In this Issue

Links

Campus News

Home Invited to Perform at Kennedy Center Festival

Photo: Matthew Wright, Fig Tree Photography

Home by Samm Art-Williams, produced by Arcadia University Theater this fall under the direction of Mark Wade, was one of nine productions invited to be performed at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for Region II on Thursday, Jan. 14.

Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center’s founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide that has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United States. Through state, regional, and national festivals, KCACTF participants celebrate the creative process, see one another’s work, and share experiences and insights within the community of theater artists. The KCACTF honors excellence of overall production and offers student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and design. (Photos)

Theater Production Receives Kennedy Center Merit Awards

Wade

Home is the story of Cephus Miles, a young farmer in fictitious Cross Roads, N.C., who is content to work the land until his life is turned upside down by his girlfriend’s sudden departure. Arcadia students brought this emotional exploration of the true meaning of “home” to the MainStage in October. For their portrayals of wrestling with the notion that it may be far more challenging to cut ourselves free from our roots than we realize, the students and Director Mark Wade received several Certificates of Merit for Excellence from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Read more.

The Princess Rescuers Receives Kennedy Center Honors

The Arcadia University Theater production of The Princess Rescuers, a children’s play written by student Paige Hoke '10, has garnered numerous awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Arcadia also has been asked to perform a scene from The Princess Rescuers for the upcoming Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Fringe.

Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Writing: Hoke '10 has been nominated for the Mark David Cohen National Playwriting Award for her play, The Princess Rescuers. “Paige’s work was one of only two plays from the region to be nominated for this award, and this is a very big honor,” says Mark Wade, Assistant Professor Director of Theater Arts.

Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Make-up Design and Application: Four students also earned recognition for their work in make-up design: Claire Berger '12, Kimberly Rossi '11, Katie Schiedt '10, and Tovah Skolnick '10. Read more.

Children of Alumni, Faculty and Staff Enjoy Princess Rescuers

Dozens of alumni, faculty and staff and family members attended the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Family Day and Arcadian Adventures event at the Arcadia University Theater. Children enjoyed a “magical reception” hosted by the Alumni Office and the Arcadia Alumni Association and were able to meet the characters of The Princess Rescuers after the performance on Dec. 5. The Princess Rescuers, written by Paige Hoke '10, weaves an exciting adventure tale for second- through fifth-graders. (Photos)

Preview Leaders Named for Spring 2010

Janice Finn, Assistant Dean for International Services, has announced the faculty and staff members selected for the annual Arcadia spring break tradition since 1994—Preview!

London/Scotland/Spain Preview is a spring break adventure for first-year students at Arcadia University. Arcadia faculty and staff mentors accompany the students on Preview. During its inaugural year in 1994 there were 140 student participants, and the program has grown to hundreds of students each year. Italy Preview is a 2-credit spring course—available only to new full-time transfer students—that begins in Glenside and culminates in Italy. View the list of Preview leaders.

Pagnotta Named a 2010 Phillies Ballgirl

Pagnotta

Emily Pagnotta, a sophomore at Arcadia University, will have one of the best seats in town when the Philadelphia Phillies take the field after back-to-back trips to the World Series. She’s one of 10 women chosen as the Phillies 2010 Ballgirls. Pagnotta plays softball for the Knights.

“In early November, 100 applicants were put through a rigorous tryout to see if they had what it takes to be a 2010 Phillies Ballgirl,” according to the Phillies Web site. “The women were put through hitting, fielding and throwing drills to judge their softball skills. Being a ballgirl also means being a Phillies representative in the community, so each applicant was tested on how they would present themselves under the pressure of an on-camera interview.” Pagnotta made the cut and will be seen on field at Citizens Bank Park as well as at community appearances starting in January. Read more.

Chris McFarlane ’12: From Sergeant to Student

McFarlane

Thanks to Arcadia’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, which is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, veteran Chris McFarlane '12 was able to go from sergeant to student.

As a Sergeant in the U.S. Marines, McFarlane was responsible for the management and training of a team of eight Marines. His most recent title was Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing's Future Operations section. He also served as the Information System Coordinator for the entire Operations section and was responsible for managing user accounts, liaising between Operations and IT, troubleshooting and more. Read more.

Just Call it MAC

Arcadia’s athletic conference, formerly known as the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation (MASCAC), has changed its official name to the Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC), an umbrella organization composed of three NCAA Division III athletic conferences—Middle Atlantic, Freedom, and Commonwealth. “Despite our official name as the MASCAC, most constituents have referred to our organization as the MAC for years,” states conference chair, Kim Phipps, Messiah College President. Ken Andrews, MAC Executive Director, notes, “Recently there has been significant confusion with our conferences and the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference, also the MASCAC. It makes sense for each of us to have our own identity.” Find the MAC on the Web at gomacsports.com.

Operation Holiday: Arcadians Can Help Families in Need

During Operation Holiday each year, Arcadia students, clubs, faculty, and staff help to make holiday wishes come true for families in need by purchasing and donating gifts. This year’s Operation Holiday drive is assisting families from the Inner Faith Hospitality Network and the Church of New Hope & Faith Inc. For more information on what is needed, see lists and information:

• For faculty and staff, a copy of the list of families is available on the ‘L’ drive. It is a Word file named “Operation Holiday 2009 Wish List.” Please notify the Community Service Office as soon as a change is made to the file.
• For students and community members, a list is available on the Community Service Office door, located in Dilworth West.

Those interested in helping with this year’s drive can contact the Community Service Office at 215-572-4000 or rubino@arcadia.edu. Please bring all gifts to the Community Service Office by Dec. 18, 2009.

On Exhibit in Landman Library Student Gallery: 6X6X6X57+3-11

6X6X6X57+3-11 is on exhibit in the Landman Library Student Gallery until Jan. 15.

One more exhibition opens in the Student Gallery this semester, with the opening reception for 6X6X6X57+3-11 on Dec. 17 from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. The show runs through Jan. 15.

6x6x6 is an exhibition of senior artwork. Each participating student from Senior Seminar, along with all three instructors, were provided a 6” clear acrylic cube to be thought of as an installation space in miniature. This dimension was the only pre-determined aspect of this exhibition. Students from across varying disciplines and media shaped their spaces in a truly individual ways.

The Landman Library Student Gallery is a “white cube” space ideally suited for student-curated group shows and class projects. For more information, contact Carole Loeffler, Assistant Professor of Fine Arts and Coordinator of Foundations. View the show.

Easton Café Open Thursday, Monday with Finals Specials

Easton Café will be open until 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, and Monday, Dec. 21, with specials offered during finals week.

Bookstore Holiday Sale: 25 Percent Off

Don’t miss the holiday sale at the Arcadia University Bookstore, running through Tuesday, Dec. 22. Take advantage of 25 percent off clothing and clearance items.

Mail & Print Holiday Schedule

Here is the schedule for Mail & Print Services over the holiday break:

• Monday, Dec 28: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec 29: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec 31: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please contact Mail & Print Services at ext. 2164 if you/your department would like mail delivered on any or all of these days and someone will be present to receive the mail. Faculty and staff are also welcome to visit the Mail room to pick up and send out mail on these days. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Jones at ext. 2164. Thank you!

Scholarly and Creative Accomplishments

Moore Meets with Ai Weiwei at Art Basel

Ai Weiwei and Gregg Moore

Gregg Moore, Associate Professor of Art and Design, met with internationally renowned artist Ai Weiwei on Dec. 3 at Art Basel in Miami Beach. Ai spoke at Art Basel Conversations with Philip Tinari. Ai’s work in ceramics will be featured this spring in the Arcadia University Art Gallery in a show titled Ai Weiwei: Dropping the Urn. Co-curated by Gallery Director Richard Torchia and Moore, Ai Weiwei: Dropping the Urn has been funded by the Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative, a granting program of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Moore met with Ai to discuss the selection of works to be included in the exhibition at Arcadia. Moore also met with Tinari, Director of the Office for Discourse Engineering in Beijing, and one of four authors included in the exhibition catalog. Opening on Feb. 17, the show will run through April 18 and is scheduled to coincide with the spring 2010 conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) to be held in Philadelphia (March 31 to April 3). After its presentation at Arcadia, the exhibition is scheduled to travel to the Museum of Contemporary Craft (Portland, Ore.) where it will open in June.

Biggs Selected as a Fulbright Senior Specialist Candidate

Dr. William D. Biggs, Professor Emeritus of Business, recently was selected as a Fulbright Senior Specialist, which means that he will be available to be matched with a program overseas that requires his particular area of expertise. Once selected, he will be involved in working with faculty members to evaluate, select, implement, and assess the use of computerized business simulations and other experiential learning techniques in various courses. Fulbright Senior Specialist Candidates remain on an active rooster for five years and are eligible to be selected twice, receiving a maximum of two grants. Fulbright Senior Specialist Grants are provided for by the host institution and by the U.S. Department of State. The Fulbright Fellowship programs seek to promote international collaboration and communication among universities. Fulbright Senior Specialists are also encouraged to develop cooperative programs with host institutions.

Palombaro, Mangione Publish on Gait Variability/Low Bone Density

The Dec. 1 issue of Physical Therapy Journal published the article "Gait Variability Detects Women in Early Postmenopause With Low Bone Mineral Density" by Kerstin M. Palombaro, Laurita M. Hack, Kathleen Kline Mangione, Ann E. Barr, Roberta A. Newton, Francesca Magri and Theresa Speziale.

Palombaro, PT, Ph.D., is Community Engagement Coordinator for the Institute for Physical Therapy Education at Widener University and is an adjunct faculty member at Arcadia. Mangione, PT, Ph.D., GCS, is Professor of Physical Therapy at Arcadia University.

Women in early postmenopause and with low bone mineral density (BMD) may exhibit early markers for physical frailty as a result of sarcopenia and osteopenia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether women in early postmenopause and with low BMD exhibit decreased physical performance and differences in gait variability and fall and fracture rates. The study conclusions: Women in early postmenopause and with low BMD exhibited increased gait variability in step time and stance time but did not exhibit differences in balance, strength, or gait speed. Gait variability may be more sensitive for detecting differences in women in early postmenopause with low BMD than more typical measures of physical performance.

Upcoming Events

Volunteers Needed for MLK Recycling Event, Jan. 18

The Office of Community Service will hold a recycling event in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18. The “Shredding Event and One-Stop Drop” will be in the parking area of Murphy Hall on Arcadia’s campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Make sure to sign up before leaving for holiday break. Volunteers can choose one or more shifts, which run from 9 to 11 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1 to 3 p.m. Please e-mail commumityservice@arcadia.edu or apply online at www.arcadia.edu/communityservice.

HIV Presentations for Men, Women, Jan. 28

An HIV presentation and Q&A for men only will be presented by Student Health Services and Circle of Care on Thursday, Jan. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. An HIV presentation and Q&A for women only will be presented on Thursday, Jan. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. Locations for bother presentations to be announced shortly. Free HIV testing is available in Student Health Services on Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sports Update

Twenty-Eight Knights Named to MAC Fall Academic Honor Roll  

The Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC) Fall Academic Honor Roll, which notes academic excellence by student-athletes, recognizes 28 Arcadia University fall student-athletes. The Honor Roll comprises those student-athletes of sophomore class standing or higher who participated in a varsity-level sport and registered a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 (4.00 scale) or higher and completed the playing season in good standing. View list.

Immaculata Outlasts Women’s Basketball 71-59

Immaculata University outlasted Arcadia University 71-59 in local non-conference women's basketball action Tuesday evening. The Mighty Macs opened the game with a 15-0 run before the Knights closed the half trailing by 6 and then cut it to a four point deficit with under 10 minutes to play but poor foul shooting down the stretch by Arcadia allowed Immaculata to stay in front for the win. First year forward Jackie Law gave a gutsy effort in the paint, hauling in a game high 21 rebounds to set a new Arcadia single game record while adding 13 points and 2 steals to lead the Knights. Read more.

Fall Sportsmanship Teams Announced

The Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC) recently announced team representatives on the fall sports All Sportsmanship teams. Arcadia's representatives include Tim Svitak '11 (Men's Soccer), Stephanie Welch '12 (Women's Soccer), Luminta Hamilton '10 (Field Hockey) and Jennifer Ihle '10 (Volleyball). Women's Tennis will be included on the Spring Sportsmanship Team. Congratulations to the recipients!

Ursinus Defeats Arcadia Men’s and Women’s Swimming

Ursinus College visited Glenside for a non-conference men's and women's swim meet Saturday afternoon and walked away with a pair of wins. The Ursinus men defeated the Knights 167-68 while the Ursinus women handed Arcadia's women a 152-77 setback. Read more.

Press Room

Lauren Otis ’09: Lead Role in Pinocchio

Lauren Otis '09 as Pinocchio. Photo: Montgomery News

“Rochester, N.Y., native, recent Arcadia University graduate and current Glenside resident Lauren Otis will take the lead role in Storybook Musical Theatre’s interpretation of the classic tale of Pinocchio,” which debuted Dec. 16 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center in Bryn Athyn, reports Dec. 9 Montgomery News. Otis graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting.

“Otis credits her choice of Arcadia to a serendipitously placed ad in the publication Next Step, which she saw during a meeting with her guidance counselor. A trip to the campus solidified Otis’ interest in the theater program and she soon fell in love with the beauty of the campus and surrounding area,” according to the news. “During her years at Arcadia, Otis appeared in many productions, but her favorites included the roles of Janet in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Peggy in Godspell. She credits the support and camaraderie she shared with the ensemble cast of Godspell as important tools in her burgeoning theater career.” Read more.

Alum Inspires Maine Children To Go to College

Joan Macri '70, wore her Beaver College patch as part of a county-wide effort to inspire K-12 pupils in Maine’s Androscoggin County to go to college. “We’re trying to change the culture of the county from ‘Will I go to college?’ to ‘What will I study when I go to college?” she told the Dec. 2 Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine) in the article “Program calls for county College Day.”  Macri is the former aspirations director for the Lewiston High School and now heads the aspirations program for Androscoggin County at the College for ME (at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College).

Autism Certificate Mentioned In Inside Higher Ed

An Inside HigherEd story on Dec. 10 “Teachers as Students” mentioned Arcadia University’s Graduate Certificate in Autism. Arcadia’s certificate is designed to develop and enhance effective educational practices to support K-12 educators, school districts, and community-based organizations in using best practices in working with individuals who have been identified as having autistic spectrum disorders.

Publication Information

Subscribe to the Bulletin! Join our e-mail list and receive the Arcadia University Bulletin via e-mail.

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 feedthebull@arcadia.edu or call Lori Bauer, University Relations, 215-572-2970.

Contributors: Donna Whitlock '05, University Relations, Joy Zazzera, Athletics, Purnell Cropper, University Relations, and Michelle Tooker '07, University Relations. Photos: Joshua Blustein, Stephanie Deane '12, and Jared Greene '12. Web Producer: Purnell Cropper, University Relations. Managing Editor: Lori Bauer, University Relations.

Bulletin Printing Instructions: To print a copy of the Bulletin, click the Printer icon in your browser's toolbar. To preview the document before printing, go to "Print Preview" under "File" in your browser's toolbar.

TOP

The Arcadia University Bulletin is transmitted electronically every Tuesday during the academic year by University Relations. Article submissions are open to Arcadia students, faculty and staff only.
© Arcadia University. Web Site Usage and Privacy Policies.