The The magazine for alumni and friends of Slippery Rock University SPRING 2011 Women scientists take command VIEW from the ROCK TheROCK Volume 13, Number 2 Council of Trustees: Joshua Young, Chair Eric Holmes, Vice Chair John Thornburgh, Secretary Grace Hawkins John Hicks Brandon Maharaj Robert Marcus Dennis Murray Robert Taylor Suzanne Vessella John Cavanaugh, Ex-officio President Robert Smith Cabinet • William Williams Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dear Friends, • Charles Curry Some things are very predictable…long, grey Slippery Rock winters, potholes in Vice President for Finance and Administrative Affairs • Barbara Ender Pennsylvania and the anxiety each June of waiting for the state budget to pass. Vice President for University Advancement As I write this, two pieces of the budget puzzle have been revealed. Gov. Corbett • Constance Foley gave everyone in higher education a jolt when he proposed in March to cut the state Vice President for Student Life • Rita Abent appropriation to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education by more than Executive Director for University Public Relations 50 percent, which would have provided PASSHE with $2.5 million less than it • Tina Moser received in 1983-84. Assistant to the President In May, House lawmakers listened to our advocacy and heard our case for restora- Academic Leadership • David Valentine tion of much needed funding to assure a quality education at an affordable price. Interim Dean, College of Business, Information They passed their version of a proposed $27.3 billion budget. The House version and Social Sciences reduces the proposed funding cut from more than 54 percent to approximately 15 • Kathleen Strickland Dean, College of Education percent from the current fiscal year. At this writing, the Senate is now considering its • Susan Hannam own recommendations. The final bill will be negotiated with the new administration Dean, College of Health, Environment and Science and the final decision will be made prior to your reading this. • Eva Tsuquiashi-Daddesio Dean, College of Humanities, Although the budget decisions will have been made and we will have executed our Fine and Performing Arts strategic response to establishing a balanced budget, one vital lesson will have been Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania learned that we will take forward: We will have demonstrated that ROCK Nation State System of Higher Education can be a vital advocacy effort for the University. Kenneth Jarin, Chair Aaron Walton, Vice Chair Students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and friends who joined ROCK Nation to C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni, Vice Chair advocate on the University’s behalf really helped us in our efforts. Individually and col- Leonard Altieri III lectively they wrote and called their legislators, they wrote letters to the editor of their Rep. Matthew Baker Jennifer Branstetter local papers and several made the trip to Harrisburg to meet personally with legislators. Marie Conley Lammando Our advocacy efforts helped to focus and inform discussions in Harrisburg. And, Rep. Michael Hanna because we presented facts and not frantic threats, elected officials were willing to Ronald Henry Sen. Vincent Hughes listen as we talked about the important economic and social contributions SRU and Jonathan Mack its sister PASSHE institutions make to Pennsylvania. Joseph McGinn We have proven ROCK Nation has tremendous potential to help the University, but Sen. Jeffrey Piccola Guido Pichini its continued success is dependent upon people like you being willing to step forward Harold Shields and join the movement. If you’ve not already done so, please go to the SRU homepage, Robert Taylor www.sru.edu and than click on the ROCK Nation icon under featured sites, to learn Ronald Tomalis Christine Toretti how you can get involved. We have ambitions for our ROCK Nation advocates to be Gov. Thomas Corbett involved in numerous other ways to help us continue to build a great University. The story of SRU is a story of people achieving their dreams. In this edition of Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System The ROCK magazine you’ll meet several young women who are carving out careers of Higher Education in science and two men who have helped to orchestrate 40-plus years of technologi- John Cavanaugh cal change at the University. Enjoy their stories. Best wishes, Robert Smith, president 2 2 The The ROCK ROCK Spring 20112011 To our readers Dear Readers: Contents: Spring 2011 Like all Slippery Rock University undergraduates, I was required to take science courses as part of my graduation requirements even though I majored in 8 English. Back when I was struggling through them, 8 From ‘big red’ to Banner men taught all of my science courses. In this edition Technology changes how of The ROCK, you will learn how far the University University operates has progressed regarding gender inclusiveness in science and how the presence of women enriches science on campus and in the professional ranks. Not only do women teach hard sciences, wom- 12 Living life in the cloud 14 en account for 65 percent of students enrolled in a College of Health, Environment and Science major. You will read about young women who majored in 14 Women scientists biology, chemistry and the environment and how take command they’ve leveraged those degrees and been ac- cepted into medical school and a doctoral program at Oxford University. A voice for STEM SRU’s strategic plan, “Reaching for 2025 and 20 Beyond,” describes how the nation’s future depends Alumna leads charge on maintaining global leadership in STEM (sci- ence, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. Helen Sobehart, ’72, has accepted that 22 Clean, green biking challenge by leading a Pittsburgh-based association machine that works to improve STEM teaching and learning 20 at the elementary and middle school level. You will also read about two men who have led SRU’s 40-year effort to keep up with technology. 24 The sum of all parts From “big red” to “banner,” they’ve been the wizards keeping everything moving forward. 24 I appreciate your letters, e-mails and telephone 30 Rhoda Taylor stitches calls about The ROCK. It’s always great to hear colorful second career from you. Gordon Ovenshine, ’88 22 Editor, The ROCK [email protected] 32 Cheng’s life reflects story of defiance, THE ROCK integrity and commitment The ROCK is published three times annually by the to learning Office of University Public Relations for alumni and friends of the University. Send address changes to: Sections University Public Relations 201 Old Main 4 Rock Bytes 1 Morrow Way 26 College News 30 Slippery Rock, PA 16057 36 Class Notes CredIts 38 Rock Athletics Executive Editor: Rita Abent, executive director, 42 A Conversation with… University Public Relations. Editor: Gordon Ovenshine, senior writer, University Public Relations. 32 Designer: Sandy Busch, publications manager, University Public Relations. Contributors: Bob McComas, sports information direc- tor; Jon Holtz, assistant sports information director; Heidi Tyline King; Amy Clingensmith Mongiovi. About the cover Photographers: University Public Relations; Alumni Sara Elling, a May biology and exercise science graduate, Relations; SRU alumni; Matthew Hovis; Bob McGrath; becomes familiar with a leopard gecko lizard owned by NASA; IBM. Andrew Jeffries, a marketing major from Harmony. Elling is The Rock is a National Admissions Marketing merit award winner. one of many high-achieving women scientists from The Rock University Vision Statement (page 14). She has been accepted into the Temple University Slippery Rock University will excel as a caring community School of Medicine to become a physician. of lifelong learners connecting with the world. Slippery Rock University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education www.SRU.edu www.SRU.edu 3 ROCK BYTES ‘Diversity and Democracy’ ‘Reaching for 2025 and Beyond’ series enlightens campus Slippery Rock University provides the strategy Rohan Murphy, who lost both his for preparing graduates for leadership roles in a legs at age 4, doesn’t shrink from any global economy in its “Reaching for 2025 and challenge. In fact, his mantra is “No legs, Beyond” strategic plan. The plan examines the no problem.” global trends expected to have the greatest impact Murphy, a New York-based motiva- on transforming the world, and addresses how the tional speaker, brought his unique mes- University will develop globally competent gradu- sage to SRU as part of the University’s ates that will have the knowledge, skills and com- “Diversity and Democracy” program. mitment to respond to those challenges. Murphy spoke about overcoming The perspectives are contemporary, futuristic, obstacles and then invited two students national and international. Trends addressed from the crowd of nearly 6,000 to come in the report include demographic and populations changes; expanding capacity forward for a mock wresting match. to address science, technology, engineering and mathematics leadership; cultural “I accept my disability as a gift,” awareness; educational access and sustainability. Murphy said. Robert Smith, University president, said the plan is rooted in the University’s SRU’s program included nearly 30 commitment to excellence, civility, integrity, diversity and accountability. “It lectures, workshops and presentations. reflects SRU’s mission to provide high quality undergraduate and graduate aca- Experts covered topics such as physical demic instruction and our vision of creating a caring community of lifelong and mental disabilities, gay and trans- learners connecting with the world,” he said. The plan may be viewed at gender advocacy, racial identity, reli- http://www.sru.edu/president/strategicplanning/Pages/HigherEducationin2025.aspx gious tolerance, AIDS/HIV and words that hurt. Jessamine Montero, SRU’s senior officer for diversity and inclusion, orga- President Smith New deans take reins nized the program. announces retirement Kathleen Strickland, SRU President former interim Advocates flock to Robert Smith, dean of SRU’s architect College of ‘ROCK Nation’ of SRU’s Education, has “ROCK Nation,” a new Web site renaissance, been named dean for SRU advocates, is up and running.