SUMMER MAGAZINE 2021
INTRODUCING
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IN THIS ISSUE MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY Office of Institutional Advancement Hilbert College 5200 South Park Avenue Hamburg, NY 14075 EDITOR Carol R. Bernat DESIGNER Cher Ravenell DESIGN CONTRIBUTOR Shelby Russell
Commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Staff Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Hilbert College Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Faculty Appointments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Hilbert College Athletics: Blue Prints of Our Future. . . 14 New Members of the Board of Trustees. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Board of Trustees, Alumni Board, Advisory Council. . . 18 Alumni Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Alumni Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 In Memoriam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Giving Day & Annual Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Upcoming Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carol R. Bernat Kathleen M.Christy Matt Heidt Terra Osterling OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Kathleen M. Christy Vice President for Institutional Advancement Carol R. Bernat Director of Annual Fund and Alumni Engagement Audry Weronski Grants and Revenue Administration Manager
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COMMENCEMENT
ON THE WEB
hilbert.edu/magazine Copyright © 2021 - Hilbert College All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
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4 8 DIRECTOR OF DEI
AUGUSTUS CLARK ’11
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT As I write this, we are preparing to
are truly witness to how a college
momentum depends upon on your
of 2025 and celebrate a summer
only the lives of our students, but
to sustaining our Catholic and
welcome the Hilbert College Class full of academic enrichment,
campus improvements focused on the student experience and
robust planning and technology
enhancements. But as we welcome new faces to our campus, what
stands out to me the most is the
character of the individuals who
make up our Hilbert community — the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends whose gratitude and
generosity have helped make the
College the fine institution that it is today, and who inspire and sustain the incredible momentum of this wonderful Franciscan institution.
degree dramatically changes not
impacts our communities. In concert with our bold Hilbert 2025 Strategic Plan, we highlight the exciting
launch of Hilbert College Global,
share images and future vision of the Hilbert Track & Field Complex that will open in Fall 2023, and profile
individuals who represent the many different faces that comprise our campus community.
You will meet new members of the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff
place both on campus and online.
alumni and friends to contribute
of constant change by showing
tremendous grace and resiliency. We
showcases Hilbert students, alumni, faculty and staff contributing to the wellbeing of our region and our
nation. Hilbert is able to grow, thrive, and serve because of the individuals
who do just that both personally and in our communities. I am grateful
to work alongside you as we forge ahead.
new programs and events taking
and commending the graduates of have managed this new reality
This issue of the Hilbert Magazine
year, learn about many upcoming
Most importantly, we are pleased
the Class of 2021. These students
Franciscan mission.
and as we begin a new academic
In this edition of the Hilbert
Magazine, we begin by celebrating
support, creativity, and commitment
to present opportunities for our
Michael S. Brophy, PhD, MFA President mbrophy@hilbert.edu
their time and talents with several new and important projects and initiatives that are taking place
in 2022 and 2023. The College’s
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persistent determined resilient prevail endurance sustain Commencement202i Large photo: Jacob Quiter; Inset photo: Dr. Maureen Finney, provost, presents Dr. Christopher Siuta, director of Counseling, Health and Wellness,with the President’s Medal 4
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1. Lillian Pritchard 2. President Brophy with Mikayla Rix 3. Sister Mary Edwina Bogel Award winner: Mackenzi White
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4. Carraugh Reilly Nowak, MFS, Forensic Science Chairperson reads names of graduates. 5. Professor Sharon Sisti, MSW, recipient of the President’s Medal.
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6. John Brechtel, recipient of the John Kissel Award 7. The Saint Catherine Medal is presented to Courtney Santasero 8. Russell Corigliano, former member, Hilbert Board of Trustees, receives the Hilbert College Medal from Rev. Michael Sajda, OFM, Conv.
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staffProfile
Students are the engine ofchaNge. DIEDRE DEBOSE, ED.D., DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
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Diedre D. DeBose, Ed.D., was raised in a family that emphasized the power of knowledge and the value of education. Those touchstones grew into a longing to work in higher education – one she had even as a first-generation college student. Today she brings to her role as director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Hilbert College – one she started at the end of April – the expertise of a long career in education advocating for students and the programs that can help them succeed.
“There are some fields that you go into where you feel that it’s a calling, and the role I’m in now is completely, one hundred percent, authentically me,” Dr. DeBose said. After receiving her MSW from SUNY Buffalo, she began a career in social work. In this field, building relationships to assist and empower people became a foundation for her later work in opportunity programs, and the diversity work she does today. Diedre’s career path in higher education is one that is marked by the type of growth that translates to metrics in student success:
while assistant director in the Canisius College Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) & Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Program, program enrollment for underrepresented – or, more accurately, ‘historically excluded’ – students increased by more than 20%. Her work included minimizing barriers for those students while also building partnerships with the college’s deans, the vice presidents of student and academic affairs, the chief diversity officer, and constituents throughout the campus and community.
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three opportunity programs which recruit, support, and work to retain underrepresented students: Say Yes to Education, Hilbert College Assisi Scholars Program, and the Arthur O. Eve HEOP.) Dr. DeBose has been on a listening tour since joining the staff at the end of April to find out how her skillset can best be of service to all facets of campus and academic life. “It is really important to take your time to get a sense of a culture, to understand what it is and how the systems flow,” she said.
As director of the McNair Scholars Program for underrepresented STEM students at SUNY Geneseo, she wrote the grant that secured $1 million for the program. Ninetyeight percent of McNair program participants were accepted into graduate or medical school. While she was the college’s director of Access and Equality Opportunity Programs, student retention for underrepresented students increased from 71% to 89%. More than 300 students moved through Geneseo’s HEOP programs during her time. To this considerable expertise, Diedre brings personal understanding, as a woman of color who as a student was an Equal Opportunity Program recipient. Her success in leading HEOP programs is the type of growth she hopes to replicate at Hilbert College. (Hilbert College participates in
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Dr. DeBose is pragmatic that the eventual culture shifts will mean a significant educational component for students, faculty, and staff. She is starting with helping people connect with her and understand the role of ‘director of diversity, equity, and inclusion’. It is a challenging job anywhere to change a culture to one that truly reflects diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), but she confidently says it happens when everyone involved is willing to stretch, grow, and learn. Hilbert College’s Franciscan values – which resonate deeply with Diedre both as a rule and as a graduate of a Catholic high school – position the campus community to respond well. The ‘belonging’ concept central to these values will, she believes, underpin the relationship-building required to do this work. It is in this spirit that DEI work is a path to finding barriers, particularly those faced by students of color, and removing them. “My goal as a leader is to model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, and, importantly, to
encourage the heart,” Diedre said, referencing James Kouzes’ and Barry Posner’s “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership Model.” She is poised to be a transformational leader in ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded into all facets of the Hilbert community. Her listening tour is the first stop. Next come plans for campus wide trainings, roundtable discussions, and workshops for faculty, staff, and students. Topics will include implicit bias training, revisiting the results of a past cultural climate survey, and fielding an updated survey. These conversations will be an opportunity to create honest relationships, Diedre said. The students will be key in these conversations. “I keep going back to relationship because students are not just going to show up and tell me what they need unless I have that rapport,” she
of African American students attending a predominantly white institution – a place where being an underrepresented student can be challenging to navigate,” she said. Students feel that having a mentor who has similar qualities as themselves is important. Short Term Goals: 1. Cultivate and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus environment. 2. Collaborate and develop programs and services to enhance DEI. 3. Increase on-campus representation of historically underrepresented groups. 4. Ensure policies and procedures foster a college-wide commitment to DEI. 5. Create a community that respects and appreciates the dignity and uniqueness of all. 6. Minimize barriers for underrepresented students. said. “They are the engine of change and the driving force; it will be about finding that connection with them, so they trust me enough to listen.” Simultaneously, she will lead an internal review of policies and procedures, curriculums (“a huge piece,” she says), and hiring practices. For the latter, hiring, the focus will be on ensuring the policy’s practices promote diversity, inclusion and are mission driven. Hiring more diverse, qualified faculty and staff dovetails with one longterm goal Diedre has for Hilbert College: to create a college-wide mentoring program. In mentoring (the topic of her dissertation), she said it is not only the quality of the relationships that students have with faculty and staff that makes the difference.
7. Ensure Hilbert has appropriate exposure of topics of diversity throughout the curriculum. Diedre’s earliest work at Hilbert College included emails she personally wrote and shared with the faculty and staff to acknowledge a day of remembrance in the killing of George Floyd and to commemorate the beginning of Pride month in June. Both emails invoked the important role Franciscan tradition plays in fostering hope, understanding, peace and belonging. While the Hilbert College DEI work begins by uncovering systemic barriers to student success, the goal is a culture and policies that prevent barriers from manifesting again. “It’s not about me. It is about the institution,” Diedre said. “It is about our students feeling comfortable and welcome.” The role of director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Hilbert College is funded by a grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. Please read our Winter 2021 issue, available online, for more about the Foundation funding received by Hilbert College. Are you interested in being part of Dr. DeBose’s listening tour or learning more about the Hilbert College Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion? Contact her at 716-926-8816 or at ddebose@hilbert.edu. Find out more about DEI at Hilbert at https://www.hilbert.edu/student-life/diversity-inclusion.
“The findings in my research indicate that same-race mentors are significant to the academic success
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THE LAUNCH OF HILBERT COLLEGE GLOBAL
This past spring, the Hilbert College Board of Trustees approved the establishment of Hilbert College Global, the new online division of Hilbert. Hilbert College Global will not only offer one of the most competitive tuition rates in the new online market, but it will also provide students from across the country with a flexible, high quality Hilbert education online. Tuition for the College’s new online division will be among the most affordable in the nation, at $295 per credit hour. It is the most affordable online bachelor’s degree in Western New York and on par with leading national competitors. There will be no additional college fees associated with the College’s new online undergraduate programs, and Hilbert College Global will offer undergraduate students enrolling for the fall 2021 semester the ability to take their first two classes (six credit hours) free of charge. The College offers six starts per year – August, November, January, March, May and July.
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“So many students are looking for a meaningful way to contribute to society,” Hilbert President Michael S. Brophy, Ph.D., said. “Hilbert College Global will make that possible as the College’s Franciscan charism is delivered to students in a high quality manner that fits with their lifestyles and responsibilities. We remain committed to improving access to higher education for all students.” In addition to Hilbert’s graduate programs in criminal justice administration, public administration, and health administration, which have been available in an online format for the past several years, Hilbert College Global will be launching the following undergraduate programs: business management (BS), digital media and communication (BS), liberal studies (BA), cyber security (BS), criminal justice (BS), psychology (BA) business administration (AAS), and liberal arts (AA). For further information, please visit our online microsite – https://online.hilbert.edu.
With the launch of Hilbert College Global, Hilbert advances its strategic plan, Hilbert 2025. Delivering the charism of Hilbert’s founders, the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Joseph (FSSJ), to an online audience positions the College to grown enrollment and strengthen our financial standing. Hilbert College Global will maintain Hilbert’s core mission, values, and vision as a Catholic Franciscan institution that welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and faith traditions. Hilbert College Global will follow Hilbert’s general education curriculum, maintain the College’s learning outcomes, and will be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. “At Hilbert, we remain committed to an education that creates informed citizens dedicated to serving and strengthening our communities,” Dr. Brophy said. “We understand that the values of a Franciscan education, which embrace respect, service, social justice, and integrity are important to our students, whether they attend classes on our campus or online.”
Faculty Appointments Hilbert College is pleased to welcome five new full time faculty: Michael Barry (Cybersecurity), Kristen Connolly (Criminal Justice), Andrew Hill (Biology), Patrick Johnson (Accounting/Business), and John Payne (Forensic Science/ Crime Scene Investigation.) Michael Barry, who earned his master’s degree in Computer Science from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s in Computer Science and Statistics from the State University at Buffalo, joins the cybersecurity faculty as visiting assistant professor. He has previously served as a lecturer in Computer Information Systems at Buffalo State College; an assistant professor in Computer Repair Technology at Erie Community College, and an adjunct lecturer in Computer Science at the State University of New York at Geneseo.
Kristen Connolly, Ph.D., who will be an assistant professor of criminal justice, earned her doctorate in Sociology at the University at Buffalo. She received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice at Hilbert College. Dr. Connolly has taught at the University at Buffalo, Buffalo State
College and Daemen College. Her research and teaching interests include the following topics: Criminology, Drugs and Society, Sociology of Law, Inequality and Diversity, Race and Racism and Medical Sociology. Andrew Hill, Ph.D., joins Hilbert as assistant professor of Biology. He comes to us from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, where he was visiting assistant professor. He previously served as full time adjunct lecturer at the University of Florida and visiting assistant professor at Knox College in Galesburg, IL. Prior to these faculty positions, Dr. Hill was a research associate at the University of Chicago and the University of Arizona. He received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a bachelor’s degree in Zoology/Animal Biology from the University of Rhode Island.
Hilbert welcomes Patrick Johnson, CPA, as assistant professor of accounting/business. He received his Master of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from St. Bonaventure University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Niagara University. Most recently, he served as associate professor at Medaille College in Buffalo, NY, teaching both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Previously, Johnson held positions with a local accounting firm and at BlueCross of Western New York.
John Payne, previously adjunct instructor – Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation at Hilbert from 2017-2021, has been named an assistant professor – Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation. He served as a detective, Major Crimes Investigator, and police officer with the Town of Orchard Park Police Department. Payne received his Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degrees at Hilbert College.
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Hilbert College Athletics:
Rendering of artificial turf athletic field and track and field complex
BLUE PRINTSof our FUTURE In October 2020, the Hilbert College Board of Trustees approved the College to move forward with plans to build an NCAA Division Ill- compliant track and field complex with a synthetic turf field that will service: • Men’s and Women’s Soccer • Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse • Women’s Field Hockey • Men’s and Women’s Track and Field • Men’s and Women’s Cross Country While the varsity Soccer, Lacrosse, and Cross Country programs are currently offered for Hilbert student-athletes, 14
Men’s and Women’s Track & Field and Women’s Field Hockey are proposed additions once the Turf and Track & Field Complex is completed. This project is essential to Hilbert’s forward trajectory, and aligns with Hilbert 2025 and our strategic objectives for not only significant enrollment growth, but having a more robust athletic strategy and enhancing the student experience, which ultimately will result in greater student success and retention. Stay tuned for more information and details about ways for you to support this transformational project at Hilbert.
Proposed fieldhouse design
Press Box and Pedestrian Plaza
South aerial shot
North aerial shot
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HILBERT COLLEGE WELCOMES NEW MEMBERSTO BOARDOF TRUSTEES Hilbert College is pleased to announce six new members to the College’s Board of Trustees. Ericka Bennett, Anthony J. Billittier IV, MD, William Brinson ’97, Terrance Heard ’94, Lisa Ressman ’99 and Elizabeth WoikeGanga, LCSW-R, each will serve a three-year term. Additionally, Lamont Williams, who has served on the Hilbert Board of Trustees since 2017, was elected Vice Chair. Williams joins the existing officers – Laurie Boreanaz Carra ’81 (Chair) and Jill Meyer (Secretary).
Bennett is Assistant Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Research at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She has been an active member of the New York State Bar Association, the Bar Association of Erie County, and the Minority Bar Association of Western New York. Bennett was also a member of the Business First “40 Under 40” class of 2014.
Dr. Billittier is Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Independent Health in Buffalo. He is also clinical associate professor at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and School of Public Health and Health Professions, and for nearly 30 years he has been an emergency physician with the University at Buffalo Emergency Medicine Residency at Erie County Medical Center. Previously, Dr. Billittier was founding dean of the D’Youville College of Health Professions and also served for 11 years as Erie County Health Commissioner.
Brinson, who earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from Hilbert College in 1997, is Academic Coach and Multicultural Student Support Services Coordinator at Niagara Community College. He is known for mentoring students and for developing partnerships between several schools and NCCC to create connections with graduating seniors. He serves on the College’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is advisor to the Black Student Union. Brinson is a member of the Hilbert College Athletic Hall of Fame and served on the Hilbert 2025 Advisory Council.
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Heard, who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Hilbert in 1994, is an Assistant Team Leader at the General Motors Tonawanda Engine Plant and an AtLarge elected member of the Buffalo Public School Board of Education. In his prior career as an educator for the City of Buffalo, his teaching included History and Electrical Shop, he was an assistant high school coach for basketball, football, softball, and soccer programs, and managed the conflict resolution program at Seneca Vocational High School. Outside of education, Heard has served as a correctional officer for the State of Georgia, filling a number of key roles throughout the system. As a Hilbert student, he was a member of the basketball team, served as President of the Black Student Union, and was the first African-American graduate of the College. He also served as a member of the Hilbert 2025 Advisory Council.
Ressman, who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Hilbert College in 1999, is a CPA and currently serves as Vice President of Finance, Revenue and Budget at Person-Centered Services, LLC. She has 20 years of corporate accounting and financial analysis experience and previously served as vice president at Independent Health in Buffalo. At Hilbert, Ressman was a dual major in Accounting and Business Administration.
Woike-Ganga, a Fulbright Scholar and former Peace Corps volunteer, is President and CEO of BestSelf Behavioral Health in Buffalo. She was previously Chief Operating Officer for the not-for-profit agency and had been instrumental in realizing the 2019 merger between Child and Adolescent Treatment Services and Lake Shore Behavioral Health that formed BestSelf. In 2018, Woike-Ganga was named a Woman of Influence by Buffalo Business First, and in 2020 was a recipient of the newspaper’s C-Level Executives Award.
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2021-2022 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD
Officers
Officers
Laurie Boreanaz Carra ‘81, Chairperson Lamont Williams, Vice Chairperson Jill Meyer, Secretary Members Steve Bell Ericka Bennett Anthony J. Billittier IV, MD William Brinson ’96 Michael Brophy, Ph.D. Bridget Corcoran ‘88 Rev. Sean DiMaria Sister Marcia Ann Fiutko ‘73, FSSJ Rhonda Frederick Richard Hamister Hon. Craig D. Hannah Terrance Heard ’94 Sister Michael Marie Jordan, ’70, FSSJ Rev. Ted Jost Thomas O. McArthur ‘06 Michael McCabe Philip Perna Christopher Randall Lisa Ressman, CPA ’99 Michelle Sullivan Michael Tepfenhart Boyd Wible Camille Wicher, Ph.D. Elizabeth Woike-Ganga, LCSW-R
Lisa Beckwith ‘15, President Jenna Dulak Ph.D. ‘08, Vice President Colleen Kumiega ‘94, Secretary Erika Betz ‘17, GOLD Representative Members Robert Benshadle ‘82 Lauren Carlin ‘19 Scott Cvetkovski ‘12 Ka-shara Jordon ‘15 Amy Keller, Esq. ‘09 John Kordrupel ‘06 Jennifer Loughran LMSW ‘07 Damian Martelli ‘20 Amy Meisner ‘01 Joseph Pernick ‘14 Brittani Santana ‘20 Eric Smith ‘19 Donald Thompson ‘04 Joshua Von Haugg ‘17 Adam Weaver ‘14 Jerome Wszalek ‘73 Mark Zanghi, Esq. ‘00 Donna Zimpfer ‘99
HILBERT 2025 ADVISORY COUNCIL Brooke Anderson-Tompkins ’86 Shai Arnold, ’17, ’15 David Balbierz ‘94 Carl Behrend Ryan Caster Lucas Cellino ’14 Mindy Cervoni John Ciminelli Jonathon Clark ’10 Brian Connolly Jeffrey Conrad Michael Cornell Lisa Damiani Lynne Dixon Michael Donlon Thomas Doody ’97 Sean Doyle Terry Dunford Daniel Dytchkowskyj ’16 Patricia Farrell Robert Ganey John Greenan Cynthia Gronachan ’77 Jonathan Hulbert ‘13 James Iglewski ’85 Jason Keding John Kilcoyne Kevin Klotzbach Althea Luehrsen Jason Luna ’96 Jill Martucci ’12 Kathleen Maxian ’82 Cameron McLeod ’18 Anne Marie Milazzo ’66 Thomas Moses
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Carol Tracy Palczewski ’94, ’83, ’72 Louis Petrucci ’15 Edward Qualey ’74 Darlene Rousseau ’83 David Rust Joseph Salvatore Amy Schmit Michael Sendor ’10 Sarah Seweryniak ’09 James Shaw Margaret Shea Sperber ’10 Ed Sirianno Richard Suchan Mo Sumbundo Michael Szymoniak Theresa Vincent ’18 Christine Zacher Ward ’97 Lisa Woodring ’94 Jerome Wszalek ’73
2021-22 Hilbert 2025 Advisory Council members gather for their June 10th annual meeting.
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Alumnispotlight
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THE only wayis
up!
AugustusDJ Slim Gus Clarke ‘11 20 20
4 Augustus Clarke ‘11 set out to be a forensic scientist, hoping to hit the big time with a job in the FBI. But before he could go big, he knew he wanted to go small – for college. “I ended up choosing Hilbert College because of the school’s great Criminal Justice program and the small class sizes,” he said. The opportunity for one-on-one time with college professors and being less than an hour away from his family in the East Side of Buffalo were big selling points. That small college experience, and our campus community, made the Hilbert Difference for Gus. Ten years on from graduation he has hit the big time – but instead of in a forensics lab he is thriving in Los Angeles as an Emmy-nominated video director, DJ, and road manager for a national recording artist. How did a CJ/Forensic Science major end up in such a different industry and shooting video that would air on the NFL Network? The answer is still ‘the Hilbert Difference’ – including how Gus is quick to credit others who have supported him along the way. “The relationships that I built at Hilbert pushed me down this path,” Gus said. “I built such a strong foundation of friends – a lot that became family.” His Hilbert family includes a long list of fellow students and staff, all of whom Gus sees as both mentors and the people starring in the memories he says make him laugh for days. To name just a few: Malcolm “So EZ” Edwards ‘10 and Jonathan “DC” Minix ‘12 pushed
Gus to excel in DJ’ing and video production. When Gus DJ’ed countless Hilbert events, Jason Enser (former Student Activities Director) taught him about versatility and budgets. “He is a great guy and put together some of the best events on campus with little to nothing,” Gus said. “He instilled that [ethic] in me early on.” Gus has DJ’ed since taking part in a high school talent show and continues to perform. Tom Wills ’12, a well-known Philadelphia-based freelance camera and steadicam operator, was Gus’s suite-mate at Hilbert and a major influence on and supporter of his evolution in video. “Tom is pretty much my sensei of the video world,” Gus said. Others Gus considers part of his Hilbert family were steady, present, supporters who helped him grow and succeed as a person. “The energy that Mich (Michelle Sojda, former Director of Academic Affairs) and Denise (Denise Harris, former Director of Career Development) had at all times was unmatched,” Gus said. He remembers both women always making themselves available, especially when he had questions about math or post-graduation plans. “Jonathan Minix and I would bug Mich all the time about math tutoring and she always welcomed us with open arms, even when she had other things to tend to,” he said. The late Cheyenne Jumanah, another mentor who served as the Director of Multicultural Affairs
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while Gus was a student, helped him navigate college life inside and outside the classroom. “She was my college mom. This woman was heaven-sent. Now that I am older and wiser, I understand that her purpose in this world was far beyond what anyone can wrap their minds around. A lot of people take things like that for granted, but the individuals whose lives she touched are fully aware of her impact,” he said.
1. Jessus Khyrsis video shoot with Conway the Machine
2. Benny the Butcher at the video shoot for Rubber Bands & Weights at LaNovas 3. Dez Billups, Dr. Dre, and Slim Gus
4. Pinto Ron, Zander, Slim Gus, Diggs filming “We Are Bills Mafia” Part 1 5. Kids of Trelawny Jamaica As One Charity Camp
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He even credits classmate Ronald “Diggs” Dussett ‘09 with saving his life. It was Ron’s invitation to serve as a groomsman in his wedding that spurred Gus to a 100+ lb. weight loss in the year leading up to the nuptials. His journey to better health garnered him the nickname ‘Slim Gus,’ and his program the hashtag #ParkAndWalk716, documenting his 6 miles a day/6 days a week walks through all kinds of Buffalo weather. All these members of Gus’s Hilbert family and the experiences he had with them helped lead him to where he is today. That, and what he calls countless solo missions to use the DMAC video editing lab. Fast-forward to Gus making a leap in moving to Los Angeles for a position as Video Director at his brother’s restaurant, Comfort LA. “My friend Diggs and I drove 37 hours to LA in my pickup truck with a trailer hitched. We only stopped for gas and bathroom breaks,” Gus said. “Saying goodbye to my mother and little brother in the house that I grew up in literally brought me to tears. I was thinking, ‘Damn, I won’t be able to drive 10 minutes to visit them anymore.’” Being out West set him up for the break of a lifetime. 22
A friend connected Gus with Las Vegas Raider Darren Waller at a summer workout. Later, he was invited to film a music video for Darren involving sequences shot at the top of a mountain. “This was by far my wildest shoot. We climbed this insane mountain without any climbing gear to capture maybe 25 seconds of footage to close out the video,” Gus said. That footage was used in Julian Gooden’s NFL 360 piece “The Other Side,” featuring Waller and his comeback story. “I can’t think of any director that has had their music video footage used to elevate a powerful story, on a national level,” Gus said. “I have to thank Julian Gooden for that opportunity.” After the Waller piece, the NFL called on Gus again – this time to direct two ‘Bills Mafia’ features when the team had a shot at a Superbowl run. “I was honored to work on this project for my hometown team and I accepted this opportunity with no hesitation,” Gus said. He rearranged his schedule and assembled his own team, including Ronald Dussett. The two videos, WE ARE BILLS MAFIA and WE ARE BILLS MAFIA PT. 2,
are a love note to the city and the football team’s fans. What’s next for Slim Gus? More projects for the NFL, several music videos for recording artist Jimmy Hustle, and promotional videos for a new branded beverage. He has also taken up film photography to train his eye by leveraging the medium’s shot limitation. All while juggling the day-to-day contacts as Road Manager for national recording artist Marsha Ambrosius. Gus is busy making it big, but he has time to give this advice to Hilbert students: “Never let up, stay consistent, and trust your gut. Make magic with the tools and skills you have. The only way is up! #OneDream.” Follow Slim Gus on Instagram and YouTube: @iamslimgus Watch his NFL Bills Mafia features by searching “We Are Bills Mafia” on YouTube. Watch the Darren Waller NFL 360 feature by searching “Darren Waller: The Other Side.” 6. Dez, Nyla, Marsh Ambrosius, Slim Gus
7. Slim Gus, Ian Orlando, Mariah Robinson, and Diggs
On June 18, 2021, Hilbert alumna Cheri Leight ’06 was on hand at the North Park Theater in Buffalo for the premiere
Abbott Road in South Buffalo, NY. Frank looks forward to continuing his family’s tradition of service to all those in the WNY community. Rachel Kwiatkowski Liedkie ’13 and Paul Liedkie ’13 welcomed their first child, daughter Eliza Claire, on May 30, 2021. Paul received his MBA in Finance from Touro University Worldwide in 2020.
screening of her Pan-American Film Division group film “Mother’s Day.” Cheering her on at the event were Hilbert’s Dr. Don Vincent, Chris Gallant and Justin Sondel. Film Synopsis: “Mother’s Day is an honest portrait of mental illness based on the lived experience of the project’s writer and director. It follows a son, in one, uninterrupted shot, as he learns of lifechanging decisions his mother has made and his realization that he is the only one who might be able to save her from a potentially deadly setback.” Gregory J. Szarowicz, ’06, was appointed the Chief of Police in the Town of Evans. He has been with the Town of Evans Police Department since 2009. Initially, as a Patrolman, Szarowicz protected the streets of Evans, its property and people. He and his wife Carlyn Halsey Szarowicz ’09. Reside in Derby. Frank C. Castiglia ’12, eleven years after graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and completing his residency, has become a third generation Licensed Funeral Director for Castiglia Funeral Home, Inc. and Erie County Cremation Service. Frank is following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Frank and his father Charles have embarked on an extensive expansion and renovation at Castiglia Funeral Home, Inc., located at 873
Alumni Notes He is also involved with the Buffalo Chapter of the American Society of Public Administrators. Petrucci and his wife, Shannon, are the proud parents of four daughters. He attended Allegheny College where he earned degrees in Russian and International Studies. William S. Young ’16 has joined the Batavia Police Department.
Louis Petrucci ’15, and member of the Hilbert 2025 Advisory Council, was elected President of the Buffalo Public School Board of Education. Petrucci is a proud graduate of the Buffalo Public Schools and was sworn in as President of Board of Education on July 1, 2021. Petrucci earned his Master of Public Administration from Hilbert in 2015, when he received the St. Catherine Medal for student achievement – the highest honor given to graduate students at Hilbert. He was a member of Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, which exemplifies excellence in leadership, scholarship, faith, and service. He was selected the Dominique Thompson Memorial Alumnus of the Year in 2018. Petrucci works for the City of Buffalo, where he is presently serving as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Permit and Inspection Services. He has been active in a variety of groups and organizations. He is presently Co-Director of the Buffalo and Erie County Lead Safe Task Force and is the former Board President of Dog Ears Bookstore and Literary Arts Center. He has served on the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Advisory Board, the Erie County Parks Board, and was recently appointed to the Say Yes Operating Committee.
Tyler O’Neill ’18, “Phew, after nearly two decades of school, I am excited to announce that I will be joining M&T Bank this August as in-house counsel. I am excited to learn and grown in this role, and it is humbling to be starting my legal career in such a great position.” Tyler is a 2021 graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law. Caleb Nellis ‘18 It is with great news that I share that I will begin my dreams on the road starting February 8th. I go into the academy and then after start my field training to becoming a road deputy for the county sheriffs where I live. I can’t thank enough for Hilbert and all the professors I have that taught me everything that I know and will be useful in the academy and when I get on the road! Congratulations to our own Brandon Zicari ’20. He was recently hired by the Monroe County Crime Analysis Center as an analyst. Angelia (Lia) Johnson, ’21, was recently hired by the Chautauqua County, NY’s Sheriff’s Office. Congrats to Makenna Payton. The Hilbert College Class of 2021 graduate has been accepted to Graduate School at Canisius College in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She was also offered a position as a Hall Director at the college, which comes with many benefits. Makenna shared the news stating, “Hilbert has really helped me find my passion and make this all possible!” Makenna, an honors student at Hilbert, is very active on campus as a Student-Athlete, Peer Leader and Student Ambassador. 23
In Memoriam Carmen Anthony
convent on August 15, 1953 as a postulant
She was an avid movie watcher and
passed away
1958. Sister Carmeline received a Master’s
included snacks of Cheetos or ice cream
Notaro, Ph.D.
on January 25,
2021 following a long battle
with Parkinson’s
disease. A native of
Buffalo, NY, Carmen graduated from
Bishop Fallon High School in 1958, and earned a BA, cum laude, from Canisius College in 1962. In 1969, he received his doctorate in history from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He
became a published author, penning articles on such topics as Presidents Lincoln, Jackson and Polk.
and professed her final vows on July 19, degree in Education from Marygrove
College in Detroit, and later an A.AP.S
in Registered Nursing from Schoolcraft College in Livonia, MI.
For 33 years, Sister Carmeline
ministered in the field of education as
a teacher and/or school administrator. She served at schools in New York,
Massachusetts, Maryland and Alabama.
Following training, she was a registered nurse for ten years in Livonia, MI, and
Hamburg, NY. Carmeline is survived by her sisters in community, one cousin, and close friends.
Sister Mary
Dr. Notaro spent 23 years at Hilbert
Loretta
College (1966-1989), first as a history
Janiszewski,
instructor and finally as Executive Vice
FSSJ, died
President of Development. Following his time at Hilbert, Carmen and his
he served for five years as President of St. Gregory’s College. Carmen spent
the rest of his long career in higher education administration, teaching
and fundraising. Rose State College,
Seminole State College and the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum all benefitted from his wisdom and experience.
Carmen is survived by his wife Joanne, one son and one grandson.
Sister Mary
Carmeline Ryan,
FSSJ, passed away
on January 26, 2021, in her 85th year of
life and 66th year of religious life. She
was born Mary Ann Ryan in Detroit, MI. She entered the
24
cones.
Bernard Gerard Walsh, of LaGrange
Park, IL, passed away on February 20, 2021. A member of Hilbert College’s Criminal Justice faculty from 1996-
2013, Bernie also served as an assistant
coach to the baseball team and enjoyed the highlight of winning the NEAC
Championship in 2003. Walsh spent 25 years with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation as a Special Agent. His
work included Environmental Crimes
Coordinator, Drug Demand Reduction Coordinator and Primary Hostage
Negotiator. Bernie served as a military
police officer in Vietnam and Thailand, as well as stateside duty. He is survived by two daughters, Robin and Marie.
peacefully on
Patricia (Grimmer) Jenney of Boston,
2021, in the 93rd
her Associate Degree from Hilbert
February 3,
family moved to Shawnee, OK, where
Bingo player, especially if those activities
year of life and
74th year of religious life. Sister Loretta
was born on June 30, 1927 in Baltimore, MD. On August 15, 1945 she became
a postulant and on July 15, 1950 Sister Loretta professed her final vows. Sister Mary Loretta received her
Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Detroit, MI. For nearly
NY died on March 15, 2021. Pat earned College in 1981. She was a member of
the Boston Historical Society, the Boston Young at Heart Club, the past president of the WNY Herb Study Group and a
longtime 4H leader. Pat and her husband George Jenney, Jr. were married 66 years. She is predeceased by her
daughter Laura Jenney and survived by her son Mark and three grandchildren.
50 years, Sister Loretta served as an
Marcy (Messina) Jablonski of North
in Western New York, Michigan,
She was a 1973 Liberal Arts graduate of
educator to God’s youngest people Massachusetts and New Jersey.
When her teaching career ended, Sister Loretta transferred her many skills and gifts of compassion and kindness to
minister to the homebound and elderly in Trenton, NJ.
Collins, NY died on March 28, 2021.
Hilbert College and most recently served as a member of Hilbert’s 2025 Advisory
Council. She is survived by her husband
George, daughter Nicole, son Brian and two grandchildren.
Harry W. Armitage of Clarence, NY
died on May 22, 2021. Harry was the
son of the late Sheldon and Catherine
Sister Helen
Sister Mary
Associate Degree in Transportation
(formerly Sister
Nadolski, FSSJ
Dirig, FSSJ
(Treverton) Armitage. He received an
Bartholomew)
from Hilbert College in 1985. He was predeceased by his wife Rose Marie
and also by nieces and nephews.
Patricia (Garbacz) Mackey of Hamburg, NY died on June 27, 2021. Pat had a
deep love of animals and donated her
time and heart by fostering a service dog
died on July 27,
died on July
(Zirpola) Armitage. He is survived by two children, one grandson, three siblings
Benilda
2021 in the 99th
year of life and
13, 2021 in her 89 year of life
the 79th year of
th
and 60th year of religious life. In 1932,
religious life. She was born January 18,
Helen Martha Dirig was born in Hancock,
1922 in Westfield, MA. On August 22,
postulant, and on August 2, 1964 Sister
July 24, 1945 Sister Benilda professed
NY. On August 22, 1959 she became a Helen professed her final vows.
1940 she became a postulant, and on her final vows.
for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. She had
Sister Helen received a Bachelor’s
Sister Benilda received her Master’s
enjoyed sharing her photos with others.
University in Jamaica, NY and her RN
University in Olean, NY. For more than
an amazing talent for photography and One of Pat’s proudest moments was
when she earned her Associate degree
in Human Services from Hilbert College
in 1986. Pat is survived by a daughter, a son, and two grandchildren.
Sister Mary Telesphore
Wozniak, FSSJ died on July
11, 2021 in her 95th year of life and 77 year th
degree in Nursing from St. John
from St. Mary’s Hospital School of
Nursing in Brooklyn, NY, where she subsequently served as a nurse for
several years. For over 22 years, 19651978 and 1981-1991, Sister Helen
served as a missionary in Rio Verde,
Goias, Brazil. Her final years of active
ministry were offered as a volunteer in the library and development office of
Immaculata Academy in Hamburg, NY before joining her Sisters in the Care Community in 2015.
degree in English at St. Bonaventure 60 years, including 25 as a school
administrator, Sister Benilda served as an educator to God’s people in New
York state, Wisconson, Connecticut and Massachusetts. She joined her Sisters
in the Care Community in Hamburg in 2013.
Sister Benilda’s inspiration came from
Jesus’ words, “Be not afraid” and the life and words of Mother Colette Hilbert, especially, “In all things charity.”
of religious life.
Sister Telesphore was born in 1925 in Buffalo, NY. On January 5, 1943 she became a postulant and on July 12,
1947, Sister Telesphore professed her final vows.
Sister Mary Telesphore received
her Master in Education degree at
Marygrove College in Detroit, MI. For the next 45 years, she offered her services as an educator. She spent her final years of active ministry as an assistant in ministry, helping her sisters in the infirmary and
as a driver and sacristan in Hamburg, NY. Sister Telesphore joined her Sisters in
the Care Community in 2012 to serve in the ministry of prayer and presence.
25
We NeedYour Help Hilbert College is pleased to announce the formation of the 125th/65th (FSSJ and Hilbert College) Advisory Committee, the Hilbert Track & Field Complex Campaign Planning Committee and the True Blue Alumni 2022 Advisory Committee. These newly created advisory committees will provide College leadership and staff with support and expertise in the planning and execution of each of the three projects and initiatives. We are pleased to extend invitations to current and past members of the Hilbert Board of Trustees, Hilbert 2025 Advisory Council, Hilbert Alumni Association Board and all Hilbert alumni who wish to serve. Please contact Kathleen Christy at kchristy@hilbert.edu or 716.926.8960 to volunteer your time and talents! Committees will begin to meet in September.
125th/65th (FSSJ & Hilbert College) Advisory Committee The fall of 2022 will be a very special time for our founding order, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph (FSSJ) and the Hilbert College community. This committee will assist in the development, planning and execution of all recognition celebrations, events and activities as the College community prepares to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the founding of the FSSJ and the 65th Anniversary of Hilbert College. These planning activities will culminate in a period of celebration and events that will take place in September 2022. 26
HilbertTrack & Field Complex True Blue Campaign Planning Committee Alumni Weekend2022 In October 2020, the Hilbert College Board of Trustees approved moving forward to design and build a new artificial turf Track & Field Complex that would open in late summer/early Fall 2023. The College has retained a planning and design firm, and the Trustees approved the design and proposed cost in May 2021. As Hilbert leadership moves forward with this important project, this committee will assist in the key discussions, planning and assistance needed to engage the community and help support a successful fundraising effort. Committee members will serve as ambassadors of the College in support of this important project that will impact the growth of our athletic programs and future student enrollment.
Hilbert College looks forward to True Blue Alumni Weekend, June 10-12, 2022. It will be our first on campus alumni reunion weekend in several years. This event will celebrate those anniversary years ending in 0, 1 or 2 as well as all Hilbert alumni. Committee members will provide leadership and support in the planning of all the events that will take place during the weekend, including Athletic Hall of Fame inductions, San Damiano awards and other Alumni Award celebrations.
heart of
ireland tour
Hosted by DR. MICHAEL BROPHY, PRESIDENT OF HILBERT COLLEGE & MRS. TARA BROPHY
JULY 30 - AUGUST 6, 2022 TOUR INCLUDES: • Full Irish Breakfast (except on day of arrival) • Four hotel dinners • Scenic Touring of the Dingle Peninsula and the Connemara Region • Visits include: • Connemara Marble Factory • Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone • Celtic Crystal Factory • EPIC Irish Emigration Museum • Cliffs of Moher • Guinness Storehouse HOTELS: • GALWAY (2 Nights - Imperial Hotel) • KILLARNEY (2 Nights - Killarney Towers Hotel) • KILLINEY (2 Nights - Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel)
SERVICES PROVIDED BY CELTIC TOURS WORLD VACATIONS Contact Jeanne Orenstein at Celtic Tours 800.833.4373 jeanneo@celtictours.com
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE
HILBERT COLLEGE
GI ING
DAY 2021 ◆
RAISED
$51,791 NUMBER OF DONORS
227
27
HILBERT COLLEGE
5200 South Park Avenue | Hamburg, NY 14075
save the date HILBertfallfestival 2022 October 2 True ALUMNI GAMES STUDENT GAMES DEDICATION OF THE FSSJ FIELDS
Blue Alumni
Weekend JUNE 10-12, 2022
CHECK SOCIAL media FOR MORE DETAILS SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, October 16 Saturday, November 13 10:00AM – 1:30PM FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT HILBERT.EDU 28
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