Foundation for Cal U Presents Honors

May 21, 2018

Annual awards recognize notable achievements, service to University and community.

foundation awards

University President Geraldine M. Jones (left) and William R. Flinn ’68 (right), past president of the Foundation for California University, pose with award winners (from left) Dr. Annette Kaleita ’55, Dr. David L. Amati ’70 and Dr. Richard Cavasina.

 

The Foundation for California University has presented its annual awards.

* Dr. David L. Amati ’70, a past president of the foundation’s board of directors, received the Job Johnson Award. Named for one of California’s founders, the award recognizes alumni for excellence, innovation, community service or other notable achievements outside the University.

Amati is the founder and president of Global Business Associates LLC, which provides business development, strategic planning and corporate representation for local, national and global organizations. A member of the Steele Society, Amati established the David L. and Nancy M. Sivek Amati Early Childhood/Elementary Education Scholarship in memory of his late wife, Nancy.

* Emeritus professor Dr. Richard Cavasina received the Dixonians Award for service to the University. It is named for John N. Dixon, the "Grand Old Man" among Cal U’s founders, who served on the Board of Trustees for 46 years.

Cavasina taught for 28 years in the Psychology Department. A liver transplant recipient, he has drawn on his experience in the mental health arena as director of the patient advocacy program at the Pittsburgh-based Abdominal Transplant Institute. He also chairs the Cavasina Endowment for Transplant and Research, which researches psychological issues involved with transplantation. 

* Emerita professor Dr. Annette Kaleita ’55 received the Society of 1852 Award, which recognizes philanthropy. Its name refers to the date of the school’s founding.

Kaleita taught for 25 years in the Communication Disorders Department and developed the Language and Learning Center, where undergraduate and graduate students work directly with children as part of their clinical experience. A class leader for the Class of 1955, Kaleita is a member of the executive committee for the Emeriti Faculty Association.

About the Foundation

The Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania is an affiliated yet independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the mission of the University and its students.

Officers for 2018 are Dr. Harry E. Serene ’65, president; Lynne Stout ’94, vice president; Dr. Donald J. Thompson, secretary; and Paul L. Kania ’87, treasurer.

Three new members have joined the board: Dr. Chester Chichin ’63, Yvonne Chichin and Jeffrey B. Jones.