HOMECOMING - Robert Morris University

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