Cedar Crest College

Mission Statement

Cedar Crest College is a liberal arts college primarily for women dedicated to the education of the next generation of leaders. Cedar Crest College prepares students for life in a global community by educating the whole student at all stages of life and experience.

College President

The Board of Trustees appointed Carmen Twillie Ambar the 13th president of Cedar Crest College in May 2008. President Ambar is nationally known for her record of accomplishment in higher education and, in particular, her commitment to women's education.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, President Ambar holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service from the Edmund A. Walsh School at Georgetown University, a master's degree in Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and a law degree from Columbia School of Law. President Ambar is married to Dr. Saladin Malik Ambar and they have triplets, Gabrielle, Luke, and Daniel.

Academics

For the past two decades, Cedar Crest has been ranked among the nation's top liberal arts colleges in U.S News & World Report's annual "America's Best Colleges" survey. The college's Bachelor of Arts and science programs span more than fifty majors, from Fine Arts and Environmental Biology to Nursing Science and Business Administration. The curriculum also includes programs in Pre-Law, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. In addition, Cedar Crest offers master's degrees in Nursing, Education, Forensic Science, Art Therapy, and Counseling Psychology. Undergraduate and graduate programs are also offered to adult students through the college's School of Adult and Graduate Education (SAGE).

Cedar Crest College has many different majors for students to choose from. The Communications department offers different majors such as New Media and Media Studies. The Communications department at Cedar Crest College is run by Doctor Jim Brancato, Professor Elizabeth Ortiz, and Professor Jade Abston. New Media focuses on adapting to new technology and trends, while maintaining traditional skills and work ethics. Media Studies looks at how people understand and experience media content. The Communications department is also in charge of the school's newspaper, The Crestiad, and the Cedar Crest College radio station. The Crestiad has run since 1923 and offers students a glimpse at the happenings around the Campus Community as well as the local community. In 2008 it was awarded first place by the American Scholastic Press Association (ASPA), the only school its in group to earn the distinction.

At Cedar Crest College you can also minor in Communications and Film Studies. The Communications department as has a studio open for students to use. Students can borrow equipment such as cameras, camcorders, tripods, lighting equipment, and microphones. There is also a Media Convergence Lab that is open for students to use with equipment such as IMac computers, a LCD projection screen, and media production software.

Communications

New Media

The New Media major requires a minimum of 43 credits with a required Capstone Project and an unrequited internship. There are various courses being offered to satisfy these credits such as Online Journalism, Social Media, Advertising Design, and much more. This major was designed to take on the ever-changing world of technology and the demands that this entails.

The following was taken directly from Cedar Crest's website.

"While many things about media will change over the coming years, one thing will remain the same: Employers will continue to seek out graduates who can discuss topics intelligently, think critically and connect with their audience in new and exciting ways. As a new media major at Cedar Crest College, you will be able to master all of these skills, preparing you for a thriving career in one or more of the following areas:

Media Studies

The Media Studies major requires a minimum of 42 credits for graduation, as well as a required Capstone Project and an unrequited internship. Some examples of courses being offered for this major include Organizational Communication, Race and Gender in the Media, Topics in Film, among many others. This course was designed to prepare students for the world of news and film production, journalism, and other marketing-related job fields.

The following was taken from Cedar Crest's website:

"With a major in media studies, you will discover how people experience and understand media content, and you’ll explore the roles of the media in our rapidly evolving society.

You’ll also learn how to analyze and critique media texts, including those in newspapers, magazines, film, advertisements and new media—and you’ll create written, oral, and visual media content of your own.

Many Cedar Crest students choose to combine a major in media studies with business, marketing, political science, English, or education, because they understand that employees with communication and media literacy skills are in high demand. Graduates with these skills are prepared to become leaders in tomorrow's workforce.

A strong background in media studies can prepare you for graduate studies and/or careers in:

Communication

Communication is a minor being offered at Cedar Crest College. It is usually paired with Media Studies or New Media, but can accompany any other major, as well. Some other majors that may benefit from Communication include English, Education, Business, Social work, Psychology, and Political sciences. Since it is a minor there is a minimum of 18 credits required. The only other requirement is that you must take "Introduction to Communications," however, you may choose five additional courses which apply to your interests or topic of study.

Film Studies

Film Studies is a minor offered at Cedar Crest College. It pairs well with film and television production, advertising and marketing, journalism, education, politics, social work, psychology, and everyday life. Because Film Studies is a minor, it has an 18 credit minimum. The only requirement is the course "Introduction to Film." Other than this, an additional five courses of the student's choosing can be chosen based on personal preference or topic of study. Some of the courses include Video for the Web, History of the Cinema, and Topics in Film.

Cedar Crest Nursing

Cedar Crest College is known for nursing because it is one of the popular majors at this college. Cedar Crest College school of Nursing is located in the Hamilton Boulevard Building. The nursing advisor for the program is Rachel Buckley. The nursing program is very flexible in allowing students to choose whether they want to be full-time or part-time. Cedar Crest College school of Nursing offers Bachelor's and Master's Programs to the nursing students.

The purpose for nursing at Cedar Crest College is to prepare students to function as professional nurses committed to lifelong learning. Each student has an opportunity to go in different directions in nursing. Some students can get their Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and can choose to work at a hospital, community, educational, industrial or any other setting.

The nursing program has prerequisites that intended nursing majors need to meet before entering the program. Students pursuing Bachelor's of Science in

Nursing (BSN) need 120 credits altogether to graduate. 63 of those credits are general education classes and 57 in nursing credits in the junior and senior year. However, in clinical credits, students need a total of 924 hours.

In each of the general classes that are required for prerequisites, students need to get at least a C, which is not a 70 but a 73 minimum. Out of the all the science classes required, students can get only get one C, and can only repeat one science class once. Intended nursing majors are also required to have a GPA of a 2.7 or higher. Intended nursing majors are also required to take Test of Essential Academic Skills or TEAS for short. Students have to get a 60 or higher to be considered passing. The test consists of science, math, reading and English. Upon successful completion of these requirements, the students will be accepted into the nursing program.

A prospective student must understand that gaining admission into the program is not difficult, however getting through the program is the difficult part, and that out of many of your classmates many of them will not make it to the end of the program and graduate. A student must be proficient at not only test taking skills but also writing and APA format to the level of an advanced degree. Tests, videotaping nursing skills, posters, care maps, YouTube video presentations, and papers are the core curriculum and methods of evaluation at this college. Less emphasis is placed on hands on skills and teaching is very very power point heavy. There are many outside experiences you must attend and missing any clinical days or experiences is very expensive. Clinical days are approximately 10 hours with clinical preparation being necessary before the actual clinical days, be very prepared with clinical nursing knowledge and be very prepared to follow dress code and codes of conduct. The program is costly and time consuming, financial considerations must be evaluated before entering the program as well as the impact on family.

Dance

The Dance major at Cedar Crest College allows the students to explore the art of dance from many different perspectives that expand their studies of dance. Students are encouraged to dive into their "own unique and creative expressions" in the art form through workshops and performance pieces. Cedar Crest College offers multiple levels of technique classes in modern, ballet, jazz, and tap.

The Dance major is completed through 39 credits with a required Senior Capstone project. When majoring in Dance at Cedar Crest College, students are required to take classes spanning from History of Dance, Kinesology, Dance Composition, Dance Pedagogy, Dance Improvisation, Public Speaking and a min minimum of 12 credits of studio technique.The Dance Minor is a required 18 credits consisting of Dance as a Medium, History of Dance, Dance Pedagogy, Dance Kinesiology and Studio Technique Classes.

To check out the full list of major/minor requirements go to http://www.cedarcrest.edu/ca/catalog_2015-2016/programs_&_courses/perarts_dance.shtm#major

Theatre

The Theatre major at Cedar Crest College is a holistic major that encompasses both technical experience and performance in the theatre field. First Fridays are offered starting a student's sophomore year to allow collaboration between those in the Performing Arts majors. In their senior year, students complete their Senior Capstone Project which is meant to feature their work cumulatively throughout their 4 years at the college.

The college stages four major stage productions which typically includes two musical productions and two straight plays. To feature the female students of the predominately women's college, productions chosen feature strong female leading, supporting, and ensemble roles with outside male performers from the surrounding Lehigh Valley community and beyond in any leading, supporting, or ensemble roles.

Faculty

Directors for mainstage productions vary, but faculty at the college include Associate Theatre Professor and Forensic Speaking Coach Timothy Brown, Chair of the Department Professor Robin Gerchman, Technical Theatre Professor Kevin Gallagher, and Professor Roxanne Amico.

Scholarships

The department offers scholarships based on an audition on a Performing Arts Scholarship Day or submitted by video. These are typically $1,500 per year, four-year renewing scholarships, contingent on the student's participation in productions or classes within the Dance or Theatre majors.

Media Literacy Week

Media Literacy Week has been held at Cedar Crest College since 2012. The event is held on one full week, usually midway through the Fall Semester. It is hosted by Professor Elizabeth Ortiz, who teaches at Cedar Crest College and is a part of the Communications Department.

They have hosted children from the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown, where they teach the youth about the promises and pitfalls of media. Throughout the week, various events are held. Most are organized by students of the New Media major. Some events include "Lunch and Literacy" where they are welcomed with food while listening to student presentations or speakers. These speakers attend some events and discuss topics regarding media and how it should be used cautiously. The week usually ends with a movie with topics of media or gender in the media.

In 2015, Cedar Crest teamed up with fellow neighbors, Muhlenberg College to host back to back events in order to raise more awareness to this week. Students of both schools, general public included, could attend these events with friends and family of all ages, while learning about the impact of the media on ourselves, as well as the world we live in.

An official Facebook page was created for Cedar Crest's Media Literacy Week. This includes more information about upcoming events for the most current year's Media Literacy Week. It is also posted on by the administrators and fellow students throughout the year when a prominent topic appears in the media.

Campus

Cedar Crest is located off Cedar Crest Boulevard at 100 College Drive on the western edge of Allentown. The 84-acre (34 ha) campus is adjacent to the city's Cedar Beach Park.

Some campus buildings include:

Allen House

What is now known as the Allen House was built in 1927 and was originally home to college President William F. Curtis and his family. This building was later converted to a library and eventually to an office building named in honor of the late William and Roberta Ritter Allen '36, generous supporters of the College.

Blaney Hall Administration Building

Blaney Hall was named after President Dorothy G. Blaney. She was the president of Cedar Crest college for 17 years and championed the cause of elevating the education of women to the kinds of rigorous academic achievement once reserved only for men. She took over the Allentown women's college in October 1989 and gave it new stature and renewed vigor.During Blaney's tenure, the college's enrollment doubled from 700 to more than 1,400 students, the number of honor students rose 35 percent, and the endowment grew fourfold, from $1.2 million to $5.7 million, with a current goal of $3.5 million. For almost all her career at the 139-year-old school, she contributed opinion columns to The Morning Call, writing on women's and local issues.During the ceremony that made her Cedar Crest's 11th president, she told the crowd to "transform knowledge into wisdom and wisdom into action. We need to expand our minds to embrace the diversity of other cultures and the ideas of the world."

Donald P. Miller Family Building for Art, Science and Peace

On the anniversary of Donald P. Miller's death, the executive committee of Cedar Crest College's trustees announced that the school would name its planned $4 million art, science and health complex after his family.Miller, who died at 89 from natural causes on Jan. 23, 1996, was The Morning Call's former publisher and chief executive officer.Over the years, the Miller family has provided funding and services to such Lehigh Valley institutions as the Allentown Public Library, the Allentown Art Museum, the Allentown Symphony, the Boy Scouts, the Phoebe Home and Muhlenberg College, which is Donald Miller's alma mater. Its ties to Cedar Crest College are deep. Miller was a college benefactor every year and for every campaign from the 1950s until he died. He was named a Cedar Crest honorary doctor of humane letters in 1968.The college's original location at 4th and Turner streets in Allentown had previously been the family homestead of Marjorie Wright Miller, Donald Miller's first wife. Marjorie Miller was a 1930 graduate of Cedar Crest who served on the Board of Trustees in the 1940s, '50s and '60s and was her class agent for decades. After she died in 1977, Miller honored her passion for poetry in 1980 through a memorial fund that helped establish the "Poet's Corner" inside the college's Cressman Library.

Inside the Miller Building is The Harmon Hall of Peace, which was donated by Elaine Oberkotter Harmon '59 and her husband, John. In the building are five large flags representing the United States, the United Nations, Croatia, for Elaine Harmon's adopted son, Japan, because Elaine Harmon supported Japanese exchange students who attended Cedar Crest, and Ghana, which is the home country of the then Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, who dedicated the Miller Building and received an honorary degree from Cedar Crest. The Peace Pole, located directly outside of the Miller Building, is one of over 100,000 that exist in 60 countries as an international symbol of peace. This pole represents the message, "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in 12 different languages.

Harold and Miriam Oberkotter Center for Health and Wellness

The Harold and Miriam Oberkotter Center for Health and Wellness, a 10,000 square foot building on the western edge of the Cedar Crest campus, adds much needed laboratory and classroom space. Since 2001, Cedar Crest has experienced a 50 percent increase in traditional-aged science and nursing students. The number of students interested in forensic science alone has increased tenfold since its inception in 2000. The lifelong learning population at Cedar Crest has increased as well. Since the launch of the evening weekend nursing program in 2000, the number of lifelong learning students in the College's nursing major has increased more than 105 percent. The main features of the facility include the 100-seat, state-of-the-art, Berta and Harold Keen Multi-Media Classroom; faculty offices including one dedicated to Lorraine Clark Laicha and given by Tom and Stephanie Zimmerer, Ed.D. '72; a forensic science-biological science lab; a biochemistry lab; a student lounge and restrooms.

Lees Hall and Fitness Center

Lees Hall is named in honor of Fortunetta Schlough Lees from the Class of 1897. The Basketball and Volleyball teams both compete in the gym which is located in Lees Hall. The athletic offices and Fitness Center are also located in Lees Hall. Lees has a seating capacity for athletic events for more than 300; for other events, 750. Other facilities in Lees Hall include a fitness center, athletic training room and offices for the athletic department staff. Fitness Center hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. Starting in the Spring of 2014, Cedar Crest College will be updating its basketball court (design to be released).

South Gate

The giving of gifts to the College by the senior class has been a long-standing tradition at Cedar Crest. One of the most well-known senior class gifts is the South Gate. In 1922, when President William F. Curtis learned that the highway department planned to build another road near campus, the Class of 1922 agreed to fund construction of a new entrance, incurring an expense that would take them years to pay off. After the gate's completion at the south end of campus, the highway department changed its plans, so the entrance sat useless until 1972, when it was moved to the west end of campus on Cedar Crest Boulevard, during the presidency of Pauline Tompkins, as a fiftieth reunion surprise for the Class of 1922.

The Bell "Dorothy"

The bell is a sculpture by Toshiko Takaezu that resides on the quad, in a garden that was built by the Trustees in 2005 to honor Dorothy Gulbenkian Blaney's presidency. The bell, named Dorothy, was donated by the internationally renowned sculptor to honor President Blaney. It was the first bell that Toshiko ever named. It is meant to have a calming effect and is rung at Open Door Ceremony and at the 50th Reunion memorial service.

The Quad

The quad is the grassy area that flows from the front of Blaney Hall, surrounded by Hartzel Hall, Allen House, Cressman Library, Moore Hall, Curtis Hall and Butz Hall. The quad features Abe and Tretchie's Place, a gazebo that was donated by the Board of Trustees in memory of Abram Samuels and in honor of his wife, Tretchie.

The Spirit Rock

In Keeping with the tradition of presenting the College with a senior class gift, the Class of 2013, in addition to raising over $6,000 for the Cedar Crest Fund, donated the Spirit Rock to start a new tradition on campus. This rock is meant to provide luck to all who rub it. Incoming freshman are encouraged to touch the rock for luck during orientation and it is placed strategically so that all graduating seniors can touch it for luck on their way into the graduation tent. An inscription on the plaque reads: If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.

Tompkins College Center

The most notable feature of the Tompkins College Center (TCC) is its floor-to-ceiling windows that frame park-like views of the Cedar Crest campus. The TCC was named for Pauline Tompkins, Cedar Crest president from 1967-1978, and is primarily the student union, featuring the Falcon's Nest, the post office, lounge areas, Samuels Theatre and meeting spaces. A generous estate gift of $3.5 million from Verna Orcurto Canova '38 have provided for renovations to the dining hall area in January 2015.

Wishing Steps

Between Allen House and the Cressman Library, you will see an area dedicated to the College's historic wishing steps. Over 50 years ago, Cedar Crest women would walk with their sweethearts, often men from Lehigh, Lafayette and Muhlenberg, through the woods behind campus, leading to what is now the Allentown Rose Garden. These woods affectionately became known as "Proposal Park" because legend had it that if you and your date counted the same number of steps while walking to the park and sealed your wish with a kiss, you would get a proposal at the end. The Wishing Steps have been ranked number 10 on the 25 Most Romantic College Traditions by College Ranker in 2015.

Other Buildings

Other campus buildings include Cressman Library, Dorothy Rider Pool Science Center, Alumnae Hall for Art and Performing Arts, Rodale Aquatic Center for Civic Health. Additional classroom and faculty buildings include Hartzel Hall, Curtis Hall and Hamilton Boulevard Building. The college also has four residence halls: Butz Hall, Moore Hall, Steinbright Hall and the upper level of Curtis Hall.

Cedar Crest's collection of 140 species of trees is designated as the William F. Curtis Arboretum, which is registered with the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta. The arboretum is named for the college's seventh president, who after purchasing the property in 1915, beautified the campus by planting flowers, shrubs and trees from all over the world.

The campus is also the site of the Da Vinci Science Center, an independent science demonstration facility that opened in 2005.

Clubs and organizations

Cedar Crest also has a variety of student clubs and organizations for students to participate in. Some active organizations include Alpha Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (community service fraternity), Lutz Center for Community Service, Art Therapy Alliance, Arts Society, Black Awareness Student Union, Biology Club, Brains and Genes, Cedar Crest Christian Fellowship, Chemistry Club, Commuter Awareness Board, Conservation Club, Criminal Justice Club, First Book, Great Outdoor Women, Health Professions Society, Honor and Judicial Board, Latin American Students Organization, Needles and Hooks, Out There, Step Team, Student Activities Board, Student Dietetic Association, and Student Nursing Association,Buskin Society,Marketing Club, Preterite: The Literary Club,Radio Club (WCCC), Society for Asian Animation, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and Tri-beta Biology Honor Society.

Global Initiatives and International Programs

The office of Global Initiatives and International Programs at Cedar Crest College has been in existence since August 2010. It handles everything from study abroad to international student services, to international partnerships with institutions overseas. Moreover, the office manages all matters related to campus internationalization, international scholarships, and internationalization of the curriculum.

Office services

The Global Initiatives and International Programs office advises students who are interested in studying abroad . Cedar Crest also runs some short-term study abroad programs to places like Costa Rica, Belize, Nicaragua, Guyana, England, Ireland and Korea. Cedar Crest also has exchange programs with universities in Sweden, Germany and Korea. Cedar Crest students are also able to take study abroad programs through outside organizations or universities.

School history with international students

Japanese students attended Cedar Crest College in the 1930s. The college also had a local donor who sponsored international students in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Cedar Crest College had an exchange program with Turkey in the 1940s, and by the early 1950s, it had several students from China, Russia, Latvia, Estonia, India and other countries.

Now

Cedar Crest has 32 students on F-1 visas, and other international students on other types of visa. A considerable number of students are originally "international" students but are U.S. green card holders or U.S. citizens and therefore don’t count as international students in terms of visa status.

Athletics

Cedar Crest, known athletically as the Falcons, competes in NCAA Division III athletics and has teams in basketball, cross country running, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, swimming, and volleyball. In addition, the Rodale Aquatic Center on campus is home to the college's swimming team. Cedar Crest also has club sports in cheerleading and equestrian.

During the 2007 season, the Cedar Crest Falcons tennis team placed 4th in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC), now known as the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC). The team also broke two school records, one for the most wins in a season (12) and one for the most PAC wins (7). The team's record was 12-3. Coach Lynn Pigliacampi is two games away from becoming Cedar Crest's winningest tennis coach. Pigliacampi played both at local Easton Area High School (class of 1999), where she was undefeated, and at Division I Drexel University. Her father, Jules Pigliacampi, is an assistant coach. The United States Tennis Association named her Coach of the Year in 2008.

Cedar Crest's Falcons basketball team finished the 2008-09 season at 13-11 overall and 8-8 in the Colonial States Athletic Conference. The team posted more conference victories than in the previous nine seasons combined, earning a CSAC playoff berth for the first time in a decade. Head coach Valerie Donohue (Cedar Crest, '95) led the Falcons in tying the school record of 13 season wins set in 1998-99, the last time the team made the playoffs. The 6th-seeded Falcons beat Centenary College's women in the 2009 tournament's opening round. Donohue was subsequently named Colonial States Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year.

During the 2013-2014 athletic season, Cedar Crest College enjoyed success on all levels. Jamie Wojiechowski was named CSAC Rookie of the Year, Field Hockey Goal Keeper Kaitlyn Brendlinger was named the NCAA D-III Statistical Champion in Saves Per Game. More recently Margaret "Maggie" Olock was awarded the conference Rookie and Swimmer of the Year in February 2014.

Hall of Fame

In the spring of 2013, the Cedar Crest College Athletic Department inducted five individuals and one team into their Hall of Fame. The Class of 2013 included: Cynthia Blaschak, Gracia Perilli, Jane Tyler Ward, Lisa Tinucci Barnett, and Megumi Yokoyama. Also inducted was the 1997 PAC Championship Lacrosse Team. The nominees for the Class of 2014 were recently released and names included were: Nellie Manges, Jacqueline J. Sham, Robyn Kulp, Heidi Bright Butler, Mari Gillespie Whalen.

Cynthia L. Blaschak Softball Field

In the spring of 1997, Cynthia L. Blaschak made a donation to Cedar Crest to build a softball field. This was done as part of her support of the new NCAA Division III varsity softball team that was beginning their season that year. Blaschak was a student athlete herself while attending Cedar Crest. She participated in both basketball and badminton.

Blaschak not only supported sports at Cedar Crest College, but also in the community. She was recognized nationally when she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from G.O.A.L.S. (Girls and Women's Opportunities for Achievement) for bringing this program to the Lehigh Valley for girls in this area. G.O.A.L.S. was an initiative of the national Women's Sports Foundation.

In June, 2000, Cyndi was elected to the Women's Sports Foundation's board of trustees. She would serve in this role for the next six years.

Blaschak graduated from Cedar Crest in the spring of 1984, and began working for the College as a special events coordinator. She eventually became director of admissions and then Executive Assistant to the President for Institutional Advancement. She would later leave that position to become a Trustee of the College.

Records

Basketball - 1000 points club:

Field hockey:

Lacrosse:

Goals (Season) - Jennifer Case 93

Assist (Season)- Jennifer Case 19

Ground balls (Season)- Jennifer Case 103

Draw Controls (Season)- Becca Lowe 56

Caused Turnovers (Season)- DeJanet Lantion 32

Soccer:

0513144041.aspx?path=wsoc Goals (Game)- Courtney Long 6

Saves (Game)- Krysten Gillan 23

Swimming:

50-yard freestyle- Maggie Olock 24.56

100- yard freestyle- Briana Hall 54.63

400-yard medley relay- Marshall, Lane, Lakshminarayanan, Hall, 4:22.70

Volleyball:

Kills (Season)- Michelle Durning 443

(Career)- Christine Feichtel 1,138

Assist (Season)- Adrienne Milot 896

(Career)- Lauren Seale 1958

Digs (Season)- Nikole Johnson 419

(Career)- Lisa Stewart 1,232

Athletic Department:

Athletics Communications:

Athletic training:

Mascot:

Head coaches:

Assistant Coaches:

Club Sports:

Team Rosters 2015-2016:

Basketball

Cross Country

Field Hockey

Lacrosse

Soccer

Softball

Swimming

Tennis

Volleyball

Traditions

Notable alumnae

Notable faculty