[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27897]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF DR. ANGELO ARMENTI, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Angelo Armenti, 
Jr., the president of California University of Pennsylvania. His 
dedication to education as a professor, dean and university president, 
in addition to his commitment to philanthropy, has had a great impact 
on the people of Pennsylvania.
  Dr. Armenti received his Bachelor of Science in Physics from 
Villanova University and his Master's and Ph.D. from Temple University 
in Special Relativity and General Relativity, respectively. He returned 
to Villanova as a professor where he remained for 20 years. He 
subsequently became chair of the physics department, Dean of University 
College, and Director of Planning at Villanova.
  Over the course of his career, Dr. Armenti received the Lindback 
Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching and in 1992 was one of only 
32 individuals in the nation named an American Council on Education 
Fellow. He has published many journal articles and the book, The 
Physics of Sports.
  Madam Speaker, on May 19, 1992, Dr. Armenti became the 6th president 
of California University of Pennsylvania. Since then, applications have 
increased by 90 percent, the average SAT score rose by 95 points and 
four-year graduation rates rose by 80 percent. The university adopted 
new academic programs, a general education curriculum, the University 
Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, and a new governance structure.
  During his tenure as president, California University has constructed 
new buildings including the Eberly Science and Technology Center, the 
Kara Alumni House, the Duda Classroom Building and six residence halls, 
as well as renovating several older structures. This construction 
significantly enhanced the educational and living environments of 
California University. It also created two major off-campus sites at 
the Southpointe Business Park in Canonsburg and at the Regional 
Enterprise Tower in downtown Pittsburgh.
  The Washington County Community Foundation named Dr. Armenti and his 
wife, Mrs. Barbara Armenti, the 2009 Philanthropists of the Year for 
the scholarships they established at California University and for 
developing a philanthropic atmosphere throughout the school and 
community. Dr. & Mrs. Armenti have inspired many students to serve 
their communities.
  In addition, Dr. Armenti serves the educational field by working with 
the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of 
Colleges and Schools. He also serves southwestern Pennsylvania as the 
Campaign Chair and President of the Mon Valley United Way. Madam 
Speaker, I conclude my remarks by commending Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. 
for his lifelong dedication to education and philanthropy. I wish him 
the best as he continues to serve his students and the people of 
Pennsylvania.

                          ____________________