Slippery Rock University

A Slippery Rock University student experienced what it's like to nurture the potential of local school-age kids by helping them avoid summer learning loss, all while having fun doing it. Dimajio Locante, an SRU sophomore secondary education major from Pittsburgh (Keystone Oaks HS), spent this summer as a lead counselor for Camp Batch, a summer camp program in Homestead for students in grades 3-10 run by the Best of the Batch Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by former Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch.

Showcasing the outcomes of its commitment to student success, Slippery Rock University will honor graduates who have reached a pivotal milestone in their academic journeys by hosting its 2025 fall commencement ceremony, 11 a.m., Dec. 13, at the Morrow Field House. More than 530 students are 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.

A Slippery Rock University student has established herself as a forward-thinking, driving force for change in campus sustainability through her internship with Aramark, the University's contracted food service provider. Abi Lushefski, a senior geography major from Trucksville (Dallas HS), has led the charge to replace the regular plastic bags in campus dining facilities with a cornstarch-based alternative produced by Plastech, a manufacturer of environmentally friendly plastic-alternative products. Through implementing these bags, SRU will save 160,000 plastic bags from entering landfills and ecosystems and contributing to rising levels of microplastics in the environment and greenhouse gas emissions.

Eight seniors in Slippery Rock University's Bachelor of Fine Arts program are sharing the culmination of their college careers through capstone art projects at the Martha Gault Art Gallery Dec. 1-4 and 8-11. Featured artists for Dec. 1-4 are: Megan Anthony from Butler (Butler HS) presenting "Beneath the Surface" (photography). Emma Barrell from Hellertown (Saucon Valley HS) presenting "Hardly Working" (painting). Sarah Heary from Saint Marys (Saint Marys HS) presenting "The Shuffle and the Deal" (drawing). Carla Snodgrass from Petrolia presenting "Held Fragments" (metalsmithing). Featured artists for Dec. 8-11 are: Madison Bauer from Gibsonia (Deer Lakes HS) presenting "Welcome Home" (printmaking). Kimberly Dominguez from McKees Rocks (Montour HS) presenting "In Their Silence" (painting). Nathaniel Gabriel from Monroeville (Gateway HS) presenting "How the Water Holds You" (painting). Zoey Galat from Beaver Falls (Lawrence County Career and Technical Center presenting "Ask Me About My Grief" (photography). The Martha Gault Art Gallery is located at 108 Maltby Ave. and is all-accessible by parking and entry on Campus Drive near Rhoads Hall. Hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Five senior civil engineering students at Slippery Rock University are making tangible change in the community through their capstone project. They are creating a plan to revitalize and improve the accessibility of Misty Hollow Residency, an outdoor space near Ellport for eco-centric artists and scientists to engage the public with their projects.

Student choreography and creative achievements will be on display as the Slippery Rock University Dance Department presents the Fresh Moves Dance Showcase Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Stoner West Dance Studio Theater. The showcase will feature nine choreographed performances by current SRU dance students. Tickets are $10 for general admission and can be purchased online at sru.edu/tickets or at the Smith Student Center information desk.

Allison Taylor is gaining valuable experience contributing to a faculty-led research project that tests how gas is stored underground. Taylor, a Slippery Rock University senior petroleum and natural gas engineering major from Fremont, Ohio (Fremont-Ross HS), has spent the last two years researching under the guidance of Xindi Sun, assistant professor of engineering. They are testing how nanogels, which are tiny gel-like polymers that absorb and release materials, can be more efficient at storing gas in land reservoirs.

A Slippery Rock University student showcased her newly developed leadership skills when Slippery Rock University hosted the Association of Residence Hall Students (ARHS) Regional Leadership Conference, Nov. 7-8. The Campus Success Center was filled with nearly 300 students and advisers from more than a dozen regional universities, but for the ARHS chapter at SRU and organizers like McKenzie Kuth, it was a culmination of their leadership experience across campus. Kuth, a senior mathematics major from Leechburg (Kiski HS), originally chose SRU because of its notable history as a teacher's college and quality of education, something she scoped out as early as when she was in the eighth grade. But once she visited SRU, Kuth noted the vibrancy of the campus and the welcoming community. That experience motivated her to demonstrate those traits upon becoming an SRU student. She got that opportunity by organizing a conference on campus.

Bella Bartoletti is establishing herself as an accomplished, rising voice in her field thanks to her experience at Slippery Rock University. Bartoletti, a senior psychology major from Portage (Portage HS), took home the first prize for the Sloane Prize for Undergraduate Research in the Social and Behavioral Sciences category at the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference in San Diego, Nov. 6-9. Bartoletti's research focus is sports psychology, an area that is close to home for her as a javelin thrower on the SRU track and field team. The research that she presented at the conference focused on the relationship between psychological strain and depression in collegiate athletes, examining how factors of psychological strain, isolation and flourishing patterns predict depression among student-athletes.

Audiences will have four chances to witness the Slippery Rock University Theatre Department's production of "Into the Woods." This Tony Award-winning musical has become a modern classic since it first hit the stage in 1987, captivating audiences for almost four decades with its tale of wishes, family and the choices people make, all told through the entangled stories of characters from the Brothers Grimm's fairytales. Performances will take place in the Performing Arts Center Miller Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 21, Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 23. Tickets are $12 for students and $15 for general admission. Tickets can be obtained at sru.edu/tickets or in-person at the ticket counter up to one hour before each performance.

The REACH program at Slippery Rock University gives students the opportunity to climb a rock wall, ride a zipline or complete a high ropes course, all without leaving campus. And students like Katie Weiner are right there, 25 feet above the ground, facilitating the experiences that take education literally to a higher level. Weiner, a junior early childhood and special education major from Levittown (Neshaminy HS), is part of the Campus Recreation student staff that runs the Outdoor Adventures programming, including the REACH program.

Carrington Williams found her purpose at Slippery Rock University through leadership, service, belonging and mentorship. When she first came to SRU, Williams was unsure of her exact direction, but with the help of mentors in the campus community, she is now set to graduate next month as an experienced leader, ready to pay her inspiration forward and empower others through nonprofit service. Williams, a senior dual management and interdisciplinary studies major from Verona (Neighborhood Academy HS), benefited from experiences in and out of the classroom at SRU.

Through hands-on research and attentive faculty mentorship, two Slippery Rock University students are advancing their careers while also helping provide cleaner, more efficient systems for global water safety and the treatment of wastewater. Rachell Lajara Flores, a junior civil engineering major from Philadelphia (First Philadelphia Prep HS), and Van Westbrook, a civil engineering major from Pittsburgh (Mount Lebanon HS), are conducting research into wastewater mixing, particularly how easily different disinfectants move through infected water. This research is being conducted under the close mentorship of Sajad Hamidi, associate professor of engineering. Funding for this research came from a $1,500 grant from SRU's Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Grant Program.

When Elsie Eason transferred into Slippery Rock University, she knew that she wanted to teach. A nursing major at her previous school, Eason had a close friend at SRU who pushed for her to come to The Rock to study education. "I wanted to become a teacher for a lot of reasons," said Eason, a senior special education major from Pittsburgh (Bethel Park HS). "I see children as so impressionable, and we need more kind, well-rounded people, so I think teaching young kids allows you to make a difference in how people think and view the world for the rest of their lives."

What began as a summer internship at Westinghouse Electric became a career launchpad for a Slippery Rock University student. Nathan Sharp, an SRU senior dual physics and mechanical engineering major from Wexford (Pine-Richland HS), took advantage of real-world engineering experience this through his internship at Westinghouse Electric in Cranberry Township and turned into a job offer. Sharp spent his summer in the fluid systems department at Westinghouse, tasked with technical writing projects that required a very particular style of writing. In his previous semesters at SRU, Sharp had taken courses on technical writing and fluid systems analysis, which prepared him well for his work at Westinghouse.

Audiences have two opportunities to experience Nick Payne's "Constellations," performed by the Slippery Rock University Theatre Department for its inaugural second-stage performance, which is the department's new program to offer smaller productions off the University's main stage. Showings will be hosted Nov. 1 in the Stoner East Black Box Theater with a 2 p.m. matinee, followed by a 7:30 p.m. performance. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and can be purchased at sru.edu/tickets or in person at the ticket counter up to one hour before each performance.

Critical Writing is the kind of class Slippery Rock University students don't face alone. The required general studies class lends itself to collaboration and fast fellowship among classmates. But three students who transferred to SRU this year are ahead of the curve when it comes to making connections -that's because they come from the same family. Jason Rabold and his son, Sabastien, and daughter, Calliope, share not only a surname but also class notes, study tips and a journey as transfer students.

Driven by a passion to protect others and make a real impact in the field, a Slippery Rock University student turned classroom lessons into life-changing experience through a summer internship. Nathan Thompson, an SRU senior safety management major from Sewickley (Moon HS), spent this summer serving as a site safety intern at Blattner Energy in Buckeye, Arizona. A significant portion of Thompson's time in this internship was spent in the field, meeting and checking on crews. "Visibility as a safety professional is important for relationship building," Thompson said. "Blattner values safety and has a really caring company culture. Safety posters aren't just slapped on the walls for show there."

A Slippery Rock University art major earned an award to have her artwork displayed in SRU President Karen Riley's on-campus residence. Veronica Yeschke, a senior from West View (North Hills HS), earned the President's Student Art Award in Residence for the Fall 2025 semester. Each semester since Fall 2023, an SRU art student has their art selected for display in the president's on-campus residence by a committee of SRU Art Department faculty members. Yeschke's acrylic painting of one of her personal lamps, titled "My Beautiful Lamp," represents warm emotions and symbolism associated with her home. Her ceramics on display, titled "The Bigger Picture," represent the appreciation of a larger image or goal, with the smaller ceramics fitting into a larger, tiered cross-section ceramic.

Audiences will have five chances to experience the powerful theater performances that showcase the talent and passion of Slippery Rock University students, as the SRU Theatre Department presents Caridad Svich's "Red Bike." The play is a poetic journey through the American dream through the lens of an 11-year-old child's world-expanding experience of riding their very own, bright red bike. Shows will be hosted Oct. 17-22 in the Stoner Black Box Theater. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 17, 18, 21 and 22 and 2 p.m. on Oct. 19. Tickets are available for $12 for students and $14 for general admission. Tickets can be ordered at sru.edu/tickets or in-person at the ticket counter up to one hour before each performance.

Slippery Rock University senior Alexa Rivero is driven to help people express themselves in ways that words alone cannot. Through an internship with Creative Citizen Studios, Rivero gained hands-on experience and refined her vision of how she can help others by combining art and psychology. Rivero, a senior art major from Uniontown (Laurel Highlands HS), worked one-on-one with adults with disabilities to express themselves through art during her three-month summer internship at CCS. For more than a decade, the Pittsburgh-based art studio has hosted weekly art classes, workshops and exhibits to bring people of all abilities together, primarily working with artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A Slippery Rock University safety management major broke into the oil and gas industry by gaining invaluable real-world experience. Emma Santom, a senior from Grove City (Grove City HS), was a safety and security intern this summer at Range Resources, one of the leading natural gas producers in the eastern United States with operation sites across western Pennsylvania. Santom examined and evaluated contract sites, looking for compliance in accordance with the safety culture of Range Resources. Some days required Santom to work from the Canonsburg office, but others had her on the building pads in person. "Every day was different," Santom said. "I enjoyed how I never really knew what I was in for each day."

For Slippery Rock University senior Bailey Kuhn, a lifelong passion for the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team turned into a career-defining opportunity behind the cameras of one of the NHL's most successful franchises. Kuhn, a strategic communication and media major from Volant (Grove City HS), worked as an onsite video producer and editor intern for the Penguins from May 29 to Aug. 8. Kuhn was tasked with recording and editing practices, press conferences and community events involving the NHL team. Kuhn also gained insight into the daily operations in various departments at the PPG Paints Arena

Morgan Woods made the most of her summer to channel professional development. Woods, a Slippery Rock University senior computing major from Pittsburgh (Baldwin HS), spent the summer as a data management intern at the First National Bank Corporation headquarters in Downtown Pittsburgh. FNB gave seasonal interns the responsibility of handling real member data. Woods' first task of the day was routinely merging duplicate records using a series of complex coding instructions, populated into grids. The process pinpointed errors that may have surfaced overnight, leaving the data manager to repair any discontinuities that could hinder company procedures further down the line.

Aidan Duez took a major step over the summer toward achieving his dream career as a professional actor. By making his professional debut in "STATIC" at the Scranton Fringe Festival, Duez is setting the stage for future success in the acting and theater industry. Duez, a Slippery Rock University junior acting major from Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood HS), joined a professional three-person cast for two weeks of rehearsal before performing July 31 in Scranton. The Scranton Fringe Festival is an annual celebration of the arts that takes over stages in more than a dozen venues in the Scranton area.

Krislyn Green never considered a career in the financial services industry, but after her 10-week internship with BNY this summer, she not only sees the industry as a possibility but as a reality. Green, a Slippery Rock University senior management major from Butler (Butler HS), first connected with BNY from a message on the recruiting and networking app Handshake, where a recruiter encouraged her to apply for the 2025 summer internship program at BNY's Mellon Center office in Pittsburgh. "I never saw myself working in the financial services industry, but I really enjoyed it and made several connections over the summer with professionals in the industry," Green said.

What began as a summer internship turned into a career path for Michael Powell, a Slippery Rock University chemistry major who will graduate next year with a job offer waiting for him in his dream career field. A senior from Mt. Joy (Manheim Central HS), Powell will join Metso as a laboratory operations technician upon graduating in the spring after completing a summer internship as a lab technician. Metso is a Finnish industrial company that provides sustainable technologies for aggregates, mining, recycling and metals refining. Throughout his three-month-long role in Metso's test center in York, Powell worked on projects ranging from sample preparation, laboratory inventory and integrating standard protocols for chemical reactions. Powell's work introduced him to collaborative global experiences, working with labs in Texas, California and even as far as a Finland and Brazil.

Jason Serbin spent his summer programming innovative quality assurance solutions for Pine Instruments in Grove City. Serbin, a Slippery Rock University junior computing major from Altoona (Altoona HS) began his relationship with Pine two summers ago at the suggestion of Sam Thangiah, professor of computing and security. Since then, Serbin worked as summer help in the company's IT department. Serbin said that while that position wasn't a role he preferred, it was necessary to get his foot in the door in hopes of getting to do the computer programming work he was interested in.

Angelena Russo discovered that even a study-abroad experience outside of her major could offer valuable insight into international business, marketing practices and cultural awareness. Russo, a Slippery Rock University senior marketing major from New Castle (Neshannock HS), was part of a short-term study-abroad experience in Italy, May 12-20, aimed at teaching 22 students how different cultures define wellness and integrated health practices. The program was was led by Alessia Zanin-Yost, associate professor and health sciences librarian, and Adaeze Aroh, assistant professor of public health sciences. Although the program focused on health and wellness professions, Russo, who is pursuing a career in digital marketing or marketing analytics, drew value from site visits of Italian health- and wellness-focused organizations.

Abigail Zeglen gained hands-on experience this summer through an internship with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in its geotechnical engineering department. Zeglen, a Slippery Rock University junior civil engineering major from Hastings (Cambria Heights HS), describes geotechnical engineering as the "backbone" of engineering as it emphasizes the relationship between the earth and the structures built upon it. Geotechnical engineers analyze subterranean conditions to ensure the safety of buildings, bridges, roads and other pieces of infrastructure that engineers work to create.