A NEW STAGE Curtain Rises on the New Pittsburgh Playhouse
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The Magazine of Point Park University | FALL 2018 POINTTHE A NEW STAGE Curtain rises on the new Pittsburgh Playhouse A NEW SCHOOL Announcing the School of Education at Point Park One of the most visible, and exciting, celebration on Sept. 5, the new school milestones was the fall opening of reflects the status and reputation of our the much-anticipated new Pittsburgh exceptional programs in education not only Playhouse at Point Park University. The regionally and nationally but also within new Playhouse is an incredible, one-of-a- our own campus community. The School kind interdisciplinary center for all facets of Education will meet current needs in of entertainment management, including education for undergraduate, master’s our nationally-ranked Conservatory of and doctoral degrees, offered in flexible Performing Arts. In October, we gathered formats, from on-campus study to hybrid 8 together with alumni, friends and neighbors, and online programs. as well as civic and community leaders, CONTENTS to celebrate and enjoy the inaugural At Point Park, we know we have much to performance in this extraordinary new be grateful for. I want to thank each and cultural center and learning laboratory. every member of our University family for 2 News and Views 22 Gala Opening your ongoing support as we enter into the Playhouse opens with a black-tie As I have often said, we believe the new next exciting chapter of our history. 8 Open for Business gala featuring Academy and Tony 12 Playhouse will become the heartbeat of Campus welcomes Point Perk Award-winning alumni and coffeehouse and new space for Downtown Pittsburgh. You can take a closer Our vision is nothing less than to be one of dazzling entertainment. The Globe and WPPJ. Dear alumni and friends, look inside the new Playhouse, and share the most dynamic, private, urban universities 26 Alumni Connection in the excitement of the Oct. 13 opening in America, with an intense focus on student 12 School in Session As our fall semester winds down, and gala, in this issue of The Point. We hope success through distinctive, innovative and Point Park establishes a new 27 Class Notes we prepare for the new year, it’s a time you’ll plan to visit, and enjoy a performance, experiential learning. School of Education to reflect to give thanks and to reflect on the many lecture or other event, in the years to come. current needs in education for 30 Baseball Pioneers accomplishments of 2018. I believe it has undergraduate, master’s and 22 Point Park’s baseball teams of been a defining one for our University. We doctoral degrees. This year also marked another academic Warm regards, the 1970s remain wildly dedicated have reached major milestones, and have milestone for the University. At the 16 Center Stage to the game and to each other. set strategic aspirational goals for our beginning of the fall semester, we proudly Curtain rises on the new students, faculty and staff in the years announced the establishment of the Pittsburgh Playhouse in to come. new School of Education at Point Park. Downtown Pittsburgh. As I remarked at the announcement Dr. Paul Hennigan President 20 By the Numbers TALK TO US! The Magazine of Point Park University | FALL 2018 From total square footage of The Point wants to hear from you. Send your comments and suggestions to: POINTTHE ON THE COVER: new construction to number of A NEW STAGE Curtain rises on the new Pittsburgh Playhouse A view of the tons of American-made steel, Managing Editor A NEW SCHOOL Announcing the School first performance of Education at Point Park Marketing and Communications in the PNC Theater see what went into building the new Playhouse. Point Park University in the new Pittsburgh 201 Wood Street Playhouse. Photo by Pittsburgh, PA 15222 John Altdorfer. Phone: 412-392-6108 Fax: 412-392-6185 Email: [email protected] President Managing Director, Graphic Designer Web Services Manager Photographers The Point is published by the Department of Marketing and Communications, Point Park University, 201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of Paul Hennigan, Ed.D. Communications and Judy Sporka Stephen Shanahan John Altdorfer published information. Please visit our web site at www.pointpark.edu for current information regarding University programs, departments, alumni activities and events. Client Services Randall Coleman Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Initiatives Vice President of Nancy Commella Manager of Printing Writers This policy affirms Point Park University’s commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and the pursuit of diversity. Point Park University does not discriminate on the basis of: sex, race, ethnicity, religion, Katie Ging External Affairs Services Amanda Dabbs color, national origin, age (40 years and over), ancestry, individuals with disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, height, weight, genetic information, marital status, caregiver status Nick Koehler or familial status, in the administration of any of its educational programs, activities or with respect to employment or admission to the University’s educational programs and activities. Mariann Geyer Managing Director, Don Pastorius Gina Puppo University Marketing and Christopher Rolinson This policy is in accord with local, state and federal laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 Kevin Taylor of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Pittsburgh Human Relations Act. Inquiries regarding these regulations and policies, or complaints Managing Editor Public Relations Director of Online Barbara Vilanova of discrimination, should be referred to the vice president of human resources, phone number 412-392-3952. Inquiries regarding Title IX and the Title IX regulations should also be referred to the Title IX Cheryl Valyo Lou Corsaro Communications coordinator or to the deputy Title IX coordinators: the associate provost, the vice president of human resources or the vice president of student affairs. The interim Title IX coordinator, Lisa Stefanko, may be Keith Kuzmovich reached at [email protected], 412-392-4727 or 100 Wood Street, Frontier Hall, Room 709, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. THE POINT FALL 2018 POINTPARK.EDU 1 NEWS AND VIEWS Professional Advancement practices for supporting and advocating “The Challenges of Mobilizing a Self- spirit, and sense of adventure woven for black girls through policy change,” she Study for Middle States Accreditation Re- within … Western Pennsylvania, and Britney G. Brinkman, Ph.D., associate STRONGER said. Brinkman is the author of the book view,” which examined issues critical for Pittsburgh specifically, played an integral professor of psychology and placement TOGETHER Detection and Prevention of Identity-Based academic units that participate in efforts role during the early days of aviation and coordinator for the Psy.D. in clinical-com- Bullying: Social Justice Perspectives and is to obtain or reaffirm accreditation from powered flight,” said Mulvihill, who wrote munity psychology program, was honored the president of the board of directors of the Middle States Commission on Higher a chapter on aviation. Wilson authored by the American Psychological Association Members of the Point Park community responded with horror, grief and a renewed Pittsburgh Action Against Rape. Education (MSCHE) and the opportuni- the chapter on bridges. with the prestigious Citizen Psychologist call for tolerance and inclusion in the wake of the Oct. 27 massacre of 11 members ties for faculty involvement. Presidential Citation. Brinkman received of Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Students, some of whom live in the Squirrel P.K. Weston, Ph.D., professor of composi- Helena Knörr, Ph.D., professor of the award in recognition for her work with Hill neighborhood impacted by the shooting, held an impromptu vigil in Village Park tion and literature in the Department of Mitchel Nickols, Ph.D., a part-time organizational leadership in the Rowland the non-profit organizations Gwen’s Girls to remember the victims. President Paul Hennigan reached out via email to all Literary Arts and Social Justice, volun- instructor in the M.B.A., Ed.D. in leader- School of Business, was invited back to and the Black Girls Equity Alliance, which students, faculty and staff with a message that reinforced the University’s commit- teered last summer at Hekima Place, an ship and administration and Ph.D. in Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral is overseen by the Gwendolyn J. Elliott ment to mutual support and inclusion. He said, “After the horrific events in Squirrel orphanage and school for 86 girls of all community engagement programs, was (ESPOL), a university in Guayaquil, Institute. “I’m very grateful to the APA for Hill, and as grieving families begin to bury the dead, we are all shocked, outraged, ages in Kiserian, Kenya. Hekima Place the keynote speaker at the Pennsylvania Ecuador, to present on social innovation this recognition, which is a personal and and confused. We may never be able to fully process all that has taken place, but I was founded in 2005 by Kate Fletcher, Municipal League 2018 Annual Summit and entrepreneurship. Knörr spoke to professional career highlight for me. But hope that in the coming days we at Point Park will join together as a community in who left her life in Pittsburgh to live and in Cranberry Township, Pa. A diversity government officials, university gover- even more importantly, this honor will shine full support of inclusion and mutual support.” Hennigan added, “To be perfectly clear, volunteer with AIDS orphans in Kenya. and sensitivity trainer and consultant for nance members and program directors a light on the efforts of these exceptional there is no place for hate at this University. We will never accept views or actions While at Hekima Place, Weston served police departments and school districts Sept.