rock magazine winter 2004

M A G A Z I N ES L I P P E R Y R O C K U N I V E R S I T Y

Click here for hyperlinkedtable of contents.

About this IssueGraduate studies at Slippery Rock University features nationally prominent programs that attract students fromacross the country and beyond. This edition examines our reputation for graduate education, described as "verystrong right down the line."

On the CoverJulie Vasicek is a doctor of physical therapy candidate. A national leader in physical therapy education, SRUconferred 43 doctoral degrees in 2002-2003.

The Rock MagazineSlippery Rock University publishes The Rock Magazine to keep alumni and others informed about its activities and programs and to encourage support for the University. Members of the Slippery Rock UniversityAlumni Association receive an additional section of the magazine, The Rock Insider, which contains news and feature articles about alumni and association activities. University Public Relations, 201 Old Main, Slippery Rock, PA 16057. Editor’s e-mail is: [email protected]

CreditsDesign: Vance Wright Adams and Associates Inc.Photography: Visual Perceptions, Inc., ADM Photography, University Public Relations, Liz EllisThe Rock Magazine is a National Admissions Marketing merit award winner

Slippery Rock UniversityofPennsylvania Winter 2004

A member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

Council of Trustees

Robert Marcus, Chairperson Dennis E. Murray, Vice ChairpersonGary Rose, SecretaryMr. Kenneth B. BlairMartha KingRex MartinOrvan B. PetersonArlene QuinlanJohn ThornburghSuzanne VessellaJoshua YoungJudy G. Hample, Ex-Officio

Interim President

Robert M. Smith

Administration

William F. WilliamsInterim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Charles T. CurryVice President for Finance andAdministrative Affairs

Robert J. WatsonVice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Robert J. Mollenhauer Vice President for University Advancement

Ross C. FeltzDirector, Public Relations

Jane Fulton, Dean, College of Health, Environment and Sciences

Bruce RussellDean, College of Business, Information and Social Sciences

C. Jay HertzogDean, College of Education

William J. McKinneyDean, College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts

James KushnerDean, Lifelong Learning

Board of Governors of thePennsylvania State Systemof Higher Education

Charles A. GomulkaR. Benjamin WileyVice Chair

Kim E. LyttleVice Chair

Matthew E. BakerMarie A. Conley LammandoThe Honorable Jeffrey W. CoyBrandon W. DanzPaul S. DlugoleckiRegina M. DonatoDaniel P. ElbyDavid P. HolveckVincent J. HughesChristine J. OlsonC. R. “Chuck” PennoniVicki L. PhillipsGovernor Edward RendellThe Honorable James J. RhoadesDavid M. SankoRonald L. Strickler, Jr.John K. Thornburgh

Chancellor, Pennsylvania StateSystem of Higher Education

Judy G. Hample

1 A View from The Rock

2 Graduate Studies at SRU: ‘Very Strong Right Down the Line.

6 Graduate Programs Draw Students on a National Level

10 Technology Boosts Learning

11 North Hills Center Provides Convenient Options for Working Professionals

12 Master’s Degree Graduates Credit SRU for Building

Rock Solid Foundation for Success

14 The Caring Nature of SRU

14 Are You an Insider?

31 News from The Rock

34 Rock Scoops

35 College of Business, Information and Social Sciences

36 College of Education

37 College of Health, Environment and Science

38 College of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts

39 Advancement: Capital Campaign News

43 Athletics

Vision Statement

Slippery Rock University will excel as a caring community

of lifelong learners connecting with the world.

www.SRU.edu

Interim President Robert Smith (left) presents gift to Pittsburgh Post Gazette columnist Tony Norman, who served as speaker at December’scommencement. Among the 420 graduates were 71 master’s degrees recipients.

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Graduate education represents aboutten percent of Slippery Rock University’senrollment but a critical component of our educational mission. Graduatedegrees provide a valuable stepping-stone for careers and graduate researchplays an important part in economicdevelopment. Graduate programshelp recruit talented students andfaculty to both graduate programs aswell as our undergraduate departments.Nationally recognized graduateprograms shape the academicreputation of the entire university.

Nationally prominent at The RockGraduate studies at Slippery Rock Universityserve all of these purposes. We are a recognizedleader in many of our graduate programs.Our school of physical therapy graduatesconsistently exceed the national average forthe first-time pass rate on doctor of physicaltherapy licensure exams. Our collaborativemaster’s in nursing is considered one of themost innovative in the country. The PittsburghPost Gazette cited the leadership of ourmaster’s in sustainable systems program aspart of a major article on environmentalchanges in the region. Our park rangerprogram was rated among the best in thecountry by Outside magazine, which called it one of the 10 “fast tracks to adventure.”These and our 19 other graduate programsare featured in this issue. I hope what youread will make you proud of this part of ouracademic community.

What you will also discover about ourgraduate programs is how responsive we are tothe changing character of graduate education.Like every other aspect of higher education,

graduate education is undergoing radicalchange. An evolving economy, demands forspecialized credentials, shifts in funding forresearch, state and governing board expectationsof accountability, and internal budget prioritiescoupled with our enrollment growth all haveplayed a role in shaping graduate educationnationwide and at SRU, specifically.

Today’s graduate studentsOne of the most significant changes tograduate education in the last decade has beenthe profile of the student. The contemporarygraduate student is older, has family andcareer responsibilities and attends graduateschool on a part time basis. You will readinspiring stories of these students throughoutthese pages. You will also discover how adaptiveand innovative our faculty has been to servethe needs of our students.

Graduate programs involve specializedknowledge and concentrated study in onearea. The semesters devoted to course workare occasions when students sharpen theiranalytical and critical skills as well as delvemore deeply into the literature of a particularfield or subspecialty. During this period,students become self-starting, read broadly,take the initiative to research areas withoutfaculty class requirement, and look at topicsthat may generate even more questions leadingto more involved research. In this respect, itdiffers from undergraduate study, whichintroduces you to a wide range of subjects.

Graduate programs are more focused ona specific area of interest and on acquiringspecialized skills to practice a profession ordo advanced research. However, it does notmerely entail an additional number of courses.It requires active participation in research as

a method for shaping intellectual inquiry.The cornerstone for building a foundationfor such advance thinking is research. Dr.Joyce Penrose, one of our distinguishednursing faculty, explains the benefit of theresearch component of graduate educationas one of learning a framework for evaluatingan idea: “Students first need to become adaptat asking a research question,” she explains.“Next they need to be able to select validand reliable instruments for measurementand the right methodology. Then there mustbe a comfort level with tools for analysis.Last, and not least, is the ability tocommunicate your findings.”

Slippery Rock University will continue to provide quality graduate education thatremains focused, individualized, andresearch-based. Sustaining that commitmentis challenging during times of decliningfunding sources and the pressures of ourincreased enrollment.

You expect us to be rigorous,responsive, and responsible with all of our programs. These commitmentsmean we will continue to hold ourprograms to high standards. We willcontinue to look at new models forboth curriculum and pedagogy. In thecoming years you will see examplesof these demands as we continue toprovide Rock Solid Graduate Education.

Sincerely,

Robert M. SmithInterim President

VIEW FROM THE ROCK

2 The Rock Winter 2004

Graduate Studies atSlippery Rock University:

Master’s in Doctor of physical therapy (below)and sustainable systems (above) are just twoof our high-profile graduate programs.

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here. Many give up things – family andleisure time – because they see the benefitsof graduate education. They see it as thenext step for that promotion, the start of arewarding second career, or the process bywhich they become better professionals intheir chosen fields.”

Excellence across the board,opportunities for researchIn addition to the University being fullyaccredited by the Middle StatesCommission on Higher Education, manyof SRU’s graduate programs have achievedlevels of professional accreditation thatadd to the measures of excellence.

Students benefit from abundantresearch, including joint projects withgraduate faculty. Many write papers forpublication in peer-reviewed journals, andthe Graduate School of Physical Therapyconducts a research symposium, as doother departments.

“It’s important for our students to havea graduate research component, becausemany of our students go on to doctoralstudies,” Dr. Jay Hertzog, dean of theCollege of Education and chair of theGraduate Council, said. “If students don’thave a research base, they’re at adisadvantage. Graduate students comehere not just to get an advanced degreeand earn higher pay, but because of thereputation for teaching and researchcapabilities.”

Student projects are diverse andmeaningful:• Sustainable systems student Heath

Gamache is gathering data on thefeasibility of using wind, a clean energysource, to generate electricity for somecampus buildings. He installed a 100-foot meteorological tower near thefootball stadium to measure windvelocity for a year.

• Exercise and rehabilitative sciencestudents and faculty are studyingwheelchair propulsion to determineactive, healthy lifestyles for people withdisabilities.

• Physical therapy student MadelieneAtzeva received a grant to researchpostnatal muscle development inprimates. Her abstract has been acceptedfor presentation at the annual meetingof the American Association of PhysicalAnthropologists, April 2004.

SRU granted 153 master’sand 43 Doctor of

physical therapy degreesin 2002-2003

• Parks and Recreation Assistant ProfessorDr. John Lisco obtained a $205,000contract from the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers so that students can researchpark use and deliver lectures, operatetours and provide related historicalinformation at the Bulltown VisitorCenter at Bulltown Historical Area,Burnsville Lake, W. Va.“The experience graduate students gain

by doing research is highly beneficial forprofessional development,” said Lisco.“In addition to the professional benefits,graduate students who participate inresearch are taking the first step inbecoming active participants in academia.”

Our largest graduate department,counseling and educational psychology,has 169 majors. Students take classes in afacility converted specifically for use as acounseling laboratory, something fewother universities offer.

With career-oriented focus and many research opportunities, graduate programsbecome national draws

Interim President Robert Smith congratulatesa doctor of physical therapy graduate.

Graduate school is not one thing—itis many things. It is the path tospecialized training, higher levelsof influence and pay, or the gate-

way to a second career. It is a meansby which future college professorsearn their stripes. It’s part of lifelonglearning, and it can also be a passportout of a weak economy.

Graduate school is about improvingskills and credentials – a valuable ticket inthese times. Ask writer Kat Ricker, wholeft Oregon specifically to enroll inSlippery Rock University’s master of artsin English, focus on professional writing.

A national search of colleges anduniversities convinced Ricker – a writerwith 10 years experience – that SRUoffered the best program in the countryfor her.

“It’s very cutting edge and perfect forpeople like me who have workedsuccessfully in journalism, PR and variousother writing and editing venues. You justcan’t pin us down to one career dream,and SRU’s Professional Writing Programnurtures this diversity. I’ll come out armedfor a number of writing and editing jobs,which is exactly what I want.”

Graduate studies at Slippery RockUniversity provide career-orientededucation for important fields. Not onlyhas enrollment increased each of the pastfive years, several programs have becomenational draws, because of their excellence.They include the doctor of physicaltherapy, sustainable systems (MS3), sportmanagement, exercise science, park andresource management, and counseling andeducational psychology. Total graduateenrollment stands at 735.

“We have very strong graduateprograms right down the lineacademically,” Dr. Duncan Sargent,graduate studies director, said. “I am veryproud of graduate students who come


Research opportunities in exercisescience revolve around faculty and studentinterests, said Dr. Nelson Ng, graduatecoordinator. Topics include exercisephysiology, biomechanics and adaptedactivity/special populations. Researchusually culminates in dissemination ofresults at professional conferences at thestate, national, and international levels.

“The primary benefit is that researchand presentation of findings allowstudents to broaden their horizon byapplying their knowledge to explore real-world problems,” Ng said.

Many advantages ofgraduate-level preparationMany professions prefer or requiregraduate degrees. For example,

undergraduate programs in physicaltherapy no longer exist because accreditingagencies stopped accrediting them.Physical therapists must graduate fromaccredited universities to become licensedto practice in the U.S.

SRU doctoral students complete fourcourses of research, culminating in astudent-faculty project, said Dr. TimothySmith, associate professor of physicaltherapy. Numerous student groups havesubmitted manuscripts for publication inpeer-reviewed journals, and faculty-student publications have appeared injournals such as Anatomical Record,Ergonomics and Sports Physical Therapy.

“The faculty of the Graduate School ofPhysical Therapy considers the researchcurriculum and the research conducted byfaculty and students to be one of theparticular strengths of the program,”Smith said

Career opportunities While physical therapy has attractedstudents from as far as Louisiana, sportmanagement enrolled its first graduate

student from Colorado this fall, MattCarson, who arrived following internshipswith the Detroit Lions and NFL Europe.

Said Carson, “I came to Slippery RockUniversity because I saw a greatopportunity to attend graduate school inone of the strongest sport managementprograms in the country. I firmly believethat this was the right decision for me tobetter myself and improve my careeropportunities.”

Essence of graduate educationStudents meet in small groups or one-on-one to become critical thinkers who cansolve problems independently orcollaboratively. They benefit from facultymentoring.

A graduate council comprised of onestudent from each of our 11 graduatedepartments provides input on studentneeds. SRU offers more than 100 graduateassistantships, full and part-time. Full timeincludes a stipend of $3,500 a year, plus afull tuition waiver.

Ricker, the writer from Oregon, landeda graduate assistantship with the Englishdepartment, saying, “I am absolutelyecstatic with the opportunity SRU isgiving me.”

Graduate Departments and Academic Programs at Slippery Rock University

Counseling and EducationalPsychology • Community Counseling—

Addiction Counseling• Community Counseling—

Adult Counseling• Community Counseling—

Child and Adolescent• Elementary School Counseling• Secondary School Counseling• Student Personnel• Principal Certification

Elementary Education/Early Childhood• Elementary Education—Math/Science• Elementary Education—Reading• Elementary Education—Reading

(Certificate Only)

English• English (Literature and Composition or

Professional Writing focus)

Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences• Exercise and Wellness Promotion

History• History

Parks and Resource Management• Environmental Education• Park and Resource Management• Sustainable Systems• Environmental Education

(Certificate only)

Physical Education and Sport Management• Physical Education• Sport Management

Secondary Education/Foundations of Education• Instructional Technology

(SRU Certificate only)• Secondary Education Math/Science

Special Education• Master Teacher• Supervision• Mentally and Physically Handicapped

(Certificate only)• Supervision (Certificate only)

Graduate School of Physical Therapy• Doctor of Physical Therapy

Nursing• Co-operative Master of Science

in Nursing

SRU Certificate• Gerontology

There are many good reasons to enroll in a graduate program• To practice in certain fields, such as physical therapy, you need an advanced degree• If you want to be a college professor, you may need a doctorate. A master’s degree is the first step• To transition into a different career or acquire skills for a rewarding second career• To increase your salary and career advancement opportunities• For the love of learning and to further your expertise in a certain field

Graduate enrollmentstands at 735, up 11 percent in five years

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“Graduate education is a critical component of the overall impression people haveof a university, of its quality, of its delivery of academics, of its continuation in lifelong

learning. Our alumni and prospective students look to Slippery Rock Universitybecause they are ready for retraining, ready for the next step in their career.

They’re saying, ‘I’m ready for that life change that I want your University to provide.’”— Dr. Duncan Sargent, director of Graduate Studies

Graduate

Jessica Zakrie (right), a student in SRU’s master of science in park and resource management, met President Bush in August when he visited theSanta Monica Mountains in California. Zakrie, a New Jersey native, enrolled in the distance-education program from California, where she works asan outdoor recreation planner for the National Park Service. “I am completing my first semester on the on-line program and you could not ask for amore affordable and convenient way to pursue my master’s,” she said. “The on-line program provides me with the perfect opportunity to maintainemployment with a public park agency and manage my student requirements on my schedule.”

that draw on a national level are numerous at TheRock. Students enroll for many reasons – distinctivecurriculum, meaningful research, small classes,internships, experienced faculty and technology,including the convenience of distance education andWeb-enhanced coursework. While all 22 graduateprograms feature quality, the following have made aname for themselves in national circles.


PROGRAMS

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Park and Resource ManagementNot only has SRU been recognized as anational leader for park ranger education,students can earn the master of science inpark and resource management withoutsetting foot on campus. SRU offers allnine courses online, a convenience thathas attracted students from Arizona,Arkansas, California, Maine, NorthCarolina and Utah.

Graduate students take two courses each semester, moving through therequirements as a group. They orderbooks and receive log-in instructions tojoin virtual classes from any computer inthe world. Many students enroll whilethey manage full-time jobs at state andnational parks.

SRU launched the program in 1999.Other students attend classes on campus.“I chose to pursue my degree at The Rockfor a few reasons,” graduate student CoreyThompson of Lumberton, N.C., said.“Not only is Slippery Rock Universityknown for its name, but more importantly,it is known for the quality of education. I was also impressed with the prompt and helpful responses I received wheninquiring about the graduate program.”

Doctor of Physical TherapyContinued excellence on board exams,placement of graduates across the countryand research opportunities are just someof the reasons SRU’s Doctor of PhysicalTherapy Program is one of the best in thecountry.

Many graduates have made solidcontributions as part-time instructors atother universities, become sole owners oftheir own practices or have even gone onto medical school.

Professors say the program representsthe future of PT education: a challengingcurriculum emphasizing evidence-baseddiagnosis, promotion of wellness, anddissection work.

“The number one priority for ourfaculty is teaching students,” says Dr.Chris Hughes, professor of physicaltherapy. “Since we have about 50 percentof our current faculty active in practice, we believe students get the most updatedinformation on what PT’s see in the clinicand how they treat them.”

“Not only is Slippery RockUniversity known for itsname, but more importantly,it is known for the qualityof its education.”

Corey ThompsonLumberton, N.C.Park and Resource Management

“What separates us from other schoolswould be the experience of the instructor,”adds Dr. Regis Turocy, assistant professorof physical therapy. “I have over 30 yearsof clinical experience to share with thestudents, and I’m just one of manyexperienced faculty.”

Exercise and Wellness PromotionThe master of science in exercise andwellness promotion prepares students forjobs in the booming fitness industry.Graduates design, implement and manageexercise and wellness programs forcompanies, as well as hospitals, YMCAs,universities and fitness clubs. Thisincludes working with special populations,including senior citizens, athletes andobese children.

SRU redesigned its program in 1999 tofocus on health promotion and wellness.The change from a purely clinical to amore practical program reflectshealthcare’s increasing emphasis onprimary prevention of disease and

Benefits of new PhysicalTherapy Building“From my visit of other programsI can honestly say we have muchbigger space compared to otherprograms. The smart classroomsoffer a technological edge.The building is student friendly.It provides lounge area andplenty of space for them to notonly attend classes but alsosocialize and also havetechnology convenience of thecomputer labs.”

Dr. Chris Hughes,Professor of Physical Therapy

continued on page 12


disability, said Dr. Susan Hannam, chairof exercise and rehabilitative sciences. Inresponse to national trends, SRUintroduced two new electives in 2003,“Pediatric Exercise Science” and“Spirituality and Wellness.”

Faculty place a special emphasis onpractical experience in laboratory andworkplace settings. Students are preparedwith knowledge and skills to pass theAmerican College of Sports MedicineHealth Fitness Instructor examination.

Graduate student Rochelle Rashidwants to become a college professor in exercise physiology. “My overallexperience at SRU has been a wonderfuland positive one,” she says. “I have gainedso much knowledge and insight that I willcarry with me throughout my educationaland professional career.”

“I have full confidence that I will leave SRU next year with all of thequalifications needed to land a rewardingjob in the field of exercise and wellnesspromotion,” says Julie Kumor, anothergraduate student.

Sport ManagementThe Sport Management Program isinternationally recognized for itsexcellence and has a strong reputation forjob placement. LeTourneau University inTexas hired Shane Meling, a 2003graduate, as sports information directorwithin a few weeks of graduation.

Another graduate, Erica Nelson, foundemployment with New York City 2012, agroup working to bring the SummerOlympics to NYC. Others go into sportsmarketing, game and event operations orjobs with professional teams.

In the U.S., sports represent a $200billion industry. “We try to provide thesports industry with middle managementindividuals,” said Dr. Robin Ammon, Jr.,program coordinator. “The program is anextension of Slippery Rock’s excellentreputation for sport management at theundergraduate level.”

Graduate students Rochelle Rashid (left) and Julie Kumor have full confidence that TheRock’s Exercise and Wellness Promotion Program will propel them to rewarding careers.

Sport management graduate Shane Meling, ’03, (at laptop) covers a basketball game at LeTourneau University in Texas, where he works as sports information director. “SlipperyRock’s Sport Management Program, along with my graduate assistantship, prepared mefor my job,” he said. “I was given the opportunity to work on many different things insideand outside of the classroom that have a direct, real-world application, and I’m thankful forthat. I also received a great deal of one-on-one attention from my professors.”

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NursingThe master of science in nursing issponsored jointly by Slippery Rock,Clarion and Edinboro universities. Anoutstanding faculty is drawn from thethree universities, and graduates receive ajoint degree from the institutions.

The program uses distance educationto offer classes at each university. Manystudents pursue degrees while working asnurses and balancing family demands.

There are two concentrations, familynurse practitioner or nurse educator. Theuniversities recently launched an RN-to-MSN program as well.

Elementary Education/Early ChildhoodSRU offers outstanding graduate programsin elementary education math/science andelementary reading.

Math/science students take courses toimprove their ability to teach elementarymath and science by utilizing the tools of technology. Graduates of the readingconcentration are eligible to receivePennsylvania Reading Specialist Certification.

Counseling and Educational Psychology SRU offers three programs: the master ofeducation in school counseling, the masterof arts in student personnel and themaster of arts in community counseling.

Department Chair Dr. Gerard Lovesays they are highly sophisticated.Students take classes in a house convertedfor use as a counseling laboratory,something few other universities offer.Interactive television enables faculty andstudents to watch counseling sessionsfrom another room in the facility. Facultyuse wireless technology to communicateto group leaders during sessions. Groupleaders wear earplugs.

The three programs place graduates incommunity mental health clinics,universities, Catholic Charities, schoolsand hospitals. Student personnelgraduates have found employment atMichigan State, DePaul, Florida State,and the University of Pittsburgh, amongothers.

ustainable Systems

The mission of sustainability is supporting projects that are

ecologically sound, economically viableand socially just – concepts SlipperyRock University excels at with its Masterof Science in Sustainable SystemsProgram (MS3). The program preparesstudents to better face environmentalchallenges using principles ofsustainability as a framework for action.

Most graduates go to work in service-related jobs in private, government oragricultural sectors. Our latest graduatesare employed by the National ResourcesConservation Service, the PennsylvaniaAssociation for Sustainable Agricultureand Community College of Vermont-Burlington.

Established in 1990, the curriculumhas drawn students from as far away asFlorida, Canada and Ukraine, because itis one of the few programs like it in thenation. Study topics include agriculture,wetlands recovery, forest management,ecological health, campus greening andpreservation of natural resources.

S


Classes in Parks and Recreation,Nursing Available 24-7It’s 3 a.m., you can’t sleep; or your “lunchbreak” on the overnight shift at the hospi-tal is at 4 a.m. and you have your laptop.Why not go to class?

That is just what a number of SlipperyRock University graduate students study-ing in park and resource management orin the joint Clarion-Edinboro-SRU NursePractitioner Program do on a regular basis.

TECHNOLOGY

“We find students adapt very well toWeb-based instruction, especially whenthey are already pressed for study time dueto job and family responsibilities,” saysDr. John Lisco, assistant professor of parksand recreation/environmental educationand an on campus leader in his depart-ment’s online master’s program in parkand resource management.

Likewise, Dr. Joyce Penrose, professorof nursing and coordinator of the jointMaster of Science in Nursing Program,echoes those sentiments, adding, “We’refinding the use of distance-based approachallows us to reach an audience that other-wise would not have access to graduateeducation.”

Penrose adds the increased access “ulti-mately affects the citizens of westernPennsylvania who need the services ofnurse practitioners who provide primarycare in their areas.” She explains the pro-gram also provides nurse educators whowork in nursing schools to educate nursesfor entry-level positions in a variety ofagencies, such as hospitals, hospices andpublic health settings.

The joint NPP expanded from the ini-tial use of interactive television classesjoining two sites to the current emphasison linking faculty and students at threesites simultaneously. In addition, the pro-gram increasingly uses a “multi-media”approach, including videotaping classesand using Web-based instruction. Facultymember Gretchen Schumacher is experi-menting with the use of Web-casting thatprovides lectures in streaming video for-mat delivered via the Web. Students areable to download a specific class lectureand, Penrose explains, “Our Web-cast lec-tures allows students to review the sessionat a time that is convenient and permitsthem to replays it if they are having diffi-culties with a particular segment. We findby combining modalities to emphasizewhat works best for teaching differentcontent, results in improved teaching andadds to student learning.”

Lisco, a longtime Web-based learningproponent, says his students most oftencite convenience, noting their jobs in stateand national parks are often considerabledistances from traditional college class-rooms. “Our programs give students theaccess they need and at times that meettheir schedules,” he says.

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SRU’s North Hills Center, convenientlylocated 15 miles north of Pittsburgh,makes graduate study possible for workingprofessionals and others who don’t want tocommute to main campus.

Classrooms are furnished to suit adultstudents in a comfortable, yet professionalatmosphere. Amenities include free park-ing, computer lab access time, a studentlounge and conference room.

Graduate courses and workshops areheld in the evening to accommodate stu-dents who work during the day. Current

programs include transitional doctor ofphysical therapy, special education, read-ing specialist certificate, elementary andsecondary school counseling and Englishprofessional writing.

“The North Hills Center is a neutralland between the University and the cor-porations who will employ our profes-sional writing graduates,” says Dr. WilliamBoggs, who teaches English courses there.“The site provides an interface betweenthe learning and the doing through ongo-ing communication with stakeholders.Everyone benefits.”

Rock Magazine asked alumnusGordon Ovenshine, 41, aboutreturning for graduate school.

So long, and thanks for themaster’s degree.In September, on a sunny day with clearblue skies, I took the first step toward thatgoal by entering a classroom for the firsttime in 15 years, as a graduate student inEnglish at Slippery Rock University.

Since then, I have had plenty of timeto reflect and develop a few thoughts forothers who may be hedging.

You’re not too old. When I entered theclassroom, I was surprised to see that I wasnot the class relic. In fact, students in“Advertising and Public Relations Writing”are 23 to 55. Age differences enrich learning,as do the diverse professional backgrounds:journalism, teaching, advertising, grantwriting, administration and graphic design.

Graduate education is not just “moreof the same”—it is fundamentally differ-ent from undergraduate education. It’smore like collaboration between professorand student. Students should take advan-tage of the informal atmosphere, partici-pate in discussions and ask questions.

Recognize graduate school as the step-ping stone to a higher level in your profes-sion, or the start of a rewarding secondcareer. Develop a sense of purpose andmanage your time wisely.

You don’t have to be a genius to dowell. You must be capable, but many fac-tors determine success, such as motiva-tion, initiative and communication skills.

Remember, you’re no smarter justbecause you enrolled. The important thingis that you become more knowledgeable.For me, that started in September.

About the author Gordon Ovenshine, ‘88, is senior publicrelations writer for Slippery Rock University.He received an undergraduate degree inEnglish from SRU and is pursuing the mas-ter’s in professional writing at the NorthHills Center. He worked as a newspaperreporter before returning to his alma mater.

Starting graduate school as a ‘non-traditional’ student

North Hills Center provides convenient optionsfor working professionals

Phyllis Kendziorski, information writer forthe College of Education, helps coordinatean assessment day for SRU’s PrincipalshipCertification Program. With her isDr. David Pietro New Brighton MiddleSchool principal.

The North Hill Center’s foyer illustratesthe business-like atmosphere.

SRU’s North Hills Center at WaterfrontCorporate Park offers several graduate classes.

Since its 2000 launch, overall enroll-ment at the North Hills Center hasincreased from 125 to 390.

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Master’s Degree Graduates Credit SRUWith Building Rock Solid Foundation for Success

Alumni from SRU’s graduate programs are leaders in every profession imaginable. They are teachers andschool administrators, physical therapists, social workers, university professors, youth development and mentalhealth counselors, attorneys, doctors, administrative assistants, military officers, business executives,researchers, marketing analysts, coaches, financial planners, psychologists, fitness directors, contractors, andnews editors and reporters. The list is extensive.

All are making use of their SRU education, and many credit their Rock Solid education, including campusdiversity and access to internships, leadership positions and dedicated faculty and staff as helping them moldtheir career talents and capitalize on opportunities.

Since SRU’s first graduate school diploma was presented to Beverly J. Corll for her master of education degreestudies in health and physical education at a 1964 commencement, the University has expanded its graduateprograms to award nearly 5,050 master’s and doctorate degrees. More than 2,150 SRU graduates hold masterof education degrees, while nearly 600 hold master or doctor of physical therapy degrees.

The Rock Magazine contacted several alumni to ask how their graduate studies have aided them in the careers:

Patrick Cappatt turns master of educationdegree into opportunities in business

For Patrick Cappatt,current business develop-ment manager for thePittsburgh office of theaccounting and tax assis-tance firm Deloitte &Touches, the road tograduate school at SRUwas circuitous. “I earnedmy undergraduate degreein physical education in1973 at The Rock andbegan teaching school inFt. Lauderdale, Fla. I

quickly found I wanted to get into higher educationadministration – and earn more money. I saw graduateschool as the answer,” he recalls.

Admitted as a graduate assistant in the College ofEducation, Cappatt began studies for a master of educa-tion degree in counseling services completing his acade-mic work in 1976. “I was familiar with the program, andthe program being offered was exactly what I needed.I found graduate school extremely beneficial. It openeddoors for me in business that set my career path.”

In discussing opening doors, Cappatt recalls thethen-dean of students, Dr. Timothy Gallineau “hadreceived a call from an upstate New York college col-league that he then used to help me link to an idealbusiness job in Milwaukee, Wisc. That opened addi-tional doors in business providing me with a career insales, sales management, marketing management andbusiness development – all now part of my job atDeloitte & Touche. All-in-all, my SRU education hasbeen extremely beneficial.”

Programs in diversity provided background for studentpersonnel graduate now leading at Ohio State University“Diversity was the key for me,” says Tracy Stuck, now a director ofthe Ohio Union, the student union at The Ohio State University andan SRU master’s graduate in educational psychology.

Talking from her OSU office while in the midst of selling footballbowl game trip packages, Stuck explains her course work in studentpersonnel at SRU gave her substantial preparation for her currentpost. “My SRU classes prepared me very well. The biggest thing forme personally was having my eyes opened to the whole concept ofdiversity,” says the 1990 graduate. “The SRU program involved mewith people from different countries, people with different beliefs,different sexual orientations — and all of that was a very goodthing.”

Stuck adds, “I will always value my studies at SRU. I did notrealize how much time I would spend counseling college students.Every day I see students needing help with handling everything fromcareer planning, to dealing with relationships and helping developtheir abilities as leaders.”

She urges students considering graduate school to take advantageof as many practicum experiences as possible and “to get involved inas many organizations and projects as possible. Look for a programthat involves diversity as part of thecurriculum, and look for mentors,” sheadds, pointing out her SRU programincluded diversity in administration, andcareer and individual counseling.

By keeping in touch with SRU, Stucknotes some of those she worked with whileat the SRU Student Union, including Dr.John Bonando, now assistant vice presidentof student services, and Dr. Robert Watson,now vice president for student life, serve asher inspirations. “I had them as mentors,and it is great to see their careers advance.”

www.sru.edu 13

Dr. Arlene Ellen Hall says SRU taught her to always look at broader prospective“Slippery Rock University is a quality institution that at the time I was a master’s degree student pro-

vided quality instruction in physical education as well as organization and administration of physical edu-cation, which played a very large role in my current work,” says Dr. Arlene Ellen Hall, director ofacademic affairs at Pennsylvania State University, New Kensington Campus.

A member of the master’s degree class of 1975, Hall completed her SRU undergraduate work tobecome a physical education teacher at the K-12 level in 1969. After several years in the secondary schoolclassroom teaching physical education, she opted to return to her alma mater seeking a higher degree inhealth and physical education. “I thought Slippery Rock to be the perfect location, rather than taking ascattered approach and certainly in view of Pennsylvania’s certification rules,” she explains.

“SRU was truly a stepping stone in my career in higher education,” Hall explains adding, after earningher doctorate from Penn State she joined the faculty as instructor, taught physical education classes whilemoving up in rank to reach her current post five years ago.

At New Kensington, her primarily responsibilities are in handing faculty affairs and programs. Shecredits her SRU work with helping her learn to take a broader perspective in looking at any project or

program. “Anytime you take a course at the graduate level dealing with administrative issues, the class teaches you to look at thebroader picture – and that is what SRU did for me. SRU is a great institution.”

Dr. Corrie J. Odom among first to earn SRU’sDoctor of PT; led to teaching at Duke“I came through in a program that meant a change ofcareers for me. The choice to go to Slippery RockUniversity meant I had to leave my then-present posi-tion in athletic training and take a year of prerequisitesat Bloomsburg University before being accepted intoSRU’s Physical Therapy Program,” says Dr. Corrie J.Odom, an academic coordinator of clinical educationand assistant clinical professor in the doctor of physicaltherapy division at Duke University, Durham N.C.

Odom, PT, DPT, MS, ATC-L, undertook under-graduate and master’s degree work at Florida StateUniversity, taught in Kentucky and worked in a NewJersey outpatient clinic for three years, before turningto SRU for her master’s degree in 1995. She returnedto SRU again to join the first class to earn a doctorof physical therapy degree in 1998 following theUniversity’s PT Program expansion. She has been partof the Duke teaching staff since 1999.

“Completing the program was, in my opinion, oneof the longest master’s programs in the country at thattime, but it was also one of the best. It prepared mevery, very well, especially considering my prior experi-ence in the related field of exercise science.”

A member of the North Carolina Physical TherapyAssociation, a certified member of the National AthleticTrainers Association, anda member of the NorthCarolina Athletic TrainersAssociation, Odem haswritten extensively inher field.

“With my prior experi-ence in teaching in highereducation, SRU’s DPTprogram was the ticket tocome back into highereducation on a differentlevel,” she says proudly.

Studies at SRU, led Robert Murray to doctorate,then research work at Gatorade Institute

“My graduate education in exercise sci-ence at Slippery Rock Universityserved as a great stepping stone beforeI went on to earn my doctorate inexercise physiology at Ohio State,” saysDr. Robert Murray, who earned hismaster’s degree at SRU in 1971. “Ithink, at that time, the SRU programgot me excited about exercise sciencewhile giving me the fundamentalbuilding blocks to complete my doc-toral work.”

Murray, now director of theGatorade Sports Science Institute

outside Chicago, says, “We do all kinds of research and educationalofferings through our Web site to make sure Gatorade remains thebest sports drink on the planet. We constantly look at ways andresearch that can make it better.”

“In my year-and-a-half at SRU, and three years of doctoratework, I found that continuing education was the perfect spring-board for me to pursue a very interesting career.” He points outthat just as he was leaving SRU new strides in exercise nutritionand related areas were taking place in the industry, putting himat the forefront.

Murray says his best recommendation to students interested infurthering their education is to follow the maxim “study hard andlearn as much as you can,” adding, “You will be amazed at howoften it comes in handy in later life.”

Make A Difference Day Event Shows Caring Nature of SRUMore than 100 volunteers from SRU, local neighborhoods and Lowe's in New Castle renovated

the University's I CARE House in New Castle on Make A Difference Day. Volunteers installed a newfront fire door and a second-floor fire escape. I CARE House provides tutoring and other services tolow-income children, as well as meals to senior citizens.

I CARE House director Alice Kaiser-Drobney led the Institute for Community, Service-Learningand Nonprofit Leadership project.

Helping out were Interim President Smith, Interim Provost William Williams and students.Lowe's donated a fire door, wood and labor.

Looking For Class Notes? >>>If the next page of this magazine is the front cover of The Rock Insider, you are a member of the AlumniAssociation, or you have been chosen at random to preview a copy of The Rock Insider. If the next page is page31, you're missing out on class notes, information about Alumni Reunion Weekend, Upcoming Events, RockAlumni Around the Globe, and other alumni news. The Rock Insider is the official alumni publication of theSlippery Rock University Alumni Association and is sent exclusively to members of the Association. To startgetting your copy of The Rock Insider, call 1-800-GET-ROCK or e-mail us at [email protected] The Rock Winter 2004

Across the street, volunteers readied the I CARE Community Garden

N E W S F R O M

Fourth consecutive year ofgrowth includes 12 percentincrease in African-American enrollment For the fourth straight year enrollment hasincreased to now stand at 7,789, thehighest figure since 1991. African-American enrollment rose 12 percent overa year ago, and Hispanic enrollmentincreased nearly 31 percent.

“A multitude of factors are part of ourincrease,” said Dr. Amanda Yale, interimassociate provost of enrollment services.“Additional recruitment programs withspecial efforts targeting our areas ofdistinction, improved advertising andUniversity branding, increased efforts inretaining upperclass students andnationwide recognition of the increasedvalue of a college education are all reasonsfor our growth.”

SRU named one of 98great schools to considerby Princeton ReviewNationally respected Princeton Review hasnamed Slippery Rock University one of the98 best universities in the nation’s six-state,mid-Atlantic region.

“Princeton Review’s ranking are consideredespecially important because of theinfluence current students have on therankings,” Interim President Smith said.

SRU students reported that the environsof the University “provide an academicsetting for those serious about learning,”and they praised the small classes sizes and“excellent Tutoring Center, the WritingCenter and resident hall study groups.”

The review also reported a “markedfriendliness pervades the Slippery Rockatmosphere.”

In writing to Smith, author RobertFranek said it was “a great pleasurereviewing your school’s credentials; youhave much to brag about.” The mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware,Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C.,West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Scenic splendor at Slippery Rock University, one of the top institutions in the mid-Atlantic.

www.SRU.edu 31

While overall enrollment rose 3.3percent, students are also taking increasedacademic loads. This year, students signedup for a total 106,334 hours, comparedwith 101,790 credit hours a year ago,which represents a 4.5 percent increase.

Women in leadershipspeaker series beginsA new Women In Leadership Speaker Series,sponsored by Slippery Rock University’sWomen’s Leadership Initiative and SPRINT,is bringing women business leaders to campusto share professional development advice withstudents and the general public.

SRU formed the Women’s LeadershipInitiative to help shape the next generation ofwomen leaders. The speaker series began inNovember with the Rock Women in BusinessRoundtable, featuring SRU graduates who arenow business leaders in western Pennsylvania.Jan Sargert, ’63, served as moderator.

Panel participants included:

Mary Del Brady - ’72, president, BioSpace Development

Betty Berkely - ’70, vice president,Great American Federal

Linda Gill Jones - ’70, senior vice president, Mellon Bank

Elaine Jewart - ’66, owner,Jewart Gymnastics

Regina Rossi - ’87, senior acquisition manager, Pepsi

Candy Hartley - ’88, owner,Temps Unlimited

Saving livesIn an effort to help save lives following aheart attack, Slippery Rock University hasmade available 14 automatic externaldefibrillators, known as “AEDs,” at hightraffic locations throughout campus. Theunits have also become standard equipmentfor campus police cruisers.

The units deliver a powerful electric shockto stop abnormal heat rhythm and allow theheart to return to a more normal beatingpattern.


Veteran’s Memorialtakes shapeA gift from the classes of ’51, ’52 and ’53enabled the University to construct anddedicate a new Veteran’s Memorial this fall.Located in front of the Russell WrightAlumni House, the site is a tribute to allSRU alumni who served in the military.

National recognition forfacilities and planningoperationThinking outside the box to save moneyand labor has earned Slippery RockUniversity’s facilities and planningoperation an “Effective and InnovativePractices Award” from the Association ofHigher Education Facilities Officers.

The association honored SRU’s“Stockless Custodial Supply Chain” plan.

“Our staff devised the plan, looked at allof the criteria necessary to make it workand reviewed the potential cost savings inboth time and labor before approving itsfinal implementation,”said Dr. CharlesCurry, vice president of finance andadministrative affairs.

Five pillars of UniversityexcellenceTo complete the development of whatought to be known nationally as a“uniquely engaged intellectual community,”Interim President Smith has identified fivecharacteristics that embody excellence atThe Rock. These five pillars define themission of the University.• Providing enriched learning experiences:

More than 345 students participating atacademic conferences, the studentnewspaper’s 30 national journalismawards and students who swept all theawards at a statewide philosophyconference are just some examples.

• Determining our own destiny: Sustainingan engaged intellectual communityrequires revenue streams independent oftraditional sources. The University’scapital campaign produced a record $3.6million in gift income in the fiscal yearcompleted June 30.

• Gathering diverse people: Of new tenure-track faculty hired this year, 40 percent arepeople of color. And, the University hasincreased the number of students of color.

• Creating accepting space: SRU recentlyrefurbished 37 classrooms, twolaboratories and one auditorium. TheUniversity also remodeled 51 facultyoffices and two conference rooms, andopened 14 new faculty offices in CarruthRizza Hall.

• Promoting hope: The most precious anddefining element of an engagedintellectual community is that itpromotes hope for all of its participants.

The Rocket newspaper, winner of more than 30 nationaljournalism awards, is just one component of an “engaged

intellectual community.” Editors paginate the paperThursday night. The Rocket has placed graduates at

several daily newspapers.

N E W S F R O M

Nursing faculty provideshealthcare in Haiti Dr. Joyce Penrose’s summer was bothoverwhelmingly educational anddepressingly reflective as she used hernursing expertise to lend a hand to thePittsburgh-based Partners in Hope indelivering healthcare to residents ofpoverty-stricken Haiti.

The SRU professor of nursing,coordinator of the Clarion, Edinboro andSlippery Rock Universities Master ofScience in Nursing Program, says the two-week summer program gave her a growingappreciation of the poor health andoverwhelming needs of residents of theisland nation.

“The best way of helping Americanstudents understand the global nature ofhealthcare is to help them see forthemselves how care is provided in othercountries,” she says.

Other Americans, including two nurses,three U.S. physicians and a number ofvolunteers without health backgroundsjoined Penrose. The U.S. team was joinedby two Haitian physicians.

Judy Hample, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State Systemof Higher Education.

Newly restored Pauland Carolyn CarruthRizza Hall opensThe dedication of Paul and CarolynCarruth Rizza Hall drew more than 100enthusiastic supporters to campus,including Pennsylvania State System ofHigher Education Chancellor JudyHample.

The 103-year-old landmark next toMiller Auditorium, formerly known as“West Hall,” serves as the new home ofmodern languages and cultures and theOffice of International Initiatives.

“We know the campus, as well as formerstudents, are impressed with the restorationwork that included refurbishing thebuilding’s original woodwork andfloorboards, and re-opening the long-closed, glass-ceiling atrium to create ashowcase building for students,” InterimPresident Smith said.

A gift of $2.5 million from Mrs. EthelCarruth enabled the restoration. Mrs.Carruth of Houston, Texas, is mother-in-law and mother to the building’s newnamesakes who are retired SRU faculty.

Robert Mollenhauer, vice president of UniversityAdvancement, thanks supporters during the dedication.

www.SRU.edu 33

Paul and Carolyn Carruth Rizza HallPaul and Carolyn Carruth Rizza Hall

CARRUTHRIZZA HALLCARRUTHRIZZA HALL

sru ROCKSCOOPS

a s u m m a r y o f n e w s r e p o r t s

a b o u t t h e u n i v e r s i t y

FOX SPORTS INTERVIEWS COACH MIHALIK Stadium lights and a new playing field at N. KerrThompson Stadium drew Fox Sports Pittsburghto campus to interview head football coachGeorge Mihalik. Reporter Rich Walsh asked thecoach about the significance of playing a homegame at night under lights for the first time, andthe new field. Mihalik said both were milestonesin Rock football. Cameraman Rich Stuphenvideotaped the interview.

TRIB QUOTES SRU PROFESSOR OFSOCIAL WORKPittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Brandon Keatturned to SRU’s Thomas Bechard, assistantprofessor of sociology/anthropology/social work,for help in assessing a legal system that allowed a4-month-old girl to die at the hands of hermentally ill relative.

The infant’s grandmother had asked thatButler County Children and Youth Services placethe infant with her. No action was taken beforethe baby girl was suffocated.

“The child is a victim of the law that’s tryingto protect it,” Bechard told the Trib. Bechard saidhe sympathized with social workers who mightsuspect abuse but can’t act. Even more so, hesympathized with the grandmother who tried tointervene. “She did her heroic best to get thechild removed.”

IRAQI NATIVE TELLS BUTLER EAGLE MOSTIRAQIS WELCOME CHANGEIraq can be a force in the Middle East for positivechange, SRU’s Dr. Abbass Alkhafaji, an Iraqinative, told the Butler Eagle during a profile. Thenewspaper interviewed Alkhafaji after he returnedfrom sabbatical in the United Arab Emirates, nextto Saudi Arabia.

When asked whether Iraq can move toward ademocracy, Alkhafaji responded, “Of course itwill. The majority of Iraqis – and we’re talking 90percent of the population here – want democracyand welcome the change.”

I CARE HOUSE MAKES FRONT PAGE NEWSThe New Castle News gave front-page coverageto a Make A Difference Day event at SRU’s ICARE House in New Castle’s East Sideneighborhood. The newspaper headlined onearticle “A chance to give back,” the other, “Time,effort show caring, concern for community.”

Sponsor USA Weekend posted the project onits Make A Difference Day Web site.

I CARE House provides tutoring and clubs tostudents from neighborhood households andmeals to senior citizens.

The Slippery Rock University Foundation,which sponsors I CARE House, teamed up withLowe’s home improvement, the University andNew Castle High School students to overhaul thebuilding’s second floor and adjoining garden.More than 100 people volunteered.

LEARNING CHANNEL VIDEOTAPES NATIONALSHOW ON CAMPUSThe Learning Channel came to campus tovideotape a feature story on Lynette Mullan, a2001 Slippery Rock Area High School graduate.

The producer wanted images from Mullan’shometown, so a video crew shot tape of herteaching tennis to Peggy Kanterman (left). TheLearning Channel reunited Mullan with a formerboyfriend and aired the show nationally inOctober. While on campus, the crew alsocaptured pictures of SRU signs and broadcastthem.

COMMUNICATION PROFESSOR PART OFNATIONAL DOCUMENTARYAssociate Professor of Communication Dr.Thomas Flynn was interviewed for a nationallyproduced documentary titled “In Love with TheMob,” a detailed report on Youngstown, Ohio’sconnection with the underworld. It broadcast inNovember on WYSU-FM (88.5).

Flynn is an expert on former U.S.Congressman James A. Traficant, who wasconvicted of violations of the federal anti-racketeering laws and is now serving time.

KIDZ ’N CRANBERRY MAGAZINE PROFILESOUTDOOR LEARNING CENTERFifth graders pictured at McKeever EnvironmentalCenter, an outdoor education facilityadministered by Slippery Rock University,occupied the cover of the November edition ofKidz ’n Cranberry magazine.

The magazine published five additionalphotographs of McKeever for its cover story.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE COVERS ‘SPOOKYADVENTURE’ AT SRU’S OLD STONE HOUSEThe Post-Gazette profiled Halloween tours atSRU’s Old Stone House, noting more than 500visitors braved the 19th-century former tavern’sdrafty, candlelit rooms for a spooky adventure.

In each room, visitors heard fireside yarns orsaw ensemble performances by volunteer actorsassembled by Slippery Rock University ProfessorDr. David Dixon, Old Stone House curator.

“People get really scared when we go throughthe story,” said Brianna Wise, who told the storyof a witch trying to create a horrible monster.


www.sru.edu 35

College of BUSINESS • INFORMATION • SOCIAL SCIENCESSchool of Business; including programs in management, marketing, accounting, finance and economics. Departments of Communication, Computer Science, Government and Public Affairs, Military Science, Sociology/Anthropology/Social Work; Center for Government Contracting Assistance

TRAVELING IN SPACE: Students in Dr. Abbass Alkafaji’s classrecently took time for an “e-mission” – an innovative “electronicspace mission” bringing more technology to the classroom in aprogram that simulates space missions developed by the ChallengerLearning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University. Leading students(right), including Corey Wasserman, a business management seniorfrom New Wilmington, on the computer-generated voyage wasNancy Sturm, director of WJ’s simulation program. The technologysession encouraged students to consider additional businessapplications, including team building, that can be generated bymaking use of technology in the workplace.

SRU sets goal to make allgraduates ‘Computer Literate’It is a simple goal, universally accepted asvital to success. Dr. Paul M. Mullins,computer science professor, and fellowfaculty across the University are attemptingto carry it off. The goal: Every SRUgraduate will be computer literate.

“It is attainable. It is a goal all facultyknow is important,” Mullins says, adding itis appropriate for every course to include acomputer-related component. Inundertaking the project, Mullins says thebasic problems are defining “computerliterate” and finding ways to ensure allstudents can meet — or exceed —performance levels.

“Students arrive with a plethora ofcomputer skills. Some have formal highschool classes; others, computer talentspicked up on the streets. Acquiring basicskills and concepts is essential, and we havedevised ways students can receive a‘Computer Literate’ stamp on theirtranscript without adding formal courses,”he says. The adopted model includes 10basic skills areas and 10 concept areas asrecommended by the National ResearchCouncil. Implementation begins next fall.

To be computer fluent, an additionalstep and stamp, students must be able toexpress themselves creatively, to reformulateknowledge and to synthesize new info-rmation. “It is a case of being able tocontinually update in the way informationtechnology affects them in the workplaceand personal lives. Computer fluency is alifelong learning process,” Mullins explains.

He is developing an on-line exam to testfor computer literacy when students believethey have the necessary skills. Remediationthrough existing courses, tutorials and labinstruction are available to help accumulatethe skills, Mullins explains. Fluency wouldbe infused in existing curricula. “Our goalis to assure students — and their employers — that SRU graduates are fluent ininformation technology without addingcourse requirements,” he says.

He emphasizes daily life, particularly in

the workplace, requires understanding ofcomputers and information technology forsuccess. “We want our students to succeed,and no matter what field they enter,technology is already playing a crucial rolethat will only continue to expand. Ourprogram will make students ready for thatexpansion.”

ACCOUNTING TEAM TAKES HONORABLE MENTIONIN STATEWIDE CHALLENGE: A four-member team of SRUaccounting students was named state finalists in the PennsylvaniaInstitute of Certified Public Accountants Business Plan Challengeand went on to compete in Philadelphia where they earnedhonorable mention honors. Team members joined here by Dr. SusanLubinski, assistant professor in the School of Business, are Gary Kerrof Levittown, Lauren Goob of Pittsburgh, Jeremiah Libby of SouthPortland, Maine, and Richard Allen of Slippery Rock. In Phase I ofthe competition, the team was given a month to submit a smallbusiness operation plan. In Phase II, they had four hours to considerspecial circumstances related to their plan before submitting newbusiness strategies. PICPA members judged the competition. SRU's2001 team took first place.

School of BusinessAdvisory Committeeoff to ambitious beginningIts mission is clear; the agenda full. Thenewly formed School of Business AdvisoryCouncil is off to an ambitious start with agoal of having 50 active member volunteersby May.

At its first meeting, held in October, thegroup was charged by Dr. David Culp,chair of the business school, with creating ashadowing/mentoring program forstudents; conducting focus groups ofstudents, faculty and other stakeholders;providing faculty with professionaldevelopment opportunities; establishingadditional student internship opportunitiesand a speaker's bureau; and providing helpin fundraising for scholarships, assistancewith community outreach andparticipation in the annual School ofBusiness Week program.

"It is an impressive and demandingagenda," says Culp, adding, "by gettingalumni and other business leaders involved,students will reap substantial rewards. Bysimply being exposed to business leaders,seeing how they work, their jobresponsibilities and their abilities to managemultiple tasks, our students will improvetheir leadership abilities. This volunteercouncil will be a tremendous asset to ourprogram and our University."

College of EDUCATIONDepartments of Counseling/Educational Psychology, Elementary Education/Early Childhood, Physical Education/Sport Management, Secondary Education/Foundations of Education, and Special Education

cutting-edge ventures in which ourstudents are provided supervision andguidance in honing their teaching underthe eyes of an outstanding practicingphysical education educator…I can thinkof no one who better emulates theestablished standards for this prestigiousaward.”

Another supporter, Dr. Rhonda R.Ridinger at Southwest Missouri StateUniversity, added, “I have worked withmany fine teachers, but assuredly, nonewith the passion for teaching, theunmitigated drive and the abilities ofDr. Betsy McKinley. Teaching physicaleducation is her forte; sharing her expertiseis her gift.”

As recipient of SRU’s President’s Awardfor Excellence in Teaching at the 2000Academic Honors Convocation, McKinleywas nominated for her continuedcommitment and obvious passion toteaching. Students praise her classroomstyle, noting she also models techniquesthey can employ as educators.

McKinley says her year as PSAHPERDpresident allowed for lobbying legislators,school boards, school administrators,parents and even students on theimportance of physical education andhealthy lifestyles in the school educationprogram. “We know as budgets tighten,physical education and health classes areamong the first things considered for cuts,yet, we also know they are among the mostimportant academic subjects that can havea critical and lifelong impact on learners ofall ages.”

McKinley has also been involved withthe Pennsylvania Governor’s Institute forHealth, Safety and Physical Education andas a consultant to the five-year, $1 million,Missouri Goals 2000 project. She iseducational consultant for the U.S.Lifesaving Manual, writing lessons plans toaccompany its “Open Water LifesavingManual,” and she supervises studentteachers in SRU’s teacher educationprogram in Dublin, Ireland.

She earned her doctorate at TempleUniversity, her master’s degree at SRU andher undergraduate degree at Lock HavenUniversity.

Physical education professortakes top honors as‘University Teacher of the Year’Slippery Rock University recognized heroutstanding teaching talents in 2000 andnow the Pennsylvania State Association forHealth, Physical Education, Recreation andDance has reached the same conclusion,naming Dr. Betsy A. McKinley its“University Teacher of the Year.”

McKinley, a 23-year K-12 health andphysical education public school veteranand a nine-year, SRU faculty member,received the statewide award at theassociation’s state convention.

An associate professor of physicaleducation and sport management in theCollege of Education, McKinley isimmediate past president of PSAHPERDhaving served a year as president-elect andpresident. As president, she focused on“Imagine the Possibilities: Take NewDirection,” including legislative advocacyenhancing physical education, health andwellness programs across Pennsylvania. Thefocus included workshops on effectivelobbying to emphasize the importance ofretaining physical education classes insecondary schools.

“I am truly honored to have been namedrecipient of this year’s award, and I thankthose who supported my nomination,”McKinley said in receiving the honor. Dr.Jay Hertzog, dean, supported her selection,saying, “Dr. McKinley has been a drivingforce in the Physical Education/TeacherEducation Program with her initiative todevelop and implement ‘Teaching Centers’in several area schools. These centers are

SRU student teachers inIreland may learnas much as they teachWhen education professors Dr. RichardAltenbaugh and Dr. Patrick Grant take 17SRU education majors to Dublin, Ireland,for six weeks of student teaching, theyknow their students will do well. They alsoknow the students will learn as much asthey teach.

“This is a tremendous learningopportunity for everyone involved,” saysGrant, a special education professorundertaking his first trip to the EmeraldIsle. Altenbaugh, a veteran in the Dublinprogram, says, “I am constantly impressedwith the teaching talents our students takewith them; I’m equally impressed with theself-confidence and education they gainduring the experience.”

The hand-selected students take theirrequired student teaching course byspending the first seven weeks in a regionalschool classroom working with acooperating teaching and supervised by anSRU education professor. They then spendsix weeks teaching in a small school inIreland, Altenbaugh explains. “This splitprogram allows them to contrast the schoolsystems and student learning styles. It isvery educational for everyone concerned.Some of our students have even beenoffered teaching jobs in Ireland.”

Grant, who has led international studyprograms to Trinidad, says the SRUstudents will benefit from both theirlearning in the classroom as they serve asteacher, and outside the classroom as theytravel through Dublin, the nearbycountryside and nearby countries. “We willhave weekends free to explore,” he sayswith a hearty laugh.


www.sru.edu 37

College of HEALTH • ENVIRONMENT • SCIENCESchool of Physical Therapy; Departments of Allied Health, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences, Geography, Geology and the Environment, Mathematics, Nursing, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Education, and Psychology; the Robert A. Macoskey Centerfor Sustainable Systems Education and Research; the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education

National recognition fortherapeutic recreationPROFESSOR WINS TOP AWARD

Therapeutic recreation faculty DeborahHutchins received the 2003 OutstandingProfessional Award from the AmericanTherapeutic Recreation Association, whichpresents only one such award a year.

Hutchins earned top honors because“her vast experience as a practitionercontributes to her ability to serve as aknowledgeable and motivating educator,”ATRA spokeswoman Laurie Jake said.Hutchins served as past ATRA president,past chair of the American TherapeuticRecreation Foundation Board of Trusteesand is team leader for the ATRA ClinicalEducation Task Force.

SRU SENIOR ONE OF BEST THERAPEUTIC

RECREATION MAJORS IN NATION

The American Therapeutic RecreationAssociation has named senior AmandaBreindel one of eight top therapeuticrecreation students in the nation.

Breindel received the association’s $1,000Peg Connolly Scholarship, because shemaintains a 4.0 grade-point average in hermajor (3.6 overall) and volunteers to helpindividuals with disabilities.

Cosmos come alive inupgraded planetariumTo provide enhanced earth/space scienceeducation, SRU upgraded its planetariumin Vincent Science Hall. Forty-nine newchairs, new control electronics and modernaudio system enable students to view thechanging sky with ease and comfort, as aprojector presents the relative position ofstars and planets.

Seats, mounted in a reclining position,were arranged in an oval shape for betterviewing.

SRU prepares for 1,000 newresidents – all of them batsA new bat house on campus providesopportunities for ecological study,environmental stewardship and an alternativeto chemical pest management of insects.

Wildlife biologist Cal “Batman”Butchkoski of the Pennsylvania GameCommission designed the 8-by-8-footstructure, erected near the Ski Lodge.

Students have opportunities to studycolonization, foraging and flight habits ofthe nocturnal mammals that eatmosquitoes and other insects.

Park Ranger Program namedbest in nation Outside magazine named Slippery RockUniversity’s Park Ranger Program best inthe country, calling it one of 10 “fast tracksto adventure” in higher education. Thespecial edition on colleges, sent to 650,000readers, noted that SRU’s program is sogood students may soon be callingYosemite “the office.”

“There has never been a better time tostart a career in this field,” SRU’s Dr. JohnLisco, assistant professor, says. “The payhas increased significantly over the last 10years, and many parks expect to experiencesignificant retirements in the next two tosix years.”

SRU launched its program 30 years ago.Graduates have found employment atYellowstone National Park, Great SmokyMountains National Park and AntietamBattlefield, among others.

The future looks even brighter for

the College of Health, Environment

and Science. Several more programs

achieved powerhouse status and

national recognition this fall. The

college completed facility upgrades

and introduced new learning

opportunities. Highlights:

Therapeutic recreation faculty Deborah Hutchins (left), one of thenation’s top professionals in her field, works with therapeuticrecreation major Gina Toth during a class exercise behind the SkiLodge. Students learned how to organize and implement activitiesfor people with disabilities.

New chairs in the planetarium provide a great view for shows.Physics faculty Dr. Krishna Mukherjee explains a constellation.New chairs in the planetarium provide a great view for shows.Physics faculty Dr. Krishna Mukherjee explains a constellation.

College of HUMANITIES • FINE & PERFORMING ARTSDepartments of Art, Dance, English, History, Modern Languages and Cultures, Music, Philosophy, Theater, and Women’s Studies

SRU senior, one of 20 elitedrummers in nation, landsresidency at DisneylandIt’s a part of the college years for moststudents: Finding a seasonal job.

A new twist on the tale played itself outwhen senior Patrick Kennedy qualified tobecame the drummer for Disneyland’s2003 All-American College Band. Only 20college students in the nation passedDisney’s audition to join the elite band for11 weeks.

“It was the best musical experience of mylife,” Kennedy, a music education major,said. “I grew as a musician, and it enabledme to practice many of the techniques Ilearned at Slippery Rock.”

Participants were selected during aneight-city national audition tour.

“Pat is one of the finest musicians wehave had here, and his involvement in theDisney program places him in the nationalelite as well,” said SRU’s Dr. David Glover,assistant professor of music.

Jazz combo recreatesJohn Coltrane album Members of SRU’s Jazz Combo recreatedfamed jazz artist John Coltrane’s “BlueTrain” album and performed it during alive performance at Swope Music Hall.

Recorded in 1957, “Blue Train” featuressix great jazz musicians on five songs.

“The students developed this idea overthe summer,” says SRU’s Terry Steele,combo director and associate professor ofmusic. “They wanted to recreate the entirealbum as a live performance.”

Theater students performShakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’in outdoor tentTalk about dedication: SRU is renovatingMiller Auditorium. But that didn’t stoptheater students from setting up a tent fornine outdoor performances of Shakespeare’scomic masterpiece “Twelfth Night.”

The cast performed the play inNovember. Actors included Emily Watson,Jim Rudick, Brett Hockenberry, ChaseCarlson, Tricia Colosimo, Jeff Feola andEvan Endres. Rebecca Morrice, assistantprofessor of theater, and Dr. GordonPhetteplace, assistant professor of theater,handled costumes, scenery and lighting.

Chinese and Korean languagecourses offered to public, highschool studentsExchange agreements between SRU andNanjing University in China andKangweon University in Korea provideexciting learning opportunities for students.Beginning this spring, qualified high schoolstudents and community residents willbenefit as well.

SRU is opening up classes in beginningChinese and in Korean to the public andlocal high school students. TheDepartment of Modern Languages andCultures believes China and Korea’s role inthe global economy make them importanttargets of opportunity for students.

‘Focus on French Week’highlightsThe Department of Modern Languagesand Cultures held its annual “Focus onFrench Week” to highlight the wealth ofdiversity of the cultures of the French-speaking world, including a gildingdemonstration and the sound of drumsfrom French-speaking African nations.

Students also studied French films,including the classic “8 Femmes.”

Students in the College of

Humanities, Fine and Performing

Arts experience the world. Fall

semester saw them immersed in

Focus on French Week, Indian

classical music, an outdoor

performance of a Shakespeare classic

and the music of jazz legend John

Coltrane. Others performed 3,000

miles from home. Highlights:

Master gilder Joseph Youss Kadri demonstrates his technique duringFocus on French week. Looking on is SRU’s Dr. Melinda Ristvey,chair of modern languages and cultures. It is an exciting time formodern languages, which recently moved into newly restoredCarruth Rizza Hall.

INDIVIDUALS SPARK CAMPAIGN AS IT NEARS HALF-WAY MARK programs. It is only through the

‘margin of excellence’ sustained

by charitable gifts that Slippery

Rock University will be able to

improve and to expand

opportunities for students to

realize their dreams.”

The Campaign for Slippery

Rock University has three

featured objectives: $17 million

for portions of capital projects,

including a new Science and

Technology Building,

Performing Arts Center,

Regional Learning Alliance in

Pittsburgh’s North Hills and a

Crossroads building that will

provide computer labs, study

areas and student service

facilities. Gifts will also fund

enhancements to existing

buildings including McKay

Education Buildings, $8 million

for scholarship endowment to

enable Slippery Rock University

to recruit academically

deserving students and to offer

a college education to those

students who might not

otherwise be able to afford it;

and $8 million for academic

excellence, including an Honors

College, new and enhanced

academic programs and

technology upgrades.

surpassed the $11 million goal

in just the first 18 months of

the campaign.

“The outstanding generosity

of individuals, particularly the

graduates of this institution

who know it best because they

are the products of its mission,

displays an unequivocal

commitment to helping develop

SRU into an engaged

intellectual community,” says

Interim President Smith.

“Finding ways to determine our

own destiny is one of the

requisites of this effort.

Significant and consistent

charitable gift support from

individuals and from our other

valued constituencies provides

the vital resources necessary for

Slippery Rock University to

accomplish this objective.”

Smith adds, “ On behalf of

the students, faculty, and staff, I

am extremely grateful for the

numerous acts of generosity by

our constituents that has

proliferated a culture of giving

during the initial three years of

The Campaign for Slippery

Rock University. They realize

more than ever that state

support will always help the

University to maintain existing

Gifts and commitments from

alumni total $3.3 million or

22.7 percent of the total.

In addition, gifts and

commitments from the

corporate community total $5.1

million or 35 percent of the

campaign total. And some 6

percent of the total, $813,860,

was gifted by foundations and

other organizations.

Publicly announced in

January 2001, the campaign’s

original five-year goal was $11

million. The goal of The

Campaign for Slippery Rock

University was increased to $33

million within 10-years due to

the overwhelming response that

Charitable gifts from

individuals – specifically alumni

and friends – continue to spark

the success of The Campaign

for Slippery Rock University as

it heads toward the half-way

mark of its $33 million goal.

Individuals have contributed

and committed $8,618,229 or

nearly 60 percent of the

$14,614,307 (nearly 45 percent

of the campaign goal) realized

to date after three years from

the start of the most significant

fundraising effort in the

University’s history. Friends of

the University have gifted and

committed nearly $5.2 million

– 35 percent of current total.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITYGOAL: $33 MILLION

FRIENDS $ 5,302,895 36.3%CORPORATIONS $ 5,182,216 35%ALUMNI $ 3,315,334 22.7%FOUNDATIONS $ 600,559 4%ORGANIZATIONS $ 213,301 2%

TOTALS $14,614,307 100%(44.3% OF GOAL)

www.sru.edu 39

ESTATE GIFT INCREASES NKT

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Alfred J. Barnes, ’38, was well

respected by a reputation of

always helping — helping his

family, friends, classmates,

teammates and students.

Although he passed away July

27 at age 86, his generous

nature will continue helping

deserving student athletes at

Slippery Rock University

through a generous gift of

$210,000 from his estate to the

N. Kerr Thompson Scholarship

Fund.

Mr. Barnes’ gift will increase

the value of the scholarship’s

endowment fund that supports

Rock student athletes in a

variety of sports. The scholarship

is named for legendary coach

N. Kerr Thompson.

Inducted into the Slippery

Rock University Athletic Hall of

Fame in 1990, Mr. Barnes was a

talented athlete and earned nine

letters at The Rock: four in

basketball, three in tennis, and

two in football.

Harry “Hats” Keown, ’39,

one of Al’s former teammates,

maintained a longtime

friendship with him following

their playing days on The

Rock’s football teams of the late

’30s. “Al wasn’t the biggest or

the fastest guy on the team,”

Keown recalls, “but you could

always count on Al for

everything and to get the job

done well.”

HEADLAND PHILANTHROPY

SURPASSES $110,000 MARK; $25,000

GIFT ENABLES WATERFALLS PROJECT

The continued philanthropic

efforts of Howard L. “Budd”

and Margaret ’70, “Maggie”

Rehm Headland of Greenville

have surpassed the $110,000

mark in support Slippery Rock

University.

The Headlands recently

contributed $25,000 to help

provide for the cost of the rock

waterfalls project being

constructed on campus

adjacent to Bailey Library. The


Student Government

Association funded $28,600,

and the Slippery Rock

University Foundation, Inc.,

provided $18,400. Dr. Robert

J. Watson, ’70, vice president

of student life, and his wife,

Karen, ’73, generously provided

100 tons of rocks from their

farm for the campus

beautification project.

“The faculty, students and

staff of Slippery Rock

University are extremely

Mr. Barnes was both

educator and coach for 40 years

in the Sharon School District.

He taught physical education

and social studies, and also

served as guidance counselor

and as assistant high school

principal. He coached junior

high school football and

basketball, and served as an

assistant coach for the high

school football team. He was a

well-known scholastic

basketball official in western

Pennsylvania for 15 years. In

addition, he was a veteran of

World War II and served in the

Atlantic and Mediterranean

theatres of operation. He

attained the rank of lieutenant

junior grade in the United

States Navy.

An active leader in numerous

professional and community

organizations, he was a lifetime

member of the Slippery Rock

University Alumni Association.

grateful for Budd and Maggie’s

continuing support,” said

Interim President Smith.

“Budd and Maggie are

exceptionally kind and

thoughtful individuals whose

consistent generosity has

stimulated the ‘culture of

giving’ that pervades Slippery

Rock University. Indeed, we are

proud to include them among

our most loyal and dedicated

benefactors.”

In addition to their most

recent gift, the Headlands have

endowed an academic

scholarship valued at $75,000.

The Howard L. and Margaret

Rehm Headland Scholarship is

awarded to students from

Woodland Hills High School

in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburb

who demonstrate a

commitment to career

development and community

service. They have also gifted

$10,000 for director’s office

furnishings in the Russell

Wright Alumni House to

honor Budd’s father, the late

Dr. Howard Lonsdale

Headland.

Budd is retired following a

30-year career with

Westinghouse Corp. Also

retired, Maggie taught physical

education in the Churchill

School District for 25 years.

The couple served as grand

marshals for the 2003

Homecoming Parade at

The Rock.

Alfred J. Barnes1938 Saxigenia Photo

Howard and Margaret Headland


MSA EXTENDS REAL ESTATE GIFT

Mine Safety Appliances Co.,

the world leader in safety

products and systems, has

increased its $2 million real estate

gift to the Regional Learning

Alliance with an additional gift

of adjacent property valued at

nearly $235,000.

The one-acre tract is adjacent

to the 20-acre parcel gifted by

MSA that is providing the prime

location for the Regional

Learning Alliance. The total $2.2

million gift of land by MSA

significantly surpasses any of the

company’s previous philanthropic

support and represents the largest

corporate gift in the University’s

history. Also, it is the third largest

gift ever to a university within

the Pennsylvania State System of

Higher Education.

“We are deeply grateful to

Mine Safety Appliances Co. for

continuing its support of this

important project,” said Interim

President Smith. “I commend

the MSA directors and

management for their leadership

in helping to position the

Regional Learning Alliance to

serve the regional workforce

development demands within

one of the fastest growing

markets in Pennsylvania.”

The primary purpose of the

RLA is to efficiently and

effectively meet the training and

educational needs of the

businesses and industries within a

two-hour radius of southwestern

Pennsylvania. SRU will serve as

the facility manager and will

broker educational services to

match business, industry, and

community needs with the best

educational providers.

Located in Cranberry Woods

Office Park in Marshall

Township adjacent to Cranberry

Township, the 60,000 square-

foot facility will be a

combination of high-tech

classrooms, technology specialty

manufacturing training centers,

conference and meeting space,

media production facilities,

career development service and

faculty offices, a technology

service center, virtual library,

bookstore, child care center and

food service operations.

SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNIZES

COACH ‘MAC’

Slippery Rock University did

not play a football game for 14

years without Jim ‘Mac’

McElhaney. Beginning with the

first day of those hot, summer

pre-season training camps

through the end of each season,

Mac was there coaching the wide

receivers and looking after the

needs of any player needing help.

That consistency ended just

prior to the start of training

camp for the 2003-2004

football season for The Rock

with Mac’s unexpected death.

His wife, Bonnie, a 1963

SRU graduate, who had been

with him and the team for each

of those 154 games, has ensured

that Mac’s ability to influence

deserving Rock football players

will continue forever through

the Coach Mac McElhaney

Football Scholarship

Endowment. Bonnie initiated

the endowment with a generous

gift of $20,000.

Beginning in the 2004-2005

football season the Coach Mac

McElhaney Football Scholarship

annually will support a talented

member of The Rock football

team playing on the offensive

side of the scrimmage line.

“The Rock football program

has suffered a tremendous loss,”

says head coach Dr. George

Mihalik. “Coach Mac is

irreplaceable. Without fail, our

wide receivers stimulated our

offense, and they were always

prepared for every challenge and

situation.”

He adds, “I am grateful to

Bonnie for this tremendous

scholarship. It is a wonderful

way to permanently recognize

Mac’s outstanding values and

ideals and his many amazing

accomplishments.”

His own abilities and talents

as a wide receiver coupled with

his training and experience as

an educator prepared him for a

distinguished coaching career.

For example, Mac tutored seven

Rock players who attained

national All-America honors.

Jim and Bonnie McElhaney

A 1964 SRU graduate, Mac

was one of the greatest wide

receivers in school history. He

held nearly every pass receiving

record at one time. Mac

currently ranks third in career

receptions, fourth in career

receiving yardage and seventh

in single-season receiving

yardage. He still holds the

record for the longest reception

(94 yards vs. Westminster in

1961). Also, Mac taught

physical education for 39 years

in the Moniteau School

District.

“There is no question that

through this scholarship Mac

will forever be a positive

influence on future Rock

football players,” says Mihalik.

“Bonnie is as much a part of

Rock football as anyone. She

always knows the right thing to

do, and I commend her for

ensuring that Mac will be a

part of Rock football forever.”

www.sru.edu 41

leader in every way. He always

appreciated the work ethic of

students, faculty and staff. Stan

and his wife, Marilyn,

contributed more than $1

million to various initiatives. I

am sure his ideals and the impact

of his charitable giving will

continue to positively influence

Slippery Rock University.”

While living in western

Pennsylvania, Dr. Kraus was a

leader in real estate

development in nearby

SRU BENEFACTOR

STANLEY B. KRAUS DIES AT 81

Dr. Stanley B. Kraus, the man

for whom Slippery Rock

University’s Kraus Hall is named,

a recipient of an honorary doctor

of laws degree from the

University and a generous

benefactor, died Aug. 27 in Boca

Raton, Fla. He was 81.

“Slippery Rock University has

lost one of its greatest friends,”

said Interim President Smith.

“Stan was a gentleman and a

Stanley B. Kraus

HOFFMAN GIFT WILL BENEFIT

MATURE LEARNERS

Believing that learning is a

lifetime endeavor, a Slippery

Rock University professor

emeritus and his wife have

gifted $10,000 to the

University’s Institute for

Learning in Retirement.

The gift from Dr. Frank M.

Hoffman, and his wife, Ruth, of

Grove City, will be used to

provide for operating and for

special programming needs of

the ILR, a non-profit, member-

run organization that maintains

learning experiences to enable

mature adults to pursue their

intellectual interests. Currently,

the ILR offers 50 classes and

fieldtrips in only its sixth

semester.

“This is a tremendous gift to

this relatively new program that

has become extremely popular

for area seniors,” says Interim

President Smith. “I am grateful

to Frank and Ruth for their

generosity and for their

leadership in ensuring quality

programs for mature learners. I

appreciate their passion for the

ILR”

Hoffman retired in 1999 as

professor of biology following a

distinguished career of nearly

33 years serving SRU students.

He serves as vice president of

the ILR and as an instructor for

several programs. His wife is

retired from the Franklin Area

School District where she

taught eighth grade English. In

addition to the ILR, the

Hoffmans are involved with

many volunteer activities,

including Meals on Wheels.

FORMER PLAYER ESTABLISHES

SOCCER SCHOLARSHIPS

A gift of $10,600 by former

SRU soccer player Gary E.

Sphar, ’76, and his wife, Janet

E. Robertson Sphar, a 1978

SRU graduate, has provided

immediate support for the

men’s soccer team along with

additional team support

through funding for an

endowed scholarship held by

the Slippery Rock University

Foundation, Inc.

The Sphar’s established the

Sphar Family Scholarship that

will provided $2,000 annually

to a member of the men’s soccer

team. The scholarship is

renewable for up to four years.

The couple also initiated the

Sphar Family Endowed

Scholarship to benefit future

generations of soccer players at

The Rock.

“We are extremely grateful to

Gary and Janet for their

generous commitment to the

men’s soccer program,” said

Paul Lueken, SRU athletic

director. “The Sphar Family

Scholarship will help coach

Matt Thompson recruit

talented players and increase

the team’s level of

competition.”

Sphar is vice president and

corporate controller at Mylan

Laboratories, a pharmaceutical

firm with annual sales of $1

billion. The couple reside in

Morgantown, W. Va., and have

three children – Clayton,

Emily and Kylie — all talented

soccer players.

Dr, Frank M. and Ruth Hoffman

New Castle. His service to the

University included the


Foundation, Inc., Board of

Directors, and the President’s

Advisory Council. Slippery

Rock University presented Dr.

Kraus with an honorary doctor

of laws degree in 1996. The

couple was honored in 2002

with of the Eberly Medal for

Philanthropy by the

Pennsylvania State System of

Higher Education.


Women’s soccer celebrates 10thAnniversary Season in styleThe 10th Anniversary Season of Rockwomen’s soccer will be one toremember for years to come.

The Rock culminateda season-long celebration bywinning the program’s first-everPennsylvania State AthleticConference regular-season andplayoff championships. SRU alsoearned a berth in the NCAA DivisionII regional playoffs for the second time inthree seasons and was ranked 12th in thefinal National Soccer Coaches Associationof America Division II national poll.

This year’s squad set a school record forsingle-season wins in the course ofcompiling a 15-3-2 overall record and a 9-1-2 PSAC mark. The old wins record of 14was set in 1996 and tied in2001; SRU had 14-5final records in eachof those seasons.

As is fitting for achampionshipteam, The Rockswept up all threeindividual honorsawarded this fall bythe PSAC.

Junior forward SARAH ARSENAULT wasnamed as the conference’s “Athlete of the

Year” after leading theconference in scoring. In

the process, Arsenaultset new SRU recordsfor single-season (23)and career (49) goalsscored and single-season (54) and

career (116) points.She is tied for third in

career assists with 18.

Freshman forward MEGHAN MCGRATH earnedPSAC “Rookie of the Year” honors thisfall after scoring 11 goals and handing out10 assists for 32 points. Her first-yeartotals ranked second (tie) for assists,eighth (tie) for goals and fifth for points

in SRU single-season history. She is inposition to join the career top-10 listin all three categories next fall.

In addition to their special honors,Arsenault and McGrath werenamed to first-team All-PSAC

honors. Teammates LAUREN STEELE(freshman midfielder/forward) and

CHERYL WICKERHAM (sophomoredefender) were named to second-

team All-PSAC honors.

Rock head coach NOREEN HERLIHY wasselected by her coaching peers as thisyear’s PSAC “Coach of the Year.” Thehonor was the second earned by Herlihyin nine seasons as The Rock’s head coach;she was also honored in 1996.

Herlihy recorded her100th win as TheRock women’s coachthis fall. Thememorable momentcame when SRUdowned Millersville,5-2, in PSACsemifinal action onNovember 7. Shewill enter the 2004season with a 101-56-6 career record.

Another milestone in Rock women’ssoccer history was attained during the2003 Homecoming Weekend festivitieswhen groundbreaking ceremonies for anew locker room facility were held. Thefacility will be located on the east end ofcampus, adjacent to the softball complex,and will house both the women’s soccerand softball teams.

As memorable as the 2003 season was,though, it may only be the start of thingsto come. The Rock will graduate only twoseniors – midfielders Heather Herd andANNIE MANNO – from their 2003 roster.

Meghan McGrath earned PSAC “Rookie of the Year”honors after scoring 11 goals and handing out 10 assistsin her first collegiate campaign.

www.SRU.edu 43

Rock players and coaches proudly display their championship hardware after defeating Lock Haven, 4-3, in the PSAC championshipgame on James W. Egli Field in Slippery Rock

Sarah Arsenault, the 2003 PSAC “Athlete of the Year,” led theconference in scoring with SRU-record totals in goals scoredand points scored.

Rock head coach Noreen Herlihy was named as the PSAC“Coach of the Year” after leading her team to the conferenceregular-season and playoff championships and a best-ever15-3-2 final record.


A near-capacity crowd of 8,400 fans were on hand September 13 for the first-ever homenight football game played on Bob DiSpirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium. Thegame also marked the inaugural event played on newly installed AstroPlay artificial turf.

The “Rock Rowdies” student cheering section was out in full force for the first-ever homenight football game. Tom McPherson and the SGA Bookstore staff sponsor the Rock Rowdies.

Prior to kickoff of the September game vs. Gannon – the first-ever night home football game — SRU Interim President Dr.Robert M. Smith, far left, and university officials recognizedthe university’s Student Government Association for theirsupport of the $1 million stadium renovation project. SGAdonated $100,000 towards the installation of the Muscolighting system that enabled SRU to host night events at thestadium. SGA president Jeff Milliner, center, accepted theplaque on behalf of the organization and the SRU studentbody. SGA members and officers joined President Smith andMilliner for the ceremony.

In addition to hosting home Rock football games, the newlyinstalled AstroPlay artificial playing surface served as the hometurf for The Rock women’s field hockey team this fall.

Rock rolls out green carpet,lights up the nightThe first-ever home football night game

played at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium on

Sept. 13 was truly a cause for celebration.

The Rock’s game against Gannon

University marked the culmination of a

$1 million renovation project at the

stadium that included installation of an

AstroPlay artificial playing surface, a state

of the art Musco lighting system and a

new rubberized track and the expansion

and remodeling of the stadium’s athletic

training and locker room facilities.

The football game was the first athletic

event played in the new atmosphere, but

was quickly followed up by women’s field

hockey games. In the future, both

women’s and men’s soccer contests will

also be hosted by the multi-function

facility.

An estimated crowd of 8,400 fans were on

hand for the opening football game,

which The Rock lost by a 20-18 margin.

As part of the opening-night ceremonies,SRU Interim President Dr. Robert M.Smith and other university officialsrecognized the University’s StudentGovernment Association for its donationof $100,000 towards the installation ofthe lights at Thompson Stadium.

Brad FloodSarah Dunn Scott Pennewill

Rock alums in the coachingranksSARAH DUNN, a member of the Class of2003, served this fall as the first-year headcoach of The Rock women’s field hockeyteam. She was a member of The Rockprogram for the first three seasons of hercollegiate career before spending hersenior season on an internship assignmentin Australia. Dunn, who finished her firstseason as a collegiate head coach with a 3-16 record, succeeded former Rockteammate Jenny Dumas as The Rock’scoach. Dumas accepted a similar job atWashington & Jefferson College aftercoaching The Rock for one season.

SCOTT PENNEWILL (’83) had a very successfulfirst season as head volleyball coach atJohns Hopkins University. His squadfinished the season with a 23-9 won-lostrecord and as the Centennial Conferencerunners-up. JHU also advanced to thequarterfinals of the Eastern CollegiateAthletic Conference (ECAC) Southtournament. Pennewill has compiled a184-194 record in 12 seasons as acollegiate head coach. Prior to beingnamed as JHU’s head coach last April, hecoached five seasons at Drexel University,four seasons at Millersville University andtwo seasons at Clarion University.

New athletic website launchedin NovemberRock athletics found a new home on theWorld Wide Web in November whenwww.rockathletics.com was launched.

The new site, coordinated by theSports Promotion & Information Office,can be accessed directly or from the mainSlippery Rock University site(www.sru.edu) via the “Athletics” link.

The new athletic website wasdeveloped in cooperation with OfficialCollege Sports Network and is one of140 in the OCSN family.

BRAD FLOOD (’79) was named inSeptember as Bridgeport University’s firsthead women’s swimming coach. ThePurple Knights will begin competition inthe 2004-05 academic year. Prior tobeing named to his current position,Flood served six seasons as head men’sand women’s swimming and diving coachat Central Connecticut State Universityand eight seasons as an assistant coachfor NCAA Division I programs.

Siars honored by FILABOB SIAR, a 2001 inductee into the SRUAthletic Hall of Fame, and his wife, Sue,received a Bronze Star from FILA fortheir many contributions to the FILA atvarious World Championships andOlympics Games. The award waspresented at the International Federationof Associated Wrestling Styles WorldFreestyle Wrestling Championships forMen and Women at Madison SquareGarden in New York City.

DR. KATHERINE A. SHAFFER, a facultymember of SRU’s Department ofChemistry and Physics, was inductedinto the Allegheny College Athletic Hallof Fame last fall as part of the Gators’1988 women’s softball national runner-up team.

www.SRU.edu 45

For more information, contact the alumni office at 1-800-GET-ROCK.Look for your invitation in the mail.

2004200420042004

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1 Morrow WaySlippery Rock, PA 16057-1326

rock solid educationwww.sru.edu

rock magazine winter 2004

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