‘Tie’-ing one on for the sake of successful dress

Feb. 7, 2019

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - "You're never fully dressed without a smile!," said Harold Gray's famous fictional character, Little Orphan Annie. And while she may have been correct, as far as professional attire goes, a nice shirt and tie goes a long way as well. Thankfully, Rock-A-Tie, a new initiative at Slippery Rock University is here to help students in that department. And who knows, the right tie may just provide a smile as well.

Rock-A-Tie, spearheaded by Lisa Weinzetl, SRU manager of compliance, and Julie Cogley, administrative assistant for the Office for Planning, Resource Management and Assessment, is putting out a campuswide call to collect "gently used" neckwear and dress shirts for students.

"A friend of mine works at Kent State University, and I had seen her posting information about their "Clothes Closet" on social media," Weinzetl said. "They would show a 'before' shot of a student dressed in everyday attire and an 'after' shot in professional wear. Julie came to me almost simultaneously with the same sort of idea, so we got right on it."

Weinzetl and Cogley contacted Alice Del Vecchio, assistant professor of professional studies and adviser to the Student Nonprofit Alliance, for advice on execution and subsequent distribution of collected wearables.

Rock-A-Tie will collect the neckwear and shirts through the first part of February at the:

• Aebersold Recreation Center front desk.
• Smith Student Center information desk.
• Old Main, second floor.

A collection box will also be available at SRU's Feb. 13 men's and women's home basketball games against Mercyhurst University.

According to Andrea Miller, SRU assistant athletic director for compliance and senior women's administrator, the Feb. 13 games present an ideal time to solicit fans to pitch in.

"Not only is it the annual 'White Out' game that brings in a huge crowd of SRU fans, it's also a game with a visiting team that travels well," Miller said. "Mercyhurst is close and their fans usually come down for the games, so we'll probably send a flyer their way and ask them to bring a tie along with them if they are making the trip."

Distribution of the items will take place on the same days as this year's Dress for Success pop-up shops, March 13 and March 27, in the Smith Student Center.

Hutchinson's Dry Cleaners in Butler has partnered with Rock-A-Tie to launder and press all donated shirts and ties prior to distribution.

For more information about the event or to make a donation, contact Weinzetl at: lisa.weinzetl@sru.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Megan Bush | 724.738.2091 | mxb1092@sru.edu