July 15, 2008
Arcadia University Bulletin
July 15, 2008 A Weekly Publication Highlighting Arcadia News and Events

Campus News

Two Arcadia Faculty Members Acquire U.S. Citizenship

Dr. Graciela Slesaransky-Poe and Family
Top: Slesaranksy-Poe with husband, Phil Poe, and children, Adrian and Vanessa Poe. Above: Drs. Mark Curchack and Adrianna Gonzalez-Lopez at Commencement.

Arcadia’s commitment to global distinction extends beyond students to include faculty and staff as well. Not only do faculty and staff participate in cross-cultural experiences, but many whose country of origin is outside the States are warmly welcomed into the Arcadia community. Recently, two such faculty members were naturalized, becoming American citizens: Dr. Graciela Slesaransky-Poe, Director of the Arcadia Annual Inclusion Institute (AAII) and Assistant Professor of Special Education, and Adrianna Gonzalez-Lopez '07Ed.D., Director of the B2EST program.

Only two days before Independence Day, Dr. Slesaransky-Poe officially became a U.S. citizen. Slesaransky-Poe was among 1,500 applicants who were sworn in as Americans at the Naturalization Oath Ceremony for citizenship, which occurred at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 2.

Eighteen years ago, Slesaransky-Poe came to America from Argentina on a Fulbright Scholarship to participate in a one-year international exchange program. In Argentina, she had taught people with disabilities how to use computers and, due to her desire to learn more about her field, she wanted to come to the U.S. to study. Read more.

Academic All-American Swimmer Pursues Graduate Degree at Arcadia

Molly Crispell
Crispell
(Photo courtesy Mark Selders)

Before entering Arcadia's Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant) program in May, Molly Crispell made lots of waves in swimming in her undergraduate swimming career. She was named ESPN The Magazine’s First Team Academic All-American, just one of several honors she was awarded throughout her college career at Penn State, where she maintained a 4.0 grade point average in her bio-behavioral health major.

Crispell ranked sixth all-time in the 200 freestyle, and this year she was a part of the 800 free relay team, which ranked in the top 16 in the country. Crispell has recently begun graduate school at Arcadia University for her physician assistant degree. Read more.

Shared Endeavors: Two Sets of Twins to Enter PT Program

PT Twins
From left to right: Meredith Exley, Jennifer Eisennagel, Ashley Eisennagel, Karen Exley

Yes, you are seeing double and these twins are going to keep it that way. Ashley and Jennifer Eisennagel and Caryn and Meredith Exley are halfway to earning two Arcadia degrees. Both sets of twins just completed bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and soon will enter Arcadia's highly selective Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program, ranked seventh in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

While undergraduates, the twins benefited from many opportunities unique to Arcadia. Meredith and Caryn, who have wanted to become physical therapists since middle school, thoroughly enjoyed the Psychology program.

“I would recommend Arcadia to any student potentially interested in studying psychology because of every student’s ability to work closely with faculty, the focus on research-based material, and the opportunity to gain experience in conducting scientific research,” says Caryn.

As transfer students, Jennifer and Ashley found Arcadia’s staff to be very helpful. “It was a relief to come to a school that has a great staff (financial aid, transfer office, etc.) that made our transfer very smooth,” Jennifer says. Read more.

Forensic Science Grads Unlock Mysteries on Discovery Channel

Rick Bond Deanna Ferriola
Bond
Ferriola

Rick Bond '07M and Deanna Ferriola '08M, graduates of Arcadia University’s Forensic Science Master’s program, appear in the Discovery Channel’s Investigation Discovery Crime Scene University (CSU) this summer. Using long-established crime scene investigative techniques and advance tools of forensic science, 12 forensic science students analyze complex mock crime scenes that would challenge even the most experienced forensic investigators. The four-part series premiered Thursday, July 10.

CSU viewers follow the students as they work backward to unravel the puzzles by analyzing the evidence provided in each case. Viewers observe the techniques students employ such as oblique lighting, electrostatic printing, blood spatter analysis, bullet trajectory, fingerprint collection and entomological forensics, which includes analyzing insects to determine the time of death of exposed remains. At the conclusion of each episode of CSU, the two teams of students present their findings, which are judged and compared to the actual chain of events. Read more.

Alumna Practices Public Health in Philly

MOMobile
Canete (far right) with Philadelphia family in front of the MOMobile van.

Keila Canete '07M is applying the skills she learned in Arcadia’s Public Health program in Philadelphia. As a Family Advocate for the Maternity Care Coalition’s Northeast MOMobile, Canete provides women with prenatal and postpartum education.

The MOMobile program reaches out to at-risk pregnant and newly parenting adolescents and women. The brightly colored van delivers services directly to women in their homes, makes appearances in the community to increase awareness, distributes supplies and more. Read more.

Sunglasses Needed to Save Sight

Rivera Samson
Rivera
Samson

Don’t throw those used sunglasses away! Instead, donate them to Guatemala Project: Sunglasses Drive. Hilda Rivera '09 and Irina Samson '10 are helping Guatemalans combat pterygium—an eye condition caused by exposure to the sun—by collecting new or used sunglasses. Pterygium develops in many people who work outside or are constantly in the sun without proper eye protection. It can lead to blindness and/or blurred vision.

Rivera learned of pterygium while participating in this spring’s service learning trip to Zacapa, Guatemala. While in Guatemala, Rivera shadowed and translated for a physician and Arcadian physician assistant students. The group saw many patients with pterygium.

Rivera says very few people realize they are developing or have the disease. “If we can prevent this early on…by collecting sunglasses for children and adults, this condition can be reduced in Guatemala and people will have more knowledge about the condition and how to prevent it.”

If you would like to donate, please contact Hilda Rivera by email: hrivera@arcadia.edu. The drive is ongoing.

See Who's Taking the Stage at Keswick Theatre

Street SignReady to see a great performance or concert? The Keswick Theatre offers a wide variety of performers who will appeal to nearly every taste and interest. The Keswick Theatre has been listed as one of the top 50 theatres of its size worldwide by Pollstar. The theatre seats 1,350 and is also available for rent for performances, business meetings and seminars, benefit concerts and events, and dance and music recitals. Upcoming shows include a Led Zeppelin tribute and Last Comic Standing. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.keswicktheatre.com.

Alumni Rally During Reunion Weekend

From May 30 to June 1, Arcadia University alumni returned to campus for Alumni Weekend with the theme: “Arcadia Alumni–Here, There, Everywhere–Welcome Home!” View photos.

Look Who's Coming to Arcadia

On July 8, the Observers Editors’ Blog posted the recipients of science scholarships to 13 college-bound students in the Meadowlands District. Jessica Rodriguez '12, from Kearny High School, plans to attend Arcadia. She was awarded the NJMC Science Scholarship Award, which assists high school seniors with excellent academic records, who plan to major in a science-related field in college. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must maintain a B average, participate in community service, and write a 500-word essay on the importance of science, technology, and education.

On July 1, The Weekly Almanac wrote that Justine Olivia Pesavento '12, from Saint Rose Academy, graduated in 2008 and will attend Arcadia, majoring in International Studies. Pesavento earned the Service to Student Government Award, Mock Trial Award, SADD, Envirothon, Computer Competition, Yearbook Staff Awards, Cultures Club Award, Performing Arts Service Award “Phoenix Players,” $50 savings bond, and the Excellence in Music Award. She was awarded the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office “Ambassador Against Drugs” $200 Scholarship.

The Courier – Standard – Enterprise reported on June 26 that Adrienne Vicciarelli '12 of St. Johnsville will attend Arcadia and study International Studies. At St. Johnsville High School, Vicciarelli was a member of the National Honor Society, was involved in many clubs, and participated in softball, basketball, and soccer. Read more.

First-year students are invited to share their news by e-mailing information to UR@arcadia.edu. Parents and friends can subscribe to the Arcadia Bulletin or receive Arts@Arcadia e-news at Join our e-mail list.

Emergency Procedures Posted on Campus

Emergency Procedures DecalNew Emergency Procedure decals are being posted on the inside doors of rooms and offices across campus, including residence rooms and faculty and staff offices. The sticker (shown here) will be placed on the inside of every door above the door handle at about eye level by the Public Safety staff, says James J. Bonner Jr., Director of Public Safety.

Discuss the New Curriculum over Coffee or Lunch

It's not too late to participate in small group discussions about the new Undergraduate Curriculum. The Arcadia University Curriculum Committee invites faculty and staff to participate. Open-ended discussions will be very helpful for faculty, staff and administrators who have extensive contact with students. The committee will cover the cost of lunch or coffee as noted below.

Sessions will be held in the Dining Hall—look for a group of tables near windows with a sign. At least one of the faculty members on the committee will attend to discuss key issues. In order to ensure reasonably sized groups, RSVP to Diana Bonner at 215-572-2933.

Sessions are scheduled as follows:

  • Monday, July 21, at noon – Lunch provided
  • Thursday, July 31, at 9 a.m. – Coffee provided

Faculty, Staff Invited to Help with Move-in

The plans for Fall Opening Week are well under way. The New Student Orientation Team has been planning, and training for the staff has begun—everyone is getting ready for the entering class of Fall 2008. Faculty and staff are invited to join the team to help move new students in on Friday, Aug. 22, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. The more hands the merrier.

“For those who have participated before, this is just an earlier call for volunteers—for those who haven’t participated, you simply don’t know what you are missing,” says Jan Walbert, Vice President for Student Affairs. “The major effort that is necessary to facilitate the arrival process is unloading students’ vehicles and helping to get their belongings to their rooms. For those who are unable to carry objects or who have limited mobility or difficulty with stairs, we have several assignments such as offering directions and information, and frankly, there is something for everyone who wants to be involved. We welcome participation in other events as well; details will be available closer to those dates, but we wanted to announce the move-in information now so you can plan ahead.”

To sign up to lend a hand, e-mail Diana Bonner at bonnerd@arcadia.edu.

upcoming events

Cheltenham Shuttle Focus Group Meeting, Aug. 13

Cheltenham Township, in cooperation with Arcadia University, is exploring the feasibility of a shuttle bus service that would serve both township residents and the Arcadia University community in meeting their travel needs on campus and within the area. To respond to the specific requirements of the University community, the project team wants to learn directly from students, faculty and staff regarding the desirable attributes of a shuttle bus service. Students had an opportunity to give their feedback last spring. Members of the project team will conduct a focus group meeting with faculty and staff on Wednesday, August 13, from 11 a.m. until noon in Landman Library, Classroom 2. If you would like to participate in the focus group and share your views, RSVP to Diana Bonner at x2933 or by e-mail at bonnerd@arcadia.edu by Friday, August 8.

Check the online Events Calendar at http://calendar.arcadia.edu.

Foreign Correspondence

Four Continents in Four Years: A Journey Around the World

Michele Tooker
Piranha fishing in the Amazon.

By Michelle Tooker '07, University Relations

During my undergraduate experience at Arcadia, I was fortunate enough to study abroad twice. I was a member of the very first FYSAE group in fall 2003 (before the term was even coined!) and spent an eye-opening four months in London. While in England, I was able to travel throughout Europe—an opportunity that first gave me the “travel bug.”

To quench my thirst for travel, I embarked on another cross-cultural adventure in the fall of 2005. For my second time abroad, I studied on Semester at Sea—a program that sends students to more than 10 countries by way of ship. While at sea, classes are held regardless of whether it’s a Saturday, Sunday or Monday! When the ship docks, students are free to explore the ports of call, participate in organized trips or travel independently.

The most rewarding and memorable stop on my 100-day journey was Myanmar (formerly Burma). Back in 2005, Myanmar was rarely in the news and many of my fellow classmates knew very little about this Southeast Asian nation. Through our Global Studies course—which taught us about the politics, religion, culture and history of each place on our itinerary—we learned about the harsh military regime ruling the country and discussed the human’s rights atrocities that have now made headlines because of Cyclone Nargis. Read more.

Share Your Study Abroad Experience!

University Relations is looking for study abroad experiences from current Arcadia students and alumni. Let us know—through writings, photos, videos or audio clips—what you learned and how it has impacted your life. Experiences will be posted as part of Arcadia's celebration of 60 years of studying abroad and may be used in other University publications. Visit www.arcadia.edu/studyabroadmemories for guidelines and submission forms.

Sports Update

Arcadia Graduate Captures Philly-SIDA Player of the Year Title

Tim Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald

Tim Fitzgerald '08 added one final collegiate award to his expansive resume when he was recently named 2008 Philly-SIDA Academic All-Area Player of the Year for Men's Tennis. Fitzgerald is the first student-athlete in Arcadia's history in all sports to be recognized with this honor.

Philly-SIDA (Philadelphia Sports Information Directors of America) is a member organization comprised of NCAA Division I, II, and III Sports Information Directors in the Philadelphia region. The organization nominates and votes on area student-athletes annually in each sport whose athletics abilities complement their exceptional academic achievements.

Fitzgerald, the 2008 Middle Atlantic Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year for men's tennis, concluded his collegiate playing career with a 22-match undefeated streak at No. 1 Singles. The Wilmington native captured the Freedom Conference Player of the Year title and won the No. 1 Singles crown in the conference championships. Read more.

Sterling Green Named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar

Sterling Green
Green

Former basketball standout Sterling Green '08 has been named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar for 2008. Diverse: Issues In Higher Education established the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Awards in 1992 to honor undergraduate students of color who excel both academically and athletically.

Green captained the men's basketball squad during his senior season, finishing his three-year career as a Knight with 716 points, 127 assists, 251 rebounds and 107 steals while averaging 9.31 ppg in 77 appearances in the scarlet and grey. A member of the Arcadia's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Black Awareness Society, Green earned a Freedom Conference Weekly Honor Roll nod in 2008 and was named Knight of the Week three times in his career. Green received his undergraduate degree in May from Arcadia, majoring in History and Secondary Education. He continues to be active in the surrounding Philadelphia community as a volunteer and works with the B2EST Program at Arcadia University.

Inspired by tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr.’s commitment to education, as well as his love for the game of tennis, this annual awards program gets nominations from colleges and universities across the country, nominating their outstanding student-athletes. In addition to their athletic ability, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must exhibit academic excellence and community activism.

To be included, students have to compete in an intercollegiate sport; have completed at least one academic year of course work, be enrolled for the fall term of ’07, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2, and be active on their campuses and/or their communities.

In the News

Alumni in the News

Gasiorowski
Gasiorowski

Michelle Gasiorowski '99, who graduated with a B.A. in Accounting, is the new manager of Bowman & Co. LLP, one of New Jersey’s largest locally based certified public accounting and consulting firms with offices in Voorhees and Woodbury, N.J.

Gasiorowski joined Bowman & Co. in 1999. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accounts.

Cheryl Wilks Scherbner '78 was mentioned in an article in the July 2 Springfield Sun (Montgomery County). A few years ago a large tree died on her property. Instead of hiring someone to chop it down and haul it away, her husband, who had developed a craft of sculpting using a chainsaw, carved a beaver in honor of Beaver College her alma mater.

Students in the News

Tyler Peckham '09 wrote an opinion piece in the July 5 Philadelphia Inquirer, “Don’t let the admen fool you,” about the “green” revolution, asking the question “How green is the green revolution? Is it genuine? Or has it been hijacked by commercial interests focused on a different kind of green?"

Peckham is a Political Science and Print Communications major and will be editor of the student newspaper, the Tower, this school year. Read more.

Publication Information

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The Arcadia University Bulletin is distributed to students, faculty and staff weekly on Tuesdays during the academic year and bi-monthly in the summer. Campus members are encouraged to submit information to be included in the Bulletin. The deadline for submission will be the Friday before each edition. E-mail information to UR@arcadia.edu or call Lori Bauer, University Relations, 215-572-2970.

Contributors: Donna Whitlock '05, University Relations, Joy Zazzera, Athletics, Purnell Cropper, University Relations, Michelle Tooker '07, University Relations, and Katie Aviles. Photos: Joshua Blustein and Lori Bauer. Web Producers: Sue Gettlin and Purnell Cropper, University Relations. Managing Editor: Lori Bauer, University Relations.

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