Topping Obama

No doubt it was President Obama's recent ill-advised remarks, and not the fearsome Robert Morris University public relations machine, that sparked coverage over the weekend of the local Special Olympics bowling competitions. (See here and here.)

Nonetheless, we're happy that these athletes got the positive attention they deserve. And we have selfish reasons as well -- dozens of RMU students volunteered to help bring the event together, and we're grateful their efforts were recognized.

I'm sure the president would be proud.

Sibling rivalry

Here's a nice story about a family torn asunder by conflicting loyalties in tonight's match-up between RMU and Michigan State. (Though we don't appreciate being called "tiny.")

Transitions and transformations

The Indianapolis Star has an article today exploring the challenges that veterans face in making the transition from combat to college (link). That's why, in conjunction with the recently announced RMU Military Service Award, Robert Morris University is launching the Veterans Education and Training Services Center (VETS Center)-- to provide counseling and other transitional services to veterans and their families.

Keeping the promise

Did you know that RMU has more Pittsburgh Promise students enrolled than any other private institution in Allegheny County? You can meet some of them in the following video:

We'll put this one on the refrigerator

Kudos to City Charter High School for receiving an Effective Practice Incentive Community Award. This makes us particularly proud given the number of RMU alums who work there, which can you read about in this recent Foundations magazine article.

The sky's the limit

We're pleased to see that other institutions are joining RMU in offering free tuition to qualified veterans of the U.S. armed services. Seton Hill is the latest local university to join us. One note: RMU is not capping the number of veterans who can qualify under the program. The more, the merrier.

Familiar Faces

A documentary short, created by a student in RMU's Center for Documentary Production and Study exchange program has been selected for the “Faces of Realism” international film festival of The Humanities Center at Carnegie Mellon University.

“Cinema at 92.3 FM” a short film directed by Florian Michaelsen from the University of Applied Sciences in Dortmund, Germany, was selected for showing on the festival’s closing day, March 8, at 3 p.m. at Southside Works.

Taking place from Feb. 26 through March 8, at venues throughout Pittsburgh, “Faces of Realism” encourages audiences to examine how reality is portrayed through nine feature and documentary films from six different countries. In addition to the South Side Works Theater, film festival venues will include the Pittsburgh Filmmakers’ Melwood Screening Room, the Future Tenant Gallery in downtown Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon's McConomy Auditorium.

Michaelsen participated in the RMU Center for Documentary Production and Study exchange program in 2007. He spent a month here and became fascinated with drive-in movie theaters, which they don't have in Germany. “Cinema at 92.3 FM,” which profiles a drive-in theater near Pittsburgh, has already been shown in several European film festivals.

Launched in 2004, RMU’s exchange program has seen seven RMU students and two professors travel to Dortmund to produce documentaries about that city, which is located in the Ruhr area of Germany. In addition, nine German students and three professors have come to Pittsburgh, producing documentaries about yard sales, Wholey's Fish Market, summer basketball camps, and concerts at Hartwood Acres.

The Center for Documentary Production and Study also has exchange programs with universities in Turkey and Chile. In addition to working on their documentary projects, students and faculty participate in a full intercultural and educational exchange – attending classes, making presentations, visiting museums and enjoying the activities of the regions.

RMU’s Center for Documentary Production and Study is one of the sponsors of the “Faces of Realism” film festival. For a complete schedule, film descriptions and ticket reservation, visit the festival Web site at http://www.cmu.edu/faces/.