December 2004

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Maureen Dobson wants young men and women to believe in themselves. That's the philosophy she's bringing to Clairton City School District. As the high school's new associate principal, Dobson is getting her feet wet in the city and learning its students. She started the job Dec. 1. "I like to see what is currently being done and see what changes could be made," said Dobson, a Homewood resident. She'll be checking out curriculum, helping plan student schedules, setting up new classes, and, of course, disciplining some pupils. Dobson completed a program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania to earn certification as principal for high school and elementary schools. "Clairton's new associate principal wants students to believe in themselves," The Daily News, Dec. 29, 2004

The State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources might have difficulty next year producing a "dirty dozen" list of illegal dump sites on state land. For the past three years, DCNR officials have identified 12 of the dirtiest dump sites at state forests and parks to promote their beautification program. The DCNR has collaborated with the nonprofit organization PA CleanWays to select "the worst of the worst" and form volunteer teams to help to remove the tires, construction debris, household trash and even deer carcasses that have accumulated at the sites. Volunteers from the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Environmental Awareness Club at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown took part in the cleanup last month. Schweitzer commended the volunteers for taking on the hard, slow work of dragging debris along the hillside. "Cleanups will change list of 'dirty dozen,' " Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Dec. 22, 2004

One of Leechburg's own is heading to Pasadena to participate in the 116th Tournament of Roses parade. Roderick T. Booker, who is now band director for the Hempfield Area High School marching band, will take 250 band members to California on Dec. 28 to march in the New Year's tradition. The band represents Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware and Washington, D.C. Hempfield is one of three bands from the eastern U.S. selected. The others are from Georgia and Florida. The Hempfield band also has been adopted by the NFL Buffalo Bills as an annual performance group. The Bills pay for the band's expenses for an annual over-night trip to a football game. Booker has a master's degree in music education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. "One of Leechburg's own heads to Rose Parade," Valley News Dispatch, Dec. 19, 2004

Indiana University of Pennsylvania has a new president. Tony Atwater will take over February first. Atwater had been provost at Youngstown State University since 2001; he began his career in journalism working at radio and television stations around Virginia.  Atwater has a doctorate in mass media research from Michigan State. KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh), Dec. 16, 2004

Tony Atwater has been named president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, replacing Diane L. Reinhard starting Feb. 1. “I am very much looking forward to working with the chancellor, the Board of Governors and the campus community in advancing IUP to the next level of academic excellence and distinction,” said Atwater. “Dr. Atwater will bring to IUP a broad range of experiences in academic leadership,” said Charles Gomulka, chairman of the Board of Governors. “He has had a distinguished academic career and is a proven administrator. He is an excellent choice to lead Indiana University of Pennsylvania into the future.” Atwater has been provost of Youngstown State University since 2001. As provost, he serves as chief academic officer and is responsible for the supervision of an annual managing budget of $56 million. Prior to that he was dean of the College of Professional Studies & Education at Northern Kentucky University. He began his academic career as an assistant professor in the School of Journalism at Michigan State University in 1983. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass media arts with a minor in journalism from Hampton University. He also holds a master’s degree in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University and a Ph.D. in mass media research from Michigan State University. He has received many nationally renowned fellowships and was selected in 2004 as a participant in the Management and Leadership in Education Program at Harvard University. He also served as national President of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. He began his career as a journalist in Virginia and has published more than two dozen articles throughout his academic career. "Atwater takes over at IUP," New Pittsburgh Courier, Dec. 17, 2004

As a rising star in university administration for the past 13 years, Tony Atwater has moved five times within four states. For his next move, he simply will have to follow Route 422 about 95 miles southeast from Youngstown, Ohio, to Indiana, Pa. State System of Higher Education officials chose Atwater on Thursday to become the 24th president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Atwater, 52, has been the provost and vice president of academic affairs at Youngstown State University since 2001. Dr. Atwater will bring to IUP a broad range of experiences in academic leadership," SSHE Board of Governors Chairman Charles A. Gomulka said in a prepared statement. "He has had a distinguished academic career and is a proven administrator. He is an excellent choice to lead Indiana University of Pennsylvania into the future. "SSHE officials select new president for IUP," Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Dec. 17, 2004

 The provost of Youngstown State University in Ohio has been selected as Indiana University of Pennsylvania's next president. Tony Atwater, 52, will take over the presidency at the 14,000-student school Feb. 1. He will be paid $215,000, the highest salary of any of the presidents in the State System of Higher Education. Atwater was selected yesterday over two other out-of-state candidates recommended by IUP's trustees -- a faculty member and former president at the University of Maine and the assistant director at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Va. He will replace Diane Reinhard, who has served as IUP's interim president for 11 months. "Ohio provost named IUP's president," Harrisburg Patriot-News, Dec. 17, 2004

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's next president is a journalist-turned-academic who most recently served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Youngstown State University. Tony Atwater, 52, was named yesterday by the board of governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. He will be paid $215,000 a year and start Feb. 1. "Dr. Atwater will bring to IUP a broad range of experiences in academic leadership,'' said board of governors Chairman Charles A. Gomulka. "He has had a distinguished academic career and is a proven administrator. He is an excellent choice to lead Indiana University of Pennsylvania into the future. "Former journalist chosen to be IUP's new president," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dec. 17, 2004

PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis today announced that 1.2 tons of debris were removed from an illegal dumpsite this fall in Gallitzin State Forest, Cambria and Indiana counties, as part of the state's Forest Lands Beautification Program. This site is one of this year's Dirty Dozen dumpsites," Secretary DiBerardinis said. "An earlier cleanup in May removed more than 20 tons of debris from this area, but we still have more to go to count this as a complete success."  A total of 15 volunteers worked a combined 52.5 hours to remove household trash and construction debris from illegal dump areas along SR 403 in West Tayler Township, Cambria County and East Wheatfield Township, Indiana County. Volunteers were from the Environmental Awareness Club of University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown and Pi Lambda Phi fraternity from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. "PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Illegal Dumpsite Cleared in Gallitzin State Forest,"  PR Newswire, Dec. 17, 2004

JENNIFER ANTKOWIAK, ANCHOR:  Some high school students put on quite a show today. KEN RICE, ANCHOR:  They played Christmas tunes for a group of elementary students, but it might not have been possible without help from a local college group.  KDKA’s Sonni Abatta was at the concert.  She’s live now to tell us about it.  Sonni? SONNI ABATTA, REPORTER:  Ken, that concert also would not have been possible without the help of a certain woman named Julie Rossetti.  She’s part of the Sigma Alpha Iota Professional Woman’s Music Fraternity.  She says she read an article in the PG this past spring about how Duquesne didn’t have enough instruments for its students.  So she got in touch with some old friends and teachers and finally saw and heard the fruits of her labor.  Today Duquesne’s band gave a lot of elementary students reason to sing.  But just last year, the students in the band weren’t as jolly. UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT:  So there was a lot of instruments that were missing and a lot of instruments that are broke. JAMES LITTMAN, MUSIC DIRECTOR:  They just can’t afford renting an instrument. SONNI ABATTA:  But thanks to Sigma Alpha Iota, there’s no need to afford new instruments.  The Professional Women’s Music Fraternity from IUP dug their heels in last spring and got people to donate instruments to the Duquesne school district. JULIE ROSSETTI, SIGMA ALPHA IOTA:  We brought one electric organ, two keyboards, one sousaphone, one piccolo, nine flutes, two saxophones, two small baritones… SONNI ABATTA:  We could let the list go on, but here’s the final tally… JULIE ROSSETTI:  I think it’s fifty-two total.  JAMES LITTMAN:  Oh I said, “Oh my gosh, this is incredible.”  I just was profusely thanking her.  “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” SONNI ABATTA:  Band director James Littman says those instruments will go to immediate use. JAMES LITTMAN:  We have a lot of kids that are upstairs right now waiting for instruments. UNIDENTIFIED STUDENT:  I think this is really going to help our band out a lot.  I think there’s going to be a lot more people next year. JULIE ROSSETTI:  You never know if a child might pick up an instrument that they wouldn’t have had the capability to earlier and might take it and run, and make a huge difference, and really affect a lot of people. SONNI ABATTA:  Rossetti says she hopes to be able to organize another donation effort through her fraternity coming up in the near future.  Reporting live in the newsroom, Sonni Abatta, KDKA TV News. KEN RICE:  Thanks Sonni, and Duquesne is a logical choice for donations from the students at IUP.  The district is one poorest in the state.  It’s been on the state’s distressed list since two thousand, because of academic and money problems.  Since then, it’s been governed by a state-appointed board of control instead of an elected school board. KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh), Dec. 16, 2004

DAVID JOHNSON, ANCHOR:  Some area college students are giving the gift of music to local school kids this holiday season.  In recent years student musicians in the Duquesne City School District have been turned away because of the lack of instruments.  Well today Sigma Alpha Iota professional women’s music fraternity at IUP presented dozens of instruments that they collected during a recent drive to that school district.  The IUP students said it was a rewarding experience. JULIE ROSSETTI, IUP STUDENT:  Music is one of the most important things somebody can ever have.  I think it’s enriching and educational and a wonderful experience to share with anybody. DAVID JOHNSON:  Fraternity members also collected money which will be used to buy accessories and other music supplies. WPXI-TV (Pittsburgh), Dec. 16, 2004

WENDY BELL, ANCHOR:  All residents halls on the campus of IUP will be torn down and hauled away. It is all part of a seven-year and $250 renovation project.  University officials say they’re committed to implementing a plan to provide apartment style housing for the students there.  A 150-bed residence on the University’s south quad is scheduled to be the first building in the path of bulldozers and in the summer of 2006 two new buildings with housing for 638 students are expected to open up for the 2007 fall semester. WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), Dec. 3, 2004

SALLY WIGGIN, ANCHOR:  IUP is tearing down all of its residence halls.  It’s part of a seven year, $250 million renovation project.  University officials say they are committed to implementing a plan to provide apartment style housing for students.  A 150-bed residence on the south quad is scheduled to be the first building in the path of bulldozers in the summer of 2006.  Two new buildings with housing for 638 students are expected to open in the 2007 fall semester. WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), Dec. 3, 2004

MIKE CLARK, ANCHOR:  Some big changes are coming to IUP.  How about all new residence halls?  A seven year, $250 million project calls for all residence halls to be torn down and hauled out.  It’s part of a plan to provide apartment style housing for students  there.  A 150-bed residence on the university’s south quad is scheduled to be the first building in the path of the bulldozers.  That will happen in the summer of 2006.  Two brand new buildings with housing for 638 students are expected to open for the 2007 fall semester.  WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), Dec. 3, 2004

November 2004

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DAVID JOHNSON, ANCHOR:  Well colleges and universities are required to tell you how safe the campuses are when it comes to crime…PEGGY FINNEGAN, ANCHOR:  Yeah, but curiously when the subject is fire safety the information is much harder to come by despite nationwide calls for change.  Target Eleven investigator Karen Welles has been looking into the reasons behind that problem and she is live with what she’s uncovered. KAREN WELLES, REPORTER:  Well the only measuring stick we could find is the Princeton Review which for the first time this school year rated colleges on how they answered fire safety questions, but there are flaws in the system, it’s voluntary, and some major universities left the questions blank.  This demonstration video shows how quickly a college dormitory room can go up in flames.  After fire sparks in a waste basket it’s out of control in just a few minutes.  It’s why most college campuses these days don’t allow smoking or any open flames in dorm rooms.  College websites and student handbooks let you know what’s not allowed on campus; but finding out exactly how fire safe a campus is, is not so easy. ALEXA NEW, COLLEGE STUDENT:  I never considered fire safety specifically.  I actually never really thought of that. KAREN WELLES:  In an attempt to raise awareness of campus fire safety, the Princeton Review asked schools if their dormitories have automatic sprinkler systems and smoke detectors and if students are trained in evacuation and fire prevention.  Because jobs were in transition, Carlow University did not answer the survey, but was forthcoming in showing us a $1 million smoke detection system.  JEFF BESONG, CARLOW UNIVERSITY:  The fire department knows exactly which floor and what door in what building to attend to. KAREN WELLES:  But no sprinklers in the dorms, they’re in the budget for next year.  In the meantime, residence advisors pitch in. KATIE KELLY, RESIDENT ADVISOR:  We knock on the doors, if they don’t answer or something, I open it up and check and makes sure everybody gets out. KAREN WELLES:  But when we asked other universities who did not answer the fire safety questions, to provide us with fire inspection reports, CMU faxed us a blank inspection form, Pitt has still not gotten back to us, and California U never even returned our call.  Which brings us to Chatham College in Shadyside.  Of all the colleges and universities in the Pittsburgh area, Chatham scored the highest on the Princeton Review’s fire safety ratings, 96 out of 99.  When you do find violations, what’s the most common? BERNIE MERRICK, CHATHAM COLLEGE:  I have to say candles and halogen lights, they’re running neck and neck right now. KAREN WELLES:  Unusual, but Saint Vincent College in Latrobe has its own fire department on campus.  We went along with Brother Joe Adams, the fire chief, as he inspected one of the dorms. BROTHER JOE ADAMS, SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE FIRE CHIEF:  This is where I usually start out, this is where the sprinkler system comes into the building. KAREN WELLES:  He checks stairways and hallways for obstructions, pipes, and fire extinguishers.  Even though college students today have a lot of electronic gadgets with low amps, they’re usually not the fire starter.  Did you look into fire safety?DOMINICK DIOSTANZO, COLLEGE STUDENT:  Actually not really.  I mean, whenever we did, it was more based on money and convenience as in location to where we live. KAREN WELLES:  As one of the 14 state-owned universities, IUP is mandated to have sprinkler systems and smoke detectors in all dorm rooms by next September, the total cost, more than $6 million.  That helped to convince Deanna Cox to come here. DEANNA COX, COLLEGE STUDENT:  I knew they were working on outfitting the dorms with sprinkler systems. KAREN WELLES:  But it will take time for some private universities to retro-fit old dorms with sprinkler systems; five to seven years for five residence halls here at Seton Hill in Greensburg.  The university scored the lowest fire safety rating in the area, seventy.  A spokesperson says it’s because many of the survey questions were left blank.  Now bills have been introduced in Congress to require all colleges and universities to install sprinkler systems in their dorms and to make public their fire safety records, but those bills have not come up for a vote.  Reporting live, Karen Welles, Channel 11 News.  PEGGY FINNEGAN:  The group Campus Fire Watch has a list of questions parents and students should ask before choosing a college.  You can find the link to that and to the Princeton Review fire safety ratings by logging onto our website:  WPXI.com. WPXI-TV (Pittsburgh), Nov. 30, 2004

Ellis Marsalis says it's like trying to address the depth of Beethoven's works in just an hour long session. The topic for two music classes today at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is "The Musical Genius of Duke Ellington." The visiting instructor is Marsalis, a modern jazz pianist and music educator and the father of four respected musicians. His visit is the result of a longtime friendship with Dr. Lorraine Wilson, the chairwoman of the IUP music department. Wilson, a former supervisor of music for the New Orleans public schools, also helped to re-create the New Orleans aura in September when the music department sponsored a "jazz funeral" for Cogswell Hall. The building, erected in 1959, is undergoing an $8.8 million renovation, with music classes and performances being scattered around the campus until next fall.... "Ellis Marsalis discusses jazz at IUP," Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Nov. 29, 2004

When Mike Lavis steps into Zack's Bar and Grill in Millbrae, he might as well be back in western Pennsylvania. He's met graduates of his alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the uncle of the owner of one of his favorite bars. One week, he met someone who played for a rival high school football team. The connections were enough to turn him into a regular. Almost every Sunday he nabs the same seat at the bar. Zack's owner Jack Marquard has seen dozens of these meetings in the 20 years since the Pittsburgh native turned his Italian restaurant into a Steelers spot. Once, former high school sweethearts who hadn't seen each other in years locked eyes from across the room. "Sports bars offer transplanted fans a reason to cheer," San Jose Mercury News, Nov. 22, 2004

The majority of teens will have a crash within the first six months of getting a license," said Sandra Toy, coordinator of the Indiana Regional Highway Safety Project at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has been involved with teen safety issues and coordinates the Butler County Teen Driver Work Group. She acknowledged that Seneca Valley has a theory-only class for students, but new drivers require 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice to get their license, preferably with an professional instructor. "It's costly, but parents should look at it as a worthwhile investment. Driver education is not mandatory in Pennsylvania, but this takes a village approach, and there should be some kind of professional training. "Parents wants rules for student drivers tightened," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nov. 21, 2004

Some of the students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania have felt the crunch. It's the inability to attend another desired college because of their family's income level. It's the announcement of another tuition increase while they still are repaying last semester's loans. It's the decrease in their grant awards because of the job they took so they could pay their school and living expenses. "SSHE expects tuition increase," Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Nov. 22, 2004

Whoever becomes the next president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, it's a safe bet they will have the highest salary among their local peers. IUP's Derek Hodgson would have made $200,000 had he stayed in office for an entire year. His replacement, interim President Diane L. Reinhard, is making that salary on a prorated basis. "New IUP president's salary likely to be tops among peers," Johnstown Tribune Democrat, Nov. 21, 2004

One started out as a journalist, a biologist and an English scholar. But all three have long since given up those roles as they moved through the ranks of higher education. The three, Peter Hoff, Judith Ramaley and Tony Atwater, all have spent their recent years in or around top jobs on university campuses. One of them is likely to be selected as the next president of IUP on Dec. 16, when the Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education makes its choice. "We're looking for someone who can exercise real leadership here," said John Henry Steelman, faculty union president at IUP and a member of the search committee. "Three Vying for IUP's Top Job," Johnstown Tribune Democrat, Nov. 21, 2004

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Eberly College of Business and Information Technology has been included in the Princeton Review's Best 143 Business Schools, 2005 Edition. ... "Being ranked among the 143 best business schools in the nation is a great testament to the strength and commitment of the faculty and staff in The Eberly College of Business and Information Technlogy," says Dr. Robert Camp, Dean. "IUP's Eberly named top business school," Pennsylvania Business Central, Nov. 19, 2004

Search for a new president for Indiana University of Pennsylvania is down to three individuals after trustees forwarded three recommendations yesterday to the State System of Higher Education's board of governors. They are Tony Atwater, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Youngstown State University; Peter Hoff, professor of English and senior fellow, Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy, University of Maine; and Judith Ramaley, assistant director, education and human resources, National Science Foundation. The state system board's executive committee is expected to consider the three when it meets Dec. 16. "Three in Running for IUP President," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nov. 17, 2004

Indiana University of Pennsylvania named Jennifer Boughner director of corporate and foundation relations; Earl L. Cunningham, major gifts officer; and Lorry Dinsel, assistant director of annual giving in the institutional advancement division. "Dateline Pittsburgh, Business News," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nov. 10, 2004

The only female police chief in Allegheny County didn't have far to travel when assuming her new position last week. Prior to her official hiring at last Wednesday's council meeting, she had served as acting chief since April. She heads a force of 25 officers and will be paid $68,000 annually. Krempasky, 35, came to Wilkinsburg in 1993, shortly after receiving her bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. "Wilkinsburg police chief officially hired," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette," Nov. 10, 2004

Duquesne City School District music program's recent history of having to turn away musicians each year due to lack of instruments is about to change, thanks to Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music women's fraternity at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. They are spearheading a drive to collect used instruments for the budding musicians to use. "I feel that here are students who really want to learn and one of them may be the next Beethoven and yet because of the economic status in the district, they wouldn't have that chance to learn and excel," said Julie Rossetti, head of the philanthropic committee for Sigma Alpha Iota. The instruments to be donated by the IUP fraternity will be used both by the high school band and the district's music program, which had to turn away about 80 students this year and last due to lack of instruments and the financial constraints of families. ...The fraternity, which has about 35 active members, collected about 40 used instruments and monetary donations, which will be used to buy accessories such as reeds and other music supplies. ... The presentation of instruments will be made on Dec. 16. The IUP students will also join Duquesne musicians in a holiday concert. "Duquesne schools' need strikes chord with fellow musicians," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nov. 4, 2004

Dr. Mary Jane Kirchner Hirt (political science) was part of the Pennsylvania Cable Network's election night coverage, Nov. 2, 2004

IUP's Erin Falce, Women's Soccer is featured as one of the "Faces in the Crowd".... Sports Illustrated, Nov. 1, 2004

Also exhibiting are Takumi Fukunaga of Brooklyn, and New Yorker Adam Welch, an Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduate student. "Artists build new shapes," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nov. 1, 2004

October 2004

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The Indiana University of Pennsylvania Marching Band will perform at the conclusion of each session ... "Three Local Schools in Band Competition," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 27, 2004

IUP's Postpartum support website, postpartum.net, was featured on the "Dr. Phil" show on Oct. 25, 2004

The 12 people voted at the top in education in Western Pennsylvania have at least one thing in common: years of service in the region. Beyond the Top 48 who each received at least 3 votes, there were 62 others who each received 2 votes. ... Nominees were selected on the basis of how many nominations they received from someone in the field of education who responded to a call from the Post-Gazette to help select the top people who have made a difference in education in Western Pennsylvania. Beyond the top dozen vote-getters, who received at least eight nominations, there were 36 others who got at least three votes, making a Top 48 (including)... John Butzow, dean, College of Education and Educational Technology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; vice president of the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators; Victoria Damiani, associate professor, educational and school psychology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Mary Ann Rafoth, professor of education and school psychology, College of Education and Educational Technology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. "Leaders in education have long history in region," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 20, 2004

MARTY RADOVANIC, ANCHOR:  For decades, Western and West-Central Pennsylvania has been known for coal mining and the industry nationwide is looking for workers.  It seems the companies can’t find people who want to work in the mines and those that they have are about to retire.  So what’s in the future?  Sara Burget is live in the Johnstown newsroom with more on this.  Sara. SARA BURGET, REPORTER:  Well Marty, according to one mining expert, the future does not look good. Coal prices maybe hitting record highs, but some of the biggest energy companies say they desperately need help to meet the demand.  That’s the problem, there is no next generation of miners.  Right now, more than half of our miners are above the age of fifty, but this need for workers may not be a permanent one either.  The economy has changed with the supply of oil and gas. DR. JAMES DOUGHERTY, COAL MINING EXPERT, IUP PROFESSOR:  Now what mine workers will tell you is that there’s still plenty of coal around here, but we just don’t seem to b in pursuit of it. SARA BURGET:  The problem doesn’t seem to be a safety concern either, it’s just not the same way of life for a coal miner as it was before.  Now some of the companies looking for workers are Consol Energy out of Pittsburgh and Mass Energy Corporation. Reporting live in the Johnstown newsroom, Sara Burget, channel six news. WJAC-TV (Johnstown), Oct. 11, 2004

MARTY RADOVANIC, ANCHOR:  WJAC and the Altoona Mirror have teamed up to take closer look at issues that are important to you as America chooses a president November the second.  The Channel Six News voter online survey finds a clear majority of democrats who responded, women and men, thinking the economy’s the number one issue in the campaign.  Among democratic women, a staggering sixty-one percent told us they want to know what George Bush and John Kerry will do about jobs and the economy.  Nearly half of the democratic men are concerned about so called pocket-book issues.  For Republicans though, the economy ranked below national security and the war in Iraq.  In fact, only nineteen percent of Republican men and thirty-one percent of women listed jobs and the economy as their number one issue. DR. DAVID CHAMBERS, POLITICAL SCIENTIST, IUP PROFESSOR:  It is their traditional coalition.  I mean go all the way back to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, they have typically played to labor, to minority groups, to struggling middle class families.  And when it comes to those groups, these are the issues that resonate more clearly. MARTY RADOVANIC:  John Kerry’s plan for the economy includes:  one, creating good paying jobs by cutting taxes for businesses that create jobs in America instead of moving them over seas.  Kerry says he’ll cut middle class taxes, promising that ninety-eight percent of Americans will get a tax cut; and three, he pledges to cut the deficit in half in four years.  President Bush said he would one, provide five hundred million dollars to create what he calls jobs for the twenty-first century, he pledges to simplify the tax code to encourage saving and investment; and three, he would create opportunities zones to encourage public and private business investment.  Next Monday night, we’ll take a look at what the voters who participated in our online think about the cost of healthcare.  WJAC-TV (Johnstown), Oct. 11, 2004

Many Americans decide how to vote by drawing, in part, on their religious beliefs. NPR's Steve Inskeep visits two neighboring churches in the swing state of Pennsylvania, and finds conflicting views among congregants about the presidential candidates and the war in Iraq.  It's the first of three stories in a Morning Edition series on the role of religion in the 2004 campaign. In the town of Indiana, Pa., a former coal-mining community whose main employer is now a local university, two Presbyterian churches are located next to each other, the result of an old split. IUP faculty interviewed included Dr. Phil Neusius (Anthropology); Dr. Barclay Butler (Biology); Dr. Vince Miller (Geography and Regional Planning Emeritus).  The Morning Edition, "Religion and Politics: A Tale of Two Churches," National Public Radio, Oct. 4, 2004

September 2004

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Dressed mostly in black, a group of eight musicians led the processional with a jazzy rendition of the hymn, "Just a Closer Walk with Thee." They were headed to a funeral, but it was hard to tell. The swing of the tuba, clarinet, trumpet, trombone and snare drum on the hymn had a bounce to it. The remembrance was for a 45-year-old that has for decades been the center of Indiana University of Pennsylvania's music community. In recent years, there has been a decline -- not sounding as good as in the past; certainly not looking as good. But with the ceremony Friday, a crowd of about 100 music faculty and students laid the old Cogswell Hall to rest and celebrated its imminent rebirth. The large brick building that has played host to aspiring musicians and music teachers is undergoing a massive, $8.9 million renovation that will bring it to the grandeur that it's never quite achieved. When Cogswell was built, back when IUP's mission was that of a teacher's college, it was designed to hold no more than 200 students and 20 faculty members, said Michael Hood, dean of the college of fine arts. Now, IUP's nationally recognized music program hosts 370 students and 33 professors. ... The new facility will have a three-story classroom tower; four rehearsal pavilions; and a 200-seat large ensemble rehearsal space. It will also feature an expanded music library and a music-theater rehearsal hall. "A fond IUP sendoff to a faithful friend," Pittsburgh Post -Gazette, Sept. 27, 2004

Michael Moore, the filmmaker and author whose "Fahrenheit 9/11" has broken box-office records for a documentary, will bring his "Slacker Uprising Tour" to Indiana University of Pennsylvania next month. As part of its "Ideas and Issues" lecture series, the university will balance Moore's Oct. 26 appearance with an Oct. 12 visit by Patrick J. Buchanan, a former presidential candidate for the Republican and Reform parties and founder of The American Cause. The speeches are sponsored by the IUP Center for Student Life. Admission is free. "Filmmaker Moore, Buchanan to visit IUP," Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Sept. 23, 2004

  Trains used to be a familiar sight on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, loading and unloading students right on the grounds in the first half of the 20th century and bringing equipment and supplies for building projects until 20 years ago. But for the past two decades, the school's 14,000 students have been the only traffic on the tracks, using them as walkways and crossing them at will on their way to and from classes and activities. That will change next spring when the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad reactivates a line that will haul coal straight through campus en route to the Homer City Generating Station. ... Those actions have made school administrators fearful that a student will be injured by the newly arriving trains. To prevent that, IUP's engineering department removed a small footbridge that crossed the tracks behind the school's tennis courts, replacing it with orange net fencing and "No Trespassing," signs. Operation Lifesaver, a nationwide program designed to educate people on the dangers of railroad crossings, will be giving classes to school-age students, and IUP also will try to spread the word. "IUP fears students, trains may be hazard," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sept. 19, 2004

ANCHOR:  A Jefferson County college campus is getting an overhaul soon. The Punxsutawney campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania will soon be doing away with some old buildings, replacing them with new ones.  The project has an $8.8 million price tag.  It will include a new three-story dorm and a new academic center to replace the current old main building.  The dorm will have about 200 beds and it will offer suites to students in addition to traditional dorm rooms. VALARIE TRIMARCHI, DEAN, IUP PUNXSUTAWNEY:  The facilities here have been in place since the late eighteen hundreds.  So they are dated to say the least, and our residence halls are outdated.  So, as this campus is growing, there was a need and justification for new facilities. ANCHOR:  The new dorm is to be ready by next fall, while the new academic building is slated to open in the fall of 2006. WJAC-TV (Johnstown), Sept. 14, 2004

The Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committee will hold a hearing on college binge drinking today. The hearing will take place in Folger Hall at Indiana University of Pennsylvania at 11 a.m. Speakers will include Senator Joe Conti and a number of university presidents, including IUP President Diane Reinhard. WPXI-TV (Pittsburgh), Sept. 16, 2004

Some theaters are now in 32 percent of American homes, up from 21 percent in 2000, according to surveys by the Consumer Electronics Association. The force driving home theater sales is high-definition television, or HDTV, said Frank Viggiano, a professor of consumer products at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. HDTVs make up about 85 percent of all digital television sets sold, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Sales of digital televisions were 4.3 million in 2003, according to the association. It projects sales at just under 6 million units this year and as high as 16 million by 2007. "It's becoming mainstay. Everybody wants some form of home theater," said Viggiano, who teaches a home theater design course at IUP. "It's an embraced technology, it's growing, and it will continue to grow because of the quality of the experience that it brings to the viewer." While that experience begins with the TV set, Viggiano said, consumers eventually want a big sound to accompany the big screen... "Audio technology company to unveil 50 offerings this year," Indianapolis Star, Sept. 9, 2004, CNN Headline News, Sept. 9, 2004, and KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh) "The Morning Show, Sept. 9, 2004

Every fall they arrive in droves: young, bright, idealistic college graduates who think they will be the ones to change failing inner-city schools. Nancy Ridings has seen plenty of them in her 37 years of teaching in the public schools here in the nation's fifth-largest city. They often come from comfy suburban backgrounds, fresh from teacher-education programs, or through less-traditional paths like Teach for America, which sends recent college graduates to teach for two years in low-income areas. While these young people say they know what they're getting into, most don't have a clue until they walk through the door on their first day of school. One goal of the two-week program, known as the Philadelphia Urban Seminar, is to make the prospective teachers feel more comfortable in inner-city settings, says Larry A. Vold, an associate professor of education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the seminar's coordinator.
"They need to be somewhere where they are the minority," Mr. Vold says of the college students. "You have to challenge their assumptions and change their attitudes. You can intellectualize all you want on campus about urban schools, but what we found is that only hands-on experience can change their perspectives about urban kids." The seminar got its start in 1992, when Indiana and two other state colleges sent two-dozen students to Philadelphia. Eventually the program grew to include 75 students per year. Last spring it was expanded to include students from 12 of the 14 state colleges after Philadelphia public-school officials found that the students they hired who had gone through the program were likely to stay longer and perform better than other new teachers. Participants in the seminar also have gone on to teach in Baltimore, Richmond, Va., and other urban school districts. "2 Weeks at 'Philadelphia Public'," The Chronicle of Higher Education, Sept. 10, 2004

August 2004

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The message during last night’s kick off to the Republican Convention focused on 9/11 and the state of the nation’s security.  The theme echoed in every speech but is protecting America a reason to go to the polls in November.  Newest member of the Channel Six news team Denise Douglas takes an in depth look. DENISE DOUGLAS, reporter:  The message from the convention last night…does that connect with you? KAREN KASS, INDIANA COUNTY:  Absolutely. DENISE DOUGLAS:  Day one of the Republican National Convention gets a thumbs up from potential voters like Karen Kass.  She and others liked the message. JOHN WALDENVILLE, INDIANA COUNTY:  I liked what I saw and I thought it was a good convention. DENISE DOUGLAS:  Speakers from Senator John McCain to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani took center stage to praise President Bush’s leadership in the war against terror and his response to 9/11. SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN, R-ARIZONA:  He has been tested and has risen to the most important challenge of our time and I salute him. DENISE DOUGLAS:  Professor Dave Chambers from Indiana University of Pennsylvania believes the message while rallying supporters is aimed more at winning over the undecided voter.  The latest USA Today/CNN Gallup Poll shows that President Bush and Democrat John Kerry are virtually tied in key states like Pennsylvania, Iowa and Wisconsin. DAVID CHAMBERS, INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA:  To have moderates come out during the first night of the convention and essentially laud the President’s performance in Iraq with the war on terror is a fairly strong message to those undecided moderate voters. DENISE DOUGLAS:  To break the tie Chambers said the Bush team will have to lay out their social agenda. DAVID CHAMBERS:  By making the case to American people on issues like the economy, like education, like healthcare. REPORTER:  These are all issues that potential voters out here agree are very important to them so there’s no doubt that they will be watching very closely as the focus of tonight’s convention changes to social and domestic issues.  In Indiana County Denise Douglas for Channel Six News.  WJAC-TV (Johnstown), Aug. 31, 2004

KEN RICE, anchor:  It’s a bigger stage than they are used to, but tonight a local band is having its dream come true.  The Clarks get their nationwide break performing tonight on The Late Show with David Letterman.  The Clarks started playing together at IUP, 18 years ago.  Since then, they’ve performed all over the country, but never on Letterman before. PATRICE KING BROWN, anchor:  The big break is coming up right after this newscast.  David Highfield had a chance to sit down with some of the members of The Clarks and he has that story, new at 11. DAVID HIGHFIELD, REPORTER:  They say they’ve been on the verge of becoming a big national hit for nearly two decades, but tonight they’re performing to a nationwide audience. GREG JOSEPH, THE CLARKS:  For me, this has always been something I’ve looked forward to in life.  It’s been one of those, ah, top of the mountain type goals that I’ve always wanted to do. ROBERT JAMES, THE CLARKS:  It’s huge.  This is one of those, you know, those life, this is the milestone for a musician. DAVID HIGHFIELD:  They attracted the attention of the Letterman folks before, but this time, things fell into place. ROBERT JAMES:  Our publicist had a connection with these folks as well, and she called up and said, “Hey, we’re looking to get these guys on the show, what do you think?”  And they said, “Yeah.” DAVID HIGHFIELD:  They were going to perform this song… (Shimmy, Shimmy-low performance) DAVID HIGHFIELD:  But the Letterman people had something else in mind. ROBERT JAMES:  “You’re playing Hell on Wheels right?”  No, we’re doing Shimmy-low.  “You’re doing Hell on Wheels right?”  Okay. DAVID HIGHFIELD:  As for what this will do for their futures… GREG JOSEPH:  Sometimes it’s a fleeting moment, and sometimes it can be a career-changing thing. PATRICE KING BROWN:  And as mentioned, The Clarks had a chance to be on Letterman once before, but the Letterman people literally called them one day and said, “Can you be here by five o’clock” and they just couldn’t do it.  You can watch their performance coming up at 11:35, also during the show; find out how you can win tickets to see The Clarks perform at an upcoming concert at the A.J. Palumbo Center.  That is on Sept. 10, and you’ll have a chance to go backstage and meet the band; and this is all during The Late Show tonight with David Letterman. KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh), Aug. 31, 2004

KEN RICE, anchor: "Well most 16-year-old girls might be worried about curfew, clicks, maybe prom dates all ready one of them is starting graduate school today." KRISTINE SORENSEN, anchor:  "That’s right Ken.  Jessica Meeker all ready has her college degree from Penn State.  She’s now is working on her MBA at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  I went to Indiana today to see how her first day went.  Jess Meeker looks, talks and acts like a typical teen-ager.  The difference…JESSICA MEEKER:  I’m a grad student now.  Just like, oh yeah. KRISTINE SORENSEN:  At 16 years old, Meeker has set goals and is going after them.  She wants to work at teen-age clothing store Hot Topic headquartered in LA. JESSICA MEEKER:  I really, really want to live in Los Angeles because it’s warm out there and there’s no snow. KRISTINE SORENSEN:  But Jess doesn’t just doesn’t want to sell, design or even just market the clothes at Hot Topic… JESSICA MEEKER:  I want to be CEO eventually.  And then, yeah, take over the world but that’s gonna be slightly harder. KRISTINE SORENSEN:  This is Jess’s first time living away from home here in campus apartments with a roommate. JESSICA MEEKER:  We get along pretty nicely.  She does all the cooking because I can’t cook and I do the dishes. KRISTINE SORENSEN:  Even though she was only recently old enough to get her drivers license, most of her friends are in their 20s.  I figured it must have been a little weird being the youngest MBA student or starting Penn State at age 12. JESSICA MEEKER:  Especially when I was younger, like guys, someone would ask me out and then I’d have to tell them how old I was and he’d completely freak out. KRISTINE SORENSEN:  But there are definite advantages to having an MBA by age 18. JESSICA MEEKER:  I’ll get to probably have my PHD by the time I turn 21 and then I have like all those years that I should be in college that I can just go out and party. KRISTINE SORENSEN:  Well the director of the MBA program says Jessica fits in much better at IUP’s program than she would at many other MBA programs because most of their grad students are younger than at a lot of larger schools. KEN RICE:  So she’s 16 starting grad school. KRISTINE SORENSEN:  Yeah. KEN RICE:  At what age will she be totally done and out in the world? KRISTINE SORENSEN:  Well 18 with the MBA but she wants to get her PHD in psychology so a few more years, probably about 21. KEN RICE:  Unreal. KRISTINE SORENSEN:  Amazing. KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh), Aug. 30, 2004

Bill Montgomery, IUP's director of public safety, said a news release is sent to local media outlets and the student newspaper every time a crime is reported. Those releases make up the crime log. ... "We do have students that come in periodically and look at it," he said. "They're not lined up out the door. Some are writing papers and they want information. Some will just want to come in and take a look at it." Students Consider Campus Crime Statistics," Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Aug. 30, 2004
 

Indiana University of Pennsylvania nearly doubled the number of freshman nursing students from 100 in 2002 to 199 students last year. The university has added eight nursing teachers over the past two years... "Local nursing programs scrambling for faculty," Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Aug. 26, 2004

The name of Jim Atzert Jr.'s business, Lawn-N-Order, is a take-off on his "intended" profession: law enforcement. These days, he keeps order in the landscapes of customers with the help of eight full-time employees. The company does lawn maintenance, weeding, landscape design, tree cutting and removal, outdoor (and sometimes indoor, with especially large trees) Christmas decorating, indoor plantings and snow plowing. Slinging dirt is a far cry from police work. He studied criminology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and graduated from the police academy. Finding police work "mostly boring," he decided to stick with landscaping, having paid his way through school operating a small lawn maintenance business. Nowadays, he furthers his education by walking through local nurseries, familiarizing himself with plant material that he can then utilize for customers. He pays special attention to flowering plants. "Landscaper chose lawn enforcement over law," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Aug. 14, 2004

They came to argue passionately against the proposed demolition of a building that many feel is an historic landmark. ... Charles McCollester, a labor history professor, called it "the Gateway to Homestead. McCollester, an associate professor of industrial and labor relations at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, asked the board for time to put together a group of buyers. "Give us the chance till Oct. 1 or Nov. 1 to get pledges which would be cash by Jan. 1. Give people a chance to do something," said McCollester, who is also secretary of The Battle of Homestead Foundation. That group saved and restored The Pump House, part of the old Homestead Works steel mill. "People want Homestead bar, owner doesn't," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Aug. 11, 2004

July 2004

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The "detectives'' all found the body hidden under the stage, but if they had been smart enough to look in that woman's pocket, they would have discovered the answer to the mystery. The crime scene stretched the whole way across Fisher Auditorium, Indiana University of Pennsylvania's main theatrical venue. It included the rows and rows of red plush seats, the aisles, the stage area and the small rooms off the back. But the largest concentration of evidence -- the stuff that held the DNA, the fibers, the skin cells and hairs -- was on-stage, not far away from the first victim -- "Dave Smith," the technical director for the auditorium, who was being portrayed by Dave Surtasky. Friday afternoon's double slayings were the climax of a week-long Crime Scene Investigation Camp at IUP for young people to learn about forensics, police work and problem-solving. "Youths attempt to solve 'murders' at crime scene investigation camp," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 18, 2004

The Keynotes of Music for Mt. Lebanon announced winners of its 34th annual scholarship competition. ... Third prize: $1,500 scholarship to ... Joshua Kelly. He is a senior at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and plays the viola. Campus notes, Pittsburgh Post -Gazette, July 14, 2004

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), USA has been urged to explore the possibility of offering PhD programmes to lecturers in the Faculty of Science in a bid to enrich the faculty to cope with the ever-increasing student numbers. The request was made by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. K.K. Adarkwa when the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Aboagye Menyeh, led a three-man delegation from IUP to pay a courtesy call on the Pro Vice-Chancellor. The team which was made up of Amadu Ayebo (Professor of Biology), John S. Eck (Dean, College of Natural Science and Mathematics) and Jan G. Humphreys (Professor Emeritus of Biology), is on an educational trip to the Science Faculty in furtherance of an intended collaboration between the Faculty and IUP. KNUST (Ghana) On-Line News, July 13, 2004

He was the most important Catholic social activist in 20th century Pittsburgh," Charles McCollester, a labor relations professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said yesterday at a reception honoring Rice at St. Anne Church in Castle Shannon. "Diocese honors 'labor priest' Msgr. Charles Owen Rice," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 12, 2004

June 2004

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Well with Saddam in custody and the new government in place, a local man has high hopes of seeing his family again after 23 years.  SCOTT BAKER, anchor:  Think of that time, Saddam jailed one of his brothers, killed another…Channel Four Action News Reporter Marci Cipriani caught up with him on the IUP campus today. MARCI CIPRIANI, reporter:  Dr. Abbas Ali is a professor teaching business management here at Indiana University of Pennsylvania seemingly a world away from a life in Iraq where he grew up.  But he says Iraq is never off his mind.  His family still lives there and he worries for them but he says with the transfer of power handed to the Iraqi government today, he feels optimistic for it’s future especially after speaking with his nephew.

The words may be foreign to you but the enthusiasm should be clear.  Dr. Abbas Ali’s nephew speaking to him in Arabic on the phone from Baghdad was overjoyed that the Iraqi’s now have control of their country. DR. ALI:  They said we are optimistic. Things are much better. MARCI CIPRIANI:  It is something Ali says the Iraqi people have been waiting for since Saddam seized power decades ago. DR. ALI:  Give people not only hope but also confidence that they can participate in building their country. MARCI CIPRIANI:  A country Ali left in the late 70's.  He came here to America to go to college and decided to stay.  He hasn’t been home since 1981.  Shortly before he says, two of his brothers were jailed, one of them kidnapped and killed. DR. ALI:  He was a writer; criticized Saddam. MARCI CIPRIANI:  Today, June 28th, Ali says is a turning point.  It is evident in the freedom of news there.  The criticism he says his brother was killed for is front page.  This paper boldly shows Saddam Hussein’s locked in a box and asks for change. DR. ALI:  It says the Prime Minister informed Kuwait, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey that they should open a relationship or a new page. MARCI CIPRIANI:  Ali says that new page means a new better life for his family.  Today’s news means that by the end of the year. Dr. Abbas Ali will finally be able to make a trip safely back to Baghdad to see a family he has not seen in 23 years. ... WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), June 28, 2004

  Two exhibitions of sculpture -- one solo and one group -- have been installed Downtown in collaboration with the Three Rivers Arts Festival. While not curated by festival staff, they contribute to the mix of what's offered and benefit from festival-drawn crowds....While works vary in quality, a majority are impressive. Maki Funai's remarkable ceramic "Flux," chosen for the Jerry Caplan Award, is sensuous in line, its organic quality heightened by painstakingly applied detail. Andrew Scott's tripartite "Red Figure Bench," somewhat George Nakashima gone rustic, invites participation with chalk left in paint-slipped turned wooden bowls atop each bench. While the interactive element is contemporary, the piece could better stand aesthetically with the graffiti hosed off. Christine McAvoy Kocevar and Jennifer Bechak frame engaging conceptual issues within confident, formally strong structures in "Threshold of Perception" and "Greenhouse From Synthetic Utopist," respectively. The chutzpah with which these four artists approach space is characteristic of students or graduates of Indiana University of Pennsylvania's sculpture program. Rafael Reyes and Adam Welch also hail from IUP, which has been well represented at the festival for years. "Art Review: Sculptures complement Three Rivers Arts Festival," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 16, 2004

Observers also find that argument lacking. “It would take several years for H.R. 4397 to have any effect on steel prices. Before any steel from the James River Reserve Fleet hits the market, this bill will have to become law, contracts will need to be negotiated, and the actual scrapping must take place,” said Mike Powers, editor of IUP-NEETC Ship Recycling News. “Based on MARAD’s past performance — and the opposition this bill will encounter from environmental groups — that could easily take two years, and who knows what steel prices will be then?”  Hazardous Waste Superfund Week, June 7, 2004

A new attraction for biking and walking enthusiasts is open.  Indiana University of Pennsylvania cut the ribbon for a second bicycle trail yesterday.  The trail connects the Hoodlebug trail to the south campus.  It includes a steel bridge over Stoney Run as well as guide rails and emergency phones ... WTAJ-TV (Altoona), June 8, 2004

Well, we started in the eighties at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, got together just for fun, and one thing lead to another. We put out a record, WDVE started playing one of our songs and it just grew from there and we quit our day jobs and here we are -- Scott Blasey, "The Clarks,"  "Pittsburgh Live," KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh), June 8, 2004

Undrafted free agent offensive lineman Khiawatha Downey, whose battle with multiple sclerosis was detailed in a pair of ESPN.com columns, has signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Downey, 24, is believed to be the first player to sign with a team after being diagnosed with MS prior to entering the league. Contract details were not immediately available but, like most undrafted players, Downey will earn the rookie minimum of $230,000 this season if he wins a spot on the 49ers roster. All I want is for someone to take the chance," Downey said before the draft, "because I'll make it work for the team that gets me." Downey, a Division II All-America guard at Indiana University-Pennsylvania, was projected as a middle-round prospect before teams learned of his condition. Although he was invited to the Indianapolis combine workouts in February, and has been asymptomatic, Downey went undrafted. ESPN.com, June 2, 2004

May 2004

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Consumer experts say you can do something to get better gas mileage. According to Dr. Frank Viggiano, IUP professor: First, drive sensibly. Don't do a lot of stop and go driving. Let the car come to a natural stop on its own. Next, check your tire pressure. Keep the tires inflated to the recommended weight. And most importantly, watch your speed and try not to use the air conditioning. Park in the shade and