News

• At last week's Faculty Convocation, President Howard announced the winners of this year's Distinguished Faculty Achievement Awards:

  • The award for scholarship or creative work went to Connie Ruzich, university professor of English, whose publications include International Poetry of the First World War: An Anthology of the Lost Voices.

  • The award for teaching went to Carianne Bernadowski, professor of education, whose endorsements from students included praise such as “You gave a new definition to the learning environment”  and “I hit the jackpot with you as my chair.”

  • The award for service went to Larry Tomei, professor of education. His university service includes his continued involvement with the Center for Innovative Teaching and the many training workshops he conducted voluntarily during the pandemic.

• The Student Recreation and Fitness Center is set to reopen on Monday, January 18. The hours of operation are available here. As we reopen for the spring, please keep in mind that we will maintain the changes made during the fall semester to operations, guidelines, and procedures to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission within Campus Recreation facilities. This includes a pre-registration process that can be completed here. All changes have been developed using CDC, state and local authorities, and "RMU Ready" Guidelines. Due to the nature of infectious diseases like COVID-19, no physical environment is free of risk of transmission. Our precautions are designed to mitigate, but cannot eliminate, this risk. 

• As we continue to prepare for the upcoming semester, RMU will once again be distributing two cloth masks to each student, faculty, and staff member. If you have not received your mask, please check with your department administrator. Should your area require additional masks, please reach out to Colonial Central with the quantity and to whom they should be delivered. As a reminder, throughout the semester, the university will post updates and information about the COVID-19 pandemic to rmu.edu/coronavirus. This includes an updated version of the RMU Ready Plan. 

Personal Mention

• RMU's director of Campus Recreation, Armand Buzzelli will present an educational session at the 4^th Annual National Association of Esports Coaches and Director (NAECAD) Clinic, March 3-5, 2021. The clinic provides professional development opportunities to NAECAD members and those interested in learning about directing and coaching esports programs at the college and high school levels. Presentations will also be recorded and become a part of the NAECAD-Certification Program (NAECAD-CP). The educational sessions will give coaches, directors, administrators, and educators from around the country the opportunity to receive a credit towards their NAECAD Certification.
   
• Jonathan Potts, vice president for public relations and marketing, has been named to the board of directors of The Center for Hope in Ambridge.