Slippery Rock University

When Thomas Freilino journeyed to Dublin, Ireland, with Slippery Rock University students, he knew he would be learning about how to become a leader. After all, the program was organized by SRU's Student Engagement and Leadership Office. What Freilino did not know was the insight he would gain from an SRU alumna

Nate Presutti is helping meet a need for music educators in the community by creating choir lessons at a low cost for use by high school music teachers. Presutti, a Slippery Rock University senior music education major from Clinton (West Allegheny HS), is recording six public domain choral pieces with local musicians and pairing the pieces with lesson plans as part of a summer research project.

Growing up in the Erie area, Abigail Nguyen has long had a passion for both conservation and art. As part of her summer internship, she brought those passions to children in her community. Nguyen, a Slippery Rock University junior biology major from Harborcreek (Harbor Creek HS), designed and led a free community event on July 29 centered on environmental awareness and hands-on learning for children through an internship with the Erie County Conservation District.

From partner lifts in a Leuven dance studio to witnessing primetime performances at the Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Abby Brubaker experienced Belgium through dance. She expected the study-abroad program to grow her skills as a dancer, but what she also found was a clearer picture of the career she hopes to pursue. Brubaker, a Slippery Rock University senior dance major from Lancaster (Lancaster Mennonite HS), joined a group of 21 SRU dance students May 12-21 in an immersive exploration of Belgium's modern dance scene. Led by Jennifer Keller, SRU professor of dance, and Lindsay Viatori, associate professor of dance, the program featured hands-on workshops, performances and cultural experiences in Brussels, Leuven, Ghent and Bruges, where the group expanded their dance repertoire while exploring Belgian culture.

Destined for Peru, Macie Johnson boarded a plane for the first time in her life. But she wasn't just traveling abroad - she was embarking on a life-changing journey for both herself and communities in need. Johnson, a Slippery Rock University junior biology major from Kane (Kane HS), traveled with 11 other students and Miranda Falso, associate professor of biology, to establish health clinics and provide community assistance to five low-income communities in Lima, the capital of Peru, from May 24 to June 1.

Students at Slippery Rock University have opportunities to establish a network and learn alongside professionals before they graduate. Victoria Mackalica and Emmalee Henthorn attended the American Society of Safety Professionals' Professional Development Conference and Exposition, July 22-24, in Orlando, Florida. Mackalica, from Butler (Butler HS), and Henthorn, from Slippery Rock (Slippery Rock HS), are both rising senior safety management majors who are members of the ASSP student section at SRU. Their travel expenses and conference registration were covered by SRU's Safety Management Department, and they received internship credit hours for attending.

Many graduates of the park and resource management program at Slippery Rock University fulfill their dream of working for the National Park Service, but one SRU student is already getting a taste of the experience. Beau Fillion, a senior from Palmyra, New York (Palmyra Macedon HS), was selected for an internship at one of the NPS's most recognizable locations, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Fillion is one of only three college interns working from May to August as an interpretive ranger at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

A Slippery Rock University student recently joined leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C., to voice the importance of music education. Nate Presutti, a senior music education major from Clinton (West Allegheny HS), won an award presented by the National Association for Music Education before meeting with lawmakers that included U.S. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. During the NAfME's Collegiate Leadership Advocacy Summit, Presutti won the Collegiate Professional Achievement Award. Presutti was the president of the American Choral Directors Association, SRU chapter, for two years and is now the student organization's adviser.

Neva Lilla and Benjamin Porter are gaining valuable experience conducting research at Slippery Rock University to study grief and loss support groups with and without the use of therapy dogs. Porter, a senior social work major from Kittanning (Armstrong HS), and Lilla, a graduate student majoring in social work from New Castle (Central Mountain HS), are working with inmates from Crawford County Correctional Facility in Saegertown to perform group therapy sessions.

Carmen Hay is conducting hands-on research at Slippery Rock University to help purify water using innovative techniques. Hay, a senior biology major from Connellsville (Connellsville HS), is taking samples from Wolf Creek near Slippery Rock to investigate the use of microbes while addressing water pollution.

Dakharee Mann gained a behind the scenes look into one of golf's biggest tournaments at Oakmont Country Club. Mann, a Slippery Rock University sophomore sport management major from Harrisburg (Susquehanna Township HS), experienced first-hand the inner workings of the U.S. Open tournament through an internship with USGA Pathways. The 10-day internship, on location in Oakmont during the U.S. Open earlier this month, gave college students the opportunity to learn to every facet of the $84 billion golf industry. Mann was one of 24 interns selected from a pool of more than 750 applicants.

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.