News

• RMU has partnered with the Allegheny County Health Department to host an on-campus COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Monday, August 30 from noon to 4 p.m. in the John Jay Gym. They will be administering both the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.  To schedule your appointment, visit https://vax4.alleghenycounty.us/patient/s/. A second dose clinic for individuals receiving the Pfizer vaccine will be held on Monday, September 20 in the same location. Walk-ins are welcome. For anyone who has been hesitant to receive an MRNA vaccine because they were approved by the FDA for emergency use only, please be aware that the Pfizer vaccine this week received full FDA approval. For more information, please see: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-covid-19-vaccine.

• The Big South Conference announced its Presidential Honor Roll Thursday for student-athletes that excelled in the classroom during the 2020-21 academic year. A total of 62.61 percent of eligible student-athletes earned the honor, which hands out accolades to those that maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or better for the last academic year. A total of 52 student-athletes from the RMU football program were named to the 2020-21 Big South Presidential Honor Roll, highlighted by offensive lineman Spencer Goldberg, who posted a perfect 4.00 GPA during the academic year. Goldberg, an organizational leadership major, was one of 236 Big South student-athletes to receive Commissioner's Award distinction in 2020-21 for recording a 4.00 GPA. Read more here.

• In July, RMU, through the Center for Innovation and Outreach, hosted a unique summer workshop opportunity in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. The week-long workshop was led by Michelle Farmerie and was co-led by RMU's Shamika Zyhier and John Locke in coordination with the Human Animal Interaction - Conservation, Education, Welfare, Health, Attachment, Learning, & Leadership (CEWHALL) Program Research Project. The HAI-CEWHALL Program utilizes structured interactions between people and koi as an engaging methodology to teach, practice, and experience positive relationship building and empathy, wellness practices, science learning, enhanced animal welfare techniques, leadership skills development, and conservation and sustainability processes. This workshop took 23 middle school campers through activities between the koi and the children for an entire week and culminated in a presentation for their family and friends. 

• The RMU Center for Innovation and Outreach facilitated a three-part creative writing series between the university and the Beaver Memorial Library. Students grades 6-12 learned all about the creative writing process. RMU senior English major Devon Quinn designed the series to teach students the ins-and-outs of creative writing, from conception to outlining to the writing itself.  She worked on concepts such as establishing conflict, world-building, character work, pacing, and how to create an effective scene. Course participants shared their writing in a workshop setting both in person and online.  They received feedback from both their peers and the instructor. This series was a great way for students to become more confident writers and culminated in an "Author's Tea"  on July 28th where they shared their work with the library staff and patrons. 

• RMU in the News has been updated with a selection of the best stories about RMU from the news media in July.

Personal Mention

• Jon Radermacher, associate provost for academic administration and associate professor of media arts, recently competed in multiple events at the American Taekwondo Association’s annual Tournament of Champions, which included competitors from North, South and Central America, as well as Asia. Radermacher is a 3rd degree black belt and certified instructor in Songahm Taekwondo, and his sparring team, coached by 7th degree black belt and RMU alumnus Senior Master Kevin Kaminski, won the national championship gold medal in team sparring for 3-person black belt teams ages 40 and up. Radermacher also won the world championship bronze medal in individual sparring for his rank in the 40-49 age group.

Events

• The RMU Center for Innovation and Outreach invites you to attend our first Hybrid Innovation Speaker Series event, featuring Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski  Please feel free to invite your classes to this event (SET credit is available for students):

  "Let's Talk About Raising Healthy Kids and Building a Happier, More Humane World," featuring Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewsk, Friday, September 10, at noon, with a lunch to follow at 1 p.m. In this lecture, Behr and Rydzewski — authors of When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids — reveal a never-before-seen side of Mister Rogers: the ingenious scientist and legendary teacher who was decades ahead of his time. Behr and Rydzewski will discuss how digital-age parents and educators might follow in Rogers’ footsteps. Please register in advance for this event using the following link: https://rmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RjtwiF4DR6yOJX0JZd6EGw

• The Career & Professional Development Center will be hosting 2 career fairs this fall:

  - In-Person Career and Professional Engagement Fair will be held from noon to 3 p.m. September 21 at the UPMC Event Center.  Up to 75 employers will be participating. Student Registration begins September 1st via Handshake: https://app.joinhandshake.com/login

  -Virtual Career and Professional Engagement Fair will be held from noon to 3 p.m. October 1 via Handshake.com. Students can sign up for 10 minute 1:1 and  30 minute group employer sessions. Student Registration begins September 1st via Handshake: https://app.joinhandshake.com/login

• The RMU Department of Athletics announced Wednesday it will host a memorial service for Joe Walton after the 2021 football home opener Saturday, Sept. 25, against Howard at Joe Walton Stadium. The event will take place on the field and will feature The Voice of the Colonials, Chris Shovlin, as well as various guest speakers. The memorial service will also be streamed live on the RMU Athletics YouTube channel. Two additional memorial services in honor of Walton are scheduled, both with receptions to follow. The first is Sunday, August 29, at 2:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Beaver Falls, Pa. The second is Sunday, Sept. 26, at 2:00 p.m. at Riverview United Methodist Church, which is also in Beaver Falls, Pa. Walton was named the first head coach in RMU football history July 27, 1993, and spent 20 years as the head coach of the Colonials, claiming six Northeast Conference (NEC) titles during his tenure. He passed away Sunday, August 15, at the age of 85. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Walton's honor can be made to the Joe Walton Endowed Scholarship, which can be done using this link.

Editor's Note -- With the start of the fall semester, the Minuteman will now resume its weekly publication schedule.