May 18, 2013 3 min read

California University of Pennsylvania will honor distinguished alumni, recognize outstanding faculty and raise money for student scholarships May 31 and June 1 during the 2013 Alumni Weekend and President’s Gala.

Interim President Geraldine M. Jones and her husband, Jeffrey, will host the 20th annual President’s Gala June 1 in the Grand Ballroom of the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. The theme for this year’s black-tie fundraiser is “Rise & Shine.” The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7. There also will be a live auction and music by Pittsburgh doo-wop band Pure Gold.

Ivan and Adelaide Ivill Guesman, classes of 1941 and 1938, respectively, will receive the Lillian Bassi Core Values Award, and three faculty members will be honored. They are:

• Dr. Carol Bocetti of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, President’s Faculty Award for Research;

• Dr. Cassandra Kuba of the Department of Justice, Law and Society, President’s Faculty Award for Service;

• Dr. John P. Nass of the Department of Justice, Law, and Society, President’s Faculty Award for Teaching.

G. Ralph Smith II will be honored posthumously with the President’s Emeriti Faculty Award.

To register for the gala, visit www.calu.edu or contact Daphne Livingstone at 724-938-5467 or livingstone@calu.edu.

Alumni Weekend festivities will begin May 31 with a 5 p.m. reception for members of the cass of 1963 in the Kara Alumni House.

The annual Pioneer Dinner follows at 5:45 p.m. Special recognition will be given to the class of 1963, but all alumni may attend. Tickets are $20. Members of the Class of 1963 also can attend a brunch at 9 a.m. June 1 in the Gold Rush Dining Room at the Natali Student Center.

The annual Alumni Association meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. June 1 in Rooms 206 and 207 of the Natali Student Center. The annual Alumni Association Awards of Distinction Luncheon will follow at 11 a.m. in the Performance Center. Cost is $20.

Alumni award recipients are:

• Dr. Lenora Angelone ’90, ’92, ’97, Pavlak/Shutsy Special Service Award;

• Jeff Casteel ’85, ’87, Michael Duda Award for Athletic Achievement;

• Angela Covert ’56, Meritorious Award;

• Joe Dochinez ’51, John R. Gregg Award for Loyalty and Service;

• Dr. Henry Huffman ’65, C.B. Wilson Distinguished Faculty Award;

• Zach Huth ’04, Young Alumni Award;

• Randy Tozzie ’89, W.S. Jackman Award of Distinction;

• Janis Zivic ’64, Professional Excellence Award.

For more information about the Pioneer Dinner and alumni awards luncheon, contact Montean Dean at 724-938-4418 or dean@calu.edu.