The Magazine of Point Park University | SPRING 2017 POINTTHE Announcing the ROWLAND SCHOOL OF BUSINESS at Point Park University School of Business at Point Park University. studio space that enables students and The Rowland School honors the family of faculty to collaborate with media professionals. the late George and Kathleen White, the In another very important milestone, at University’s largest benefactors to date, commencement, we celebrated with the first who were among Point Park’s most devoted class of doctoral students to receive a Ph.D. friends and neighbors. from Point Park. The Whites’ friendship and advocacy continues And, of course, we continue to watch, with to guide and inspire Point Park. They believed great anticipation, the development of one of 8 that the University’s academic excellence, the University’s most ambitious and innovative OF and close proximity to the many corporations, projects: the new Pittsburgh Playhouse at TABLE CONTENTS sports franchises and cultural organizations in Point Park. This creative crossroads will offer the Downtown neighborhood and surrounding many cultural and interdisciplinary opportunities 2 News and Views 20 Around The Globe region, makes the University well-positioned for students and faculty across the entire Alumni and students gather to lead business education in Pittsburgh. With University, as well as our Downtown neighbors 8 Open Seating on campus to celebrate the many exciting initiatives now underway in the and arts patrons. We’ll continue to share our A look at construction of the main 50th anniversary of Point Park’s 10 Rowland School of Business, including a new Playhouse progress. stage theater in the new Pittsburgh independently run student co-op program, we are committed to building Playhouse, which continues to take newspaper. Dear alumni and friends, and expanding on that vision. On your next visit to Downtown Pittsburgh, shape in Downtown Pittsburgh. please stop by and say hello. We would 24 Alumni Connection 10 Announcing the Rowland Another spring commencement season is We also marked a number of milestones in love to show you what’s happening on our School of Business behind us, and summer is on the horizon. the past year, including the 50th anniversary dynamic, urban campus. 25 Class Notes The newly named Rowland School It’s the time of year when we spend time of Point Park’s independently run student of Business honors the family of 30 Home Court Advantage reflecting on past accomplishments, and look newspaper, The Globe. Last March, the Warm regards, 30 the late George and Kathleen Scholar-athlete Ja’Nia McPhatter, forward with anticipation toward the future. University welcomed alumni and former White, the University’s largest a leader in women’s basketball and student journalists from the past five decades benefactors to date. in the classroom, is aiming for As always, we have a number of initiatives back to campus for a celebration. We’re proud medical school after her graduation. in the works that we are excited to share that the tradition of excellence continues in 14 All Business A conversation with Steve Tanzilli, with you – now and in the months to come. new initiatives such as the Center for Media Dr. Paul Hennigan For example, this spring we were very happy Innovation, which has just completed its first J.D., dean of the Rowland School of President Business at Point Park University. to announce the naming of the Rowland year as an incubator and state-of-the-art The Magazine of Point Park University | SPRING 2017 ON THE COVER: A mosaic of faculty, TALK TO US! POINTTHE alumni and students 18 Star Explorer The Point wants to hear from you. Send in the newly named Professor Brendan Mullan, Ph.D., your comments and suggestions to: Announcing the ROWLAND SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Rowland School of at Point Park University a National Geographic Emerging Business at Point Park Managing Editor University. Explorer, shares the excitement of Marketing and Communications astrophysics and more with students. Point Park University 201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Phone: 412-392-6108 Fax: 412-392-6185 Email: [email protected] President Managing Director, Graphic Designer Web Services Manager Photographers Paul Hennigan, Ed.D. Communications and Judy Sporka Stephen Shanahan John Altdorfer 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 Client Services published information. Please visit our web site at www.pointpark.edu for current information regarding University programs, departments, alumni activities and events. Dean Beattie Vice President of Nancy Commella Manager of Printing Writers Glenn Cook Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Initiatives External Affairs Services Amanda Dabbs 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, Gracey Evans 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 Mariann Geyer Managing Director, Don Pastorius Linda Fletcher 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. Sam Reynolds University Marketing and Gina Puppo Managing Editor Public Relations Director of Online Martha Rial 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 Communications 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 Cheryl Valyo Lou Corsaro Sam Robinson 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 Barbara Vilanova Keith Kuzmovich Christopher Rolinson coordinator or to the deputy Title IX coordinators: the associate provost, the vice president of human resources or the vice president of student affairs. POINTPARK.EDU 1 NEWS AND VIEWS COMMENCEMENT 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, Susan Corbett has been a supporter of the arts and the by genocide,” President Hennigan said. “Hearing from Pittsburgh police chief deliver addresses nonprofit community for nearly three decades. She has served someone like Martha, who has been relentless in her at Point Park graduation ceremonies numerous organizations, including the Carnegie Museums of pursuit of excellence, is the best way to send our Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library and the Pennsylvania Council graduates off into the real world.” Rial’s recent endeavors Martha Rial, winner of a Pulitzer Prize for her photographs of the Arts. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the include the Marcellus Shale Documentary Project, a documenting the lives of Burundian and Rwandan survivors of Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. traveling exhibition of photographs chronicling the impact genocide, was the featured Commencement speaker at Point of shale gas drilling in Pennsylvania, and “In Uganda, Park’s main commencement ceremony at PPG Paints Arena 288 students received graduate degrees from across 14 A School to Call Home,” a solo exhibit at Gallery 937 on April 29. Rial also received an honorary degree. Scott E. master’s programs offered at the University. In addition, 17 featuring the empowerment of children in Uganda. Schubert, a Point Park graduate who is chief of the City of students received Doctor of Education degrees in Leader- Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, delivered the keynote address ship and Administration. Darlene Marnich, Ph.D., professor Celebration of student success at the 2017 Hooding and Degree Conferral on the same day. and chair of the Department of Education, served as Grand The Honorable Tom Corbett and Susan Corbett, former Marshal for the Hooding ceremonies. 683 students received bachelor’s degrees in: (School first lady of the Commonwealth, received honorary doctorate of Arts and Sciences) Criminal Justice/Intelligence, degrees at the Hooding ceremony. Dedication and perseverance Education, Humanities, English and Natural Sciences; (School of Business) Accounting, Business/Business Schubert is a 24-year veteran of the Pittsburgh Police. He Martha Rial, who delivered the main commencement address Management, Economics, Human Resources, Information earned a bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement and master’s to the bachelor’s degree recipients, won the 1998 Pulitzer Technology, Organizational Leadership, Public Admin- degree in Criminal Justice at Point Park, where he serves as Prize for Spot News Photography while at the Pittsburgh istration, and Sports, Arts and Entertainment Manage- a part-time professor. “We take great pride in developing the Post-Gazette. In 1996, the newspaper sent her to Burundi ment; (School of Communication) Broadcast Produc- Pittsburgh region’s future leaders,” said Paul Hennigan, presi- and Rwanda, where civil war left nearly