HOMECOMING - Robert Morris University

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.