SRU Transforms Regional Economy
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The The magazine for alumni and friends of Slippery Rock University ROCKFALL 2010 SRU transforms regional economy VIEW from the ROCK To our readers TheROCK Dear Readers: Contents: Fall 2010 Volume 12, Number 3 This edition of The ROCK demonstrates Council of Trustees: Joshua Young, Chair Slippery Rock University’s contribution to one of Eric Holmes, Vice Chair the country’s most pressing issues – building the John Thornburgh, Secretary local economy. A new economic study shows that Nicholas DeRosa SRU and its graduates infuse more than $334 8 $334 Million Impact Grace O. Hawkins million a year into the regional economy. Much of Road to economic John A. Hicks that stems from the productivity of graduates who Brandon Maharaj live in the area and own businesses. recovery starts Robert Marcus Economists agree that small business growth at The ROCK Dennis E. Murray is one of the keys to economic recovery. You will Robert S. Taylor read about several alumni who used their educa- $$$$$$$$$$$ Suzanne A. Vessella John Cavanaugh, Ex-officio tion to start small businesses in Slippery Rock – creating jobs, building the tax base and helping 16 The Sweet Life President to bolster the community through civic involve- 8 Robert M. Smith of Debbie Shannon ment. One of those leaders is Debbie Shannon, Cabinet who counts “Willie Wonka” as one of her heroes. • William F. Williams Millions of people, including SRU student 19 Visionary Dear Friends, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Frank Barnes, live their lives without sight. You • Charles T. Curry will read about Barnes, who became blind as an Social work major sees We did it (almost). Vice President for Finance and Administrative Affairs adult, and the vision he has shown as he works beyond disability We started the year just short of a balanced budget; and that was no small feat. • Barbara Ender Vice President for University Advancement his way toward a new career at SRU. As I shared with you in an earlier column, last September we began a campuswide • Constance L. Foley You will also read about an alumna who ran her effort to address an estimated $8.9 million budget deficit while at the same time, Vice President for Student Life way to fitness in time for her 50th birthday, and 22 Grave Expectations 16 making sure we continued to provide an exceptional learning experience for our stu- • Rita Abent you will find out how a professor teaches a topic Executive Director for University Public Relations dents and to position the University to emerge from this economic crisis as a stron- that is anathema to many young people – death. • Tina Moser I appreciate hearing from you and look ger, more strategically-focused institution. Assistant to the President forward to another round of e-mails, phone calls After numerous open forums, divisional and departmental meetings, and sifting Academic Leadership and letters. through more than 150 suggestions submitted by students, faculty, staff, alumni and • David Valentine Interim Dean, College of Business, Information Gordon Ovenshine, ’88 friends, (some of them from The ROCK readers) we utilized a combination of cuts and Social Sciences Editor, The Rock and revenue enhancement to trim $8.54 million from the budget. • Kathleen Strickland [email protected] As you can imagine, this wasn’t without some pain. In the process we were forced Interim Dean, College of Education • Susan Hannam to eliminate 25 positions, 17 graduate assistantships and freeze four positions. We’ve Dean, College of Health, Environment and Science significantly cut operating expenses including travel, supplies and printing. In doing • Eva Tsuquiashi-Daddesio ThE ROCK so, we protected the academic core of the University to ensure we deliver on our Dean, College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts The ROCK is published three times annually by the promise to provide a Rock Solid education. Office of University Public Relations for alumni and 19 Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania friends of the University. We were helped in our budget efforts by another year of record enrollment. State System of Higher Education The University is now 8,860 strong, and our academic quality continues to improve Kenneth M. Jarin, Chair Send address changes to: Sections University Public Relations each year. That’s just one of the reason’s U.S. News named SRU one of the top 100 Aaron Walton, Vice Chair 4 Rock Bytes C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni, Vice Chair 201 Old Main 22 regional universities in the North. That accolade came on the heels of being named Leonard B. Altieri III 1 Morrow Way 24 College News one of the “Best in the Northeast,” by the Princeton Review; a “Military Friendly Rep. Matthew E. Baker Slippery Rock, PA 16057 28 Advancement University,” by G.I. Jobs Magazine, and being selected for the second consecutive John M. Brinjac Marie Conley Lammando Credits 30 Class Notes year as a “Great Place to Work For,” by the Chronicle of Higher Education. We are Donna Cooper Executive Editor: Rita Abent, executive director, 32 Rock Athletics attracting national attention to our work. Paul S. Dlugolecki University Public Relations. Also, in the good news category, is the report in this edition of The ROCK that Thomas E. Gluck 37 A Conversation with… Rep. Michael K. Hanna Editor: Gordon Ovenshine, senior writer, University documents SRU’s economic contribution to the state. We now have solid research Sen. Vincent J. Hughes Public Relations. to prove that as one of western Pennsylvania’s largest employers, SRU is both an edu- Richard Kneedler Designer: Sandy Busch, publications manager, cational and economic asset that brings vitality and financial stability to the region. Jamie L. Lutz University Public Relations. Jonathan B. Mack We are already mobilizing the campus to address an anticipated $6 million shortfall Joseph F. McGinn Contributors: Bob McComas, sports information direc- in next year’s budget and we continue to be concerned that our fundraising efforts will Sen. Jeffrey E.Piccola tor; Michael Saraka, alumni director; Jon Holtz, assis- tant sports information director; and Heidi Tyline King. keep pace with the needs of our students. We have great students and I can’t let them Gov. Edward G. Rendell Aaron M. Shenck Photographers: University Public Relations; Alumni About the cover forego their dreams. As state and federal funds continue to shrink they are hoping you Harold C. Shields Relations; SRU alumni; Matthew Hovis: and Bob and I will be there to help them fulfill their dream of a Rock Solid education. Thomas M. Sweitzer McGrath. Slippery Rock University has become a vital contributor Christine J. Toretti I’ll be there. I hope you will be as well. The Rock is a National Admissions Marketing merit to the region’s economy. Mackenzie M. Wrobel Best wishes, award winner. Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System University Vision Statement of Higher Education Slippery Rock University will excel as a caring community John Cavanaugh of lifelong learners connecting with the world. Robert Smith, president Slippery Rock University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of higher Education 2 2 The The ROCK ROCK Fall 2010 www.SRU.edu www.SRU.edu 3 ROCK byTeS ROCK byTeS Dean Susan hannam pursues SRU earns national ‘best of’ honors 19th century Japanese prints agreement with Chinese come to light University completes harmony house renovation Alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students at Slippery Rock University certainly schools A significant A $250,000 renovation of the Harmony have a lot to boast about following the announcement of several national honors. The House at the Robert N. Macoskey Center Susan Hannam, dean of the College of collection of University was again named “A Best in the Northeast” college by The for Sustainability Education and Research Health, Environment and Science, has Japanese wood- Princeton Review, “A Great College to Work For,” by The Chronicle has been completed. The center received a laid the foundation for recruiting up to 15 block prints that of Higher Education, one of the 100 “Best Colleges in the North” by new entrance, pop-up roof, twice the class- Chinese undergraduates to SRU annually SRU has kept in U.S. News & World Report and a “Military Friendly School” by G.I. room space, a green kitchen and a geother- and launching a Chinese Educators storage for many Jobs Magazine. And to top things off, WorldWideLearn, a premier mal heat and cooling system. Academy for teachers. years will soon be online directory of education, named SRU No. 2 on its national Top SRU, a leader in sustainability educa- Hannam recently traveled to China displayed for all to 20 Rural Colleges and Universities list. tion since its founding, expanded the facil- to visit four high schools. Two of them, see and learn from. This is the third consecutive year that The Princeton Review, a ity to increase energy efficiency and pro- Haining and Zhejiang, are interested in Kurt Pitluga, assis- nationally known education services company, included SRU in its vide more educational opportunities for signing a letter of understanding with tant professor of Best in the Northeast list. The ranking includes 218 institutions in students and residents who want to implement sustainability at home, said Thomas SRU that would send some of their gradu- art, is in the pro- the region and is based in large part on student evaluations. Reynolds, center director. ates to SRU for their college education, cess of researching, “Because this review is based on student input, we take it very seri- The biggest change is the new entrance and pop-up roof that added enough space she said. documenting and ously and are certainly proud that our students hold us in high regard.