VOLUME 14, NUMBER 33 DEC. 10 , 2012

California University

READ THE JOURNAL ONLINE: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal

Alumnae Will Address Graduates

Veteran LeadsEffort to HelpFellow Marine

Holiday Toy Drive Fills a Flyer

Two distinguished alumnae willaddress graduating students whenCal U holds Commencement

ceremonies this weekend in theConvocation Center.

Graduate students will receive theirmaster’s degrees and be vested in theiracademic hoods at 7 p.m. Friday.

Undergraduates will be awarded theirdiplomas at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m. Fridayand at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Cal U’s 175th Commencementrecognizes students who completed theirstudies in August and December.

More than 683 undergraduates and730 graduate students will receive theirdegrees, although not all will attend theceremonies.

The speakersAdele Lynn ’74 will address the

master’s degree candidates Since 1982 she has served as the

founder and owner of The Adele LynnLeadership Group, an internationalconsulting and training firm whose clientsinclude many Fortune 500 names.

Her work on emotional intelligence isoffered through strategic partnersthroughout Latin America, India andEurope.

Lynn lectures at colleges anduniversities throughout the United States.A member of the National SpeakersAssociation, she is a frequent guest onradio and television shows in the UnitedStates and Canada.

She is the author of six bookspublished in 11 languages, including thecritically acclaimed In Search of Honor,Lessons From Workers on How to Build Trust.

Her latest book, The EQ Interview,Finding Employees with High EmotionalIntelligence, was released in 2008 andendorsed by the Society of HumanResource Management. It also wasfeatured as a cover story for HarvardManagement Update.

Lynn earned her bachelor’s degree inenvironmental science at Cal U and hermaster’s degree from Indiana University

of Pennsylvania. In 2011 the Cal UAlumni Association recognized herprofessional achievements by presentingher with the Meritorious Award.

Teri Dunn ’80 will address theundergraduates. A consultant formanufacturers, finance companies andindependent dealerships in the officeproducts industry, she has been deliveringspeeches and selling managed printservices training on behalf of theLearning Outsource Group since 2006.

She currently serves on the board ofdirectors for Rampart Global Inc., an

engineering management resourcecompany. Previously, Dunn enjoyed adistinguished 26-year career with GlobalImaging Systems companies inPennsylvania, Washington and Oregon.She ultimately was named globalcorporate vice president of marketing.

As a member of the LeadershipPittsburgh program, she was named oneof the city’s Top 50 business leaders in1998.

Dunn served on the board of directorsfor the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank andwas board president from 1996-1998. In1997 Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridgerecognized her personal contribution tothe statewide fight against hunger, andshe was honored as one of Pittsburgh’sCommunity Champions in 1998.

In 2002 Dunn received the AlumniProfessional Excellence Award from CalU, and the following year Kentucky Gov.Paul E. Patton appointed her a KentuckyColonel.

Dunn’s work has been published inseveral periodicals. She holds a bachelor’sdegree in communications from Cal Uand has co-taught at Robert Morris andDuquesne universities.

Both commencement ceremonies canbe viewed live online at www.calu.edu .

More information about Commencement,including links to directions and parkinginformation, is available atwww.calu.edu/events/commencement . Formore information, contact Jodie Rooney,academic events coordinator, at 724-938-1584or rooney@calu.edu .

Cal U holds Commencement ceremonies this weekend in the Convocation Center.

It’s the holiday season, and Cal Ustudents are in the mood forgiving.Headed by Student Government,

more than two-dozen studentorganizations participated in a Toysfor Tots toy drive through the 96.1KISS-FM Stuff-a-Bus program.

After collecting toys andmonetary donations, Cal U studentsstuffed a Vulcan Flyer with anestimated $7,000 worth of toys.

Santa drove the bus to the front ofthe Natali Student Center on Nov.29, and the first person to tuck in agift was Acting University PresidentGeraldine M. Jones.

“If this doesn’t put you in theholiday spirit, nothing will,” she said.“Our students are amazing. Theyunderstand the importance ofhelping others.”

This was the first time that seniorNicholas Dern, a forensics sciencemajor, had helped to gather toys.He’d even taken part in a “Santa andhot chocolate” event that raised morethan $200 and collected many toysfrom the California community.

“It’s a great opportunity to giveback something and help children in

need,” he said. “They need to seethat people care.”

This was the fifth consecutiveyear that Student Government hascoordinated a Toys for Tots drive andthe second year to fill a Vulcan Flyer.The toys were delivered to the KISS-FM Bus in Pittsburgh.

“Our students have donated toys,money and their time. This is a bigdeal to them,” said Melissa Dunn,director of student activities andleadership.

The toy drive continued throughDec. 7, when more items were

— Continued on page 4

Christopher Thompson’s personalmission to help a fellow veteranand Cal U student rapidly became

a team effort.A senior political science major and a

Marine Corps veteran, Thompson learnedabout a series of hardships experienced bya pair of first-year Cal U students when hemet Brandy Kushto in his Fundamentals ofMathematics class at the start of the fallsemester.

Her husband, James Kushto, also hadserved in the Marines. A native of Irwin,Pa., he suffered a combat-related injurywhile in Afghanistan. It left him withhearing loss and other symptoms, and themilitary now rates him 90 percent disabled.

In addition, Brandy Kushto wasinvolved in a serious automobile accident,and the couple endured a house fire beforethey returned to southwesternPennsylvania last spring.

When the Kushtos met Thompson,they were living in a rental property withtheir daughter, Ashley. They had

— Continued on page 3

Alexandra Brooks, president of Student Government at Cal U, joins Acting PresidentGeraldine M. Jones in filling a Vulcan Flyer bus with toys for the Stuff­A­Bus toydrive.

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Intramurals Open to Faculty, Staff

Cal U Oneof ‘BestCollegesfor Vets’

Campus BRIEFS

Military Times EDGE magazinehas Cal U ranked No. 26 inthe nation for its commitment

to helping military veterans pursuehigher education in its third “BestColleges for Vets” survey, a supplementto its November issue.

Cal U is the highest-rankingPennsylvania school included in the2013 “Best for Vets” list. Shippensburgand Indiana universities of Pennsylvaniaranked No. 44 and No. 54, respectively.

Cal U has been ratedamong the “Best forVets” schools sincethe survey beganthree years ago.

Military TimesEDGE annuallyranks institutionsbased on theirprograms, policies and resources forveterans. Input from student veteranshelps to establish the criteria, whichinclude financial assistance for veterans,academic accreditation, graduation ratesand the presence of a central veteransoffice with a knowledgeable staff.

The rankings are published online athttp://www.armytimes.com/jobs/best-for-vets/military-best-for-vets-colleges-2013-main-110812/ .

“Everyone at Cal U is honored to beable to serve our men and women whohave undoubtedly served our nation sowell,” says Capt. Robert Prah, directorof the Office of Veterans Affairs.

“Being ranked nationally is anexceptional honor. It shows that Cal U iscommitted to helping students meettheir educational goals and assistingveterans as they return to our campus.Military Times EDGE’s survey is by farthe most comprehensive and detailedsurvey for military-friendly colleges outthere.”

About 230 military veterans attendclasses on Cal U’s campus insouthwestern Pennsylvania. Anadditional 260 service members aroundthe world are enrolled in Global Online,Cal U’s Internet-based learningcommunity.

The University’s Office of VeteransAffairs provides military veterans andtheir families with assistance in manyareas, including financial aid, academicadvising, counseling, career guidanceand a First-Year Seminar coursespecifically for veterans and militaryfamilies.

An active Veterans Club offersinformation and opportunities fornetworking and community service.

Cal U has been honored previouslyfor its service to veterans and militarymembers. For four consecutive years,G.I. Jobs magazine has named Cal U oneof the nation’s top Military FriendlySchools.

And since January 2009, Cal U hasbeen among an elite group of collegesand universities designated as “eArmyUschools” — preferred providers of onlineeducation for soldiers through theGoArmyEd portal. A gateway to highereducation for soldiers stationedanywhere in the world, GoArmyEd.comgives service members easy access toprograms offered through GlobalOnline.

It’s theCal UHolidaySeasonMia Lunardi (left), agraduate studentmajoring in businessadministration, andsenior Katie Bakewell, abiology major, trim aChristmas tree at theentrance to HerronRecreation and FitnessCenter. Many offices oncampus have ‘deckedthe halls’ for the comingholidays, providing awelcome bit of sparklefor students as theyprepare for final exams.

The holidays are fast approaching, but faculty and staffcan remain festive and get fit by trying their hand at 5vs. 5 intramural basketball when the spring semester

begins.Intramural sports have been popular with students at Cal U

for decades, but Tom Hasbrouck, assistant director ofRecreational Services, reminds would-be athletes that facultyand staff also are welcome.

All sports are free, but faculty and staff members mustpurchase a gym membership to play sports in Herron Hall.

“Basketball, along with softball and flag football, are ourmost popular sports,” he said. “We do have some faculty andstaff participating, but we are always looking for more. Theycan form a team, or we can get them on a team.”

Several staff members— Keith Skirpan, Tom Donovan,Robert Prah and Pete Ware — joined Hasbrouck on anintramural football team this fall. They were among 340student football players, which include 65 women.

All intramural sports are geared for the moderate toadvanced athlete; no experience is necessary.

In 2011-2012, more than 2,000 participants, mostlystudents, competed in one of the 14 intramural sports oncampus. While softball, flag football and basketball comprisenearly 70 percent of the total participation, sports such as coedvolleyball are gaining in popularity. More than 150 volleyballplayers filled out 18 coed teams this fall.

In addition to basketball and softball, intramural athletescan enjoy water polo, roller dekhockey, water volleyball andindoor and outdoor soccer this spring.

The fall intramural lineup includes flag football, volleyball,tennis, racquetball, pickleball, Ultimate Frisbee, and 3 vs. 3basketball.

Most intramural games are played at Herron Recreation

and Fitness Center. Football and softballs teams play atRoadman Park, and dekhockey players use the courts adjacentto Hamer Hall.

“For students, staff or faculty, intramural sports are a greatway to keep active and meet people from all over campus,”Hasbrouck said.

Those interested in participating in intramural sports must registeronline at www.imleagues.com/CUP or e-mail hasbrouck_t@calu.edu .

Cal U students Lindsey Gray and Steven Hurley enjoy a game ofpickleball in the Herron Recreation and Fitness Center. Students,faculty and staff are welcome to participate in any of the 14intramural sports offered at Cal U.

Cadets in Line forCommissions

Dr. Michael Hummel will be theguest speaker when the Department ofMilitary Science holds acommissioning ceremony at 9 a.m.Friday in Steele Hall. ROTC cadetsDustin Fuller, Brittany Hall and DavidShort will be commissioned as secondlieutenants in the U.S. Army.

An associate professor ofLeadership and Security Studies in theDepartment of Justice, Law andSociety, Hummel directs the Linda andHarry Serene Leadership Institute atCal U. He also is a retired, decoratedmilitary law enforcement officer withmore than 23 years of service. Hecommanded a law enforcement unit atFort Campbell, Ky., and served as aSpecial Reaction Team commander,responsible for high-risk situations andcounter-terrorism operations.

Convocation CenterClosed Dec. 16-23

The Convocation Center will beclosed and a portion of the LoopRoad will be inaccessible to trafficDec. 16-23 while scenes for a majormotion picture are being filmed oncampus.

This is a “closed set,” and no onewill be admitted to the center withoutthe appropriate credentials.

The Loop Road will be closedfrom the Hamer Crossing to Lot 11,and the lower portion of Lot 4 will beclosed to accommodate the film crew.

Access to portions of GallagherHall also will be restricted on Dec. 19-21, and movie extras will be parking inthe River Lot on Dec. 20-21. Parkingareas will be marked.

Visitor parking is available in theVulcan Garage, off Third Street nearthe campus entrance.

Spring SemesterStarts Jan. 28

Please be aware of these importantdates on the academic calendar:

• Residence halls will close at 9 p.m.Friday and reopen for new students onJan. 25. Returning students can reportstarting at noon on Jan. 27.

• The first day of classes for the2012 spring semester is Jan. 28.

• The spring Faculty–StaffConvocation will be held at 11 a.m.Jan. 29 in the Convocation Center.

• Spring break for faculty andstudents will be March 18-22.

• Exam Week will run from May 13-17.

• Commencement is 7 p.m. May 17for graduate students and 10 a.m. May 18 for undergraduates.

• All University offices will beclosed on Jan. 21 in observance ofMartin Luther King Jr. Day.

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Veteran Leads Effort to Help Fellow Marine

Tech Ed Competitors Win Conference Awards

Day of Service Setfor Feb. 5

Christopher Thompson’s personal mission to helpdisabled veteran James Kushto and his family has rapidlybecame a team effort with the Cal U community.

— Continued from page 1

purchased a roomier house, in Donora, but it was badlyin need of repairs. The couple couldn’t move in until thehouse was brought up to code — but neither was able toundertake the repairs.

Thompson responded immediately. He recruitedvolunteers by sending letters to various organizations anddepartments on campus. He spoke about the Kushtos’challenges in classes, distributed sign-up sheets for workdetails and used social media to spread the word.

“The Marine Corps was a huge part of my life, andthey always taught us that you never leave one of yourown behind,” said Thompson, who served two tours ofduty in Iraq. “That motivated me. I felt this was the rightthing to do in this situation, so I kind of made it apersonal mission.”

Since the project started in mid-October, Thompsonestimates that more than 70 people, including many fromCal U, have helped to repair the Kushtos’ house.

On Nov. 28 Thompson and others braved the cold tocollect donations for the disabled veteran and his family.Among the volunteers soliciting funds at the intersectionof Wood and Third streets was interim associate provostDr. Stephen Whitehead, whose father was a Marine.

“Chris’ passion for this soldier and his family isincredible,” he said. “For someone who has no

connection except that of the military fraternity, his effortis amazing. Chris is a shining example of the studentbody at Cal U.”

Technology education students led by MatthewPlummer and Andrew Marra have played a big role inthe project.

“They’ve done a fantastic job,” Thompson said.“Their level of skill sped this process up tremendously.And the response from the University community hasbeen unbelievable.”

Marra, president of the Technology EducationAssociation of California, spent Thanksgiving weekendhanging drywall and laying flooring with his father. Theyeven were able to round up a toilet and vanity for theKushtos’ bathroom.

“We saw there was a need, and we had the ability tohelp,” Marra said. “Our organization (TEAC) looks forthings to help with in the community, and we knew wecould provide manpower.”

There’s some electrical work yet to be done,Thompson said, but the Kushtos should be able to moveinto their new home later this month.

“Our family can’t say enough about Chris and thehelp we’ve received,” Brandy Kushto said. “We are sofortunate — and extremely grateful.”

To offer help or a donation, contact Thompson at 808-469-7794 or e-mail tho8616@calu.edu .

Training DayCal U alumni, students and staff are among the Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers who trained recently atWestmoreland County Community College’s Public Safety Training Center. Capt. Robert Prah (center), director of theVeterans Affairs Office at Cal U, commands Company D of the 112th Infantry Regiment, based in Hamburg, BerksCounty. His was the first National Guard unit to train at WCCC’s facility in South Huntingdon, Pa. The unit trained forfour days in areas such as traffic control, night vision, urban assault and reaction to sniper fire. The soldiers used thefacility’s shooting range and conducted a two­hour nighttime operation that required them to locate and capture atarget in a building under cover of darkness. A public demonstration of the unit’s military skills was also part of theexperience. Shown during a break in the action are (from left) 1st Lt. Mateo Herrera ’08; Spc. Andre Sullivan, a Cal Ujunior majoring in justice studies; Prah; Dr. Tim Susick, associate vice president for Student Affairs, who came toobserve the training; and 2nd Lt. Joseph Hummel ’11.

Cal U captured six awards,including three first-place finishes,when 38 members of the

Technology Education Association ofCalifornia (TEAC) competed last monthat the Technology Education CollegiateAssociation Eastern RegionalConference.

TEAC is a professional organizationfor “tech ed” majors. The Cal U studentstook part in 11 contests, facing offagainst nearly a dozen East Coast schoolsduring the Nov. 11-13 conference inVirginia Beach, Va.

TEAC students earned first-placehonors in the K-5 STEM andManufacturing contests, and in theTechnology Challenge.

During the past 15 years, Cal U hastaken first place in the manufacturingcontest 12 times.

TEAC members scored second-placefinishes in the Automated Systems,Elementary Design, and InstructionalModule contests.

Dr. Laura Hummell, Dr. MarkNowak, Dr. Peter Wright and adjunctfaculty member Dr. John McCrory

accompanied students to the conference.As a result of their wins, TEAC

members will compete in the largesttechnology conference in the world, the

75th annual International TechnologyEducation and Engineering AssociationConference, set for March 7-9 inColumbus, Ohio.

Andrew Marra, a senior technologyeducation major at Cal U, serves as thevice president for ITEEA and presidentof TEAC. There will be only sevencompetitive events at the nationalconference, he explained, and all willhave a community-oriented focus.

“At last year’s conference thecommunications contest was based onhelping nonprofit organizations. We hadto design a branding package for theYMCA,” he said.

Last spring, Cal U earned six medalsat the national conference, more than anyof the other 48 competing teams. TEACalso was honored with the OutstandingChapter Award, presented to aninstitution that displays exemplaryactivity in chapter service, professionalactivities and activities that promotetechnology education.

For this year’s competition, Cal Ustudents have designed special red-and-black “digital camouflage” T-shirts withthe TEAC logo.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Marrasaid. “Typically, we handle ourselvespretty well and are successful.”

Student members of the Technology Education Association of California will compete thisspring at the International Technology Education and Engineering Association Conferenceafter earning six awards at last month’s Eastern Regional Conference.

Cal U will honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.with its annual Day of Service — but because of anextended winter break, that observance will be held a little

later this year. From 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Feb. 5, members of campus clubs and

organizations will meet in the Natali Student Center to performservice-oriented activities coordinated by the Center for CivicEngagement. A blood drive conducted by Central Blood Bank alsowill be held.

Inspiration for the Day of Service was a 2003 visit to Cal U bythe late Coretta Scott King, wife of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther KingJr. During her campus visit she asked that the day commemoratingher husband be observed as “a day on, rather than a day off.”

“Even though the spring semester does not start until a weeklater than the (Dr. Martin Luther King) holiday, it is important forthe students and other members of the University community to dotheir part,” said Diane Williams, director of Cal U’s Center for CivicEngagement.

“Our students take this very seriously.”For more information about the Day of Service or other volunteer

opportunities, contact Diane Williams at Williams_d@calu.edu or at 724-938-4794.

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Geraldine M. JonesActing University President

Dr. Bruce BarnhartActing Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Charles Mance Vice President for University Technology Services

Robert ThornVice President for Administration and Finance

Craig Butzine Vice President for Marketing and University Relations

Sharon NavoneyInterim Vice President for University Development and Cal U for Life

Dr. Nancy PinardiInterim Vice President for Student Affairs

Christine KindlEditor

Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall, Jeff BenderWriters

The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Office of Communications and Public Relations 250 University Avenue California, PA 15419 724-938-4195 wald@calu.edu

Volleyball Player NetsSecond Scholar Award

Tennis Team EarnsHigh Rankings

— Continued from page 1

delivered to the Donora Stuff-a-Fire-Truck project, which supports Toys forTots in Washington County.

“It’s been awesome to see what the Cal U student community can dowhen we come together,” said Alexandra Brooks, president of StudentGovernment. “Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.”

It’s always a good time to help others, added President Jones, but it’sespecially rewarding during the holidays.

“This is a fun way to do something that the families and children are soappreciative for,” she said. “Our students have big hearts, and this makes meeven more proud of them.”

Volleyball player Abbey Freund hasbecome the first female student-athlete to receive consecutive

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference(PSAC) Champion Scholar Awards.

A junior, Freund accepted the awardNov. 16 during the PSAC Final FourChampionship Tournament at GannonUniversity. She is a setter for the team.

The Champion Scholar Award beganduring the 2010-2011 academic year and ispresented at each of the PSAC’s 23 teamchampionship finals. It honors the studentat each contest with the highest cumulativegrade-point average.

The selection criteria for the awards isidentical to that of the NCAA Elite 88awards, which honor the student-athletewith the top GPA at each of thechampionship finals sites of the 88 NCAAchampionships across divisions I, II andIII.

A native of Cottage Grove, Wis.,Freund is a communication disordersmajor who boasts a cumulative GPA of3.92. She recently was named to theCapital One Academic All-District First-Team for the second consecutive season.

On the volleyball court, Freund hasrecorded a career-high 721 assists thisseason. She ranks among the conferenceleaders with 6.16 assists per set.

Freund helped the Vulcans compile a28-7 overall record as of Nov. 28 andadvance to the NCAA Division II post-season tournament for an eighthconsecutive year.

Overall, Freund’s second selectionmarks the sixth time that a Vulcan hasreceived this academic distinction.

Earlier this fall, Cal U women’s soccerjunior midfielder Stephanie Thompsonearned the Champion Scholar Award.

Last year, Vulcan players Kristen Orrett(soccer), Erin Kling (indoor track and

field) and Tim Lahmers ’12 (cross country)joined Freund in winning the award.

“These prestigious individual honorsnot only reflect the exceptional work of thestudent-athletes who receive them, but alsothe guidance and leadership provided byour coaches and faculty,” said Dr. KarenHjerpe, Cal U’s interim athletic director.

“Abbey is an outstandingrepresentative of our program whoconsistently excels in the classroom andon the volleyball court.”

Under the direction of 11th-yearhead coach Pablo Montana, thewomen’s tennis team will begin

its 2013 season with a national ranking.The Intercollegiate Tennis

Association’s fall rankings place theVulcans eighth in NCAA Division IIand first in the Atlantic Region.

In addition to the team ranking, theITA ranked three Cal U players insingles competition and recognized twodoubles teams.

Freshman Alexandra Borgenhoff isranked 20th after her seventh-place finishat the ITA National Championships inOctober.

Junior Lucie Sipkova, the 2012PSAC singles champion, is ranked 31st,

and sophomore Lucie Rey is 41st.The doubles tandem of Sipkova and

Rey are ranked eighth nationally afterwinning the league and regional doubleschampionships. The team of senior JadePondicas and sophomore RamonaCzakon, the 2012 regional runner-up, isranked 21st.

The Vulcans will open the 2013spring season with seven of eight dualmatches against NCAA Division Iopponents. Play begins Feb. 3 at MiamiUniversity of Ohio.

The women’s tennis team has wonthe past six consecutive PSAC teamchampionships and has advanced to thequarterfinals of the NCAA Tournamentfour times in the last five years.

Hall of Fame HonoreesActing President Geraldine M. Jones joins the Vulcan sports standouts who werehonored at the 2012 Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame banquet, held earlier this fall in thePerformance Center. The 2012 Hall of Fame inductees are (seated, from left) LoriBurkholder; Betty Roadman ’67, who represented her husband, the late PresidentEmeritus Dr. George H. Roadman ’41; and Katie Barker­Collins ’06; and (standing, fromleft) Derrick Scott ’97 and Thomas ‘Shot’ Jackson ’77, ’80.

The Cal U tennis team will begin the 2013 spring season ranked eighth in NCAA Division II,and freshman Alexandra Borgenhoff is ranked 20th nationally in singles competition.

Junior setter Abbey Freund is the firstfemale student­athlete to receiveconsecutive PSAC Champion Scholar Awards.Students Stuff Bus with Toys

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