Cal U Journal - June 26, 2011

VOLUME 13, NUMBER 17 JUNE 20, 2011

California University

‘Singgalot’ Tells Story of U.S. Filipinos

‘Ritzy’ Gala Boosts Scholarship FundArecord-setting crowd of 340 University friends,

alumni, faculty, staff and students had a grandtime “Puttin’ On the Ritz” June 4 at the 2011

President’s Gala.The 18th annual black-tie event, held once again at

the Omni William Penn hotel in Pittsburgh, benefitsstudent scholarships and caps off the annual AlumniWeekend celebration.

“We extend a very sincere ‘thank you’ to each andevery one of you for joining us and helping us raisemuch-needed scholarship dollars for our deservingstudents,” said President Angelo Armenti, Jr., whohosted the event with First Lady Barbara Armenti.

The President’s Gala has raised nearly $1.4 millionsince its inception in 1994. Over the years, netproceeds of more than $750,000 have providedscholarships for deserving Cal U students.

Honorary chairs for the gala were RobertLippencott ’66 and his wife, Suzanne. A retired SecretService agent — and a former Cal U scholarshiprecipient himself — Lippencott is a member of theboard for the Foundation for California University.

“We know that each of you feels the way we doabout our University and our students, and that‘paying it forward’ is a concept that all of usunderstand,” he told the guests. “Through yourgenerosity, we will be able to provide much-neededsupport for our students.”

Award presentationsAs the president rose to introduce them, a warm

round of applause greeted the faculty award winnersfor 2011.

Dr. Christine Patti, a professor in theAdministrative Program for Principals, was honoredfor excellence in teaching. Dr. Robert S. Whyte, of the

Today there are more than 2.5million Filipino Americans in theUnited States. Yet many,

including Filipinos themselves, aren’tfamiliar with the details of their historyin America: their experiences, richtraditions, and culture.

Singgalot (The Ties That Bind) is theirstory.

Open now, the exhibition continuesthrough July 19 at Cal U’s ManderinoGallery on the third floor of ManderinoLibrary. Gallery hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m.Monday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday andThursday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday; andFriday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; and 2-6p.m. Sunday.

After tracing the first trans-oceanictrade missions between Manila andAcapulco in the 1500s, Singgalot exploresthe tenuous political relationship betweenthe United States and the Philippines,when Spain ceded the Pacific islandfollowing the Spanish-American War.

Rarely seen historical images detailFilipino migration between 1906 and1935 as Hawai’i sugar plantations, WestCoast farms, and Alaskan canneriesrecruited Asians to join the labor force.

When the U.S. government soundedthe call to arms in the 1940s, Filipinoimmigrants answered, serving asinfantrymen and earning respect from agrateful nation. Nearly 20 years later, the

Leo Krantz ended his secondterm as chair of the Cal UCouncil of Trustees on June 1,

when he handed off the leadership roleto former vice chair Robert J. Irey atthe Trustees’ regular quarterly meeting.

“It has been my pleasure to serve,”said Krantz, who will remain amember of the council. “For the pastfour years as chair it has beenabsolutely a pleasure to meet with mycounterparts across the state and torepresent Cal U.”

A council member since 2003, Ireyopened his term as chair by thankingKrantz “for his outstanding work hereat the University and at the state level

— Continued on page 2

From left: Faculty Awardwinners Dr. Christine Patti(teaching), Dr. Robert Whyte(research), Dr. RalphBelsterling (service),President’s Emeriti FacultyAward winners Marsha L.Nolf and Dr. Donald J.Thompson, and PresidentAngelo Armenti, Jr.

Below: Honorary chairsRobert ‘66 and SuzanneLippencott address theaudience before honoringaward recipients.

Department of Biological and EnvironmentalSciences, was recognized for his research, and Dr.Ralph Belsterling, of the Department ofCommunication Disorders, accepted the award forservice.

Professor Marsha L. Nolf received the President’sEmerita Faculty Award. Before her retirement in 2008,she filled numerous roles at Manderino Library —including “the goddess of information,” she quippedin a videotaped acceptance speech.

The President’s Emeritus Faculty Award waspresented to Dr. Donald J. Thompson, who closed a37-year career at Cal U when he retired in 2007 asprovost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

— Continued on page 2

1965 Immigration Act hastened a thirdmajor wave of Filipinos who wouldchampion major changes in genderequality and class in the FilipinoAmerican community and makesignificant contributions to the fight forcivil rights.

In 2006, the Smithsonian FilipinoAmerican Centennial Commemorationmarked 100 years of Filipino migration

to the United States with insightfulexhibitions, special programs and anextensive curriculum guide. Singgalotcelebrates Filipino Americans as theyshare their struggles, challenges, andachievements with the rest of the nation.

For more information, callexhibitions coordinator Walter Czekaj at724-938-5244 or send e-mail [email protected] .

Philippine-born artist Eliseo Silva is nationally recognized for creating this bold 145-foot-long mural, located in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles.

Trustees’Leadership

Changes

Leo Krantz Robert J. Irey

READ THE JOURNAL ONLINE: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal

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Trustees’ Leadership Changes

— Continued from page 1

Gwendolyn Simmons, a longtime memberof the University’s Council of Trustees,received a standing ovation after accepting theLillian M. Bassi Core Values Award. A leaderin numerous civic organizations, especially inthe Mon Valley, the Monongahela resident hasbeen a generous University benefactor and astrong advocate for Cal U and its students.

Top hats and rosesAfter dinner in the Omni’s Grand

Ballroom, the crowd adjourned to enjoy adessert bar, casino games and dancing to theBenny Benack Orchestra. Guests also placedbids on more than 50 silent auction items,including vacation stays and themed giftbaskets.

Among the most popular items were

helmets autographed by Pittsburgh Steelersplayers James Harrison and Ziggy Hood,along with a football signed by Super BowlMVP Hines Ward. The Pittsburgh Penguinsalso provided auction items, including a jerseyautographed by Mario Lemieux and a helmetsigned by the 2010-2011 Pens.

Proceeds from the silent auction added tothe scholarship fund, as well.

“Everyone seemed to enjoy getting dressedup and attending a fancy, fun-filled event,”said Craig Butzine, vice president forMarketing and University Relations.

“But the real winners are the Cal Ustudents who will receive scholarship dollarsraised at the gala — an event they can lookforward to attending themselves once they’veestablished their own careers.”

For a slide show from the 2011 President’s Gala,visit www.calu.edu .

Above, First Lady Barbara Armenti and President Angelo Armenti, Jr. enjoy a dance at CaliforniaUniversity’s 2011 ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ President’s Gala. The night also featured casino games and asilent auction.

At left, President Angelo Armenti, Jr. honors Mrs. Gwendolyn G. Simmons with the Lillian M. BassiCore Values Award. A leader in numerous civic organizations, especially in the Mon Valley, theMonongahela resident has been a generous University benefactor and a strong advocate for Cal Uand its students.

— Continued from page 1

with PACT,” the PennsylvaniaAssociation of Councils of Trustees.

Krantz joined the Cal U Trusteesin 1999 and currently is president ofPACT.

University President AngeloArmenti, Jr. also began his report tothe Trustees by praising Krantz’swork, especially at the state level. Hethanked Krantz for his “unwaveringsupport over the past four years”before turning to a discussion of thestate budget.

By the time the council meetsnext, on Sept. 7, the GeneralAssembly likely will have finalizedappropriations to the 14 state-owneduniversities, and the Board ofGovernors will have set tuition forthe 2011-2012 academic year.Legislators are expected to approveda budget that restores some, but notall, of the cuts proposed by Gov. TomCorbett.

Hard times are nothing new in theMon Valley, the President said, and Cal U “has had the benefit oflearning to deal with adversity.”

Enrollment growth has been animportant factor in Cal U’s success,and the trend is continuing. ProvostGeraldine Jones reported thatenrollment for the summer sessionincreased by 4 percent, compared tothe 2010 headcount.

An enrollment increase also isanticipated this fall.

In other business:• Provost Jones, vice president for

Academic Affairs, reported that 17faculty were awarded grants totalingabout $192,000 this quarter. Shehighlighted the new degree program inArabic language and culture that willstart this fall, and she mentioned tworecent graduates who have excitingtimes ahead: Leesa Tori will begin theMBA program at Harvard, and MikeSoster will appear on the Fall 2011edition of the TV show “Survivor.”

• Robert Thorn, interim director ofAdministration and Finance, receivedunanimous approval from the Trusteesto raise the transportation fee paid bystudents from $25 to $50 for theupcoming academic year. The fee paysfor the Vulcan Flyer buses and the twosmaller shuttles that loop through themain campus and the River Lot. Whenthe new data center is completed at thePhillipsburg site, Thorn noted, theshuttle will add a stop there.

Thorn also reported on variousconstruction projects, including theConvocation Center, which is expectedto be in use for basketball season.

• Lenora Angelone, vice presidentfor Student Affairs, received approvalfor revisions to the Student Code ofConduct that reflect an expansion ofservices. Jim Pflugh, associate dean forstudent conduct, said the studentdisciplinary process has grown toinclude elements such as mediation andrestorative justice.

Angelone gave a sports roundup and

presented a video highlighting campustelevision station CUTV, which markedits 25th anniversary this year, and radiostation WCAL, on the air for more than38 years.

• Craig Butzine, vice president forMarketing and University Relations,explained the strategic approach tomarketing that his department has takenin light of budget constraints. Toolsalready in place, such as the Cal Uwebsite and activities calendar, are beingput to creative use, along with socialmedia and a robust outreach to thelocal, regional and national press.

• Ron Huiatt, vice president forDevelopment and Alumni Relations,reported that the capital campaign hasraised nearly $25.5 million as it movestoward its $35 million goal. The AnnualFund has set a goal of “300 Gifts in 30Days” to support academic programs,endowed chairs, research and more.

• Dr. Charles Mance, vice presidentfor University Technology Services,presented results of a customer servicesurvey. To address clients’ concerns,UTech Services has instituted new HelpDesk procedures, taken a look atnetwork and systems complaints, andbegun work to reduce the number ofpasswords required.

Work also is under way to upgradethe campus Wi-Fi network, to installmore “smart classroom” technology, tocreate a new data center at thePhillipsburg site and to ensurecompliance with payment card industrystandards across campus.

President’s Gala Draws Record Crowd

John Heintz (left), Leslie Curl and Jim Lokay ‘02 celebrate a blackjack win inthe casino room. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit student scholarships.

SecurityCameras Lead

to Arrests

Security cameras in the VulcanGarage played a role in the May30 arrest of two men accused of

damaging vehicles used by the Cal UParking and Transportation Office.

University Police arrested TylerBallengee, 21, of Enon Valley, Pa.,and Michael Koran, 20, of MoonTownship, Pa. Both were chargedwith institutional vandalism, criminalmischief and criminal conspiracy andtaken to the Washington County Jailon a $5,000 straight cash bond.

Campus police allege that in theearly-morning hours of Feb. 26,Ballengee and Koran damaged twoUniversity-owned Smart cars thatwere parked in the Vulcan Garage.Damage to the cars, which are usedfor parking enforcement on campus,was estimated at $1,500 in all.

Neither of the accused men is astudent at Cal U. Police say they werevisiting California when the incidentoccurred.

Campus police distributedsecurity-camera images of thesuspects to local newspapers andtelevision stations in February. Theimages recently were used again in ademonstration of the Cal U securitysystem, and a member of the campuscommunity recognized the suspects.

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ResearchDescribedin NASAReport

Campus BRIEFS

SEEK Offers Final Summer Session in July

The work of faculty memberJeff Sumey, student NathanWright and other Cal U

researchers is included in the NASAGoddard Space Flight Center WallopsFlight Facility and Marine ScienceConsortium Research CollaborationAnnual Report 2011.

Their work at the NASA researchfacility, on Virginia’s eastern shore,focuses on kite-based imaging. TheAerial Data Collector And Reporter(ADCAR) project is designed toshow that using kites andcommercially available components,rather than more expensiveunmanned aerial sensors, can reducethe cost of collecting data from theair.

Sumey and Wright are workingclosely with scientists includingGeoff Bland, of the Wallops FlightFacility, to develop and test a kite-based aerial data collection systemthis summer.

Testing and revisions arescheduled for April through June,according to the NASA report,with documentation anddemonstrations scheduled for Julyand August.

Sumey is an associate professorin the Department of AppliedEngineering and Technology at Cal U. Wright is a senior in theComputer Engineering Technologyprogram.

Others involved in the projectinclude Dr. Thomas R. Mueller, anassociate professor in theDepartment of Earth Science, andstudent Frederick L. Smith, ageographical information systems(GIS) major at Cal U.

“My work on the ADCARproject has been a very rewardingand enriching experience,” Wrightsaid. “It has taken what I havelearned in the classroom and appliedit to a real-world solution.”

Wright said he feels privileged towork with the specialized technologyavailable at the Wallops FlightFacility.

“This project has unlocked apotential in myself in the field ofengineering,” he added.

The Wallops Flight Facility isNASA’s principal facility formanagement and implementation ofsuborbital research programs. Theprimary vision of the facility is to“serve as a national resourceenabling responsive, low-costaerospace science and technologyresearch.”

According to the annual report,the purpose of this researchcollaboration is to “promote studentdevelopment in the sciences andfaculty research in areas of interestto NASA.”

For more information about thekite-based imaging project, visithttp://aet.calu.edu/ADCAR .

The “2011 Annual Report ofCollaborative Research” is availableat the Marine Science Consortiumwebsite, http://msconsortium.org .

Institute TrainsOfficers in Proper

Use of ForceThe Institute for Law and Public

Policy will present a hands-on coursefor police and security officers, Forceon Force Instructor Training: ThePractical Application of Force forPolice Agencies, from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.June 29 at the Beaver County 911Center in Ambridge, Pa.

The course takes a skills-basedapproach that teaches officers to thinkcritically during high-pressuresituations. Participants will train forshoot/don’t shoot encounters, contact-and-cover responses, high-risk arrestsand first response to critical incidents.

Officers who complete the coursewill be certified as Agency Instructorswho can implement training programsaccording to their individual agency’sneeds.

Course instructor is Edward W.Bogats Jr., a retired police chief, agraduate of the FBI National Academyand an internationally recognized use-of-force instructor.

Program cost is $179; fee includeslunch. Participants must register inadvance.

For more information or to register,

call 724-597-7401 or send e-mail [email protected] . Details andonline registration are available athttp://institutes.calu.edu/ilpp .

Sweitzer to TrainLaw Officers

Dr. Emily M. Sweitzer, chair of theDepartment of Justice, Law, and Society,has been invited to serve as a mastertrainer for a national program “One onOne, Connecting Cops & Kids.”

The Fred Rogers Co., named for thestar of television’s long-runningchildren’s program Mister Rogers’Neighborhood, was awarded a nationalgrant to sponsore the program throughthe U.S. Department of Justice.

Sweitzer, an associate professor ofjustice and behavioral crime, explainedthat a law enforcement officer and achild development specialist team-teachthis program to members of lawenforcement agencies. The goal is tohelp police identify with children andunderstand their developmentalperspective with regard to policing andcommunity agencies.

Sweitzer was asked to be a part ofthe program because of her backgroundand experience in both psychology andcriminal justice.

Read the JournalOnline

As a cost-saving measure, theJournal no longer will be distributedroutinely to campus mailboxes. It willcontinue to be published weekly duringthe fall and spring semesters, andmonthly throughout the summer.

Look for the Journal online in aneasy-to-read “flipbook” format or as adownloadable PDF. Click on “News” atthe top of the Cal U homepage,www.calu.edu , then choose “Cal UJournal.”

Paper copies of the Journal will beavailable on campus at the WelcomeCenter, Natali Student Center,Keystone Education Building, OldMain and Manderino Library. In town,the Journal is distributed to theCalifornia Public Library, First NiagaraBank, Dairy Queen, Union Cleaners,Redstone Pharmacy, Cal Ed FederalCredit Union and Hair We Are.

Thank YouDolores Striker of custodial services

would like to offer her sincere thanks tothe Cal U community for their kindexpressions of sympathy following thedeath of her mother, Dolores Geletei.

Family Field DayKiley Turner, who is studying early childhood education, holds a baby fox for children to pet at the Family Field Day presented April 29 by Cal U. Heldat Ohiopyle State Park and funded through a two-year PNC Grow Up Great with Science grant, Family Field Day is an opportunity for preschool chil-dren and their families to explore the natural world and learn basic science concepts through a series of outdoor activities. Joining Cal U as partnersin the project are The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette County, Ohiopyle State Park and the Pittsburgh Association for theEducation of Young Children.

Children entering grades 1-8 this fall still may registerfor SEEK, the Summer Educational Enrichment forKids program held annually on campus.

This summer, SEEK’s final weeklong session is July 18-22. Conducted through Cal U’s Office of Lifelong Learning,

the 2011 program holds its first summer session this week. Since 2000, SEEK has provided learning experiences that

are entertaining, yet academically challenging. The Universityhas been honored for developing the program in response toneeds expressed by area parents.

SEEK classes run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Childrenare escorted between classes and supervised during lunch.

Each child brings a bag lunch; refrigeration is not available.Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Once a

child is registered, the family will receive a confirmation letterlisting the classroom location. This confirmation letter mustbe presented on the first day of class.

Cost is $125 per child for a full-week, full-day program, or$80 per child for a full-week, half-day (morning or afternoon)program.

The SEEK brochure is available online at www.calu.edu ;on the homepage, choose “Academics,” then click on“Lifelong Learning.” For more information, call 724-938-5840.

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Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr.University President

Geraldine M. Jones Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Lenora Angelone Vice President for Student Affairs

Dr. Charles Mance Vice President for University Technology Services

Ron HuiattVice President for Development and Alumni Relations

Robert Thorn Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance

Craig ButzineVice President for Marketing and University Relations

Christine KindlEditor

Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall, Jeff BenderWriters

The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

The Journal is printed on paper made from trees harvested under the principles of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative ( www.SFIprogram.org ).

Office of Communications and Public Relations 250 University Avenue California, PA 15419 724-938-4195 [email protected]

Cal U Claims Trio of All­AmericansThree student-athletes, all juniors, earned All-

American honors this spring.“To become an All-American is a national

achievement that signifies excellence,” said Cal UPresident Angelo Armenti, Jr. “Brice Myers, DianneLuke and Jillian Russell have honored our University,themselves and their families, and they have set greatexample for others.”

• Track and field standout Myers repeated as anNCAA Division II All-American in the 110-meterhurdles. He finished second nationally at the NCAADivision II Outdoor Championships in Turlock, Calif.

Myers posted a career-best time of 14.03 secondsand finished only one-hundredth of a second behindthe overall champion.

Last year, he finished the national championshiprace in third place, winning his first All-Americanhonors on the outdoor track. He also has three All-American medals for the 60-meter indoor hurdles.

A two-time PSAC champion in both the 110 and60 hurdle events, Myers is the first five-time All-American in Cal U track and field history.

• Luke was named a First Team All-American bythe National Golf Coaches Association.

The second Cal U player ever to earn NGCA All-American honors, she finished the season by placingsixth overall at the NCAA Division II NationalChampionships in Allendale, Mich.

Luke, a two-time all-conference performer, was theonly PSAC golfer to earn post-season recognition bythe NGCA.

As a team, Cal U finished the season rankedseventh in the nation.

• Shortstop Russell was named a LouisvilleSlugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association(NFCA) Third-Team All-American. She is the softballteam’s 31st All-American overall and the first since2004.

Russell led Cal in five different offensivecategories, and tied the school record with 14 homeruns. She batted .366 this spring for the PSAC-Westchampions.

Last summer Russell played in the InternationalSoftball Federation (ISF) World Championships as a

member of the Canadian Senior National Team.Aided by the fine performance of its All-American

trio, Cal U athletics finished the year at No. 3 in thePSAC Dixon Trophy standings. This is the fourth consecutive year that the program has placed amongthe top three, and Cal won the award in 2008-2009.

Dianne Luke became Cal U’s second women’s golfer to earn national All-American honors after finishing sixth overall at theNCAA Division II National Championships this spring.

Former Cal U standout goalkeeperDerek Yobbi ’11 is in his firstseason as a member of the

Pittsburgh Riverhounds professionalsoccer team.

The Riverhounds, founded in 1999,compete in the United Soccer LeaguePro (USL Pro) Northern Division.

Yobbi, a four-year starter at Cal U,finished his collegiate career with a 38-22-6 record and 16 shutouts. Nine ofthose whitewashes came last fall, whenhe helped the Vulcans compile an 11-5-2 overall record and achieve their fourthconsecutive winning season.

A three-time all-conference selection,Yobbi was the 2007 PSAC Rookie of theYear and a National Soccer CoachesAssociation of America (NSCAA)Second-Team All-Region pick.

As a sophomore, Yobbi backstoppedthe Vulcans to the program’s first-everPSAC championship. The South Parknative was named the tournament’sMost Valuable Player following stellarefforts in playoff wins over SlipperyRock and nationally ranked MillersvilleUniversity.

Yobbi finished his career as Cal U‘sall-time leader, with a 1.17 goals-against

average and 5,916 goalkeeper minutes. The Riverhounds have used Yobbi

primarily as a backup this season. “He has been able to quickly make

the transition to the higher level at eachstep in his career,” said Cal U veteransoccer head coach Dennis Laskey. “Hehad a brilliant career here, and he hasall of the required skills to succeed atthe next level.”

Yobbi is one of several former Cal Usoccer players who have playedprofessionally. Among them are Cal UHall of Fame inductees NicholasAddlery (1999-2002) and Tomas Boltnar(1998-2001).

One of the Riverhounds’ recentinterns is Justin Taucher ’10, whoplayed for the Vulcans from 2006-2009.

“Derek is an amazing goalkeeper,”said Taucher, a two-time all-conferenceforward. “From what I can see, Derekwill do fine at this level once he gets hisshot.”

The Riverhounds’ home matches arecontested at Chartiers Valley HighSchool in Bridgeville, Pa. Pittsburgh’snext home action is a 7 p.m. gameagainst American Division rivalOrlando (Fla.) City on July 1.

Ex­Vulcan Goalkeeper Guards Net for Riverhounds

After being one of the PSAC’s most dominant goalkeepers the past four years, Cal U’s DerekYobbi is now trying to keep professional teams off the score sheet as a member of thePittsburgh Riverhounds.