The Big Dance Colonials in March Madness - Robert Morris University

CAMPUS REPORT> RMU Aids SpecialOlympics BowlersStudent volunteers from the sport management program tooka leading role in the 2009 Special Olympics PennsylvaniaWestern Bowling Sectional. Nearly 300 bowlers participatedin the university-sponsored event this March at alleysin Pittsburgh and Mt. Lebanon.“Every year we have countless members of theRMU community volunteer their time to make the WesternBowling Sectional a success, and this year is nodifferent,” said Jessica Thompson, who isstudying for a master’s degree in nonprofitmanagement. It was Thompson’s third yearvolunteering at the event, and her second as itsdirector.The event got a bit of extra attention this year, thanksto a gaffe by President Barack Obama. Appearing on“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Obama derided hisown bowling abilities by comparing them to the SpecialOlympics. He quickly apologized to the organization, whichwas founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister offormer President John F. Kennedy.News reports of the event recognized the hard work of nearly 100 university volunteers. Theyalso mentioned that many contestants bowled considerably higher scores than Obama’s 129.> SEE THIS MAGAZINE AND EXTRA FEATURES AT WWW.> A Living RemembrancePresident Gregory Dell’Omo led students, faculty, and staff on January 22 in a formal dedicationof the university’s new Memorial Garden. The garden, at the entrance to Rogal Chapel, wasconceived by students as a way to honor two classmates, Jonathan Gilbert and MichaelTatalovich, who were murdered on that date a year ago. The garden is a tribute to thememory of those men and to other members of the RMU community who have died.2

“A MAJOR STEP TOWARD> Changes in the WorksIn what Provost David Jamison says is “a major step toward enhancingdegree opportunities for all adult students,” the School of Communicationsand Information Systems next month will assume administrativeresponsibility for the M.S. and B.S. degree programs in organizationalstudies and the B.S. in professional communications, and the Schoolof Nursing and Health Services will administer the B.S. in healthservices administration.The programs previously had been under the Schoolof Adult and Continuing Education. As of June 1,that school will cease to exist, and its functionsand faculty members of academic rank will beintegrated into the existing schools.“We believe that students will be better served byhaving the full range of degrees and services inthe larger schools of which they will nowbe a part, as well as the ability tobe fully integrated into thecurricular and cocurricularactivities of those schools,”Jamison says.Degree programs andrequirements will notchange. A transitionteam will assure thatservice to adultstudents continueswithout interruption.ENHANCING DEGREE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL ADULT STUDENTS”> Report CardIf you would like a closer look at RMU'sperformance, we invite you examine ourown report card. The university has posteda report on how well it is meeting outcomeassessment standards, including measuresthat are part of the latestfive-year strategic plan, atwww.rmu.edu/results.“The numbersshow we'redoing a goodjob fulfilling oureducational mission,” saysDavid Majka, director of institutionalresearch. He points out high pass rates oncomprehensive exams, good employmentrates for graduates, and improvements inretention and graduation rates.> G-Man onCampusSpecial agents from the Pittsburghoffice of the FBI visited the universitylast month to talk about fightingcyber crime,including identityfraud, onlineterrorist cells,and childpornography.The free eventApril 22 was the third visit by thelocal FBI office. It complements theuniversity's plan to offer a new programin cyber forensics and informationsecurity next year.> > ARE YOU A FRIEND OF ROBERT?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 • 5

“PART OF MAKING A DOCUMENTARY ISOBSERVING AND LEARNING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE”> Snowing Here But Warm in ChileEight media arts and communication students spent two weeks this winter in Valparaiso, Chile, working on short documentary films through anexchange program between the Center for Documentary Production and Study and the University of Valparaiso. Visiting the seaside city at the heightof Southern Hemisphere summertime, student teams shot footage for films about graffiti artists, a busy central plaza, and poet Pablo Neruda. Thefilms debuted at Docufest in Massey Theater in April.The student filmmakers were Jonathan Harchick, Todd Lewis, Chad Cunningham, Adrienne Knouse, R.J. Schmidt, Ashley Weber, Nicole Storey,and Joe Zerbe. Barbara Jeraldo and Gonzalo Manzo, two University of Valparaiso film students who visited RMU in 2007, helped the student crews,which were overseen by the center’s director, James Seguin, and production coordinator Erica Peiffer.Seguin says the center’s documentary student exchange programs in Chile, Germany, and Turkey are excellent training for future professionalfilmmakers. “Part of making a documentary is observing and learning about other people. When you go to another culture, you just have tolisten and let the other culture wash over you so you can tell a story,” he says.> WATCH THE DOCUMENTARIES AT FOUNDATIONS ONLINE> Helping Change More LivesMichael J. Frantz joined RMU in March as vice president for enrollment and financial aid.The Iowa native was formerly vice president of enrollment services at Wilkes University inWilkes-Barre, Pa., and previously worked at Buena Vista University in Iowa. “I have a lifelongcommitment to small private schools that are vital to the economic health of the regions in whichthey reside,” he says. Frantz has a master’s degree in political science from the University ofIowa and bachelor’s degrees in German and political science from Simpson College.6 • W W W. R M U . E D Urecycle this magazineGive it to a neighbor who’s in high schooland help spread the word about RMU.

He Needs a BookDavid McCullough, who won Pulitzer Prizes for his biographies ofHarry Truman and John Adams, said during a visit to RMU thatsomebody needs to write a biography of Robert Morris.“Robert Morris was an extremely important figure, greatly admiredand greatly liked by his contemporaries,” the popular historiansaid during a speech in Rogal Chapel in April. “His importance isestablished fact, no question about that. And some time someone’sgoing to write a first-rate book about him, and he will be given theattention he deserves. Maybe one of you. That’s how it happens;somebody decides to do it.”In his book 1776, McCullough gives some details of Morris’s rolein the pivotal year of the Revolutionary War, including a letter the“Financier of the American Revolution” wrote to his friend GeorgeWashington on New Year’s Day, 1777.“The year 1776 is over,” wrote Morris. “I am heartily glad of it, and Ihope neither you nor America will ever be plagued with such another.”> Trustee Heads to Emerald IslePatricia Rooney, member of the university board of trustees and sponsor ofRMU’s international visiting scholars program, soon should be crossing theocean back to her ancestral home. Her husband, Steelers owner Dan Rooney, hasbeen chosen by President Barack Obama as the next U.S. ambassador to Ireland,pending Senate confirmation.Mr. Rooney, a lifelong Republican, is the grandson of an Irish immigrant and helpedfound the American Ireland Fund, which has raised millions of dollars topromote peace and education in Ireland. Mrs. Rooney, whose maiden name isRegan, is the daughter of Irish immigrants who came from County Mayo.Among the Rooneys’ first embassy guests could be English professor JimVincent and a group of RMU students visiting Dublin in June to study WilliamButler Yeats, James Joyce, and other giants of Irish literature at Griffith College.> SEE MCCULLOUGH'S REMARKS ON WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/RMUNEWSTUBE> Donating TheirSpring BreakWhile many used theirspring break to soak upsome rays, 24 RMU studentsspent their time awayfrom class helping thoseless fortunate.Senior nursing major Kristen Grazianowas part of a group that spent time withhomeless people in Washington, D.C.,assisting at a food bank, visiting withchildren at an after-school program, andselling copies of a newspaper written byhomeless people. “This is definitely oneof those life-changing experiences,”Graziano says. “It gives me a betterunderstanding and respect foreverything that I have.”A second grouptraveled to NorthCarolina, wherethey workedwith Habitat forHumanity building a house for theGarcias, a low-income family. The dozenRMU students were on a team withstudents from Syracuse University andthe State University of New York atCortland, along with a church group.Students raised money throughprivate sponsorships to covermost of the costs of both trips.Randon Willard, communityand volunteer servicescoordinator for the university,organized the two “alternativespring breaks” and joinedthe group in NorthCarolina.Check out Foundationsonline to seea video report onthe two trips.We wish the Rooneys all the best, and look forward to hearing Mrs. Rooney’sfuture stories about life in the Emerald Isle – including the blarney. In themeantime, turn to page 26 to read more about the Rooney Scholars.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 • 7

TRACK & FIELDWOMEN > Under the guidance ofninth-year head coach Michael Smith,RMU women scored 41.5 points tofinish sixth at the 2009 NortheastConference Indoor Track & FieldChampionships in Landover,Md. Junior Melitta Brown tookhome a pair of secondplacefinishes, earning> BROWNAll-NEC honors in thelong jump(18’ 4.50”) and the high jump (5’ 5.75”).In the 3,000-meter run, junior Emily Ingleestablished a new school record with atime of 10:20.74, eclipsing the previousschool record by 14 seconds and finishingthird in the meet. MEN > The men, alsounder coach Smith, scored 33 points andfinished 10th at Landover. RMU won firstand second place in the pole vault, asfreshman Jared George and sophomoreChris Spataro each earned All-NEChonors in the event. George becamethe third straight Colonial to win theindividual event, thanks to a vault of15’ 3”, while Spataro took home secondplace after clearing the same height. Inthe 3,000-meter run, freshman BrianMitchell earned All-NEC honors byplacing second with a time of 9:06.36.> LACROSSE SHOCKER AS MEN BEAA wild, see-saw battle at the men’s the year before. “That’s a game welacrosse home opener Feb. 14certainly expected to controlin which the lead changed six times throughout,” Penn State head coachended in triumph, as the Colonials Glenn Thiel said afterwards. His teamupset favorite Penn State 12-11 in outshot the Colonials 52-35, but adouble overtime.ferocious opening volley by RMU putPenn State on the defensive, and steadyThe loss shocked the Nittany Lions, goaltending by junior Sal Barcia keptwho had crushed the Colonials 18-2> WOMEN’S BASKETBALLUnder the guidance ofsixth-year head coach SalBuscaglia, the Colonialsfinished with an overallrecord of 13-18 in 2008-09, including a 9-9mark in the NortheastConference that tiedfor sixth place withFairleigh Dickinson. TheColonials had their two-yearreign as NEC Tournamentchampions snappedwhen they lost to in-state rival Saint Francis,72-60, in the quarterfinals of the 2009 NECTournament in Fairfield, Conn. RMUwas led byseniorguardSadeLogan,who averaged20.8 points per game. In twoyears in a Colonials uniform, Loganbroke 11 RMU or NCAA records. Shewas named to the 2009 All-NEC FirstTeam and became the 10th fastest player inNCAA history to reach 1,000 career points. Loganfinished sixth all-time with 1,314 points at RMU,while her 205 career three-pointers and 510 threepointattempts rank second. Logan was also afinalist for the 2009 Dapper Dan Sportswoman ofthe Year. Junior forward Monet Johnson led theColonials in rebounding with 10.6 rebounds pergame and 15.8 points, and was named to the 2009All-NEC Second Team. Senior guard KendraWilliams, the only Colonial to start all 31 gamesin 2008-09, led RMU in assists (148) and steals(58) and contributed 11.6 points per contest.8 • W W W. R M U . E D U> JOHNSON

T PENN STATEthe Colonials in the game after theNittany Lions came roaring back.The Colonials raced to a 6-1 lead beforethe visitors rallied for seven straightgoals. RMU tied the game at 8-8 inthe third, then fell behind again beforeknotting the score 11-11 with sixminutes left thanks to a goal by junior> CLUB HOCKEYON A ROLLFor the second straight season, RMU’s Division I clubhockey team won the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Leaguechampionship, defeating Mercyhurst College, 6-2. Headcoach Jason Evans is on a streak of his own, afterwinning ECHL Coach of the Year for the third timein a row, and senior captain Jake Javitt was namedleague MVP. RMU outshot Mercyhurst 47-17 atthe championships in Rochester, N.Y., to winthe league title. In the last three seasons, theteam has lost only once in regulation timeagainst league opponents.Patrick Smith, who finished with a hattrick. Scoreless after one overtime, thegame was decided early in the secondextra period when sophomore CorbynTao-Brambleby earned his own hat trick.It was the biggest win so far for theteam under five-year head coachBear Davis.> MCLAUGHLIN> FOR THE LATEST SCORES VISIT WWW.RMUCOLONIALS.COM.> ICE HOCKEYWOMEN > Led by third-year head coachNate Handrahan, the Colonials posted a12-20-3 record overall, including 5-9-2 inCollege Hockey America. Senior goalieBrianne McLaughlin set an NCAADivision I record for saves, stopping3,809 shots over her four-year career, andwas named to the All-CHA First Team.Freshman forward Brianna Delaney waspicked for the All-CHA Rookie Team afterleading RMU with 32 points, including 18goals and 14 assists, and ranking 13th inthe country in scoring among freshman.In addition, 15 Colonials were named tothe All-CHA Academic Team, includingMcLaughlin, Miles, O’Malley, MorganBeikirch, Daneca Butterfield, AlissaDorman, Mallory Giambra, JackiGibson, Whitney Pappas, Megan Picinic,Jessica Riley, Jordan Riley, KathrynTraynor, Samantha Ullrich, andChelsea Walkland. MEN > The Colonialsadvanced to their second CollegeHockey America championship game inthe last three years losing in overtime toBemidji State, 3-2, in Minnesota. Led byfifth-year head coach Derek Schooley,RMU finished with an overall record of10-19-7 and a 5-8-5 mark in the CHA.The young team lost just twice in itslast 10 games. A trio of Colonials werenamed to the All-CHA First Team:senior forward Chris Margott (21goals, 23 assists), sophomore forwardNathan Longpre (12 goals, 29 assists),and sophomore defenseman DennyUrban (4 goals, 23 assists). Takinghome All-CHA Rookie Team accoladesfor RMU were freshman goaltenderBrooks Ostergard and freshmandefender James Lyle. Nine studentathletes were named to the All-CHA Academic Team: Urban,seniors Matt Krug and Jake Obermeyer,juniors Wes Russell and Tyler Webband sophomores Kyle Burton, ChrisKushneriuk, Brock Meadows, andJim Patterson.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

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THE BIG DANCEThe Robert Morris University men'sbasketball team made it to March Madnessthis year, the sixth time for the universityand the first time in the NCAA tournamentsince 1992. Seeded 15th, the Colonials drew atough opponent in Michigan State. But RMUheld its own, taking a 28-26 lead in the firsthalf before falling to the Spartans, 77-62. TheSpartans went on to beat four more teamsbefore losing in the finals to North Carolina.Led by Northeast Conference Player of theYear and NEC Tournament MVP JeremyChappell, the Colonials defeated rivalMount St. Mary's in the conferencechampionship, in front of the first selloutcrowd in Sewall Center history. Juniorforward Dallas Green hit the game-winningshot with 2.5 seconds to play to propelRobert Morris to the 48-46 victory.It was a big year for Mike Rice, who wonNEC Coach of the Year for the secondtime in two years at RMU. Rice signed athree-year contract extension last monthand is set to coach the Colonials through2016. "He has been a great coach, a greatrepresentative of the university and a greatcampus presence," says Athletic DirectorCraig Coleman.Senior guard Bateko Francisco was namedNEC Defensive Player of the Year, and juniorforward Rob Robinson set a school recordwith 35 blocks, garnering a spot on the 2009All-NEC Second Team.Chappell, a senior guard, led Robert Morrisin scoring (16.7 ppg), rebounding (6.3 rpg),assists (112), steals (86), and three-pointers(84). He owns a host of records, includingmost starts in a Colonials uniform, with 123.Over the last two seasons, RMU has tied orbroken a total of 16 school records. Its 50wins is the most by an NEC program inback-to-back years in league history.WRITTEN BY MARK HOUSERPHOTO BY CRAIG LASSIGR 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 • 1 1

GETTING DOWN toHeinz knows it. So do Bayer, PNC, UPMC,BNY Mellon, Highmark, U.S. Steel, and manyother major corporations who employ RobertMorris University alumni. Now the rest of theworld knows it too: RMU means business.In April, RMU’s School of Business joined 559other schools worldwide accredited by AACSBInternational – The Association to AdvanceCollegiate Schools of Business. It’s a highlycoveted recognition, and one that represents thepeak standard of achievement for business schools.“This is a great honor for RMU’s Schoolof Business,” says Dean Derya Jacobs.“Only about one-third of all U.S.business schools have earned thisimportant accreditation. It showshow committed we are tomeeting and exceeding thehighest standards of businesseducation.”Receiving this sought-afteraccreditation signifies the endof a long, sometimes challengingprocess, and it makes RMU’s Schoolof Business only the fourth suchprogram in Pittsburgh to achieve thiscredential, along with Carnegie MellonUniversity, Duquesne University andthe University of Pittsburgh.“AACSB accreditation only confirmswhat we at the university have knownfor a long time,” says RMU PresidentGregory G. Dell’Omo. “When itcomes to getting a solid, engagedbusiness education, there’s reallyno better place than RMU.”1 2 • W W W. R M U . E D U

BUSINESSAACSB International, based in Tampa, Fla., is an association ofeducational institutions, businesses, and other organizations.Founded in 1916, it is recognized worldwide as the premieraccrediting agency of collegiate business schools andaccounting programs.In granting accreditation, AACSB International assuresthat the school is:• properly managing its resources to achieve avibrant and relevant mission• advancing business and managementknowledge through faculty scholarship• providing high-caliber teaching of qualityand current curricula• cultivating meaningful interactionbetween students and faculty• producing graduates who have achievedspecified learning goalsbenefited the school,” says Jacobs. “Ithelped us establish processesto systematically monitor andassess our educational andsupport programs for ourstudents. It taught us tobecome efficient andeffective in addressingproblem areas andcontinuously improving our school.”The final AACSB reviewteam came inFebruary forthree busy daysof assessments.RMU’s effort to attain AACSB accreditation for the Schoolof Business began in 2002. Since then, the School ofBusiness has submitted five annual reports on its progressin meeting 21 specified standards. In July, the schoolsubmitted five volumes of data demonstrating howthey had met the accreditation criteria. “Although ittook several years to complete, this process really1 3

“WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING A SOLID, ENGAGED BUSINESS EDUCATIThey visited classrooms; met with faculty, administrators,students, alumni, and trustees; toured campus extensively;and reviewed documentation and other data. Teammembers included chairman W.Randy Boxx, dean of the business schoolat Shenandoah University in Winchester,Va.; Kjell R. Knudsen, dean of the school ofbusiness and economics at the University ofMinnesota-Duluth; and Maling Ebrahimpour,professor of management and former business schooldean at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. Thereview team was also joined by AACSB InternationalAccreditation Services Manager Maria Baltar.AACSB International voted on the School of Business’application in March and officially announced theschool’s accreditation in April. Overall, it was a gleamingrecommendation. The team was especially impressed withthe university’s level of student participation. During theteam’s visit, business student organizations set up tables inMassey Hall to display information about their participationin professional and community activities. “Prior to the visit,we emphasized to the students that this accreditation wasfor them and it was their time to shine,” says Jacobs. “It wasimportant for the review team to directly interact with ourstudents as much as possible.”“Our business students are engaged in so many professionalactivities including participation in knowledge and skillcompetitions nationwide, They are passionate about theirdiscipline and school,” says Jacobs. “Duringtheir interactions with the team members, theydemonstrated how well they are prepared for thebusiness professions, and the team members couldn’tstop talking about them.”The team reported that RMU’s board of trustees,president, and provost are strongly committedto “building and sustaining a high qualitybusiness school.” They recognized Dean Jacobs’outstanding leadership and the school’s “highquality and caring faculty,” and they notedthe school’s emphasis on communicationand its strong relationship with the regionalbusiness community.The team singled out RMU’s focus on“professional development and active studentengagement through internships, co-op experiences, andresearch projects.” They were also pleased with the level ofsupport given to students through the career center and theEarly Success Program, which has resulted in “great successand an admirable graduation rate.”In their report, the review team said the following:• The school prepares students with strongcommunication skills through both required andelective classes. Businesses highly value such skills.• The university’s separate Student EngagementTranscript allows students to showcasetheir accomplishments outside the classroom.• Strong collaboration between the Career Centerand the school’s faculty and administration leadsto a high number of internships.• A climate of collegiality, collaboration, and pridepermeates the daily operations and the overallenvironment of the school.

ON, THERE’S REALLY NO BETTER PLACE THAN RMU.”“We couldn’t be happier with the AACSB’s findings,” saysJacobs. “This entire process has been a wonderful learningexperience that will help us continue to improve and providehigh-quality programs and opportunities for our students.”Along with the Teacher Education Accreditation Council(TEAC) accreditation that the School of Education andSocial Sciences received last July, the AACSB Internationalaccreditation completes the university’s goal under itsstrategic plan to have all of its professional programs ofstudy accredited.Seventy-five percent of RMU students are enrolled inprofessionally accredited programs, and every programfor which a discipline-specific accreditation exists has earnedit. RMU also is accredited as an institution by the MiddleStates Commission on Higher Education.School of Business to provide distancelearning and corporate training, andwill link the school’s undergraduateprograms in Moon Township to its graduateprograms in downtown Pittsburgh.“These exciting new additions, made possible by thegenerosity of the PNC Foundation and the U.S. SteelFoundation, along with the AACSB accreditation, will helpus take our School of Business to the next level and furtherenhance our ability to provide our students with a top-ofthe-linebusiness education,” says Dell’Omo. “Together,these improvements demonstrate our commitment toremaining the premier business institution in the region.”For other accreditations and outcomes assessmentssee www.rmu.edu/results.Accreditation is a part of a banner year for the School ofBusiness, which soon will break ground for its new PNCTrading Center and U. S. Steel Videoconferencing andTechnology Resource Center on the Moon Township campus.Both will be housed in a new 8,000-square-foot building nextto Massey Hall, completing a School of Business quadranglethat will surround Rudolph Gardens.WRITTEN BY VALENTINE J. BRKICHWhen it is constructed, the PNC Trading Center, whichwas made possible by a $520,000 grant from the PNCFoundation, will be a state-of-the-art facility offering studentsdynamic, hands-on experience in financialtrading strategy. The U. S. SteelVideoconferencing and TechnologyResource Center, made possible by a$500,000 grant from the United StatesSteel Foundation, will enable the

1 6 • W W W. R M U . E D UON A WING

& a prayerOn January 15, at 3:25 p.m., Luther Lockhart ‘99 was seated inthe back of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 as it lifted off from NewYork City's LaGuardia Airport. Bound for Charlotte, N.C., the32-year-old personal trainer from Queens was looking forwardto a little getaway in warmer climes to visit friends and family.Less than 10 minutes later, he was soaked to the bone andstanding on the wing of the plane as it floated in the frigidwaters of the Hudson River.Lockhart, a former media arts major and running back for theColonials football team, was one of the 155 lucky passengersto survive the ill-fated flight, thanks to the efforts of CaptainChesley “Sully” Sullenberger and the rest of the plane’s crew.“There wasn’t a single person on that plane who didn’t thinktheir life was over,” says Lockhart. “It was an out-of-bodyexperience. You know the statistics. You know the odds ofsurvival are slim to none.”About two minutes after taking off, Flight 1549 struck a flockof geese at about 3,000 feet. “I didn’t feel the plane hit thebirds,” says Lockhart. “I heard a loud bang, and once thathappened, it was very quiet. You knew the engines were off.”Shortly thereafter, a burning smell filled the cabin, and theflight attendants went into action. “They were kind of franticbut controlled,” he says. “They went back and forth, lookingaround to check the inside of the plane. They didn’t say much,just told us to stay in our seats. I knew something was wrongwhen I didn’t hear any engines.”While the flight crew checked the cabin, the passengers talkedamong themselves. Everyone looked anxious. Some werequiet, others were hysterical. “The majority of people werepanicking,” says Lockhart. “Some were praying, others werescreaming, children were crying. It wasn’t all calm as themedia tried to portray it.“We were pretty much waiting to die,” he says. “I was readyto go. I was in a good place before it happened, and I was verycontent with my life. ‘If this is it,’ I said, ‘then so be it. Just let ithappen quickly.’ I didn’t necessarily want to go that way, but Iaccepted it.”When Capt. Sullenberger concluded that the airliner would beunable to return to the airport or any other airfield, he turnedthe plane southbound and looked for a place to ditch in theHudson River. After gliding without engines for about eightmiles, the pilot was able to put the Airbus A320 downsuccessfully in the river.“The landing was not smooth,” says Lockhart. “It may havelooked smooth on video, but believe me, it wasn’t.” It felt likethey were landing on concrete, he says, and the entire planeshook vigorously before coming to a halt.“Immediately after we landed, I thought the plane would blowup, rip apart, I’d be burned to death, game over.” As soon asthe plane hit the river, the icy water came rushing in and wassoon waist deep in the back of the plane. “I got up, grabbeda seat cushion and climbed over seats,” says Lockhart.“Everyone was crowding the center aisle. I wasn’t thinkingabout being orderly, I was trying to get the hell out of there.”Lockhart was the sixth person out on the left wing. “I probablyshould have been one of the last,” he says. “But my adrenalinewas going, and I only had one thing on my mind: getting outof that plane.”Since the crash, Lockhart’s life has been hectic at times. But hesays it hasn’t changed who he is. “I’m not a ‘why me’ type ofperson,” says Lockhart. “I’m no better than any other humanbeing. There are reasons for everything and I would neverquestion the will of God. As the plane was going down,what I was really worried about was how my familywould handle it.”Lockhart was back to work in Manhattan the following week.And although the questions and interviews got a little tiresomeafter awhile, pretty soon his life was back to normal, or as closeto normal as he could get.Before the crash, Lockhart had some travel plans for thesummer that he’s now postponing. “I’m not ready to get backup in the air anytime soon. It’s a healing process, and I hope tobe back up flying soon. I want to see the world one day, andhopefully I’ll get back to a point where I’ll be comfortableflying again.”WRITTEN BY VALENTINE J. BRKICHPHOTOGRAPHY BY NATALIA JIMENEZ, THE STAR-LEDGERLuther Lockhart is a personal trainer in Manhattan,N.Y. Visit his website at www.lifestylefitness.us.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 A T I O N S • 1 7

Last summer, when Silas Watkins was sent to the CharlesC. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs at Dover Air ForceBase, Del., he wasn’t sure what to expect.Watkins, a sport management major at Robert MorrisUniversity and senior airman at the 911th Air Reserve Stationin Moon Twp., was charged with receiving the remains ofmilitary personnel from overseas and beginning the processof returning them to their loved ones. It was an importantduty that required a high level of respect and professionalism.“I had to take my job very seriously,” says Watkins, “becausemy crew and I were the last people to see a soldier before hisloved ones did. So we treated each one as if he were our ownfamily member.“I didn’t know how I’d react to the realness of the situation,”he says. “It’s a sad environment, no question. But the senseof pride and respect you feel for those soldiers is undeniable.I have never been more proud to be in the military andperform a job such as that.”RMU appreciates the sacrifices our military personnel makefor us every day. So beginning this fall, veterans will studyfree at RMU. The university’s Military Service Award willenable veterans who qualify for full benefits under the newPost-9/11 G.I. Bill to enroll tuition-free in any of theuniversity’s undergraduate or graduate programs.RMU was among the first private universities in the countryto offer free tuition to veterans under the new G.I. Bill. Theuniversity made the officialannouncement February 12at the Heinz History Museumin downtown Pittsburgh,where several military andgovernment officialswere present, includingState Sen. John Pippy,who is currently a majorin the PennsylvaniaNational Guard.“You’re not just doingthe right thing at RobertMorris for the militaryveterans,” said Pippyduring the event, “butI think you’re doingthe right thing forstudents.” Pippy,a graduate ofthe United StatesMilitary Academy atWest Point, servedon active duty in2003-2004 duringthe Iraq War. He feelsthat military veteranstudents have a differentset of life experiences that1 8

can benefit those around them. “So notonly are you helping make ourcountry better because you’regoing to educate the future engineersand entrepreneurs and financiers of ourcountry, but I also think you’re going to make ita better educational experience for the studentsat Robert Morris.““Not only are you doing theright thing and going to dowell for the men andwomen who served,”he said, “but also, Ithink Robert Morriswill be better for it.”Since theannouncement ofthe RMU MilitaryService Award,many othercolleges anduniversities acrossthe nation havefollowed suit.“RMU believes thatveterans should haveas many opportunities as possible,”President Gregory G. Dell’Omo said atthe event. “And if they choose to study at aprivate institution like RMU, we want themto be able to do it and graduate debt-free.”“We’re doing this because we believe it’s the right thing todo,” said Provost David L. Jamison at the February newsconference. “That’s the fundamental reason RMU becameinvolved with this program. The Military Service Awardcontinues our tradition of being a companion and reachingout to adults and other people who need an educationalopportunity. We’re unique among private schools inmany ways in doing that.”The original G.I. Bill – formally known as the Servicemen’sReadjustment Act – was signed into law by President FranklinDelano Roosevelt on June 22, 1944. Among the bill’s otherprovisions, which included financing for home ownershipand low-interest business loans, its most significant benefitwas tuition-free higher education for any veteran who wantedit. This groundbreaking legislation helped make going tocollege a reality for many veterans. The bill reached its peakin 1947, when veterans represented 49 percent of collegeadmissions, according to the U.S. Veterans Administration.“The G.I. Bill really did revolutionize and democratizehigher education in the United States,” says John McCarthy,assistant professor of history for RMU’s department of social“RMU believes that veterans shouldhave as many opportunities as possible,and if they choose to study at a privateinstitution like RMU, we want them to beable to do it and graduate debt-free.”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 • 1 9

sciences. “It is almost universally agreed by historians that itscreation was one of the most successful pieces of legislationever enacted by Congress.”By the time the original G.I. Bill expired in 1956, nearly halfof the 16 million World War II veterans had earned a collegedegree or participated in some other kind of training program.The success of the original G.I. Bill prompted the federalgovernment to offer similar benefits to veterans followingwars in Korea and Vietnam, and versions of the G.I. Billwere revamped during the 1970s and 1980s.The new Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, which goes into effect in August,will pay living expenses, a book stipend, and reimburse up tothe highest public in-state tuition rate for any service memberwho has been on active duty for at least three years since Sept.11, 2001. In Pennsylvania the highest public tuition belongs toPenn State, where the current undergrad tuition for the maincampus is approximately $14,500. With the help of the YellowRibbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, a federal 50-50matching program for tuition over that limit, RMU pledgesthat qualifying veterans can attend this university tuition-free.Military personnel with less than three years’ active duty alsoare eligible for generous federal and RMU benefits.“Giving today’s vets the chance to further their educationwill help fuel our economy and recovery from this crisis,”said Dell’Omo, “And it will allow a new generation ofmilitary personnel to advance their lives as well as thoseof their families.”Silas WatkinsSenior AirmanSport Management MajorBeing a college student whileserving your country can be a challenge.Senior Airman Silas Watkins knows all about it.A sport management major who plays defense onRMU's inline hockey team, Silas has had to stretchout his studies a couple extra years because ofdeployments with the Air Force Reserve.Under the direction of a university task force headed byAssociate Provost for Academic Affairs Larry Tomei, theuniversity established an Office of Veterans Affairs andbegan reaching out to local military units and other regionalorganizations that impact veterans affairs. The office isheaded by retired Brig. Gen. Dan Rota, with the help ofprogram assistant Heather Jericho, and is working closelywith veterans to make sure all their questions areanswered and their needs met. This fall, the officewill move to Jefferson Center, with renovatedoffice space, a new veterans loungeand a videoconferencing area. The newVETS Center will also house the VeteransEducation Learning Center and RMU’sROTC program, and will work closely2 0Visit vets.rmu.edu for the rest of Silas’s story.

with the downtown Veterans Business OutreachCenter, which assists entrepreneurs who haveserved in the military.Rota, a retired member of the PennsylvaniaAir National Guard, says there has been a bigresponse to the new veterans program. “In thefirst month after announcing the new program, we had closeto 300 e-mails and phone calls from interested veterans. Theylike how they can take any of the university’s programs,” saysRota. “I always tell them at RMU you can be whatever youwant to be. The sky’s the limit.”Rota is a professor emeritus in the university’s doctor ofscience in information and communication systems program.He also serves as board chairman for the Veterans BusinessOutreach Center.The VETS Center will be a “one-stop administrative andeducational center to serve the full needs of our militarypersonnel,” says Tomei, a veteran himself who oversees theuniversity’s honors and study abroad programs, in additionto veterans and ROTC programs. Tomei was in ROTC andwas commissioned in the Air Force, where he served in ninedifferent states, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines in a 22-yearcareer, retiring in 1994 as a lieutenant colonel. He started offin finance, then moved into computers and communications.“I grew up in the first days of the PC,” he says, “back whenlocal networking was still a pipe dream.” Thanks to the G.I.Bill, Tomei earned two master’s degrees and a doctorate.“Without the benefits I received from the G.I. Bill, I wouldn’tbe where I’m today,” he says. “And I’m proud that RMU isnow doing what it can to offer the same opportunities to ourcurrent military personnel and their families.”RMU has a long history of serving adult and non-traditionalstudents, including veterans. Currently, the university enrolls130 veteran students and counts dozens of veterans among itsfaculty and staff. Considering the thousands of veterans whocall Western Pennsylvania home, the new RMU MilitaryService Award could have a very positive impact on the region.The U.S. has over 200,000 troops still serving in Afghanistanand Iraq. Many of them are returning to civilian life in themidst of the worst economic downturn in decades, so thenew G.I. Bill comes at an opportune time.Chris ClarkStaff SergeantAccounting MajorStaff Sgt. Chris Clark is a peculiar kind ofaccounting student: the kind who likes tohurl himself out of airplanes.Chris, a senior accounting major at RMU, livened uphis four years of active duty in the 82nd Airborne'sfinance office by earning his wings with 22 jumps.Visit vets.rmu.edu for the rest of Chris’s story.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 1

“During his inaugural address, President Obama issued a callto national service to remember the promises of our Foundersand the sacrifices that Americans have made since to keepus free,” said Dell’Omo. “Here at RMU, we take this veryseriously. After all, it was our namesake who financed theAmerican Revolution.”Besides loaning large sums of his own money to theContinental Army and helping create America’s navy,Robert Morris was particularly influential in obtainingmunitions and other supplies for the soldiers. The wealthyPhiladelphia financier, a member of the Continental Congress,used his company to import arms and ammunition, andrelied on his extensive international trading network togather intelligence on British troop movements. In 1776,when Congress fled Philadelphia under threat of a Britishattack, Morris stayed behind as the sole representative of theyoung government. He personally borrowed money fromwealthy Quakers to pay George Washington’s soldiers eacha $10 bounty after they crossed the icy Delaware and shockeda Hessian garrison in Trenton. As superintendent of finance,Morris created the Bank of North America, helping toestablish the country’s credit with Europe and securingfurther revenues for the war effort.“Robert Morris set the example,” said Dell’Omo. “Now we’recontinuing this tradition by helping to finance the future ofso many of our veterans.Amanda Saunders understands the meaning of sacrifice.And she also understands the value of a strong education.Rob TallonMachinist 1st Class (Retired)Information Systems MajorAfter enlisting in the Army in 1999, she broke her back inbasic training during one of the field activities. “I had tochange the way I did everything,” says Saunders. Since theaccident, life has been limited for the 27-year-old fromFreedom, Pa. “There are things that I would love to do,” shesays, “such as going skiing or taking my kids ice skating, butone fall and I could be back in the hospital.”Rob Tallon wasn't a college guy. He thoughthe had learned all he needed to know, workingin the engine room of nuclear submarines.But now the old sea dog is learning some new tricks.Visit vets.rmu.edu for the rest of Rob’s story.Saunders isn’t one to give up easily, though. Now discharged,she is studying health care administration at RMU. “Myprofessors have been great,” she says. “If I had anyissues with classes or assignments because of my medicalconditions,” she says, “they were more than willing to workout an arrangement so that I could participate in the activitieswith my other classmates.”2 2

With the help of daily physical therapy, Saunders was ableto work at an Army warehouse in Hanau, Germany, thatsupplied over 500 different units. “I worked with everythingfrom hazmat materials to toothbrushes,” she says.Saunders comes from a strong military family. “Growing up,we were kind of expected to join one of the services after highschool,” she says. “My father thought it was a great way tobuild self-discipline, and bring meaningful values into ourlife.” She married her high school sweetheart, Kevin, in 1999,and together they have two children: Kaitlyn, 8; and Kane, 5.Currently, Saunders is a hospital volunteer at HeritageValley Sewickley. After graduating this month, she plans onpursuing her master’s degree in human resources. “Downthe road I’d like to work as a director at the veterans’hospital,” she says. “I’d really enjoy helping my fellowveterans.” Dell’Omo said he hopes the Military ServiceAward will enable many dedicated veterans to pursuetheir career goals by studying at Robert Morris University.“We are doing this because we believe our veterans deserveit,” he said at the announcement. “We pride ourselves onoffering academic excellence with a professional focus; thosein the armed services demonstrate excellence in action, andmany of them wish to turn their attention to building newcareers back home. We try to give our students a globalperspective and active, engaged learning; returning veteransalready have an expanded worldview and have committedtheir very lives to national service. We believe that individualsmatter, and that an RMU education changes the lives of ourstudents so that they can go out and change the lives ofothers; this is exactly what our men and women in uniformare called to do each and every day.“RMU shares many of the goals and ambitions of ouroutstanding military veterans. That’s why we’re extremelyproud to offer this new program.”Shawna WilsonSenior AirmanFinance MajorWRITTEN BY VALENTINE J. BRKICH & MARK HOUSERILLUSTRATION BY HOWARD ROMEROPHOTOGRAPHY BY TERRY CLARK & JOHN SCHISLERShawna Wilson's not shy about hard work.She grew up on a farm, for one thing. She spentfour years as an Air Force signals intel analyst. Asif the sophomore finance major isn't already busyenough now with her classes, she puts in 35 hoursa week at a local bridal shop.Visit vets.rmu.edu for the rest of Shawna’s story.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 3

On TheRMU alums worked both sides of thefield when the Steelers facedthe Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.He was standing right on the sidelines during the mostexciting play in Super Bowl history. But lifetime Steelersfan Brian Tirpak ’07 completely missed linebacker JamesHarrison’s electrifying 100-yard interception return fora touchdown.Tirpak, a video production assistant for the Steelers, wasamong several RMU graduates working at Super Bowl XLIIIin Tampa. His job was getting crowd reaction shots, so withthe Cardinals looking at first-and-goal from the 2, and 18seconds left until halftime, Tirpak zoomed in on an Arizonafan and waited for him to cheer.“He stands up like they’re about to score, and then he covershis mouth,” Tirpak recalls. “And then the Steeler fans aroundhim start going crazy, and then they’re turning their heads asHarrison runs past. So I knew something big was happening.I panned around really quickly to get our sideline, which wasgoing nuts. And I still had literally no idea what happened,until I turned and saw James lying in the end zone.”But Tirpak got the shot, which is what the Steelers pay him todo. Another RMU alumnus, Rob Brakel ’98, got to watch thewhole thing unfold in his camera’s viewfinder while perchedhigh over the stands. But while Brakel earned a Super Bowlring as a Steelers video assistant three years ago, he collectshis paychecks from the Cardinals now, so Harrison’s recordbreakingrunback was much less fun to witness. “I can’t tellyou how many times I was shaking my head. Of all the teamsin the NFL to play in the Super Bowl, I could not believe wewere playing the Steelers,” he says.Brakel spent a decade with the Steelers after graduating fromRMU. When offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt becamehead coach of the Cardinals in 2007, he offered Brakel the topvideo job in Arizona. Brakel jumped at the chance; he andWhisenhunt are close friends and golfing partners. They’realso both “Survivor” fans, and on Thursday nights Brakelbrings a bucket of wings to the Whisenhunts’ place andwatches the show with the family.At high school in New Jersey, Brakel was play-by-playannouncer for the football and hockey teams. At RMU, hehandled game video for Colonials coach Joe Walton, whosestaff also included current Cardinals wide receivers coachMike Miller M’98 and defensive assistant Matt Raich. Brakelcredits Walton, a former Steelers offensive coordinator, forgetting him the job with the Steelers after graduation.“I’m still very good friends with a lot of people with theSteelers,” Brakel said. “I’m happy for them. I wish we’dwon, but we’ll just have to win next year.”Several other RMU alumni working for the Steelers got to seethe team win its sixth Lombardi Trophy in Tampa in February.James Sacco, the executive director of stadium managementat Heinz Field, studied business administration downtown fortwo years in the 1970s. Michael Marchinsky ’99 is marketingmanager for youth football. Breanne Mueller ’04 is clientservices coordinator. The most satisfied of all had to beKevin Colbert ‘79, who as director of football operationsis the man who drafted Harrison.2 4 • W W W. R M U . E D U

FieldTIRPAK WITH CAMERABut perhaps nobody at the game was more excited than ScottGolmic, who is hoping to follow a similar career path as Tirpakand Brakel. The sport management major and RMU Colonialsvideo coordinator already is working as a freelance cameramanand video editor for the Steelers.The senior class president, Golmic took 18 hours of classes this fallwhile working 40-hour weeks and still managed a 3.6 QPA. “It’seasy to get motivated when you’re going down to Heinz Field towork,” he says. One of his jobs is recording Steelers players takingturns as guest sportscasters at local high school football games.Feeding star athletes their next line can be a bit surreal, Golmic says.“In the moment, they’re just another guy. But when you’re drivinghome, you’re like, ‘What just happened?’”While they didn’t need Golmic to carry a camera at Super BowlXLIII, the team thanked him for his hard work this past season witha plane ride down and a ticket to the game. On Super Bowl Sunday,Golmic left his room at Concord Hall at 4 a.m. with no luggage,wearing shorts, and boarded a team charter at the airport. Twentyfourhours later he would flop back down onto the bed, exhaustedbut deliriously happy. Sandwiched in between was a day he willnever forget. Perhaps the high point was sitting in the 23rd rowin the Steelers’ end zone, watching Harrison gallop towards himdown the sideline, a host of desperate Cardinals flinging themselvesat the ferocious linebacker in a futile attempt to bring him down.BRAKEL WITH BETTISCOLBERT & SONAt that moment, Golmic had only one job to do:scream his head off. So he did.WRITTEN BY MARK HOUSERPHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT GOLMIC, ARIZONA CARDINALS,& PITTSBURGH STEELERS/MIKE FABUSGLEEFUL GOLMIC2 5

Eastern InfArriving in Pittsburgh early this year, Wu Lirong sawsomething that took her mind off the daunting prospectof a semester away from her job, her friends, herhusband, and her 12-year-old daughter back in China.Not normally considered a tourist attraction, a typical WesternPennsylvania January blizzard brought back happy memoriesfor Wu, the associate dean of nursing at Suzhou HealthCollege and one of RMU’s latest Rooney Scholars.Snow is almost unheard of in Suzhou, a charming old cityfilled with parks and pagodas in China’s subtropicalcoastal belt. But Wu grew up in the northern province ofHeilongjiang, which shares a border with Siberia. “I likethe winter in Pittsburgh,” she says. “The snow remindedme of my childhood. It was so exciting.”“I think it’s a phenomenal opportunity for usto pursue the ‘global perspective’ core valuethe university established years ago,”says Associate Provost LawrenceTomei, who oversees the program.“This is the walking, living,breathing example of how thiscore value can change thelives of ourfacultyand ourstudents.”>WuThere have been several surprises for Wu and Gu Ping,two nursing professors who spent the spring semester livingin a house on the RMU campus. Besides the snow, theyalso couldn’t wait to tell the folks back home about thedeer in the woods behind their house. “In Suzhou youhave to go to a zoo to see them,” Wu says.Since it began in 2004, the Rooney Visiting ScholarsProgram has brought 16 visiting professorsand scholars to RMU from Europe, Africa,Australia, Asia, and the Middle East. Scholarsconduct research, teach a class, or conduct aservice project during their semester. Theyalso give public presentations on their fieldsof expertise and their home countries.>Gu26

uencePrevious scholars have included a bioinformatics expert fromIndia, an actuarial science professor from Australia, and acorporate branding guru from Slovakia.Gu is associate dean of the nursing school at Nanjing MedicalUniversity, where she once studied, intending to become anobstetrician. Her professor instead suggested she had a talentfor teaching, and could be a bigger help in academia at atime when China had a shortage of professors. She and Wuboth are impressed with RMU’s nursing computer simulationprograms, and by the give-and-take of American collegeclassrooms.Living in America is an adventure, and sometimeschallenging. Because grocery stores don’t stock Chinesecooking spices and condiments they’re familiar with, Wuand Gu make do with tofu – and a lot of rice and chicken.Both love badminton, which is widely popular in China.But without a court nearby, they have resorted to regularping pong matches at the Jefferson Center. They canexplore further afield if they wish; besides a twobedroomhouse in Colonial Village and a monthlystipend for living expenses, Rooney Scholars get a car,and Tomei said one scholar drove as far as Florida.The program is designed to build internationalconnections that work in both directions. Nine RMUnursing students and two faculty members are visitingChina this month, where Wu and Gu will give themtours of Suzhou’s massive nursing school, which hasalmost 5,000 students, and Nanjing’s smaller school of about600 – still twice as many nursing students as RMU has.It won’t be the first trip for Lynda Davidson, dean of theSchool of Nursing and Health Sciences. She was part of anRMU delegation that visited Suzhou and Nanjing in 2007.“For us, the scholars provide a window to diversity and aworldview that our students wouldn’t get any other way,”Davidson says. Gu says she is eager to host the visitors. "Inrecent years tremendous changes have taken place in China,"she says. "I hope I can show the group from RMU how we arechanging health care and education in China. Then we willhave a productive cooperative program."The next Rooney Scholar is Michal Maoz, a biotechnologyprofessor and head of the Center for Teaching and Learning atORT Braude Engineering College in Israel. Maoz’s institutionlast summer became the 15th to sign an international academicexchange agreement with RMU. This fall, Maoz plans to helpthe university create a center similar to hers, with a focuson improving both students’ study skills and professors’teaching skills.RMU Trustee Patricia Rooney, whose personal financialsupport makes the visiting scholars program possible, saidtravel has broadened her outlook. (It will again, now that herhusband has been named ambassador to Ireland.) “I just thinkyou come to realize that there’s a vast world out there that weneed to know about,” she says. Rooney encourages faculty andstudents to make an extra effort to welcome visiting scholarsand spend time with them outside the classroom. She’s struckup friendships with several, including Syed Tanvir Wasti, aTurkish civil engineering professor who bowled Rooney overwith his deep knowledge of the work of Irish poet WilliamButler Yeats. Wasti still sends her Christmas cards. “He’s oneof those fellows who send those wonderfully lengthy letters,”she says, “but I actually read his because they’re from Turkey.”WRITTEN BY MARK HOUSER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TERRY CLARKLynda Davidson, RMU dean of nursing, took these snapshots of Nanjing (left) and Suzhou Health College, including its statue of Florence Nightingale.Rooney Scholar Wu Lirong, associate dean of nursing at the college, is at far right in the group photo.27

CLASS NOTES1960sJONNA LOONEY ‘63 and herhusband, William Looney,are owners of AppalachianEngineering & Surveying Inc. inBluefield, W.V. Jonna is also a realestate agent. The Looneys residein Bluefield, W.V.1970sGARY WHITE ‘76 has been namedclient services specialist forAmerican Print Management,a service offering of e-LYNXXCorp., the leading printmanagement firm in theUnited States. Gary resides inChambersburg, Pa.RAY HARPER ‘77 is director ofthe Bureau of CommercialInstitutions for the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Banking, wherehe oversees all state-charteredbanking depository institutions.He joined the department in1981 as an examiner. Rayresides in Harrisburg, Pa.ASSUNTA NACCARATO ‘78 retiredafter 30 years with the CentralIntelligence Agency. Assunta andher husband, Alan Terpolilli, andtheir daughter, Isabella, reside inSpringfield, Va.1980sKEVIN VINROE ’80 has joinedAllmand Brothers Inc., aNebraska manufacturer ofportable light towers, asnortheast regional manager.He was formerly employedin a similar position forCompact Power. Kevinand his wife live in Butler.JEFF JASO ‘82 is a lieutenantcolonel in the U.S. Army, nowin his 32nd year of militaryservice, stationed at FortMcPherson, Ga. He and his wife,Veronica, recently became hadtwin baby girls, Alanna andBrianna. They also have anotherdaughter, Francesca, 3, and a son,Joey, 2. The family resides inAtlanta, Ga.JOSEPH SENKO M’83, acertified public accountant,was recently named a FraternalMost Valuable Participant by theNational Fraternal Congress ofAmerica for his work with theLadies Pennsylvania SlovakCatholic Union. Joe and his wife,Albina, reside in Pittsburgh.>JOSEPH M. HOGAN M’84 wasappointed CEO and presidentof ABB Ltd. The power andautomation conglomerateis based in Zurich, Switzerland.Hogan was previously CEOof GE Healthcare. He is married,has three sons, and lives nearZurich with his wife andyoungest son.HOWARD SHAPIRO ’87 has writtenhis fourth children’s book,“Hockey Player for Life,” whichhas sold about 1,200 copiesin the United States and Canada.Controller for BD&E, a Pittsburghgraphic design firm, Howardlives in Moon Township withhis wife, Tina, and their sons,Sasha and Nikita.WILLIAM FREEBING ‘89 moved toTexas in 2008 after 18 years inMemphis, Tenn. He now travelsas a UBS business developmentcoach for the company’swest Texas region’s financialrepresentatives. William and hiswife, Ann, reside in Austin, Tex.They have three sons in collegeand a daughter in high school.1990sJAMIE (FALLONE) SCARANO ‘90has been promoted to directorof workforce inclusion strategyfor UPMC, where she helpsdevelop work plans that meetthe needs of business leaders.She and her husband, Jim, andtheir son, Anthony, reside inNorth Huntingdon.KARA (MOSTOWY) RUTOWSKI’91, M’06 is now executive directorof The Early Learning Institute,where she had been developmentdirector. TELI provides earlyintervention and educationservices for learning disabledchildren up to age 5. She and herhusband, Tom (who also attendedRMU), and their son, Ethan, livein Upper St. Clair.JASON BALOG ‘92 is directorof facility management for CBRichard Ellis in New Kensington.Jason and his wife, Michelle,reside in Aliquippa.JUSTINE (RUSIN) HURRY ‘94 andher husband, John Hurry, hada daughter, Joslyn Ava, inSeptember. The Hurrys alsohave three boys: J.C., Jordan,and James. Justine is CEO ofScottsdale Capital Advisors,where she and John are alsoprincipals. They live inScottsdale, Ariz.PAUL MORALES ‘94 is a youthministry worker with the NewGrace Church in Fleming Island,Fla. Paul had been workingas a chef before earning amaster’s degree in mission andevangelism, with a focus onyouth ministry, from TrinitySchool for Ministry. Paul and hiswife, KRISTI (RAMSEY) MORALES‘93, reside in Fleming Island, Fla.>DON OWREY M’95 has beenappointed interim presidentof UPMC Horizon. Previouslyhe served as Horizon’s vicepresident of clinical operations,and he has two decades ofexperience in health careoperations. Don lives inMercer County with this wife,Kelly, and their three sons.DAVE DEFIDE M’97 is chieffinance operating officer withConservation Consultants Inc.,a home and office energyconservation firm. Daveresides in Pittsburgh.LAURA FREESE M’97 was recentlyelected to city council in San JuanCapistrano, Calif., in December.She owns a local marketingbusiness. She and her husband,Steve, a local business owner,have three daughters: Corine,28, working on her master’sdegree in nursing; Shauna, 26,a marketing professional; and2 8 • W W W. R M U . E D U

CLASS NOTESAlexa, 25, a graphic designer.The Freeses reside in San JuanCapistrano, Calif.COURTNEY ADAMS ‘98 is thee-commerce manager forKipling-USA.com, a retailerof handbags and backpacks.Courtney lives in New YorkCity, N.Y.MICHAEL RENCHECK M’98 becamepresident and CEO of Areva NPInc. in January, taking overresponsibility for North Americanoperations of the French nuclearpower conglomerate. He came toAreva from American ElectricPower, where he was senior vicepresident and chief nuclear officerof the nuclear generation group.Michael is a professional engineerin eight states and a certifiedsenior reactor operator. Heresides in Powell, Ohio.2000sDAVID LUFFY ’00 is vice presidentand network manager atWashington Federal SavingsBank in Washington, Pa.,where David resides.HEIDI BUSHKO M’01 is presidentof Bushko Insurance Group,which incorporated in August.Heidi is also president of theTampa Bay Association of HealthUnderwriters. She and herhusband, Justin, reside inSafety Harbor, Fla.BRIAN LANG M’01 has joined thePittsburgh office of Hill, Barth &King LLC as manager. He wasformerly employed by AlpernRosenthal for 11 years. Brianresides in Cranberry.RICKY FRAZIER JR. ’01 isthe new vice president ofcustomer care for Comcast inIndianapolis. He had beendirector of Internet protocolsupport for Comcast’s ThreeRivers region. Ricky receivedthe Minority AchievementAward from Minority OpinionMagazine. He and his wife,Charmel, reside in Robinson.>TODD AHERN ’01 is an IT systemanalyst II at PPG Industries. Heresides in Allison Park.MICHAEL WODZINSKI ’02 wasnamed Western Pennsylvaniasales & service manager forESI Equipment, a distributorfor Holmatro hydraulic rescuetool systems. Michael residesin Ben Avon.ERIN (MOSSEY) MANNA ‘95, M02,counselor in the Center forStudent Success at RMU,and her husband, Chris, had adaughter, Crisann, on January 5.Crisann is also the granddaughterof Dean Manna, head of themarketing department in theSchool of Business. The Mannasreside in Coraopolis.ERIC JOBE ‘99 is a senior associateattorney with The Cook LawGroup P.C. Eric has a diversepractice in the areas of criminaldefense, civil litigation, andfamily law. He earned his JurisDoctorate from DuquesneUniversity School of Law in 2003.While at Duquesne, Eric receivedthe prestigious CALI award. Ericresides in Pittsburgh.LISA BARGMANN ‘99 launchedBargmann Management LLCas a one-person consulting firmfor home medical equipmentproviders. The company wasrecently sold to Invacare HCS inElyria, Ohio. Lisa remains withthe company as vice president ofstrategic development. She andher husband, David, have onechild and live in BroadviewHeights, Ohio.Spam Free.You have enough to do without having to pick through your inbox to find your real e-mail.Now alumni can have spam-free, Google-powered e-mail, calendars, document sharingand IM, all from your @alumni.rmu.edu. RMU and Google are teaming up to give@alumni.rmu.edu account holders innovative, reliable e-mail, plus other products(like Google Talk and Google Calendar) to help you communicate and collaborate.Get started! Go to:www.rmu.edu/MyRMUAlumniConnectionpowered byR 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 9

CLASS NOTESSCOTT A. KOSKOSKI M’02 wasrecently named senior associateathletics director for developmentat Temple University inPhiladelphia. Scott will assumeresponsibility for all athleticsrevenue generation efforts.He was previously with theUniversity of Tennessee atChattanooga. Scott and his wife,Melissa, recently had their firstchild, Benjamin Matthew. TheKoskoskis reside in Thorndale.KELLY KUCZINSKI M’02 has beenpromoted to manager of financeand administration for the Benderfamily of companies. Kelly livesin Pittsburgh.GAYLE BENDER ’02 is engaged toGuy Tarowsky. Gayle is employedat Vitac in Canonsburg and atBarnes & Noble in the SouthHills. The couple has set a June12, 2010, wedding date. Gayleresides in Wexford.MICHELLE HOUGH D’02, anassociate professor of businessat Penn State in McKeesport, wasnamed a Fulbright Scholar and isteaching business this semesterat the University of Malta. It isher second Fulbright; in 2005 shetaught in Copenhagen. She andher husband, Joel, and their twodaughters reside in NewKensington.SCOTT BENZEL M’03 was recentlypromoted from assistant coach toco-defensive coordinator for theRMU Colonials football team.Scott completed his sixth seasonas assistant coach at RMU lastyear and will continue to coachthe defensive backs and serve asassistant recruiting coordinator.Scott resides in Pittsburgh.BARTLEY GATES M’04, atax director withPricewaterhouseCoopersin Pittsburgh, was named aboard member of CatholicCharities of Pittsburgh. Bartleyresides in Mt. Lebanon.THOMAS “T.J.” WILLETTS ’04 hasbeen promoted from marketingcommunications specialist tomanager of creative services atAll-Pak Inc. in Bridgeville.T.J. resides in Bethel Park.KELLY (CLIFFORD) SCOTT ’05 is amarketing/account manager withCommunifx in Cranberry Sheand her husband, Joseph Scott,had a baby boy, Brice Jonathan,on October 31. The familyresides in Freedom.BETHANY GALLAGHER ’04 is astaff accountant with FederatedInvestors Inc. She and DaveChavarrie were recently engagedon New Year’s Eve. An August2011 wedding is planned.Bethany resides in Pittsburgh.NICOLE (HILDERBRAND) VOLL ’05is a family and consumer scienceteacher at Moniteau SchoolDistrict in West Sunbury, Pa. Herhusband, Adam Voll, works forSoergel Orchards in Wexford. Thecouple resides in Renfrew, Pa.JOSEPH BLANKENSHIP D’04 washired as an assistant professor ofinformation systems at FairmontState University. Joe held similarpositions at the Universityof Findlay, Youngstown StateUniversity, and Dowling College.Joe resides in Fairmont, W.V.ELISE (JAMES) DECRUISE M’04recently founded AthletesWorkLLC, which prepares athletes forlife after sports. Her website,athleteswork.com, covers topicssuch as resume writing, imagedevelopment, and careerexploration. She and herhusband, James DeCruise,reside in Cliffside, N.J.STELLA (SMITH) EPETHENER ’06married Ryan Epethener onNovember 8, 2008, after almost10 years of dating. The coupleresides in South Park.ANGELA KOKANOS ’06 becameengaged to George Lagonis onDecember 30, with a weddingdate set for November 14. Angelais an admissions secretary atPoint Park University, where sheis also studying journalism andmass communication. Georgeis a demand manager at HeinzNorth America. Angela residesin Lower Burrell.DEANNA GILKEY M’06 is a collegeinstructor at the Bidwell Training3 0 • W W W. R M U . E D U

CLASS NOTESCenter in Pittsburgh. Deanna willbe married on May 30 to EricSchmuck, a CMU graduate.Deanna resides in Pittsburgh.ELEANOR WAGNER M’06has joined the certified publicaccounting firm of Cottrill,Arbutina Professional Servicesin New Brighton as senior taxmanager. Previously with theexecutive search firm Boyden,Eleanor holds a CPA certificationin Pennsylvania and Michigan.She resides in Cranberry.>GINA (LISANTI) MCELHONE ’06married Michael McElhone onOctober 4. The McElhonesreside in Pittsburgh.DARIN DINAPOLI ’06 is themultimedia specialist/videoeditor at Marc USA Pittsburgh.Darin resides in Pittsburgh.KATHRYN (NILES) HICKLE ’06and her husband, David, whoalso attended RMU, movedto Junction City, Kan.JENNA GASPARINE ‘07 wasappointed a staff consultantin the audit and accounting groupof Goff Backa Alfera & CompanyLLC in Pittsburgh. She previouslyworked as a staff accountant withother firms in the Pittsburgh area.Jenna resides in Wellsburg, W.V.DEIDRE MAYHEW ’07 is employedby Bank of New York Mellon asa control analyst. Deidre residesin Pittsburgh.JEREMY GAGIANAS ’07 is atechnical support analyst in forthe University of Pittsburgh.Jeremy resides in Baden.JODI STEVENS M’07 returned toher alma mater, Kent State, as avolunteer assistant coach for thewomen’s softball team. Jodi wasa graduate assistant coach withthe RMU women’s softball teamfor two years. She resides inMcCutchenville, Ohio.PHILLIP ZLOKAS ’08 has beenhired as a staff accountant withKline, Keppel & Koryak. Phillipresides in West Mifflin.ANDREW WATT ’08 is a forwardwith the National LacrosseLeague’s Minnesota Swarm inSt. Paul, Minn. Andrew residesin Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.GREGORY GUSHARD ’08 wasrecently hired by PLS Logisticsas an account executive traineein freight solutions. Gregorylives in Allison Park.ANDREW RICHARDSON M’08 waspromoted from graduate assistantcoach to full-time assistant coachof the RMU Colonials footballteam. Andrew spent the pasttwo seasons tutoring the RMUoffensive line, a position he willcontinue to coach in his new role.Andrew resides in Pittsburgh.LAUREN HARTSFIELD ’08 joinedthe RMU women’s lacrossecoaching staff for the 2009 season.Lauren was a member of theteam’s inaugural season in 2005and played goalie for four years.Nicholas Jordanoff, a former professor of business and deanof students at RMU and a well-known Pittsburgher, died onMarch 3 at the age of 73.Jordanoff, a native of Homestead, was the son of Bulgarianimmigrants and was best known for his expertise in EasternEuropean folk music. A founder of the Pittsburgh Folk Festivaland longtime artistic director of the Duquesne Tamburitzans,Jordanoff was awarded the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodiusby the Bulgarian government.Jordanoff came to RMU in 1962, the year the school bought theKaufmann estate in Moon Township and began building itssuburban campus. He stayed for eight years before taking overleadership of the Tamburitzans.LORI RANKIN M’08 was specialawards coordinator for thePittsburgh Regional Future CitiesCompetition, a January contestwith students from 27 areamiddle schools. Lori is a materialhandling project engineerat FedEx Ground in MoonTownship. She lives in Imperial.TIARA (HICKS) WHITFIELD ’08married Brandon L. Whitfieldon September 20. Tiara is ayouth counselor and studentassistance program providerfor Addison Behavioral Carein Pittsburgh. The Whitfieldsreside in West Mifflin.MELISSA MORETTI ’08 is assistantaudience coordinator for the ABCdaytime talk show “The View.”DeathsNORMAN TANNEHILL JR. M’89passed away on January 5 at theage of 58. Norman was a facultymember at Online ComputerIn Memoriam:Nicholas JordanoffInformation Systems. His wife,Darcy Tannehill, was former deanof the RMU School of Adult andContinuing Education.ROBERT BERKEY M’04 passedaway on October 28 at theage of 48. Robert was anelementary school teacherin the Greensburg-Salem SchoolDistrict. He and his wife, Marsha,were married 28 years.ELLIOTT FALK, a retired vicepresident for financial affairs atRMU, passed away on December18 after a long illness.ELSIE LEFFINGWELL, a retiredprofessor and the first chairmanof RMU’s business educationdepartment, passed away onDecember 7 at the age of 94.Class Notes would love tohear from you. Submit yournews by July 20, 2009, forpublication in the fall issue.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 • 3 1

10 Q WITH Dave HansonDave Hanson knows business management. He also knows howto check someone into the boards…hard.Hanson is the general manager of the Robert Morris University IslandSports Center (ISC). He’s best known, however, for his role as JackHanson, one of the infamous Hanson brothers in the 1977 featurefilm classic “Slap Shot,” starring Paul Newman.Hanson was born in Cumberland, Wisc., and grew up in St. Paul,Minn., where he attended the University of Minnesota on a fullacademic scholarship after being recruited by legendary hockey coachHerb Brooks. He won two national championships with the St. PaulVulcans junior team before being drafted by the Minnesota FightingSaints of the World Hockey Association. He also played in the NorthAmerican Hockey League with the Johnstown (Pa.) Jets and in theNHL for both the Detroit Red Wings and the Minnesota North Stars.In 2002, Hanson and his fictitious brothers reprised their famous rolesfor “Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice,” and again in 2008 for “Slap Shot 3:The Junior League.” His new book, Slap Shot Original. The Man. The Foil.The Legend: Dave Hanson, was released in October.1. How would Jack Hanson fare as manager of the Island Sports Center?Jack would do great. He’d be popular with all the hockey and figureskating moms (chicks love the glasses), and all the kids would wantto play with him and his race car set.2. How has your experience playing hockey helped you in your career?It helped me establish a network of friends and associates in the icerink and recreation business. Through them, I’ve been able to have adependable resource of knowledge to draw fromwhenever necessary.3. What have you enjoyed the most about makingthe “Slap Shot” movies?The connection with millions of peoplewho are great fans of the movies and theHanson brothers has been a thrill, andit’s given me the opportunity to helpmany of them through charity work.4. What makes the Island SportsCenter such an asset to RMU andthe community in general?It’s a great place for people of allages and abilities who like to skate,play golf, or work out. And it gives thema place to do it in a safe and fun way.5. What was the most difficult part of writing your autobiography?Clearly remembering the details of some parts. But, that also made itfun by giving me a reason to contact some of those who were involvedin certain aspects of my life in order to help me recall.6. What NHL player today is most like Jack Hanson?There are none that come close. Jack had it all: good looks,charisma, intelligence, and he was tougher than anyone who daresto “put on the foil.”7. What is the Putting On The Foil Foundation?In “Slap Shot,” the Hanson Brothers put foil on their knuckles beforeeach game. It’s one of our fans’ favorite parts of the movie, so I decidedto use the phrase for my foundation. Putting On The Foil is just my wayto contribute, through the sales of my books, to Paul Newman’s Hole inthe Wall Gang charity camp, the world’s largest family of camps servingchildren with serious illnesses.8. You worked with Paul Newman. What do you think made him so special?If you didn't know what Paul did behind the scenes, you’d never knowthe special things he did. He never made it about himself. His low-keymanners disguised his passion to make things better for those lessfortunate, like ill-stricken children in need of some extra help orcompassion. Quietly, yet passionately, Paul did his best to reach outto others in need and try to satisfy those needs, not only through themoney he raised but often through humor and hands-on participation.9. What’s was the bigger honor: Being on the cover of Sports Illustrated orhaving a bobble-head of yourself?Although the bobble-head is pretty cool, being chosen for the cover ofSI is something that only a select few have had the privilegeof experiencing. Plus, the bobble-head makesmy head look goofy.10. What’s next for the Hanson Brothers?“Slap Shot 4: The Senior League.”3 2 • W W W . R M U . E D U

Upcoming Events> August> OctOberDo you know a good candidatefor the Alumni Achievementor Young AlumniAchievement Awardsfor Homecoming Weekend?Details for nominations are atwww.rmu.edu/alumni.24 Fall classes start> september18 RMU NightPirates vs. Padres,PNC Park, 7 p.m.26 Homecoming WeekendFootball vs. Bryant U.Joe Walton Stadium30 Pittsburgh SpeakersSeries: Pervez Musharraf,8 p.m., Heinz Hall1 RMU Colonial Golf ClassicAllegheny Country ClubSewickley Heights14 Pittsburgh SpeakersSeries: Jean-Michel Cousteau,8 p.m., Heinz Hall> NOvember23 Pittsburgh SpeakersSeries: Laura Bush,8 p.m., Heinz HallUNIVERSITY-ON-THE-ROADStay tuned forupcomingalumni eventsin Akron, Cleveland, Erie,Harrisburg, Philadelphia,and the Washington, D.C,area this summer.FOR MORE INFORMATION on these and other upcoming events, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (412) 397-2586 or rmualum@rmu.edu.alumniNewsNAME __________________________________________________________________ YEAR OF GRADUATION __________________PREVIOUS/ MAIDEN NAMEADDRESSCITY/STATE/ZIPHOME PHONEE-MAIL ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WORK PHONE ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________PROFESSION/POSITION __________________________________________________________________________________________EMPLOYER NAME ______________________________________________________________________________________________ADDRESSCITY/STATE/ZIPSPOUSE’S NAME____________________________________________________________________________________________________CHILDREN’S NAMES AND AGESNEWS ITEM__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________MAIL THIS COMPLETED FORM TO: Office of Alumni Relations, Robert Morris University, 6001 University Boulevard,Moon Township, PA 15108-1189. Or, send your news via e-mail rmualum@rmu.edu or fax (412) 397-2142.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 • 3 3

6001 University BoulevardMoon Township, PA 15108-1189www.rmu.eduF O U N D AT I O N S F O R S U C C E S S“A lot of private institutions are going to say, 'Why didn't we think of this first?'And I think RMU thought of it because they understandthat interaction between the military and our community."- State Sen. John Pippyat news conference announcingthe RMU Military Service Award