The Magazine of Point Park University | FALL 2017 POINTTHE CO-OP PIONEERS New cooperative education program benefits Point Park students and employers Amber Mole Dual Major, RUNNING TO HONOR Business Management & Accounting Athlete Anna Shields Co-Op position, Pricewaterhouse- is University’s first Coopers (PwC) national champion We also recently celebrated the one-year All of these initiatives enable the University anniversary of the opening of the Center for to continually assess, improve and build Media Innovation (CMI), which has already a foundation for future students. Key far exceeded our first-year expectations. among our initiatives is the new Pittsburgh Hands-on learning is a cornerstone of the Playhouse, now under construction on vision of the CMI, and over the past year our Downtown Pittsburgh campus. This students have taken part in informative project will provide our students and faculty speaker series, podcasting and experiential with a state-of-the-art facility in a learning learning opportunities as part of their laboratory environment. We envision that 8 education and the University’s outreach into students from virtually every School will OF the media community. have an opportunity to utilize this space. TABLE CONTENTS Last spring, we launched the Rowland I want to thank each and every member School of Business and Steve Tanzilli, J.D. of the Point Park family for your support 2 News and Views 24 Alumni Connection was appointed as dean. In conjunction with as we enter into this exciting chapter of 8 Something Old and New the naming and endowment of the Rowland our future. Our vision is to be one of the 25 Class Notes 10 School, the University has established a most dynamic, private, urban universities in The new Pittsburgh Playhouse will feature a remarkable ceiling. co-operative education program that America, with an intense focus on student 30 Running to Honor Dear alumni and friends, provides students with the opportunity to success through distinctive, innovative and 10 Leading Role Track athlete Anna Shields earn college credit while obtaining real- experiential learning. Board of Trustees Former Chair is Point Park’s first national Our fall semester is well underway, and I world experience critical to their future Anne Lewis reflects on Point Park champion. believe that this academic year is a defining success. You can learn more about the new growth. one for Point Park University. We have co-op program on page 16. Warm regards, reached significant milestones and have 20 16 Co-Op Pioneers set strategic aspirational goals for students, Point Park’s on-ground senior class is The University’s new cooperative faculty and staff in the years to come. the first to graduate with both a capstone education program benefits Point Park students and employers. TALK TO US! course and a co-curricular transcript. We The Point wants to hear from you. Send your comments and suggestions to: This year, the University has one of its also recently graduated our first class of Dr. Paul Hennigan 20 A Storyteller’s Storyteller largest freshman classes of traditional, Ed.D. students, soon to be followed by President Managing Editor Professor Steve Cuden shares the on-ground students in our history. This the graduation of our first cohort of Ph.D. Marketing and Communications ins and outs of Hollywood screen- Point Park University speaks to the hard work, dedication and students in Community Engagement. This The Magazine of Point Park University | FALL 2017 ON THE COVER: writing with Cinema Arts students. 201 Wood Street commitment of the staff and faculty, who fall, the University welcomed our first cohort Business student Pittsburgh, PA 15222 POINTTHE and co-op participant work tirelessly to ensure that prospective in the Psy.D. program. The implementation Amber Mole in 22 Covering the Environment Phone: 412-392-6108 Fax: 412-392-6185 Downtown Pittsburgh. students know the intrinsic and extrinsic of doctoral programs is part of a strategy Students explore water crisis in Email: [email protected] Photo by value of a Point Park education. to make Point Park a school of choice for the Dominican Republic. CO-OP PIONEERS John Altdorfer. New cooperative education program benefits Point Park students seeking innovative educational students and employers experiences. Amber Mole Dual Major, RUNNING TO HONOR Business Management & Accounting Co-Op position, Track athlete Anna Shields Pricewaterhouse is University’s first Coopers LLP national champion 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. Annie Brewer Vice President of Nancy Commella Manager of Printing Writers Randall Coleman 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, Christopher Rolinson 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. University Marketing and Gina Puppo Managing Editor Public Relations Director of Online 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 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 Keith Kuzmovich Barbara Vilanova 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 Professional Advancement Jerry Conboy, Point Park men’s basketball honor of my young career, and it’s one nized the value of the full-time faculty’s IN MEMORIAM coach from 1969-89, has been selected that so many people deserve to share longstanding commitment to teaching, Robert J. Fowler, Ph.D, part-time professor for the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. with me at Point Park,” Croup said. Gina service and scholarship,” Fuoco said. Nancy Jones, Ph.D., former professor director of the Honors Program and in the Literary Arts Department, served as He will be inducted on Oct. 28, 2017 in a Catanzarite, a nine-time Emmy winner “This agreement will aid in the retention and chair of Point Park’s Department former department chair, “She was an AP Reader/English Language for Edu- ceremony in Williamsport, Pa. For Conboy, and part-time professor, inspired Croup and recruitment of high-quality, full-time of Journalism and Communications incredibly active in our professional cational Testing Services during summer who won 305 games in 20 seasons for to enter in the on-air talent category, one faculty. It also will benefit the entire until her retirement in 1986, died on journalism groups, and Nancy advised 2017 in Tampa, Fla. the Pioneers, it will be the fifth time he of the most competitive categories under University community – particularly June 30, 2017 in Pittsburgh. She our Society of Professional Journalists will be inducted into a hall of fame along- College/University Student Production. students – by eliminating the uncertainty was 83. According to her obituary in (SPJ) student chapter. Nancy stood Jill Oblak, M.A., M.B.A., NRP, a public side past inductions to the Western “It’s been great to see him develop as a of the past and allowing everyone to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jones out to the administrators here as well, administration part-time instructor, was Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Point journalist over the years, but it was clear focus on a bright future at a quality “began her career as a reporter for as a chair who worked hard to ensure elected to the National Association of Park’s Pioneer Athletic Hall of Fame, the from day one that Josh not only had a institution of higher learning.” University the Daily Press of Newport News that not only the work of the depart- EMS Educators 2017 Board of Directors Pittsburgh Basketball Club Hall of Fame natural aptitude but also a genuine pas- President Paul Hennigan said the Virginia and later became a reporter ment was completed – and of course and Governance Committee. NAEMSE’s and the South Hills Catholic (Seton-La sion for his career,” she said. contract reflects the University’s respect for the Miami Herald. She went on on deadline – but also completed with mission is to promote excellence in EMS Salle) Hall of Fame. For ticket information, for the full-time faculty’s critical role in a to become a journalism professor at the best interests of students in mind. education. “Jill is a long-time EMS profes- contact Dave Bower at (570) 220-4554. Correction/Clarification Point Park education.