The Point, Winter 2017
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The Magazine of Point Park University | WINTER 2017 POINTTHE RAISING THE BAR The new Pittsburgh Playhouse takes shape in Downtown Pittsburgh them. I hope they will open their minds to comprehensive coverage of the presidential everything around them, learn how to do election and other electoral races throughout scholarly research, analyze things, and put it the day on Nov. 8 and well into the following all together to form thoughts and opinions. day (see page seven for more details). There’s never been a better time to be a Finally, as 2016 drew to a close, we were very Point Park student. Over the past year our excited to mark our construction progress academic offerings continued to expand, on the new Pittsburgh Playhouse with a providing new opportunities to undergraduate beam-signing and topping off ceremony. Like 8 and graduate students – both on campus the CMI, this new cultural hub will enable our OF and online. We are very proud to have been students’ creative process to be an integral TABLE CONTENTS named a College of Distinction, an honor part of the Downtown experience. As I have 2 News and Views 20 Leading Role that recognized innovative application of high said many times, I believe the new Pittsburgh impact educational practices. Our students Playhouse will become the heartbeat of Alumnus Ryan Stana produces 8 Art in the City top entertainment events and paves have earned college credit and valuable Downtown Pittsburgh. Visit page 10 to Lawrence Hall Gallery gets the way for Point Park talent. life experience through service learning, share in our excitement about the beam- 12 a new name and a permanent learning communities and internships. Point signing and see the latest progress on the exhibition. 24 Alumni Connection Park Online also earned recognition in Playhouse, which is set to open in 2019. Dear alumni and friends, 2016, with our fully online public relations 10 Good Business 25 Class Notes and advertising and mass communication Even better, we would love to welcome you Alumna Karen Larrimer is head 30 Back to Back As 2017 begins to unfold, the spring programs recently ranked among the best in person, and we hope you’ll stop by for of Retail Banking and chief semester is already well underway. It’s for affordability by TheBestSchools.org. Visit a closer look the next time you are in our customer officer of The PNC Pioneer athletes shine as women’s soccer captures another opportunity to reflect on the events Online.PointPark.edu to learn more about Downtown neighborhood. There is always Financial Services Group. another conference and accomplishments of the past year, a variety of online programs, including nine something innovative happening at Point 16 12 Raising the Bar championship. which brought more exciting changes and bachelor’s degrees, eight graduate degrees Park University. A beam-signing and topping-off ongoing growth for Point Park. and one certification program. ceremony celebrated progress on Warm regards, the new Pittsburgh Playhouse, Last fall, we welcomed more than 620 On campus, the new Center for Media now under construction in the freshmen and 280 new transfer students Innovation is already a point of pride for heart of Downtown. — representing 34 states and 11 countries. everyone at Point Park. Since its opening TALK TO US! The Magazine of Point Park University | WINTER 2017 16 On Broadway As we celebrated the new academic year last fall, the Center has hosted a variety ON THE COVER: The Point wants to hear from you. Send at our annual convocation, I encouraged of activities and events for students and A view of the new Dozens of Conservatory of your comments and suggestions to: Dr. Paul Hennigan POINTTHE the members of the Class of 2020 to get the general public. For example, the CMI Pittsburgh Playhouse Performing Arts alumni gathered President as it takes shape along Managing Editor to know one another and get to know was a hive of activity on election night, Forbes Avenue in for a photo in Times Square on Marketing and Communications Point Park University the faculty and staff who are here to help as our students collaborated to provide Downtown Pittsburgh. Nov. 16, and Point Park is recog- 201 Wood Street RAISING THE BAR nized by two national Top 10 lists. The New Pittsburgh Playhouse Photo by Christopher Pittsburgh, PA 15222 takes shape in Downtown Pittsburgh Rolinson. Phone: 412-392-6108 Fax: 412-392-6185 Email: [email protected] President Managing Director, Graphic Designer Web Services Manager Paul Hennigan, Ed.D. Communications and Judy Sporka Stephen Shanahan Photographers Client Services 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 Vice President of Nancy Commella Manager of Printing Writers published information. Please visit our web site at www.pointpark.edu for current information regarding University programs, departments, alumni activities and events. Richard Kelly External Affairs Services Amanda Dabbs Patrick Lazour Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Initiatives Mariann Geyer Don Pastorius 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, Managing Director, Linda Fletcher Shayna Mendez 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 University Marketing and Gina Puppo Sam Robinson 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. Managing Editor Public Relations Director of Online Kevin Taylor 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 Cheryl Valyo Lou Corsaro Communications Barbara Vilanova Olivia Ruk 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 Keith Kuzmovich 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 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 FEEDBACK NEWS AND VIEWS Remarkable Growth to Point Park University. The timing was Chi Alpha, my Point Park fraternity, had a Professional Advancement Analytics” at the Marketing Management Jonas Prida, Ph.D. has joined Point Park remarkable, as we were preparing to group that went to Florida almost every Association Educators’ Conference Sept. as assistant provost for curriculum, as- We are so glad to see the continued make our annual gift. It is a wonderful year. We recommend a road trip to the Brendan Mullan, Ph.D., assistant profes- 16, 2016, in Providence, R.I. “I shared sessment, and accreditation. He previ- growth of Point Park, which appears to be idea to ‘keep in touch’ with the many Sunshine State! sor of physics, presented on the topic techniques for teaching students how to ously spent eight years at the College becoming an even bigger part of Down- alumni who consider their education at “Change and the Cosmos” Dec. 3 at the deliver data analytics in a manner that of St. Joseph in Rutland, Vt., where he town Pittsburgh! Seeing all the improve- Point Park so important to their success Bill Bruun and Cabrini Bruun (A&S 1969) Tennessee Science Teachers Associa- is relevant and clear to their audiences. served in several faculty and administra- ments and new development, well, it’s in life, and love to hear about the Univer- Ft. Myers, Fla. tion Conference in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Some of these techniques include the tive capacities, most recently as vice nothing short of remarkable. Remem- sity’s plans for the future. In his presentation, Mullan explained how creation of infographics and the use of president for academic affairs and dean bering our humble roots, it is rewarding Editor’s Note: Calling all Florida alums! change is inevitable and a fundamental visuals to make data easily understand- of faculty. Prida will provide leadership beyond words to see Point Park’s bright We remember that western Pennsyl- The Point Park Alumni Office team will part of the language of physics and the able,” Beal explained. She will serve as for the University’s student learning future. We are proud of everyone there. vania winters can be tough (and that’s host alumni events in Ft. Lauderdale on laws that govern the universe. In addition, co-chair of the Marketing Management outcomes assessment and assistance Keep up the outstanding work! whether the six-time world champion Feb. 15, Tampa on Feb. 16 and Orlando National Geographic recently featured Association Educators’ Conference, which in curriculum development, while work- Pittsburgh Steelers win again, or not!) on Feb. 17. Visit PointPark.edu/alumni for Mullan in the videos, “TIL: Why Mars’ will take place in Pittsburgh in 2017. ing closely with the faculty, department We recently received a letter from Point A ‘spring break’ of sunshine can be a more information. Ocean Disappeared” and “TIL: How to chairs and program directors, staff, and Park’s president [focusing on] ‘Why I Give’ very positive way to ‘re-charge.’ Lambda Transform Mars Into Our Second Home,” administrators, to assess and improve which have resulted in more than 50,000 John Shepard, student learning.