THE POINT A Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Point Park University SPRING 2010 HotHouse foR New woRks Ronald-Allan Lindblom woodland Hills Pioneers Reach New on Growing Greatness students embrace Heights in Volleyball at the Playhouse College Now Dear alumni and friends, After a long and difficult winter, we commencement ceremony – one to all share enthusiasm at the arrival represent each year of our history. We’re of spring this year. As I look out my also planning an Alumni Weekend on window at Point Park’s Downtown September 24-26 to commemorate backyard, I’m very happy that February’s our anniversary with reunions, learning “Snowmageddon” is finally history, and opportunities and more. As I look back that signs of growth and renewal are with pride and fond memories of the everywhere. faculty, staff, students and alumni who have shaped my own Point Park One of the signs of our own campus experiences, I’m looking forward to this renewal is construction on the Wood celebration of our common history. Street Corridor. In the months ahead, new trees, lighting, signage and much Finally, you’ll notice that another area more will bloom along the University’s that has experienced some renewal is main street. We’re planning a the design of The Point. This fresh look groundbreaking event in September to can also be found in our comprehensive celebrate this project and our planned marketing communications efforts, corner park. Stay tuned for more details. including our admissions materials, social It’s all part of the rebirth of our Downtown media ventures, and a streamlined Web neighborhood, which also recently site. We call it “A Metamorphosis of U,” welcomed the opening of the Mon Wharf and it’s all about celebrating the power River Trail next door to campus, and of change. will soon celebrate the completion of a European-style plaza in Market Square. We’ll continue to keep you in touch with the changes. Thanks for keeping in Another rite of spring is commencement, touch. in which we join our graduates in celebrating their transition to professional Warm regards, life. This year, as Point Park marks its 50th anniversary, we’ve invited 50 dedicated alumni to participate in the Dr. Paul Hennigan President President Director of Publications Graphic Designers Contributing Writers Contributing Paul Hennigan, Ed.D. Dalton Good Christie Martz Nancy Commella Photographers Tom Phillips Colleen Derda Tom Bell Vice President of Managing Editor Camille Downing Jesse Colaizzi University Advancement Cheryl Valyo Manager of Printing Tammi Kaufman Jim Judkis Mariann Geyer and Office Services Terra McBride Murphy Moschetta Contributing Editor Don Pastorius Kevin Taylor Martha Rial Senior Director of Marketing Nancy Commella Cheryl Valyo Christopher Rolinson and Communications Christine Zapinski Mary Ellen Solomon TABLE OF CONTENTS 08 2 Feedback 36 Alumni Lead Pens in Assists Helping the Penguins meet 2 News and Views business, communication goals 8 Wood Street Corridor Blooms 38 Especially for Alumni Construction is set to begin on Point Park’s main street 39 Class Notes 16 14 Thinking Global 44 Pioneer Athletics Channa Newman leads Global Volleyball team reaches Cultural Studies degree new heights program 16 High School Students TAlk TO US! Embrace ‘College Now’ The Point wants to hear from you. Send your comments and suggestions to: Woodland Hills families praise 20 dual-enrollment program Managing Editor Marketing and Communications Point Park University, Dept. of Communications 18 Hothouse for New Works 201 Wood Street Ronald Allan-Lindblom on Pittsburgh, PA 15222 growing greatness at the Phone: 412-392-6108 Playhouse Fax: 412-392-6185 Email: [email protected] 20 Professor’s Photo Book Explores State Parks On the cover: Pictorial offers images of wild Ronald Allan-Lindblom, 40 places in Western Pennsylvania dean of the Conservatory of Performing Arts and artistic director of Point Park Univer- 22 Honor Roll of Benefactors sity’s Pittsburgh Playhouse, backstage at the Playhouse in Oakland. Photo by Martha Rial. The Point is published by the Office of University Advancement, Point Park University, 201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of published information. Please visit our web site at www.pointpark.edu for current information regarding University programs, departments, alumni activities and events. Point Park University educates students in a diverse environment and prepares graduates to apply knowledge to achieve their goals, advance their professions and serve their communities. Point Park University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, relation, ancestry, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, martial 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. This policy is in accord with 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 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. Inquiries regarding these regulations, policies, or complaints of discrimination should be referred to the Human Resources Officer, 2nd floor, Thayer Hall, telephone number: 412-392-3952. Inquires regarding Title IX and the Title IX regulations can also be referred to the Human Resources Officer as the Title IX coordinator. Pointpark.Edu 1 NEWS AND VIEWS Day of Dreams Celebration Point Park students of various races, ethnicities and Dreams celebration, students were invited to post backgrounds filled the Lawrence Hall lobby on Jan. their own dreams on a “Dream Wall” on display in the 18 to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Lu- Lawrence Hall lobby. Everyone was also invited to ther King Jr. The Day of Dreams celebration, spon- take part in a “Poverty Luncheon” of unsweetened sored by Point Park’s Black Student Union, Honors iced tea, soup, and peanut butter and jelly sand- Student Organization and the Office of the Provost, wiches. Other speakers during the Day of Dreams offered a full day of events, including speeches, celebration were Richard Adams, special assistant networking, food and reflection. Among the speakers to the president for diversity and equity at the Com- was Sala udin, president and CEO of the Coro Cen- ter for Civic Leadership, who described his involve- munity College of Allegheny County; state Rep. Jake ment in the civil rights movement during the 1960s. Wheatley, D-Hill District; and Marsha Ellis Jones, He challenged students to reflect on their own senior vice president and chief diversity officer for dreams and leadership qualities. “What’s the next PNC Financial Services. Donations benefited NEED, great American revolution? Am I looking at someone a Pittsburgh-based organization that provides scholar- in this room who will lead it? Martin Luther King was ships to help further minority education. once sitting at a university, and no one knew that they were sitting next to a future leader. Is the next leader in this room?” Udin asked. As part of the Day of FEEDBACK Dear Editor, of the University, my Point Park education “Great question on our wall: What are the 5 has helped me be a good public servant too. best qualities of Point Park University?” Today in the mail I received the Winter 2009 I wish Doug well and extend my thanks and –November 18, 2009, at 6:46a.m. issue of the Point. I’m an M.B.A graduate of appreciation to him for the opportunity to work Point Park and I was reading the magazine together for four years. I remember those Point Park university via @irishgirl1984 on like I always do. When I looked at the headline years very well. Twitter: @PointParkU Great teachers, great of the alumni profile of Douglas M. Anderson, friends, nice places to sit and study, great I realized I knew this person very well, but had Paul G. kosko, M.B.A. (BuS 1999) computer labs, discounted theater tickets... not been in touch with him for more than 20 Superintendent of Programming and this list goes on. years. Doug Anderson is my former boss, the Accounting, Municipal Authority person that gave me my start in my career of Westmoreland County Point Park university via @jmladow on in our [shared] hometown of Jamestown, Twitter: @PointParkU best qualities? small N.Y. I give him a lot of credit, and over the Heard on Facebook classes, experienced professors, location, past 23 years I have thought of him often. internship opportunities and networking I left Jamestown to work for the Municipal “Proud to be a former Point Park employee, possibilities.” Authority of Westmoreland County, where I graduate, member of the alumni committee, have worked for the past 23 years. I’m doing and a trustee. Point Park is really making a (Search for “Point Park University” and very well. After reading the Point article about name for itself!” “Point Park University Alumni” on Facebook!) what Doug has done over the past 20 years, –November 24 at 6:59p.m. I’m very proud of him. As a fellow graduate Juanita Balliard Carter (A&S 1979) 2 THE PoiNT SPRiNG 2009 NEWS AND VIEWS Professional Advancement cussed ways to instill and preserve traditional Mass Communication Educator, the interna- Tatyana dumova, Ph.D., associate profes- principles such as accuracy, investigation and tional, refereed, quarterly journal published by sor of digital media in the School of Com- objectivity in multimedia journalism classes, the Association for Education in Journalism & munication, has been appointed editor of a especially in context of the current online and Mass Communication. new interdisciplinary scholarly journal, the cable news atmosphere.