Summer 2012 - Robert Morris University

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DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS, The "American dream" was once the shorthand this nation used to describe the promise that any of us, no matter our background, could achieve success. Implicit in this narrative was that our children, if they worked hard, could do even better than we had, and their children better still. Given the economic struggles of the last few years, some people have concluded that the American dream is a cliché, a cruel joke, and maybe it was a myth all along. Not Besart Stavileci. The president of the Class of 2012 spoke of the American dream during his address at this year's commencement. That dream brought him to Robert Morris University from Kosovo, where his family survived in the face of the devastation and deprivation of war: "I want to talk about that, the American dream. I feel like only us, the foreigners, speak of it lately. …But I want to remind you, my fellow graduates, this dream is yours." Besart is on his way to realizing that dream. (You can read about Besart on page 26, and see his speech at Foundations Online.) Perhaps because he worked so hard to arrive at this point, he does not take it for granted. In that sense he is not unlike many of his classmates and fellow RMU alumni who have also persevered in the face of tragedy and hardship. You can read some of those stories in this Foundations. There's Adam Werkmeister '07, one of the youngest members of our President's Council, who contributes to the scholarship that was created in memory of his sister, Amanda (page 24). She died unexpectedly of a rare heart disease two months before she was to graduate from RMU in 2010. Thanks to donors like Adam, students who never knew Amanda will get the chance to realize their dreams. That spirit of service animates the work of Jim Guffey ’89, who, as executive director of South Hills Interfaith Ministries, provides services for struggling families from places like Burundi and Thailand. Jim’s work seems far afield from sport management, in which he earned his degree, but as you’ll see from reading his story, his career is the direct result of the things he learned and the mentoring he received at RMU (page 12). Jim’s path leads me to ponder our Golden Colonials, alumni who graduated at least 50 years ago. In the fall we invited them to write to us with their life's stories, and we posted those we received at rmu.edu/goldencolonials. They make me proud of RMU's role in helping them realize the American dream. The Golden Colonials came to mind during a talk in April given by former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw as part of our Pittsburgh Speakers Series, now celebrating its 10th anniversary season (page 18). Tom spoke of the sacrifices the "Greatest Generation” made to win World War II and preserve the American dream, and he also addressed the problems that threaten it today. He set forth a challenge I leave you with, a call to action I know many of you have answered. "Fifty years from now, when historians look back on this time, 2012…what will they say about us? … They are going to take the measure of all of us. They are going to say, 'Were the American people up to it? Did they understand what their collective and individual obligations were to set this great, great ship on a steady course into the future?'" Sincerely, GREGORY G. DELL’OMO, PH.D. PRESIDENT
SUMMER}12 Foundations Hometown Heroes . . . . . . . . 20 Despite tragedy, Donald and Dwan Walker '99 won't quit on Aliquippa. CREDITS EDITOR Mark Houser Scan thiS code With YoUR SMaRt Phone CONTRIBUTORS Valentine J. Brkich, Matthew Cichowicz, Susan Jacobs Jablow, Sara Meier '11, Jonathan Potts M'11, Jim Talerico ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Amy Joy PHOTOGRAPHY/ILLUSTRATIONS Front Cover: Michael Will '08 Back Cover: Joe Appel Other Photos/Illustrations: CSI: Photo/David W. Hahn, Presswire: Jim O'Connor, Joe Appel, Glenn Brookes, Jason Cohn, Kevin Cooke, iStockphoto, Amy Joy, James Knox, Mitch Kramer ‘08, Michael Will ‘08 PRINTING Heeter Direct FOUNDATIONS ONLINE Douglas A. Derda Foundations (ISSN 1934-5690) is published three times a year by the Office of Public Relations and Marketing in conjunction with the Office of Institutional Advancement and mailed free of charge to alumni, donors, trustees, faculty, staff and friends of Robert Morris University. The opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect the official policies of Robert Morris University. Contributions to Class Notes and address changes may be sent to: Office of Alumni Relations Robert Morris University 6001 University Boulevard Moon Township, PA 15108-1189 Phone: (412) 397-6464 Fax: (412) 397-2142 E-mail: rmualum@rmu.edu It is the policy of Robert Morris University to provide equal opportunity in all educational programs and activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, national origin and/or sexual preference. Goalies, Beware! . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 For the third year in a row, the men's lacrosse team racked up the highest goals-per-game average in the country. Eye Robot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 This engineer specializes in driverless tractors that can see and respond to their surroundings while pulling 10,000-pound loads through the warehouse. Double Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 The queen of commuters travels more than 1000 miles round trip every week to take classes for her Ph.D., just like she did for her first RMU doctorate. Inspirational Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Adam Werkmeister '07 honors his sister's memory with a scholarship in her name. 10 Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Five hundred wins with the softball team have made Craig Coleman the most successful Colonials coach, and he also has 22 other teams to take care of.
Page 1: Foundations ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSIT
Page 5 and 6: We’ve Got the Power To help rejuv
Page 7 and 8: Another Year of Changing Lives The
Page 9 and 10: Take Two Dickens and Call Me in the
Page 11 and 12: GOALIES, BEWARE! "Number 1 in Ameri
Page 13 and 14: ROUNDUP BASKETBALL For the fourth c
Page 15 and 16: Through the Prospect Park Family Ce
Page 17 and 18: STAYING CONNECTED the Massey Charit
Page 19 and 20: E ROBOT "No other company has this
Page 21 and 22: dave barry humorist and author Pitt
Page 23 and 24: Go to Foundations Online to see the
Page 25 and 26: Now consider this: Hogan, the forme
Page 27 and 28: -----------------------------------
Page 29 and 30: AND PERSONAL FACULTY PROFILE Althou
Page 31 and 32: CLASS NOTES > ROBERT S. BUTLER '70
Page 33 and 34: CLASS NOTES Northridge High School
Page 35 and 36: CLASS NOTES JOHN J. STRAUB M'07 was
Page 37 and 38: CLASS NOTES MATTHEW D. STANLEY '11
Page 39: SATURDAY | SEPT. 29 HOMECOMING 2012

Summer 2012 - Robert Morris University

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