Pioneers Trade Classes for Connection and Calm at Annual Pioneer Pause Thursday, October 29, 2026
Tyrique Bowles (second from left) and Adalind Parker (third from left) were excited to participate in their first Pioneer Pause.
Point Park University held the fifth annual "Pioneer Pause" on Oct. 27, 2026. Classes were canceled for the day, allowing students, faculty, and staff to participate in activities designed to create a restful, fun experience.
Grace Skalniak, a junior contemporary theatre making major, captured the essence of the day: "I enjoy having a day to myself with no expectations or work, and the opportunity to spend time with my friends who aren’t busy."
Activities included:
- yoga sessions
- meditative hand-stitching
- canvas painting party
- bingo
- therapy dogs
- Dungeons & Dragons one-shot campaigns
- complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner
First-year student Adalind Parker, a forensic science major, and her friends joined the painting party and later went to Dunkin' for breakfast. "I love just spending time with my friends doing fun things and relaxing," Parker said.
Tyrique Bowles, a first-year biological sciences major, said he appreciated the time to focus on art and "distract myself from my daily activities."
Clara Rimes, assistant charge artist, joined the morning meditative hand stitching class, taught by School of Education professors Christal Edmunds, Ph.D., and Vincenne Revilla Beltrán, Ph.D.
"Activities like meditative stitching make me feel seen in a stressful world and give me opportunities to build possible community when it is difficult to do so at times," Rimes said. "I loved that the instructors utilized the naturally meditative quality and taught us how to do the process with patience. I also appreciate learning the history of the craft given some time and space, as it allows me to feel more inspired when learning how to perform it."
Pioneer Pause is an initiative of the Staff Assembly, and Ashley Bruder, human resources coordinator, served as the planning committee's chair. When it came to choosing activities, Bruder said there were some tried-and-true favorites as well as new offerings.
"We knew there were some fan favorites, such as Dungeons and Dragons, bingo and the annual free lunch. We wanted to add some new things this year, though, such as fall canvas painting, which turned out to be a hit!"
Bruder, a two-time Point Park graduate and employee for five years, said her passion for Point Park drove her to spearhead this year's initiative.
"I love this school’s traditions and have been involved with the planning for the Pioneer Pause since the beginning. I love being involved and giving back to the campus community, so I was thrilled to spearhead the effort this year, along with my dedicated Planning Committee, without whom I could not have done it!"