Written by Westminster's Sports Information Department

GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) today released the current standings for the PAC All-Sports Trophy race after the conclusion of the fall championships. The Titan women hold the top spot in the standings, while the men are tied for third.
 
The Westminster women earned nine all-sports trophy points after winning its first volleyball title since 2008. The Titans claimed third-place finishes in both soccer and tennis, nabbing seven points in each, and added six points with their fourth-place finish in cross country for a total of 29 all-sports trophy points, one point ahead of Grove City College, who is in second place with 28 points.  
 
The Westminster men earned 17.5 all-sports trophy points after finishing tied for second in the football standings with 7.5 points. The Titans grabbed seven points in soccer following a third-place finish and three points in cross country with a seventh-place mark. Washington and Jefferson College currently holds the top spot in the standings after the fall championships with 24.5 all-sports trophy points.
 
The all-sports trophies are annually awarded to the schools which perform the best across the board in league competition. First-place finishes are worth nine points, runner-up finishes are worth eight points, last place is worth one point.
 
*The PAC contributed to this release

For more Titan Athletics news: https://athletics.westminster.edu

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College Celebrity Series will continue its 2019-2020 season with The Texas Tenors: Deep in the Heart of Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, in Orr Auditorium on the Westminster College campus.

Award-winning tenors Marcus Collins, John Hagen and JC Fisher will sleigh ride onto campus with a heart-warming holiday concert featuring a unique blend of music and harmonies. Their esteemed musical arrangement will include seasonal favorites like “O Holy Night” and “Joy to the World,” The Righteous Brothers’ crowd-pleaser “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’,” and their original hit “Bootdaddy.”

The classically-trained, versatile tenors are returning to Celebrity Series by popular demand. The fun-filled show includes both contemporary and traditional Christmas favorites sure to fill the hearts of all in attendance with holiday spirit.

Since appearing on America’s Got Talent (AGT) in 2009, the group has performed more than 1,300 shows around the world, making them AGT’s most successful touring group to date. The men are three-time Emmy Award winners and Billboard #1 recording artists.

The concert is sponsored by UPMC Horizon and UPMC Jameson.

This event is open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets are available by calling Georgene Gib, box office manager, at 724-946-7354 or by visiting www.westminster.edu/celebrity.

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Dr. Karen Resendes, associate professor of biology at Westminster College, served as keynote speaker at Kent State University at Salem’s 2019 Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) on Friday, Dec. 6.

Resendes, who also serves as co-director of Westminster’s Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research and chair of the biology division of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), shared her professional expertise, personal education and research journey, as well as discussed her current research projects. Resendes said she hoped her address would inspire students to continue on to regional and state conferences and to use research as an opportunity to be a part of something larger.

Resendes joined the Westminster faculty in 2009. She earned her undergraduate degree from The College of William and Mary.  She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry from Brown University and performed post-doctoral research at the University of California, San Diego while also teaching at San Diego State University.

For more information about her work, contact Resendes at 724-946-7211 or resendkk@westminster.edu.

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Gina Vance has been named Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Westminster College.

“Ms. Vance has provided effective leadership in the student affairs division for many years and she is deeply committed to fostering the growth and well-being of our students. I look forward to working with her in her new role as vice president,” said Westminster College President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson.

Vance has an extensive background in student services. She joined the Westminster Student Affairs team in 2006 as assistant dean of Residence Life and was promoted to associate dean in 2009. In 2013, she transitioned to associate dean for Activities and Orientation and was appointed assistant vice president for Campus Engagement in 2018.

As vice president, Vance has oversight of Disability Resources, Diversity and Inclusion, Public Safety, Residence Life, Student Conduct, Student Success and Engagement and Student Wellness. She also takes on the role as the college’s Title IX coordinator and serves on the President’s Leadership Team.

During her career at Westminster, Vance established a new comprehensive and collaborative orientation and transition program for new incoming students, as well as a student leadership development program. She created online training for resident assistants, oversaw residence hall renovations and phase two construction of the townhouse residences in Berlin Village, implemented new administrative software for the student affairs division, and championed alcohol and sexual violence prevention education for new students. She helped develop the curriculum for and has taught the college transition course for first-year students, Westminster 101.

“I have loved working closely with students, at their best and at their worst, and am thrilled to take all they’ve taught me into my new role,” said Vance. “With a new generation of students at our doorstep, student affairs work is rapidly changing. Our team at Westminster College is deeply committed to student success which makes me proud to lead innovation and change as we support students’ Westminster experience.”

Vance earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Mount Union and a master’s in higher education administration and college personnel from Kent State University. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in higher education management from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to Westminster, she served as director of residence life and assistant dean of students at Ursuline College. She also worked in residence life at Baldwin Wallace University.

Originally from Struthers, Ohio, Vance currently resides in Hermitage with her husband, Mark, and three children.

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Members of Westminster Football’s Leadership Council got into the Christmas spirit in an effort to make an area family’s holiday season a little more merry and bright.

Titan football players Brady Hogue, Darius Doty, Frank Antuono, Tyler Greene, Chase Collison, Ian Barr, Cole Koniescka and Cameron Mika—along with Dr. Alison DuBois, director of the Graduate School and coordinator of the Leadership Council—scoured the aisles at the New Castle Walmart, hand-picking items such as clothing, toys, electronics and gift cards.

Members of the football team and coaching staff contributed more than $300 toward the gift, which will benefit a family through the Pennsylvania Homeless Children’s Initiative.

Members of the select Westminster Football’s Leadership Council are learning to grow their leadership and communication skills and working to build cohesion on and off the football field.  

Written by the Westminster Sports Information Department

BRISTOL, Conn. – Former Westminster College football coach and Titan/College Football Hall of Famer Joe Fusco today was named on ESPN's list of the 150 Greatest College Football Coaches over college football's 150-year history.
 
Fusco garnered the No. 69 spot on the list and was the third-highest ranked NAIA coach (No. 16 - John Gagliardi); (No. 39 - Frosty Westering). Fusco was ranked higher than several renowned coaches across all divisions, including Danny Ford (No. 73), Gary Patterson (No. 74), Brian Kelly (No. 89), Phillip Fulmer (No. 94), John Cooper (No. 97), Jimbo Fisher (No. 110), Mark Richt (No. 136), Dick Farley (No. 138) and Les Miles (No. 140).   
 
Fusco led the Titans to a 154-34-3 (.814) record from 1972-90, leading the Titans to four NAIA Division II National Championships in 1976, '77, '88 and '89. When he stepped down following the 1990 season, his career winning percentage was the second highest among all active NAIA football coaches with more than 10 years of experience. He is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
 
A 1960 Westminster alum, Fusco began his coaching career at nearby Wilmington and Grove City high schools before joining Burry's staff as offensive line coach in 1968. After serving as an assistant over the next four years, helping the Titans to the 1970 national crown, he began a head coaching career that included nine NAIA national playoff appearances and 15 NAIA Division II Top 20 finishes. However, it was the national championship years that left Fusco an undeniable legacy of success. Fusco led Westminster to a 21-1 record while capturing the 1976 and 1977 NAIA Division II national titles. His 1977 team finished 11-0 (Fusco's first undefeated team) and also won the Lambert Bowl trophy as the top small college team in the Eastern United States. Fusco again led Westminster to back-to-back titles in 1988 (14-0) and 1989 (13-0), compiling a 27-game winning streak that, at the time, was the longest win streak of any college team in the nation at any level.
 
Fusco was honored as Westminster's Letterman of Distinction in 2012, only the fifth former Westminster student-athlete to receive this prestigious honor, joining Titan legends David B. Fawcett '29, Dr. Harold E. Burry '35, C.G. "Buzz" Ridl '42, and Chester P. "Chet" Claire '49. In addition to the College Football Hall of Fame, Fusco is in the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, Western Pennsylvania Hall of Fame, Lawrence County Hall of Fame, and NAIA Hall of Fame.
 
The list was selected by ESPN's blue-ribbon panel of 150 media members, administrators and former players and coaches. The panel consisted of 49 active writers, 31 ESPN analysts, 22 former coaches/players, 20 current sports information directors and administrators, 17 retired writers/SID's/broadcasters and 11 personalities from other networks. All four NCAA divisions and the NAIA were represented.
 
"The lifespan of a game is measured in hours. A team comes and goes in a season. A player lasts no more than four years; But a coach? A coach is different. Coaches define eras. In a sport in which we root for laundry, a coach humanizes those colors, becomes as much a symbol as the mascot," said Ivan Maisel, senior writer for ESPN who focuses on covering college football and its 150th anniversary.
 
*ESPN contributed to this release

For more Westminster Athletics news, visit www.athletics.westminster.edu.

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.—Dr. R. Tad Greig, professor of music and director of instrumental activities in Westminster College’s School of Music, has been selected as a judge for The American Prize, the national performing arts competition organization.

The American Prize evaluates, recognizes and rewards the best performers, ensembles and composers in the United States based on submitted recordings.

Westminster College’s Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Greig, was awarded The American Prize in 2018 for Top Collegiate Wind Ensemble. Greig also received commendation as an outstanding instrumental conductor.

The American Prize has attracted hundreds of qualified contestants from all 50 states since its founding, has awarded more than $60,000 in prizes in all categories since 2010 and is presented annually in many areas of the performing arts.

Greig, who also serves as director of bands and head of music education, is an active guest conductor, clinician, lecturer and judge throughout the United States. A member of Westminster’s faculty since 1995, Greig earned an undergraduate degree from Grove City College, a master’s degree from Youngstown State University and a Ph.D. from Kent State University.

For more information, contact Greig at greigrt@westminster.edu or 724-946-7279.

Written by the Westminster Sports Information Department

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Westminster College football senior defensive back Aaron Pierce (Fort Lauderdale, FL / Hollywood) was announced as a nominee for the 2019 Cliff Harris Award.

Pierce led the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) with three interception returns for a touchdown and was tied for second with four total interceptions. The senior earned First Team All-PAC honors. Pierce was one of two players in the conference to receive PAC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice this season (Cameron Brown DE – Case Western Reserve).

Pierce is the third-straight Westminster Cliff Harris Award nominee (John Fitzgerald – 2018, Todd Jeter – 2017).

This award is presented to the nation's top small college defensive player representing more than 5,000 defensive players from almost 500 NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA colleges and universities. A prestigious selection committee made up of former college and pro football greats will select the winner. In addition to the Cliff Harris Award overall winner, the top vote getter from each division will also be announced.

Finalists for the award will be released in a week and the Cliff Harris Award winner will be announced on Dec. 23 and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club's annual awards banquet on January 9, 2020. The winner will receive the $3,000 Cliff Harris Award trophy presented by Cliff Harris and guest speaker Archie Griffin. Previous winners include Pierre Desir, Lindenwood University, Darius Allen, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Marqui Christian, Mid-Western State University, Connor Harris, Lindenwood University, Michael Joseph of University of Dubuque, and Corey Ballentine of Washburn University.

For more Westminster Athletics news, visit www.athletics.westminster.edu.

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College has announced the winners of the 12th annual Student Symposium on the Environment, which featured nearly 100 regional college and high school student presenters.

Held Dec. 5 and organized by Westminster College and the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition, the symposium featured nearly 50 environment-focused projects, research, service work, internships and artwork. Presentations were divided into four categories: Environmental Project Poster, Environmental Research Poster, Oral Presentation and High School Poster.

Students represented eight regional colleges and universities, including Westminster College, California University of Pennsylvania, Chatham University, Duquesne University, Geneva College, Slippery Rock University, Saint Vincent College and University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Students from Greenville Junior-Senior High School also presented.

Winners in this year’s Environmental Symposium were:

•    Environmental Project Poster: “No More Wasting Away: The Reduction of Food Waste and Plastics at Westminster College” by Julia Serbati, Westminster College. Honorable mention: Stephanie Van Horn, Westminster College. Serbati is a junior neuroscience major from Oil City, Pa. Van Horn is a senior biology major from Cranberry Township, Pa.

•    Research Project Poster: “A Review of Risks and Management Options for Cat Colonies in Suburban and Urban Areas” by Bailey Dunks and Kayla Troxil, Westminster College. Honorable mention: Laura Fox, Westminster College. Dunks is a senior biology major from McDonald, Pa., Troxil is a senior biology major from Canfield, Ohio, and Fox is a senior biology major from Roulette, Pa.

•    Oral Presentation: “Sulfate Reduction Using an Encapsulated Growth Environment” by Taylor Rosso, Duquesne University. Honorable mention: Haley Moore, Duquesne University.

•    High School Poster: “Linking Acorn Parasitism Rates with Wood Duck Densities” by Ashley Milleson and Tyler Dickson from Greenville Junior-Senior High School. Honorable mention: Skylar Swartz, Greenville Junior-Senior High School.

Cash prizes sponsored by Stream Restoration Inc., were awarded to the winners of each category.

This was the second year for an employment initiative partnership with Westminster’s Professional Development Center, welcoming regional businesses to attend with internship and job opportunities to the presenting students.

The 13th Annual Student Symposium on the Environment will be held on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.

For more information about the Student Symposium on the Environment, contact Dr. Helen Boylan, director of the Center for the Environment at boylanhm@westminster.edu or 724-946-6293.

Winners pictured from top: Julia Serbati; Bailey Dunks and Kayla Troxil; Ashley Milleson and Tyler Dickson. Missing: Taylor Rosso

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College student Taylor Gatesman and Dr. Karen Resendes, associate professor of biology, presented their work at the national American Society of Cell Biology (ASCB) meeting held Dec. 7-10 in Washington, D.C.

Gatesman, a senior molecular biology major from Lucinda, Pa., presented her honors research in the area of nuclear cell biology titled “Pcid2 Influences Brca1/Bard1 Localization and Centrosome Duplication through its Functions in Nuclear Protein and mRNA Export.” Gatesman conducted her research in Resendes’ laboratory.

Gatesman’s poster was well received both at the undergraduate poster session and the main session on nuclear transport, where she discussed her work with both U.S. based and international scientists.

Resendes presented “Biology Competency for the Classroom and Beyond” in the educational mini-symposium.

She discussed the unique design of her advanced course Bio 404: Nuclear Structure and Function in her talk “A Data Analysis and Literature Intensive Undergraduate Course That Positively Impacts Student Ability and Confidence in Scientific Critical Thinking Skills and Increases Post-graduation Success.”

In addition, she organized or presented in several sessions targeting the professional development of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and early career faculty including:

•    “Mechanisms for Effective Mentoring of Undergraduates in Research Projects”
•    “Searching for a Faculty Position and Starting a Lab at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution”
•    “Mentorship in Converting Research into a CURE: Mentoring the Integration of Research into the Curriculum (MIRIC) Initiative”

Resendes, who also serves as the co-director of Westminster’s Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research, joined the Westminster faculty in 2009. She earned her undergraduate degree from The College of William and Mary.  She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry from Brown University and performed post-doctoral research at the University of California, San Diego while also teaching at San Diego State University.

The ASCB is an inclusive, international community of biologists studying the cell, the fundamental unit of life.

For more information about the event or to learn more about the molecular biology or biology programs at Westminster College, please contact Dr. Resendes at resendkk@westminster.edu or 724-946-7211,

Taylor Gatesman pictured above.

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Whether you’re a high school student who has decided upon a college major or you’re still exploring your options, the Westminster College Office of Admissions will offer a special Westminster Discovery Day on Monday, Feb. 17.

Registration will begin at 10:15 a.m. in the Witherspoon Room of the college’s McKelvey Campus Center. After a welcome from Westminster President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson and college admissions counselors, prospective students and their families will discover more about their intended majors and specific schools.

Faculty and students representing Westminster’s eight schools—Arts and Humanities, Business, Communication, Education, Life and Health Sciences, Music, Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Social Sciences—will be on hand to answer questions and discuss specific majors and courses of study. Prospective students who are still exploring different majors will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from all schools. A complimentary lunch and campus tour will also be provided during the day.

Prospective students who attend a campus visit are eligible to receive a $1,000 grant upon their enrollment at Westminster College.

For the schedule of events or to make a reservation, please visit www.westminster.edu/visit or contact the Office of Admissions at 724-946-7100 or admissions@westminster.edu.

The Westminster College Office of Admissions is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday during the academic year. Appointments for weekday visits may be made beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m.

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College recently named 334 students to the Fall 2019 Dean’s List. The Dean’s List recognizes students who achieved a 3.6 grade point average or higher.

To view the Fall 2019 Dean’s List, click here.

While the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship Game will go down as one of the most technologically comprehensive sports-television productions in history, it also marks a bittersweet moment in history for those who work behind the scenes at the game’s primary broadcaster, ESPN.

After nearly four decades in sports television, ESPN VP, Remote Production Operations, Bob Braunlich '74 is set to retire in April, making this the final College Football Championship Game he will work full-time for the network. Affectionately referred to as simply “BB” by his colleagues, Braunlich has long been the cool, calm, and comprehensive tour de force that makes many of the largest and most complex traveling studio operations possible. Read more...

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Hoping to inspire and educate, two Westminster College women shared their career and educational journeys with area high school girls.

Krislina Mercer, a senior public relations major from Petersburg, Virginia, and Dr. Helen Boylan, professor of chemistry and director of the Center for the Environment at Westminster College, participated in “A GEM Affair: Girls Engaging Mentors.” In its eighth year, A GEM Affair—organized by the Lawrence County School-to-Work program—presents high school girls from Lawrence County with non-traditional careers and to have the girls interact with women in those career paths.

More than 150 ninth-graders from 10 Lawrence County schools participated in the program in which they interacted with women from the community who represent careers such as traffic control, metallurgy, law enforcement and water quality.

The high school students rotated through seven different 20-minute sessions. For their session, Mercer and Boylan focused on the transition after high school rather than a particular career path, emphasizing the fact that the journey can change and that there isn’t one correct pathway to a successful career.

“To have the experience to present to the ninth grade girls in Lawrence County about the transition from high school to college filled me with much gratitude, especially since I used my personal experience to connect with the girls,” said Mercer.  “Being around the other successful women that presented gave me inspiration for my career as well.”

“Krislina was a great role model for the girls,” said Boylan. “She shared her personal college transition stories which including changing majors and persisting through a difficult first semester. Krislina also used her background in public relations to provide some excellent advice to the girls about careful use of social media.”

Boylan joined the Westminster faculty in 2001. She earned her undergraduate degree from Westminster and her Ph.D. from Duquesne University.

The event was held on Dec. 17, 2019, at BC3 Lawrence Crossings. For more information about the event, please contact Dr. Boylan at boylanhm@westminster.edu or 724-946-6293.

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College School of Music faculty members Dr. Tim Winfield, assistant professor of trumpet, and Dr. Nancy DeSalvo, associate professor of piano, recently released an album of original music for trumpet and piano titled Landscapes and Shorts.

Landscapes and Shorts features four world-premiere recordings of commissioned compositions. Dr. Daniel Perttu, associate professor of music theory and composition at Westminster College, wrote one such composition, “Torngat.”

Other compositions include “Nine Short Shorts for Trumpet and Piano” by Dr. Jason Howard, “Keystone Landscapes for Trumpet and Piano” by Joshua Hobbs, “Beethoven in the House” by Josh Oxford and “Sonatina for Trumpet” by Walter Hartley.

Winfield and DeSalvo recorded the album in Westminster’s Orr Auditorium during the summers of 2017 and 2018.  The production team released the album on streaming platforms in December 2019 under the Mark Custom Record label. The album was produced by Jack Ciarniello at TakeNote Productions. Cover art was created by Brian Bornes.

The pair will unite again to perform a faculty trumpet and piano recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, in the Wallace Memorial Chapel on Westminster College’s campus.

The recital will showcase music from baroque, classical, romantic and modern eras and will feature works by J. Haydn, Albinoni, Irons, Sancan and Gershwin.

Winfield, who joined the Westminster faculty in 2014, is principal trumpet with the Butler Symphony Orchestra and has held positions with the Billings (Montana) Symphony Orchestra and the Boulder (Colorado) Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and the Canton, South Florida, Westmoreland, Johnstown, Steamboat Springs, Corona and Aspen orchestras. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California.

DeSalvo joined the Westminster faculty in 2000. A Steinway artist, Dr. DeSalvo earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music/ Case Western Reserve University in Collaborative Piano. She performs extensively as a soloist, a professional accompanying pianist and a chamber music collaborator. She has been a guest soloist with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, various university orchestras across the United States and is currently a pianist with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.

The recital is free and open to the public.

For more information about the recital or purchasing the album, please contact Dr. Winfield at winfietd@westminster.edu or at 724-946-7274.

Westminster College’s curriculum is founded on the liberal arts tradition, requiring students to take courses outside of their chosen majors to experience interdisciplinary learning. History and political science alumna Kathryn Patterson ’15 is appreciating the strength of such an education—not only is Patterson currently working in the health care industry, but winning awards for her efforts, too.

The Pittsburgh Business Times (PBT) recently named Patterson, 26, as a 2019 “30 Under 30” award recipient. This award recognizes her work as supervisor of patient transition at Allegheny Health Network. Patterson is responsible for safely transitioning patients from the hospital to their homes, which includes ensuring that all post-acute care needs are coordinated before discharge.

As part of Patterson’s job, she also analyzes data to create work plans and processes to increase productivity. She has additionally worked on a women’s health initiative with postpartum mothers.

Though every day is different and unpredictable for Patterson, she explained that an ideal work day is one where she can start to see the little changes with which she assisted. These changes culminate to have a large effect on individual patients that come within the health network.

Patterson joined Allegheny Health Network with an entry-level position in 2017. Over the past two years, she has risen to various positions throughout the network.

Patterson considers the interdisciplinary learning she experienced at Westminster as a highlight that has been transformative throughout her life after college and career. Westminster, she says, is where she grew the most in such a short amount of time and where she met people who would help shape her future.

She points to Dr. Timothy Cuff, professor of history, as the person at Westminster who taught her the most about life as she knows it today.

“He is the person who really made me grasp the concept that even when you think you have reached your goals or the perfect reflection of life, there is still room to grow and learn everyday as a person,” Patterson said. “Your best can always be better. Never settle for an illusion of perfection.”

The “30 Under 30” awards, presented annually by the PBT in partnership with Leadership Pittsburgh Inc., honor leaders in Pittsburgh’s business and nonprofit communities who are under 30 years old. Winners are selected for their successful efforts to grow a business or nonprofit and for their contributions to the community and civic organizations.

The PBT founded “30 Under 30” awards in 2017. Aside from being less than 30 years old, award recipients must have a proven record of playing a significant role in the growth, scope or impact of their organization or region.

Read more about Patterson…

~ Danielle Grady ’20

(Photo by Pittsburgh Business Times)

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – Westminster College’s Tim McNeil ’96, head coach for the men’s and women’s track & field and cross country teams, and Brandon Phillian ’09, a Wilmington Area High School teacher and head football coach, will kick off the 2020 Titan Talksseries at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, in Berlin Lounge located in Westminster’s McKelvey Campus Center.

Using his experiences of successfully and meaningfully leading a large team, McNeil will explore the topics of agility, resilience and self-motivation in his talk. McNeil is in his 13^th year as the head coach for the track & field and cross country programs at Westminster. A seven-time Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Coach of the Year recipient, he has coached the Titan track & field teams to a combined 10 PAC titles.

Phillian will talk about how he leads people with differing beliefs, backgrounds, gifts and abilities to want to be positive role models, teammates and humans. He will also discuss ways for living a productive life pleasing to God by following these life beliefs. Phillian, who teaches mathematics at Wilmington Area High School in New Wilmington, just finished his second season as the school’s head football coach.

Established in the fall of 2018, Westminster College’s Titan Talks is a three-part series featuring Westminster scholars and professionals and aimed at helping human beings develop their best selves and live lives with a mindful purpose.

Titan Talks are free and open to the public, but reservations are requested. There will be light snacks at the event. To register, visit https://www.westminster.edu/alumni/events.

For more information, please contact Nicole Hunter, assistant director of alumni engagement and coordinator of Titan Talks, at 724-946-7373 or hunterna@westminster.edu. The next installment of Titan Talks will be in February.

The skills Emily Bondi ’19 developed as a broadcasting and media production major have helped her land the position of director of media relations for the professional indoor football league, the National Arena League (NAL).

“My three and a half years at Westminster went by so fast, but my time doing all the live broadcasts, ‘Coaches Corner,’ WCN24/7 news show and the ‘PAC Report’ prepared me the most for my career,” said Bondi, who also minored in social media at Westminster.

Bondi will oversee the social media accounts of all seven teams in the league, specifically by creating and posting content for them. She will also write press releases, produce videos and take  photos for the NAL.

Westminster’s focus on experiential learning gave Bondi many hands-on opportunities and the experience necessary to establish a career after college.

As a student, she was involved in Titan Radio, WWNW 88.9 FM, the award-winning, FCC-licensed radio station for Westminster College, as well as the Westminster College Network (WCN), an award-winning television and production operation that broadcasts on cable systems serving Comcast and Armstrong customers in Lawrence and Mercer counties.

Bondi worked on the air and behind the scenes at live sporting events and served as a sideline reporter for WCN on game days. She also hosted weekly sports segments on WCN’s “Coaches Corner” television show and produced the “PAC Report” audio segment highlighting weekly football games for Joe Onderko, the commissioner of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC).

The NAL, established in 2017, includes the Carolina Cobras, Columbus Lions, Jacksonville Sharks, Jersey Flight, Massachusetts Pirates, Orlando Predators and the West Virginia Roughriders.

~ Danielle Grady '20

With the help of a Drinko Center Research Grant, junior biology major Nina Silver has been able to delve into molecular biology and conduct research on the effects of specific chemotherapy on pancreatic cancer cells.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Karen Resendes, associate professor of biology, Silver is examining the effects of the chemotherapy drugs 5-fluorouracil and gemcitabine on pancreatic cancer cells (cell line PANC1) by themselves and when combined. Silver said she is hoping to find that the combination of the two drugs is more effective in inducing apoptosis — cell death — in the cancer cells than either drug alone.

“We are hoping to find that the two drugs work together in such a way that the combination treatment would kill pancreatic cells that have become resistant to gemcitabine, which is a common chemotherapy drug used to treat pancreatic cancer, despite pancreatic cancer often being able to become resistant to it,” she said.

The research project also taught her that effective time management can lead to more productive lab time.

“Dr. Resendes has been invaluable during my research,” said Silver. “She taught me all of the procedures I need to know to do the research and has weekly meetings with me to discuss what needs to be done next and what our goals are. She keeps me on track and is always available when I need her help.”

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. –  The Foster Art Gallery and the Department of Art and Theatre at Westminster College will host a gallery reception to celebrate the current exhibition Testament by mixed media artist Debra DeGregorio from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23.

The gallery reception will include a talk by the artist about her work in the show. Light refreshments will be provided.

DeGregorio's works range from large drawn and printed natural forms to bright "micro-installations" using collage, string and sequins on pins. Through her pieces, she explores her interest in psychology, mythology and humor. A Pittsburgh native, she teaches drawing at Youngstown State University. She earned her undergraduate degree in printmaking and drawing from Kent State University, studied ceramics and printmaking at the University of Akron and received her M.F.A. in printmaking from State University of New York at New Paltz.

DeGregorio’s exhibition will run until Feb. 14.
 
The gallery reception is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Summer Zickefoose, assistant professor of art and director of the Foster Art Gallery, at 724-946-7267 or zickefse@westminster.edu.

The Foster Art Gallery, located in Patterson Hall on Westminster’s campus, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Picture above: DeGregorio’s Lost City; mixed media on paper