The The magazine for alumni and friends of Slippery Rock University ROCKWINTER 2010 Mush, slush and nothing plush VIEW from the ROCK To our readers TheROCK Dear Readers: Contents: Winter 2010 Volume 12, Number 1 I have been interested in Alaska since spending a summer there in the 1970s helping my father, a Council of Trustees: geologist, collect rock and mud samples for research Robert S. Taylor, Esq., Chair purposes. Memories of “the last frontier” came Grace O. Hawkins, Vice Chair flooding back during this edition of The ROCK, which Joshua B. Young, Secretary Jessica Cosme tells the story of Candice Berner, an SRU alumna 8 Mush, slush Nicholas DeRosa who works as a teacher in bush Alaska. You will John A. Hicks enjoy reading about her impressions of the state and and nothing plush Eric L. Holmes Native-Alaskan communities where she teaches. Robert Marcus Alumni will certainly remember The Rocket, the Dennis E. Murray campus newspaper that has been publishing weekly 8 Czech Mate John H. Thornburgh since 1934. Heidi Tyline King, a regular contributor 12 Suzanne A. Vessella to The ROCK, spoke to editors through the decades John Cavanaugh, Ex-officio who described how working for the newspaper was a President fun experience that also provided them life skills that 15 Wounded no more Robert M. Smith have proven to be invaluable. Rock graduate, Vietnam Cabinet You will read about a University police officer that veteran, finds his way • William F. Williams keeps busy maintaining the peace locally and over- Dear friends, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs seas. You will meet a Vietnam veteran who overcame • Charles T. Curry extreme trauma, and you will learn more about the 12 I’m not a fan of February, other than it being the shortest month of the year. Vice President for Finance and Administrative Affairs “father” of Rock soccer, former coach Jim Egli. 18 English professor, Even then, its seemingly endless stream of gray days and bone-chilling temperatures • Barbara Ender We hope you will be moved by the stories that il- broadens students’ can fray the edges of the most ardent optimist. Vice President for University Advancement lustrate the importance of supporting SRU financially, • Constance L. Foley personified by two former SRU professors who are worldview This February has been especially challenging as the University community con- Vice President for Student Life • Rita Abent leading a scholarship drive in honor of the late David tinues its work to address the projected $8.9 million budget deficit we face next Executive Director for University Public Relations Dixon, professor of history. 15 year. As I shared with you in my last column, the effects of the global financial crisis • Tina Moser Thank you for your e-mails and calls about The 20 Paper chase: didn’t spare the world of higher education. While circumstances haven’t changed Assistant to the President ROCK. As always, I welcome your input. the story significantly from that report, we are closer to the reality of having to make consid- Academic Leadership Gordon Ovenshine, ’88 behind the story erable changes that up to now were just strategic options. • Bruce Russell Dean, College of Business, Information and Social Sciences Editor, The Rock We are committed to making sure these changes will not severely impact our • Kathleen Strickland [email protected] students. Unfortunately, they will be felt by faculty, by staff and ultimately by Interim Dean, College of Education • Susan Hannam 18 the people of the commonwealth. A strong Pennsylvania State System of Higher Dean, College of Health, Environment and Science Education is essential to the economic vitality of the state. Erode support for • Eva Tsuquiashi-Daddesio Interim Dean, College of Humanities, higher education and you damage an important economic engine. So, while we are Fine and Performing Arts The ROCK doing our part to respond deliberately to the immediate financial challenges the The ROCK is published three times annually by the Pennsylvania State System faces, we’re also keeping our eyes to the future and work- Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Office of University Public Relations for alumni and State System of Higher Education friends of the University. 20 ing at all levels to address the structural problems inherent in how SRU is funded. Kenneth M. Jarin, Chair Aaron Walton, Vice Chair Send address changes to: That’s where you can be of help. Each of you is an SRU success story and we University Public Relations C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni, Vice Chair Sections need you to share your story with leaders in the business and political worlds. Our Rep. Matthew E. Baker 201 Old Main alumni make Pennsylvania, as well as countless locations around the world, a better Nick J. Barcio 1 Morrow Way 4 Rock Bytes Marie Conley Lammando Slippery Rock, PA 16057 place to live and learn and earn…and we need to make sure others hear about the Paul S. Dlugolecki 26 College News value you place on your SRU education. Rep. Michael K. Hanna Credits 32 Advancement Sen. Vincent J. Hughes We also need to share the message that despite any challenges that come our way, Richard Kneedler Executive Editor: Rita Abent, executive director, 36 Class Notes Slippery Rock remains an incredibly strong University. We have great academic Jamie L. Lutz University Public Relations. 38 Rock Athletics programs, incredibly talented students, a dedicated staff and an outstanding faculty, Jonathan B. Mack Editor: Gordon Ovenshine, senior writer, University Joseph F. McGinn Public Relations. 42 A Conversation with… 92 percent of who have a terminal degree. In fact, the depth of experience and out- Sen. Jeffrey E.Piccola Designer: Sandy Busch, publications manager, Gov. Edward G. Rendell standing level of dedication of our faculty and staff is one of the most distinctive University Public Relations. assets of SRU. Harold C. Shields Thomas M. Sweitzer Contributors: Bob McComas, sports information direc- You will find great stories in this issue. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as Christine J. Toretti tor; Gordon Ovenshine; Michael Saraka, alumni director; we enjoy bringing them to you. Maybe next issue, we will be able to tell yours. Mackenzie M. Wrobel Heidi Tyline King, Dana DiFilippo. About the cover Gerald L. Zahorchak Photographers: University Public Relations, Alumni Alaska’s Mount McKinley provides one of the scenic Best wishes, Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System Relations, SRU Alumni and Mariia Berezina. backdrops for the new lives Slippery Rock University of Higher Education The ROCK is a National Admissions Marketing merit John Cavanaugh award winner. graduates have established there since leaving the University Vision Statement “Lower 48.” (Page 8). Robert Smith, president Slippery Rock University will excel as a caring community of lifelong learners connecting with the world. Slippery Rock University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education 2 2 The The ROCK ROCK Winter 2010 www.SRU.edu www.SRU.edu 3 ROCK bytEs ROCK bytEs The Women’s Center and Women’s Honors Program students excel nationally Women’s program Studies Program continue to enhance The Honors Program has plenty to brag about this year. The program attracted on the move their presence and influence on campus. 100 new students, and the upperclassmen are distinguishing themselves through The Women’s Center recently received a conference participation. SRU sophomores, juniors and seniors have achieved a $251,222 grant from the U.S. Department 95 percent acceptance rate during the past two years at The National Collegiate of Justice to further support The Bridge Honors Council Conference, besting the national average by up to 50 percent. Project, a prevention program focusing on “Our Honors Program students are doing well for a number of reasons. First, our SRU expands agreement eliminating violence against women. students are exceptional academically and motivated to do with South Korean university SRU, which was recently named the 14th their best,” said April Longwell, director. “Secondly, The University has approved another safest campus in the country by The Daily students have quality support from faculty and diversity initiative – an expanded exchange Beast Web site, operates The Bridge Project as the honors office, which assists them in agreement with Kangwon National Adapted Physical Activity part of its Women’s Center. reaching that higher bar. At the confer- University in South Korea. Day raises awareness The Women’s Studies Program, led by Cindy ence, it was obvious to me their work The agreement will bring up to five Korean LaCom, professor of English, has been raising aware- SRU’s first Adapted Physical Activity was equal in quality to any other stu- students majoring in business to SRU annu- ness of important issues and growing enrollment in Day raised awareness about the variety of dent’s work and better in many ways.” ally beginning this fall and broaden American- the program. The program helped to bring Semi physical activity sessions that SRU makes SRU’s Honors Program, with born students’ international perspective. “It Linton, an award-winning author and expert available to community children and 294 students enrolled, provides will allow our students to get the business on disability and the arts, to campus. It also adults with disabilities and demonstrated additional opportunities for perspective from another culture as well,” brought Lisa Wade, a sociology profes- that having a disability doesn’t limit one’s qualified students to learn and said Bruce Russell, SRU dean of the College sor from Occidental College, ability to live an active and healthy life. grow through honors classes, of Business, Information and Social Sciences. to campus for a discussion on The program, led by SRU students in student-faculty research and KNU, founded in 1947 in Chuncheon, female genital cutting.