A Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Point Park University | FALL 2015 POINTTHE CYCLING THE CITY Riding and learning in bike-friendly Downtown Pittsburgh ACADEMIC PROGRESS New Ph.D. in community engagement, online M.S. in health care administration and management, and more Winners’ CuP Pioneers bring KIAC Cup back to Point Park of shifting enrollment trends and changes costly legal battle. Therefore, the University in the higher education market, Point Park has recognized the right of full-time faculty has not only reduced expenditures but also to form a union and begin collective implemented a University-wide restructuring bargaining accordingly. that will better invest and align our resources to support the evolving educational needs Last fall, we welcomed the largest freshman of our students. These changes led to the class in our history, representing a continued difficult decision to reduce the University’s interest in a traditional on-campus educational workforce by three percent, which impacted experience. At the same time, however, there 32 part-time and full-time employees whose has been a significant shift in adult students 10 positions were eliminated last summer. We moving toward flexible delivery modalities, OF appreciate the service and commitment of such as online delivery. To accommodate the TABLE CONTENTS our employees, and recognize how difficult demand of students seeking flexible options, this change was for everyone impacted by Point Park has introduced 22 new online 2 Feedback 22 Coded for Success the strategic realignment. offerings leading to bachelor’s and graduate Visiting Professor Mark Voortman makes programming the focus of IT degrees. And the University continues to 3 News and Views learning in the School of Business. In addition to this critical reorganization, Point establish innovative degrees such as an M.F.A. 12 Park has also made an important decision in screenwriting, a new online master’s in 10 Academic Progress 24 Alumni Connection to end a longstanding dispute regarding the health care administration and management, Introducing a new interdisciplinary ability of full-time faculty to form a union a new interdisciplinary Ph.D. in community Ph.D. in community engagement, Dear alumni and friends, under the National Labor Relations Act engagement, and more. a new fully online M.S. in health 25 Class Notes (NLRA). This issue began in 2003 with a care administration and management, Back to school season at Point Park is always faculty vote to unionize under a different As a University, we remain committed to and more. 30 Winners’ Cup a time of purposeful change and revitalization, University administration. The issue was academic excellence focused on the needs Point Park claims the 2014-15 for our students and their families as well as disputed for several years through appeals to of our students. Together, we continue 30 12 Cycling the City KIAC Cup as top athletic depart- our dedicated faculty and staff. the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to strive to encourage innovation, ensure From the president’s educational ment in the conference. and the U.S. Court of Appeals. The case integrity and ethics in our actions, facilitate bike tour to new bicycle sharing As we all know well, change is a constant sat dormant at the NLRB from 2007 until civic engagement, and adapt to change as stations on campus and around these days. At Point Park, we’ve carefully February 2015, when it was remanded back we work to be one of the most dynamic town, students, faculty and staff tracked the tremendous changes in the to the Regional NLRB by the National NLRB private urban universities in America. enjoy living and learning in bike- higher education landscape in recent years for a ruling. Point Park has great respect friendly Downtown Pittsburgh. as the University has worked on its academic for its full-time faculty and appreciates their Warm regards, plans for the future. These changes have commitment to academic excellence. In 18 Playhouse Season Begins TALK TO US! had a major impact on student enrollment at addition, the current administration does not Point Park’s Pittsburgh Playhouse The Point wants to hear from you. Send your schools throughout the country. As a result wish to spend precious resources on a A Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Point Park University | FALL 2015 features everything from crowd- comments and suggestions to: On the cover: pleasing musicals to classic and THE Point Park President Paul POINT contemporary dance and theatre Managing Editor Dr. Paul Hennigan Hennigan (far right) rides Marketing and Communications past the iconic fountain in in 2015-16. CYCLING THE CITY Point Park University Riding and learning in bike-friendly President Downtown Pittsburgh Point State Park, where 201 Wood Street Pittsburgh’s three rivers Pittsburgh, PA 15222 20 Safety First meet, as he leads students ACADEMIC PROGRESS Point Park Police and cinema Phone: 412-392-6108 New Ph.D. in community on his 2014 educational engagement, online M.S. in health care administration Fax: 412-392-6185 and management, and more alumni collaborate on training film WINNERS CUP bike tour of the city. Pioneers Bring KIAC Cup Back to Point Park Email: [email protected] Photo by Chris Rolinson. to increase campus safety. President Managing Director, Manager of Printing Writers Photographers Communications and Services Paul Hennigan, Ed.D. Amanda Dabbs 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 published Client Services Don Pastorius information. Please visit our web site at www.pointpark.edu for current information regarding University programs, departments, alumni activities and events. Gina Puppo Victoria A. Mikula Vice President of Nancy Commella Kevin Taylor Martha Rial Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Initiatives External Affairs Managing Director, Online 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 or gender or in a Barbara Vilanova Christopher Rolinson protected class which includes the following: race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age (40 years and over), ancestry, individuals with disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientation, height, weight, Mariann Geyer Managing Editor Communications genetic information, marital status, gender identity, caregiver status or familial status, in the administration of any of its educational programs, activities or with respect to employment or admission to the Chris Squier Cheryl Valyo Christine Zapinski University’s educational programs and activities. Jeff Swensen Managing Director, 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 Graphic Designer 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, policies or complaints of University Marketing and Web Services Administrator discrimination should be referred to the human resources officer, telephone number 412-392-3952. Inquiries regarding Title IX and the Title IX regulations should also be referred to the senior vice president Judy Sporka of academic and student affairs as the Title IX coordinator or to the deputy coordinators: the associate vice president of academic and student affairs, the human resources officer or the dean of students. Public Relations Stephen Shanahan Lou Corsaro POINTpaRK.EDU 1 NEWS AND VIEWS Professional Advancement adjunct instructor, joined public admin- case all those years in itself was istration student Tony Zoroya in lead- quite the story — but it became more Nelson Chipman has been named ing a 170-hour entry-level firefighter intriguing as I investigated and learned as the new executive director for Point training course this summer at the that at the time of the murder, Gall, Park Online. He has been with the Allegheny County Fire Academy. “Train- state police and county detectives University for eight years. In his time at ing new firefighters this summer with had five suspects, each with opportu- Point Park, he has served in a number Professors Skertich and Cook made nity and a few with motive.” Using the of administrative positions, including the me realize fire service education has entire case file, newspaper clippings, screenwriting concentration coordinator, become a calling for me,” remarked Zo- court transcripts, magazine articles screenwriting major coordinator, Cinema roya, who works as a transport coordi- and research journals, Hallock drew Department chair, interim dean for the nator for STAT MedEvac. “Working with upon his more than 30 years of jour- Conservatory of Performing Arts, and new firefighters is such a rewarding nalism experience to complete program director for the new low- experience. I get the same enjoyment the research and writing of Justice residency M.F.A. program. out of expanding college students view Delayed. “This story emerged from cold of the world in my Political and Legal darkness more than 30 years after the Susan Stowe, professor of dance Foundations of Emergency Services murder, thanks to new light shone on and