News

• From November 4-21 RMU students will be receiving an invitation in their email to participate in the Healthy Minds Survey - a mental health climate survey.  The confidential information provided to faculty and administration from this study reflects students day-to-day experiences on campus, and provides insight into their struggles and successes. This knowledge will be used to inform policy, practice, and funding for programs and services on campus, thus bettering student life. However, we cannot make these improvements without hearing from all of our students. The Counseling Center is asking faculty and staff to encourage students to make their voices heard by completing the survey. 
• Last week the Minuteman reported on a team of RMU students representing the university at the regional competition of the America 250 PA Innovation Challenge. We're proud to announce that the team of four outstanding students brought the first place award back to campus. Juliet Adams, Draven Marino, Erik Schmidt, and Victoria Volk were part of team #PATimeStamp, whose campaign celebrated Pennsylvania's biodiversity and environmental richness by integrating direct mail, digital elements, and social media. 
• This year the English and Humanities Department welcomed more than 90 guests to the 12th annual Creepy Conference on October 29 in Wheatley's atrium. Student speakers presented on topics as diverse as plane crashes, serial killers, non-normative genetics, UFOs, and cult leaders. The English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta held its annual costume contest and raffle. Many thanks to all those who helped make this such a successful event.

Personal Mention

• Jennifer Creamer, director of the Center for Global Engagement, received the David Portlock Award for Outstanding International Educator at the Pennsylvania Council for International Education annual conference last week. The award recognizes mid-career international educators who have exhibited evidence of on-going mentoring of colleagues in the field, exemplary leadership in international education on their campuses, and consistent contribution to the field as seen in presentations, papers, publications or other academic enterprises. Jennifer has worked as an administrator in international education at universities across Pennsylvania since 2003, joining RMU in 2015. 

• Carol MacPhail, associate professor of accounting, has received the RMU Alumni Heritage Award along with her husband, Doug, who is a 1974 RMU graduate and senior vice president, portfolio management director at Morgan Stanley. The Heritage Award is the highest award bestowed to alumni of Robert Morris, given for distinguished service and accomplishment in any field of human endeavor that brings honor to the recipient and the university. Carol MacPhail is a retired partner at Deloitte and earned a master's degree in taxation from RMU.

  The MacPhails were honored October 25 at the annual President's Council Reception. Also honored that evening were Jaibi He, a senior psychology student who received the Rising Star Award, and former Trustee Greg Spencer, who received the David J. Malone Volunteer Service Award. That award is given to a person who did not graduate from Robert Morris but who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the university. 

  The Malone Award, pictured below, was first given in 2012 to RMU Trustee David Malone, and it was designed by Jon Radermacher, now interim dean of the School of Informatics, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Casey Stephens, who at the time was a junior graphic design student. This faculty/student design team exemplifies the RMU way and personal touch. In developing the award, Radermacher and Stephens used the word “volunteerism” as their guiding concept and “how one person or thing could have a significant impact on another person or thing.” The ripple effect seen in the award design symbolizes the ripple of effects of someone who gives of themselves to others. The appendages and the black marble base are very symbolic too. The stone base represents a solid foundation and the appendages symbolize arms/hands. The award is a specially crafted piece made of glass and marble, white metal and glass.
  

You're Invited

• The Center for Documentary Production and Study and the Department of Media Arts in the School of Informatics, Humanities and Social Sciences will host MoonDocs^® 2019 - The 3rd Annual Documentary Filmmakers’ Open House in the Wheatley Center on November 1-2. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to register, network, and explore a variety of panels, workshops and presentations with industry leaders on the process of making documentary films, including a masterclass on “Building Your Career as a Filmmaker and How to Use Festivals to Make Your Name” with RMU’s fall 2019 visiting documentary filmmaker Eva Weber. Click here to learn more and to register.
• The third RMU Roundtable of the fall semester will be presented by Tammy Sawmelle, assistant professor of nursing. Her roundtable discussion on nursing student retention and success will take place on November 6 from 11-11:50 a.m. in Franklin 204. All RMU students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend! 
• The Center for Documentary Production & Study and media arts department invite the campus community to the screening and panel discussion of BLACK OUT, a critically acclaimed film which shows how children reconcile their desire to learn in one of the world’s poorest countries, Guinea, Africa. Panelists include RMU Fall 2019 Visiting Documentary Filmmaker Eva Weber and Rooney International Visiting Scholar Ambassador Robin Sanders.
  • Thursday, November 7, Hopwood Hall
  • 5:00-5:50 pm Black Out (2012, 47 minutes), director: Eva Weber
  • 5:50-6:30 pm Panel Discussion on the film with Q&A from the audience
• All are invited to attend the Health Services Administration fall 2019 networking event on Wednesday, November 13 from 5:30-8 p.m. in Yorktown Hall. The topic is "Disruption is Coming: Trends in Senior Services." RSVP HERE! by Monday, November 4.
• The Center for Veterans & Military Families is hosting a panel discussion, "Helping Veterans Establish a Path to Development, Advancement, and Promotion in the Civilian Workplace" ​on November 18 from 8 - 10 a.m. in Yorktown Hall. RSVP here by November 8.

Weekend Sports

• Friday, Nov. 1
  • Women's Soccer vs. St. Francis Brooklyn - 12:30 at the North Athletic Complex
  • Men's Soccer vs. Long Island - 3 p.m. at the North Athletic Complex
  • Volleyball vs. Bryant - 7 p.m. at the UPMC Events Center
  • Women's Ice Hockey vs. Penn State - 7:05 at the Island Sports Center
• Saturday, Nov. 2
  • Football vs. LIU - Noon at Joe Walton Stadium
  • Women's Ice Hockey vs. Penn State - 3:05 p.m. at the Island Sports Center
  • Volleyball vs. Sacred Heart - 5 p.m. at the UPMC Events Center