring 11 goals and handing out 10 assistsin her first collegiate campaign.
www.SRU.edu 43
Rock players and coaches proudly display their championship hardware after defeating Lock Haven, 4-3, in the PSAC championshipgame on James W. Egli Field in Slippery Rock
Sarah Arsenault, the 2003 PSAC “Athlete of the Year,” led theconference in scoring with SRU-record totals in goals scoredand points scored.
Rock head coach Noreen Herlihy was named as the PSAC“Coach of the Year” after leading her team to the conferenceregular-season and playoff championships and a best-ever15-3-2 final record.
44 The Rock Winter 2004
A near-capacity crowd of 8,400 fans were on hand September 13 for the first-ever homenight football game played on Bob DiSpirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium. Thegame also marked the inaugural event played on newly installed AstroPlay artificial turf.
The “Rock Rowdies” student cheering section was out in full force for the first-ever homenight football game. Tom McPherson and the SGA Bookstore staff sponsor the Rock Rowdies.
Prior to kickoff of the September game vs. Gannon – the first-ever night home football game — SRU Interim President Dr.Robert M. Smith, far left, and university officials recognizedthe university’s Student Government Association for theirsupport of the $1 million stadium renovation project. SGAdonated $100,000 towards the installation of the Muscolighting system that enabled SRU to host night events at thestadium. SGA president Jeff Milliner, center, accepted theplaque on behalf of the organization and the SRU studentbody. SGA members and officers joined President Smith andMilliner for the ceremony.
In addition to hosting home Rock football games, the newlyinstalled AstroPlay artificial playing surface served as the hometurf for The Rock women’s field hockey team this fall.
Rock rolls out green carpet,lights up the nightThe first-ever home football night game
played at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium on
Sept. 13 was truly a cause for celebration.
The Rock’s game against Gannon
University marked the culmination of a
$1 million renovation project at the
stadium that included installation of an
AstroPlay artificial playing surface, a state
of the art Musco lighting system and a
new rubberized track and the expansion
and remodeling of the stadium’s athletic
training and locker room facilities.
The football game was the first athletic
event played in the new atmosphere, but
was quickly followed up by women’s field
hockey games. In the future, both
women’s and men’s soccer contests will
also be hosted by the multi-function
facility.
An estimated crowd of 8,400 fans were on
hand for the opening football game,
which The Rock lost by a 20-18 margin.
As part of the opening-night ceremonies,SRU Interim President Dr. Robert M.Smith and other university officialsrecognized the University’s StudentGovernment Association for its donationof $100,000 towards the installation ofthe lights at Thompson Stadium.
Brad FloodSarah Dunn Scott Pennewill
Rock alums in the coachingranksSARAH DUNN, a member of the Class of2003, served this fall as the first-year headcoach of The Rock women’s field hockeyteam. She was a member of The Rockprogram for the first three seasons of hercollegiate career before spending hersenior season on an internship assignmentin Australia. Dunn, who finished her firstseason as a collegiate head coach with a 3-16 record, succeeded former Rockteammate Jenny Dumas as The Rock’scoach. Dumas accepted a similar job atWashington & Jefferson College aftercoaching The Rock for one season.
SCOTT PENNEWILL (’83) had a very successfulfirst season as head volleyball coach atJohns Hopkins University. His squadfinished the season with a 23-9 won-lostrecord and as the Centennial Conferencerunners-up. JHU also advanced to thequarterfinals of the Eastern CollegiateAthletic Conference (ECAC) Southtournament. Pennewill has compiled a184-194 record in 12 seasons as acollegiate head coach. Prior to beingnamed as JHU’s head coach last April, hecoached five seasons at Drexel University,four seasons at Millersville University andtwo seasons at Clarion University.
New athletic website launchedin NovemberRock athletics found a new home on theWorld Wide Web in November whenwww.rockathletics.com was launched.
The new site, coordinated by theSports Promotion & Information Office,can be accessed directly or from the mainSlippery Rock University site(www.sru.edu) via the “Athletics” link.
The new athletic website wasdeveloped in cooperation with OfficialCollege Sports Network and is one of140 in the OCSN family.
BRAD FLOOD (’79) was named inSeptember as Bridgeport University’s firsthead women’s swimming coach. ThePurple Knights will begin competition inthe 2004-05 academic year. Prior tobeing named to his current position,Flood served six seasons as head men’sand women’s swimming and diving coachat Central Connecticut State Universityand eight seasons as an assistant coachfor NCAA Division I programs.
Siars honored by FILABOB SIAR, a 2001 inductee into the SRUAthletic Hall of Fame, and his wife, Sue,received a Bronze Star from FILA fortheir many contributions to the FILA atvarious World Championships andOlympics Games. The award waspresented at the International Federationof Associated Wrestling Styles WorldFreestyle Wrestling Championships forMen and Women at Madison SquareGarden in New York City.
DR. KATHERINE A. SHAFFER, a facultymember of SRU’s Department ofChemistry and Physics, was inductedinto the Allegheny College Athletic Hallof Fame last fall as part of the Gators’1988 women’s softball national runner-up team.
www.SRU.edu 45
For more information, contact the alumni office at 1-800-GET-ROCK.Look for your invitation in the mail.
2004200420042004
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1 Morrow WaySlippery Rock, PA 16057-1326
rock solid educationwww.sru.edu