Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

A group of Slippery Rock University marketing students are making their case that they are among the best in the nation. As one of 10 finalists in the American Marketing Association's Collegiate Case Competition, a team from SRU will present business cases and compete against nine other schools at the AMA International Collegiate Conference, April 5, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Two Slippery Rock University civil engineering majors were among six college students recognized and awarded scholarships by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Pittsburgh Section. Amber Maurer, a senior civil engineering major from Cowansville, received the American Bridge Leadership Award. Maurer received a $9,000 scholarship, recognizing outstanding leadership in civil engineering. The scholarship was supported by a donation from American Bridge, a civil engineering company, to the ASCE Pittsburgh Section's Student Awards Foundation.

A Slippery Rock University student can now add "MVP at the Super Bowl" to his resume. Well, it's not what most people might think, but he was among a select few honored for their performance at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans earlier this year. Niko O'Toole, a senior sport management major from Pittsburgh, was named a "Super Bowl Teammate MVP" award winner after working at the NFL's premier event in February.

Emma Lemire knows what brings her joy. "I love helping people," she said, "that's always been my main goal." After coming to Slippery Rock University from her hometown of Groton, Connecticut, Lemire developed a way to achieve that goal through her recreational therapy major, volunteer work with local clientele, and a research project working closely with SRU faculty. Now, as a junior in the recreational therapy program, Lemire is getting recognized for her work on campus and in the community. Lemire was honored as the 2025 Student of the Year for Butler County by the Butler County Health Care Consortium after demonstrating excellence in the health care field.

The dance contest at Slippery Rock University that pairs students with members of the campus community is ready for another go round. The popular "Dancing with the SRU Stars" is 7 p.m., March 27, in Stoner West Dance Studio Theater. Cost is $10 for general admission and tickets can be purchased online at sru.edu/tickets.

Nearly 50 pieces of artwork created by Slippery Rock University students are on display at the University's Martha Gault Art Gallery as part of its 2025 Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition. SRU hosted an awards reception, March 3, and the exhibition is available for public viewing through April 7 at the gallery, located on the first floor of the Maltby Center at 108 Maltby Ave., which is open Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Slippery Rock University has announced its dean's list for the Fall 2024 semester. The dean's list consists of SRU undergraduate students who earned an adjusted semester grade-point average of 3.5 or higher, based on a schedule of at least 12 newly attempted and earned credits.

Slippery Rock University will host its 2024 fall commencement ceremony, 11 a.m., Dec. 14, at the Morrow Field House. There are a total of 540 students eligible to graduate and participate in the ceremony. Graduate students and undergraduates from each of SRU's five colleges will receive their degrees in one ceremony. Electronic tickets are required for entry and each graduate will be provided up to four guest tickets. All ceremonies will be livestreamed on sru.edu for those friends and family members without a ticket, unable to attend in person, or who prefer to watch the ceremony online.

Junie B. Jones once said, "Books are my favorite things in the whole world!" Adapted from the popular childhood book series, a musical theater production at Slippery Rock University will offer audiences who favor books, music and theater a world to experience. The SRU Theatre Department will present five performances of "Junie B. Jones, the Musical," Feb. 28 to March 4, in the Stoner East Black Box Theater. Show times and dates are 7:30 p.m., Feb. 28 and March 3-4, and 2 p.m., March 1-2. Tickets are $12 for SRU students and $15 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at sru.edu/tickets or in person at the Stoner East ticket counter up to one hour before each performance.

The Slippery Rock University Dance Department will present its Fresh Moves Dance Showcase, 7 p.m., Dec. 6, and 2 p.m., Dec. 7, in the Stoner West Dance Studio Theater. The showcase will feature 14 choreographed performances by current SRU dance students. Cost is $10 for general admission and tickets can be purchased online at sru.edu/tickets or at the Smith Student Center information desk.

Slippery Rock University's Theatre Department will present its newest production titled "Alice by Heart" with four shows Nov. 21-24 at the Miller Theater in the Performing Arts Center. Based on a novel by Steven Sater, "Alice by Heart" is directed by Aaron Galligan-Stierle, a SRU assistant professor of theatre.

Slippery Rock University's Theatre Department will present its newest production titled "Astronots" with five shows Oct. 18-23 at the Stoner East Black Box Theater. Show times and dates are 7:30 p.m., Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 22-23, and 2 p.m., Oct. 20. Tickets are $12 for SRU students and $14 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at sru.edu/tickets or in-person at the Stoner East ticket counter up to one hour before each performance.

"Hands-on research" is a term often used to describe how college students learn through active participation in laboratory experiments, but one Slippery Rock University student is taking on a project that is even more literal when it comes to the touch of fingertips. Janey Parks, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from New Brighton, is working in the Advanced Manufacturing Lab in SRU's Vincent Science Center this summer to find ways to improve upon the wearable sensors that respond to touch and capture motion.

Slippery Rock University has announced its dean's list for the spring 2024 semester. The dean's list consists of SRU undergraduate students who earned an adjusted semester grade-point average of 3.5 or higher, based on a schedule of at least 12 newly attempted and earned credits.

The Slippery Rock University council of trustees has a new student voice. Charli Severo, an SRU junior dual political science and philosophy major from Albion, has been selected as a member of the council of trustees, the highest governing body of the University. Severo fills the one seat on the 12-member COT designated for a full-time SRU undergraduate student. Severo has the same voting privileges as the other trustees.

The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.