Alumni couple invest in College of Business

An alumni couple has contributed $1.67 million to the Bloomsburg University Foundation — the largest philanthropic gift in foundation history. Terry Zeigler ’76, president and CEO of Datacap Systems Inc., Chalfont, and his wife, JoAnn Schultz Zeigler ’77, are sponsoring the Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD) within BU’s College of Business. The institute will focus on professionalism and the interconnectedness of functional business areas.

More than 1,200 graduates walk

A total of 1,122 seniors received bachelor's degrees in two undergrad commencements Saturday in the Academic Quadrangle, while eight doctor of audiology degrees and 147 master's degrees were conferred during Friday's grad commencement in Mitrani Hall.

Kozloff Scholars announced at Research Day

As part of BU’s inaugural Research Day, six students were awarded Jessica S. and Stephen R. Kozloff Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Grants totaling $11,343 to fund their research ranging from behavioral and physiological responses of honeybees to characteristics of interracial marriage.

More than 200 students participated in the campus-wide Research Day, which showcased research for each of the four colleges.

2011 Kozloff Scholars

• Meghan Duell — Integrating Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Honeybees to Pesticide-Induced Stress
• Kathryn Young — Social Stories and Video Modeling Viewed Via an Apple iPod for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Katherine Zimmerman — Honors Independent Study – Camp Counseling 101: A Guide to Understanding and Managing Your Campers’ Behavior
• Erika Quinter — Gum Bichromate
• Eona C. Young Harrison —l Interracial Marriage: Comparison of Common Characteristics
• Cory Hardy — Community Seminars on the Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Investments

BU football scholarship campaign launched

To build on “118 years of true grit on the football field,” the Bloomsburg University Foundation has announced “First and Goal,” a $2 million endowed scholarship campaign to benefit the Huskies football program. The campaign is more than halfway to its goal thanks to a leadership gift of $500,000 from Jahri Evans '07, former All-American and current NFL All-Pro.
 
For details on the “First and Goal” campaign, contact the Foundation at (570)-389-4524 or visit www.bloomufdn.org/firstandgoal.

Exercise Science research goes regional

Mark Yankowski, who received the Student Investigator Award at the recent Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Conference in Harrisburg, was among the exercise science students and faculty representing BU at the annual conference that featured more than 600 sports medicine, exercise science, and nutrition professionals and students. Yankowski presented, “A Positional Comparison of Pre-season Physical Fitness Characteristics in DIII Baseball Players,” along with Charles Brightbill presenting, “Comparison of EMG Responses to Strength Training Exercises with and without Nintendo Wii Guidance,” Josh Fleming presenting, “Running Economy is Not Related to Jumping Performance,” Christina Rasnake presenting, “A Comparison of Pre-season Physical Fitness Profiles Between Positions in a Division II Men’s Soccer Team,” (mentor Andrea Fradkin, Ph.D.) and Matthew McMahon presenting, “Electromyographic and Mechanomyographic Responses of the Biceps Brachii and Vastus Lateralis During Isokinetic Exercise” (mentor Swapan Mookerjee, Ph.D.).

No more holding back: I’m studying in China

Ariana Winder, a junior biochemistry major and professional writing minor, is spending part of the summer in China studying at Shandong University of Technology, where she will learn about Qi culture, Chinese tradition and modernization, and the impact of Confucius philosophy.

A life changing Caribbean experience

Meghan Sullivan, a junior elementary education major and Spanish minor, is spending the summer in the Dominican Republic on a teaching practicum, where she is helping a poor community outside Santo Domingo learn English to help them position themselves to find work. She is sharing her experience with a blog.

A geological look at the Appalachians

A group of Envionmental, Geographical and Geological Sciences students spent 10 days this spring on an intensive camping trip across North Carolina into Tennessee for their Appalachian Transect class. The group studied the geology of the different regions of the shoreline of North Carolina to the Appalachian Plateau northeast of Knoxville, Tenn.
 
Stops included quarry visits to Vulcan Materials Company operations, a tour of Reed Gold Mine, gem mining in Spruce Pine, N.C., stops in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other geologic points of interest. Faculty instructors were Brett McLaurin, Cindy Venn and Stephen Whisner. Students were: Philip Anzelmo, Katie Daud, Sheri Dube, Lynnette Eichenlaub, Ted Grimm, Logan Haga, Richard Hampson, Shane Levengood, Samantha Pfister, Steve Shorter, Kerry Treacy, Jaclyn Yamrich and Eva Yuen.

Former Spectrum staff earns awards

Four former Spectrum Magazine staff members have earned statewide honors in the annual Pennsylvania Press Club competition against professional newspapers and magazines in the Keystone State.

• Megan Angstadt, executive editor 2008-10, earned first place in news reporting for her article, "The Bunchers," which looked at puppy mill abuses. The article first appeared in Spectrum. Angstadt earned a B.A., summa cum laude in journalism and English, and an M.Ed.
• Danielle Lynch, executive editor, 2006-07, earned second place in special series reporting for a first-hand report, "Live From Boot Camp," that appeared in the West Chester (Pa.) Daily Local. She is now the Delaware County Times senior reporter for politics.
• Nicole C. Martinez, who had been on Spectrum for five years as an art major and then as a graduate student in instructional technology, was first place winner for art direction of a four-color magazine, and second in page layout for designs she created for Spectrum.
• Kimberlee Courtney, managing editor 2008-10, took first in the collegiate competition division in feature writing against Pennsylvania college newspapers and magazines for her story, "Twirling the Night Away," and honorable mention in news writing for "I Just Like to Ride." Courtney is now with Pools and Spa magazine in Philadelphia.

Walter M. Brasch, Spectrum's editor-in-chief for 23 years, and retired BU professor, also earned several awards in competition against statewide newspapers and magazines. Brasch took first place in features/personality profiles; second in environmental writing; and second for his syndicated newspaper column, Wanderings. In addition, Brasch and his wife, Rosemary, took second place in specialty articles.

Taking higher education to a new level

BU’s Teaching and Learning Enhancement (TALE) Center recently hosted a Teaching Excellence Academy with 11 faculty exploring how to design or redesign courses, as well as backward design, active learning, teaching writing, instructional technology, formative assessment, understanding student intellectuals and emotional development.

Each faculty member received a small faculty professional development grant for participating, and in the next academic year, they will meet twice more to discuss the progress and challenges they have encountered implementing their course design/redesign. The academy was co-sponsored by the Instructional Media and Design Center.

Newly minted graduate heads to Spain

Samantha Bussanich, a Spanish and biology May graduate, has been accepted by the Ministry of Education of Spain to participate in the North American Language and Culture Assistants. As an Auxiliar de Conversación (Conversation Assistant), she will share her knowledge of English and North American culture in public K-12 schools this fall to June 2012.

James Brown returns to BU as dean

A former interim dean at BU will return on July 11 as dean of the College of Liberal Arts. James Brown, currently dean of Arts and Sciences and professor of English at Mansfield University, served BU for five years as assistant dean, associate dean and interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Anthropology honors its highest achievers

BU’s anthropology program recently honored its 2011 Lamba Alpha National Collegiate Honor Society in Anthropology Zeta of Pennsylvania inductees, as well as Victoria Schlieder for receiving the Charles R. Jenkins Certificate of Distinguished Achievement and being a finalist for the National Lamba alpha Senior Scholarship Award.

The 2011 inductees include Morgan Fornwald, Karissa Monica, Alexa Rose, Meredith Womer, Eva Yuen, Jennifer Culeman, Ashley Zantene, Morgan Fornwald, Shannon Bilder, Jennifer D’Amico, Kirstin Kelly, Kristy Turnbull, Brittany Vaszlavik, Melanie Yodock and Tracy Byrne.

Vice president for student affairs named

Dione Somerville, dean of students at Iowa State University, has been selected as BU’s new vice president for student affairs. When she arrives at BU in late July, Somerville will fill a vacancy that has existed since the death of Preston Herring two years ago. Jeff Long, assistant vice president for student affairs, has led the division since 2009 as interim vice president.

Senior receives prestigious internship

Katie Daud, a senior majoring in political science as well as geoscience and planetary science, will spend 10 weeks this summer in Washington D.C. with the Space Studies Board of National Academy of Sciences on a Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship and learn how space research policy is crafted.
 

Student’s article in national spotlight

Paul Kartachak, a computer forensics major, had his article, “Space and China’s Energy Future,” recently published in The Capitol Hill Wire, which is one of the essential sources for daily news and analysis of the people driving the political world, according to Sheng Ding, associate professor of political science.

His article provides a thoughtful look at China’s space program and the nation’s energy future. “It’s an exemplar accomplishment for our undergrad student to publish his views on such complicated issues in a national media outlet,” Ding says. “As a rising economic power, China’s technology development and energy future are related to America’s vital interest.”

Professor honored for outreach efforts

Michael Pugh, professor and chairperson of chemistry and biochemistry, was recently presented with the Susquehanna Valley Section of the American Chemical Society Joseph Priestley Service Award for his work in community involvement and outreach activities.

Pugh helped initiate SVSACS’s participation in the International Chemistry Olympiad since 1985, served as the Section’s ICO coordinator from '85-90 and '92-99, was SVSACS Education Committee chair from '85-88; a SVSACS Education Committee member from '88-91; and SVSACS chair in '91.

Undergrad research reaches state spotlight

BU students Justin Idzenga and Kathleen Paiva were among 27 Envionmental, Geographical and Geological Sciences majors across the state to present research at the Undergraduate Research at the Capitol Event in Harrisburg, which was sponsored by the URC-PA Organizing Committee and the Legislative Office for Research Liaison.
 
Idzenga presented “The Pine Forest Acid Mine Drainage Treatment System, St. Clair, Schuylkill County, PA: An Anoxic Limestone Drain with an Oxygen Problem,” while Paiva presented “Development of Touch Maps to Aid the Visually-Impaired in Developing Spatial Awareness of Oceanographic and Geographic Features,” co-authored by Martha Harris, mass comm major.

Coin collection nets $900 to help Japan

During the final weeks of the spring semester, a group of BU students led by Anh Tran worked with SOLVE and residence life to raise money for the American Red Cross to help victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami. Through 14 cans, the students raise $911.55 mostly penny by penny.

GPS conducts extensive tree research

BU’s Geography and Planning Society, led by senior Josh Prosceno, researched, designed and printed seven tree benefit tags that were hung from Main Street trees during the recent Renaissance Jamboree in honor of Arbor Day (April 28). The dollar amount on each tag reflected the current size of the tree and increasing returns over ten years as the tree continues to grow.

The students used data from the USDA's i-Tree software to estimate benefits. Each tree benefit tag identified the tree species and explained tree benefits, including: stormwater mitigation, CO2 storage, air quality improvement, energy offset, electricity savings, and increased property value. The Geography and Planning Society also completed a tree inventory in the Town Park this academic year and has prepared maps and tree benefit analyses for the park. It plans to display these data at the park.

Letting their voices be heard

Three additional $50 gift certificates to the University Store were awarded after a random drawing for freshmen and seniors who completed the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) between April 6 to May 1. The winners include Clarissa Coffay, a freshman secondary education/English major from Ashley; Marc Derhammer, a freshman computer science major from Laurys Station; and Courtlyn Stone, a senior sociology major from Philadelphia.

2011 Faculty Promotions and Tenure

More than 20 BU faculty members have received promotions effective the fall 2011 semester. Also, 21 faculty were granted tenure effective fall 2011.

Model UN connects with local students

BU’s Model United Nations Club recently hosted 140 high school students from five local schools for a model simulation — following strict procedure and working on resolutions for some the most serious international problems. The day also served as an outlet for students to learn more about the UN’s procedure, as well as for BU’s Model UN to reach the community.

Pictured front (L-R) Rhea Margelewicz, Danielle Rodriquez, Carly Hustedt, Jaimie Hoffman, followed by Matt Albertson, Michael Gerber, Amro Elansari, Kevin Lavelle, followed by Joseph Albanese, Jonathan King and Abdullah Al-Bahrani (faculty advisor).

Greek Life ‘springs’ into action

BU’s Greek organizations kept busy this spring with numerous volunteer service projects, including lending a hand in The Big Event and helping Relay for Life raise more than $25,000. Fraternities and sororities also put time into education seminars on hazing, team building with Quest and let loose in the Greek Olympics.

There is HOPE in a Powershift

Last month, members of Help Our Planet Earth (H.O.P.E.) attended a clean energy conference in Washington D.C. Powershift is considered the nation's largest youth grassroots training conference with 10,000 committed environmentalists from across the nation.

BU students participated in trainings for two days, then put into practice all that they learned, with a day of action by marching the Capitol and White House to advocate clean energy and green jobs.

Faculty team wins distance learning award

A four-member team headed by Sam Slike, professor of exceptionality programs, received the platinum award for distance education during the IMS Global Learning Consortium, Long Beach, Calif. The award, the organization’s highest, recognized the team’s success using Wimba, now known as Blackboard Collaborate, for online courses in education of the deaf/hard of hearing and speech pathology.

Roundtable giving back in many ways

The University Supervisory Roundtable presented checks to the BU Foundation for $3,250 toward an endowed scholarship fund, a $250 to a student scholarship, a $250 donation to Camp HERO at Camp Victory, and a $250 check to the Children’s Museum in Bloomsburg. The university group has continually sponsored two annual student scholarships and is endowing a university scholarship.

(L-R) Judy Ohl, roundtable member; Susan Trimmer, director of Development, Bloomsburg University Foundation; Sam Slike, representing Camp HERO; Bob Wislock and Kim Schmitz, roundtable members.

Communications students present research

Patrick Griffin, Grace Crispell and Holly Baruch, comm studies majors, recently presented their research, “College Students, Deployment Phases, and Family Communication: How College Students Communicate with their Families during the Deployment Phases” at the inaugural James C. McCroskey and Virginia P. Richmond Undergraduate Scholars Conference in Arlington, Va.

GSA attend equality forum and summit

BU’s Gay and Straight Alliance recently joined the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition for a fun and educational experience at the Equality Forum: The Global LGBT Summit in Philadelphia. Luis Medina, a graduate student, Baylie Sappir, a senior, and Ben Deivert, a junior, attended workshops and the International Equality Dinner at the Constitution Center of Philadelphia.

First Lt. Dan Choi and Daniel Hernandez were honored that night for their valuable contributions to the LGBT civil rights movement, as well as announced the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition (PSEC) has become the first statewide LGBTQ youth-led organization in the nation. Pictured: Sappir, Medina, Jason L. Goodman, PSEC executive director, and Ben Deivert.

Student to work in federal lobbyist office

Nicole Pagliaro, a junior political science major, will spend the summer on a full-time, co-op position in PPL’s Federal Government Relations Office in Washington D.C., where she will handle many lobbying duties, such as managing the director’s budget and schedule.

Pagliaro will also have an opportunity to communicate directly with legislators and other influential individuals involved with the office, as well as attend key fundraisers and planning meetings.

DAWN displays message of DUI impact

Every 20 minutes an American dies because of an alcohol related automobile accident. In celebration of DUI Awareness Month, BU’s Drug Alcohol and Wellness Network (DAWN) office has a wrecked car display on campus, transported with the help of Welsh Towing and the Espy Fire Department. The car flipped four times and suffered heavy damage while driving on the freeway.

The purpose is for BU students to get a first-hand visual experience of the effects of driving drunk. This strong message will hopefully help students understand drunk driving is not only dangerous but also preventable, according to Alexander Rae, of the Husky Paws office. “Only time can get you sober. Myths like cold showers coffee or eating are exactly that - just myths. As students go home this summer, we can only hope the car sends an effective message, and they are able to return next semester safely.”

Sigma Pi Sigma inducts new members

BU’s physics and engineering technology department recently honored the four newest members inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society. (L-R) Emilee Snyder, Mike Tomashefski, Meagan Robinson and Timothy Gildea.

Education advisor to speak at graduation

Eduardo M. Ochoa, assistant secretary for postsecondary education of the President Barack Obama administration, will be the keynote speaker of BU’s undergraduate commencement Saturday, May 7, on the Academic Quad. Ochoa serves as the secretary’s chief advisor and administers more than 60 programs of nearly $3 billion annually designed to provide financial assistance to eligible students of higher education.

COST faculty and students honored

BU’s College of Science & Technology honored its students and faculty during its Spring Honors Symposium in March, where more than 135 students, faculty, staff and family members were on hand to recognize honors students for graduation and various outstanding departmental scholarships and awards.
 
Pictured (left) are faculty honored for outstanding teaching, scholarship and service for 2010-11: Biswajit Ray, professor of physics and engineering technology, Melissa Snyder, Department of Nursing, Robert Marande, Dean of the College of Science and Technology, Angela Hess, assistant professor of biological and allied health sciences, Michael Shepard, professor of Envionmental, Geographical and Geological Sciences. Not pictured: Helmut Doll, professor of instructional technology. (Right) President David Soltz with soon-to-be Doctorate of Audiology graduates.

History major sees PA government in action

Matt Loscalzo, of Devon, served as an intern this semester in the Bloomsburg office of state Rep. David Millard (R-Millville). Loscalzo is pictured with Rep. Millard and Rep. Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana, Armstrong), speaker of the state House of Representatives.

As a constituent outreach specialist, Loscalzo handled many responsibilities, including attending meetings on the Rep. Millard’s behalf, handling constituents’ questions and concerns, processing PennDOT and state forms and conducting basic legislative research.

Get a sneak peek at Textbook Buyback

University Store’s Textbook Buyback has begun and will continue through Saturday, May 7, at the store on lower campus and for the second time at Monty’s on upper campus. Check the live video feed of the line at the University Store from the convenience of your apartment or dorm room to coordinate the best time to arrive.

GWS minor honors its graduates

BU’s Gender and Women’s Studies minor program recently honored its graduating students and the two winners of its inaugural essay contest, Taylor Roberts, who wrote “The Passing Problem,” and Joshua Stoner, who wrote “Homosexuality in the Middle East.”

(L-R, standing) Emily Borlick, Diana Zoelle, Christina Francis, Faith Warner, Nicole Defenbaugh, Eva Yuen, Holly Czwakiel (graduate). (Sitting) Taylor Roberts, Joshua Stoner (graduate), Ferda Asya and Hannah Long. (Not pictured) Kara Shultz, Leilani Kupo and Debra McCracken (graduate).

English majors explore Yale archives

A group of BU students recently became the first undergraduates outside of Yale students to extensively study in the Yale University library archives, which includes the Guttenberg Bible, during their three-day trip to pursue research. BU students met with the library curator and examined highly restricted documents.
 
The students also called up and examined original documents, many of which have never been published, some may never have been seen before by anyone except the author. They hope to help produce, with Julie Vandivere, Ph.D., associate professor of English, a volume of previously unpublished modernist texts. (L-R) Kristin Kelly, Janae McDaniels, Jackie Klein, Hannah Long, Vandivere, Adam James and Kyle Martin.

TALE Outstanding Teachers of 2011

Christian Grandzol, Ph.D., assistant professor of management, and Pamela Smith, Ph.D., associate professor of audiology and speech pathology, will be recognized at commencement Saturday, May 7, for their outstanding teaching as TALE's Outstanding Teachers of 2011.

Senior Tea honors soon-to-be graduates

BU seniors were recently recognized at the Board of Governor’s (BOG) Senior Tea for their coming graduation. Hiram Martinez, former BOG student from BU’s Class of 2000 (far left), highlighted the event as its guest speaker.

FDI Conference draws large crowd

Approximately 90 students from Bloomsburg, Kutztown, Mansfield and West Chester universities presented at the 11th Annual Frederick Douglass Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Conference on April 14 and 15, hosted by BU. Approximately 250 other students attended presentations and the keynote address.

ICS presents its annual faculty awards

BU’s Institute for Culture and Society recently recognized its 2011 Award for Outstanding Achievements in Faculty Scholarship winners. Those honored were James Dalton for Lifetime Achievement, Todd Borlik for Outstanding Scholarship, and Kurt Smith for Outstanding Scholarship.

Senior Art Exit Show opens at Haas Gallery

BU’s Department of Art and Art History in celebrating the work of graduating seniors in studio art at a reception today, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Haas Art Gallery. Students will be giving presentations about their artwork during the reception. The student art exhibition will be up through Saturday, May 7.

Graduating seniors: Kyle Ale, Jessica Chappell, Dominique Filiziani, Kristin Hein, Courtney Martin, Nemi Moyer, Devon Oberkircher, Lauren Robinson, Kristin Stephens, Hilary Trainer, Ashley Willis and Annamarie Wojton.

BU hosts campus-wide Research Day

More than 200 students are involved today with BU’s inaugural Research Day, being held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Andruss Library, Haas Center for the Arts and McCormick Center, showcasing research from all four colleges.

Students caring to walk for Thalassemia

BU’s Public Relations Cases and Problems class is sponsoring a Care Walk for Thalassemia on Sunday, May 1, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Student Recreation Center. The class has already raised more than $2,000 and is expecting close 200 walkers. The event is being held in memory of Ian Wiles, who lost his battle with Thalassemia in December.

Students tour innovative research facility

Eight BU physics students toured the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, N.J., which is at the forefront of deuterium-deuterium and deuterium-tritium fusion research. The group saw a segment of a state-of-the-art stellarator that keeps 200 million degree plasma moving stably without touching the inner walls of the vacuum chamber.

Joining John Huckans, assistant professor of physics and engineering technology, were David Moyer, Jason Vognetz, Kelsey Everett, Eric Wieand, Michael Kerrick, David Dancho, Kaitlin Hiller and Juan Castaneda.

Student programmers converge on campus

More than 200 students from 44 teams from regional high schools competed in the 16th annual High School Programming Contest, hosted by BU’s mathematics, computer science and statistics department. Teams tackled a series of programming problems with varying difficulty. Winners were determined by how many problems they solved in three hours.

LLC students study impact of coal removal

BU’s Social Justice and Sustainability LLC recently traveled with BU’s H.O.P.E. to West Virginia to learn about mountaintop coal removal. The group toured mine sites, met with local groups about the environmental cost of mountaintop removal.

Pictured with the students and Julie Vandivere, director of LCC, is Larry Gibson, an environmental activist. His home, Keefer Mountain, has been in his family for eight generations and remains a spot of beautiful green among the devastation of mountaintop removal.

GWS minor honors its graduates

BU’s Gender and Women’s Studies minor program recently honored its graduating students and the two winners of its inaugural essay contest, Taylor Roberts, who wrote “The Passing Problem,” and Joshua Stoner, who wrote “Homosexuality in the Middle East.”

(L-R, standing) Emily Borlick, Diana Zoelle, Christina Francis, Faith Warner, Nicole Defenbaugh, Eva Yuen, Holly Czwakiel (graduate). (Sitting) Taylor Roberts, Joshua Stoner (graduate), Ferda Asya and Hannah Long. (Not pictured) Kara Shultz, Leilani Kupo and Debra McCracken (graduate).

English majors explore Yale archives

A group of BU students recently became the first undergraduates outside of Yale students to extensively study in the Yale University library archives, which includes the Guttenberg Bible, during their three-day trip to pursue research. BU students met with the library curator and examined highly restricted documents.
 
The students also called up and examined original documents, many of which have never been published, some may never have been seen before by anyone except the author. They hope to help produce, with Julie Vandivere, Ph.D., associate professor of English, a volume of previously unpublished modernist texts. (L-R) Kristin Kelly, Janae McDaniels, Jackie Klein, Hannah Long, Vandivere, Adam James and Kyle Martin.

GPS lends hand to local riding center

BU’s Geography and Planning Society helped clean up the trails at the EOS Therapeutic Riding Center last month. Volunteers included Matt Braun, Max Goldstein, Lauren Robinson, Sandi Kehoe-Forutan, faculty advisor, Jacqi Signs and Kyle Nicholas.

A rewarding Husky family affair

Nearly 140 alumni and guests attended the Alumni Awards Luncheon in the Kehr Union Ballroom earlier this month, where several notable alumni were honored. (L-R, front) Richard Agretto,'77, Distinguished Service Award; Beverly Donchez Bradley, '71, Distinguished Service Award; Dorothy Derr Tilson, '40, Distinguished Service Award; Lynda Michaels, ’88, Alum Director.

(L-R, back) President David Soltz, Dr. Jim Pomfret, 2011 Honorary Alumnus, Brian Kovatch, '96, Maroon and Gold Excellence Award; Alumni Association President Greg Bowden, ’01.

Isabel Olah Horvath, ’41, was one of the oldest graduates at the Alumni Weekend reunion for the classes of the 1930s and 1940s. She is pictured (left) with Erik Evans, VP for University Advancement.

Former Spectrum staff earns awards

Four former Spectrum Magazine staff members have earned statewide honors in the annual Pennsylvania Press Club competition against professional newspapers and magazines in the Keystone State.

• Megan Angstadt, executive editor 2008-10, earned first place in news reporting for her article, "The Bunchers," which looked at puppy mill abuses. The article first appeared in Spectrum. Angstadt earned a B.A., summa cum laude in journalism and English, and an M.Ed.
• Danielle Lynch, executive editor, 2006-07, earned second place in special series reporting for a first-hand report, "Live From Boot Camp," that appeared in the West Chester (Pa.) Daily Local. She is now the Delaware County Times senior reporter for politics.
• Nicole C. Martinez, who had been on Spectrum for five years as an art major and then as a graduate student in instructional technology, was first place winner for art direction of a four-color magazine, and second in page layout for designs she created for Spectrum.
• Kimberlee Courtney, managing editor 2008-10, took first in the collegiate competition division in feature writing against Pennsylvania college newspapers and magazines for her story, "Twirling the Night Away," and honorable mention in news writing for "I Just Like to Ride." Courtney is now with Pools and Spa magazine in Philadelphia.

Walter M. Brasch, Spectrum's editor-in-chief for 23 years, and retired BU professor, also earned several awards in competition against statewide newspapers and magazines. Brasch took first place in features/personality profiles; second in environmental writing; and second for his syndicated newspaper column, Wanderings. In addition, Brasch and his wife, Rosemary, took second place in specialty articles.