Costumes for a PPU's A Light in the Piazza

http://tothepointonline.net/?p=172

By Aldona Bird

Photography by Aldona Bird

As Michael Montgomery lays out and cuts yards of fabric, a cacophony fills the cluttered room—sewing machines whirr, a steam iron hisses, and a laptop plays songs from musicals– in the Pittsburgh Playhouse Costume Shop. Montgomery, Shop manager, has been designing and assembling costumes for Light in the Piazza, PPU’s latest theater production.

Montgomery, 46, began working with costumes when he was in Thomas Jefferson High School in Rockford Illinios. His mother had taught him to sew, so when a high-school theater production needed costumes made, he volunteered. He has been making costumes ever since, for the last 17-18 years as a costume designer. Montgomery began working at the Pittsburgh Playhouse 5-6 years ago, has designed a dozen odd shows there, and has been officially on staff for 2 years.

Montgomery loves what he does because “My work is always different, everyday. I have to spend a lot of time researching different things.”

While the process of building a show for a costume designer differs for each show, generally Montgomery goes through certain steps when working on a show. First he reads the script, then meets with the director, reads the script again, trades ideas with the director and breaks down the script. He then begins research, and finds out the time span and the type of people the characters are (how often they would change outfits), figures out the time of year/weather. After that Montgomery make lots of lists and puts pencil to paper and start sketching. After doing some planning he talks again to the director, considers the budget, decides whether to make, buy, or borrow costumes. Then he begins assembling “closets” for the characters, fits the costumes on actors, alters the costumes, gathers shoes, works on hair and the finally has the dress rehearsal.

For Light in the Piazza Montgomery designed and made costumes, chosen and customized accessories such as hats, shoes and jewelry, and organized the entire outfitting of the cast. He researched the time period, the 50s, what type of clothing, underwear, jewelry, people where wearing, location and weather of the play, and then incorporated individuality and a personal touch to each character’s costume

With the help of two other full time sewers and designers, one part time, one over-hire, 10-15 students, a wig department, and hair and make-up professionals, Montgomery began devoting all his attention to A Light in the Piazza about three weeks before it opened on March 26th. He started thinking about it, and doing minor planning last summer, taking inventory of what they had, what they might need to borrow, and what to make from scratch. Montgomery began concrete work on the show in January.

The Costume Shop already had most of the costumes needed for A Light in the Piazza, and borrowed a few from CMU’s theater department. Some, such as for the priests, cardinals, nuns and a few dresses, the costumers made from scratch.

Montgomery said his favorite costume was for the character of Fabrizio Naccarelli, a young Italian man, in a scene where he goes to a tie shop, and asks for something to make him look really good for his meeting with his crush. During the song and dance number the shop’s staff put pieces of clothing on Fabrizio and take them off again. Montgomery made conscious effort to make sure everything they put on looked good by itself, but not look quite perfect when on him with all the other items.

“…Until the very very end when they put a coat on him, and none of it really matches, but they put the coat on him and all the sudden the whole costume pulls together, just like that. And he suddenly looks just a little bit cuter than he did 5 minutes earlier” Montgomery said.

After weeks of sewing, gathering dresses suits and accessories, fittings, planning and meetings the cast and crew have their first dress rehearsal. The actors have about an hour to get ready before running through the show. Montgomery rushes between the Costume Shop, two levels of dressing rooms and the stage helping students adjust costumes, working out last minute difficulties, calling instructions to crewmembers, and checking how the outfits look on stage. The halls in the Pittsburgh Playhouse between the dressing rooms, stage and Costume Shop are full of student actors running around looking for parts of costumes, adjusting hats and wigs in the mirrors, practicing lines and talking to Montgomery about any issues they have with their costumes. Students mutter phrases like “Oh crap, I should go over my ad-libs… my Italian ad-libs” or randomly break into song as they put on gloves, 50s period dresses, suits, shoes and wigs.

“I am always very particular about the kind of underwear” Montgomery said, because it affects the silhouettes of the actors. For this show he wanted to accentuate small waists on the women, so he made sure to pad all their hips and busts.

“I’m very happy with it. There were a couple of things I did that I’d never tried before” Montgomery said in regard to the outcome of and the overall success of the costumes for The Point Park production of A Light in the Piazza.

Aldona Bird works as a sewer in the Playhouse Costume Shop. She can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu

Changes to the Pell Grant Impacts Students

By Aldona Bird

Mary Eklund had little money and didn’t know she could use a government grant for summer education to complete her double major in photography and digital media. But changes in the federal Pell Grant programs now allows the grants to be used year\round.

“I haven’t been informed about anything” said Eklund
Many students nationwide may not have been informed that along with 12-month use of Pell Grants, The income eligibility requirements of eligible students has been expanded, meaning about 60 more Point Park University students will get funded. They will be informed as soon as the calculating software is upgraded.

This increase followed a previous one for last year which allowed students already receiving funding to continue getting aid in the summer if taking classes. Before 2009-2010 students could only get the grant in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Sandra Cronin, Director of Financial Aid at Point Park University, said the government’s consideration and decisions about funding for the Pell Grant are tied up with healthcare funding.

“I’m not sure why it was increased this time, but we just go with the flow” said Cronin. She added that the amount of funding given to students within the expanded income bracket will not a be huge sum, but students can use any help, and never turn down money.

Betty Davis, Senior Director of Student Financial Services, said the staff is going through the list of eligible students to see who is registered for summer, and so who will receive the Pell Grant for that term. Those students will be informed, however students who are not registered may not be informed of the available funds.

“If they are interested in Summer classes, come in… Every student is different, depending

where they are in this process” said Davis.
Students like Eklund who already receive funding from the Pell Grant should inquire at the Office of Financial Aid about summer funding, as should students who do not yet.

Students receive the grant automatically without application if eligible when they fill-out and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The deadlines for turning in the FAFSA form varies depending on the student’s state. It is May 1 for Pennsylvania residents.

The Point Park University financial administrators encourage students to fill out their FAFSAs, even if it is past the deadline because the information can be used to get aid for the next term, and to come in with any questions or for more information.

Peace Love and Little Donuts in the Strip District of Pittsburgh

A Ridiculously Good Donut
by Aldona Bird
Photos by Aldona Bird


Jeannie McGartland described the blueberry donuts at Peace Love and Little Donuts as “life changing.” McGartland, sophomore acting major, said she first saw the doughnuts when she went with friends to the Strip District “we saw people walking around with bags of little donuts, and I was like, ‘what are those? We have to get some.’”

Now she's sold on them because they are fresh, small, and she does not feel “gross” after eating them.

For Ron Razete, owner of the store at 2018 Smallman St., McGartland's endorsement is just another in a long line of positive feedback that has turned a whim into a business.

Ten years ago, Razete bought some doughnut making equipment that came without manual or directions. He set it up in his living room. “We thought, may as well plug it in and see if we can make a donut” Razete said. From there, the experiment grew to a doughnut concession business, working outdoor events. When costumers complimented them on their donuts Razete and his family “...just thought they were being nice.”

After the success of their first indoor event, a four day-long hockey tournament last year, Razete began to consider opening a permanent shop. His wife wasn't enthusiastic at first. They had already concluded that health regulations and the cost of equipment and rent made a shop not worth their while.

But, after looking at possible locations, they decided to give it a try at 2018 Smallman Street because “the Strip still has some of its vibrancy.”

Peace Love and Little Donuts opened in August, the day they got the health inspection, because Razete didn't want to miss even one sale. It has proved wildly popular. One Saturday last month customers lined up outside the door for five continuous hours. The Little and Mini Donuts range in price, from $0.75 for a simple single to $13.50 for a dozen fancier donuts.

Razete attributes the doughnuts popularity to their freshness- the same day as costumers wait, adding that he knows all the bakeries in the area, and none sells doughnuts as fresh as his. The bakers make and top doughnuts at Peace Love and Little Donuts while customers watch.

When the shop first opened, Razete and his family made only mini donuts with powdered sugar or cinnamon topping, with traditional vanilla dough. Now an expanded menu includes Old Fashioned, Blueberry and Devils-food, with a variety of frosting, sprinkles and other toppers, in both Mini and Little sizes. Razete said “I usually eat one donut a day, and that is the Blueberry.”
Razete said they go through hundreds of pounds of batter per weekend. His youngest son, 11, mixes the batter. The other four children also help their father in the donut shop, as does their mother when she is not working. “It is a family affair” Razete said.

Chelsea Carroll, sophomore dance major, noticed the family behind the counter, “smiling and waving” the first time she went to the shop. One reason she likes the donuts so much is that they are made by a local family-owned business.

Customers often praise the doughnuts at Peace Love and Little Donuts as the best they have ever had. Razete cites word of mouth as their only marketing. He says, “our only advertising is making a ridiculously good donut.”

Aldona Bird can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu
this article was published in the Point Park Globe.

Museums in the Pittbsurgh Area

By Aldona Bird

Tiffany Lee, freshman IT major, has visited many of the Pittsburgh museums, including the National Aviary, Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Science Center, and the Sports Center. Lee especially likes the size of the Carnegie Museums. “I really like the displays they bring to Pittsburgh” Lee said.

Many students visit only the Carnegie Art and Natural Science, missing out on the many museums and galleries in the Pittsburgh area, most of which offer student admission, ranging from $5-$8, and frequently rotating exhibits.

Pittsburgh museums offer a diversity of displays. The Andy Warhol Museum has over 12,000 paintings, drawings, videos, prints, sculptures, etc.;the National Aviary's walk-through exhibits contain over 600 birds representing over 200 species; the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh exhibit gems & minerals, dinosaurs, a World War II submarine, and paintings by old and modern great masters;the Science Center's many exhibits include roboworld (a show of robots and robotics), a laser light display, “kitchen theater” (a program devoted to the science of cooking), along with a number of others; and the Sports Center offers a sports & science exhibition.

The Pittsburgh museums host multiple traveling exhibitions, such as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History's current show on whales, showing enormous skeletons and multimedia presentations. The Heinz History Center will bring “The Real George Washington” back to Pittsburgh for first time in 250 years starting February 19th. Shantytown, images of Pittsburgh during the Great Depression, is currently on display at Photo Antiquities, along with Between the Battles, an exhibit about women in photography during the Civil War.

Theater tech sophomore Tim Bruno went just once to the Carnegie Museums in Oakland, with the fundamentals of design class. He “ loved the glass globes”, an installation exhibit. “I've heard of the Warhol... Science Center... and that's all” Bruno said.

The Andrew Warhol Museum, located in Pittsburgh's North Side, offers $8 student admission with ID, except on Fridays from 5p.m.-10p.m. when all admissions are half-price. According to the Warhol Museum's website, www.warhol.org, “The art collection of the Andy Warhol Museum includes over 8,000 works in all media- paintings, drawings, prints, photography, sculpture, and installation.” The museum's regular hours are Friday 10 a.m.- 10 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mack Franz, senior biology major, also enjoys the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural Science. “I love seeing the dinosaur section” said Franz, adding that he also likes the rock exhibit with an elevator that takes you down through the layers of the earth. Franz said that he enjoys looking at one of Monet's Waterlily paintings, among others in the Art museum, as well as local artists.

Admission to the Carnegie Museum of Art, including access to the Museum of Natural History is $11. The museums, located on Forbes Avenue in Oakland, are open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. The art collection consists of both classical and contemporary pieces, including film and video works.

Lee said she has heard of, but not yet visited, the Mattress Factory Art Museum. According to its website, www.mattress.org, the Mattress Factory displays room-size installations of contemporary art. Built on the spot by national and international artists, all its exhibitions include interactive and educational components. The Mattress Factory, located at 500 Sampsonia Way in North Side, charges $7 student admissions, and is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.

Several other Pittsburgh museums, infrequently visited by Point Park students, display interesting exhibits, and offer easy accessibility and student admission. The Senator John Heinz History Museum documents 250 years of Pittsburgh's history, from before the French and Indian War to current developments in Steelers' history The History Museum, located in the Strip district, is open daily 10 a.m- 5 p.m, and charges $5 student admission.

Photo Antiquities has a collection “... dedicated to the preservation, presentation and education of the history of photography. The museum's collection includes images, cameras, and accessories that capture the earliest days of photography” according to their website, www.photoantuquities.org. Student admission is $6.50, and the photography museum is open Monday, and Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Other local museums and galleries include the Carnegie Science Center, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh Children's Museum, and the Frick Art and Historical Center, among others.

Pittsburgh's many museums, most with student discounts, can be reached by public transportation. Others such as the Andy Warhol and Heinz History Museums are a short walk from downtown. Local museums, many with rotating or traveling exhibits, represent a central part of Pittsburgh history and culture.


Aldona Bird can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu
This article was published on the Point Park Globe's website, as well as on To the Point's website, and printed in To the Point.

Doug Heuck Speaking at Point Park University

By Aldona Bird

Award winning writer Doug Heuck's started in journalism at a weekly newspaper in Brooklyn, but was fired after two weeks.

The young editor didn't like his work and told Heuck “you need to find a new line of work. You'll never make it as a journalist,” adding that the young would-be reporter had no curiosity about things.

Heuck, just graduated for college, took the firing as a challenge and not only overcame that lay off but went on to a 30 year career in journalism, winning numerous awards and most recently, starting his own magazine, the Pittsburgh Quarterly.

“Good things happen when you get out of the newsroom.” Heuck said. Heuck will speak to students about his successful career, magazine writing and journalism in the JVH auditorium, at 4 p.m. on March 11th. Heuck's presentation will be open to all students, and useful to journalism majors, and anyone interested in news media.

“I'll give the students the 25 year tour” Heuck said in reference to his 20 years at the Pittsburgh Press and Post-Gazette, and 5 years of Pittsburgh Quarterly.

A difficulty similar to being fired after two weeks on his first post-graduation job lead Heuck to write one of his best known pieces. “I was disgusted with my progress at the paper” he said in reference to being stuck writing weekly about the North Hills. When told that more off-beat stories were expected of him, Heuck informed his editors that they wouldn't know an off-beat story idea if they saw one.

Heuck proceeded to take a walk downtown, and noticed a homeless man lying in the street. He wondered what being homeless would be like, and was inspired to do a secret, undercover series on being homeless, in which he would spend a month living in the Pittsburgh streets.

He pitched the idea, and his editors gave him two weeks to be homeless. During the two weeks Heuck panhandled his co-workers and competition, all of whom, not recognizing him in the guise of a homeless person, avoided him. Even the photographer assigned to the story, who knew that Heuck was working on it, crossed the street when approached.

Heuck's homeless series caused a sensation when published. “When you are willing to take a calculated risk, interesting things can happen” Heuck said.

Senior print journalism major Katie Hildman said she plans to go to Hueck's presentation because “I think he is a pretty interesting guy... I hope to learn more about magazine writing from him.” Hildman prefers magazine style writing to newspaper writing, and hopes that she will learn more about the field from Heuck.

Jessica Chapman, senior broadcast and print journalism major, graduates this May, prepared for the changes and digitalization in media. Recently she wrote a story and created an accompanying multimedia presentation for her internship at the Post-Gazette. But she still looks for advice about getting into the journalism workforce, and therefore she plans to attend Heuck's presentation on March 11th. Chapman said after reading his I am Homeless series, she thinks he is a “very talented and awesome writer” and would like to know about other things he has written, in addition to hearing his advice for up and coming journalists like herself.

Heuck said students should become good writers-- both by reading good writing and by reading books on how to write well. He also said that making connections with journalists working in the field is very helpful. But most of all, Heuck said he would advise students to do two things. Because of lack of experience new reporters must be willing to work hard-- harder than anyone else. In addition they should do it without complaining, because a good attitude is also very important for fresh journalists.


Aldona Bird can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu
this article was published in the Point Park Globe, the student newspaper, prior to Heuck visiting Point Park University.

Squirrel Hill Coffee Shop- 61C

Romance, ambiance, and cappuccinos

By Aldona Bird
Photography by Aldona Bird

While working at 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill, Jamie Flannick began to notice a “really great,” and “charismatic,” repeat customer, Rebekah Laslow, a Point Park University senior.
One day Laslow ordered a tea that the cafe had run out of. The staff found one last bag, so Flannick wrote a note with his number on it, and gave it to Laslow as she left. They have been dating since October 2008.

The 61C, where Laslow and Flannick found friendship and romance, is a place for students to study, hang out and relax, get a really good cup of coffee, and listen to music. The Port Authority’s 61C bus, which runs past the café, can be picked up at 5th and Wood Street. The 61A and 61B also stop at 5th and Wood Street, and can be taken to the 61C Café.

According to server Kjerstein Pugh, the 61C, opened by Kate Knorr and Gary Kaboly 15 years ago and named for the bus line that goes past, predates all other Squirrel Hill coffee shops. The cafe at 1839 Murray Avenue, which replaced the diner George Aikens, is one of the oldest in Pittsburgh.

The cash-only cafe offers a varied menu, ranging in price from $1.40 to about $4: fresh, espresso drinks, hot chocolate and steamers, about forty-six types of tea, Italian soda, smoothies, and regular coffee. A glass case by the door displays several kinds of cheesecakes, and glass jars on the counter contain flavors of granola. More glass jars hold fresh cookies, muffins, and other on-site baked treats. Between 7 and 8 am, when the baking gets done, the 61C is “the best smelling place in Pittsburgh, I promise” said Pugh.

The coffee shop has a special ambiance. Pugh, a regular customer before she started working there in 2000, said “I've always appreciated how it is just a place for people to come and be.” Flannick enjoys watching the diversity of “great people” who come in; even if he does not know them, the friendly atmosphere makes it seem as though he does.

Jason Choorapuzha, dental medical student at Pitt, enjoys studying in the 61C Cafe once in a while for the change of scene. Choorapuzha said he likes that the customers are not “the typical coffee house crowed,” but a mix, from families to “hipsters.”

Dan Licata, computer science graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University, goes to the 61C “at least once a week, maybe more often than that.” He studies there, meets with his research adviser, girlfriend, fellow students, or just hangs out. His favorite drink is the $2.00/$2.50 soy hot chocolate, because the servers often make nice designs on top. Both Flannick and Pugh said their favorite drink to make is the cappuccino. Pugh enjoys making the foam, and Flannick likes how pretty it looks when done.

Many of the customers at the blue and red topped wooden tables read or use computers while sipping drinks and nibbling chocolate chunk, M&M, chocolate peanut-butter or one of the other many types of cookie or scones. Both Choorapuzha and Licata said they like to hang out and study at the cafe because of the atmosphere and the soft, unobtrusive music. One wall, facing busy Murray Avenue, consists of floor-to-ceiling windows. The natural light, supplemented by soft, cone shaped wall sconces and hanging lights adds to the mellow feel of the 61C. The espresso machine and milk steamer whir softly under the background off-beat pop music and friendly chatter of customers.

Just down the street from the corner coffee shop are several boutiques, restaurants, a movie theater and numerous shops, making the 61C Cafe the perfect place to stop for coffee, tea, or a cookie after shopping or enjoying all that Squirrel Hill has to offer.



Aldona Bird can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu
this story was published in the Point Park Globe, the student newspaper, and nominated for best feature story.

Heat Nightclub opens in the Strip Distrct, Pittsburgh

By Aldona Bird

Pittsburgh students, like Point Park freshman Chris Kennedy who cannot wait to celebrate his birthday at the newest, Vegas style, 18+ nightclub in the 'Burgh, can look forward to Heat Nightclub opening in the Strip District on January 29th.

Kennedy said that he and his friends plan to go Heat, on 19th street in the Strip which in the past held other night clubs and restaurants, not only for his birthday but also after because the cover charge is reasonable ($10 for 18+ and $5 9 pm - 11 pm, $7 after 11 pm for 21+.), and because its brick walls, wood floors, and low ambient lighting make it a classy place to party.

Heat Nightclub will open from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. with a big deal bash, hosted by MTV Real World's Ruthie (Hawaii) & JD (Brooklyn), with DJs Shawn and Xavier. Dance music will range from top 40 hits to hip hop to R&B.

Club director Ryan Skyy, a Point Park University alum, says that his club offers a good time and entertainment to both sexes and sexualities, with a goal of bringing all types of people together. The club has two floors, multiple bars, VIP sections, as well as dance areas with lights, lasers, and poles for pole dancing.

Located on 19th St. between Penn Ave and Smallman St, Heat Night Club helps fill a student consumer demand niche as one of Pittsburgh's very few 18+ clubs. Freshman broadcasting major, Matt Desmond said that before Heat, “There wasn't really any place to go, other than Club Zoo...” adding that it will be nice to dance and party with people his age.

The appearance of Heat Nightclub reflects careful attention to detail. The elegant interior includes exposed brick walls, ambient lighting, rafter ceilings, large framed mirrors, wood and tile floors, cozy corners, and plush bar chairs in the downstairs Inferno Room. The upstairs Rapture Room has a stage, music video projection screen, bottle service sections for private 21+ parties, cushy VIP areas, and, according to Skyy, a strong Las Vegas vibe.

Skyy, who developed the Saturday blowpop, weekly themed nights, at Privilege Nightclub, has planned a number of different entertainment events. On Wednesdays, 18+ will be admitted into the Rapture Room to participate in the talent show Next!, with a monetary prize for the winner, and an end of the month competition between weekly winners. “We're not going to stop the music and clear the dance floor,” rather the shows will be integrated into the atmosphere of the club, said Skyy. Fridays are Babylon nights, with reference to the Pittsburgh-filmed TV series Queer as Folk. Skyy also plans to continue Saturday blowpop at Heat by presenting monthly themes, varying each week slightly. In addition, Heat Nightclub intends to collaborate with the City Paper, sponsor charity happy hours (during which 100% of the proceeds from the $5 cover charge will go to different non-profit charities), and, come early summer, add “Sushi in the Strip”. The hours of sushi and dance club will overlap, so “you can come and get your sushi, and dance” said Skyy.

Skyy advises students to arrive early for the grand opening. Without advertising, relying on word of mouth and social media, Heat had a huge turnout for the New Year's Eve preview party. The Facebook invitation showed only 200 confirmed guests, but 800 turned up, and there was a three-hour waiting line outside the building. The Facebook invitation for the official grand opening already has over 1400 confirmed guests.

Freshman intelligence and national security major, Kennedy said he has some doubts about getting in. He said that he and his friends plan to go after the opening as well, because “It is something to do in Pittsburgh...”

Several buses stop within a block of Heat, including the 86A, 86B, 77F, 77D or 77G. Any of the other buses that go through the Strip District also pass close by (get off at 18th and Liberty).

Heat Nightclub's motto indicates the all-inclusive nature of the up and coming nightclub for college students and 21+; “Wear what you want, be who you want.”


Aldona Bird can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu
This article was published in the Point Park Globe, the student newspaper.

PPU Diversity Ice Cream Social

American and International students mingle over ice cream

By Aldona Bird and Karen Bullock

Students laughed and enjoyed a buffet of ice cream and toppings but the 4th floor lounge of Lawrence Hall grew more quiet as they joined in a lesson of tai chi. International students shared different aspects of their cultures, such as tai chi and dances from around the world as the American students watched and participated in this cultural experience.

The ice cream social on February 17th provided an opportunity for students from all over the world to mingle and familiarize themselves with a diversity of cultures. International students practiced their English, and American students were encouraged to sign up as conversation partners.

Amanda Avampato, International student adviser and English instructor at Point Park, organizes monthly diversity events. Wanting to introduce her residents to international students, Gabrielle Mazza, CF of the 11th floor, helped organize this month's social. Avampato said they decided to host an ice cream social because “offer food and they will come.” Fliers and in-class advertising brought over 60 international students and about 25-30 American students to the event.

ELS posts diversity events, which in the past have included bowling, snow tubing, museum visits, and Christmas party trivia games on monthly calendars along with daily interaction suggestions.

“Next week we have laser tag planned,” said Avampato.

At the ice cream social last week, international students and local residents met in the fourth-floor lounge for an afternoon of dancing, and socializing. After students helped themselves to an ice cream buffet, Mazza welcomed everyone, and cultural dances taught by a few international students followed.

Volkan Sezer, 23 year-old ELS student, spoke very little English before leaving his home in Turkey to come to Point Park but a mere two and a half months Sezer already speaks fluent English.

“I need to learn English so I came to the U.S.” said Sezer.

His desire to improve his English and socialize with American students brought him to the ice cream social.

Joao Eustachio, 22 year-old Brazilian ELS student, said that the diversity of majors and student types at Point Park University helps international students assimilate into student and American culture. Eustachio, who lives in Lawrence hall, enjoys living on campus because he is able to fully immerse himself in American student life. Eustachio said students here are interested in helping, and taking classes from English-speaking teachers is very helpful.

Haydar Kilic, 25, another Turkish ELS student was glad that Avampato teasingly threatened and forced her students to come to the ice cream social. Kilic, who lives off campus, thinks that events like these make it easier to integrate into student life.

Freshman cinema major, Corey Kincaid, attended the ice cream social because “I thought it would be a good event to get to know other cultures.” Kincaid usually socializes with international students just while working out at the gym.

Taylor Gillan, a freshman dance major, said “it was really neat seeing all the dances...it is a fun way to meet people.” Freshman cinema major, Chris Ramallo said he especially enjoyed learning some tai chi along with his ice cream.

Avampato said that international students need conversation partners to help develop their English, and hopes that diversity events such as the ice cream social will encourage students to sign up. Cassie Wood, a freshman musical theater major, said that due to the ice cream social “a bunch of us signed up to be conversation partners.”

profile- Dr. Newman

Dr. Newman, students not kids, six languages and counting
By Karen Bullock and Aldona Bird

It was in Professor Channa Newman’s French Culture course that Holly Kuhl was first exposed to the global cultural studies program at Point Park. Through the exploration of French culture and Dr. Newman’s constant promotion of the global cultural studies program Kuhl switched her major from dance to global cultural studies, and has picked up a French minor. The switch opened new windows for Kuhl, as she will be spending the fall semester studying in Paris.

“It was the first time I got insight into the global cultural studies program,” Kuhl said of the first class she took from Dr. Newman.

Dr. Newman was born in Russia, which she said was an accident, because her parents were Czech. She then grew up in Israel, and lived at times in places including the Czech Republic, Germany, France, and Israel.

She received all her degrees, her B.A. through her Ph.D, from the University of Pittsburgh before settling down at Point Park University 43 years ago.

She published as a French to English translator for the renowned sociologist Pierre Bourdie. This translation work introduced her to the world of cultural studies and languages which is now her passion and focus.

Although her only formal language degree is in French Literature and Languages, Dr. Newman learned Czech, German, French, English, Hebrew, and a little Russian in the various countries she where she lived. Dr. Newman is continually expanding her knowledge, and so is learning Arabic and intends to become fluent in Italian.

Dr. Newman wants to share her love of languages and different cultures and educate students about the world in which they live. She enjoys teaching classes that are important, such as language, she feels that learning a foreign language is critical for students. She also tries to show and put into perspective current American social issues like “poverty, minimum wage, equality before the law” into such classes as French Culture, and Wealthy White Males. These classes strongly impresses students like Kuhl and makes them more aware not only of the subject of the class, but also all the social issues Dr. Newman incorporates into the subject matter.

One class which Dr. Newman is planning for the future to achieve this goal combines language recognition and the role of language in society. To complete the course students will have to recognize how ten languages look and sound and know the culture of each language.

“It’s a grand history of how we speak and how we form sounds…it’s sort of becoming a geographical political study of languages,” said Dr. Newman.

Although Dr. Newman enjoys teaching language and culture courses, Wealthy White Males would be Dr. Newman’s favorite class to teach, if she had to pick one. The class is a sociological or global cultural studies course on the minority group of the rich upper class and its impact on society. Dr. Newman enjoys teaching this class because it forces students to think outside the box.

“It’s rewarding to me because I know that making people feel uncomfortable is a good way to get them to start thinking…” said Dr. Newman.

Dr. Newman likes to treat her students as adults by empowering them and encouraging them to ask questions and get the answers they are looking for. She also trusts some of the process of learning to them by giving ungraded assignments to help expand their knowledge, without forcing them to learn just for a test or research paper. According to Kuhl this inspires them to work harder and complete supplemental assignments on their own. “She is a really good judge of character, so she knows when you are doing it,” said Kuhl.

She also urges students to read a lot, not only fiction and novels but non-fiction as well. The non-fiction she reads has made her a minor expert on early Rome and has also fed into the material she covers in class. She reads so she can understand and teach, and urges students not to be put off by difficult subjects. “With knowledge comes power. The more you know the more confident you are and the less likely you are to be a victim of somebody’s whim.”

Gabrielle Norton-Moore, a sophomore broadcast major and French minor, said “she is a very good role model” because she is strong, independent, is easy to talk to, and knows a handful of languages. Dr. Newman reminds Norton-Moore of her mother, who also speaks multiple languages, and according to Norton-Moore has many of the same qualities as Dr. Newman, including being easy and interesting to talk to.

After taking several French classes from Dr. Newman, Kuhl extended her studies beyond the classroom by going to Paris last year with Dr. Newman. Kuhl said they “saw parts of Paris you wouldn’t see as a tourist.” Kuhl said Dr. Newman would show them how to use the public transportation, and let them explore. The group visited standard places like the Louvre, but Dr. Newman encouraged them to explore on their own, rather than arranging a tour. She also took the students to the home of one of Dr. Newman’s French friends for an authentic French meal, rather than sticking to standard tourist restaurants.

Through her decades of teaching at Point Park University Dr. Newman has taken students to Paris about 30 times and said that if she were to meet with all the students she has taken they would fill an auditorium. In the future she wants to see permanent links to places like Central Europe, Poland, the Czech Republic, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America led by various global cultural studies teachers.

Dr. Newman is often decorated with unique jewelry, such as earrings, that she makes herself when she is not teaching. As Dr. Newman encourages students to read, she spends time reading as well. “I read and I write. I love films, I love the theatre, and music.” She likes to expand her social and cultural knowledge by reading essays mystery novels, history, and other non-fiction.

After 43 years Dr. Newman is not yet ready to call it quits on teaching. “Eventually I will retire,” said Dr. Newman. “As long as I feel that I am doing good things, and as long as my students don’t throw tomatoes at me I figure I can continue.”

profile-Dr. Fessler

Dr. Fessler- semesters at sea, cultural classes, and a mind-reader
By Aldona Bird and Karen Bullock

Professor Robert Fessler’s gastronomic travel experiences inform not only his home cuisine, but also the structure of the cuses he teaches at Point Park. While researching a new cultural studies class on India, he became so involved in his research that he cooked indian meals-he had already sampled the cooking while traveling in India-for months.

Now the class incorporates different aspects of the culture whether it is indian, or japan or africa, in which Dr. Fessler immersed himself while preparing his lectures:literature, music, movies, as well as the food.

“I grew up eating really bland food, the highlight of the week would be Mrs. Paul’s fish sticks. Then I traveled and I discovered that I had taste buds, and so ever since I do all the cooking at home and I try and duplicate dishes from everywhere,” said Dr. Fessler.

Dr. Fessler received a B.A from Duquesne University and an M.A. from Miami University of Ohio. While writing his Ph.D. dissertation at Duquesne University, he worked in a mental hospital, but found that unrewarding. As a grad student he had enjoyed teaching, and so decided to enter a teaching career.

Upon completing his Ph.D. Dr. Fessler joined the psychology department at Point Park University, where he has been ever since. He has also traveled extrensively and taught with the Semester at Sea program.

The Semester at Sea program consists of about 100 days of classes conducted aboard a ship for 700 students per semester. The ship makes 10-12 stops at various ports where students take field trips. Dr. Fessler says one thing he especially likes about the Semester at Sea program is “…popping the bubble that most American students have lived in…You take somebody from Pittsburgh who’s never been anyplace and drop them into an untouchable village in India and they’re never the same again.”

Although Dr. Fessler does not have any specific future plans regarding the Semester at Sea program, he anticipates that he will be contacted for it again.

“Obviously the people who run the Semester at Sea program like me….so I imagine they’ll call me again,” says Fessler.

Travel has shaped Dr. Fessler’s approach to his courses, as well as to his commitment to the Global Cultural Studies program. He would like to increase the scope of the study abroad program at Point Park by takin students to places such as Cambodia, Africa, or India.

“We’ve been there and that’s part of the reason why we want to share the joy,” said Dr. Fessler referring to himself and other Point Park professors who want to see the program grow.

Dr. Fessler has hopes for the development and expansion of the Global Cultural Studies program at Point Park. He would like to see more global cultural studies courses become part of the core curriculum for all majors because he thinks “that this is just too important for the world today and for the future of the students.”

Dr. Fessler thinks global cultural studies classes raise students’ awareness “because they know they’re going to be living on a whole planet not just Pennsylvania.”

Dr. Fessler inspires students such as Regis Suess, a senior psychology major, and Eric Probola, a junior global cultural studies major to work hard and get the most from his lectures.

Dr. Fessler is a god-like hero to Suess. “The first time I saw him I thought he could read my mind…I could tell he was brilliant,” says Suess.

Seuss has appreciated sharing Dr. Fessler’s wide experience, from psychology to global studies, and knowledge in class. He has taken many of Dr. Fessler’s classes, including Theories of Personality, Abnormal Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Regional Studies:India, and Criminal Psychopathology . He enjoyed all the classes, but his favorite was Criminal Psychopathology because it went beyond normal criminal psychology and explored different areas of abnormal behavior.

According to Suess Dr. Fessler is a tough grader and his grueling tests cover everything taught in class. “He wants to see that you get as much from the lectures as possible,” said Suess.

Probola said all material in Dr. Fesslers class is covered on the exams, but “there is something about his lecture style, when you go to study, you feel like you know it all already…they are intense, but they always make you think. It is usually a class that I look forward to.”

Suess said that he works extra hard in Dr. Fessler’s classes and always receives A’s. He said, “I always wanted to do my best to show him how much I appreciate him.”

Dr. Fessler brings his real world cultural experiences to all his classes including his culture courses on Japan, India, and Africa.

Since leaving work at the mental hospital Dr. Fessler has been teaching and traveling. He has not only taught at Point Park University but also taught four semesters with the Semester at Sea program.

profile- Dr. Ross

Baseball, the Middle East, and Dr. Ross
by Karen Bullock and Aldona Bird

Middle East Professor Robert Ross knows first hand about the volatile political geography of the Middle East because he has lived it during his time spent in Beirut.

Now a professor at Point Park University where he teaches a course on Political Geography of the Middle East, he delivers powerful lectures drawn not only on the text books and essays he has mastered, but on the life he lived in Lebanon.

“So it’s not just academic to me… I can’t just think about that region abstractly” said Dr. Ross.

Joining the Global Cultural Studies program in fall 2009, Dr. Ross has incorporated into his classes teaching experience from Beirut and the University of Syracuse, as well as research into gentrification and baseball.

Dr. Ross grew up in South-Central Pennsylvania where he claims to have been a “slacker” in high school and “barely went to college.” He received his B.A. from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, his M.Sc. from University College London, and his Ph.D. from Syracuse University. He taught at West Chester while getting his Ph.D. and in Beirut for a year after getting his doctorate, and then at Syracuse for a year as an adjunct before finally finding his home at Point Park University.

During his college freshman year, his love of learning plus a determination to prove wrong one of his professors who told him that he should never become a teacher, propelled him into seeking an academic career. The professor in question told Dr. Ross “the pay sucks, and there aren’t any jobs and it’s just going to be a waste of your time.” Dr. Ross decided to take this advice as a challenge.

Dr. Ross’ love of baseball predates his love of academics. He has managed to combine these two very different passions. He grew up an Orioles fan, plays fantasy baseball and when working on his doctorate he convinced his supervisor to let him write about 19th century baseball for his dissertation. Dr. Ross writes about baseball from a sociological perspective looking at how labor issues, not just between players and owners, but also among the carpenters, brick layers, and other construction workers who built the ballparks intersect with other social and economic processes.

Dr. Ross’ published works include the peer reviewed article Contradictions of Cultural Production and the Geographies that (Mostly) Resolve them: 19^th Century Baseball, and the Rise of the 1890 Players League.

“Basically what I’m trying to do with the baseball and sports stuff is just sort of show where social and economic processes intersect with the sports” said Dr. Ross.

Upon finishing his dissertation Dr. Ross taught for a year in Beirut at the Center for American Studies and Research. In a course he was teaching there about gentrification in the United States, a student pointed out that the same process was occurring in Beirut. The student’s remark led to Dr. Ross’ current research into the migration of the wealthy into urban neighborhoods, from which they force out the lower class.

While living in the Middle East Professor Robert Ross taught about gentrification in New York. Now back in the U.S. his favorite class to teach at Point Park University is Political Geography of the Middle East, where he not only gets to expose students to an area that most Americans are ignorant about, but also because it relates to his personal experiences of living in Beirut.

Dr. Ross meets students to discuss classes, grades, or any other topic a student desires, and works on courses in his office at Point Park surrounded by art works reflecting his personal academic life: window views from his family’s homes in the various places they have lived, including Brooklyn and Beirut, a portrayal of the Shatila refugee camp in Lebanon, and a copy of a traditional Palestinian icon. The art work, all by his wife, holds memories of where they met, traveled and what has inspired the direction of his academic interests.

Sometimes he brings educational anecdotes about the experience of living in such an explosive region. The topics he discusses in his class, like the culture and the wars in the Middle East are all very real to him. For instance walking down the street on a normal day and hearing explosions all around him and not knowing what was going on. When living there he always had to be aware of the political climate, and he had to be informed on when and where there was fighting going on.

“I lived there, you don’t have a choice whether or not you’re gonna follow the news or follow politics… It’s like checking the weather before you go outside” he said.

Ian Sulkowski, a freshman creative writing major, signed up for Dr. Ross’ Political Geography of the Middle East course to get a better understanding of the interactions between the U.S. and the Middle East.

“It is part of being well rounded in a very human sense. You want to have a good idea of what is going on in the world,” said Sulkowski.

Sulkowski enjoys Dr. Ross’ Middle East course because it is relevant to society today and the class material applies outside of school. Topics such as the Israel-Palestine conflict Sulkowski finds extremely relevant as it is something that is discussed in the news quite a bit. While as an American Sulkowski has been exposed to the U.S. standpoint on the conflict, Dr. Ross’ class showed him the other, Palestinian, side of the hostilities through reading essays from both views and reading Middle Eastern newspapers. He also likes the way Dr. Ross moderates “collective conversations,” and has a “clear sincere goal to educate and enrich the lives of others.”

Morgan Patkos, a junior Global Cultural Studies major, said that in his class, Revolutions, “he gives examples of when he was teaching in Lebanon.” Revolutions is a class that focuses on the globalizing forces, revolutions, in human history from the American Revolution to the Iranian Revolution. She also finds the format of the class, which is mostly discussion based, rather than straight lecture, educationally stimulating. Dr. Ross spends most of his class time discussing the readings he assigns his class, letting his students lead the discussions so they are able to get the most out of them as possible.

Dr. Ross still has a deep connection with the Middle East, Beirut in particular, as he will hopefully be taking students on a trip to Lebanon at the end of the spring 2011 semester.

He said, “I have a personal connection with it, having lived there and still having close friends there,”

profile- Dr. Hines

Dr. Hines on Europ, Soccar, and a map of Montana
by Karen Bullock and Aldona Bird

After completing his B.A. in International Studies, the cattle rancher’s son from Wyoming, Professor J. Dwight Hines, wandered around Europe and ended up in

Bratislava, Slovakia as its denizens celebrated their independence from Czechoslovakia.

While that historic moment affected him, on his return to the states he decided to pursue a masters degree in geography, until he was inadvertently moved into an anthropology program at Louisiana State University.

It turned out to be a life changing experience as that discipline would be what he’d pursue until he earned a Ph.D. in and a job teaching at Point Park University.

“I’ve never felt out of place with anthropology,” said Dr. Hines.

Dr. Hines grew up in Wyoming and remained in his home state while he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies before traveling to Europe. A large, antique map of Montana hangs in his office wall, reflecting his love of geography, and his anthropological work in the American West on gentrification.

“Wyoming is right south of Montana so I spent a lot of time in Montana growing up, but I did my research there…” says Dr. Hines. “I love the map because of the color scheme…I love the fact that it speaks about an older era before other technologies came in…I did my research here in this down called Livingston just north of Yellowstone National Park, so it reminds me of where I come from and where I like to be in the summer time…I do like maps.”

Still a bit of an aspiring geographer, Dr, Hines brings his wide travel experience…from the American Far West to southern Spain, and his intellectual curiosity and academic rigor to students in his diverse classes.

Dr. Hines liked living in Europe so much, that as he traveled around the continent he found himself working in odd jobs, like construction and flipping burgers. After living most his life on a sheep farm in Wyoming, he found places like Italy, France, and Portugal in cosmopolitan Europe to be quite an eye-opening experience. Spending most of his life in rural Wyoming, being thrust into a foreign city life-style was not exactly easy, but an experience he will never forget.

“That is the kind of experience that can only enhance your world,” he said.

He traveled to a number of countries ranging from Italy to Eastern European countries like Slovakia. His favorite place, not only in Europe, but in the entire world he says, was southern Spain, where he spent nearly half of his time in Europe. His experiences in Spain he says fed into his research and teaching. He spent time looking at issues of colonization in Spain.

When he returned from his trip to Europe he is got his first teaching experience as a substitute teacher back home at Wyoming to earn money to travel around the country seeking a profession or a place to earn a Master’s degree. He settled on Louisiana State University to study geography but was shuffled quickly in an anthropology program. After he got his Master’s degree in anthropology from Louisiana State University he earned a Ph.D at University of California Santa Barbara while acquiring more teaching experience during the seven years of graduate work there.

Dr. Hines was intrigued by the unique and growth oriented global cultural studies program that Point Park offered and applied for a teaching position within the program.

“We’ve got people from different traditions coming together and really sharing a lot of the same perspectives,” said Dr. Hines.

Since arriving at Point Park Dr. Hines has built up and expanded the number and variety of courses he teaches including Into to Global Cultural Studies,which looks at human cultural patterns across the globe,Modern World Systems, a study how ancient world systems influenced the world today, Soccer in Global Perspectives, which looks at soccer from an anthropological standpoint, and Spanish Culture, partly based on the experiences he had while in Spain. He finds it satisfying that the program at Point Park allows him to develop courses, such as the soccer course, that are not taught in a majority of places.

When Dr. Hines was in college his father advised him to go to all the talks and presentations and listen to the ideas bouncing around from people coming in from outside the area. His father admonished him that he would not have access to that stuff for the rest of his life. At Point Park, Dr, Hines emphasizes that he encourages students to think globally, and to open up to new knowledge, a bit like his father advised him to do.

Miguel Alvarez, a sophomore political science major, seems to think he is succeeding in this aim. Alvarez enjoys the two classes he takes from Dr. Hines because “He introduced me to a whole other way of looking at things.”

Alvarez takes Spanish Culture and Modern World Systems from Dr. Hines. He enjoys the discussion in both classes, especially Modern World systems, because it relates to his major and covers topics that he has thought about but never fully understood, such as how world systems in the past have helped to create the world system that is in place now. He’s noticed similarities between himself and Dr. Hines including a love of soccer and knowledge of the Spanish language.

A unique class that Dr. Hines has developed and is teaching at Point Park is Soccer in Global Perspectives. Although Dr. Hines never played soccer, his love of soccer has parlayed into looking at the sport from an anthropological view. He uses this global sport, something usually dismissed as a superficial game, as a way to look at gender inequalities and issues of racism. He uses distinct methods to teach this course, such as spending time on popular movies like Bend it like Beckham to look at issues related to ethnicities, like South Asians in England, and issue related to gender. One thing he points out in the movie is how women are portrayed, and how they are not commonly found playing the game of soccer.

“It’s a good opportunity to be serious but not the be serious simultaneously…and that’s important in classes,” said Dr. Hines.

Dr. Hines plans to work with his colleagues in the department to expand the Global Studies program. For example, they hope to organize travel and study abroad, and he would like to take his students to Spain to experience the Spanish culture that he teaches about. Dr Hines would like to see more students picking up a global cultural studies major because the opportunities and experience that come with taking the global cultural studies classes is something that students cannot find in many other places.

In the meantime, Dr, Hines is enjoying life in the Pittsburgh area. He has enjoyed fishing and cross country skiing, and this summer hopes to establish himself as a white water rafting guide. He is also preparing several articles for publication.

Katie Over, a senior psychology major, enjoyed the classes she took from Dr. Hines because he went into the subjects about Spanish culture, including different political parties in Spain, in-depth, was passionate about the topics, and made her question standard knowledge. Over said, “He is very intense and intimidating,” but she also thinks Dr. Hines is a smart, cultured man, and has enjoyed taking his classes.

profile- Dr. Mathur

Dr. Mathur on human rights, Kashmir, and PPU students
By Karen Bullock and Aldona Bird

Professor Shubh Mathur began hearing the story of the torture and disappearances in her native Kashmir shortly after she emigrated from India to the United States in 1989.

As the woman with a Ph.D in sociology she looked further, and found more and more people whose family members were taken away by the Indian army, never to be seen again.

“I love hearing about her work in India, I can just imagine her there,” said Veronika Panagiotou, a junior psychology major who is taking her courses.

Those horrible stories caused the woman who has taught at Point Park University since Fall 2009 to investigate the horrors of this unspeakable torture of minorities for the United Nations as well as direct her scholarly, anthropological research with advocacy for the disappeared.

She grew up in India, and earned her B.A. in India at Lady Sri Ram College in history, her M.A. in anthropology University of Delhi, and her Ph.D from the New School for Social Research in New York.

She had intended to work strictly as an anthropologist, not thinking her career would entail any teaching. In grad school, however, she found that teaching was part of the job description. She taught as an adjunct both for the money and for the job experience. She had not anticipated how well she would like it. She has now been teaching for ten years.

“I think the fun part was discovering what students make of the discipline and the ideas that I can bring to the class,” said Dr. Mathur. She learned to teach from her students and then developed her own teaching style which is heavily based on class participation and discussion.

“You need a degree to teach kindergarten, but to teach undergraduates they just throw you in the deep end,” said Dr. Mathur explaining the difficulties of teaching at the college level.

Dr. Mathur joined the Global Cultural Studies Program Point Park University in the Fall of 2009. Her classes include Women in Global Perspectives, Introduction into Global Cultural Studies, and Human Rights in Theory and Practice.

Point Park students impress Dr. Mathur through their desire to learn and their curiosity about the world they live in. “I think there is a kind of intellectual honesty and integrity…and open mindedness,” said Dr. Mathur. She understands that all the material she teaches is not easy, but is impressed with how students process and use their newfound knowledge, and so enjoys teaching at Point Park University.

Sean Morrison, a freshman human resources major, liked how well Dr. Mathur used videos and readings to spark class discussions in her Sociological Foundations class. She moderated the discussions to keep them productive, despite clashing views about uncomfortable topics such as the death penalty, capitalism and communism.

Upon entering Dr. Mathur’s class for the first time Morrison was uneasy about how the class would turn out, especially because she has a rather quiet voice even while lecturing, but by the end of the semester this class was easily one of his favorites because the in-class debates and subjects covered not only introduced him to new topics, but taught him new ways to look at ones he was already familiar with.

“I think I learned more in her class than I would in someone else’s without the discussions,” said Morrison.

Dr. Mathur would like to see the study abroad program at Point Park grow in size and scope, by adding trips to India, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries.

Dr. Mathur brings her Kashmir experiences and research into the subject matter of her Point Park classes. She uses the plight of these Indian citizens as a starting point to demonstrate the wide assortment of human rights issues around the world.

She also wants to improve the global cultural studies program by adding new and diverse classes which relate to her research and field work with families in Kashmir.

Dr. Mathur is excited about a class she is teaching in the fall, Human Rights in Theory and Practice, because it directly relates to her work in Kashmir. She works directly with families whose members have been randomly and violently been taken away by the military, and never heard from or seen again. She helps the voices of these broken families be heard, and hopefully helped, by the UN. She works with the founder of the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, APDP, trying to bring world attention to Kashmir.

In 2006 and 2007, Dr. Mathur traveled to Kashmir, and met the victims of human rights abuses face to face. She hopes to return this summer, and to continue documenting the disappearances, arrests, and torture of minorities in Kashmir for the United Nations Human Rights High Commission in Geneva.

She intends to connect her experience researching violence and the victims of violence with topics in her new course at Point Park University on human rights issues. Dr. Mathur thinks the class will be a good opportunity “to bring the issues that [she’s] been dealing with in a practical way to the classroom and again to work through them and think through them with [her] students.”

Dr. Mathur would also like to see Point Park students become involved in global and local human rights issues. She gives gentrification of urban neighborhoods as an example of a possible Pittsburgh issue to study. Her presence might inspire both research and activism. Panagiotou, for example, signed up for Dr. Mathur’s Women in Global Perspectives class “because of my previous knowledge of her as a world activist.”