VOLUME 14, NUMBER 18 JULY 23 , 2012

California University

READ THE JOURNAL ONLINE: www.calu.edu/news/the-journal

New Era Ahead for Vulcan Football

Kallis NamedInterim Dean

of Science,Technology

Secondary and post-secondary teachers from sixstates earned industry certification — and gained abetter understanding of mechatronics engineering

technology — during a two-week program hosted by Cal U.

The Siemens Mechatronic Systems InstructorCertification Program, held June 11-22 in Eberly Hall,took a systems approach to teaching mechatronics, anemerging field that blends electrical engineeringtechnology with computer science.

Instruction was provided by personnel from theSiemens Technical Academy in Berlin, Germany. TheAcademy is the education provider for Siemens AG, oneof the world’s largest high-tech manufacturingcorporations.

“This certification process legitimizes what we do asteachers,” said Ken Peddler, a teacher at EasternWestmoreland Career and Technology Center, nearLatrobe, Pa.

“We teach industry standards across multipleindustries, so we have to make sure our teachers receivethe best training possible.

“I think I understand a Red Hot Chili Peppers songbetter than this material,” he quipped, “but I’m sure I’llhave it down by the end of the week.”

Two instructors and an administrator were on hand toteach the rigorous course material and assist with classassignments, including a system design project and a classpresentation.

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Dr. John Kallis, a professor in theDepartment of Applied Engineering andTechnology, has been named interim

dean of the Eberly College of Science andTechnology at Cal U.

“Dr. Kallis is professional, knowledgeable,and brings considerable experiences and expertiseto his new role at Cal U as interim dean of theEberly College,” said Acting President GeraldineM. Jones.

“He has been a member of the Department ofApplied Engineering and Technology for over 27years; therefore, he is familiar with the EberlyCollege, the students, the faculty members andthe programs in that area. I know he will do anoutstanding job in the interim dean position, andI look forward to working with him in the com-ing months.”

“The Eberly College of Science andTechnology has had growth in student enroll-ment, curricula and research due to the efforts ofour outstanding faculty and staff,” Kallis said.

“I will continue to embrace and encourageinnovative curricula, teaching techniques, studentdiscovery and entrepreneurial activities, and topursue leadership in global outreach developmentthrough the engagement with industries andregions that will advance our mission in scienceand technology — a legacy that began in the1970s.”

Kallis most recently served as departmentchair, a position he held for three years.

Prior to coming to Cal U, he taught at EastAllegheny High School, giving him more than 35years of teaching and industry experience in printpublishing, networking, computer platforms and

— Continued on page 4

Anew coaching era for Cal U’sfootball program begins next monthwhen the Vulcans start preparing

for the 2012 season.Veteran head coach John Luckhardt has

announced his retirement, and theUniversity has announced that Mike Kellarwill become head coach of the Vulcanfootball program.

Kellar served as Cal U’s offensivecoordinator from 2004-2008, and then spenttwo years as head coach at Concord (W.Va.)University, where he led the MountainLions to a two-year record of 14-8. TheMountain Lions had won just one game inthe two seasons before Kellar’s arrival.

In 2011, Kellar returned to Cal U for hissixth season as offensive coordinator andhis first as associate head coach for offense.

Cal U has averaged 31 points or moreper game each season under Kellar,including a school-best 42.1 points per

game average in 2005.“Coach Kellar is committed to both

academic and athletic excellence,” saidActing President Geraldine M. Jones.

“I fully support and enjoy the richfootball tradition we have at Cal U, and Ilook forward to Coach Kellar, his staff andour student-athletes continuing our nationalprominence.”

Luckhardt cited health concerns whenhe announced that he intends to retire onAug. 3. He has led the Vulcans for the past10 seasons.

“I would like thank the administrationat Cal U for this opportunity, and I wouldespecially like to thank Coach John Luckhardt for all he has done,” said Kellar,41. “I plan to build on the success he hadhere. Our goal is to win a championship —that has not changed.”

A West Virginia native, Kellar began his — Continued on page 2

Mechatronics InstructorsGain Industry Certification

New Cal U head football coach Mike Kellar hopes to lead the Vulcans to a sixthconsecutive NCAA Division II playoff appearance this fall.

Cal U Acting President Geraldine M. Jones and Allan Simons, from Westmoreland County Community College, discuss technologyeducation during the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Instructor Certification Program, held last month in Eberly Hall.

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In Britain, Students Study Shakespeare

— Continued from page 1

coaching career at Fairmont State, hisalma mater. During his eight years asoffensive coordinator andquarterbacks coach, the Falcons won apair of WVIAC championships.

Kellar accepted the offensivecoordinator position at NorthernMichigan in 2002. That season theWildcats set school records for passingattempts, completions and yards; in2003 they finished second in theconference in both total offense andpassing yards.

“Cal U looks forward to theleadership Mike Kellar will give thefootball program as head coach,” saidDr. Karen Hjerpe, interim athleticdirector. “His energy, enthusiasm,and knowledge of the game arecontagious. Coach Kellar willcontinue the academic and athleticsuccess in football, and we are excitedabout the 2012 season.”

Luckhardt guided the Vulcans to aprogram-best 88-33 cumulative record,

including a 56-12 mark over the pastfive seasons. He led the Vulcans tothree NCAA RegionalChampionships, two appearances inthe PSAC Championship Game, threetop-10 finishes and seven consecutivePSAC West titles. The Vulcans havewon 42 of 46 divisional games since2005, including 24 straight from 2007-2010.

He missed the last game of the2011 season when he was hospitalizedwith a kidney infection.

“This is an incredibly demandingjob,” he said. “It has become obviousto me that I can no longer work at thelevel needed to lead this program mosteffectively.”

Including his highly successful 17-year coaching stint at nearbyWashington and Jefferson College,Luckhardt has won 225 games —third highest among active NCAADivision II football coaches after lastseason.

“It has been an honor and aprivilege to work at this institution for

the past 10 years, and a tremendousexperience for me and my family,” hesaid

Luckhardt’s success extended intothe classroom. In addition to 10 ormore wins in the last five years, theVulcans have had 68 PSAC Scholar-Athletes, seven CoSIDA AcademicAll-District selections and twoAcademic All-Americans.

Dr. Lenora Angelone, vicepresident for Student Affairs at Cal U,spoke of Luckhardt’s confidence andpassion for the game.

“John Luckhardt came to Cal 10years ago with a belief that anything ispossible,” she said. “He moved hisbelief into reality by modeling hisconfidence to his coaching staff andhis players. His strength and couragewere uncompromising, and his energywas unbridled.

“Coach Luckhardt leaves a legacyof accomplishments on the field and acoaching staff uniquely prepared tocarry on the great tradition of Vulcanfootball.”

Christina King’s dream of seeing Shakespeare’sGlobe Theater became a reality this summerwhen she and 15 other students enjoyed an

educational experience May 14-June 14 in London.During the Cal U-Lock Haven-Bloomsburg London

Theatre Tour, students explored some of the world’sbest-known theaters and watched a number ofperformances while taking three-credit courses inModern Drama and Shakespeare in Theatre.

This academic collaboration among the threePASSHE universities began more than a decade ago.

In London, the students spent two hours a daystudying for each course, then attended evening shows.Other highlights included visits to the The RoyalShakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon and to thereconstructed Globe Theatre in the London district ofSouthwark.

“The trip to London exceeded my expectations byfar,” said King, a junior communication studies/theatremajor who is also vice president o the Alpha LambdaDelta Honor Society.

“As I grew up learning about the Globe, it wasalways a dream of mine to see it. The performanceswere amazing, and the culture and people are so muchdifferent. I also got to meet a few of the professionalactors.

“This trip was very special and inspiring for me.”Students saw performances of Shakespeare’s King

John, Julius Caesar and Hamlet. Their reactions pleasedtheir summer teacher, Dr. Michael Slavin, chair of CalU’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

“They could not wait to be standing in the GlobeTheatre seeing Hamlet — one of the greatest pieces …ever written — performed as it is meant to be done onstage,” he said. “To see our students come alivewatching this was what’s so exciting for me.”

Sophomore Molly Maladay was thrilled to see theRoyal Shakespeare Company’s production of King Johnat the one-room Royal Shakespeare Theatre. After theperformance, she and the group spoke with the actorwho played the title character.

“He seemed so genuinely appreciative of everythingwe had to say about his phenomenal performance, andit was great to get a different take on the theater, aswell,” she said, describing how audience memberswere seated on three sides of the Globe’s “thrust”stage.

Maladay said she also enjoyed a weekend train tripto Paris.

“This London trip was a once-in-a-lifetimeopportunity,” she added. “However, I never forgot that Iwas there to study, and I always made sure I set timeaside to study outside of class.”

King was one of three friends who accompaniedMalady on the memorable train ride to Paris.

“You don’t realize how big the world is until you gosomewhere like that,” said King. “I would go again in aheartbeat.”

During the Cal U­Lock Haven­Bloomsburg London Theatre Tour earlier this summer, students explored some of the city’s mostvibrant open spaces, such as Trafalgar Square.

LeadershipChallengeContinues

During last month’s thirdannual Leadership Challenge

summer camp, Rob Joseph ofUpper St. Clair, Pa., attempts

to scale across one of theobstacles at Outdoor

Odyssey, a 500­acre facilityin Boswell, Pa. Sponsored by

the Linda and Harry SereneLeadership Institute, the

Leadership Challenge is aweeklong summer adventure

for high school studentsentering their senior year.

For a slideshow of the 2012Leadership Challenge, visit

www.calu.edu and seach forLeadership Institute.

New Era for Vulcan Football

To the California University Community:

Since our 20-year tenure as presidentand first lady of California University ofPennsylvania ended, we have been movedby the many expressions of support andencouragement we have received from thestudents, alumni, faculty, staff, communitymembers and other friends whom wecame to know and love during our time atCal U.

Our only regret after 20 wonderfulyears at the University — and the reasonfor this public statement of gratitude — isthat there was neither time noropportunity to say thank you and goodbyepersonally to every one of the wonderfulcolleagues and friends whom we met at,and through, Cal U.

And while we are obviously pleasedand excited to be living “back home,”much closer to our children, grandchildrenand other family members, we will deeplymiss the kind and generous people we metand worked with at the University, inPennsylvania, and beyond since 1992.

Finally, we will cherish the memoriesof our time together, continue the criticallyimportant work we committed ourselvesto, and celebrate the numerousachievements, large and small, that wewere fortunate enough to accomplish.

We were honored to serve as presidentand first lady of Cal U for the last twodecades, and we wish all of God’sblessings on the University, its students,alumni, faculty and staff for the future.

Angelo and Barbara Armenti

ArmentisExpress

Gratitude inStatement

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Instructors Certified

Student to PresentResearch

Cal U graduate student KaitlynSippel has been asked to present hersenior research paper at the KappaOmicron Nu (KON) LeadershipConclave and UndergraduateResearch Conference, set for Aug. 9-12 at Michigan State University.

Sippel graduated in May fromCal U’s athletic training educationprogram and began graduate workin ATEP last month. Her paper,Prevention and Treatment of Pediatricand Adolescent Overuse Injuries, wasinitially submitted to the KONHuman Sciences Honor Society forreview.

Presenters receivecomplimentary registration, a $375value, plus an honorarium check for$50, and reimbursement oftransportation costs

Sippel is one of three studentsselected for this honor. She the firststudent from Cal U’s ATEP programasked to present her research atKON’s annual conference.

Walton Re-electedVice Chair of Board

of GovernorsAaron A. Walton of Allison

Park, Pa., a retired senior vicepresident for Highmark Inc., hasbeen re-elected as one of two vicechairs for the State System of HigherEducation’s Board of Governors.

Walton is a member ofCalifornia University’s Council ofTrustees, and he served as its chairfrom 1999 to 2003. He holds abachelor’s degree in speechpathology and audiology from CalU and a master’s degree in publicpolicy and management fromCarnegie Mellon University.

Also re-elected as vice chair ofthe Board of Governors is MarieConley of Harrisburg, Pa. Executivedirector of the recently formedPaterno Foundation, she is agraduate of Bloomsburg Universityand a former member of its Councilof Trustees. Guido M. Pichini ofWyomissing has been elected to asecond term as chair of the Board ofGovernors.

Chancellor’sContract Extended

The Board of Governors of thePennsylvania State System of HigherEducation (PASSHE) votedunanimously last month to extendthe contract of Chancellor Dr. JohnC. Cavanaugh through June 30,2015. He has served as PASSHEChancellor since July 1, 2008.

Dr. Cavanaugh has been electedby his peers to leadership roles with,among others, the State HigherEducation Executive Officers, theAmerican Association of StateColleges and Universities and theNational Association of SystemHeads. He also is chair of theMiddle States Association ofColleges and Schools Board ofTrustees and of its executivecommittee, and a commissioner ofthe Middle States Commission onHigher Education.

CampusBRIEFS

Three Share STEM Lessonswith Overseas Educators

Three educators from CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvaniapresented innovative approaches

to STEM education at JOSTI 2012, theannual Jefferson Overseas SchoolsTechnology Institute sponsored by theU.S. State Department’s Office ofOverseas Schools.

Michael Amrhein, director for theOffice of Outreach and Integration forTEAMS (Technology, Engineering, Art,Math and Science) at Cal U; Dr.Stephen Whitehead, of the Departmentof Applied Engineering andTechnology; and Christopher Allen, agraduate student in Cal U’s Master ofArts Teaching program, gavepresentations at the institute June 25-29at George Mason University in Fairfax,Va.

The Office of Overseas Schoolspromotes high-quality K-12 educationalopportunities for dependents ofAmerican citizens who are carrying outU.S. government programs and interestsabroad.

Amrhein discussed “Formula 1 inSchools,” a multidisciplinary challengeand international competition forstudents ages 9-19. Formula 1competitors use computer-aided designsoftware to design, build and raceminiature gas-powered, balsa wood cars.

“Through the excitement ofinternational motorsports, the challengeinspires students to use computertechnology to learn about physics,aerodynamics, design, manufacturing,branding, graphics, marketing,leadership, teamwork, media skills andfinancial strategy,” Amrhein said.

The presentation is part ofAmrhein’s work with the Wexford-basedSAE Foundation, the U.S. sponsor ofFormula 1 in Schools and a leader insupporting science, technology,engineering and math (STEM)education.

Whitehead and Allen presented“Mobile Devices for Engagement in K-9Classrooms,” which demonstrated how

mobile applications and handheld digitaldevices, such as the iPod Touch, can beused to motivate students, reinforceteaching and enrich learning.

Their presentation highlighted twoexamples: how students in grades K-5

learned about ancient Egypt through theBritannica Kids: Ancient Egypt app; andhow middle school students learnedSTEM principles by using the iPodTouch to research, design, build andrace a Rube-Goldberg-style contraption.

— Continued from page 1

“Part of the reason we held thiscertification training at Cal U isbecause the University already has thenecessary equipment and facilities tomake this training possible,” said GerdVoigt, a former vice president for theSiemens Technical Academy.

Voigt, who is semi-retired, said henow participates only in internationalcertification programs.

“We use a systems approach to ourteaching, so it is important that wehave complex machines for teachers toanalyze,” he explained.

That classroom technology,coupled with connections totechnology education programs atother schools, helped MichaelAmrhein convince the highly regardedSiemens Technical Academy to makeCal U one if its 13 partner schools inthe United States.

“I knew we had the equipment andpipelines to teachers in other stateswho would want to attend theconference,” said Amrhein, director ofthe Office of Integration and Outreachfor TEAMS (Technology, Engineering,

Arts, Math and Science) at Cal U. “I told (the Academy) what we had

available, and suggested that Cal Ushould host their next training sessionheld in the United States.”

Most out-of-town participantsarranged for affordable lodging andmeals on campus, Amrhein said. Still,the certification comes at a cost thatmany high schools, communitycolleges and universities cannot easilyafford.

A grant from the ClaudeWorthington Benedum Foundationmade it possible for teachers fromEastern Westmoreland and WesternArea career and technology centers,along with faculty from WestmorelandCounty Community College and Cal U, to take part in the program.

“It is expensive to get world-classcertification, so grants are important,”said Tim Callinan, a faculty memberat Anne Arundel Community Collegein Arnold, Md.

“I think almost everyone here isgetting funding from grants. We arefortunate to have people out there whotruly care about the education of ouryouth in an emerging field of study.”

All in a Day’s WorkEric Glover, of Facilities Management, enjoysan elevator ride with a baby robin he and col­league Wally Balla rescued. On July 3 the lit­tle bird fell through a grate in the generatorarea at the loading dock of ManderinoLibrary. While the mother bird flutteredaround the grate, Glover and Balla accessedthe area through the basement of Manderinoand scooped up the frightened fledgling.Once at ground level, the baby bird wasreleased to be reunited with its mother.

Graduate student Christopher Allen (left), Dr. Stephen Whitehead and Dr. JosephSchickel judge a ‘Crazy Contraption’ earlier this year. Allen and Whitehead recentlypresented information about how mobile applications and handheld digital devices canbe used to motivate students, reinforce teaching and enrich learning at the JeffersonOverseas Schools Technology Institute. The ‘Crazy Contraptions’ were built, in part,based on research done with iPod Touches.

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246 Cal U Students on AD Honor Roll

Geraldine M. JonesActing University President

Dr. Lenora Angelone Vice President for Student Affairs

Dr. Charles Mance Vice President for University Technology Services

Robert Thorn Vice President for Administration and Finance

Craig ButzineVice President for Marketing and University Relations

Sharon NavoneyInterim Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

Christine KindlEditor

Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall, Jeff BenderWriters

Read the Journal online at www.calu.edu

The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Office of Communications and Public Relations 250 University Avenue California, PA 15419 724-938-4195 wald@calu.edu

Kallis Interim Dean ofScience, Technology

— Continued from page 1

applications, digital communications and electronic media.Kallis is the president-elect for TEEAP, the Technology and

Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania. In 2009, hereceived a distinguished service citation from Epsilon Pi Tau, the

International Honor Society for technology pro-fessionals. In 2008, he received the technologyfaculty award from the Faculty ProfessionalDevelopment Committee.

Kallis is a respected expert in the technologyfield. Among his accomplishments:

• He developed the Bachelor of Science inMechatronics Engineering Technology program,which has been approved by PASSHE.

• He has conducted teacher training anddeveloped curriculum for the TIME(Technology and Innovation in Manufacturingand Engineering) Center in Maryland.

• He has presented at the local, state and international levels inthe areas of robotics and electronic media/communication technol-ogy

• He was a consultant for the Department of Defense NCRETEgrant in the areas of electronic media development and roboticteacher outreach training

• He developed robotic curriculum for a three-week course aspart of the R Benjamin Wiley Partnership Program, a college-preparation initiative for urban high school students.

• He served as a judge for the BotsIQ competition, in which highschool students design, build and battle robots in a gladiator-stylecompetition.

Kallis earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrialarts education from Cal U, and his doctorate in educational com-munication technology from the University of Pittsburgh.

He succeeds Dr. Leonard Colelli, who is the new provost atPotomac State College in West Virginia.

Teens Look at Justice Studies

More than a dozenhigh school studentsinvestigated careers

in justice studies during adaylong excursion to Cal U.

The young visitors on June12 were part of a careerexploration summer campoffered through SouthwestTraining Services Inc., acompany that helps employersand job seekers make informedemployment and trainingdecisions.

Many students involved inthe program have had littleexposure to various careerpaths or university settings.

“A lot of these kids haveobstacles in their lives,” saidcamp teacher and Cal Ualumna Angela Belcastro ’10.

“I really wanted to showthe students they do not haveto let those obstacles stand inthe way of their dreams.”

Belcastro said the trip toCal U was a perfectopportunity for the students tovisit a college campus andlearn more about careers inprotective services, a recenttheme of the camp.

Students started theircampus experience bysplashing in the EmeritiFountain on their way toAzorsky Hall.

Dr. Emily Sweitzer, chair ofthe Department of Justice, Lawand Society, and Dr. MichaelHummel, director of the Lindaand Harry Serene LeadershipInstitute, introduced students tothe types of programs andcourses the department offers.

Students then took a tour ofcampus and ended theirjourney in Duda Hall, whereCal U junior Ryan Spencergave a presentation on careersin protective services.

His talk gave students afirm grasp of possible careers,their potential salaries and theskills needed to be successful inthe industry.

“No one spoke to me aboutcollege or a specific majorwhen I was in high school,”Spencer said. “Since Ifrequently work with localpolice departments, I was ableto give them an idea about thisfield and the possibilities theyhave.”

The smiling studentsseemed to be enjoying theirtime at Cal U.

“I think this trip greatlybenefited us,” said OshaiWright, a sophomore atWashington High School inWashington, Pa.

“It was is great to come toCal U and have that first-timeexperience on a collegecampus.”

Arecord total of 246 CaliforniaUniversity student-athletes, repre-senting all fall, winter and spring

sports, were named to the Spring 2012edition of the Athletic Director HonorRoll.

For the 12th consecutive semester,Cal U athletic programs compiled acumulative grade-point average of 3.0 orhigher.

Overall, the Vulcans posted a cumula-tive GPA of 3.167 last semester, and 31student-athletes achieved a perfect 4.0GPA.

To be eligible for the academic honor,student-athletes must earn a GPA of 3.0or higher during the semester.

With 16 players on the honor roll,women’s volleyball earned the highestteam GPA at 3.672. The soccer teamposted the top GPA (3.335) among theeight men’s sports teams, with 18 playersholding a 3.0 GPA or better.

Women’s track and field led in theheadcount for all sports with 41 athletes onthe honor roll, followed by football (35),women’s cross country (27), men’s trackand field (26) and women’s soccer (20).

Volleyball led all programs with 94percent (16 of 17) members of its teamon the honor roll, followed by tennis (89

percent, or eight of nine players) andwomen’s golf (88 percent, or seven ofeight).

Also this past year, Cal U athleticsled the entire NCAA Division II inCapitol One Academic All-Americans,with 13.

Interim athletic director Dr. KarenHjerpe stresses that teamwork helped thestudent-athletes to shine. In particular,she praised the work of the athletic aca-demic area led by Kelly Collins, facultyathletic representative Dr. WilliamBiddington, and the University’s coaches,faculty and staff.

“All are integral to the mission ofDivision II, which supports the successof students first and athletes second,” shesaid.

“The record number of student-ath-letes who are on the Athletic DirectorsHonor Roll shows the commitment ofour students to their academic pro-grams,” Hjerpe added.

“We are especially proud of the num-ber of academic All-Americans this year,those recognized at the conference cham-pionships for their outstanding academicachievements, and of course the 246 stu-dent-athletes who have achieved a 3.0GPA or higher.”

Cross country standout Tim Lahmers, a first­team Capitol One Academic All­American whograduated in May, was one of a record total 246 of Cal U student­athletes named to theSpring 2012 edition of the Athletic Director Honor Roll.

Dr. John Kallis

Openings Available in SEEK Program

Children entering grades 1-8 this fall stillhave time to register for SEEK, theannual Summer Educational

Enrichment for Kids program.SEEK’s final weeklong session, Aug. 6-10,

has a “Hollywood” theme. Classes will be heldfrom 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. on campus. Cost is $135per child for a full-week, full-day program, or$90 per child for a full-week, half-day (morning

or afternoon) program. Registration and payment information, plus

a list of SEEK classes, can be found online atwww.calu.edu/academics/seek. Payment canbe made by credit card, using MasterCard,VISA or Discover.

For more information, contact the Officeof Academic Affairs at 724-938-4407 or e-mailseek@calu.edu.

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