HOMECOMING - Robert Morris University

6001 University BoulevardMoon Township, PA 15108-1189RMU.EDUNon-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPittsburgh, PAPermit No. 280HOMECOMINGSAVE THE DATESATURDAY, SEPT. 29Last fall we set Homecomingattendance records with our firstnight game, Tailgate Alley gala,and fireworks show. So we're doingit again... only this time it'llbe even better. Don't miss it!

WINTER}12 FoundationsD E A R A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S ,Indulge me for a moment: In June I became a grandfather for thefirst time, when my daughter, Lara, gave birth to a baby girl.Some of you know what this is like, to see your own child – an extension ofyourself, in a way – become a parent, with all the joys (and trials) that comewith it, to proudly cradle the next generation in your arms. It gave mepause to reflect on the life Polly and I have built for ourselves and ourfamily, and to consider the legacy we will one day leave behind.Of course, you don't have to be a parent or a grandparent to leave a legacy.You don't have to have been a great artist or inventor, an entrepreneur, or arecord-setting professional athlete. All you need to do to create a legacy is toleave the world better than you found it, to contribute in some way to something that is bigger than yourself.That's what we do at Robert Morris University. It's what we've done for 90 years. Everyone who hasstudied here, or taught here, or provided the services and resources that run this university has contributedto that legacy. RMU is a great place because our students make it a great place. Because our alumni whocarry our name into the world make it a great place. Because the faculty and staff who touch their livesmake it a great place.We see our legacy manifested in myriad ways. We see it in the success of our alumni, who work hard to buildinfluential careers and make their communities better places. We recognize this each year with our HeritageAward, which we give to alumni whose distinguished service and accomplishments bring honor to them andto RMU. You'll read on page 26 about our 2011 recipient, John Bartling '82, who not only has achievedtremendous professional success but who has changed the lives of those less fortunate than himself.We presented the Heritage Award, as we do each year, at our President's Council Dinner, an event where wethank those donors who have contributed $1,000 or more during the previous year. We invite several of ourbest students to attend that dinner, because we want members of our President's Council to see exactly howtheir gifts get put to use.Our donors' legacy, like ours, is the students who benefit from all our supporters' generosity. So it is fitting thatat our President's Council Dinner we present a graduating senior with our Rising Star Award in recognition ofhis or her achievements at RMU and potential for professional success.This year's winner, Briana Smith, happens to be the daughter of alumnus Alvin Smith '86. The Smiths andothers are featured in an article on page 12 about alumni who have given RMU the ultimate endorsement –entrusting us with the education of their children. Naturally, we call these students "legacies." But it's a fittingname for all our students, and I hope you are as proud of them as I am.Sincerely,G R E G O R Y G . D E L L ’ O M O , P H . D .P R E S I D E N TCREDITSEDITORMark HouserCONTRIBUTORSValentine J. Brkich, Robert Isenberg,Susan Jacobs Jablow, JonathanPotts M'11, Bonnie PfisterART DIRECTOR/DESIGNERAmy JoyPHOTOGRAPHY/ILLUSTRATIONSFront Cover: Michael Will '08Back Cover: Mitch Kramer '08Other Photos/Illustrations: CSI: Photo, ValentineJ. Brkich, Glenn Brookes, Jason Cohn, KevinCooke, Hot Metal Studios, iStockphoto, Amy Joy,Mitch Kramer ‘08, Michael Will ‘08PRINTINGRR Donnelley Hoechstetter PlantFOUNDATIONS ONLINEDouglas A. DerdaScan thiS code WithYoUR SMaRt PhoneFoundations (ISSN 1934-5690) is published threetimes a year by the Office of Public Relationsand Marketing in conjunction with the Office ofInstitutional Advancement and mailed free ofcharge to alumni, donors, trustees, faculty, staffand friends of Robert Morris University. Theopinions expressed in the magazine do notnecessarily reflect the official policies ofRobert Morris University.Contributions to Class Notes and addresschanges may be sent to:Office of Alumni RelationsRobert Morris University6001 University BoulevardMoon Township, PA 15108-1189Phone: (412) 397-6464 Fax: (412) 397-2142E-mail: rmualum@rmu.eduIt is the policy of Robert Morris University to provideequal opportunity in all educational programs andactivities, admission of students and conditions ofemployment for all qualified individuals regardlessof race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, nationalorigin and/or sexual preference.All in the Family. . . . . . . . . . . . 12No endorsement of a university is quite as compelling as afamily legacy. Here are three stories of fathers and daughterswho share a special bond as RMU legacies.The Untold Storyof Flamenco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Captivated since childhood by Spain's dramatic dance, an RMUmedia arts professor is directing "Inheritors of a Burden," adocumentary about flamenco's arrival on American shores.Peace, Love & Little Donuts . . .18They originally planned to open a Christian marriage retreat center.They wound up with a donut shop. But what a donut shop it is.Stuck in the Middle . . . . . . . . . . . . .24an "opera fanatic," took theJulie Woloshin '03 took up the university's challenge to gain f a global perspective.Now she is helping to build a democracy in formerly war-torn Kosovo.10 Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Not to be nebby, but what's it like being married to Pittsburgh's mostpopular yinzer? Pretty fun if you like dogs, says Hedy Polifroni Krenn '97.

CAMPUS REPORT> The NewConvergenceThe university hosted a researchconference in November examiningthe intersection of communicationand information systems inorganizations and academia. Theconference, "Playing in theIntersection: Revisiting the 'NewConvergence,'" was sponsored bythe university's doctoral programin information systems andcommunication (D.Sc.) and itsAlumni Research Group.President Gregory G. Dell'Omo, Ph.D.,contributed $500 for two best-of-conference paperawards. Third-year students Mary Beth Lang andSteven King won the Debons Award for Best AppliedPaper for "Federated Searching: Turning Metadatainto Information;" and John Lawson, Ph.D.,associate professor of English studies, earned thePresident's Award for Best Theoretical Paper for "NarrativeFrames of Keynesian Economic Commentators." The conference also featured a keynote talk by Fred Kohun, Ph.D.,founder of the D.Sc. program and university professor of computer and information systems.> The Inn CrowdWith undergraduate enrollment, residentialenrollment, and student retention all at historiclevels this year, the university purchased theHoliday Inn Pittsburgh Airport to helpaccommodate the influx of students. The hotel,less than a mile from campus on UniversityBoulevard, currently houses some 144 studentson floors separate from hotel guests.In August the university opened its 13th residence hall,Peter Salem Hall, which houses 190 students. Including thestudents at the Holiday Inn, nearly 1,700 students live incampus housing, approximately half of all full-time undergraduates and an86 percent increase since 2000. RMU plans to continue to operate the HolidayInn as a hotel through at least 2012, dedicating some floors to studenthousing, to be called Yorktown Hall. The hotel ultimately will providespace to house 500 students.> Not Too Shabby> SEE THIS MAGAZINE AND EXTRA FEATURES AT RMU.EDU/FOUNDATIONS> StudentResearchDebra J. Borkovich,a third-year studentin the D.Sc.program,won the JayLiebowitzOutstandingStudent Research Award forthe International Association forComputer Information Systems fallconference held in Mobile, Ala. Herpaper, "The Social Science of DataWarehousing: Its Ever-EvolvingCorporate Culture," reviewed the impactand influence of a corporate cultureapproach to data warehousing.ArtemisiaApostolopoulou,Ph.D., associateprofessor of sport management, presentedthe paper she wrote with co-authorBrian Gayso '11, "Sponsorship Goalsand Activation in the National HockeyLeague," at the European Association forSport Management conference in Madrid.RMU's online degree programs are getting rave reviews. U.S. News> Spin Masters& World Report put the master's degree programs – competitiveintelligence systems and Internet information systems – in its"Top Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs."A dozen PR majors attended the Public Relations Student Society of America'sannual conference in Orlando, Fla., with their professor, Ann Jabro, Ph.D.,to learn about and discuss the latest developments the field. Jabro'sresearch on student professional development through conferenceattendance was competitively selected for presentation in the EducatorsAcademy of the Public Relations Society of America.The bachelor's degree in health services administrationwas included in The Best Colleges' "Top 10 Bachelor ofHealth Management and Health Administration DegreePrograms." And SuperScholar, an online education andcareer information website, designated Robert Morris Universitya “Smart Choice” among the top 25 online nursing degreeprograms. (Read more about online degrees on page 20.)recycle this magazineGive it to a neighbor who’s in high schooland help spread the word about RMU.2R O B E R T M O R R I S U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N S • 3

It's Gold, Baby!> The Envelope,PleaseThe university chapter of theNational Society of CollegiateScholars received theGold Star Award at thesociety's annual conventionin Puerto Rico. The honorsorganization for highachievingfreshmen and sophomores hasmore than 300 student-run chapters atuniversities across the country.> They Are OurHeroes, TooThe Bayer Center for NonprofitManagement receivedthe CommunityHero Award fromUCP/Class, UnitedCerebral Palsy'scommunityservice entity, at the organization's19th annual Community Heroesawards dinner.> From Central Lines to Central Casting> Cracking the CaseCSI has come to RMU. In the fall, the university launched a bachelor ofscience in cyber forensics and information security. The program, whichtrains students in information security and the basics of criminalinvestigation, is the first of its kind in western Pennsylvania.Cyber forensics involves recovering evidence from computers or otherdigital storage devices. Such evidence isn't limited to crimes committedwith computers, such as hacking personal data; for instance, thenotorious BTK serial killer was caught becauseof data gleaned from a floppy disk he sentanonymously to police. The U.S. Bureau ofLabor Statistics projects 20 to 50 percent jobgrowth in the field over the next eight years,with entry-level salaries averaging from$45,000 to $85,000 annually.It sounds like something from an episode of "Seinfeld" – actors portraying patients to help student nurses learnhow to diagnose illness. But it's serious work, so much so that The Hearst Foundations designated part of a$100,000 grant to the medical simulation center at Robert Morris University to fund its standardized patientprogram. The grant allowed Colonial Theatre director Ken Gargaro, Ph.D., to train student actors to take on theroles of patients for student nurses, who gain experience diagnosing disease as well as interacting with patientsand their family members.The bulk of The Hearst Foundations grant, $75,000, allowed the university's Regional Research and Innovationsin Simulation Education (RISE) Center to purchase another computer-controlled mannequin for itssimulation laboratory. The center is developing partnerships with local health care facilities, includingSt. Clair Hospital in Mt. Lebanon, to allow medical workers to advance their training.> Some Familiar InitialsRMU, meet RMUTT. The university has signed a memorandum ofunderstanding with Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi,an institution in Thailand. Under the agreement, RMU and RMUTTwill create student and faculty exchanges and explore other ways forinternational collaboration.The university also has renewed its partnership with the UniversidadPolitecnica de Nicaragua (UPOLI), a highlight of which is the twice-yearlytrips nursing students and faculty make to provide medical care to poorresidents in the Central American country.> It Hardly Feels LikeWork Most DaysThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette namedRobert Morris University as one of the 15 TopWorkplaces in the region among companies andnonprofits with more than 500 employees. Thenewspaper ranking is based on email surveys of> WATCH SAMPLES OF THE TELLY AWARD-WINNING EPISODES AT FOUNDATIONS ONLINE."RMU Live," theuniversity'sstudent-producedtelevision newscast,has won its secondBronze Telly Award of Excellence.The newscast was produced by KevinWilliams '11, now a news producer atKDKA-TV. Weatherman ChanningFrampton '11 is now a weatherman andreporter at TV3 (ABC) in Winchester, Va.Watch samples of the award-winningepisodes at Foundations Online.> Déjà Vu AllOver AgainThe Actuarial Foundation hasawarded its annual ActuarialDiversity Scholarship tosophomore Philippe Rigaud.He joins 30 other studentsnationwide recognized with thisprestigious scholarship. This isthe second year in a row that Rigaudhas received this award.> As Goodas it GetsThe Joint ReviewCommittee onEducation Programsin Nuclear MedicineTechnology has extendedthe accreditation for the university'snuclear medicine technology programfor the maximum two years.employees.4 • R M U . E D U / F O U N D AT I O N SR O B E R T M O R R I S U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N S • 5

AwardsThe YWCA Greater Pittsburghgave a 2011 Racial JusticeAward to Rex Crawley,Ph.D. Crawley, assistantdean of the School of> Scholar, Teacher, MentorBen Campbell, Ph.D., assistant professor of engineering, spoke at theWestinghouse Science Honors Institute to more than 300 high schooljuniors from western Pennsylvania. Campbell, who has been invitedto speak to the group five times, discussed his research in lasertechnology and described his education, background, and career path.Campbell also gave a presentation at the National Conference ofGovernor's Schools in Fargo, N.D., about efforts being made to restorePennsylvania's Governor's Schools since their budget was eliminatedin 2009. He is one of two Pennsylvania representatives on the boardof directors for the National Conference of Governor's Schools.> > FIND US ON FACEBOOKPage:RMU AlumniURL:facebook.com/ RMUalumni> FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @RMU FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE NEWS> Upward and OnwardThe university named Derya Jacobs, Ph.D., its new vice provostfor research and graduate study. Formerly dean of the Schoolof Business, Jacobs brings 21 years of experience inacademia to her new role, including extensive experienceas a teacher, researcher, and academic administrator.Under her leadership, the School of Business earnedaccreditation by AACSB International, the Associationto Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, joining only5 percent of business schools worldwide to carry thisprestigious recognition. Jacobs succeeds universityprofessor Fred Kohun, Ph.D., who returns to thefaculty in the School of Communications andInformation Systems.> Getting Downto BusinessThree faculty members participated recently at the MiddleAtlantic Association of Colleges of Business Adminstration's annualconference. Darcy Tannehill, Ed.D., vice president of online andoff-campus programs, and assistant vice president Anthony Petroy, D.M.,gave a presentation titled "Academic Integrity and the Assessment of OnlinePrograms." Darlene Motley, Ph.D., associate dean of the School of Business,took part in a panel discussion about M.B.A. students.Communications andInformation Systems, is theco-founder and co-director of the BlackMale Leadership Development Institute,a partnership between RMU and theUrban League of Greater Pittsburgh thatprovides leadership training to teenagersand is funded by the Heinz Endowmentsand the Buehl Foundation. Crawley alsoleads the university's Council onInstitutional Equity, which promotesinclusiveness and diversity on campus.He recently wrote a chapter aboutfatherhood in the book Masculinityin the Black Imagination: Politics ofCommunicating Race and Manhood.The PennsylvaniaCommunication Associationgave its Carroll ArnoldDistinguished ServiceAward to Ann Jabro, Ph.D.,university professor ofcommunication. The awardrecognizes a member's contributions tothe organization and the communicationsprofession. Jabro's article, "The Use ofSocial Media in Crisis Response Strategy:A Diffusion of Innovations Analysis,"was published in the Journal ofCommunications Media Studies.> Movers & Shakers> A Major MinorDenise Ramponi, D.N.P., assistant professorof nursing, published an article on shoulderpain in the Advanced Emergency NursingJournal with the help of two mediaarts students. David Brous and FrankVieira, seniors majoring in graphicdesign, produced illustrations ofshoulder bone and muscle anatomyfor the article.Abi Ibraheem, assistant professor oflearning resources, presented a papertitled "Whither Evidence-BasedLibrarianship: A Comparative Reflectionon the Practices in Some UniversityLibraries in Nigeria, UK, and USA" at theEvidence-Based Library andInformation Practice conferencein Manchester, England.Engineering professorArif Sirinterlikci,Ph.D., co-authored achapter, "Automationand Robotics inProcesses," in InstrumentEngineers' Handbook. He collaborated withArzu Karaman of Yildiz Technical Universityand Oksan Imamoglu from Istanbul TechnicalUniversity, both in Turkey.Ordinary People Extraordinary Planet, the fifthbook by Shellie Hipsky, Ed.D., associateprofessor of education, examines how oneperson’s actions can inspire others and createa chain of charitable acts. The book is acompanion to a radio show of the same namehosted by Ray Leonard on KMR-Media inGrand Rapids, Mich.School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science facultymembers Tony Kerzmann, Ph.D.; Gavin Buxton, Ph.D.;and Maria Kalevitch, Ph.D., wrote an article about thedevelopment of the university's new minor in alternativeenergy and sustainability that was published in theproceedings of the American Society for EngineeringEducation's Middle Atlantic section fall conference.6R O B E R T M O R R I S U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N S • 7

A Winning Tradition"Banaszak's Bunch" can get their old bannersout of the attic. The big defensive lineman fromthe Super Steelers of the '70s has been namedcoach-in-waiting of the Robert Morris Colonials.John Banaszak, now assistant head coach,will succeed head coach Joe Walton afterthe 2013 season."I understand very clearly that Coach Walton is still my boss," Banaszaksaid at a January news conference. "But our relationship goes muchdeeper than that. He's a friend and a mentor. What he's accomplished inbuilding this program is immeasurable, and I hope to continue thetradition of success that he created here."Banaszak got his first of three championship rings with the Steelers hisrookie season as a special teams player. The Eastern Michigan grad wenton to earn two more as the team's starting defensive end. His highlightperformance was Super Bowl XIII, a thrilling rematch against the DallasCowboys in which Banaszak sacked Roger Staubach twice andrecovered a fumble, earning the honor of Defensive Player of the Game.Before coming to RMU in 2003, Banaszak was head coach at Washingtonand Jefferson College, leading the Division III team to a 38-9 record.The Presidents' Athletic Conference, made up of mostly small westernPennsylvania colleges, named Banaszak Coach of the Year each of hisfour seasons at Washington and Jefferson.With the Colonials, Banaszak hasorchestrated great defenses year after year.The team has earned the NortheastConference's top ranking in yards allowed fourtimes in his nine seasons, most recently in 2010,when the Colonials claimed the NEC'sinaugural berth in the Football ChampionshipSubdivision playoffs. Eight defensive linemenunder Banaszak's tutelage have garnered All-NEC recognition, includingNolan Nearhoof, who led the Colonials with seven-and-a-half sacks lastyear and can break the team's career sack record his senior season withfour more.JOHN BANASZAKHEAD COACH IN 2014Walton, who started RMU's football program in 1994, signed atwo-year contract extension last fall that will give him 20 seasons withthe team. He said the Colonials will be in good hands whenBanaszak succeeds him. "He's a good football coach, and he's a goodleader," Walton said. "I'm very confident that the success our programhas had in the past will continue with him as head coachin the future."PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BYTHE PITTSBURGH STEELERS & RMU ATHLETICSA WINNING TRADITIONWALTON, BANASZAK & THE COLONIALS8 • R M U . E D U / F O U N D AT I O N S R O B E R T M O R R I S U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N S • 9

THEBIGGAMESPRING SPORTS PREVIEWSTARS TO WATCHWe pick some of the biggames this season. And wegive you the inside skinny.So while you’re cheering forthe Colonials, you also canshow off your sports smartsto your friends and familyin the stands. Make anafternoon of it!BASKETBALLMEN'S NECQUARTERFINALSTHURS., MARCH 1WOMEN'S NECQUARTERFINALSSAT., MARCH 3HOCKEYWOMEN'SCHA TOURNAMENTFRI., MARCH 2-3MEN'S AHAQUARTERFINALSFRI., MARCH 9-11BASKETBALLBoth the men's and women's teams cracked theCollege Insider Mid-Major Top 25 this season,boosting the growing national reputation of RMUbasketball. The Big Dance beckons, but first theColonials will have to take care of business in theNEC championships.THE BIG GAMES: MENNEC QUARTERFINALS: MARCH 1SEMIFINALS: MARCH 4FINAL: MARCH 7THE BIG GAMES: WOMENNEC QUARTERFINALS: MARCH 3SEMIFINALS: MARCH 6FINAL: MARCH 11> LIJAH THOMPSONMEN’S HOCKEYNext year RMU hosts the NCAA Frozen Fourhere in Pittsburgh. This year the Colonials canfocus on just getting in the tournament.Almost 5,000 cheering fans watched theColonials take No. 4 Ohio State to the wirein December at the Consol Energy Center,a highlight in another big season. Now theColonials are vying to host an Atlantic Hockeyquarterfinal on their Neville Island ice, with thewinner heading to Rochester, N.Y., to play forthe conference title and NCAA bid.THE BIG GAMES:MARCH 9-11MEN'S AHA QUARTERFINALSWOMEN’S HOCKEYAs an assistant coach, Paul Colontino helped Mercyhurst qualifyfor the NCAA tournament each of his five years there, including two Frozen Fours.Now that he's taken the reins at RMU, can he take the Colonials past the Lakers? Newassistant coach and Team USA goalie Bri McLaughlin, whose banner hangs in theClearview Arena, figures to play an inspirational role too.> COURTNEY LANGSTON#35 BROOKS OSTERGARDThe goalie was namedAHA Goaltender of theMonth in December afterposting a .955 savepercentage for the month.Backstopping RMU to aneight-game unbeatenstreak, the team's longestever, Ostergard notched a32-save shutout of RITand stopped 47 shots in awin over Niagara.#14 MARY DUROJAYEThe British reboundspecialist led the NEC inoffensive boards throughthe first half of theseason. Durojaye also isthe team's most accurateshooter, and her .521 fieldgoal percentage atmidyear was third in theconference.LACROSSEMEN VS. CANISIUSTUES., MARCH 27, 7 P.M.WOMEN VS. QUINNIPIACSAT., APR. 7, 11 A.M.1 0SOFTBALLDOUBLEHEADERVS. CENT. CONN. ST.SUN., APRIL 29,NOON> CHECK RMUCOLONIALS.COM FOR THE LATEST ON GAME TIMES, VENUES, AND SCORES.SUPPORTYOUR SPORT!MAKE A CHARITABLE GIFTTO THE ATHLETICS PROGRAMOF YOUR CHOICE ANDBE A COLONIAL BOOSTER.RMU.EDU/GIVEMEN'S LACROSSEThe super-octane Colonials offense has led the NCAA in scoringfor two years running – a feat last achieved by Virginia 15years ago. The team also knocked off its first nationallyrankedopponent last year when it beat Bucknell. Newcoach Andrew McMinn, the former offensive coordinator,will have to figure out how to adjust schemes for playerslike star midfielder and NEC Scholar-Athlete of the YearKiel Matisz now that the three leading scorers havemoved on.THE BIG GAME: MARCH 27VS. CANISIUSCome watch the Colonials play under the lights.The team takes on Canisius for the first-ever nightlacrosse game at Joe Walton Stadium.> MATISZTHE BIG GAMES: MARCH 2-3WOMEN'S CHA TOURNAMENTRMU CLEARVIEW ARENAWOMEN’SLACROSSETHE BIG GAME:APRIL 7 VS. QUINNIPIACSix straight wins at theend of last season earned theColonials their first postseasontournament. Can they returnunder NEC Coach of theYear Katy Philips? This matchagainst the defending champsshould give us a clue.SOFTBALLAs defending regular seasonchamps, the Colonials will relyon the strong bat of Allie Pattonand speedy arm of Alexa Bryson,seniors who earned All-NEC andAll-Tournament honors.THE BIG DOUBLEHEADER:APRIL 29 VS.CENT. CONN. ST.RACHEL KOTULAKotula won her collegiatedebut last year with a45.77-meter throw thatwas long enough toimmediately qualifyfor the IC4A/ECACChampionships inPrinceton. At that event,the freshman placed thirdand earned All-EastCoast honorswithhersecond-bestthrow of theseason, at45.74 meters.> KOTULA

allin thefamilyfor most college students, having their father go tothe same school and attend classes with them wouldbe a nightmare. But not sophomore accountingstudent Caitlynn Albright. When her stepfather, John Hillen,was forced to change careers and wanted to study accounting,Caitlynn let him know he only had one choice."I forced him to go here," she says. "I actually got mad whenI heard he was considering other schools. I told him that ifhe wanted to do accounting, RMU was his only choice."Last year Caitlynn and John took managerial accountingtogether. On the first day of class, Caitlynn and her friendssat up front and John sat way in the back row. Caitlynn didn'tapprove. "I told him, 'Dad! Get up here!'" she says. Turnsout that dad was just trying to give his daughter some space."I didn't want to bother her or ruin her college experience,"says John, who's in his junior year and considering RMU'sintegrated M.B.A.the veterans office have been especially helpful. They'll giveyou anything you need." The students have accepted himas one of their own, too. "They call me Pops. I have a blastwith them."Caitlynn also suffers from an injury – reflex neurovasculardystrophy, a condition caused by a slip on the ice when shewas 13. Her muscles sometimes constrict suddenly, pullingbones apart and causing her hip to dislocate. It happensabout once a week, and she often needs to use crutches. Sheplays E-flat clarinet in the band, but instead of marching,Caitlynn is the announcer introducing the band when it's onthe field. As for traversing campus, Caitlynn says she dealswith it. "I'm late a lot, but the teachers are all understanding."Her goal is to get her C.P.A. license, then maybe an M.B.A.from Robert Morris. "My dad wants to be more on theauditing side of things," she says. "So I'll do the work,and he can check it."fathers and daughters share a special bond. andwhen they end up attending the same university, thatbond grows even stronger. the following are threetales of fathers and their daughters, and theircommon connection to Robert Morris University. in twoof these stories, the connection spans generations; inthe other, the story's still being written. for each ofthese Colonials, RMU is truly a family affair."He's like my little brother," she says. "When I got mytattoo, he got his tattoo. When I said I was going to get intoaccounting, he said, 'That sounds like fun!' We joke about it,so it's all good."A retired Air Force aircraft mechanic, John was injured whilein service and reaggravated the injury working as an automechanic. "My doctor told me to get a new vocation," he says.Around that time he got letter in the mail from the VA aboutthe Post-911 G.I. Bill, which enables qualified veterans toattend college free of charge. "I was a little nervous aboutgoing back to school after 15 years," he says. It wasn't long,however, before John found his groove. "They really workwith you here," he says. "Heather Jericho and Dan Rota in1 2 . R M U . e d U / f o U n d a t i o n sR o b e R t M o R R i s U n i v e R s i t y f o U n d a t i o n s . 1 3

When he first found out his daughter wouldbe attending his alma mater, Alvin Smith '86,was overjoyed. "I'm dating myself here,"he says, "but I was like Gene Kelly in 'Singin' in the Rain,'dance steps and all."Imagine how many puddles he splashed in whenBriana Smith '11 was named the 2011recipient of RMU's Rising Star Award.The honor is given to a graduating seniorwho demonstrates academic success,individuality, determination, passion, andand potential. potential. Briana Briana graduated graduated in December inDecember with a degree with in a communication degree in andcommunication information systems, and information and is now systems, aand business is now technology a business analyst technology at PNC analyst bank,at where PNC she bank, had where been an she intern had been for two anintern summers. for two summers.Briana is one of the first graduates whocame to college through the Pittsburgh Promise, a scholarshipprogram started in 2008 to help city public school studentsafford higher education. She was vice president of events andprogramming and programming for Pittsburgh for Pittsburgh Promise Promise students students at RMU, at RMU,organizing community service efforts and planning events forher for her cohort. cohort. Even Even though though she she has has her her diploma, diploma, Briana Briana will willcontinue helping with similar RMU events this spring. "I wantto make sure those that follow know how to run things andthat the program’s program's in good hands," she says.An active volunteer, Briana helped raise money to provide amonth's worth of rice for 600 families in the African country ofGhana, of Ghana, and and she she also also volunteered with with Girls Girls Hope Hope in inCoraopolis, which provides support to at-risk girls. "Byimpacting the lives of these girls, I realized that I wanted tostrive to be an even better person," she says. "Changing livesmotivates me to do better."Alvin, a graduate of Robert Morris's business informationsystems program, was happy that Briana got a chance toexperience college campus life. "As an evening student at thedowntown campus, my experience was geared more towardsthe working adult experience," he says. "It's a parent's dreamhaving your children achieve and do even more."After 22 years in management at UPS, Alvin retired as anoperations business manager. He also had the opportunity torepresent the company as the district loan executive for theUnited Way. "Robert Morris helped make it it possible by makingme willing to take on challenges and take chances," he says."Failure is 100-percent guaranteed if you never take the shot.""RMU genuinely pursues excellence in the development of itsstudents to help them become the future leaders of tomorrow,"he adds. "I'm proud to see that Briana's become part of thechange here.">> see Photos from february's Legacy Luncheon at RMu.edu/foundationsWhen Ellen Langas '79 was five years old, her familyRita studied secretarial sciences at Robert Morris andlived in a house that stood where the Sewall Centereventually got a bachelor's degree in business administration.lower parking lot is today. "Back then the campusShe came back in 1995 to earn her teaching certificate, andwas much different," she says. "There were stables and appletoday she is a creative writing and English teacher and tennisorchards and everything. It was a real country experience."coach at West Allegheny High School. Before that, she taughtThey moved there when Robert Morris hired her father,marketing and communications part-time at RMU for over 12George Langas, to be director of maintenance in 1963. "Dadyears. "Teaching in RMU's business program, combined withcame over from Greece and taught himself to speak and writethe knowledge I gained from the teacher education program,English. It was impressive that he was given this opportunity."really prepared me for the classroom -- – not just academicallybut also as a classroom manager," she says.Once she was attending classes, having her father on campusdid present some challenges. "He kept us right under his"Growing up on campus, I could never have known howsurveillance," she says. "It was tough having this strict Greekmuch of an impact the college would have on my life," shedad and his entiresays. "Not only did Icrew keeping anlive there, receive myeye on you at alleducation there, andtimes. It certainlywork there, but I alsowasn't the typicalmet my husbandcollege experience."there. It's like onestopshopping at its"I loved growingbest!" its best!" John John M.up with the entireWilson '77 studiedcampus as mycommunicationsbackyard," saysmanagement andRita LangasWilsontransportation at'77 Wilson , Ellen's '77, sister. Ellen'sRobert Morris. His"My sister. father "My father wasbrother, His brother, Matt Matt G.respected was respected and>> Matt Wilson '85, nicholas Wilson '06 M'09,Wilson '85, studiedadmired and admired by byellen Langas '79 (pictured), John Wilson '77,marketing andstudents and peersRita Langas Wilson '77, George Langas (pictured).businessalike. He wouldadministration, andcoordinate facultytheir and their mother, mother,and staff picnicsMargaret E. Wilson Wilson '44,and freeze over the old tennis courts so that students and kids '44, attended attended classes classes at the at the William William Penn Penn Hotel Hotel downtown. downtown.from the neighborhood could go ice-skating. He really wentabove and beyond in his job."John and Rita were married in the Rudolph Family Gardens in1978. in 1978. Their Their son, son, Nicholas Nicholas Wilson Wilson '06, '06 M'09, M'09, got got his his degree degree inEllen earned a degree in marketing from Robert Morris in just sport in sport management and and followed followed it up it up with with a master's a master's in inthree just three years, years, graduating graduating summa summa cum cum laude. laude. She helped She helped foundinstructional leadership. Like his mother, Nicholas now worksthe found Students the Students In Free In Enterprise Free Enterprise team, and, team, in and 1978, in led 1978, it to led a at works a high at school a high tennis school coach tennis and coach teacher and teacher at Moon at Area Moon Highnational it to a national championship. championship. Now she Now is the she founder is the founder and president and School. Area High School.of president NouSoma of NouSoma Communications Communications Inc., a Philadelphia Inc., a Philadelphia marketing,publishing, marketing, publishing, and public relations and public company. relations Before company. that, Before sheToday John and Rita stay connected with the university byworked that, she at worked the shopping at the shopping channel QVC channel Inc. QVC where Inc., she where handled sheattending RMU basketball games and through the alumnipublic handled relations public relations and was also and was one of also the one company's of the company's first on-airassociation. "The education and people that I have connectedhosts. first on-air She is hosts. also the She author is also of the the author Girls of Know the How Girls book Know series, Howwith since my first day at Robert Morris continues to grow,"which book series, encourages which young encourages girls to young pursue girls the to careers pursue of the theirJohn says, "and I look forward to seeing the universitydreams. careers of their dreams.expand."WRITTEN BY VALENTINE J. J. BRKICH PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL WILL ‘081 4 . R M U . e d U / f o U n d a t i o n sR o b e R t M o R R i s U n i v e R s i t y f o U n d a t i o n s . 1 514 • RMU.EDU/FOUNDATIONS ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 15

the story of oppression, of a people coming togetherbecause of the Spanish Inquisition. You can hear thelamentation."Loyola-Garcia first brewed the idea for a documentary in2005. The process has been slow, beginning with a trip to NewLoyola-Garcia York, where she first began brewed to learn the idea flamenco’s for a documentary complex family in 2005. treeThe-- instructors,process haschoreographers,been slow, beginningperformers,with aandtripstudents.to New"I wasYorkcastingin 2008,the documentary,where she beganin a way,"to learnsheflamenco’srecalls. Amongcomplexthefamily tree – instructors, choreographers, performers, andmany personalities Loyola-Garcia hopes to introduce to widerstudents. "I was casting the documentary, in a way," sheaudiences is José Greco, an early proponent of flamenco inrecalls. Among the many personalities Loyola-Garcia hopesAmerica. Greco passed away in 2000, but Loyola-Garciato introduce to wider audiences is José Greco, an earlyinterviewed the dancer’s daughter and many of Greco'sproponent of flamenco in America. Greco passed away in 2000,students and collaborators, hoping to illustrate his powerfulbut Loyola-Garcia interviewed the dancer’s daughter andlegacy.many of Greco's students and collaborators, hoping toillustrate his powerful legacy."Inheritors of a Burden" is characteristically ambitious, and"Inheritors Loyola-Garcia of a Burden" has crossed is characteristicallythe country inambitious, pursuit of and material. Loyola-Garcia Using grants has from crossed thethe Heinz country Endowments in pursuit and of material. the Pittsburgh Usinggrants Foundation, from the the Heinz intrepid Endowments producer traveled andthe to Washington, Pittsburgh Foundation, Lancaster, and the intrepid Philadelphia.producer Her research traveled took to her Washington, team far asLancaster, Madrid, and she Philadelphia. also planned Her to research shoottook footage her in team New as York, far as California, Madrid, and andshealso Florida. planned But last to shoot year footage she stumbled in New into York, aCalifornia, problem: Her and sizable Florida. grants But last would year not shestumbled fund her into tour a of problem: New York, Her one sizable of grantswould flamenco’s not fund most her important tour of New hotspots. York, oneof flamenco’s most important hotspots.Not to be deterred, Loyola-Garcia turned toNot Kickstarter, to be deterred, an online Loyola-Garcia fundraising turned tool fortoKickstarter, grassroots art an projects. online fundraising She described tool her forgrassrootsproject, setarta goalprojects.of $2,500,She describedand offeredherproject, set a goal of $2,500, and offeredrewards for contributions. Investors whorewards for contributions. Investors whopledged $10 would receive free admissionpledged $10 would receive free admissionto the film’s premiere; at the $50 level,to the film’s premiere; at the $50 level,investors would receive a "special thanks"investors would receive a "special thanks"film credit and a signed DVD. Loyolafilmcredit and a signed DVD. The effortGarcia not only met her goal, she farearned $3,873 from 56 backers in 30 days.surpassed it, earning $3,873 from 56 backersSoon after, she traveled with her film crewtoinNew30 days.YorkSoonand filmedafter, shehourstraveledofwith herinterviewsfilm crew toandNewperformance.York and filmedLoyola-Garciahours ofis interviews still actively and seeking performance. sponsors to fund herremaining shoots and post-production.The film's official premiere is planned forThe December. film's official Loyola-Garcia premiere wants is planned to recut for the December. film in a Loyola- variety ofGarcia forms wants to appeal to recut to a range the film of in viewers a variety and of maximize forms to her appeal toa audience range of on viewers the festival and maximize circuit. "We her want audience to describe on the festival thecircuit. history. "We want to describe show contemporary the history. We flamenco want to artists. show Andcontemporary we want to showcase flamenco what artists. flamenco And we is want -- what to it showcase looks like,what flamenco it sounds is like," – what she it says. looks "In like, the what end, it’s sounds all very like," shesays. intertwined." "In the end, it’s all very intertwined."documentary-inprogress,"Inheritors ofa Burden." "Flamenco is theone performance form that I fell inlove with," says Loyola-Garcia. "It speaksLoyola-Garcia is an energetic polymath whose creativityto me on a very raw, internal level."is blinding. She has already produced a dozen videos, fromLoyola-Garciatraditional documentariesis an energetictopolymathcommissionedwhoseworkscreativityandisexperimentalblinding. Shefilms.has alreadyThese videosproduced adozen demonstrate videos, an from incredible traditional range of visiondocumentaries and intent. "The to Other commissioned Land" a works dreamy andexperimental exploration of films. language These and videos culture, filmeddemonstrate in unnaturally an bright incredible colors range and of starring vision aand creepy intent. mix "The of mummers Other Land" is nuns. a dreamy Inexploration contrast, "Pascua of language Lama" and is aculture, filmedin straightforward unnaturally bright documentary colors and that starringa investigates creepy mix of the mummers gold mining and industry nuns. inIn Chile. contrast, Many "Pascua of these Lama" projects is aincorporatestraightforward both English and documentary Spanish. thatinvestigates the gold mining industry inChile. But the Many artist of is these involved projects in far incorporate more thanboth videography. English and She Spanish. has also created artinstallations, she has curated art shows,But and the she artist has provided is involved video in far backdrops more thanStory forof ofvideography.Quantum TheatreShe hasandalsoothercreatedtheatricalartinstallations,troupes. Hersheworkhashascuratedbeenartshowcasedshows,Flamencoinand she has provided video backdrops forfilm and art exhibitions from Pittsburgh toQuantum Theatre and other theatricalSpain, Canada, Cuba, and her native Chile.troupes. Her work has been showcased inMeanwhile, as an associate professor,film and art exhibitions from Pittsburgh toLoyola-Garcia teaches video and motionSpain, Canada, Cuba, and her native Chile.graphics at Robert Morris, as well as classesMeanwhile, as an associate professor,for Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Carlow College,Loyola-Garcia teaches video and motionThere'sand Carnegie Mellon University, where sheThere’s nothing quite quite like like flamenco. flamenco. To newbies, To it looks a littlegraphics at Robert Morris; she formerlyearned her M.F.A. in 2000.newbies, like tango, it with looks its elaborate a little gestures. like tango, But then with there’s itsthetaught at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Carlowelaborate rhythmic gestures. clapping, the But heavy then steps, there’s and solo theguitar playingCollege, and Carnegie Mellon University,But through it all, there is flamenco.rhythmic melancholic clapping, songs. Created the heavy by the Roma steps, -- or and Gypsies -- ofwhere she earned her M.F.A. in 2000.Loyola-Garcia’s love affair goes back to hersouthern Spain, this passionate dance has spread throughthe solo guitar playing melancholic songs.childhood in Santiago. Her father, an "opera fanatic," took theEurope, Latin America, and even Japan.But through it all, there is flamenco. Loyola-Garcia’s love affairCreated by the Gitano people of southerngoes family back to to see her a performance childhood in of Santiago. Carmen Her that father, featured an dance "operaSpain of southern Spain, this passionate dancesequences modeled on flamenco. Loyola-Garcia wasBut what is the story of flamenco in the United States? Howfanatic," took the family to see a performance of Carmen thathas spread mesmerized. When she was 13, her family took a trip to Spaindid flamenco through come here, Europe, and who Latin dances America,featured dance sequences modeled on flamenco. Loyola-Garciaits steps?andto visit relatives, and she encountered authentic flamenco forThis even is the Japan.was mesmerized. When she was 13, her family took a trip toquestion posed by Carolina Loyola-Garcia,Spain the first to visit time. relatives, When she and reached she encountered college, Loyola-Garcia authentic tookM.F.A., associate professor of media arts, in herflamencoBut whatdance classes, for the and first the time. rest When is historia. she reached "I got hooked, college, you Loyoladocumentary-in-progress,is the story of flamenco "Inheritors in the United of a States? Burden."GarciaHow did know?" took she dance says. "It’s classes, not and something the rest that is historia. I do full-time. "I got hooked, It’s one"Flamenco flamenco is come the one here, performance and who dances form that its steps? I fellyouThis is the of my know?" hobbies. she But says. I’m "It’s very not much something love that with I do it. full-time. It tells theIt’sin question love with," posed says by Loyola-Garcia. Carolina Loyola-Garcia, "It speaksoneM.F.A., associate professor story of of my oppression, hobbies. But of I’m a people very much coming in together love with because it. It tells of theto me on a of very media raw, arts, internalherSpanish Inquisition. You can hear the lamentation."level."TheTheuntolduntoldWRITTEN BY BY ROBERT ISENBERGPHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY BY CAROLINA DIANNE FEAZELL LOYOLA-GARCIA ROSSINI ‘641 14 6 • • R RMU.EDU/FOUNDATIONSM U . E D U / F O U N D I O N S R ROBERT O B E R T M MORRIS O R R I S U UNIVERSITY N I V E R S I T Y F FOUNDATIONS O U N D I O N S • • 1 15 7

&&LOVE &LITTLELOVE &LITTLEDISCOUNT10% OFFRon Razete '85came to southwesternPennsylvania 30 yearsago to be a pastor, not abusinessman. But through aseries of what he calls "holyaccidents," Razete and his wife, RMUIsland Sports Center guest servicescoordinator Marci Razete, have created agangbusters business: Peace Love and LittleDonuts, a psychedelia-themed hole in thewall in Pittsburgh's Strip District."My wife and I got into business to raise money to open aretreat for marriage enrichment," says Razete, whose degree isin marketing. "Working in the ministry helps you develop arealistic set of instincts about human behavior. You can builda better mousetrap, but it's more important to figure out whatpeople like."The Razetes began selling candied popcorn and other treatsat outdoor festivals, and eventually private label snacks togroceries. But Pittsburgh's often rainy weather makesfestival PEACE sales risky, and the raves about the donuts thatwere part of their repertoire seemed worth pursuing.LOVE &Among the felicitous twists of fate: taking a small mobiledonut fryer off the hands of a fellow concessionaire for afew LITTLEhundred dollars. A fire-suppression hood thrown in forfree brought the apparatus up to code for indoor use.DONUTSLooking for a storefront "so small we'd never gobroke," the Razetes found a 209-square-footspace – formerly a newsstand – on SmallmanStreet near the iconic St. Stanislaus Kostkachurch, and opened in 2009.DISCOUNT10% OFFYOUR ORDERCOUPON ATFOUNDATIONS ONLINEBecause of its compact size, the fryercan only handle a few donuts at atime. So while cooking oiltemperature can dropdramatically when a lot offood is immersed at once,COUPON ATFOUNDATIONS ONLINEthe oil at Peace Love and Little Donutsstays a steady 375 degrees. Hence the crispexterior that is the hallmark of Razete's delicacies.Then there's the innovative flavorings. "Groovy"donuts – 75 cents, please – are rolled in flavored sugars likeginger and Saigon cinnamon. "Far out" varieties are $1 frostedwith icings that include coffee and orange. "Funkadelics"will set you back $1.25 and feature icing and toppings incombinations that start with banana split, cherry pie, ands'mores, and get more adventurous. Maple frosting toppedwith shredded bacon, anyone?As for the '60s and '70s-era imagery, Razete says, "That's mylife. AM radio, Wolfman Jack, the Doobie Brothers, Boston.I've lived a very, very conservative life. I never did drugs ordrank, but I enjoyed the music of that time. And the TV:Scooby Doo, The Dating Game, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.Our signs and graphics are straight out of Laugh-In."On a recent busy Sunday, a line snaked down the block whilesix people pinwheeled expertly around each other behind thecounter. At one point or another, all the Razetes have takentheir turn at the fryer – Ron and Marci; their daughters Macy,Christianna, and Brianna, who's studying early childhoodeducation at RMU; sons Gabriel and Caelin, who's amanufacturing engineering major; and daughter-in-lawJennifer Edwards Razete, a student who also works withMarci at the Island Sports Center. Razete says he appreciatesthe way RMU "helps students transition into the real world,helps them figure out how to solve real-world problems. Theschool has its roots in capitalism, which I like."While the Razetes' marriage retreat is still in the plans, thedonut shop keeps galloping forward. Razete has licensed thebusiness, and two other shops have opened recently, one onMeyran Avenue in Oakland and another in Naples, Fla.Licensee agreements are also in the works with other out-ofstateentrepreneurs, some of whom plan to open much biggershops. Razete wishes them luck but has his reservations. "Oursmall size is part of the appeal," he says. "You have to step inand accept and enjoy the intimacy."WRITTEN BY BONNIE PFISTERPHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY HOT METAL STUDIOSR O B E RT M O R R I S U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N S • 1 9

The last time Larry O'Learywalked into a classroomwas 1983. Today, he's backat school via the virtualclassroom, earning his M.S.degree in organizationalleadership in RMU's fullyonline graduate program.O'Leary says it's too early for him toassess how e-learning stacks up to atraditional education, but he hasnoticed that class participation anddiscussions are much more extensivethan they were in his brick and mortar days. Whilestudents in a classroom typically have three hours aweek to talk about issues, he notes that those onlineare reading, writing, and posting comments five toseven days a week, 24 hours a day. And while he mightnot know what his classmates look like, "you can get afeel for how people think and the type of personality theyhave by reading their introductory bios, posts andresponses," he says.Whatever opinion one may have of distance learning, onething is sure: It is not going away. From 2002 to 2010, whilethe overall student body in higher education increased by twopercent annually, the number of students taking at least oneonline class a semester grew by 20 percent, according to arecent report in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Today,nearly one out of every three college students takes at leastone course online.The growth spurt is apparent at RMU. Two years ago, theuniversity offered four graduate online degrees. Last year thenumber jumped to nine, including instructional leadership,HR management, competitive intelligence systems, and theuniversity’s flagship M.B.A.Undergraduates can choose among seven online degrees,from business and nursing to English and psychology."Students expect it, the market demands it, and thetechnology makes it possible," says professor Lois Bryan,D.Sc., who teaches managerial accounting for RMU's onlineM.B.A. program.But the jury is still in session over how well virtual learningcompares to a traditional education. Tensions are apparent ina recent Pew Research Center survey of college presidents, inwhich nearly half said they believe an online course does notprovide an equal educational value compared to one taken inthe classroom. Bryan, who also teaches traditional businesscourses, agrees there are some drawbacks. "In the classroom,I get a lot of energy and cues from students as to where thediscussion should go. When students don't understandsomething, I get an immediate question. That's nothappening online yet."Some RMU faculty argue that an onlineeducation is better than a traditional one.Anthony Petroy, D.M., assistant vice president of theuniversity's online and off-campus programs andassistant professor of organizational leadership, saysa lot depends on the instructor. Online learning canbe much more successful than the traditionalclassroom, he says, provided the instructor has astrong presence and is active in discussionthreads and responds promptly to studentquestions. Even face-to-face interaction ispossible in the virtual classroom; Petroy usesSkype for real-time video chat with his students.The only difference in an online course is the delivery, saysDarcy Tannehill, Ed.D., vice president of online and offcampusprograms and associate professor of education. And,she adds, students cannot hide in an online class. "Manyprofessors can vouch that often in the classroom setting, twoor three students dominate the discussion, while the majoritycontribute little," says Tannehill. "But online, all students mustrespond to discussion posts from their professors and peers."While intimidation, uncertainty, or apathy may keep someclassroom students from participating, Tannehill says thosestudying online can take the time they need to read and thinkabout their responses, do some research and replyintelligently – when they are ready.The university's B.S. degree inhealth services administrationused to be a hybrid ofclassroom time and onlinework, but the major is nowentirely online. The program'snew director, JosephAngelelli, Ph.D., formerly ofBrown University, says thechange actually sets thebar higher."Students arenot limited bya weekly classtime, butare able tocommunicate allthe time," he says. "They can be more reflective, and facultyare able to be in constant contact with them." Many of thestudents are already working in health care fields, so theybring their everyday work experiences to the discussions,Angelelli says.That appeals to students like John Shingle, a sophomorein the program. "Classroom discussions tend to be moreteacher-driven, but online they are more student-driven,which has its benefits," he says. For example, one recentdiscussion about long waits in the emergency room garnered40 comments. "In the classroom, one or two students wouldhave said something, and that would have been the endof it," Shingle says.RMU's online health services administration degree programwas ranked #5 in The Best Colleges' Top 10 Bachelor of HealthManagement and Health Administration Degree Programs of2011-2012. Angelelli is grateful for the distinction, but adds,"I'd like us to be number one."Another sign of the health of the university's online programsis that the majority of students keep coming back. While mostonline courses have retention rates that average about 50percent, according to Tannehill, RMU had a 94 percentretention rate in graduate online courses and a 97 percent inundergraduate courses in fall 2011. "Once you're here,"Tannehill says, "we want to do everything we can to keepand engage you."WRITTEN BY JIM TALERICO >> TALERICO IS AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OFENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS AT RMU

At the factory store of Betsy AnnChocolates, James Paras '80notices when the aroma of fresh, handmadechocolates conjures powerful memoriesamong his customers. "You can see on theirfaces these memories come alive," says Paras,president of the family business for morethan two decades.Founded in 1938 by Betsy Ann Helsel, the West View companysupplied the candy shops in Horne's department stores. In1968, when Helsel retired, she sold the business to Harry andCatherine Paras. The middle son of five boys, James grew upin the candy business. For him, the chocolate factory wasalways a place of work, not a Willy Wonka fantasy.Just steps above the store, in the factory's kitchen, industrialmixers agitate gallons of molten chocolate. Workers pour andspread the smooth, brown liquid by hand onto groovedmarble tables to prepare it for various confections. On onetable, a inch-thick slab of chocolate meltaway seven feet longby five feet wide waits to be cut into bite-sized squares.In the next room, underneath a photo from the iconic "I LoveLucy" chocolate factory episode, three ladies in hairnets keeppace with a white conveyor belt dotted with chocolate-coveredcaramels. The candies emerge from the coating machine,where their bottoms are first coated by a grooved metal beltdrenched with molten chocolate, then a chocolate waterfallcoats their tops and sides. The candies cool, and the ladiescarefully place them into paper liners and pack them in boxes.The chocolates are "exactly the same as they were more than50 years ago," Paras says.He worked in the factory on weekends and school breakssince the age of 12, but he didn't initially plan to stay in thefamily business. After earning his accounting degree at RMU,he got a job selling mutual funds for a financial servicescompany. One day a few months later, when he stopped bythe chocolate factory to say hello, his father asked him to stay.Income from investment sales was unpredictable, but thefactory offered steady pay. So Paras quit his new job andjoined Betsy Ann full time, making candies, packing boxes,and helping wherever he was needed.rmu alumni diSCount – Free Shippingor 10% oFF Coupon at FoundationS online.busy times. Betsy Ann now has some 40 employees andproduces 200,000 pounds of chocolates annually, with hopes toeventually double that output.In addition to maintaining the company's high standards,Paras has helped it weather major changes. When Horne'sstores began closing – the retailer shut down in 1994 – BetsyAnn rebounded by opening its own shops. That strategyworked until the economic downturn of 2001, when salesdeclined and never bounced back. In 2004, Betsy Ann wasforced to close stores and rethink its strategy again."A lot of people thought after we closed allthose stores that we were gone," says Paras.The company was just searching for theright way to grow again. Today, inaddition to the factorystore, Betsy Ann has astore in Allison Parkand a franchise in theSouth Hills. The rest ofthe business comesfrom Internet sales,fundraising throughschools and organizations, andmost recently, a return to departmentstores. Since 2008 Macy's has carrieddisplays of the chocolates at its Pittsburgharea stores.SCratCh'n' SniFF!Paras credits his RMU education with helpinghim navigate changes in the market. When he makesimportant decisions, he often thinks about a class he took inbusiness policy. "I have drawn upon the case studies wereviewed in class to help with my decisions," he says.The company's success is also due to a passion for finechocolates, and the type of family traditions that their aromacan evoke. "Chocolate is almost always associated with thebest times of your life," Paras says. "It adds a dimension tothose occasions. It anchors our lives to good, wholesomethings that they should be anchored to."See the ChoColate FoundationS being poured, and tourthe FaCtory with JameS paraS ‘80 at FoundationS online.When his mother had a heart attack and could no longer runthe company office, Paras stepped in to handle businessoperations. Since 1990, he has been president of Betsy AnnChocolates. His brother, Bob, runs the factory now, while theirfather, now in his 80s, still comes in to make candies duringWRITTEN BY SUSAN JACOBS JABLOWPHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL WILL ’08R O B E R T M O R R I S U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N S • 2 3

STUCKIN THEMIDDLEIt can be an exciting adventure, greeting theday It can in an be exotic an exciting European adventure, locale no greeting touristthehas day ever in heard an exotic of. Sometimes, European locale maybe no too touristexciting. has ever heard of. Sometimes, maybe tooexciting.As a United Nations observer in postwarKosovo, As a United Julie Woloshin Nations observer '03 used in to postwar be joltedout Kosovo, of bed every Julie Woloshin morning by '03an used angry to be phone joltedcall out from of bed the every town mayor, morning threatening by an angry to phonelaunch call from an armed the town assault mayor, against threatening his rivals. tolaunch an armed assault against his rivals.It was 2008, and the Moon Township native was stationed inViti, It a was town 2008, of about and the 59,000 Moon in Township rural southeast native Kosovo. was stationed At the intime, Viti, nearly a town a decade of about had 59,000 passed in rural since southeast NATO bombed Kosovo. Serbia At theto stop time, its nearly army a from decade crushing had passed a rebellion since in NATO the breakaway bombed Serbiaprovince. to stop U.N. its army workers from like crushing Woloshin a rebellion were spread in the across breakawayKosovo, province. trying U.N. to cool workers tensions like Woloshin between the were ethnic spread majority acrossAlbanians Kosovo, and trying the to minority cool tensions Serbs, between who consider the ethnic Kosovo majority theirhistoric Albanians homeland.the minority Serbs, who consider Kosovo theirhistoric homeland.When Kosovo declared independence that February, thingsgot When even more Kosovo tense. declared In Viti, independence Serb municipal that workers February, thingsblockaded got even themselves more tense. in In their Viti, office Serb in municipal protest. The workers town'sAlbanian blockaded mayor themselves fired them, in their but they office ignored in protest. him. The Armed town'slocal Albanian Serbs gathered mayor tried around to fired the office them, to but "guard" they ignored it. him.Armed local Serbs gathered around the office to "guard" it.Suddenly, Viti threatened to become the next Balkantinderbox. Suddenly, In the Viti middle threatened of it to all become was one the U.N. next worker Balkanwhohad tinderbox. only just learned In the middle to speak of it the all language. was one U.N. And she worker waswhostarting had only to get just some learned rather to unnerving speak the language. phone calls. And she wasstarting to get some rather unnerving phone calls."The municipality here really wanted to flex its muscles andoccupy "The that municipality building," here says really Woloshin. wanted "My to boss flex its told muscles me, 'You andhave occupy to hold that it until building," Serbia says has Woloshin. its elections "My in May.' boss told Every me, 'Yousingle have day to at hold 7:30, it until the mayor Serbia would has its be elections calling in me, May.' waking Every meup, single screaming, day at 'We're 7:30, the going mayor in the would building be calling today!'" me, waking meup, screaming, 'We're going in the building today!'"This was not the kind of morning the social sciences majorhad This in mind was not when the she kind signed of morning up for the study social abroad sciencesprogram. major had Woloshin mind was when an accomplished signed up hurdler for the study who cameto RMU abroad on program. a track scholarship. Woloshin was She an joined accomplished the honorshurdlerprogram who came as a freshman, to RMU on and a track started scholarship. to think about She joined a career theinbusiness honors or program law. as a freshman, and started to think abouta career in law.But the daughter of a French Canadian mother and Russianfather But also the daughter yearned to of experience a French Canadian the world mother for herself. and Russian- SoWoloshin Cossack spent father a semester also yearned in Paris to experience her junior the year, world studying forat Schiller herself. International So Woloshin spent University. a semester Her perspective in Paris her shifted. junior year, "Irealized studying there at is Schiller more to International life than working University. in an Her office perspective -- onelearns shifted. that "I in realized Paris, when there you're is more enjoying to life than wine working and cheese in anand office. spending One learns time with that people. in Paris, At when that time you're I realized enjoying I wine didn'twant and to cheese get into and the spending corporate time world. with I wanted people. At to experience that time Idifferent realized cultures I didn't and want meet to get people into and the corporate travel." world. IAfter graduation, Woloshin went back to Schiller to earn amaster's wanted in to international experience relations different and cultures diplomacy. and meet She people workedin Brussels and travel." for a international conflict resolution group, thenwas hired as a consultant by the government of Macedonia,Kosovo's After graduation, neighbor to Woloshin the east. A went year back later, to she Schiller took the to earn U.N. apost master's in Viti. in international relations and diplomacy. She workedin Brussels for an international conflict resolution group, thenAnd was soon hired found as a herself consultant shuttling by the back government and forth of between Macedonia, thetown's Kosovo's Serbs neighbor and Albanians, to the south. trying A to year preserve later, a she fragile took truce. the U.N.post in Viti.First she persuaded the Serbs to release government propertyfrom And the soon building, found piece herself by shuttling piece -- first back official and forth stamps, between then thecomputers, town's Serbs finally and a school Albanians, bus. trying She gummed to preserve up the a fragile mayor's truce.plan to fire the Serbs, by arguing he hadn't given them therequired First she three persuaded days' notice. the Serbs Hurdle to by release hurdle, government she helped property Viti-- and from Kosovo the building, -- make piece it to the by piece finish – line. first Moderates official stamps, won thenSerbian computers, elections. finally The a United school States bus. She and gummed most of Europe up the mayor'srecognized plan to fire Kosovo's the Serbs, independence, by arguing even he hadn't if Serbia given still them theformally required won't. three When days' it notice. was over, Hurdle Woloshin by hurdle, hung she up helped herphone Viti and – and took Kosovo a three-week – make it vacation to the finish to the line. seaside. Moderateswon the Serbian elections. The United States and most ofNow Europe she is recognized a senior democratization Kosovo's independence, officer Kosovo, even if Serbiasupervising still formally 11 international won't. When field it was teams over, covering Woloshin a territory hung upwith her half phone a million and took residents. a three-week Her studies vacation at RMU, to the Woloshin seaside.says, provided excellent career preparation for her leadershiprole. Now "One she of is the a senior reasons democratization I am the youngest officer person in Kosovo, in thisposition overseeing is that the I am effort able to to promote communicate good governance clearly and get and my humanrights principles by supervising 11 international field teamspoint across," she says. "My colleagues may be moreexperienced that cover or a territory intelligent. with But half if it a wasn’t million for residents. those Her studiescommunication RMU, Woloshin skills that says, were provided drilled excellent in at Robert career Morris, preparation Iwouldn't for her be leadership able to present role. "One my knowledge of the reasons and I experience am the youngest asclearly person and in effectively." this position is that I am able to communicateclearly and get my point across," she says. "My colleaguesWhen may not be working, more experienced. Woloshin But is usually if it wasn’t traveling. for those Back homeonce communication a year, but usually skills to that exotic, were exciting drilled destinations Robert Morris, -- IGreece, wouldn't Italy, be Russia, able to Thailand. present my Africa knowledge is next on and the experience calendar. asAll clearly much more and effectively." enjoyable when she doesn't have to takephone calls from the mayor.When not working, Woloshin is usually traveling. Back homeBut once Woloshin a year, has but also usually come to to exotic, love Kosovo exciting and destinations the rest of – theBalkans. Greece, The Italy, generosity Russia, Thailand. and hospitality Africa of is the next people on the struck calendar.her All immediately. much more enjoyable when she doesn't have to takephone calls from the mayor."People are happier. They're more optimistic. They enjoy lifemore. But They Woloshin don't has worry also about come whether to love Kosovo they have and a the car or rest of thehow Balkans. much money The generosity they make. and They hospitality spend more of the time people living, struckdancing her immediately. and singing, spending time with their families. That'swhat's really nice. They deal with life differently, and thattaught "People me a exhibit lot." a passion for life regardless of their conditions.They spend more time living, dancing and singing, spendingWRITTEN time BY with MARK their HOUSER families and friends. That's what's really nice.They deal with life differently, and that taught me a lot."WRITTEN BY MARK HOUSER22 24 • • RMU.EDUROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 23 • 25

Making an ImpactWhen John Bartling '82 wasstudying for his B.S.B.A. inmarketing at Robert Morris, heprobably never imagined thatone day he would be ringing theopening bell of the New YorkStock Exchange. But it took himless than 20 years to get there. "Youget up on that little balconyoverlooking the floor with allthe traders, with CNBC over inone corner, and there is all thispent-up excitement," says Bartling."Then your moment comes, and neverin your life do you think you will bethe person who gets to stand on thepodium and push that button."Bartling is the 2011 recipient of the Heritage Award, RMU'smost prestigious alumni award, given for distinguishedservice and accomplishment. He is global head of real estate ofAres Management and senior partner of Ares CommercialReal Estate, an affiliate of Los Angeles-based Ares, a globalalternative asset manager and investment adviser with some$46 billion of committed capital.Bartling transferred to Robert Morris from WestminsterCollege to finish his degree while paying his way throughcollege. "Going to school at night and working during the dayreally focuses your attention on how much a degree is reallyworth to you," he says. "Asking myself that question – isgoing to school really important to you – definitelymatured me."After graduation, Bartling's first position was with MellonBank’s commercial mortgage banking group. One of hisclients, a major real estate development and investment firm,asked him to head their new land development division. "Soat 28, I moved from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., to start abusiness I had no clue how to run," he says. But Bartlingfound success; in 1992, he moved to Wall Street to assist bigbanks in pooling commercial mortgages to sell to investors.Later, as CEO of an Ohio real estate company with a billiondollars in real estate investments, he took the company publicon the NYSE – and rang the celebrated opening bell. Anotherstring of successes followed, eventually leading up to hisjoining Ares Management in 2010.Bartling says his wife and children help him keep hisperspective. "Ringing the bell on Wall Street, as exciting andfun as it was, pales in comparison to watching your child taketheir first steps, go to their first dance, or graduate from highschool. For me personally, parenting is about being able toenjoy the world in which we all live in through their eyes."When his daughter Amanda was three months old, she had abad reflux condition, causing her to choke and almost die. Sheended up spending a significant portion of the next six monthsin the hospital and on a heart monitor. Because of that scareand the lifesaving medical treatment his daughter received,Bartling became an active supporter of hospitals and medicalcharities – both in terms of the dollars he raises or donates aswell as time and effort on their behalf. A charity he created,Caring Partners for Kids, makes available vacant apartmentsand houses to families who need a place to stay while theirchild undergoes surgery or needs long-term health care."Little things can have a huge impact in your community,"says Bartling. "Sometimes just making use of what you arenot using can make an enormous impact."PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL WILL '082 6 • R M U . E D U / F O U N D AT I O N S R O B E R T M O R R I S U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N S • 2 7

UP CLOSE AND PERSONALSTUDENT PROFILEFACULTY PROFILEJamar Cromwell LittleOne day Jamar Cromwell Little will be giving some company a strategiccompetitive advantage. But for now, the advantage belongs to RMU.The transfer from Kent State already has his bachelor's degree in competitiveintelligence systems and is currently pursuing his M.S. in informationsecurity assurance. As the starting fullback for the Colonials football teamlast season, Little was named the inaugural recipient of the Tim HallScholarship, named for the late RMU running back and member of theOakland Raiders. "I've been playing football since I was 8 years old,"says Little. "Achieving something like this is a reflection of 14 years ofhard work."When he's not hitting the books or the opposing defense, Little likes to dohis best John Coltrane impersonation on the tenor saxophone, which he'sbeen playing since seventh grade. "It was either play an instrument or jointhe choir," he says. "And I can’t sing, so..." Today he plays severalinstruments and is a member of RMU's jazz band and the Center of Lifejazz band. Little has played in jazz clubs in the Strip District with renownedjazz artists like Roger Humphries and Sean Jones.And, oh yeah, he's also quite the poet. "I love writingbecause it's a release," he says. "You are able to benonconforming to society's everyday train of thought. Youcan take off the shackles and walk in whatever directionyou desire with a pen and pad."WRITTEN BYVALENTINE J. BRKICHPHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BYJAMAR CROMWELL LITTLEStudents know they will get a lot of homework from Peter Wu, Ph.D. The associateprofessor of computer and information systems has a reputation for giving out assignmentson the first day and not letting up until finals. But whether he's teaching database design,web development, or geographic information systems, Wu believes his students learn bestthrough practice. "It takes a lot of time for them to appreciate it," Wu says. "For me the mostencouraging thing is when they come back to me years later and say, 'What I learned fromyou was valuable."The third of five boys, Wu came from a working class family in then-British Hong Kong.With a full tuition scholarship to the University of Rochester, he arrived in 1975 notknowing a soul, with two suitcases and $300. Wu went on to earn a master's and doctorateat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, then spent seven years as a computer science researcherat the IBM Watson Research Center. He went back to Hong Kong and taught for two years,then came to Pittsburgh to join a colleague in starting a consulting business. Although thatventure didn't pan out, another did: Wu met his wife here, Taiwan-born Yijen,and they have two boys, Zechary and Joshua. After four years atPitt, Wu came to RMU in 2003.With the university now inthe process of renewing itsaccreditation, Wu was chosento co-chair the committeemeasuring progress on studentretention and support services,such as tutoring. "This is purelya learning experience for me," hesays. "The learning part and thethinking part is interesting.Writing the documents and makingthem foolproof, that is tough andhard." His students may be gladto know that Wu has a lot ofhomework too.WRITTEN BYMARK HOUSERPHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BYPETER WUPeter Wurmu.edu/foundations29

CLASS NOTESCLASS NOTES1970sJOHN K. YAKLICH '71 is the authorof the e-book romance Monica,under the pseudonym "Jocko."The story concerns a woman whohas been severely injured in acrash. John lives in Verona.DANIEL D. WOLFE '77 merged hisaccounting firm with A.S. Fricano& Co., where he was a formershareholder. The new firm isByler, Wolfe, Lutsch & KampferInc. He lives in East Liverpool,Ohio.DOROTHY FRANK '78 was hired asdirector of corporate support forEssential Public Radio 90.5 FMand WYEP 91.3 FM. She wasformerly director of broadcastsales and underwriting forWQED Multimedia. Dorothy livesin Pittsburgh.KEVIN COLBERT '79 was promotedto general manager of thePittsburgh Steelers, the firstCINDY BERIE GLANZER'79 is an administrativeassistant with ParametricTechnology Corp. in FortCollins, Colo. She lives inlive in Loveland, Colo., withher husband, Jeff, and theirchildren, Jeremy, Andrew,and Chelsea.>person in team history to holdthat title. Kevin joined theSteelers in 2000 as the director ofscouting and player personnel.Kevin also was recentlyappointed to the RMU Board ofTrustees. He lives in Pittsburgh.1980sNICHOLAS GARRUBBA '81 isexecutive vice president for loanand credit administration atBrentwood Bank. He lives inMcKees Rocks.DALE H. KILLMEYER '81 waselected chairman of the board ofSouthwinds Inc., a nonprofitagency providing qualityresidential care and life skillstraining for adults withdevelopmental challenges. Dale isvice president and director ofcorporate finance forInternational Capital NetworksLLC. He and his wife, DEBBIEKILLMEYER '03, live in Pittsburgh.PETER DENARDIS '83 receiveda 2011 Jefferson Award forPublic Service for his volunteerwork with the InternationalWaldenstrom's MacroglobulinemiaFoundation, which supports thefight against a rare form oflymphoma. In 2003, Pete wasdiagnosed with the incurabledisease and given six years tolive. He continues to teach parttime at Robert Morris Universityand volunteer regularly.DIANE M. PEARSON '85 wasnamed 2011 Woman BusinessOwner of the Year by thePittsburgh chapter of NationalAssociation of Women BusinessOwners. She is an adviser andshareholder at Legends FinancialAdvisors Inc. of McCandless,where she oversees financialplanning and moneymanagement services. Diane andher family live in Pittsburgh.JEFF BELSKY '87 M'96 andJOHNENE BELSKY '07 are ownersof J.W. Hall's Steak and SeafoodInn in Hopewell. For the past11 years, Jeff has been anadministrator at the PittsburghTechnical Institute, and Johnenehas worked as an emergencyroom nurse at St. Clair MemorialHospital. The Belskys reside inMoon Township with their threeteenagers. ONLINE @ RMURMU.EDU/ONLINERMU.EDU JEANNE V. CRICHLOW '88 wasnamed to the board of UptownPartners. Jeanne is the directorof volunteer and communityservices for UPMC Mercy.She lives in Pittsburgh.WAYNE P. KURTZ '89 is thepresident and CEO of KarlsbergInternational Insurance Corp.He lives in Belize.1990sDEAN MILLIGAN '90 waspromoted to senior vice presidentof reimbursement for ApriaHealthcare. He and his wife,Kimberly, and twin sons, Aidanand Riley, live in the Philadelphiaarea.>BONNIE WILSON '96 andKen Haines were married onJuly 20 in Marco Island, Fla.Bonnie is employed by ADPin their comprehensiveservices organization. Shelives in Washington Countywith her husband andstepchildren.>COURTNEY ANDRASSYHEIL'96 and her husband,Joe, welcomed their thirddaughter, Molly Elizabeth,on October 5. Molly has twobig sisters: Casey 3, andJenna, 1. Courtney works atthe Lake County (Ohio)YMCA as a preschool gyminstructor and Joe is afirefighter and paramedic.The family lives inWilloughby, Ohio.THOMAS YOUNG '91 is senior vicepresident for administration andtreasurer for Brentwood Bank.He lives in Beaver.MARK DODDS M'93 co-edited therecently published Encyclopediaof Sport Management andMarketing. Mark is an associateprofessor of sport managementat SUNY Cortland.BETH D. MASLANKA LYNCH '94was promoted to investmentrelationship manager forSchneider Downs. Beth and herhusband, JEFFREY M. LYNCH M'10,live in Pittsburgh.P.J. DINUZZO M'95 was namedto the board of Valley CareAssociation Endowment Corp.He is the founder of DiNuzzoInvestment Advisors. He lives inBeaver.JOHN A. LYTLE '95 joined thenonprofit niche team in theaccounting and auditingdepartment of Horovitz, Rudoy &Roteman. John lives in Pittsburgh.BRIAN CLEARY '98 M'01 is nowRMU Radio's color analyst forfootball broadcasts. A formermember of the Colonials footballand track and field teams, Briannow lives in Robinson with hiswife, Nikki, and their daughter,Abigail.MARK DEBIASIO M'99 is the chieffinancial officer at State Bankof Cross Plains in Wisconsin.Previously he was corporatevice president of NorthwestBancshares Inc. Mark and hisfamily reside in Middleton, Wisc.GREG MCBRIDE '99 is the nationalaccount executive for CorporateScreening Service Inc. He hadbeen an account executive for theCleveland Indians. Greg lives inPepper Pike, Ohio.JULIE LOUCKS '00 is U.K.operations risk manager forthe London office ofPricewaterhouseCoopers.Julie is willing to serve as amentor for RMU businessstudents in London.>2000sELLEN MCCABE M'00 is a principalwith LarsonAllen, leading thefirm's state and local tax practice.She was formerly with Ernst &Young. Ellen lives in ChagrinFalls, Ohio.TRACEY CEKADA D'02 is anassociate professor of safetysciences at Indiana University ofPennsylvania. She was honoredby the American Society of SafetyEngineers in November as oneof 100 women in the countrymaking a difference inoccupational safety, health,and the environment. Tracey'sstudents recently won thesociety's student chapter ofthe year award.HEATHER FENK '02 is an executiverecruiter and HR consultant withVantagen. She is currentlypursuing her master's in publicmanagement at Carnegie Mellon.Heather resides in Pittsburgh.>SHARI PAYNE M'00andMichael Purvis are the proudparents of Sophie RosePurvis, born October 20.Shari is the university'sDean of Engaged Learning.The family resides inLower Burrell.>AARON HAUCK '02LISA FATULA HAUCK '03andwelcomed their daughter,Mallory Mae, on June 10.Aaron is operations managerat Elan and Lisa works atBNY Mellon in ACHcompliance and qualityassurance. They live inAliquippa.CAROLYN M. HALL '02 wasnamed to the board of LifeSpanInc. Carolyn is the administratorof Eldercrest Nursing Center.She lives in Carnegie.MARIE STEWART '02 is the newinstructional supervisor at Laurel(cont.)3 0 • W W W. R M U . E D UR O B E R T M O R R I S U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N S • 3 1

CLASS NOTESCLASS NOTESTechnical Institute in Sharon, Pa.Jaclyn is an IT research andTIMOTHY DIANA '06 and BECKYJACLYN E. GOEHRING '07 marriedShe lives in Conneautville, Pa.communications specialist forKENNEDY DIANA '99 M'02Brad Barker on August 5. SheUPMC. The couple lives inwelcomed daughter Carolineis a kindergarten teacher in theSAMANTHA STEWART '02 wasPittsburgh.Marie on July 26, to join brothersShenango Area School Districtnamed president of the board ofPatrick, 6, and Andrew, 4. Timnear New Castle. The Barkersdirectors of the PennsylvaniaKATIE SELBY '05 and Dan Hughesworks for Guardian Protectionlive in Greenville.Society of Enrolled Agents.were married on May 28. Katie isService and Becky is assistantSamantha is corporate taxan HR coordinator for Marylanddirector of RMU conference andNELLE STAHURA '07 returned tomanager at Liberty Tire andQuality Meats in Baltimore. Afterfacilities services. They live inRMU as the assistant coach forRecycling. She lives inPortersville, Pa.MELISSA BUCK '04 M'04 waspromoted to supervisor forSisterson & Co. tax services.She lives in Pittsburgh.JACLYN MALECKI '04 and MattDean were married in July.a honeymoon in the Bahamas, theHughes are residing inWestminster, Md.MONICA A. CLARK '06 is PSHquality assurance analyst at CGIFederal Inc. She lives inAlexandria, Va.Moon Township.MICHAEL D. WELSH '06 is afraud investigator at Facebook.He previously was a seniorconsultant with McCrory &McDowdell in Pittsburgh.Michael has moved to PaloAlto, Calif.Class Notes would love to hear from you.the women's rowing team.Previously she was an accountsupervisor for Adrenaline, aNew York City ad agency.JENNIFER LYNN KORZEN '08was promoted to senior taxaccountant in wealthmanagement tax servicesEmail us at rmualum@rmu.edu.>KIMBERLY CORSETTILESLIE '04 is an officeassistant and transcriptionistat Greater PittsburghPhysical Therapy and SportsMedicine in Cranberry and awater aerobics instructor atthe Beaver County YMCA.Kimberly married PatrickLeslie Jr. in 2009. They livewith their son, MasonCHRISTOPHERBRANVOLD '05 and KRISTENROTH BRANVOLD '06 M'06welcomed their seconddaughter, Alexa Marie, inJuly to join big sister MazieElizabeth. Kristen is aproposal development andproject support analyst atBayer Corp. and Chris isassistant golf pro at the>>OLIVIA KOHNFELDERM'06 welcomed a daughter,Adelyn Jade, September 3.Olivia is an AdvancedPlanner at Bayer MaterialScience and lives in Mt.Lebanon.seasons of hockey for theColonials.>ANGELA KOKANOSLAGONIS '06 and herhusband, George, welcomedtheir first child, TheodoraAngelia, on July 1. Thefamily lives in the SouthHills."I made a lot of personal andprofessional connections at Robert Morris,and they've enhanced my career opportunities.Considering what I received, I am pleasedto return something to the university each year."TOM MARCHLEN M'80SENIOR TAX ATTORNEY FOR ALCOABe PaRtof SoMethingYoU can Believe inFor just $84 a month, President's Council members likeTom are part of something important. They give the giftof opportunity to RMU students. They invest in the futureprosperity and growth of our region. They change lives.To find out more about joining the President'sCouncil, please contact Jen Crawford at(412) 397-5452 or CRAWFORD@RMU.EDU.Or contribute online at RMU.EDU/GIVEDON'T MISS A MOMENT!MAKE SURE YOU KNOW ABOUTALL THE EVENTS, SOIREES, AND SPECIALOFFERS JUST FOR RMU ALUMNI LIKE YOU.GIVE US A HOLLER AT RMUALUM@RMU.EDUAND WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU'RE ONOUR EMAILING LIST.GET ALUMNI BULLETINS ON YOUR PHONE.TEXT RMUALUMNI TO 94253TO JOIN THE ALUMNI MESSAGING SERVICE.Patrick, 1, in Fombell, Pa.at PricewaterhouseCoopers.Jennifer lives in Pittsburgh.JARVIS POWERS '08 walked therunway in the fall at ManStyle,Pittsburgh Fashion Week's firstmen's show at The Mall atRobinson.ROSS S. ALESSANDRO III M'09has been promoted to seniormanager at Ernst & Young.Ross lives in Mars.LUKE BUMGARDNER '09 joinedThermo-Fisher Scientific inPittsburgh as a sales accountmanager.JILLIAN HOWLEY '09 is lacrossecoach at Lake Erie College. Shehad been an assistant lacrosse andfield hockey coach at BloomsburgUniversity.Sewickley Country Club.The Branvolds live inOakdale.2010sCHRISTA M. FITZPATRICKBRADLEY '10 is an associatesoftware application engineerfor Charles Schwab. She livesin Centennial, Colo.STEPHEN M. KOBERT '10 recentlytook a position with NorthwestSavings Bank as a managementtrainee. He lives in Pittsburgh.KEVIN PRESTON '10 is the Toyotanew car sales manager at PrestonMotors. He recently completedthe NADA dealer candidateacademy. Kevin lives in NewCastle.CHELSEA WALKLAND '10 isthe assistant coach for women'shockey at Rochester Instituteof Technology. She played fourLAUREN BARNES '11 is aregistered nurse in the surgicalintensive care unit at AlleghenyGeneral Hospital in Pittsburgh.MEGAN BARNES '11 is a registerednurse at the Western PsychiatricInstitute and Clinic in Pittsburgh.RICK CANTER M'11 is the assistantstrength and conditioning coachat Longwood University inFarmville, Va.JOHN C. EAVES '11 is the sous chefat Burgatory in the WaterworksMall near Fox Chapel. John livesin Aspinwall.CHANNING FRAMPTON '11 isworking as a full-time weathermanand reporter at TV3, the ABCaffiliate in Winchester, Va.SAMANTHA J. SHEARN '11 is astaff accountant in the assuranceand advisory services group for>W. JOSHUA FUCCO '07M'09 married Jennifer Laurinon September 24. Josh iscurrently working in theinformation technologysector in Pittsburgh. Thecouple lives in Imperial.Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP.She lives in Pittsburgh.SIMONE SOUTHWELL M'11 isworking as an event assistantin the sports and entertainmentindustry for the U.S. TennisAssociation, VH1 Hip HopHonors, Urbanworld FilmFestival, and others. She lives inNew York City.3 2 • R M U . E D U / F O U N D AT I O N SR O B E R T M O R R I S U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N S • 3 3

CLASS NOTESCLASS NOTES>BENJAMIN R. CAMPBELLD'08 joined RMU as anassistant professor ofengineering, after working asa laser engineer at Penn State.>TODD HENDRY '09 andJULIE COSTELLO '08 weremarried on September 24.Todd is an associate businessdevelopment manager atAdvantage Sales andMarketing and Julie is apublic relations specialist atDirect Energy. The couplelives in Greentree.KAYLEE STURM '11 is a publicrelations and social mediaspecialist with MarketSpaceCommunications. She welcomeda son, Kaiden, on January 28,2011. They live in Beaver.SUSAN ROCHE D'11 is a nursepractitioner at the MillcreekTownship outpatient cancerJASON PREM '09 andERIN NEELY PREM '09 weremarried June 11. Erin is afreshman admissionscounselor at RMU and Jasonis a commercial loan analystat PNC Bank. The couplehoneymooned in PuntaCana, Dominican Republic,and live in Ross Township.>treatment center. Sue teachesnursing full time at Penn StateBehrend and sees patients parttime at the Regional CancerCenter. She lives in Erie.KEVIN WILLIAMS '11 was hired atKDKA-TV as a news producer.In MemoriamJOSEPH G. HARWICK '35 of HainesCity, Fla., passed away on June 1at the age of 99. He worked onthe Manhattan Project for the U.S.Army, then for Crucible Steel inPittsburgh, retiring as a divisioncontroller. He is survived by hiswife, Betsy, and daughters Diana,Beverly, and Patricia.GEORGE M. BOYLE '54 ofBridgeville passed away May 9at the age of 86.LINDA CLARK HOUSEMAN COVEN'67 of Safety Harbor, Fla., passedNEWTRUSTEESFour alumni recentlywere appointed to the RMUBoard of Trustees. JEFF D.BERGMAN '77 is a privateinvestor and consultant,KEVIN COLBERT '79 isgeneral manager of thePittsburgh Steelers,ROBIN SANDERS D'10 isinternational affairsadvisor for Africare, andJOHN J. WALDRON '82, isan independent financialadvisor. Joining them arerecent appointments GARYSOKULSKI, MARGARETDICUCCIO, and MARGARETLARKINS-PETTIGREW, M.D.away on May 20 at the age of 65after a battle with cancer.RICHARD C. PORTER '72 of Oxford,Fla., passed away on August 21.RONALD PATRICK DAUGHERTY '74of Mt. Washington passed awayon October 31 at the age of 63.He owned Ron RichardsPhotography in Oakdale. He issurvived by his wife, DENISEPANOS DAUGHERTY '74, anddaughter, Bridgette Daugherty.KATHRYN T. CORBETT MCCUNE '75of Canonsburg passed away onMay 17 at the age of 57 after herbattle with cancer. Kathy retiredfrom the Pa. Department of Laborand Industry in February after 35years of service.WOMEN OFEXCELLENCEFour RMU women wererecognized by the NewPittsburgh Courier amongits 50 Women of Excellencefor 2011. Honored fortheir professionalaccomplishments,commitment to Pittsburgh,and status as positive rolemodels for the African-American community wereKIMBERLY PHARR MOSES'89, an attorney at UPMCChildren's Hospital; TAMMYMILES BROWN D'09, directorof strategic initiatives forPittsburgh Public Schools;and KIM JEFFERSON '78, vicepresident and training anddesign manager at PNCFinancial Services Group.Joining those alumnae wasRMU professor DARLENEGAMBILL MOTLEY, Ph.D.,associate dean of the Schoolof Business and director ofthe program in HRmanagement.LARRY DUPONT SR. '76 ofEconomy passed away on April 11at the age of 67. A U.S. Armyveteran who served in theVietnam War, he was retired fromH.H. Robertson and a formercredit manager for BeckwithTrucking.WILLIAM P. "BILL" LAUDER '96 ofEconomy Borough, passed awayon June 9 at the age of 42. Aveteran of the U.S. Marine Corpswho served in Operation DesertStorm, he had been an inventoryspecialist at Westinghouse.JOEL D. WALTERS '97 ofShippenville, Pa., passed awaySeptember 29 at the age of 50.MARTY L. WINCHESTER M'02 ofEast Finley Township, Ohio, diedon October 8 at the age of 43.LEE J. STEEN D'06 passed awayunexpectedly in Ellicott City, Md.,on August 26 at the age of 29. Theyoungest individual ever to earna Doctor of Science degree fromRobert Morris University, heworked for the Department ofDefense in Fort Meade, Md.,and taught at Frostburg StateUniversity, Johns HopkinsUniversity, and University ofMaryland University College.He and his wife, Lauren Conway,had welcomed their firstdaughter May 21.MINDY RUPRECHT '06 ofSewickley passed away on July27 at the age of 33. She issurvived by her son, Trenton.STEPHAN E. HARVEY D'06 ofOelwein, Iowa, passed awayon September 1 at the age of 61.He was retired from Bayer Corp.as an accounting specialist after25 years there.Womenof RMUApril 19Networking Luncheon11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Omni William Penn HotelWith Linda Kuga Pikulin '81 Theformer CEO and president ofPepsiCo Beverages Canadashares what she learnedrunning a $2 billion business.HAROLD KIMMINS, aretired history professorwhom students rememberedfor his dramatic flair andcolleagues respected for hisadvocacy – particularly hisrole in founding the facultyfederation and serving as itsfirst president – passed awayNovember 20 at the age of 78.A Presbyterian minister andformer U.S. Navy chaplain, Kimmins was a world traveler andwriter of two published books and several manuscripts. Marriedthree times himself, he taught a popular class on marriage andfamily at RMU. His former secretary, Billie Schuller, said Kimminsused to joke that his matrimonial experience made him the mostqualified teacher. He is survived by his partner of 14 years, JanetGale; a son, Christopher; daughters Jennifer O'Donnell and KeliRyan; five grandchildren; and two brothers.ALUMNI NIGHTAT PNC PARKSAT., JULY 21 AT 4 P.M.PIRATES VS. MARLINS>Join us for terrific tailgating atthis family favorite!RMU.EDU/ALUMNI3RD AnnUAl AlUMni tOURi t A l YSAVE THE DATESept. 29 – OCt. 8. RMU.eDU/AlUMnitOUR fOR DetAilS.3 4 • R M U . E D U / F O U N D AT I O N SR O B E R T M O R R I S U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D AT I O N S • 3 5

10QuestionswithHedy Polifroni Krenn '97 has always loved animals.In fact, when she wasgrowing up in New Castle, she tried to bring a couple chicks home from elementary school. Her parents didn't think it was such a great idea, considering theyhad cats. Today she and her husband, well-known Pittsburgh character Jim Krenn, share their Green Tree home with five dogs and one cat, many of themrescues from Animal Friends, a local no-kill animal shelter.A marketing major at Robert Morris, today Krenn is an accomplished hatha yoga instructor, having studied for two years at the esteemed Himalayan Instituteof Pittsburgh. She is also a former model and has been featured on the cover of Muscle Training Illustrated as well as in the campaigns of organizations suchas UPMC and Pittsburgh Brewing. Last May she took part in Dancing with the Celebrities of Pittsburgh, an annual event that benefits local charities.1What was your RMU experience like?I loved it. From the first time I visitedRobert Morris, I thought the campushad a great community feel. Living oncampus was so much fun. We'd playpractical jokes on each other in thedorm, go to basketball games. Theeducation was amazing and so werethe people. I'm still very close to someof my Robert Morris friends today.436What led you to being a yogainstructor? I actually have abad back, and I decided to try yoga. Itreally helped me feel better. Plus, I'vealways enjoyed fitness – running,working out in the gym, andPilates – so I really enjoy thatpart of it.7I know you don't have any birds in your menagerie, butdo you “tweet”? I just got on Facebook, and I'm tryingto learn about the ‘tweeting’ thing, but I don't think it'sgoing to happen. I mean, what am I gonna say? “I woke up... tookthe dogs out for a walk... changed the litter box?”got the dogs and cats covered. Anychance of adding a lizard or maybe even a snaketo the mix? That would be fun, but I'm pretty sure10You'vemy two beagles would think they were snack food.Written By Valentine J. BrkichWhat's it like beingPittsburgh royalty?That's funny! I like that. Iknow if we really werePittsburgh royalty,Jimmywoulddemand that his crownhave the Steelers logo on it.5 2 3Why do you and Jimmysupport Animal Friends? We firstbecame involved through a friend whowas in charge of the organization, andfrom there it just blossomed. Thepeople there are wonderful, andthey're really doing great work. Theydo amazing things, and their heart istruly in the right place.Has anyone ever changed your life? Definitely my grandparents,Romaine and Jack. Jimmy always says there are many things you cando in life, but when you pass, people don't remember you for what youdid as much as how you treated people. They were wonderful rolemodels. They used to run a TV and radio shop in their hometown ofFranklin. They didn't do things for the money but instead forthe people. I was lucky to know them.Photo Provided By Hedy Polifroni Krenn9Watch Hedy in "Dancing with the Celebrities of Pittsburgh" on Foundations Online.How did you get into modeling?My mother had been a model, so Ialways had an interest in it. WhileI was in college, my friend talkedme into meeting with a couplecasting companies downtown. I endedup doing some local work and even lived inNew York for a month at a time.But in the end I wanted to be backhome with Jimmy.Were you a dancer before takingpart in Dancing with the Celebritiesof Pittsburgh? No. I'm definitely not adancer. But it was for a great cause. Thereal star of the show was this boy fromHaiti, Fredo, who was adopted by afamily from Pittsburgh after theearthquake destroyed his orphanage.Seeing his big smile reminded everyonewhere their money was going.How is your German shepherdpuppy, Kota, getting along with theother members of your pet family? At70 pounds, he's already the biggestone, so he's brought some serious life tothe house. He's really interested in Elvis,our 6-year-old cat, and he's alwaystrying to play with him. Ofcourse, Elvis wantsnothing to dowith him.6Upcoming Events> MARCH6 Alumi Open House.Come see the new Schoolof Business. 5:30 p.m.14 Career Fair,Sewall Center, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.20 Happy Hour for alumniat US Steel, BNY Mellon,Federated Investors, andAlpern Rosenthal, at Damon'sGrill, Downtown, 5 p.m.22 Colonial Theatre presents:Jesus Christ Superstar.Byham Theater, Downtown,7:30 p.m. Through April 128 Pittsburgh SpeakersSeries Gen. Stanley McChrystal,Heinz Hall, 8 p.m.> APRIL5 Alumni Association Councilmeeting, Sewall Center, 6 p.m.19 Women of RMU Luncheonwith fmr. Pepsi Canada CEOLinda Kuga Pikulin '81, OmniWilliam Penn, Noon26 Alumni AssociationWelcome, Primanti Bros.in Moon, 5 p.m.26 Pittsburgh SpeakersSeries Tom Brokaw,Heinz Hall, 8 p.m.> MAY5 Golden Colonials (50 years)breakfast and recognition,Sewall Center,> ON THE ROADApril showers bring RMU alumni! Meet President Dell'Omoor other friends at a reception this spring in a city near you.Harrisburg, Apr. 10 • Philadelphia, Apr. 11Washington, D.C., Apr. 12 • Cleveland, Apr. 17Erie, Apr. 19 • Boston, Apr. 25Check the Events listings at rmu.edu/alumni for evenmore events and up-to-the-minute information.FOR MORE INFORMATION on these and other upcoming events, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (412) 397-6464 or rmualum@rmu.edu.WIN THECOVER!Have we made you hungry?Would you like to sink your teeth intoa magazine-sized chocolate bar?We're giving the original Foundationschocolate cover, custom-made andhand-poured by our friends atBetsy Ann Chocolates, to one luckycontributor to the university.That could be you!Make a donation of $100 or more tohelp change a student's life atRMU.EDU/GIVEONLINE betweennow and March 31 and you will automaticallybe entered in a drawing for thegigantic chocolate bar.Meanwhile, go to Foundations Online towatch how Betsy Ann made it for us.Tee offthisspringRMU AlumnaeWeekly Golf LeaguesChoose from three courses:Clover Hill, Moon, orMurrysville.Details atrmualum@rmu.edu