RPTM Kudos and Announcements February 15, 2008
Congratulations Alumni
Jim Watenpool ‘72 (jwatenpool@franklinparkborough.us) is the Parks and Recreation Director for the Borough of Franklin Park in Pittsburgh.
Cary Walton ’89 (cwalton@napayork.com) is Sales Manager for eight NAPA Auto Parts stores, his family’s business in York, PA. He and his wife, Lori, are building a home to be completed in June.
Eric Grimes ’94 (epg101@psu.edu) was hired by the College of Health and Human Development as Assistant Director of Development.
Christopher Cain, PGM ‘98 (christopher.cain@unlv.edu) is winner of the “Pride of the Lions” Golf Professional of the Year award for 2007. The award was created by the PGM Alumni Group (PGM/APG) to recognize an outstanding alum who has demonstrated professional excellence in the golf industry over the past five years.
Nicole (D'Orazio) Moffatt ’02 (nicole_082821@hotmail.com) is a Clinical Supervisor of the Therapeutic Recreation Section in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.
Kyleigh DeMicco ‘04 (kyleigh228@yahoo.com), former president of the RPTM Student Society is working for the Steamboat Springs Chamber of Commerce in Steamboat Springs, CO.
Lesha Stackhouse Allen ‘04 (ieesh@msn.com) is an Assistant Teacher at Penn State’s Daybridge Child Development Center.
Megan Barr ’05 (mcbarr@eagle.fgcu.edu) completed a Master’s in Educational Leadership at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGSU) in 2007. Her graduate assistantship was with FGSU Athletics, where she is now the office manager and compliance assistant.
Darci Chuba ’05 (darci.chuba@gmail.com) lives on Fripp Island, SC and is Sports Director for the Wardle Family YMCA.
Shaina Dascher ‘05 (shaina_dascher@hilton.com) is Activities Manager for Hilton Kingston Plantation Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Derek Dureka ’05 (ddureka@upperdublin.net) was promoted to Recreation Superintendent at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation. He previously served as the Recreation Program Coordinator.
Sarah Faix ‘05 (skf129@psu.edu) is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Mental Retardation Supports Coordinator for the Lenape Valley Foundation in Doylestown, PA.
Carol Healy ’05 (chealy@hbs.edu), former president of the RPTM Student Soceity, is Program Coordinator for Executive Education and Harvard Business School.
Lisa Kliever MS ’05 (md2cnd@yahoo.com) works for the Kent County, MD Department of Social Services, where she is developing a truancy diversion program for Kent County schools.
Amy Baginski ’06 (amy.baginski@gmail.com) is a Challenge Course and Experiential Education Facilitator at Hemlock Overlook, a center for experiential education operated by George Mason University and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
Alicia Capellupo ’06 (Alicia.capellupo@gmail.com) is in sales for the Texas Rangers and resides in Arlington, TX.
Becky Czajka ’06 (rvc107@gmail.com) is an Outreach Educator for the Philadelphia Zoo.
Matt Marsden ‘06 is the Assistant Naturalist at Waskowitz Outdoor School in North Bend, WA.
Lauren Masi ’06 (lmasi@adventisthealthcare.com) is a recreation therapist in the expressive therapy department at Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health in Rockville, MD.
Kristin Smeallie ’06 (kristin.smeallie@gmail.com) is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Speicalist at the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center in New York City and resides in New Jersey.
Megan Miller ‘06 (mdm335@psu.edu), former president of the RPTM Student Society, is an On-Premise Liquor Representative for the Ben Arnold Beverage Company in Myrtle Beach SC.
Katie Clifford ’07 (katie.clifford@gmail.com) is a Ticket Sales Executive for the South Carolina Stingrays.
Catie Star ’07 (catherinehstar@gmail.com) is an assistant merchant at Abercrombie and Fitch’s corporate headquarters in Columbus, OH.
Lisa Polakoff ‘07 (iluvu1031@aol.com) is the Tourism Sales Associate Manager for the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau in Plymouth Meeting, PA.
Congratulations Students
Senior Nathan Graeff received the HHD Alumni Recognition for Student Excellence Award for 2007-2008.
The PGM Student Society hosted Rock-A-THON, a concert/dance event attended by 100 students, on December 7. Thanks to sponsorship of Olive Garden, Wing Zone, Clem’s Barbeque and Starbucks Coffee, the PGM THON Committee donated all proceeds to THON. To date, the students have raised over $4650 in their three canning trips and the Rock-A-THON fundraiser.
Congratulations Faculty
Dr. Andrew Mowen co-authored the article, “The condition of neighborhood parks following Hurricane Katrina: Development of a post-hurricane assessment instrument,” published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 5(1), 2008.
Congratulations Staff
The staff of RPTM planned and hosted the annual HHD staff holiday luncheon on December 12. Over 125 staff and unit heads from the College’s departments and centers attended.
Krista White joined the department on February 1 as Program Specialist for the undergraduate and graduate programs. Krista’s most recent experience is in the Department of English, and she has worked previously in the School of Hospitality Management and Career Services.
Departmental Happenings
Dr. Lynn Barnett, professor of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, visited the Department on February 5-7. During her stay, she met with graduate students and faculty members to talk about her work and research interests related to play.
If you have accomplished something you would like to share with the RPTM crew, please notify me. Also, if you are aware of accomplishments or quotes by our alumni, students, or staff, please let me know so I can share the news. Thank you! – John Dattilo, Professor and Department Head jxd8@psu.edu