Checkmate! Student-Actors Win in “Chess”

Chess_students_250.jpgThe rock musical Chess, an IUP Lively Arts production in its last week, is a story of intrigue and political manuevering.

But not among the cast, made up entirely of IUP student actors. In them you’ll find just dedication, hard work, talent, and a love of theater. 

What’s it like to be a student AND an actor at IUP? We asked Joe York (photo, right), who plays Freddie.

“One thing you can’t do is procrastinate,” says York. “You have to be on top of your game 24-7 to be able to balance school work and rehearsals and stay healthy. And you need to be willing to give up your social life.”

Indeed. The student-actors rehearse at least four hours a day during the week and maybe six hours on the weekends, York says. Preparation usually begins two months before opening night.

York, a senior musical theater major from Rolling Springs, enjoys all kinds of theater, but especially musical theater and opera productions.

He says he’s been in “too many IUP theater productions to count.” If he had to name a favorite? “Probably Chess. Or White Christmas.”

Why does he spend the hours, giving up his free time, for IUP theater?

“I love it. It’s my favorite thing. If I didn’t have theater, I’m not sure what I’d do.”

York will graduate in May and plans to pursue an MFA in musical theater playwriting.

The production is directed by Jeannie-Marie Brown with musical direction by Sarah Mantel

Chess is a very abstract piece,” Brown notes, “requiring a great deal of research prior to even beginning rehearsals.

“The students have worked incredibly hard, negotiating through their own class schedules and rehearsals. They have been present and attentive, and that is why we’ve been able to realize the vision for this production.”

Chess, which features hit songs including One Night in Bangkok, I Know Him So Well and Pity the Child, will close this weekend with shows at 8:00 p.m. Thursday,  Friday, and Satuday. The production is staged on the Waller Hall Mainstage in the IUP Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door.

IUP Professor Uncovers the “Real” Dr. Livingstone

The Scottish explorer and abolitionist Dr. David Livingstone was immortalized by the words fellow explorer Henry Morton Stanley uttered on a chance encounter in Tanzania in 1871: “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

As it turns out, Livingstone was not quite as historians have presumed.

wisnicki_table_280.jpgA team of experts led by IUP’s Adrian Wisnicki, assistant professor of English (left, photo), has used spectral imaging to recover text from Livingstone’s original journals that disputes the edited official journals and helps historians to know the REAL Livingstone.

On February 29, 2012 at 5:30 p.m., Wisnicki and his team, which includes two scientists and IUP doctoral student A.J. Schmitz (right, photo), will present a panel discussion on how they recovered the text from the original journals.

This will be the first time the team presents about the project in the United States. When they presented their findings in November in England, they made international news headlines. 

“The Livingstone Spectral Imaging Project: Behind the Scenes” panel discussion is free and open to the community. It will be held in the IUP Libraries (ground floor).  

In 2009, Wisnicki, who specializes in British literature, found pages from Livingstone’s original diary in an unmarked box in Scotland. He worked with a team of scholars, including Roger L. Easton Jr. from the Rochester Institute of Technology and Mike Toth from R.B. Toth Associates, to make the original journal pages legible. Easton and Toth will speak as part of  the panel at IUP.

Wisnicki compares the technology they used to the science in the movie National Treasure, in which Nicholas Cage recovers the “real” Declaration of Independence.

Of course, the science to recover the Livingstone journals is real.

As a great story in Pittsburgh Post Gazette notes, “Besides providing scholars with new information about Livingstone’s adventures, reactions and comments about African culture, the project also advertises the potential of spectral imaging to transcribe illegible manuscripts written on paper, parchment, animal skins or other surfaces.”

“It’s been an extremely exciting project, not only because of what we have learned about Livingstone, but because of how technology and science have helped us to make this discovery,” Wisnicki says.

At noon on Wednesday, March 1, the day after the panel discussion, Easton will present a program in the IUP Libraries about his work to recover text written by the philosopher and scientist Archimedes.

In addition to teaching, Wisnicki is codirector of IUP’s Center for Digital Humanities and Culture. He believes that his work with the Livingstone journals fits into the work being done by the center.

“Projects like this show the importance of centers like this, recognizing that technology is part of academic work across all disciplines.”

It’s especially exciting to see how experts from the humanities and sciences, by working together, literally rewrite history.

Formula for Success: Student Chapter of American Chemical Society Profiled in inChemistry Magazine

IMG_5857_260px.jpgIn September, IUP’s student chapter of the American Chemical Society was recognized as an outstanding chapter by the national ACS.

Not only will the chapter  be honored at the national meeting March 25 – 29 in San Diego, but they are spotlighted in the February/March 2012 issue of inChemistry magazine.

And they are REALLY in the spotlight!

In addition to a great photo of the students in the chapter, the publication has a full-page of Q&A about the chapter activities and an interview with Professor Nathan McElroy, the chapter’s advisor for the past six years.

The article showcases many of the chapter’s projects and initiatives. This group offers free chemistry tutoring four nights a week, raises funds with weekly sales of hot dogs and T-shirts and uses these funds to make an annual donation of $1,000 to a local elementary or high school science program. The group also participates in local science fairs and recruiting events, including National Chemistry Week at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh.

McElroy, who is an IUP alumnus, was secretary of the Chemistry Club as a student. When he returned to IUP as a faculty member, he said, “I asked to become the advisor.”

When asked about advice for new club advisors, he suggested, “Don’t underestimate your students’ creativity.”

Clearly, it’s a formula that works.

Calling Top Scholars: The Honor Society Invitations Are in the Mail!

Thumbnail image for phikappaph_260pxi.jpgPhi Kappa Phi, the oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society in the nation, honored its IUP chapter as a “Chapter of Excellence” in November.

Now, IUP junior, senior, and graduate students in the top 10 percent of their classes have the chance to join this most excellent chapter.

The honor society recently sent membership invitations to 430 undergraduate students and 557 graduate students, mailing the invitations to the students’ home addresses on record with the university.

The IUP chapter will have two initiation ceremonies: March 28 for undergraduate students and April 3 for graduate students. Both ceremonies will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Blue Room, Sutton Hall.

Students may accept the invitation to join by mailing in a form or completing one on the web and should indicate whether they will attend the ceremony — for undergraduates, the deadline is March 7; for graduate students, March 13.

“We really hope that all invited students respond to this invitation — it’s a wonderful opportunity for students to be part of a national network of scholars,” said Professor Dennis Giever, IUP chapter president.

In addition, he notes that “Phi Kappa Phi has more than $700,000 in scholarships and graduate fellowships for its members nationally, and several IUP students have been selected for these awards since IUP’s chapter was chartered in 1993.”

He asks that faculty encourage invited students to reply. “We know that students get inundated with information and mailings, but this is something that can be of great benefit to them, especially if they have an interest in scholarships or graduate fellowships.”

Check your mail. You are already a winner! 

Welcome to Northern Appalachia!

Center Appalachian Studies 81111D_0181_crop260.jpgFor the first time, the Appalachian Studies Association has selected a location north of the Mason-Dixon Line for its annual conference of hundreds of scholars and artists. That location is IUP.

Thanks to the work of English professor Jim Cahalan and sociology professor Jim Dougherty, and the strong reputation of IUP’s Center for Northern Appalachian Studies, the university will host more than 500 people for the ASA’s 35th annual conference, “The Wide Reach of Appalachia,” on March 23-25.

All are recognized experts on various topics associated with Appalachia and will be making presentations and participating in panel discussions.

Some 50 IUP faculty, staff, graduate students, and retired faculty will showcase their expertise as presenters.

While most presentations are open only to conference registrants, there are four presentations free and open to the community:

  • “Pennsylvania as Greater Appalachia: Historical Perspectives” 
  • “Appalachian Impacts of Global Warming: Reasons for Hope”
  • “The Significance of Powwows to Native Americans in Pennsylvania’s Appalachia”
  • “Uncovering Racist Sundown Towns in Appalachia and Beyond”

si kahn.jpgInternationally known folk singer and songwriter Si Kahn will present a concert, open to the public, on March 24 at 8 p.m. in Fisher Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students, and will be on sale starting February 20 at the Hadley Union Building or at the door immediately before the concert.

Kahn has worked for more than 45 years as a musician and civic rights, labor, and community organizer. He was named the 2010 top folk artist by the Folk Alliance. 

AND, to set the mood, Dougherty will be the presenter for the Six O’Clock Series program this Monday, February 20. His presentation, “You Are Living in Appalachia,” offers a “myth busters” perspective on Appalachia.

“People don’t realize that being in Indiana, Pa., you’re smack dab in the northern tier of Appalachia. Our goal is to raise awareness about this region and its connection to larger society,” Dougherty says.

The Fear Never Goes Away, IUP Sociologist Says

Boxing_260px.jpgChristian Vaccaro’s recent study of men’s fear management continues to attract media attention, with a profile in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on January 30, 2012.

Vaccaro, a visting faculty member in IUP’s Department of Sociology, conducted a two-year ethnographic study of mixed martial arts fighters to further understanding of how men manage their fears. The study was published in the December 2011 issue of Social Psychology Quarterly.

The PPG profile, “Study of martial arts fighters attempts to shed light on how men manage their fears,”  quoted Vaccaro as saying that most fighters never fully overcome their fear of losing or getting injured. However, they learn to manage it through “a number of mental strategies to exude dominance and maintain their masculine identity.”

Vaccaro’s research included interviews with more than 100 persons. He calls the process used by men “managing emotional manhood.” His article also suggests that this ability may “create an emotional orientation that primes men to subordinate and harm others.”

Vaccaro describes himself as a sociological social psychologist and symbolic interactionist interested in the study of gender, emotions, identity, and enbodiment.

The PPG article follows a number of mentions in national media, including in the Huffington Post and Men’s Health News.

IUP at Home on “Hometown Magazine” Radio Program

giever.jpgIf you think the voice on the radio sounds familiar, you’re probably right.

In January, Renda Broadcasting expanded its community programming with Hometown Magazine, a show hosted by one of IUP’s journalism graduates, Nick Ruffner ’06. This news-talk show on WCCS (AM 1160), which airs conversations with two guests each weekday at 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., has made IUP feel right at home.

Be sure to catch the 8:00 a.m. show this Monday, February 6: Professor Dennis Giever from the Department of Criminology will discuss the November 11 White House shooting event and the related arrest, made here in Indiana.

Since it launched, Hometown Magazine has also hosted Dr. David Chambers, professor of political science, talking about the presidential primary, and Bill Spiedel, associate vice president for development in the University Relations Division. Spiedel discussed how private giving makes a difference in the life of the university.

Mike Lemasters, executive director of housing, residential living, and dining and associate dean of campus living and learning, appeared on the program to give an update on IUP’s new campus dining master plan.

IUP’s media relations director (yours truly) has been on the show twice to talk about the selection of IUP’s  new president, Michael Driscoll, and about a variety of campus programs and events, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. program and the Six O’Clock Series

Thank you, Nick, and congratulations on your new show.

For several years, IUP has also been a significant presence on two other Renda Broadcasting shows. Indiana in the Morning, on WDAD (AM 1450), was developed by Bill Otto and is hosted by Todd Marino, airing weekdays at 7:45 and 8:30 a.m. On the first Tuesday of every month, I share the latest IUP news.

We’ve also been featured many times on A Closer Look, which airs weekends at 7:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m., and 12:20 p.m. Hosted by Ashley Pribicko, the show is broadcast on WCCS (AM 1160). 

IUP Daily lists upcoming IUP guests for these shows. What a great resource for the Indiana community. Hope you tune in. 

Ohio University Endowed Research Chair Named for IUP Alumnus, Inventor Kopchick ’72, M’75

Thumbnail image for kopchick_lab.widea.jpgJohn Kopchick ’72, M’75 recently learned that Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine’s newest endowed research chair would be named for him.

Kopchick, the Goll Eminent Scholar and Professor in Molecular and Cellular Biology at OU, is widely admired as an inventor of Somavert, a drug that treats acromegaly. Somavert has saved the lives of millions of people with this disorder, which can cause excessive growth of organs and bones and lead to premature death. It has also brought millions of dollars to Ohio University.

The new chair was established in recognition of Kopchick’s extraordinary contributions to the medical field and the university. 

“This position is such an honor,” he said. “The John J. Kopchick, Ph.D., Osteopathic Heritage Foundations Endowed Eminent Reseach Chair — those words are very special. Thank you.”

His stature notwithstanding, Kopchick’s colleagues and students refer to him fondly as a down-to-earth friend and mentor who has a knack for building research teams, makes research fun, and is an inspiration. 

The new Kopchick Chair is funded by a $5 million endowment supported by the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and Ohio University. It will be held first by a researcher recruited into the college’s Department of Biomedical Sciences in 2016.

“I would hope whoever is the recipient would do their research with the same philosophy that I had, which is to do something that’s going to change the world,” Kopchick said. 

A recipient of IUP’s Distinguished Alumni Award several years ago, Kopchick returned to campus in 2008 to receive an honorary doctoral degree and give the Commencement address.

See a story from the Athens (Ohio) News that explains the how the sale of partial royalty income rights of Somavert will help Ohio University.

Photo credit: Ohio University 

 

From Autism to the Real Gidget: Six O’Clock Series Has It All

Six O'Clock SeriesBuildings rise and fall, people come and go, but IUP’s Six O’Clock Series goes on.

Even after 36 years, this icon of ideas continues to bring interesting and thought-provoking programs to the community.

Every semester, students have come to expect a presentation that is sometimes academic, sometimes purely entertaining, but always interesting and relevant, on Monday evenings at 6:00–at the Hadley Union Building Ohio Room in recent years.

According to our Student Affairs area, it’s almost unprecedented to have a program continue for three decades and still be successful.

So, what’s the key?

“For one thing, faculty truly believe in the programs and encourage students to attend,” Rick Kutz, Center for Student Life staff member and current series coordinator, said. “We also try to respond to current events and mix outside experts with IUP presenters. The quality of the presenters are a draw for students and members of the community.

“It’s a part of the institutional memory and culture here. We probably have students here whose parents remember going to the Six O’Clock Series programs.”

Intriguing. So, we decided to go right to the source, Sherry Kuckuck, a 33-year member of the Student Affairs Division (now retired).

“I got the idea for the program at a conference in 1975,” Dr. Kuckuck said. “I told Ron Thomas, then dean of men, ‘Well, let’s try it and see how it goes.’ So, we started the program in February 1976.”

Obviously, it went well. She directed the program for all but two of her years at IUP, and it was clearly a labor of love.

So, how did Dr. Kuckuck set the stage for its success?

“We chose topics that were relevant and important, and I got the best faculty speakers possible. The faculty knew that the presentations were going to be of high quality, because of of the presenters, and they recommended it to students and supported it. I never had a faculty member tell me no when I asked them to present.

“I also constantly invited people to submit program ideas. We’d get our suggested topics, put them on index cards, and match the topic cards to dates on the bulletin board with Scotch tape.

“My philosophy, in directing the program, was that we were responsible not only for helping students to learn to make a living, but to learn to make a life,” she said.

Six O'Clock Series poster from 2000Harrison Wick, Special Collections librarian and university archivist, recently archived the Six O’Clock Series files and information. He shared several of the older posters with us.

“The first program for which we have documentation is from February 7, 1977, when Dr. John Merryman presented a values clarification workshop,” Wick said. He also noted a program titled “All in the Family: People and Alcohol,” presented by Robert Witchel, professor of counseling.

This semester, the series begins Monday, January 30, with Burrell Brown, a professor of management and labor management at California University of Pennsylvania, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program and Black History Month Kickoff.

His program will be followed each Monday by 10 presentations by a number of IUP faculty and staff members and external speakers:

  • “A Woman’s History of IUP,” Theresa McDevitt, IUP Libraries
  • “Navajo Nation,” Melanie Hildebrandt, Sociology, and students
  • “You Are Living in Appalachia,” Jim Dougherty, Sociology
  • “Financial Literacy,” Patricia McCarthy, Financial Aid
  • “College Scams and Identity Theft,” Eric Rayko, PNC Bank
  • “Punished: Policing the Lives of Black and Latino Boys,” Victor Rios
  • “Bullying: Making a Difference for All,” Kelly Champion, Peaceful Families
  • “Autism: A Multidisciplinary Perspective,” College of Education faculty
  • “Healing in Native American Culture,” Pat Star Dancer Selinger, Thunder Mountain LenapĂ© Nation
  • “Accidential Icon: The Real Gidget Story,” Kathy Zuckerman

All of the programs are free and open to the community. If you’ve not taken the time to come over for a Six O’Clock Series program, clear some time on a Monday evening.

It’s an IUP tradition. Be part of it.

Rigorous Research = Successful Students

James Jozefowicz

James Jozefowicz and Stephanie Brewer Jozefowicz are committed to helping students be successful in the field of economics.

The pair, both faculty members in IUP’s Department of Economics, created a specialized economics research project and required it of their students. And, like good economists, the Drs. Jozefowicz collected and analyzed data related to students who had completed the project.

In reviewing the work of students post-project, they found that they were correct–this project HAS made a difference.

The Jozefowiczes’ findings were the subject of a presentation at the 2011 Pennsylvania Association of Councils of Trustees fall conference. “Ten Years of Learning by Doing: The Benefits of Undergraduate Research for IUP Economics Students” documented that students who completed the project have won many awards for research and have secured competitive jobs at national companies and organizations.

Stephanie Brewer Jozefowicz

For example, their students have won “best paper” awards at competitive regional competitions, the “best undergraduate student paper” award at the Pennsylvania Economic Association Conference, and seven “best presentation” awards at IUP’s Undergraduate Scholars Conference.

Altogether, 80 students have done presentations at local and regional conferences, and 34 students have been published in national and international journals, including Applied Economics, Atlantic Economic Journal, International Advances in Economic Research, International Journal of Applied Economics, and New York Economic Review.

Students have found employment at places like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Science Foundation, Federal Reserach Bank of Philadelphia, Bank of New York Mellon, and many local and regional financial organizations.

Research papers are pretty routine for college students–what makes the Jozefowiczes’ project different?

First, it’s a 10- to 15-page paper, much more rigorous than most required writing. Students must select a topic of personal interest, build a data set, review economic literature, analyze and interpret the data using statistical methods, write a referred report for their peers, and then give an oral presentation. On top of it all, the paper has to be formatted like a professional journal article.

“The project is very student-focused,” Stephanie Jozefowicz said. “We believed, and our research and the student evaluations confirmed this, that our ‘let me show you how to do econometrics and send you out to do it’ approach engages students and challenges them intellectually better than a more traditional instructor-focused ‘let me tell you about econometrics’ approach.”

James Jozefowicz agreed.

“Not only did the students develop a positive attitude about learning because they could be creative in their choice of topic, but this type of project helps students to build a lifelong ability to ‘do economics,'” he said.