There are many ways to determine a person’s character. For some people it takes time to figure out what one enjoys about another person. The bulletin board in Brenda Fetsko’s office states what someone thinks of her. “Wonderful,” “Friendly,” and “Thinks of Others,” is posted for all to see. This gesture a colleague made for Fetsko tells anyone who walks into her office what type of person Fetsko is. As director of development relations and leadership at California University, Fetsko supervises the leadership program, special events, scholarships and clubs and organizations. The Emerging Leaders Program, one of Fetsko’s responsibilities, equips potential student leaders with skills such as public speaking, team building, goal setting and event planning. Fetsko recommends incoming students take advantage of this program. Student government and other leadership organizations are also discussed to help students determine where their leadership skills would fit best. A current special event Fetsko is working on is homecoming. “It is a year-round planning event that we were just talking about,” she said, referring to one of many meetings she had scheduled earlier in the day. The homecoming committee is in the process of choosing a theme. The possible choices are “Cities Around the World” (international theme), “Children’s Literature” (fairytale theme), “Cal Carnival” (Mardi Gras theme), “Haunted Homecoming” (Halloween – horror theme), or “Hollywood Homecoming” (great movies theme). “It is a big event. Homecoming lasts all week with many activities to be a part of,” Fetsko said. Fetsko is also chairwoman of the selection committee for a scholarship program. There are 10 awards available to Cal U students who are involved in leadership and participation in campus activities. To get a scholarship, students are required to write a 500-word essay, which is why Fetsko thinks not many students take advantage of this opportunity. She finds it frustrating that not many students participate. “This process should be a hard one. There should be too many students to choose from, but there isn’t enough interest to give all 10 scholarships away,” Fetsko said. Advertising for the scholarship program begins in February, with ads in the Cal Times student newspaper, fliers on bulletin boards and a mass e-mail to students. Clubs and organizations also fall under Fetsko’s many jobs. She just began this aspect of her job, but she said she is excited about it. On Feb. 17, she helped coordinate a fair in the Natali Student Center, where students could go and learn about the many clubs and organizations offered at Cal U. She said some freshmen get too overwhelmed in the fall semester so they don’t always get involved during that time. Fetsko is constantly encouraging people. “Brenda is one of the most helpful people I know,” said Bernadette Lewis, 25, a graduate assistant for the Student Association Inc. “Whenever I have a problem, she is always there to help me or give me advice, even if I don’t want to hear it.” Outside of the work setting, Fetsko said, “I am the most boring person I know.” She said she enjoys boating on the Monongahela River in the summertime. It is a relaxing thing for her to do and she said she waits all winter just for it to be summer again. She said she tries to practice yoga every day and attends a yoga class once a week. Pam DelVerne, a co-worker and friend from high school, said about Fetsko, “One could say she is the embodiment of the university’s core values of integrity, civility and responsibility. She is also a dedicated mom and grandmother who isn’t afraid to have a little fun.” DelVerne is webmaster for SAI and coordinator of the California University Experience transcript. “I love my job,” Fetsko said. “I am very lucky to come and work with students every day.” Lauren Cycak, 24, is a junior public relations major from Irwin.

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