RMU C.I.S. Professor Brings Hands-On Experience to the Classroom

When Jamie Pinchot, D.Sc., is teaching class, she’s not just instructing; she’s speaking from experience.

Pinchot, assistant professor of computer and information systems, came to RMU in 2011 with some solid, hands-on experience. Previously she served as senior I.T. consultant (’08-’11) and Web application developer (’99-’04) for Bayer Business Services in Pittsburgh. She also taught computer science for four years at Thiel College (’04-’08).

“I love information technology because it is always changing,” she says. “There is always something new to learn and great opportunities to find new and innovative solutions to problems.”

Pinchot’s areas of expertise include Web development, social media, enterprise knowledge management, wikis, and mobile apps. One of her focus areas is usability, i.e., making websites, mobile apps, wikis, social media experiences, etc., that are intuitive and simple to use. “Technology should help to solve problems and make things easier,” she says. “I love helping to design a user experience that is both useful and simple enough to be used without instruction.”

This fall she will be teaching a brand new undergraduate course in mobile app development at RMU.

Pinchot was no stranger to Robert Morris when she came here in 2011. She earned her master’s in communications and information systems from RMU in 2002 and followed it up with a doctorate in 2009.

“Without a doubt, what I like best about RMU is the people,” she says. “The professors here care about student success. They know the names of their students and often keep in touch even after graduation. I’m proud to be counted within their ranks and happy to help continue that culture.”

As for information technology, Pinchot says it’s one of the most promising fields a student can consider. “I.T. workers are in high demand,” she says. “So if you enjoy problem-solving and analytical challenges, there is nothing more rewarding than working in this area. You can work in the same field for the duration of your career, but it will never get stale or boring because of the way technology continues to evolve.” ~

Written by Valentine J. Brkich

RMU Marketing Major Finds Her Calling Working with Grieving Families

When Michelle Vargas ’94 chose marketing for her major at Robert Morris University, she probably never imagined that she’d be working with grieving children and families. But an internship opened her eyes to new possibilities and led to a successful career.

Today she works for the Highmark Caring Foundation as a special initiatives associate. In this position she markets the facility in Pittsburgh, the Warrendale/Cranberry area, Erie, and Harrisburg.

“We partner with the funeral directors, schools, and organizations that work with children,” says Vargas, “so they are aware of our services, which are at no cost to grieving families.”

Originally from Pittsburgh, Vargas ended up at RMU after transferring here from Kent State in Ohio. During her senior year she took an unpaid internship at Ohio Valley General Hospital in McKees Rocks in their development department. “I learned that fundraising for a hospital foundation was, in fact, marketing, because you are selling its product.”

That same year she was offered a full-time position with the hospital, where she worked for the next five years before moving on to Holy Family Institute in Pittsburgh for a year. For the last 12 years she has been at the Caring Place.

“That internship really changed my perspective and started me down a successful career path,” she says. “I can’t say enough about what Robert Morris did for me.” ~

Written by Valentine J. Brkich

 

 

 

 

The RMU 300 Donor Challenge – Help Unlock $50K for RMU’s Students

How can you not love RMU Prof. Jim Vincent?
Please join him and others in this amazing opportunity to help the students of Robert Morris University.

The RMU 300 Donor Challenge is a special opportunity where you can help us unlock $50,000 for our Robert Morris University students.

Here’s how it works:

• Between April 24 and April 30, RMU will be asking for gifts to the Student Emergency Fund, which was created in 2008 to help deserving RMU students in time of need.
• If we reach the 300-gift level (min. amount $10) by midnight, April 30, it can unlock an additional $50,000, which can be used to increase scholarships and financial aid, send students abroad and to conventions, improve technology throughout campus, and support students in countless other ways.

Best of all, it’s not how much you give, it’s just that you give. Even a $10 gift qualifies for the challenge.

Please help reach our goal by donating today!          CLICK HERE TO GIVE.

RMU 300 – Do it for the students!

What if you could unlock thousands of dollars to help students?

The RMU 300 Donor Challenge is a special opportunity where you can help us unlock $50,000 for our Robert Morris University students.

Here’s how it works:

• Between April 24 and April 30, RMU will be asking for gifts to the Student Emergency Fund, which was created in 2008 to help deserving RMU students in time of need.
• If we reach the 300-gift level (min. amount $10) by midnight, April 30, it can unlock an additional $50,000, which can be used to increase scholarships and financial aid, send students abroad and to conventions, improve technology throughout campus, and support students in countless other ways.

Best of all, it’s not how much you give, it’s just that you give. Even a $10 gift qualifies for the challenge.

Please help reach our goal by donating today!          CLICK HERE TO GIVE.

Back to Haiti – An Interview with RMU Professor of Economics Brian O’Roark

Back in October of 2010, Brian O’Roark, Ph.D., traveled on a mission trip to Haiti with his church, the Chippewa Evangelical Free Church to build a water treatment facility along with paid Haitian workers. There they stayed with two American families living in Haiti as part of the Fellowship International Mission. This past March, O’Roark, an associate professor of economics at RMU, returned to the Haitian town of Fort-Liberté, where he worked to promote sustainable development in the earthquake-ravaged nation.

How did you first become involved in this missionary work?
It all began with the earthquake back in January 2010. That really opened people’s eyes about the problems in Haiti, and people started wondering what they could do to help. My church was working with a missionary, Matt McCormick, who was starting work down there with the Paulos Group, which tries to break the cycle of dependency in the country. Unfortunately, most Haitians rely on hand-outs from other countries. Our goal is to help the Haitian people take control of their own economic destiny; to create an environment where we are not just giving out hand-outs but rather teaching the Haitian people how to grow their own food, make their own clothes, and build their own homes.

What is traveling to Haiti like?
The first time I went we flew into Port-Au-Prince, and it was quite a shock. The airport is full of desperate people just hanging out because they know that’s where the aid comes in. The urban areas are pretty dirty, but the the interior of the country is incredibly beautiful and mountainous. This time we flew into Santiago in the Dominican Republic and then took a three-hour car ride to Haiti. Santiago is very westernized, but it gets poorer out in the countryside. At the border it’s like a scene out of “Mad Max”. There are people with automatic weapons, burned out towns, dirt roads, pits where you throw your garbage, animals wandering about…it’s a totally different world, like going to outer space.

Describe a typical day for you on these trips:
This time we’d get up around 5:30 when it was still dark out. Then we’d go running with the missionaries into town, a 4-mile round trip. By 7:15 we’d be working on a house, putting on metal roofs, basically trusses with sheet metal on top. And then we’d screw everything down with rubber washers. Around 12:30 we’d break for lunch, which usually consisted of cans of chicken, tuna pouches, fruit, etc. Then it was back to work until 6:30 or 7 p.m. when sun goes down. After that we’d go have dinner at one of the missionary’s houses. Then we’d go to bed and get ready to do it all over again the next day.

Most of our work focused on building homes for Haitian families and teaching them basic construction. It’s not your typical American home, by any stretch of the imagination. The walls are almost like a poured Styrofoam–it’s a good insulator and it won’t kill you if it collapses from an earthquake or hurricane. And everything is solar powered–the indoor plumbing, the refrigerator, etc. There are lots of sunny days in Haiti, so solar works well. Haitians don’t want big kitchens, either; they cook outside a lot. They’re moving out of tin-roof shacks, basically, so what we build them are the kind of homes they’ll actually use and take care of. What’s funny is the first thing they want is a lawn. We take it for granted here, but for them it means things won’t get dirty and dusty. A lawn keeps the house cleaner inside and prevents respiratory illnesses too.

What’s the economic outlook of Haiti?
It’s improving, but they still need a workforce who knows what to do, people who are willing to risk investment, and a political system that will support it. There’s still a lot of corruption, and most of the aid doesn’t ever get where it needs to be. Thanks to CAFTA (the Central American Free Trade Agreement) there is some incentive now for foreign countries to produce things in Haiti. There are no tariffs on shipments of goods from Haiti to the U.S. So there is hope that there will be more investment in Haiti in the near future.

What’s the most challenging part of the work?
First of all, most days it’s anywhere from 80 to 90 degrees or more during the day. On top of that, we’re working with substandard materials that are produced in Haiti or the Dominican Republic. The cinder blocks are not standard sizes, for example, so there’s a lot of improvisation in the construction process. You have to deal with warped lumber, finding screws that are the correct size, etc. The professionals working with us get especially frustrated having to spend so much time on things that would be a snap back home.

What’s the most rewarding part?
To see the progress that’s been made since we last went in 2010. To see the families who have taken ownership of their homes and learned basic grounds-keeping skills. It’s amazing seeing these people improving their lives and the lives of their children and future generations. There’s hope being brought to them as a result of what we’ve been doing there.

How can members of the RMU family help the people of Haiti?
Sending money isn’t the best solution. It doesn’t always go where it’s supposed to go, and you encourage a dependent attitude. Make sure you do your research before sending money to any organization. The best way would be to find a trip that goes to Haiti and see for yourself what goes on there. Give of your time. ~

by Valentine J. Brkich

Blast From the (Not So) Past

This is an old Robert Morris University television commercial. If you’re in this or know any of the people in it, let us know by leaving a comment below.

An Interview with Michael Witherel MBA’09, Owner of Coffee Buddha

If not for the bright red-and-green sign out front, you might think Coffee Buddha was just a private residence along Perry Highway in Ross Township. But the moment you step inside you know you’re in a special place.

From the cozy front room featuring comfy seating, books, artwork, and even a fish tank where a fireplace should be, to the aroma of the café’s premium coffees filling the air, the Coffee Buddha offers an inviting, inspiring, relaxing environment. Upstairs you’ll find four more rooms: two with comfortable seating, one with a table for working/studying, and another with a foosball table. There’s also a meditation room if you’re looking for a little quiet introspection.

Michael Witherel is the owner and founder of Coffee Buddha. He earned a master’s in business administration (M.B.A.), employee relations and leadership from Robert Morris University in 2009.

Recently I sat down with Mike at his coffee house for a little conversation and way too much caffeine.

What sets Coffee Buddha apart from other coffee shops?
The fact that we offer something for everyone. On one end, we take our coffee very seriously and offer premium, more refined cups for the connoisseur. But we also offer pumpkin lattes with the works when the season permits it. The difference is we care about our ingredients and make almost everything from scratch in-house. Instead of holding our nose up to someone that wants a drink to taste like a s’more or something we just do it right and offer it without losing our integrity.

You originally studied journalism. What did you originally plan to do with your degree?
I thought I was going to be Hunter S. Thompson. I worked for a newspaper doing the entertainment section, covering local music, films, and editorials. I enjoyed it and would have liked to have continued in that direction in the field.

Has your RMU degree helped you in running the café?
Prof. Glenn Thiel was an amazing teacher, one of the best I’ve had in my education career. And I’d say my degree has helped on a technical level here at the Buddha. But with most things I’ve found, and especially in starting a business from scratch with no experience, you just have to pretty much [expletive] your pants and dive in.

What jobs did you have before deciding to open Coffee Buddha?
Oh boy. Well I worked in local government for two years, essentially with an ‘Office Space’ job until I was laid off. Then I was a bartender for some serious dive bars in the city. I also worked for a company that handled body removal for funeral homes and the coroner’s office, picking up bodies at the scene. Pretty much the exact opposite of Coffee Buddha.

Why is it important for you to run a community-friendly café that supports local businesses?
Because there’s not enough of it. Too often everything seems selfish and unwelcoming. I never really enjoyed hanging out in other coffee shops because I felt like I was either in a cafeteria or not welcome. The layout of my place makes you feel like you’re walking into your friend’s living room. As far as supporting local businesses, I feel like we’re all in this together, and we can benefit from the synergy if we are vocal and public in our support of each other. Also, people appreciate the little things, such as promoting that I use apple cider from Shenot Farms in Wexford, or local honey, or the neighborhood baker, etc.

What’s your most popular selections?
Difficult to say. Our single-origin coffees and single-cup methods of brewing – Trifecta, pour-over, Chemex, AeroPress – are extremely popular. But the go-to for the average patron would probably be a latte with one of our homemade flavor syrups.

So how long until Coffee Buddha buys out Starbucks?
A lot of Starbucks employees and managers are customers of mine. I’m sure they’re taking notes. Soon they’re going to have to give in as I turn all their customers into my own. I’m slowly but surely infiltrating them. ~

Written by Valentine J. Brkich

www.thecoffeebuddha.com
964 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh Pa, 15237

>>Read a nice review of Coffee Buddha from Food Collage

RMU’s Walking Man

Recent photo of Griffith at the Vietnam Memorial

If you’re on Robert Morris University’s campus everyday, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Monte Griffith.

Griffith isn’t a teacher or a student or even a staff member at RMU. But you’ll see him here almost every day, taking his daily walk around the university grounds before returning to his home in the neighborhood next to campus, where he’s lived for the past 32 years.

Originally from Georgetown, Guyana, Griffith and his parents emigrated to Brooklyn in 1968.

During the Vietnam War, he served in the Army (1970-74), achieving the rank of staff sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division, before moving on to the Department of Defense.

While he was still serving as a staff sergeant, Griffith instructed cadets at Camp Buckner, West Point, N.Y. Two of his many students were retired U.S. Army General David Petraeus, leader of the 2007 American military “surge” in Iraq and former director of the CIA under President Barack Obama, and retired U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal, former commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan and the former leader of Joint Special Operations Command. Griffith actually got to catch up with McChrystal back in March of 2012, when the former general came to speak on campus as part of the RMU Pittsburgh Speakers Series.

“I’m really proud of most of those young men/cadets and what they’ve accomplished under the leadership of then Maj. William “Lonesome End” Carpenter,” said Griffith.

Griffith at Ft. Benning, Ga., in 1970

Following his military career, Griffith attended NYU and later worked as an auditor for Equitable Life of New York City. He came to Moon Township in 1980.

Griffith has been walking RMU’s campus for close to 20 years now. He used to be a runner but had to give that up after two knee surgeries. “I walk for exercise and clarity of thoughts,” he says. “I love being outdoors.”

In the 32 years he’s lived next to campus, Griffith has seen a lot of changes, and all for the better. “It’s beautiful,” he says. “The improvements have been great. Personally, I can’t say enough about your maintenance team for keeping the walkways clear during the winter months.”

He says his favorite place on campus is the Rudolph Family Gardens, down by the School of Business and Massey Hall. “Anytime I hear young couples looking for a good spot for their wedding pictures, I tell them the gardens are the place to be.”~

Written by Valentine J. Brkich

Melissa Wenger ’09 is “Being the Change” in Peru

Melissa Wenger ’09 (2nd from right) with the children of the Shipibos

When Melissa Wenger ’09 left the small town of Middlebury, Indiana, and headed to Robert Morris University, she had dreams of a successful career in business.

Today she lives in Peru as a member of Matthew 25 International, a Christian-based outreach organization, providing medical, evangelistic, and humanitarian aid to needy people. Currently the organization provides assistance in Haiti, India, and Peru.

“I am doing exactly what I’d like to do with my life:” says Wenger, “seeing lives changed for the better.”

Wenger started working in Peru in the summer of 2009. A good friend of hers had done some work with Matthew 25 International, and he was taking a team of people there for two weeks to help at a children’s home. “I decided to go along and loved what was going on there,” says Wenger, who went back for two to three weeks each summer over the next two years.

After her 2011 trip, Wenger saw a lot of opportunity to make a difference there if she were living and volunteering full time. So she decided to move to Tingo Maria, at the entrance to the Amazon jungle, where Matthew 25 International had built a children’s home. Today Wenger lives and works at the home, helping kids with homework and serving as sort of a “house parent” for them.

She’s also helping to build a church that will serve as a school for the Shipibos, a native tribe who have no access to public education. And she does all this without a regular salary. “I live off of people who believe in what I’m doing and who support me financially as a result,” she says.

It’s a big change from where she saw herself heading into the business world, but Wenger is just fine with it. “I am blessed daily, seeing these kids’ lives changed in a positive direction,” she says. “I have been able to see abused children come out of their shells and learn to live again. I have seen a 10-year-old boy who couldn’t read learn the alphabet, and he can now even spell his name! I see kids who were living on the street realize that they now have a home and they will always have a bed to sleep in, clothes to wear, food to eat, and a place to shower. It is an incredible thing to see the life of a child transformed.”

Shipibo Christmas

When she first came to RMU, Wenger entered the actuarial science program. A year later, she decided to switch to business management and minor in international business. She was in the honors program , a student leader in Chi Alpha, a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, a student worker in RMU’s Department of Management, and a recipient of RMU’s Presidential Scholarship. She also competed as a four-year member of the women’s golf team.

Wenger also studied abroad for a semester in Costa Rica. While there she visited Proctor and Gamble’s headquarters as well as the headquarters of one of Costa Rica’s top snack foods producers. “It was one of my most productive, hands-on semesters at RMU,” she says. “There are some things you can try to learn from a text book, but getting hands-on is the better way.”

As for her life’s path, Wenger’s not sure what the future holds. “I do know that I can never do something where I’m not affecting and changing people’s lives for the better,” she says. “The rewards are far better than what money can buy.

“RMU taught me to ‘be the change’, and that is exactly what I’m doing.” ~

Written by Valentine J. Brkich

RMU Alum Noah Purdy ’12 Launching New Magazine, “Rustbelt Almanac”

When most of us hear the term “Rust Belt”, we think of decaying factories, vacant brownfields, and once vibrant small towns struggling to find a place in the post-industrial era.

Not Noah Purdy ’12. For this graduate of Robert Morris University’s photography program, the Rust Belt means “industrious people; artists, craftsman, laborers, entrepreneurs”. What he refers to as “Makers”. Now he wants to document these individuals and share the stories of the many people who are changing the face of this sprawling region.

Along with graphic designer Michael Artman, Purdy has created Rustbelt Almanac, a new magazine that will share stories and photographs of people who live in the Rust Belt and share what they’re doing to drive the region’s growth.

“Folks in the Rust Belt have always been resilient and hard working; they’re literally the people that built America,” says Purdy, who was named an RMU Dean Scholar in 2011 and won Best in Photography that same year in RMU’s Media Arts Gold Show. “It seems that the rest of the country thought that work-ethic died with the steel and automotive industries but it didn’t. There’s just as much innovation and creation happening in the Rust Belt as there is anywhere in America, but it gets overlooked because the mid-atlantic region is thought of as a wasteland of urban decay; it’s not, and we want to tell the world that.”

With issue No. 1 of Rustbelt Almanac ready for production, Purdy and Artman have initiated a Kickstarter.com campaign to help fund the magazine’s initial print run and distribution. Anything above and beyond what they’re asking for will go towards future issues and will allow them to expand the publication’s reach.

“I’m eternally grateful for any support we get on this journey,” says Purdy. “For Mike and I, this started out as a passion project. To see the idea gain traction is like having our dreams come true.” ~

Written by Valentine J. Brkich