IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2007
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine:
724-738-4854

gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

Alumna’s book conveys Pittsburgh’s heart of steel    

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Joanne G. Sujansky credits her two degrees from Slippery Rock University with providing the foundation for her successful business and writing careers. Her latest book “Pittsburgh Will Steel Your Heart: 250 Reasons to Love Pittsburgh” captures the city’s people, colorful language, architecture and sports achievements.

Sujansky said she collected “word snapshots” from residents and interspersed them with photographs to convey the sometimes-elusive quality that makes Pittsburgh distinctive. 

“I wrote this book as a tool for everyone who has a stake in Pittsburgh, to encourage him or her to help promote the city as a captivating, one-of-a kind place,” she said.

Sujansky, a motivational speaker and consultant, received undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from SRU in 1972 and 1974. She has served in management and director-level positions in several different industries and worked in more than 35 countries. In 1980, she founded KEYGroup, an international consulting firm based in Pittsburgh.

The Rock remains a major influence. 

“I was actively involved in leadership positions at The Rock,” she said. “I was a residence hall counselor and then managed two different residence halls.  I was also president of my sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau.  I helped establish the Do-It-Yourself Career Lab in 1973.  All of these leadership experiences led to me holding management positions at a very young age.”

Sujansky has been involved with the Women in Leadership Speaker Series. Her other books include “The Power of Partnering: Vision, Commitment and Action and “The Keys to Mastering Leadership.”

The 101-page book, published by Pittsburgh Professional Publishing, is available at Borders, Barnes & Nobles, Amazon.com and www.PittsburghWillSteelYourHeart.com.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.