SGA proposes two new lounges in Lawrence Hall

In the April 12, 1973, edition of The Globe, staff writer Chris Byers reported on one of the first actions taken by the Student Government Association – recommending the creation of two new lounges in Lawrence Hall.

The proposed locations for these new lounges were The Globe’s old office and the second floor ballroom.

While it’s unclear where The Globe once was at this time (before Conestoga Hall, it was on the seventh floor of Lawrence Hall), the second floor holding a lounge did eventually become reality. However, this did not happen until spring 2014 – before that, the second floor lounge was just a dance studio.

Even as far back as the 1970s, air conditioning was a top priority for students at what was then Point Park College. The second floor lounge would have been one of the first spots in Lawrence Hall to get air conditioning, which continues to be a contentious topic for those who live in the building.

Interestingly, the second floor lounge’s plans originally called for the creation of a “small bar counter” for food and, eventually, full-service food facilities.

While this was never realized, the Point Cafe is quite close to the lounge. The free produce given by the Pioneer Pantry in the lounge might be just as valuable, though.

University, NAACP sign pact on affirmative action

In the April 10, 1979, edition of The Globe, a pact between the Pittsburgh chapter of the NAACP and Point Park College was signed in the hopes to guarantee equality for every and any person applying for a job at the college.

Staff writer John Druga covered the creation of an affirmative action committee, which was brought about after the complaints of two Black dance students were filed with the NAACP in October 1978.

The complaints noted that at the time, Point Park lacked a Black dance instructor and did not teach any Black ethnic courses. The new committee was set to remedy both problems after six months of negotiations stalled the creation of the committee in the first place.

According to Tony Lodge, one of the students who submitted the complaint to the NAACP, the want for Black students to have a Black dance instructor was not sudden, but many students were afraid to voice their opinion on the matter.

Larry’s Laugh

Spirit of competition strong even in jazz dance

Competition is fierce no matter where you are. Multiplayer games, photography or dance, it’s all the same tale. Two members of Point Park’s American Dance Ensemble, a jazz dance club that held performances in the old Pittsburgh Playhouse on Craft Avenue in Oakland, certainly knew this to be true.

It was 44 years ago today when The Globe ran a piece featuring who then-Features Editor Kathy Samudovsky called two of the dance ensembles’ best members: junior Jerry Premick and senior Cathy Calderone. Premick scored a role in basketball comedy/fantasy “The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh” and Calderone was Miss Dance Pennsylvania in 1977. Despite these accolades, the two talked extensively about the struggles of getting into a show and having to keep one’s spirits up even if someone was cast because of bias, not talent.

Still, the two remarked on the importance of trying as best as one can no matter the odds and why only focusing on bad things won’t help anybody.

“If you dwell on the mistakes while you’re dancing, it’ll inhibit your movements,” Premick said. “You have to think…‘so what, I got it wrong’ at least until you get to the studio the next day to practice the mistake for the next night’s performance.”

After Point Park, Premick performed in several dance and ballet shows in New York – he is featured in late 1980s editions of the New York Times. Calderone, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to have any information on her post-Point Park career available online.

Pioneer basketball legend says academics were priority

If you say the name Bobby Franklin to Point Park University’s administration, you’ll likely hear stories about his undisputed status as one of the university’s best basketball players. Additionally, you may hear about him and his family’s generosity toward the school, his grades and his success working for toy company Mattel.

In the April 12, 1977, edition of The Globe, Sports Editor Steve Stempler wrote a profile on the then-senior about his time at the school and his record.

At the time, Franklin was the first basketball player in Pittsburgh to score 2,000 points throughout his career. Miraculously, he is the only Pioneer basketball player to have such a high scoring record, still holding that spot in Point Park’s record books.

Although Franklin said he never got offers from any professional leagues, he did say he got one from a European basketball league.

Despite his many records and accolades, Franklin was humble about his achievements. He said academics were the main part about his time at Point Park – playing hoops came second.

Stempler asks Franklin if he thinks his number should be retired, to which Franklin said “they may as well.”

Sure enough, his jersey number (#14) is the only one retired on the Pioneers basketball team.