Spring 2006 - Robert Morris University

SPRING/06 FoundationsDepartments2 CAMPUS REPORTCheck out the latest happenings oncampus, including new degrees andaccreditations, the John Jay Centerribbon-cutting and more!4 FACULTY SPOTLIGHTA roundup of the latest faculty news,including awards, grants, bookspublished and a look at RMU’snewest dean.5 STUDENT SPOTLIGHTMeet some of RMU’s best andbrightest, and learn how somestudents spent their spring breakat the Gulf, but not on the beach.6 SCOREBOARDCatch up with the Colonials with thisreview of 2005-06 fall and wintersports – and meet the NEC Men’sBasketball Rookie of the Year.17 ADVANCEMENTSee who won this year’s AlumniAwards and learn more about RMU’sgrowing scholarship program.19 CLASS NOTESCheck in to see what your formerclassmates are up to!24 UPCOMING EVENTSMark your calendar now for theseupcoming alumni events.ON THE COVER: Robert Morris University’sseventh president, Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D.A Presidential Journey . . . . . . . 8How New Jersey native Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D., foundhis way to the president’s office at Robert Morris University –and where he plans to take RMU in the years to come. Also,highlights of Dell’Omo’s November 2005 inauguration.An Unforgettable Gift . . . . . . 12Less than a year ago, RMU senior Jeff Harold wasn’t surehe would ever see 2006. Now, after a life-saving livertransplant, he’s not only back in school, but also a vocaladvocate for organ donation.Behind the Steel Curtain . . . . 14You rarely see his face on TV, but Kevin Colbert ’79 played akey role in building the Pittsburgh Steelers into Super Bowlchampions. He and two of his coworkers got their startthrough RMU’s renowned sport management program.ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 1

CAMPUS REPORT> MASSEY CENTER ON THE FASTTRAC ®To help the region’s women in launching and expanding theirown businesses, RMU’s Massey Center for Business Innovationand Development teamed with Chatham College’s Center forWomen’s Entrepreneurship to offer the nationally recognizedFastTrac ® training program exclusively for women. RMU has offeredFastTrac ® training to veterans and entrepreneurs since 2003.> ROONEY INTERNATIONAL VISITING SCHOLARSThe Rooney International Visiting Scholars programcontinued in 2005-06 with visits from UnitedKingdom metallurgist John Campbell, Ph.D., inthe fall, South African political analyst Daniel Silkein early spring and Indian bioinformatics expertOrdetta Mendoza, Ph.D., in late spring. Each scholarpresented a series of campus lectures on his or herarea of expertise while at RMU.> ZONN NAMED VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSELRMU appointed Sidney Zonn, Esq., as vice president andgeneral counsel. Zonn has served as outside counsel to RMUfor more than 25 years and is currently secretary to the Boardof Trustees. He was most recently managing partner atLittler Mendelson, P.C.> ISC TRAINER AMONG NATION’S BESTEleanor Calgaro, assistant director of the fitness center at theRMU Island Sports Center, was recognized as one of the100 best fitness trainers in the nation in the December 2005issue of Men’s Journal.> KARNOFF JOINS DEVELOPMENT STAFFLast fall, RMU welcomed Larry Karnoff, J.D., CFRE, as assistantvice president for development. Karnoff is responsible for a broadrange of fund-raising duties, including major gift strategies,planned giving efforts and donor stewardship. He previously wasdirector of planned giving for the southeast region at AmericanFriends of the Hebrew University.> NICHOLSON RECEIVES PATRIOT AWARDEdward A. Nicholson, Ph.D., president emeritus and professorof management, received the University’s prestigious PatriotAward at a dinner on Oct. 2. The award recognized his leadershipto RMU and significant contributions to the Pittsburghcommunity. The dinner included a special performance by theRiver City Brass Band, during which Nicholson had theopportunity to act as guest conductor.JOHN JAY CENTER NURSING LAB> JOHN JAY CENTER RIBBON-CUTTINGOn Sept. 12, RMU held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for thenewly renovated John Jay Center. U.S. Rep. Tim Murphyand State Rep. Mark Mustio were guest speakers.Renovations to the 38-year old building include newstate-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, wirelessconnectivity and multimedia instruction capabilities, anursing laboratory featuring the latest technology, andenhanced engineering laboratory space. The facility is hometo the School of Nursing and Allied Health and the Schoolof Engineering, Mathematics and Science.> ADMISSIONS MARKETING AWARDSSeveral RMU admissions and general University marketingmaterials earned Awards of Merit from the AdmissionsAdvertising Awards, the largest annual awards competitionin the field of educational marketing. The materials wereproduced by Pittsburgh-based branding, design andcommunications firm BD&E.> BOARD OF TRUSTEE ELECTIONSWilly Scherf, president and chiefexecutive officer of Bayer Corporateand Business Services, was recentlyelected to his first term on RMU’sWILLY SCHERF Board of Trustees, while three othermembers – chair Joseph W. Nocito‘70, president of Nocito Enterprises; civic leader BeverlynnElliott; and Thomas W. Sterling, senior vice president forhuman resources with U.S. Steel – were re-elected, Nocitofor a sixth term, and Elliott and Sterling for a second term.ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 3

STUDENT SPOTLIGHTSeveral RMU students received prestigious awardsfor video projects completed through theAcademic Media Center. SeniorsLINDSAY BERGGREN (media arts) andBRIAN TIRPAK (communications) received aCommunicator Award of Distinction, an Aegis Awardand a silver Telly Award for a FedEx training video.Sophomore JUSTIN SEAMAN (media arts) receiveda Communicator Award of Distinction for hispublic service announcement on childabuse, as well as an Aegis Award,Communicator Award Honorable Mentionand bronze Telly Award for his PovertyneckHillbillies music video. SEAMAN andsophomore KEN VEDDER (communications)received a Communicator Crystal Award of Excellence fortheir video “Fallen Heroes.”Sophomore DAVE WELDON(communications) received a bronze Telly Award for his RMU-TVshow,“Borderline.”Five senior sport management majors – MARK ANDERSON,ALYSSA BLUMLING, DIANE DALLOS, LAUREN DELAHANTY andDEREK MEARS – were among approximately 100 students invitedto the National Basketball Association (NBA) Job Fair in March.Last year, three RMU students attended the fair, were offeredpositions, and are working with NBA teams in Orlando,New Orleans/Oklahoma City and Cleveland.Senior finance, applied mathematics and communications majorBENJAMIN PEGG was one of 175 students from 15 countrieschosen to attend Princeton University’s Business TodayInternational Conference in New York City last November. Theconference provides the opportunity to interact with politicalleaders and business executives. Pegg was the 2006 recipient ofthe Charles R. Cubelic Award, presented to an outstanding seniorby the RMU Alumni Association.Human resource management major STACEY KINSEL wasrecognized as a Gates Millennium Scholar by the Bill andMelinda Gates Foundation. The scholarship programbenefits academically talented students fromunderrepresented backgrounds.HURRICANE ASSISTANCEAs college students everywhere set off on spring breakthis past March, 36 RMU students skipped the sunnybeaches to assist with Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts.Sixteen students, accompanied by community andvolunteer services coordinator Aviance Taylor andcampus minister Craig Giles, spent the week in Gulfportand Biloxi, Miss., assisting with painting, clean-up,rebuilding and repair projects. Twenty students from theChi Alpha campus ministry organization spent the weekat McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La.,assisting with painting, on-campus clean-up, and inhelping MSU’s Chi Alpha chapter resume operation.These spring break projects were part of a series of RMUefforts to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. Last fall,many individuals and groups from RMU joined in thenationwide response to the tragedy. The CatholicCampus Ministry worked with the Little Sisters of thePoor to adopt 33 former Louisiana residents who wererelocated to Pittsburgh. The National Society ofCollegiate Scholars’ “Operation Backpack” providedstudents from the affected areas with school supplies.Members of the Faculty Federation contributed theirdues to help with travel costs for students assisting inrelief efforts. The Media Arts Department and AcademicMedia Center collected art and school supplies forLouisiana State University’s art department. Andexecutive director of the Bayer Center for NonprofitManagement Peggy Morrison Outon was invited byLouisiana’s governor to help organize the LouisianaDisaster Recovery Foundation, which providedassistance through a network of charities andnonprofit and governmental agencies.JESSICA KRAYNAK, a senior accounting major, was namedan FEI Scholar for 2005-06 by the Pittsburgh chapter ofFinancial Executives International (FEI) and received a$1,000 scholarship award.ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 5

SCOREBOARDCROSS COUNTRYRMU’s men’s squad finishedfourth at the 2005 NortheastConference (NEC)Championships, while thewomen’s team placed 10th.Sophomore Mike Booth earnedAll-NEC honors after finishingeighth individually (27:08).Sophomore Sarah Antonaitispaced the women’s team,finishing 44th (22:43).FIELD HOCKEYIn its second season, RMU posteda record of 3-13 (2-6 NEC).Sophomore goaltender KateDunlap was named to theAll-NEC Second Team, leadingthe league in saves (195), savesper game (12.19) and savepercentage (.823). The team’s3.43 GPA ranked third amongDivision I schools, according tothe National Field HockeyCoaches Association.TYJUAN MASSEYFOOTBALLRMU christened Joe WaltonStadium with a 49-13 victory overButler, but finished 2005 with a2-8 record. Senior linebackerJames Noel, senior defensiveend Jason Forrest and seniorreturn specialist Tyjuan Masseyearned First-Team All-NECTHE 2005 NEC CHAMPIONSHIP MEN’S SOCCER TEAMhonors, while Massey also earned earned second-team honors.second-team honors as a wide Przednowek led the NEC in goalsreceiver. Noel tallied a team-high (14) and points (31).107 tackles to extend his careerrecord to 437. Massey setWOMEN’S SOCCERRMU single-season records for RMU finished the 2005 campaignreceiving yards (899) andwith a record of 3-13-2 (1-7-1touchdown receptions (10), and NEC). Senior defender Angelasingle-game records for catches Story was named to the All-NEC(10), receiving yards (272) and Second Team after leading theall-purpose yards (349).club in goals (5), assists (7)and points (17).MEN’S SOCCERRMU claimed its third NEC VOLLEYBALLTournament championship and RMU advanced to the NECNCAA Tournament bid by Tournament championship fordowning Monmouth 3-2 in the seventh straight season, butovertime. Sophomore forward fell to Long Island, 3-0, to finishJacek Przednowek was named 16-13 (7-1 NEC). FreshmanTournament MVP after recording libero Alaina Gibson wasa hat trick against the Hawks. named NEC Rookie of the YearRMU fell to West Virginia in the after leading the league in digsNCAA opening round, 1-0, to (528). Gibson and senior outsidefinish 11-8-1 (5-3-1 NEC). hitter Megan Bell were namedPrzednowek and sophomore to the All-NEC First Team, whilemidfielder Ryan Zabinski senior middle blocker Cyndiwere named to the All-NEC Dunslow and junior middleFirst Team, while juniorblocker Janette Schneidermidfielder Jason Pelletier garnered second-team honors.Bell finished her career with aschool-record 1,435 kills.MEN’S BASKETBALLRMU posted its first winningseason in six years and advancedto the NEC Tournamentsemifinals, finishing 15-14(10-8 NEC). Junior forwardA.J. Jackson was named to theAll-NEC First Team after leadingthe club in scoring (17.0 ppg) andrebounding (9.3 rpg). Freshmanguard Jeremy Chappell (14.1ppg, 5.7 rpg) was named NECRookie of the Year. As a team,RMU set a single-season schoolrecord for three-pointersmade (260).WOMEN’S BASKETBALLFor the second straight season,RMU finished with 20 wins,notching a 20-9 record (15-3NEC) and advancing to theNEC Tournament semifinals.With 2004-05 NEC Player of theYear Sugeiry Monsac playingin just five games due to injuries,the Colonials relied on juniorsALAINA GIBSON6 • WWW.RMU.EDU

SCOREBOARDPsyche Butler and NatashaSummerville, who led theteam in points (15.2) andrebounds (10.1) per game andwere named to the All-NEC Firstand Second Teams, respectively.MEN’S ICE HOCKEYIn its second season, RMU posteda 12-30-3 record and a 7-11-2mark in College Hockey America(CHA) to finish fourth. TheColonials advanced to the CHATournament semifinals beforefalling to Niagara, 3-2. Freshmanforward Chris Margott wasnamed to the All-CHA RookieTeam, leading the club in points(27) and goals (13). Sophomoregoalie Christian Boucher(914 saves, .903 save percentage)earned an Easton Three-StarAward.BRIANNE MCLAUGHLINWOMEN’S ICE HOCKEYIn its inaugural season, RMUposted a record of 5-24-2(2-10-1 CHA). Freshman goalieBrianne McLaughlin wasnamed to both the All-CHARookie and Second Teams andearned an Easton Three-StarAward after leading the nation insaves (1,088). Freshman defenderSamantha Ullrich also earnedAll-CHA Rookie Team honors.INDOOR TRACK & FIELDThe men’s team finished secondat the 2006 NEC Championships,with Head Coach MichaelSmith named NEC Coach of theYear. Sophomore Mike Boothwas named Most ValuablePerformer and OutstandingTrack Performer after winningthe 3,000-meter run (8:32.01)and mile run (4:16.48) andanchoring the distance medleyrelay team, which set an NECChampionship record (10:15.82).Freshman Joe Wagner wonthe 500 meters (1:04.69). Thewomen’s team finished seventhat the NEC Championships.Senior Katie Fisher placedsecond in the weight throw(55’4.25”) and junior BrittanyHumphress was second in thetriple jump (37’2.50”).MIKE BOOTHTHE CHAPPELL SHOWA HIT AT RMUIt‘s not as if sixth-year head coach Mark Schmidt hasn’t had a freshman become a key part of histeam before. Yet no one probably foresaw what would transpire in 2005-06. After losing threestarters that combined for almost 60 percent of the club’s offense in 2004-05, Schmidt needed somenew players to step up, and freshman guard JEREMY CHAPPELL quickly did so.One of just four players in school history to start his first collegiate game, Chappell went on torewrite the RMU freshman record book en route to garnering NEC Rookie of the Year honors.Starting 28 of 29 games, Chappell led the team in steals (54), was second in scoring (14.1 ppg), andthird in rebounding (5.7 rpg) and assists (75). His 410 points and 151 field goals were RMU freshmanrecords, while he ranked second in scoring average and three-pointers (53), third in rebounds (165)and steals, and fifth in assists.If Chappell’s toughness was ever in question, look no further than the 2006 NEC Tournament. Downby two against Mount St. Mary’s in the quarterfinals, Chappell buried a three-pointer with 12.6seconds to lift the Colonials into the semifinals with a 67-66 win.“I didn’t really expect to start my first game as a college player,” Chappell said. “The coaches toldme before the season that through hard work it was a possibility. I worked hard in the offseasonand the preseason to not only show the coaches that I could play, but that I deserved to start.”“When he plays with effort every night and does it on a consistent basis, he has the ability to bespecial,” said Schmidt.With a year of collegiate basketball under his belt, the future looks extremely bright for Chappelland the men’s basketball program.ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 7

AJourneyPresidentialNew Jersey native Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D. learnedhis first lesson about the differences between the EastCoast and the Midwest at a McDonald’s in Madison,Wisconsin in 1983.“I remember ordering food, and the young woman couldnot understand a word I said,”says Dell’Omo.“You wouldhave thought I was from Mars. And my wife [Polly] waslaughing, and she was saying, ’Don’t talk so fast.’ At thattime I realized I wasn’t in New Jersey anymore.”With their 2-year-old daughter, Lara, and golden retriever,Sunshine, in tow, the couple had just traveled to Wisconsinso Dell’Omo could pursue his doctorate in industrialrelations/human resource management at the Universityof Wisconsin-Madison. They had left behind family andfriends in New Jersey and a successful career in New YorkCity, where Dell’Omo worked in human resources for retailgiants such as Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue for six years.Just months before, Dell’Omo had shared with Polly hisdream of leaving the corporate world and becoming acollege professor. Without hesitation, she responded,“Let’s do it.”And just like that, Dell’Omo took his firststeps toward becoming Robert Morris University’sseventh president.After earning his Ph.D., he landed a teaching job atCanisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., a private Jesuit college.Although on the path to tenure, he and Polly, now theparents of the three young children (with the additions ofNicholas and Vincent), wanted to be closer to their families.So in 1991, when an assistant professorship opened up inthe business school at Saint Joseph’s University inPhiladelphia, they seized the opportunity.Dell’Omo was perfectly content teaching at Saint Joseph’swhile carving out a reputation as a skilled arbitrator in the8 • WWW.RMU.EDU

private sector. But when the chair of his department“Like many other first-time visitors to RMU, when I firststepped down, the administration asked him to step in.drove on campus, I was extremely impressed,” he recalls.“But more importantly, I was excited about the University’s“I was excited to combine my education and consultingphilosophy. RMU’s unique brand of higher educationexperiences in a way that could make an impact at Saintcombines a practical, applied education with the skillsJoseph’s,” Dell’Omo says.“As part of the administration,necessary to become successful in today’s world. It truly isI had the opportunity to utilize my knowledge of what aa different kind of private institution.”faculty member needs to teach and research effectively,as well as my negotiating skills and my ability to manageDell’Omo was sworn in as Robert Morris University’slimited resources.”seventh president during a special inauguration ceremonyon Friday, Nov. 11, 2005, at the Charles L. Sewall CenterDuring his time as department chair, the university namedArena. President Emeritus Edward A. Nicholson, Ph.D.,a new dean of the business school. The dean promptlymade it official when he placed the RMU presidentialnamed Dell’Omo academic associate dean of the school,medallion around Dell’Omo’s neck.in charge of leading a massive accreditation process.Not long into the job, Dell’Omo’s boss resigned, and theThe ceremony featured several speakers – elected officials,president and board of trustees offered him the job. “It’sstudents, faculty, staff, trustees and alumni – beforejust like I was in the right place at the right time, allDell’Omo addressed the crowd and shared his vision.the time,” Dell’Omo jokes.Among the 700 in attendance were many familyFrom 1996 to 2000, Dell’Omo led the Erivan K.Haub School of Business into a new era ofgrowth. The school earned accreditation bythe Association to Advance CollegiateSchools of Business (AACSB) Internationaland built an impressive new state-of-the-art$30 million home.It was during this time that Dell’Omo realizedR O B E R Thow much he enjoyed the administrative challengesof higher education. For the first time in his career, hesaw a new path emerging – one that veered away fromfull-time teaching and into full-time administration.As he transitioned to his next roles at Saint Joseph’s –associate vice president for academic affairs (2000–2002)and vice president for external affairs (2002–2005) – hispassion only intensified. He now knew, undoubtedly, thathigher education administration was where he wanted tobe. And he knew the next logical step – president.A former Saint Joseph’s colleague and current presidentof the University of Dayton, Daniel Curran, Ph.D., calledDell’Omo and told him that the president of Robert MorrisUniversity in Pittsburgh would soon be retiring. Curranthought Dell’Omo would be a good fit for the school.Although he didn’t know a great deal about RMU at thetime, Dell’Omo contacted the search firm.M O R R19I S21U NI V E R SI T Ymembers and relatives, as well as numerousdelegates from colleges and universitiesaround the country, decked in fullacademic regalia.The ceremony was the highlight of“Inauguration Week,” which includeda series of special events on campusfor faculty, staff, students, alumni andthe community.Dell’Omo now is working hard to implement the initiativeshe outlined at his inauguration, not the least of which is anew school of osteopathic medicine. Although there isa great deal still to be done, the goal is to have the firstclass of medical students in place by the fall of 2008.And that’s just the beginning. Dell’Omo sees allied healthas a significant part of the strategic plan for RMU. Heenvisions a day when there are programs in pharmacy,occupational and physical therapy, and nuclear medicine,to name just a few. Not only would these programs offertremendous potential for growth, but they would blendperfectly with the region’s health care niche.Dell’Omo also plans to expand international opportunitiesfor students and faculty. “It fits right into our mission.We focus on applied professional education. And as weROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 9

students and faculty. Meetings dominate his days, whichoften begin at 7 a.m. with off-campus breakfasts withcommunity officials, and spill into the evenings.THE DELL’OMO FAMILY: NICHOLAS, POLLY, GREG, VINCENT AND LARAprepare people to enter the work force today, particularlyin a global environment, if we’re not giving them everyopportunity that they can get to develop an internationalperspective, we’re not really living that mission.”Also high on Dell’Omo’s list of priorities is growingenrollment beyond the five-county region, where RMU hastraditionally had the most success recruiting students. Morethan anything else, demographics demand it. Beginning in2010, the number of 18-year-olds nationally will begin toshrink. And in the Pittsburgh region, the pool is expectedto be especially shallow.Fortunately, RMU began making progress in this areabefore Dell’Omo arrived. From fall 2003 to fall 2004,incoming freshmen from outside the region jumped arecord 33.7 percent. Dell’Omo credits part of this successto the recent growth of the athletics program.“Our 23 Division I sports programs attract student-athletesfrom all around the country and Canada. We have studentsnow from 34 different states and 27 different countries,”he explains.This infusion of students from further away is creatingan infusion of energy on campus and a greater need forstudent housing, two things Dell’Omo welcomes. “It’sforcing us to change the nature of the campus. We reallyaren’t a commuter school anymore. Over 40 percent of ourundergraduates live on campus. We want to increase that tomore than 50 percent. We’re building more residence halls.We really are much more of a traditional residentialuniversity that provides a complete college experience.”“I try to be as available as possible, given the timeconstraints,” he says. “I really have to manage my scheduleso I find time just to have some of that informal interactionwith faculty and students. It’s very important, I think, fora president – and for me personally – to learn firsthandwhat’s going on with campus.”That’s why he’s no stranger to the food court. It’s notuncommon to see Dell’Omo sitting with students, facultyor staff and casually enjoying a bite to eat. It’s also why heoften can be found at RMU sporting events. He and hiswife attended nearly every home men’s and women’sbasketball game this year, which also allows Dell’Omo, aself-proclaimed “sports nut,” to feed one of his passions.At heart, Dell’Omo says he’s just a regular guy who loveshis family. He and Polly live in the South Hills of Pittsburghwith 16-year-old Vincent, a high school sophomore andmember of the varsity soccer and wrestling teams. SonNicholas, 19, coincidentally attends the University ofPittsburgh, a decision he made before his dad ever heardof the opening at RMU. And daughter Lara, 24, is aninterior designer at an architectural firm in San Francisco.During his first year as president, Dell’Omo says he hasbecome even more impressed with RMU than he was thatfirst day he drove on campus. “RMU is truly an academicsuccess story. This is an exciting time for us, as we look tobuild on our tradition of excellence and elevate our regionaland national reputation. I am honored to be a part of sucha special institution.”BY MIKE RANSDELLBeyond bigger-picture issues, Dell’Omo admits the mostchallenging part of his job is staying connected with10 • WWW.RMU.EDUDELL’OMO CAN OFTEN BE SEEN IN THE FOOD COURT MINGLING WITH STUDENTS.

PresidentialInaugurationGregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D.EXCERPTS FROM THE INAUGURAL ADDRESSOF GREGORY G. DELL’OMO, PH.D.Friday, November 11, 2005“Today, the name of Robert Morris has grown to symbolizeour institution’s spirit of independence, entrepreneurshipand progress, evidenced by the University’s willingness andability to transform itself as the need for new knowledgecontinuously evolves in our changing world.”“We will continue to be a different kind of private institution,providing a highly practical university education throughsmall classes taught by an outstanding faculty whoencourage a hands-on approach to learning throughparticipation in scholarship outside the classroom.”PRESIDENT EMERITUS EDWARD A. NICHOLSON, PH.D., PASSES ON THERMU PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION TO DELL’OMO“The faculty are the heart and soul of a university. We havean outstanding faculty here at RMU, a faculty with thepassion and power to continue the academic rise of RMU.And as we continue to add to our faculty in the future, wewill seek to hire the best, the brightest and the mostpassionate within the RMU tradition.”“The living-learning environment represents both a placeand a mindset that has students, faculty and staff engagedand interacting through all activities, an environment wherethe day doesn’t end when class is over, but is rather justbeginning … It is a campus that is dynamic intellectually,socially, athletically and spiritually – one that is safe, fun,supportive, encouraging and emotionally and physicallyhealthy. It’s a campus with passion.”“There is nothing more transformative for a college studentthan spending time living and learning in another country –learning about different cultures, the ways people think andsee their place in the world, how others view and thinkabout the U.S., where there are differences and similarities.These are all vitally important for preparing young adultsfor a global economy.”“This is an exciting time at Robert Morris University, a timeof seemingly unlimited possibilities and potential. As ourfaculty, students and programs continue to improve andgrow, so do the opportunities available to us throughoutthe region and the world.”DELL’OMO DELIVERS HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.DELL’OMO AND WIFE POLLY GREET GUESTS AT THE INAUGURAL RECEPTION.ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 11

You’ll rarely see his face on TV when theSteelers play, but Robert Morris Universityalumnus Kevin Colbert ’79 has a big sayin the faces you do see – including guyslike Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamaluand Hines Ward. As director of footballoperations for the Super Bowl championPittsburgh Steelers, it’s his job to find players,or find room under the salary cap to keepplayers, who can help the team win – now.Having grown up on Pittsburgh’sNorth Side, not far fromwhere the Steelersplay their homegames,Colbert, 49,was a fanof theteam long before he ever broke into the NationalFootball League (NFL). So when the Steelersdefeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 to winSuper Bowl XL this past February, thevictory was all that much sweeter.“It does mean more because it’s a team yougrew up as a fan of,” Colbert says. “And whenyou’re fortunate enough to be a working partof it, then you just feel that much betterwhen you finally contribute to whatthis organization has alwaysbeen about – anotherchampionship.”Colbertspendsmonthson the14 • WWW.RMU.EDU

oad searching for new talent to draft or acquire throughfree agency. It involves countless hours breaking downgame films, crunching statistics, analyzing health reportsand interviewing players and coaches – all while keepinga close eye on the team’s personnel budget.As a member of one of the most successful franchises inNFL history, Colbert has to look beyond a player’s health,speed and vertical jump. He also has to find “characterguys”– players who will run through a brick wall for theteam, players who will show up early for practice and staylate, players who would rather win than see their namessplashed across the sports page – in short, Steelers.Despite his relatively low profile, it’s no secret that Colbertplayed a significant role in building the Steelers into SuperBowl champions. In fact, seven of the NFL’s generalmanagers wrote in Colbert’s name on their ballot for theleague’s George Young Executive of the Year Award this year– the most write-in votes in the history of the award.Prior to joining the Steelers, Colbert worked for the DetroitLions as pro scouting director for nine years and for theMiami Dolphins as a college scout for five.Though Colbert’s job may seem idyllic to the averageSteelers fan, he says few people outside the industryprobably realize how time-intensive the job can be. It’struly a labor of love, and to be successful, says Colbert,a person must have true passion for the work.“I was told a long time ago by Dick Haley, who used tobe the personnel director for the Steelers, that anybodyinvolved in football is going to work a lot of hours, be itcoaches, trainers, videographers, scouts – anybody involvedColbert’s rise to the top of the NFL began in 1977, whenhe transferred from the Community College of AlleghenyCounty to RMU’s School of Business, which had just begunoffering a sport management degree. Colbert knew littleabout the industry, which was in its infancy. “I wasn’t thegreatest athlete, so I knew my career wasn’t going to be asa player, but I knew I wanted to be involved in sport andathletics in some form or fashion,” he explains.Dr. Albert “Skip” Applin, the first full-time faculty memberin the department, opened Colbert’s eyes to the manypossibilities the burgeoning field offered – and taught himabout the harsh realities of the business. When a coach wasfired for reasons Colbert felt were beyond his control,Applin explained that, right or wrong, performance in thisbusiness is measured by wins and losses.“He taught me at that point that the expectations aresometimes unreal,”Colbert says. “It’s a bottom-linebusiness, and you have to win and you have to produce.And that’s how you’re going to be judged, be it fairor unfair.“COLBERT AND STEELERS HEAD COACH BILL COWHERwith the game. And it’s true. I always tell people who wantto get into scouting or personnel work to look at theircalendar and realize there’s probably going to be 180 daysor so they’re not going to see their families.”“It’s a seven-day-a-week job,” confirms Steelers assistantvideo coordinator and RMU sport management alumRob Brakel ’98, who also has a B.A. in communication.“People always say, ‘You get time off in the offseason.’ Butthere is no offseason. Right now I’m doing tapes oncollege players.”ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 15

current full-time position as a marketing assistant, incharge of selling sponsorships and overseeing andmanaging various public relations events.RMU ALUMS AND STEELERS EMPLOYEES BRAKEL, COLBERT ANDMARCHINSKY WITH THE VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHYBrakel’s responsibilities include shooting and editing videoof the team practicing, which coaches and players use toanalyze their progress and develop game plans. Brakellanded his assignment with the Steelers by impressingVideo Director Bob McCartney during a two-weekinternship at the team’s mini-camp just before graduation –skills he honed during his two-year stint as a videographerfor RMU’s football team. Brakel says he was prepared forhis role with the Steelers because of his undergraduateinternships, which his professors continually stressed.RMU alumnus Mike Marchinsky ‘99 (B.S.B.A. inmarketing) agrees. He parlayed a part-time internshipin the Steelers’marketing department into a full-timeinternship upon graduation. This opened the door to his“Dr. [Dave] Synowka [director of the sport managementprogram at RMU] pretty much took me under his wing,”said Marchinsky. “He’s one of the people I credit for mebeing here because he took a kid who was in the marketingdepartment [and taking sport management classes] andgave me the same opportunities that he would give oneof his own students.”Having taught in the department since 1979, Synowka haswatched the innovative program grow considerably in sizeand prominence. Undergraduate enrollment reached arecord high of 270 students in the fall of 2005.“We’ve had a number of students who’ve come fromdifferent parts of the country simply because they’ve readabout the program, or someone’s told them about ourprogram,” says Synowka.In fall 2006, RMU’s program will turn 30. To celebrate, theUniversity plans to invite all sport management alumniback to campus for a special weekend on Friday andSaturday, Oct. 28-29. Once plans are finalized, invitationswill be mailed.BY MIKE RANSDELLPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PITTSBURGH STEELERS | MIKE FABUS1976 – Program founded under the nameAthletic Administration1982 – Name of program changed toSport Management1984 – First graduate degree program launched(M.S. in Sport Management)1989 – Became first school in the nation to offerM.B.A. with a sport management concentration1990 – Established first international student exchangeprogram with Deakin University in Australia1999 -2002 – Through a special internationalpartnership, M.S. degree program offered inAthens, Greece2004 – Established Sport Management Advisory Board2004 – Held first annual regional Student SportManagement Conference2005 – Created a sport management track within the M.S.in Instructional Leadership education degree2005 – A record number of students enroll in theB.S.B.A. program (270)2006 – Program celebrates 30th anniversary16 • WWW.RMU.EDU

ADVANCEMENTA LETTER FROM THE ALUMNIASSOCIATION PRESIDENTWelcome to the first issue of our new alumnimagazine. I know that this is a publication ofwhich you will be proud. The magazine alsowill be an important means for sharing youraccomplishments with alumni, friends andcolleagues and for updating all of you on current events atRobert Morris University.As president of the RMU Alumni Association and an activemember of the Alumni Council for several years, I know that manyof you have expressed interest in an alumni magazine that reflectsthe essence of our alma mater and the success of our graduates.Foundations gives us that avenue.Success of the magazine – as with all alumni programs andservices – will depend on alumni involvement. I encourage you tosubmit information for Class Notes, especially news of promotionsand career moves. Or, if you’ve been on campus to speak in aclassroom or to participate in a panel discussion, be sure to notifythe Office of Institutional Advancement.Since restructuring the Alumni Association, we’ve set our sightson engaging more alumni in the life of RMU and the associationitself. Our goal is to develop a variety of programs that will appealto our diverse alumni membership. This year, we’ve worked to getmore alumni involved in Homecoming and other alumni events,both on campus and throughout the region. We’ve expanded theWomen of RMU Program, partnered with the Career Center tooffer the Career Contact and Alumni Network, joined with theSchool of Business to launch the Speaking of Business LuncheonProgram and revived the Alumni Awards program.As a graduate of RMU, you already are a member of the RMUAlumni Association. I invite you to take full advantage of thatmembership by becoming an active member of the AlumniAssociation. For details about getting involved, contact theOffice of Institutional Advancement at 412-262-8481 orrmualum@rmu.edu. To review the benefits and services availableto RMU alumni, visit the Alumni and Contributors section of theRMU website at www.rmu.edu.THOMAS A. HUNLEY ‘842005-06 ALUMNI AWARDSThe Robert Morris University Alumni Association honored threegraduates who have distinguished themselves within theirprofessions, communities or both with Alumni Awards in 2005-06.Two awards were presented during Homecoming in October 2005 toOla R. Jackson ‘87 and Samuel J. Mastovich ’95 M’98, while thethird was presented to Mike Yurosko ’83 M’01 at the association’sannual meeting in January 2006.The founder and publisher ofOnyx Woman magazine, one ofthe few business publicationsin the country for African-American women, Jacksonreceived the AlumniAchievement Award. She isfounder of the Onyx WomanNetwork (OWN), whichALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT provides economic educationTOM HUNLEY ‘84, OLA JACKSON ‘87, through her television talkSAMUEL MASTOVICH ‘95 M’98,AND RMU PRESIDENT GREGORY G. show, OWN With Ola Jackson.DELL’OMO, PH.D.She also has hosted two liveradio talk shows, Movin’ on With Ola Jackson and Accents on Women.Jackson has been recognized as Entrepreneur of the Month byWomen’s Voices and Business Woman of the Year by the NegroBusiness and Professional Women’s Club, and was a recipient ofthe Woman of Excellence Award from the Professional Womenin Business Club.A vice president and commercial lender with Sky Bank in NewCastle, Pa., Mastovich was the recipient of the Young AlumniAchievement Award, presented to graduates age 35 or younger.He has completed requirements for Series 7 and 63 securitieslicenses, and in 1998, received Mellon Bank’s Premier AchievementAward. A distinguished member of the National Society of CollegiateScholars and member of the board of the Lawrence CountyChamber of Commerce, Mastovich has established an endowedscholarship fund at RMU and is an officer and former presidentof the Colonial Athletic Club.The recipient of the Alumni Service Award,Yurosko has remained anactive volunteer with the Alumni Association since his graduation.This year alone, he created a presentation for the HomecomingReunion Breakfast, updated a University history display that he hadcreated in 2002, and volunteered the entire day of Homecoming.He also has been a volunteer for the University through hisinvolvement with the 20-Year Club and a number of other programs.ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 17

ADVANCEMENTSCHOLARSHIP DONORS RECOGNIZED AT ANNUAL LUNCHEONOn Monday, April 17, Robert Morris University held its eighthannual Scholarship Luncheon to recognize and thank donors whosupport the scholarship program at RMU. The luncheon alsoprovides the opportunity for scholarship donors to meet some ofthe outstanding students who have directly benefited from theirgenerous support.Senior engineering major Lauren Gombert was the recipient ofthe Frank J. Erevelles Memorial Endowed Engineering Scholarship,created by Dean of the School of Engineering, Mathematics andScience Winston F. Erevelles, Ph.D., in memory of his father.Gombert thanked Erevelles for his support not only as a donor,but also as a mentor.Through scholarship funds, RMU provides hundreds of thousandsof dollars each year to both undergraduate and graduate students.Support from these scholarship funds plays a significant role inallowing RMU to remain one of the least expensive privateuniversities in Pennsylvania.“Throughout my four years here, I have watched Dr. Erevelles switchtitles and responsibilities several times. I have seen him take on newprojects and improve program after program,” said Gombert. “Butregardless of his position at the University, he continued to be thatprofessor that was there helping every student that turned to him.”Senior human resource management major Maggie Bloomgren,recipient of the Dr. William H. Heckel Memorial EndowedScholarship, was one of three students who spoke at the luncheonto express in their own words what the donors’ support has meantto them.Kevin Bazner, a senior hospitality and tourism management majorand recipient of both the 20-Year Club of Robert Morris UniversityScholarship and the Eat’n Park Hospitality Group EndowedScholarship in Memory of John Vichie, gave a heartfelt thanks to alldonors for their generosity.“Someone once said, ’Dream what you want to dream, go whereyou want to go, be what you want to be, because you have onlyone life and one chance to do all the things you want to to,’” saidBloomgren. “I feel that scholarships and dreams go hand in hand,because scholarships show that somebody cares about those ofus who have dreams and are working hard to achieve them.When someone cares enough to donate to your education andinvest in your future, it pushes you to achieve more than you everthought possible.”“Thank you, because without donors and scholarship funds such asthese, I don’t think that my – or a lot of students’ – education wouldhave been possible … Scholarships provided by individuals like youhelp to keep a spirit alive within the student.”For more information on donating to the scholarship programat RMU, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancementat 412-262-8481.DONORS TIM HAMMER ‘83 ANDAMY PARKINSON ‘99 OF SCHNEIDERDOWNS WITH ROBERT SAWYER,RECIPIENT OF THE SCHNEIDERDOWNS & CO, INC. ENDOWEDSCHOLARSHIP.LISA ANN BILLETER, RECIPIENTOF THE DR. JOHN R. BASSETTMEMORIAL ENDOWEDSCHOLARSHIP, WITH DONORDOLORES BASSETT, WIDOW OF THELONGTIME RMU ADMINISTRATOR.DONORS ROGER AND ANNE HECKELWITH MAGGIE BLOOMGREN(CENTER), RECIPIENT OF THE DR.WILLIAM H. HECKEL MEMORIALENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP.SCHOLARSHIP DONORSBOB STOVASH ‘61, PAUL BLOCK ‘87,BOB BROWN ‘71 ANDMARGARET DUFFY ‘51.18 • WWW.RMU.EDU

CLASS NOTES60sMELVIN D. TEETZ ’62 was thespeaker for the second lecture inthe Speaking of Business series,launched in Fall 2005 by theRMU School of Business. Amember of the RMU Board ofTrustees, Teetz is a retired seniorvice president of finance for UPSInc. He resides in Vero Beach, Fla.JEAN GARRETT ‘64 is a legislativeassistant in the District Office ofState Rep. Brian Ellis, Butler, Pa.RALPH PAPA ’67 was promotedto president of Citizens Bank ofPennsylvania. He oversees bankoperations in Pennsylvaniaand Delaware. He residesin Pittsburgh.70sRANDE SOMMA ’73 was thespeaker for the inaugural lecturein the Speaking of Businessseries in Fall 2005, hosted by theRMU School of Business. Sommais president and CEO of RandeSomma Associates LLC, aleadership and developmentcompany in Bloomfield Hills,Mich. He and his family residein Bloomfield Hills.CRAIG H. SCHURR ’76 is seniorvice president and manger ofglobal trade and treasury forNational City. He residesin Avon, Ohio.ELLEN LANGAS CAMPBELL ’79president of NouSomaCommunications Inc.,Downingtown, Pa., publishedRaising the Roof, the second bookin her Girls Know How fictionalseries, in October 2005. Sheresides in Downingtown.MAUREEN O’BRIEN ‘79 wasnominated for the 2005Influential Woman in BusinessAward. She resides in Batavia, Ill.80sDEBI LEOPARDI ‘80 was nameddirector of business at ValueAmbridge Properties Inc. Sheresides with her family inEconomy, Pa.DAVID CASTELVETER ’81 wasnamed vice president ofcommunications for theAir Transport Association. Heresides in Fairfax Station,Va.BOB FERREE ’81 is president andCEO of Landmark PropertiesGroup, Allison Park, Pa. He andhis family reside in Valencia, Pa.RICHARD MELVIN ’83, an artist,had a solo exhibition of his work,Landscapes and Vistas, at the9 over 9th Street Gallery inPittsburgh in October 2005.He resides in Atlanta, Ga.MARK C. SCHMIDT ’83 is terminalmanager for Air Ground Xpress,Clinton, Pa. He residesin Pittsburgh.KATHY MERCADANTEMALLISON ’85 is an executiveassistant for ArvinMeritor,Troy, Mich. She resides inClarkston, Mich.CanTERRI L. MARTS M’85 D’02 ispresident of the DefenseBusiness Unit for WashingtonGroup International Inc., aleading internationalengineering, construction andmanagement company. Sheresides in Export, Pa.MakeaDifferenceGifts to the University Fund helpRobert Morris University to providestudent scholarships, enhance campus facilitiesand enrich the living-learning environment.Make a difference today with a gift to the University Fund.Give online at www.rmu.edu/universityfundor call 412-262-8471.SUSAN WEIS ‘85 was promotedto technology officer at PNC. Sheresides in Pittsburgh.YVONNE BEST-PROCTOR ‘87 wasnamed 2004 Americans for theSystem Educator of the Yearand earned K-12 administrativecertification in June 2005. She isa business education teacher inthe Fort LeBoeuf School District.She and her family reside inWaterford, Pa.HARRY LECKEMBY ’87 was namedcorporate sales manager forDoubletree Hotel. He resides inColorado Springs, Colo., withhis wife, Elizabeth.MICHAEL SCHULTZ ’87 joined theMount Pleasant office of ExitRealty Charleston Group. Heresides in Mount Pleasant, S.C.NANCY AUGUSTINE ’88 waspromoted to senior vicepresident of the Association ofDirectory Marketing. She residesin Moon Township, Pa.WAYNE G. HENNEMUTH M’88 isassistant vice president forSovereign Bank, Wyomissing, Pa.He also serves as the bank’sROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 19

CLASS NOTESlead information technologyauditor. He resides in ExeterTownship, Pa.CAROL MACPHAIL M’88 was thespeaker for the Spring 2006Women of RMU Luncheon andProgram. She is a partner withDeloitte Tax LLP. MacPhailand her husband, DOUGLASMACPHAIL ’74, and their childrenreside in Sewickley, Pa.JOSEPH MOORE ’88 graduatedfrom the Department ofDefense’s Executive LeadershipDevelopment Program (ELDP).He and his family reside inReynoldsburg, Ohio.DONALD OLLIO JR. ’88 wasnamed chief operating officerof McKendree Village retirementcommunity, Nashville, Tenn.TIM WOLFSON ’88, was a guestspeaker for the RMU StudentPre-Law Society in March. He isan attorney with Babst CallandClements and Zomnir, PC. Heresides in Allison Park, Pa.DONNA PEPE UNCAPHER ‘89received the Exton RegionChamber of Commerce’sPresident’s Award forOutstanding VolunteerContributions and Service.She resides in Pottstown, Pa.90sROBERT P. SPENCE ’91 isself-employed as a certifiedpublic accountant. He and hisfamily reside in Seven Fields, Pa.TRACIE ARNOLD ’92 M’97 spoke atthe inaugural Slice of Lifeprogram sponsored by the RMUAlumni Association forgraduating seniors in March. Sheis assistant vice president andconsultant for employee benefitsconsulting with Hilb Rogal &Hobbs. She, her husband, TOMARNOLD ’92 M’97, and their son,Griffin, reside in Gibsonia, Pa.JOHN COOK ’92, CPA, is a senioraccountant at Anneken & Moser,PSC, which serves clients in thegreater Cincinnati and northernKentucky regions. He and hiswife, Jamie, reside in theCincinnati area.M. PATRICK KANE M’92 receivedthe 2005 Citizen Engineer Award,presented by the AmericanSociety of Civil Engineers. He is acivil engineer with the consultingfirm L. Robert Kimball andAssociates Inc., Coraopolis, Pa.He and his family reside inMcCandless, Pa.JOEONDERKO‘92 wasnamedexecutivedirector of the President’s AthleticConference (PAC), effectiveJuly 1, 2006. He will be the firstfull-time executive director inPAC history. He resides inWilmington Township, Pa., withhis wife, Pam, and daughters,Erin and Lauren.TERRY COYNE ’93 was promotedto sales manager for Fuhrer EagleSales and Service, Pittsburgh.He resides in Scott Township,Pa., with his wife, Jackie, andtheir three children, Kayla,Terry Jr. and Alexandria.DAVE DEROSE ‘93 was promotedto general manager of facilitiesfor Sodexho Healthcare Services.He and his family reside inMobile, Ala.JILL WHITMER ’93 M’99 waspromoted to assistant director ofhuman resources and employeedevelopment at RMU. She residesin Canonsburg, Pa.BILL LEVY ’94 is director of specialprojects and account executivefor the Lancaster JetHawksProfessional Baseball Club,Lancaster, Calif. The club is aClass A affiliate of the ArizonaDiamondbacks. He resides inPalmdale, Calif.SAM MASTOVICH ’95 M’98 spokeat the inaugural Slice of Lifeprogram sponsored by theRMU Alumni Association forgraduating seniors in March. Heis vice president and commerciallender with Sky Bank. He residesin Cranberry Township, Pa.JACKIE RIZZO ’95 spoke at theinaugural Slice of Life programsponsored by the RMU AlumniAssociation for graduatingseniors in March. She is vicepresident of the treasurymanagement insurance groupfor PNC Financial Services.She resides in Pittsburgh.DAVID A. VELEGOL JR. M’96 is vicepresident of industrial projects forATS Chester Engineers, MoonTownship, Pa. He and his familyreside in Follansbee, W.Va.ELIZABETH DAY ’97 is a humanresource representative forChampions Golf Course inHouston, Texas.APRIL DEWEESE ‘97 joinedCountrywide Home Loans as amortgage processor. She and herfamily live in Freedom, Pa.ADINAHERRMANN’97, CPA,waspromotedto manager of the CPA firm ofCrawfordEllenbogen LLC,Pittsburgh. She and her husband,RODNEY HERRMANN ’93, reside inTrafford, Pa.MATT MILLER ’97 was namedadvertising director for theObserver Publishing Co., whichpublishes the daily Observer-Reporter and the weeklyThe Almanac. He and his wife,Renee, reside in Washington, Pa.JESSICA ORRIS ’97 received herM.B.A. in May 2005 from YorkCollege of Pennsylvania. Sheresides in Mechanicsburg, Pa.R.J. CANTER ’98 recently launchedStep 1 Management Services,which helps small businesses andnonprofits to realize their fullpotential. Canter and his wife,Kathy, reside in Fair Oaks, Pa.20 • WWW.RMU.EDU

CLASS NOTESERIC HINNEBUSCH ’98 won anEmmy in September 2005. Heis a videographer and editorwith WTAE-TV and residesin Pittsburgh.DAVID MARSHALL ‘98 joinedKPMG LLP as a senior associatein the Risk Advisory ServicesGroup, specializing in financialrisk management. He residesin West Mifflin, Pa.MICHALE SZUL ’98 is associateathletic director for MiddleTennessee State University.DAVID CODORI M’99 is a humanrelations representative for thePennsylvania Human RelationsCommission, Pittsburgh. He andhis family reside in Irwin, Pa.JENEA LAYMON ’99 M’03 was apanelist in the RMU Women’sHistory Month AlumnaeCoffeehouse in March. She isemployed by JRL Enterprises andresides in Pittsburgh.MATT MILLET ’99 is director ofcorporate partnerships for theSussex Skyhawks, August, N.J.He resides in Branchville, N.J.MORGAN OSTOP ’99 received hermaster’s degree in industrialand labor relations from IndianaUniversity of Pennsylvania. Sheis a human resource specialistwith the Federal EnergyRegulatory Commission,Washington, D.C., and residesin Silver Spring, Md.00sDAN ESMOND ’00 is director ofoperations for the United SoccerLeague Super Y-League, Tampa,Fla. He resides in Tampa.JILL CLARY-ROWE ’00 M’04 spokeat the inaugural Slice of Lifeprogram sponsored by the RMUAlumni Association for graduatingseniors in March. She is anapplication support specialistwith Buchanan Ingersoll, PC.She resides in New Brighton, Pa.TONI LAUSO ’01 was namedpharmacy benefit programsupervisor at the Great LakesBehavioral Research Instituteof Allegheny County. Sheresides in Pittsburgh.KRISTIN BROWN ’02 spoke at theinaugural Slice of Life programsponsored by the RMU AlumniAssociation for graduatingseniors in March. She is adevelopment assistant withBethlehem Haven. She residesin Oakmont, Pa.SCOTT KOSKOSKI M’02 wasnamed associate athleticdirector for marketing atNiagara University, NiagaraFalls, N.Y. He resides inWilliamsville, N.Y.ERIC PURSH ’02 wrote a children’sbook titled The Seven Fishes,which was published inNovember 2005. He and hisfamily reside in Cheswick, Pa.THOMAS WILLIS M’03 is presidentof Precision Energy andTechnology LLC, a fuel cellcompany that is a spin-off ofPIA Group, Cincinnati, Ohio.CLAUDIA ARMANI M’04 was apanelist in the RMU Women’sHistory Month AlumnaeCoffeehouse in March. She isemployed by GlaxoSmithKline.She and her husband, JAMESARMANI ’92, reside in Clinton, Pa.JACIE BEJSTER M’04 is principalof Crafton Elementary School.Bejster resides in Pittsburgh.KATIE DELLICH ’04 completedtraining with Peter BurwashInternational, the world’s largesttennis management firm, in PalmDesert, Calif., and was firstassigned to the Four Seasons,Nevis, in the Caribbean. She thenmoved to the Maldives, in theIndian Ocean, where she istennis director at the Kanuhura.JOE DI BUONO ’04 signed to playsoccer for Polonia Warszawaof the Polish First Divisionthrough the remainder of the2005-06 season with an optionfor 2006-07. He became thesixth RMU player since 2002 tobe drafted when he was selectedin the first round of the UnitedSoccer League’s College PlayerDraft by the Montreal Impact.LINDSEY HYSER ’04 is anenrollment coordinator forCoventry Healthcare. She residesin Moon Township, Pa.CHAZ MCCROMMON ’04 wasselected by the Kansas Cagerzof the United States BasketballLeague’s amateur draft. He ispursuing a Master of Science inInstructional Leadership at RMUand resides in Pittsburgh.BREANNE MUELLER ’04 is clientservices administrator for thePittsburgh Steelers. She residesin Pittsburgh.ERICA WISER M’04 is a qualityanalyst at Allegheny Ludlum.She and her husband, Jeremy,reside in Brackenridge, Pa.LEXIE ALTON M’05 was a panelistin the RMU Women’s HistoryMonth Alumnae Coffeehouseduring March. She is employedby Jewish Healthcare Foundationand resides in Coraopolis, Pa.THOMASBURKETT’05 joinedthe PetersTownshipoffice of Cottrill ArbutinaProfessional Services as anaccountant. He residesin Pittsburgh.KATHERINE RENYCK M’05 is abroker team professional withJPMorgan Chase, New York, N.Y.She resides in New York City.DESIREE WILLIAMS ’05participated as a panelist in theRMU Women’s History MonthAlumnae Coffeehouse duringMarch. She is employed by AvisRent-A-Car and resides inCranberry Township, Pa.ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 21

CLASS NOTESEngagementsKimberly Walker is engagedto ERIC HINNEBUSCH ’98. AnAug. 12, 2006, weddingis planned.Amanda Cosky is engaged toJASON ROBERTS ‘02. Roberts is astock broker for Scottrade Inc. inWexford, Pa. A Nov. 4, 2006,wedding is planned.KELLY SPRINGER ‘02 is engagedto KEN PRESUTTI ‘05. A May 2007wedding is planned. Both residein the Pittsburgh area.Maria Cannella is engaged toRAYMOND WALKOWIAK ’03. AJuly 28, 2006, wedding isplanned. Walkowiak is a salesrepresentative at Cintas Corp.MarriagesAmanda Ranalli married MARK P.MILLER ’87 on Jan. 28, 2006. Markworks for Medtronic. The coupleresides in the Pittsburgh area.Maren and DAVID NEMECEK ‘89were married in June 2004. Thecouple resides in Sewickley, Pa.Jamie and JOHN COOK ’92 weremarried on July 23, 2005. Thecouple resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.Julie Ewing married CHRIS A.KARDA ’92 on Oct. 8, 2005. Chrisis marketing director for BobTracey’s World of Cycles in MoonTownship, Pa. The couple residesin Beaver Falls, Pa.Michelle and DAVID SUTCH ’92were married on Feb. 27, 2004.The couple resides in Elmhurst, Ill.ROBIN MARIE O’CONNOR ‘93married Chad Edward Redfern Sr.on May 28, 2005. Robin is theduty sheriff for the Beaver CountySheriff’s Department. The coupleresides in New Brighton, Pa.CARRI CLARK ’97 marriedMatthew Frank on Aug. 6, 2005.Carri is an advertising copywriterin Lebanon, Pa. The coupleresides in Harrisburg, Pa.AMY YURCHICK ’99 marriedCHRISTOPHER BOOMHOWER ‘98.Amy is a planning specialist withDick’s Sporting Goods in Findley,Pa. Christopher is a databaseadministrator with ContemporaryTechnologies in Pittsburgh. Thecouple resides in Mt. Lebanon, Pa.ELIZABETH STRANO ’99 marriedREED SIRINEK ’99 on July 23, 2005.Elizabeth is a store manager atBody Control in Tarentum, Pa.Reed is a web designer for thePittsburgh Tribune-Review. Thecouple resides in Ambridge, Pa.Erica Williams married AKOSNAGY ’02 on July 23, 2005. Akosis a software engineer for BillcoManufacturing Co. in Zelienople,Pa. The couple resides inMoon Township, Pa.Katie Svitesic married JASON R.PASCHEL ’02 on May 6, 2006.Jason was recently promotedto international specialist inbusiness development at UPS.The couple resides in Pittsburgh.Breanna Foster married JACOBWOODLING ’02 on Sept. 17, 2005.Jacob is a sales developmentspecialist for Industrial ScientificCorp. in Oakdale, Pa. The coupleresides in Findlay Township, Pa.JENNEAN ANDZELIK ’03 marriedJason Newmyer on Oct. 22, 2005.Jennean is a teacher at theDepartment of Corrections ofGreene County. The coupleresides in West Mifflin, Pa.Kristin Kalamasz marriedBENJAMIN HOLMES ’03 onJune 18, 2005. The coupleresides in Industry, Pa.AMANDA MOTTS ’03 marriedCRAIG CARPENTER ’04 onSept. 17, 2005. Amanda is thehead cook at Paradise IslandBowl/Beach. Craig is the generalmanager of West Pike Bowl. Thecouple resides in Oakdale, Pa.CYNTHIA REEDY ’03 married BruceD’Angelo on Sept. 19, 2005. Thecouple resides in Munhall, Pa.STACY SWANKLER ’03 marriedJustin Sulima on Nov. 11, 2005.Stacy is a department managerat Wal-Mart. The couple residesin Ambridge, Pa.OCTOBER 14, 2006You’ll want to be part of Homecoming, so be sure to mark your calendar today!More information will be sent to alumni later this summer.Sarah Bruce married JOHNBERNAUER ’04 on April 23, 2005.John is assistant manager atSherwin Williams, Monroeville,Pa. The couple resides in WhiteTownship, Pa.For more information, contact the Office of Institutional Advancementat 412-262-8481 or rmualum@rmu.edu.22 • WWW.RMU.EDU

CLASS NOTESABBY ELINE ‘04 married JEREMYTORRENCE ‘03 on Aug. 20, 2005.Abby is a sales representative forCintas Corp. Jeremy is a managerat FedEx in St. Petersburg, Fla.Jennifer Leigh Lodovico marriedMICHAEL SEAN LEAHY ‘04 onApril 9, 2005. Michael is a golfconsultant at 2nd Swing Golf inRobinson Township, Pa. Thecouple resides in Hopewell, Pa.BirthsBrennan Coulter was bornNov. 25, 2005, to Michelle andDARRYN CLEARY ‘89. The familyresides in Pittsburgh.Skyelar was born March 17, 2005,to Brandi and JOHN GRESS ‘89.Skyelar joins siblings Dalton, 6,and Caen, 4. The family residesin Alpharetta, Ga.Kyan David was born July 4, 2005,to Michelle and DAVID SUTCH ’92.The family resides in Elmhurst, Ill.Annika was born June 17, 2005,to AMANDA WEIMER ’95 andTIM ROHS ’95. She joins brotherErik, 2. Tim is a finance managerat BAE Systems in Johnson City,N.Y. The family resides inBinghamton, N.Y.Naia was born on July 25, 2005,to Tricia and MICHAEL ANTHONY‘96. Naia joins sister Thalida, 14.Michael is a managing consultantfor Levin Group. The familyresides in Owings Mills, Md.Isabella was born Feb. 20, 2006,to BONNIE ANDRES DELUCA ’97and her husband, Michael.Bonnie is a human resourcesmanager. The family resides inSewickley, Pa.Joshua was born on July 25, 2005,to Caron and BOB O’KORN ‘97.Bob is an investment advisor forCommunity Capital Group LLC.The family resides in Pittsburgh.Mason Allen was born Sept. 20,2005, to Denise and TIMCALDWELL ‘98. Mason joins sisterAlexis, 2. The family resides inNorth Apollo, Pa.Isabella Jordan was born May 14,2005, to Jacquie and DOUGLAS G.YAKICH ’98. Douglas is employedby ING Direct, Los Angeles,Calif. The family resides inGlendale, Calif.Justin Thomas was born June 20,2005, to AMY KRAMER ‘00 and herhusband, Jim. Amy is a supervisorat Mellon Financial Corp. Thefamily resides in Pittsburgh.Lydia Grace was born Nov. 13,2005, to Sarah and PHILLIPMILLER ‘00. Phil is a networkanalyst for RMU. The familyresides in Cranberry Township, Pa.Tyler Warren was born March 20,2005, to LISA FOX ’01 and herhusband, Erik. The family residesin Arnold, Pa.Mary Rosella was born Aug. 27,2005, to JENNIFER BURY LILLARD‘01 and her husband, Sam.Jennifer completed her master’sdegree in bilingual andmulticultural education at GeorgeMason University. The familyresides in Mililani, Hawaii.Colin Matthew was born onSept. 1, 2005, to AMANDAFUNKHOUSER ‘04 and herhusband, Craig. The familyresides in Imperial, Pa.Liliana Marie was born on Oct.12, 2005, to Jacqueline Hedegoreand MARSHALL SCOTT ‘05.Marshall is a financial analystwith ITT Industries, Alexandria,Va. The family resides inAshburn,Va.DeathsGERTRUDE MATRAZZO ’44, ofNorth Braddock, Pa., died March16, 2006. She was a retiredsecretary for PennsylvaniaMunicipal Service.MIRIAM GOOD KERR ’55, of ScottTownship, Pa., died Feb. 3, 2006.RALPH O. WILSON JR. ’57, ofHinton, W.Va., died Nov. 16,2005. He was retired fromDravo Corp.JEANNE DENTICE (NEDWIDEK) ’82,of Pittsburgh, died Nov. 9, 2005.She was also a graduate of theUniversity of Pittsburgh Schoolof Law and a member of theOrder of the Coif.JOHN W. POZNICK ’82, of WhiteOak, Pa., died June 23, 2005.DIANE TURNER ’95, of Grove City,Pa., died July 18, 2005, aftera three-year battle withbreast cancer.STEPHEN P. YESTER ’00, of BeaverFalls, Pa., died Aug. 8, 2005.He had been e-commercemanager for the Radisson Hotelin Greentree, Pa.BRYAN GARVIN ’05, of Pittsburgh,died Feb. 17, 2005.ROBERT HARTLEY of Winter Park,Fla., son of RMU professor NellHartley, Ph.D., died June 8, 2005.He attended RMU in theearly 1990s.JAMES H. LEE, former memberof the RMU Board of Trustees,died Aug. 31, 2005.EDWARD A. NICHOLSON SR.,father of RMU president emeritusEdward A. Nicholson Jr., diedMarch 7, 2006.RetirementsDONNA LUND, PH.D., professorof English studies, retired inDecember 2005 after 23 yearsat RMU.PAUL MAJORSKY, assistantprofessor of accounting, retiredin December 2005 after 29years at RMU.DAN ROTA, PH.D., associateprofessor of computer andinformation systems, retired inDecember 2005 after 27 yearsat RMU.JERRY SHUSTER, PH.D., associateprofessor of communications,retired in December 2005 after20 years at RMU.ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS • 23

UPCOMING EVENTSUpcoming Events> AUGUST 06> SEPTEMBER 06> OCTOBER 0619 Women’s AlumnaeSoccer Game, 1 p.m.,North Athletic ComplexMen’s Alumni Soccer Game,3 p.m., North AthleticComplex16 RMU Night at PNCPark, Pittsburgh Pirates vs.New York Mets, 7:05 p.m.,PNC Park21 Women of RMULuncheon and Program27 Pittsburgh SpeakersSeries: Nora Ephron, 8 p.m.,Heinz HallFOR MORE INFORMATION on these and other upcoming events, contact theOffice of Institutional Advancement at 412-262-8481 or rmualum@rmu.edu.1 Blue-White Men’s Intra-Squad Ice Hockey Game,4 p.m., RMU IslandSports Center10 Speaking of BusinessLuncheon, featuring RonaldPoints ‘64, hosted by theSchool of Business and theRMU Alumni Association11-15 Colonial TheatreProduction: Neil Simon’s“Brighton Beach Memoirs”14 HOMECOMING 2006Alumni Flag Football Game,9 a.m., Joe Walton StadiumRMU Football vs. CentralConnecticut State, 1 p.m.,Joe Walton Stadium18 RMU Career Expo,12:30 p.m., Charles L.Sewall Center Arena21 Athletic Hall of FameInduction, Joe WaltonStadium28 30-Year AnniversaryCelebration, RMU SportManagement Program29 Inaugural Susan K.Hofacre Memorial Fun RunALUMNI NEWS24 • WWW.RMU.EDUNAME __________________________________________________________________ YEAR OF GRADUATION __________________ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________________________________________CITY/STATE/ZIP ________________________________________________________________________________________________HOME PHONE __________________________________________ WORK PHONE __________________________________________E-MAIL ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________________________PROFESSION/POSITION__________________________________________________________________________________________EMPLOYER NAME ______________________________________________________________________________________________ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________________________________________CITY/STATE/ZIP ________________________________________________________________________________________________SPOUSE’S NAME ______________________________________________________________________________________________CHILDREN’S NAMES AND AGES __________________________________________________________________________________NEWS ITEM__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________MAIL THIS COMPLETED FORM TO: Office of Institutional Advancement, Robert Morris University, 6001 University Boulevard,Moon Township, PA 15108-1189. Or, send your news via e-mail rmualum@rmu.edu or fax 412-262-8642.

RMU ALUMNUS KEVIN COLBERT ‘79, DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS FOR THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS, HOLDS THE VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHYWITH HIS SON, DAN, FOLLOWING THE STEELERS’ SUPER BOWL XL VICTORY IN FEBRUARY 2006.6001 University BoulevardMoon Township, PA 15108-1189www.rmu.eduFOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESS.