Fall break is a time for students to catch up on sleep, homework, or fun. But for 12 Carlow University students, fall break meant sleeping outside in the crisp Pittsburgh air.

On October 8, 2010, Carlow students joined students from other local schools and participated in Community Human Services’ third annual Sleep-In for the Homeless. Participants donated a minimum of $25 in pledges and slept outside overnight at the City-County Building, Downtown.

“We have this awesome opportunity to go to college and experience these wonderful things and it’s great to give back to the community,” Carlow Student Activities Coordinator Chris Meaner says. “I think it opens students’ eyes.”

Meaner has been a dedicated supporter of the event in the past, and this year he was honored with a “Home Is Where the Heart Is” award.

“I was really shocked,” Meaner says. “It made me feel really honored to get recognized for something you don’t do for recognition.”

Participants gave food to the homeless and spent the night on the street with them. They also visited the wall at the intersection of Grant Street and Fort Pitt Boulevard that memorializes the homeless who have died on the streets.

“It seems like the rate [of homelessness] goes up each year,” says Carlow University Sophmore Rachel Blonski from Ambridge.

Meaner says that many of the homeless begin to open up and share their stories with participants. “Their stories are so amazing,” he adds.

“I’ve just seen students transform,” Meaner says. “They see the issue of homelessness from a different point
of view.”

One of the activities was to construct a shelter out of a cardboard box. “I thought it put things into perspective,” says Carlow sophomore Rebekah Stern from Butler.

Stern said the event taught her about the obstacles that face homeless people. “I just learned the struggle
that homeless people have and how difficult it really is,” she says.  “It kills a lot of stereotypes about
homeless people.”

The event has left an impression on Blonski and Stern, both of whom participated last year. “It was really a touching event,” Stern says. “I would encourage every Carlow student to do it.”

According to Meaner, “[Homelessness is] a major problem, but a solvable problem.”

For more information about Community Human Services and the Sleep-In for the Homeless, please visit www.sleepinforthehomeless.org.

For two hours, beginning at 4:30 p.m., on Thursday, October 28, 2010, Carlow University students, faculty, and staff took a break from classes and other activities to walk five laps around the University's campus to raise money and awareness in the fight to find a cure for breast cancer.

Carlow student Elizabeth London added pink face paint to her outfit for the Breast Cancer Walk.

"The Carlow community came together to raise money to help find a cure for breast cancer and to remember, honor, and celebrate all those who have been affected by this disease," says Mary Frances Reidell, the director of Health Services at Carlow University.

The participants walked around the Green in the middle of campus and continued for five laps around the Carlow grounds in Oakland. The most daunting aspect of the walk was the 99 steps that lead from the lower campus—between Grace Library and Daugherty Hall—to the upper campus where the Green is located.

All participants, dressed in pink, were divided into teams of five members and worked together to collect pledges. Those with physical challenges that prevented them walking the steps stayed on level ground and walked laps around the Campus Green.

This was the first annual walk for breast cancer research at Carlow. All proceeds from this event were donated to: the UPMC Cancer Institute's Center for Environmental Oncology, the West Penn Allegheny Cancer Institute Breast Care Center, and the Young Women's Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.

Pink ribbons in honor or in memory of a loved one who had/has breast cancer adorned the railings leading from the lower campus to the green.

More than 50 walkers braved the blustery conditions to walk at Carlow’s first annual Breast Cancer Walk on Thursday, October 28.

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The American Chemical Society (ACS) has awarded the Carlow University student chapter an Honorable Mention Award for its activities conducted during the 2009–2010 academic year.

 “As an active student affiliate chapter, it is quite an accomplishment to receive an award from the National ACS organization,” says Jenna LaSota, president of the Carlow ACS chapter for this academic year.   

Nominations for chapter awards are based on exceptional activities. At the end of the year, each ACS chapter submits a report of events, activities, and fundraisers that took place during the year. The Society Committee on Education reviews the reports.

“National Chemistry Week (NCW) is one of the biggest events of the year for ACS,” says LaSota, who also credited the help she receives from the other officers, Vice President Nikki McAllister and Secretary Ginni Jacob, and the other members of the chapter.

This year NCW happened during the week of October 20. The Carlow ACS chapter had a cupcake sale, where the cupcakes were decorated as the elements of the periodic table. They also organized a “find-a-mole” game. Six pictures of the ACS mascot, “Meg-Mole,” were hidden on each floor of AJP. Whoever found a picture, received a stuffed animal Meg-Mole. 

“Some students were so determined they searched AJP up until 2 minutes before class,” says LaSota. “It’s a fun way to try to get all of our Natural Science and Mathematics students involved with the week.”

The Carlow ACS chapter also participated as volunteers in the NCW/Chem Fest at the Carnegie Science Center on Saturday, October 23, 2010—better known to the chemistry students as Mole Day. NCW/Chem Fest is a two-day program targeted for K–8 students. The event featured more than 25 tables with hands-on experiments and activities for children, staffed by volunteers from the ACS student affiliate chapters or Chemistry Clubs from local universities.

This is not the first year that Carlow’s ACS chapter has been recognized nationally. LaSota pointed out that over the years the chapter has received each of the chapter awards (Outstanding, Commendable, and Honorable Mention).

“As the president, I want to work harder to find even more interesting, science related activities to do in our area,” she says. “This year, our membership has increased significantly compared to last year, and we’ve had successful turnouts for all of the volunteer work and events planned this semester. I’m excited to see what the years to come will bring. If the future officers are as enthusiastic as we are, and as those in the past have been, then Carlow University’s Student Affiliate Chapter of ACS will be recognized continuously!”

The accomplishments of Carlow University’s ACS chapter can be viewed on the www.acs.org for winning chapter awards.

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Emma Lucas-Darby PhD, professor of social work, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Work (NASW) at its Annual Conference in Pittsburgh on October 22, 2010.

Emma Lucas-Darby, PhD

"It's an honor to be given such a prestigious award," says Lucas-Darby. "It's wonderful to receive the appreciation of your peers."

A Carlow faculty member for 17 years, Lucas-Darby co-founded, with her husband, the Catherine Graham Servant Leadership Award. This award honors her late mother-in-law, Catherine Graham, who believed in giving back to society thorough her efforts within the community. The award recognizes a Carlow student who exemplifies the belief that serving one's community is a ministry in itself, and demonstrates leadership in the areas of community and ministry service.

In 2006, Governor Edward G. Rendell appointed Lucas-Darby to serve as a member of the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors. She has contributed to her profession through research and publications, mostly recently a book chapter and juried journal publication. She is a member of Social Workers in Aging Practice.

Lucas-Darby has served as past president of NASW-PA, past chairperson of NASW's National Leadership and Identification Committee, and past secretary of the National Committee of State Presidents. She serves as a site visitor for the Council on Social Work Education.

The NASW Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates a social worker's lifelong achievements. Each year, NASW honors the best social worker, which has shown throughout their career to have good social work values and many accomplishments.

With a total of 145,000 members, NASW has the largest membership of professional social workers in the world. The purpose of NASW is to "enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

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The Sisters of Mercy will be honored with the YWCA’s Racial Justice Award at the 19th annual awards dinner on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the Westin Hotel in Pittsburgh.

Nominated in the Faith category, Carlow University’s Assistant to the President for Mercy Heritage and Service Sister Sheila Carney, RSM, will accept the award, which honors outstanding leaders and organizations for their efforts in eliminating racial disparities in the Pittsburgh community, on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy.

“It is humbling to be given an award for doing what the gospel calls us to do and our Mercy Heritage calls us to do,” says Sister Sheila.

Racism, along with women, immigration, and nonviolence and care for earth constitute the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy, she notes.

Since 1843, the Sisters of Mercy have advanced equality in the Pittsburgh community, and beyond, through their commitment to service and social justice through education and other ministries. Through the schools they established schools—Our Lady of Mercy Academy, St. Patrick’s School, St. Vincent’s School, St. Paul’s Cathedral School, and Carlow University—then Mount Mercy College—the Sisters passed on their belief of the dignity of the whole person.

Their mission was further exemplified in the founding of Mercy Hospital, which opened its doors to serve the Pittsburgh community—regardless of race, religion, and class. During the 1960s, the Sisters of Mercy advanced their cause of equanimity and social justice with the decision not to move Mercy Hospital to the suburbs, but instead remain in the Uptown neighborhood in Pittsburgh and continue to serve the historical black neighborhood in the Hill District.

Individual sisters also played an active role in the Civil Rights movement such as Sister Patricia McCann, RSM, archivist for the Sisters of Mercy and Sister deLellis Laboon, both of whom ministered at Carlow at the time, bussed with students from Duquesne University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carlow to the Selma-to-Montgomery civil rights march to join the fight for African Americans seeking the right to vote.

Throughout the years, the Sisters never wavered in their commitment to care for the vulnerable in society. Today they sponsor social ministries, such as Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, the Intersection in McKeesport and Sisters Place, Inc. in Clairton, to provide food, housing and social services.

In 2008, they created McAuley Ministries with the proceeds of the sale of Mercy Hospital. Named in honor of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, the organization provides financial support, services, and social programs to the homeless and other vulnerable groups in the neighborhoods of West Oakland, Uptown, and the Hill District.

Through these and other efforts the Sisters of Mercy continue to act as a catalyst for change in the community to advance equality and justice for all.

Sister McCann shares her experiences with WQED’s onQ demand: www.wqed.org/ondemand/onq.php?cat=&id=446

Read more at: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08244/908151-109.stm

It’s not to late to register for the awards dinner. Please visit:www.ywcapgh.org/Racial_Justice_Awards_Event_Info.asp

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Carlow University President Dr. Mary Hines, alumnae/i, and friends were among the first to view
Vatican Splendors: A Journey through Faith and Art exhibit at the John Heinz History Center on Saturday, October 2, 2010.

Giotto di Bondone (1267?–1337) (After 1304) (drawing); Polychrome mosaic; 92 x 98 x 6.5 cm; The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City Station Modern reproduction of 6th–7th century artifact; Gold; 3.6 x 6.1 cm; The Reverenda Fabbrica of Saint Peter, Vatican City State

The exhibit features 170 works of art and objects from 160 AD to the present, including art by Michelangelo, Bernini, and Giotto; objects dating back to the first century; venerated relics of Saint Peter and Saint Paul; and personal items of Pope John Paul II. The exhibit is one of the largest Vatican collections to tour North America, and includes items on public view for the first time. 

Before the tour, the group enjoyed a continental breakfast and presentation by Sylvia Rhor, PhD, associate professor of art history at Carlow. Rhor provided background for the exhibit exploring the role of the Vatican as the patron the arts—how popes and cardinals employed artists to create the art for the times and for the church; the history of art, especially the Renaissance; and the religiosity of art.

In addition, she recommended Pittsburgh venues that currently display Vatican art. Such venues include: St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church located in Millvale, which is known for its elaborate murals, which display Croatian peasants at the turn of the twentieth century carving out a life in the post-industrial Pittsburgh and; St. Anthony’s Chapel—Troy Hill, whichhouses more than 5000 sacred relics.

Vatican Splendors runs through January 9, 2011.

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When Emily Kolek bought her first pair of TOMS shoes last year, she was amazed by how comfortable they were. And better yet, not only were the shoes comfortable, but with her purchase, TOMS matched her purchase with a pair of shoes sent to a child in need in one of 20 countries.

Emily Kolek

Kolek was so inspired by TOMS Shoes’ mission of “One for One” that she applied to join TOMS Campus Club to bring TOMS’ initiatives to Carlow. As of September 2010 TOMS has given over one million pairs of new shoes to children in need through Giving Partners around the world.

“I love what TOMS works to accomplish. It parallels Carlow’s mission making it a perfect organization to bring to campus,” says Kolek, a senior majoring in corporate communication and president of Women in Communication. “Joining the campus club and promoting TOMS events at Carlow seemed like a
win-win for both organizations.”

Kolek’s first initiative will culminate in the Style Your Sole event held on Carlow’s Light Up Night on December 1 at 8 p.m.  Throughout October and November students can purchase TOMS shoes at a discounted rate of $20, thanks to support from the Student Government Association and the Campus Activities Board (CAB), to personalize at the event. In addition to decorating the white canvas shoes, which TOMS matches by sending a pair of shoes to a child in another country, students will also watch the TOMS Shoes documentary to learn more out the organization and its mission. This will be followed by a discussion led by a Carlow faculty member.

In addition, 10 of TOM Shoes were purchased by Carlow’s dance team students, for which Kolek does choreography, who will style their shoes to wear at their winter dance annual performance on December 9 and 10 at 7:30 in Rosemary Heyl Theater in Antonian Hall. TOMS mission will be shared with the audience.

This event drummed up so much interest that CAB has opened Style Your Sole to faculty and staff. Additionally, CAB invites faculty and staff to sponsor a pair of dressy pink (www.toms.com/youth/tiny/pink-glitter-classics-tiny-toms)—TOMS shoes for young girls at the Pittsburgh Latino Center to wear during the holiday season and other special occasions.

Kolek, who also serves as one of two SGA senators for the School for Social Change, will be furthering TOMS’ efforts by coordinating TOMS One Day without Shoes at Carlow in April to raise awareness of children in other countries in need of shoes. TOMS will also be a part of Fashions for Kids’ Sake fashion show on February 10.  The models and their mentees from Taylor Allderdice High School will style their own TOMS together and model them in the show. 

 
For faculty and staff interested in sponsoring TOMS Shoes for the Latino Family Center or just wish to buy a pair of TOMS, please fill out the form—send your check, payable to Carlow University, by November 5, 2010 to the Office of Diversity Initiatives.

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Fantasy football may seem an activity more suited for fathers, but DeAnna Kwiecinski’s fourth and fifth graders at The Campus School of Carlow University scour the National Football League stats like the most ardent fans.

“We’re using numbers from the real world to make learning math a little more fun,” says Kwiecinski, who has taught math at the Campus School for 10 years, and developed the idea to use fantasy football to teach math through her participation in a league with friends. “As I got into the statistics for my own team, I realized that this could be a great way to interest the students in math. I began to look to see if there was anyone else doing something similar and I found a few math classes using fantasy football on the high school level to teach algebra, but none in elementary school.”

She simplified the league rules quite a bit for her class—there are only two players at each position instead of an extensive list of backups—but they had their own draft.

“The day of the draft, some students came in with a list from their fathers of suggested players to pick,”
she says.

Now, every Tuesday when the NFL stats are posted, her students go to the computer lab to find how their team did so they can do data analysis and compute the mean, median, mode, and range for individual players and their teams.

Currently, she has them working to create double bar graphs which they can use to make predictions about which player is likely to have the more successful season.

“There are some long term projects that we will be working on as the season progresses,” says Kwiecinski.

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Campus in the Fall

Campus in the Fall

Campus in the Fall