IN  THIS  ISSUE

IN THIS ISSUE:
¿Habla ingles? Parlez-vous
anglais? 对不起，你会说英文吗
Knowledge Crossing Borders
Returns to WCU
Awuyah Takes Helm of Frederick
Douglass Institute
“Road to Macy’s”
Premieres this March
Tour WCU from Your Couch
November 2015
A Message from the President
Earlier this autumn, staff members in the Office of the President
put down their pens and paperwork and picked up paintbrushes to
brighten a shelter for homeless families operated by the Friends
Association, located in West Chester. Paint was spilled and laughter
shared, but at the end of the day, much had been accomplished.
I am very proud of the culture of service we have created at West
Chester University. Every member of the campus community is
asked to step outside their own needs and commitments — for an
hour, a day, or many hours throughout the year — and work for the
greater good.
Our students lead by example. During the last academic year, our
students participated in more than 812,000 hours of public service
through service-learning coursework. This set a new record for
Christine Siegl, president’s staff
service-learning at WCU. Co-curricular programs generated an additional 93,000-plus hours of public service.
I encourage you to talk to your manager and colleagues about ways that your department or unit might want to
give back to the community during this season of giving.
Best wishes for a joyful holiday season shared with family and friends.
Greg R. Weisenstein
November 2015: In This Issue
¿Habla ingles? Parlez-vous anglais? 对不起，你会说英文 .............3
Tour WCU from Your Couch .....................................................9
WCU Partners with Local District to “Open Doors of Possibility”
Awuyah Takes Helm of Frederick Douglass Institute...............10
...................................................................................................4
Students with Disabilities Get Taste of College Life ...............10
Knowledge Crossing Borders Returns to WCU ........................4
Hot Reads for Cold Nights ......................................................11
“Road to Macy’s” Premieres this March ...................................5
Winter Cultural Highlights ..................................................12-13
WCU — Points of Pride .........................................................6-8
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West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015
¿Habla ingles? Parlez-vous anglais? 对不起，你会说英文吗
English is said to be one of the hardest languages to learn. But a group of international students will be heading to WCU to
take on, and hopefully master, English with the help of ELS International Services, the University’s new English-as-a-secondlanguage program provider.
“ELS is known for its high quality academic program as well
as a strong record of international student recruitment and
outreach,” says Peter Loedel, interim director/assistant vice
president for International Programs. “We are delighted to
partner with ELS to help students gain the English proficiency
they need to succeed at WCU.”
“WCU’s strategic plan envisions growth in the number
of international students attending the University,” adds
Loedel. “This program of instruction will be a critical piece in
the strategy of doubling the number of international students
on campus.”
ELS International will be housed on the fourth floor of Mitchell Hall. Staff members will begin arriving on campus during the
spring semester to prepare for a June launch date. Recruitment is taking place worldwide, with the largest number of students
expected to come from Asia, the Middle East and South America. The first cohort will be small — 10 to 15 students — by
design. Students will be granted a conditional admission to WCU upon successful completion of the language program.
This infographic, as well as the infographic on page 11, was created by Rebekah Hamson and Parker Webber, both senior
graphic and interactive design majors. Under the direction of David Jones, assistant professor of art, Hamson and Webber are
serving as student graphic interns to the Office of the President this academic year.
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West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015
WCU Partners with Local District to “Open Doors of Possibility”
Among the 48 English-as-a-second-language (ESL) middle school
students in the Upper Merion school district, only four come from
families where someone attended higher education in their home country.
Getting a college degree can seem like a remote possibility if none of
your family members attended college, or in many cases, didn’t have
the opportunity to graduate from high school. But a WCU outreach
program, “Opening Doors of Possibility,” is helping these ESL students
and their families understand how they can make college a reality.
Spearheaded by Angela Della Valle and Andrea Varricchi, both
professors in the department of language and cultures, the program
places a bilingual WCU student in the Upper Merion district as an
intern. One of the intern’s chief responsibilities is to organize campus
visits for ESL middle school students and their families. This year’s
intern is Rachel Plank, a graduate student in language and culture,
who also is seeking K-12 certification in Spanish.
A campus visit held on Nov. 10 included tours of classrooms, residence halls, and the F.H. Green Library, as well as meetings with
faculty members and current WCU students. A big hit with the students was the Mather Planetarium, reports Della Valle. Most of
the students had never seen a planetarium before. Each student went home with a WCU gift and informational material
from the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid and Residence Life.
Knowledge Crossing Borders Returns to WCU
West Chester University will host the fourth annual International Congress on Higher Education, Knowledge Crossing Borders,
from May 31 to June 4, 2016. WCU partners with Costa Rica’s Universidad Nacional to sponsor this biannual conference, which
is designed to share research and best practices in higher education worldwide. WCU last hosted the conference in 2012.
Conference co-chairs Mary Braz, associate professor of communication studies, and Linda Stevenson, professor of political
science, report that planning is well underway for the event, which is organized around the theme, “building a sustainable future
through global partnerships in higher education.”
Universidad Nacional is sending 24 faculty, students and administrators to the conference, including the university rector
(president). Student scholarships will be offered to international participants to help offset the cost of travel. In their downtime,
participants will have the chance to sightsee and dine in downtown West Chester, as well as take part in a full day of cultural
offerings in Philadelphia, notes Braz.
WCU faculty, staff and students are encouraged to submit research proposals for consideration. The five proposal topics are:
Cross-Cultural Experiences and Learning Outcomes; Our Physical World: Sustainability and the Environment; International
Business and Entrepreneurial Activities; Arts Humanism and Culture; and Health, Well-Being and Quality of Life.
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis Dec. 1 through Feb. 15. For more information, go to
http://www.wcupa.edu/knowledgeCrossingBorders/default.aspx.
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West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015
“Road to Macy’s” Premieres this March
The Golden Rams Marching Band put on a truly incomparable show at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade last week. Many
members of the University community, including President Greg Weisenstein and his wife, Sandra, traveled to New York to cheer
the band on, alongside a total 3.5 million parade spectators. Other Golden Rams joined the 50 million people worldwide who
watched on TV.
Getting ready for such a high-profile appearance took months of hard work and
all that preparation, and the big day itself, are chronicled in a new documentary,
“Road to Macy’s.” The film will premiere on March 4 at 8:15 p.m. at WCU’s
Emile K. Asplundh Concert Hall.
“Think red carpet, searchlights, and ‘step and repeat’ for photo ops,” says Seth
Birch, digital content specialist for the College of Visual and Performing Arts
(CVPA). Birch is coordinating the film project in collaboration with Andrew
Yozviak, director of bands, and with support from Timothy Blair, dean of CVPA
and the strategic planning enrichment theme team.
Tickets to “Road to Macy’s” are free but advance reservations are required. Secure your spot now at:
http://wcucvpa.ticketleap.com/macys.
Check out a two-minute trailer of “Road to Macy’s” at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UBSj2QV9bs.
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West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015
WCU — Points of Pride
WCU’s Got On-Air Talent
WCUR-FM was named one of the 50 best
college radio stations in the U.S., out of a
total pool of 1,500 stations, by BestColleges.com, a college search website.
BestColleges.com noted that WCUR
offers “a broad selection of musical styles
and genres, in addition to regular interviews and in-studio performances by local
and national bands and artists. WCUR
DJs regularly leave the recording booth to
host live events around campus.”
BestColleges.com also recognized the
station’s live coverage of sport teams
and behind-the-scenes interviews with
From left, juniors Chas Atkinson and Jackie Denner on the air at 91.7, WCUR-FM
players and coaches.
Faculty advisor Art Smith reports that WCUR currently is operated by a group of 121 students, with another 40-plus in training.
It is on air 24/7 year round.
“It is very gratifying to see WCUR selected as one of the best stations. It’s an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication
of our station members,” says Smith.
Fall Research Day Shines Spotlight on Student & Faculty Researchers
WCU’s first ever fall Research Day, November 10, featured a broad array of topics – from iPad Minis to exercise and much
more – and by all accounts was deemed to be a success. Fourteen oral presentations were made, as well as 20 poster presentations.
The emphasis was on WCU faculty and student research, including summer research projects
conducted internationally and domestically, says Gautam Pillay, associate vice president for
Research and Sponsored Programs.
“It’s valuable for students to hear what students and faculty in other fields are working
on because in the real world, graduates will be working with people from all sorts of
backgrounds, academic training, and experiences,” says Pillay.
Fall Research Day also promoted faculty/student networking via an informal series of discussions in which faculty shared information about their research and students learned how they
could become involved in these projects.
Invited speakers were Rebecca Chancellor and Aaron Rundus, who are both WCU assistant professors of psychology.
Chancellor also is a faculty member in the department of anthropology and sociology. They spoke about “Chimpanzees
Living on the Edge in Gishwati Forest, Rwanda.”
6
West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015
WCU — Points of Pride
Athletic Achievements
It’s been a great season for sports at WCU. Seven of West Chester’s fall athletic programs made the post-season.
Other highlights include:
• Women’s soccer finished in second place in the PSAC regular-season standings and is currently ranked 22nd
in the country in Division II.
• Senior Sara Bennis of the women’s soccer team was named a CoSIDA Academic All-District 2 selection.
• Senior Andrew Cohen of the football team broke WCU’s all-time sacks record and has a chance to break the conference record.
Bear Fair Brings Cuddles to Kids
WCU’s 19th annual Bear Fair was held this month, and
collected hundreds of teddy bears for youth living in
shelters, children in hospitals, and for holiday presents
for low-resource families. Numerous student clubs and
organizations got involved in the collection efforts.
Jessica McCoppin, a graduate assistant in the Office of
Service-Learning and Volunteer Programs, coordinated this
year’s fair.
From left, Jamie Cary, Emily Todd, Jessica McCoppin
and Andrea Clapperton
Exploring Science with M&Ms
Fifty-six girls in middle and high school had the chance
to learn about careers in the sciences at Super Science
Saturday, which was held Nov. 7. The annual event is the
brain child of Karen Schwarz, an associate professor in
the department of geology and astronomy.
“Our goal is to educate girls about the careers that
are available in the STEM fields — science, technology,
engineering and math — and show them that science
can be fun,” says Schwarz.
Sessions were held on such topics as “Candy Chromatography,”
“Exploring the Heart,” and “The Physics of Collisions.”
Students were able to design video games, conduct DNA
experiments, and examine and classify rocks.
Eleven female faculty -- including one who is retired -- led the workshop and 24 female WCU science majors assisted the faculty
and served as role models for the girls.
The event was funded from revenue generated by public outreach in the Dr. Sandra F. Pritchard Mather Planetarium.
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West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015
WCU — Points of Pride
Frederick Douglass Statue Commemoration Ceremony
On Sept. 30, members of the University community
gathered to commemorate the unveiling of the Frederick
Douglass statue on that date two years earlier and to
reaffirm West Chester University’s commitment to
Frederick Douglass’ message of freedom and
inclusiveness. Frederick Douglass and WCU have a
long and special association. This noted abolitionist
and champion of human freedom was a visitor to West
Chester every decade after his escape from slavery in
1838. He gave his last public address at the University
just 19 days before he died.
President Weisenstein displays a State Senate Resolution recognizing
Frederick Douglass as Chris Awuyah looks on.
Advancement Update
As of Oct. 31, total cash giving to WCU reached $1,187,399, a 30 percent increase over last year at the same time. In addition,
the number of donors is up by 21 percent over last October.
Since Aug. 31, $946,407 in new gifts have been committed to the Becoming More Campaign bringing the total raised to
$33,420,055 (66 percent of the $50 million goal).
WCU’s image development efforts are expanding to include New York City and metropolitan Washington. During November
the University was featured in commuter rail and subway ads in Manhattan (related to the appearance of the Golden Rams
Marching Band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade) and Washington’s Union Station and Metro subway stations.
Conference Services is enjoying a record year scheduling and coordinating academic conferences, summer camps, and
rental agreements for community groups. Since July 1, the office has handled 260 events and generated a record $773,952
in gross revenues.
Improved Campus Map Helps Visitors Find their Way
WCU’s Web Team unveiled a new campus map earlier this year. Its user-friendly features include enhanced graphics and filters
by type of facility (academic, housing, athletics, student services, other university buildings and parking). The lead on the project
was Robert Truitt, a web technical specialist.
8
West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November, 2015
Tour WCU from Your Couch
The Office of Admissions introduced a
virtual tour of campus at the start of
the semester and it’s already proven to
be a big hit. “Since it launched in
August, we have had more than 6,700
visitors. These visitors represent 41
different states and 15 different
countries,” says Sarah Freed, senior
associate director of admissions.
The video tour guide, junior Amber
Key, takes viewers on a 13-minute
virtual trek around campus,
stopping at many of the same locations that the
University Ambassadors do on in-person tours, including academic buildings,
the Student Recreation Center, Farrell Stadium, the
Residential Quad and Sykes Student Union.
The tour was produced by YouVisit, a company
that creates virtual experiences for universities,
companies and non-profits worldwide. But Freed
says it was truly a joint effort, campus-wide. The
Office of Communications created the script,
supplied additional photos and videos, and funded
the project; the Digital Media Center shot video of
Key; the Web Team added the tour to key locations on
the WCU web site; and the Undergraduate Admissions
staff worked closely with YouVisit staff to ensure that
correct tour stops were included and that everything
launched successfully.
“Many other schools, both domestically and
internationally, are offering virtual tours,” notes
Freed. “We believe our new virtual tour is a great
way to share campus with many different constituents groups, aid in the overall recruitment of
new students, and showcase WCU to alums
who haven’t been back to campus lately.”
Check out the tour at:
http://www.wcupa.edu/_ADMISSIONS/SCH_ADM/visitus.aspx.
9
West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015
Awuyah Takes Helm of Frederick Douglass Institute
Chris Kwame Awuyah, a professor in the English department, has been named the
director of the Frederick Douglass Institute. Awuyah served in this same capacity in 2002, 2008, and from 2011 to 2013. Most
recently, the director of the institute was Tim Golden, an associate professor of philosophy.
The purpose of the Frederick Douglass Institute is to advances multicultural studies across WCU’s curriculum and work to deepen
the intellectual heritage of Frederick Douglass, the famed African-American abolitionist and champion of human freedom.
Awuyah is eager to once again take on the leadership role at the institute, “The appeal comes from my passion and commitment
for Frederick Douglass’ values on social justice and literacy,” he says.
“I am a consensus builder and I have worked most successfully through committed teams of faculty, administrators, and
students to deepen the core values of the institute,” he adds.
As director, Awuyah says he will work across campus to increase support for the Frederick Douglass Scholars Program, expand
and deepen the institute’s outreach programs, and strengthen the institute’s funding base.
“The story of a man who never set foot in the classroom, and who succeeded in making the community his continuing education
experience must be told over and over in the greater community and indeed, all societies,” notes Awuyah. “WCU’s shared values
are rooted within the intellectual tradition of Frederick Douglass which encourages students and others to learn, understand and
apply the life and work of Frederick Douglass in promoting tolerance and social justice.”
Students with Disabilities Get Taste of College Life
The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD),
in partnership with the Chester County Intermediate Unit,
presented Shadow Day on Oct. 28. Now in its 10th year, Shadow
Day provides disabled high school students who are college
bound with an opportunity to experience college life for a day.
“Shadow Day is designed to give students with disabilities
insight and information on making a positive transition to
college,” says Vernon Harper, associate vice president for
planning and academic administration.
About 50 high school juniors and seniors from 10 Chester
County high schools attended Shadow Day, along with
counselors from local school districts.
The event included presentations from the Office of Admissions and from a panel of student ambassadors. Graduate students
from OSSD met with the high school students in small groups to discuss self-advocacy. The visit ended with a campus tour.
Sharon Watson, assistant director of OSSD, and Sharon Shoemaker, transitional consultant at the Intermediate Unit, facilitated
the day’s activities.
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West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015
Hot Reads for Cold Nights
Top picks from the F.H. Green Library
The “Popular Book” collection at the F.H. Green Library is, indeed, popular. On average, one or two “Popular Books”
get checked out every day of the semester, according to Kacey Doran, a stacks assistant at the library.
Books currently flying off the shelves the most,
in order of popularity:
“The Help” by Kathryn Stockett
“Bossypants” by Tina Fey
“Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson;
translated from the Swedish by Reg Keeland.
“Unbroken: a World War II Story of Survival, Resilience,
and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand
“Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin
WCU’s Financial Aid
Office promotes
financial literacy in
a variety of ways,
including #WCULife
Skills, an online
THE
DEBT
THREAT
Kacey Doran with some readers’ favorites at the F.H. Green Library
The More You Know
Student loans and credit card debt are not
WKHRQO\ƬQDQFLDOEXUGHQV\RXQJDGXOWVIDFH
$3,200
Average credit card debt
for undergrad students
3%
of people in their early 20s
have mortgage payments
9%
of people in their early
20s have auto loans
educational program
that is supported
by #WCULifeSkills
Ambassadors, trained
peer counselors who
offer programming
Talking about money can be scary,
but it’s important to understand the
reality of debt and ways to be smart
about your spending. WCULifeSkills
has reached a total of 1,574 students
since Fall 2014.
www.wcupa.edu/lifeskills
throughout the year.
$3,000
Amount of student debt
accrued every second
The emphasis is
Fear not! These simple tips will help you stay
on top of your spending and reduce your debt.
Skip the Booze
on practical advice and
$30 of drinks once a week
equates to $1,560 a year
knowledge – as seen in
the infographic at right.
$33,000
Statistics from Debt.Org
11
Tricks of the Trade
Average student debt
for 2014 graduates
Budget
Use Excel or an app to
create a monthly budget
West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015
Winter Cultural Highlights
Story Pirates
Saturday, Dec. 5
Story Pirates invites attendees to see their words and ideas
come to life on stage, as they create a show based on
audience suggestions. Learn more at
www.storypirates.org.
2 p.m. Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre. $8 adults,
$5 seniors & students.
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater
Friday, Feb. 26
Composed of 40 performing artists from Spain and the
U.S., the ensemble presents original Spanish classical
ballets, folkloric suites, and flamenco dramas. Learn
more at www.ensembleespanol.org.
7:30 p.m. Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall. Orchestra:
$20 adults, $13 seniors & students. Balcony: $17 adults,
$15 seniors & students.
An Evening of Traditional Irish Music with Brian Conway
Friday, March 4
Premier Irish-American fiddler Brian Conway has been called one of the best fiddlers of his
generation. Performance also features Mary Courtney, Brendan Dolan, and John Whelan
Learn more at www.brianconway.com.
7:30 p.m. Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre $20 adults, $15 seniors & students.
12
West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015
President’s Speaker Series
James Carville & Mary Matalin
Friday, March 11
James Carville is one of America’s best-known political
consultants. His electoral successes evidence a knack for
steering overlooked campaigns to unexpected
landslide victories. Mary Matalin is one of the most
popular conservative voices in America. She has served
under President Ronald Reagan and made her mark as
George H.W. Bush’s campaign director. This husband
and wife duo will present a sure-to-be engaging talk
called “All’s Fair: Love, War and Politics.”
8 p.m. Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall.
Orchestra: $25, balcony: $20
To purchase tickets for any of these events, go to http://wcupa.ticketleap.com/ or call 610-436-2266.
Proud of Our Military Members
Greg and Sandra Weisenstein gather with WCU
ROTC cadets at the WCU Foundation before a
military scholarship brunch held in early November.
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West Chester University, President’s Newsletter, November 2015