King's College Alumni Magazine 2022 Issue

KING’S

FROM THE DESK OF FATHER LOONEY

Cherish is a wonderful word. Its very sound echoes its meaning—to treat with affection, to hold dear. In singing the alma mater, it’s hard for me to hit the right note at this word; it’s a high note, and I strain to reach it. Yet, I strive every time for I truly cherish King’s, its mission, and its people, and I want everyone to know it.

This edition of King’s Magazine is filled with stories of men and women who both cherish and are cherished by King’s. The articles speak to celebrations of our history, present mission, and hopes for the future. Many of the stories portray the “grit” that marks the character of our community. It’s hard not to cherish people who give their all, overcome difficult circumstances, and reach out a helping hand to others. It’s hard not to cherish King’s, for grit has marked us from the start and enables us to overcome present challenges.

Founded for the sons of coal miners, King’s just celebrated its Diamond Anniversary. For 75 years, Father Connerton’s signature description of the King’s mission—King’s teaches its students not only how to make a living, but how to live—has echoed through the halls of our beloved college. We hear it in the lives of the alumni whose stories of success and generosity to King’s are highlighted in this edition. We hear it in the lives of present faculty and staff whose deep commitment to student learning and health are presented here. We hear it in the lives of our students whose commitments to academic success, athletics, and the arts are brought to life in these pages.

And we hear it in the call to so cherish King’s that we long for its mission to continue well into the future. We hear it echoed in the launch of our comprehensive campaign Send Us Forth and its four pillars: in “Every Monarch, Every Day,” as we seek to provide unrestricted resources to respond to students’ immediate needs; in “A Founding Promise,” as we seek to provide enhanced scholarship support to our students; in “Campus as Connector,” as we seek to create and renovate spaces for dynamic student engagement with staff and faculty; and in “Forever Holy Cross,” as we seek to ensure students the opportunities to have not only their minds but also their hearts transformed by their engagement in our community.

As you read these inspiring stories about what our mission has been accomplishing these past 75 years, and what we hope to accomplish in the future, I trust that you will cherish King’s for what we have already done for more than 20,000 alumni and will continue to do as we teach students not only how to make a living, but how to live. Help us to hit the high note in singing the “glories of the school we cherish.”

“We’re forever loyal, ever proud to sing, the glories of the school we cherish, hail to Christ the King.”

KING’S

CREATIVE TEAM

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Frederick Pettit, Esq. ’96

Editor in Chief Wendy Hinton

Managing Editor and Copyeditor

Brandi George Davis ’12

Alumni Editor

Elizabeth Doherty ‘18

Faculty Editor

Michael Little, Ph.D.

Creative Director & Designer

Carol Simonovich Scholl

Faculty & Staff Contributors

Beth Admiraal, Ph.D.

Brandi George Davis ’12 Wendy Hinton

Michael Little, Ph.D.

Alumni Contributors

Samantha Olson Chencharik ’12 Michael Q. Ecker ’22 Denis Mulroony ’96 Sarah Scinto ’13 Scarlett Spager ’22

Student Contributors

Hannah Lisowski ’24

Photography

Coyle Studios

Eyedesign Studios

Joshua Ulanoski

Knot Just Any Day

Todd Hiller Photography

HOW TO REACH US

King’s Magazine is published by the Office of College Marketing and Communications for King’s College alumni and friends. We welcome your feedback and story suggestions by emailing news@kings.edu.

ON THE COVER

King’s College celebrates Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., as the institution’s new president.

Installation of Christ the King statue, October 18, 1956

Leading a Community of Hope

Wendy Hinton, Executive Director of College Marketing and Communications

Heeding the Call

Wendy Hinton, Executive Director of College Marketing and Communications

Name It For Ned

Denis Mulroony ’96

King’s College Honors Kearney & Company Gift and Naming

Wendy Hinton, Executive Director of College Marketing and Communications

Making a Monarch Legacy

Brandi George Davis ’12, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations

The Spirit of Rehabilitation

Brandi George Davis ’12, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations

Transforming My Mind and Heart

Hannah Lisowski ’24

Defying Death, Odds, and Expectations

Michael Q. Ecker ’22

Trading Monarchs

Michael Q. Ecker

The Diamond Jubilee

It Was Written in the Stars

Brandi George Davis ’12, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations

Reconsidering Student Anxiety

Michael Little, Ph.D.,

Associate Professor of English

Crisis in Ukraine Animates Model

Class

Beth Admiraal, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science

The Power of the King’s College Community through the Pandemic’s Upheaval Samantha Olson Chencharik ’12

Where Else But King’s?

Scarlett Spager ’22, Class President

King’s College Honors 2021 and 2022 Alumni Award Winners

Brandi George Davis ’12, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations

Homecoming and Reunion

Celebrations Return in 2021

Elizabeth Doherty ‘18, Associate Director of Alumni Engagement

Back in the Game

Brandi George Davis ’12, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations

We’re Forever Loyal, Ever Proud to Sing

Sarah Scinto ’13

Bringing Zeal to King’s College Bernard Prusak, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy

Class Notes

Memoriam

Leading a COMMUNITY

HOP

KING’S INAUGURATES REV. THOMAS P. LOONEY, C.S.C., PH.D., AS TENTH PRESIDENT

By Wendy Hinton, Executive Director of College Marketing and Communications

Connerton. Lane. Flood. Benaglia. Kilburn. Sherrer. Lackenmier. O’Hara. Ryan. These are the names of the nine Holy Cross priests who have led King’s College since its founding in 1946. A stroll down the hall of the first floor of the College’s Administration Building reveals an oil portrait of each of these men in a gilded frame, their serious poses belying what a significant task they performed as president and how revered each one is in the institution’s collective history.

And now, we add a new name to that list: Looney.

It rained all day on Friday, May 6, 2022—the occasion of the inauguration of Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., as the tenth president of King’s College—but the soggy weather did not dampen the spirits of the King’s community. In fact, the weather had not cooperated that week for the events leading up to the inauguration, with chilly winds affecting an outdoor student celebration of Father Looney two days prior. But spirits were still high, speeches made, gifts presented, and pizza consumed.

After more than two years of stress and worry due to the pandemic, finally reaching the inauguration seemed like a bright spot and moment of forward progress. Those at King’s were determined to usher in a new era together and celebrate a “Community of Hope” under our new leader.

Father Looney is a humble man. He insisted that the inauguration focus less on him and more on the King’s community as a whole. But it could not be ignored that the inauguration of a new president is, in fact, a great deal about the person who bears the chain of office. The festivities successfully captured the importance of the occasion while still honoring Father Looney’s wishes that our community have a significant place in the narrative as history was made.

Hosted in the William S. Scandlon Physical Education Center, the ceremony’s impressive procession numbered in the hundreds: student representatives from every club and organization, alumni representatives from every decade since the College’s founding, delegates from colleges and universities across the country, faculty, staff, administration, members of the board of directors, and honored dignitaries.

Greetings were given from representatives of our civic and academic communities, alumni, students, faculty and staff, as well as the Congregation of Holy Cross.

Michelle Asha Cooper, Ph.D., the Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education and Deputy Assistant for Higher Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education, served as the keynote speaker. Dr. Cooper oversees the Department’s work to support and strengthen the capacity of colleges and universities to promote innovation and improvement for students and broaden the attainment of global competencies that drive the economic success and competitiveness of the nation. Dr. Cooper credits King’s with launching her career in higher education, as she worked in the Office of Multicultural and International Affairs for several years.

In her address, Dr. Cooper acknowledged that Father Looney is “taking up the mantle of leadership at a challenging moment,” as students and families continue to navigate the hurdles associated with the pandemic. Despite the losses that so many have experienced, she talked about the excitement that students held for returning to in-person instruction and how King’s has kept its commitment to its mission even through these difficult times.

“Father Looney, you have been called to serve at this moment in history, because you have the capacity to meet it,” Dr. Cooper said. She commented on Father Looney’s ability to guide and lead with wisdom, drawing on his 30 years of service to the King’s community.

Dr. Cooper continued, “We are very fortunate to have a leader who personifies servant leadership, who leads with conviction and humility, and who embodies the values in service of justice that unite the Holy Cross Community here in Luzerne County and worldwide.”

In his inaugural address, Father Looney centered his remarks around the enduring King’s mission, and how the College has honored its founding promise to educate students who are the first person in their families to pursue a degree. He recalled how he recently attended a ceremony for this year’s first-generation graduates, and how the students selflessly shifted focus away from their singular accomplishments but towards the community that helped them reach their goals.

“Our students transformed a ceremony honoring them into a ceremony honoring their parents and members of the King’s community,” he said. “[They] spoke of their love and support that enabled them to complete their college degree, one step in their

1. Holy Cross priests and brothers celebrate Father Looney at Inauguration Mass held on Thursday, May 5, at the Chapel of Christ the King. 2. Ray Kane ’50 and Jim O’Hara ’58 carry the banner for the classes of 1950s during the inauguration procession on Friday, May 6.

3. Keynote speaker Michelle Asha Cooper, Ph.D., and Father Looney. 4. Ruthly Cadestin ’14 and Dafne Paramo de la Rosa ’16 carry the banner for the classes of 2010s.

5. The College’s eighth president Rev. Thomas J. O’Hara ’71, C.S.C., Ph.D., with Father Looney and seventh president Rev. James R. Lackenmier, C.S.C. 6. Father Looney with his family. 7. Father Looney with family at the Inauguration ceremony.

“I believe that King’s College is not merely a human work, but God’s very own, and in that conviction, I find amazing hope.”

– Father Looney

The Inauguration Stage Party, front row, from left: Very Rev. William M. Lies, C.S.C., Ph.D., Provincial Superior; keynote speaker Michelle Asha Cooper, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Education; Thomas R. Smith ’77, Chair of the Board of Directors; Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., King’s College’s tenth president; Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton; Sister Mary Persico, I.H.M., Ed.D., President of Marywood University; and The Honorable George C. Brown ’97, Mayor of the City of Wilkes-Barre. Second row, from left: Neal R. Bukeavich, Ph.D., ’94, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Faculty, and Associate Professor of English; Margarita M. Rose, Ph.D., Professor of Economics; Joseph Evan, Ph.D. ’95, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Joel J. Shuman, Ph.D., Professor of Theology; Rev. Thomas J. O’Hara ’71, C.S.C., Ph.D., King’s College’s eighth president; Rev. James R. Lackenmier, C.S.C., King’s College’s seventh president; Rev. Brogan C. Ryan, C.S.C., Director of Campus Ministry and College Chaplain; Kathleen McCarthy Lambert, C.P.A. ’83, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors; and Christian Hernandez ’23, President of Student Government Association.

hope-filled plans for their lives. These students embodied what King’s was founded to be and remains: a community of hope.”

Father Looney credits his life of service to his upbringing, addressing his family who were present in the audience saying, “Words cannot express how grateful I am to you, especially to you dad, and to mom, who intercedes for us all from heaven, for setting me on the right path in life, to be a person of faith, integrity, hard work and dedication. I learned all of this at home, my vocation to religious life and priesthood is as much my mother and father’s as it is mine.”

Near the end of his address, Father Looney spoke of how King’s as a Catholic institution of higher learning is called upon.

“I believe that King’s College is not merely a human work, but God’s very own, and in that conviction, I find amazing hope,” he continued. “So, let us be about this noble mission of transforming minds and hearts with zeal in this community of hope. And let us rely on our namesake Christ the King, who taught by example and ruled by love, to lead King’s forward to an even greater future.”

King’s College is entering a new era with Father Looney at the helm. Many years from now, when his oil portrait is hanging next to Father Ryan’s, the College will have been forever shaped by the contributions he made in the past thirty years and beyond. It is a time to look forward to the College’s next 75 years with a shared vision for our community of hope. n

Read Father Looney’s profile at kings.edu/inauguration

HEEDING THE CALL

By Wendy Hinton, Executive Director of College Marketing and Communications

In the life of every institution of higher learning, there will be a need to raise funds that support students in a multitude of ways: tuition assistance, experiential learning, and improvements to campus facilities. In 2017, King’s College embarked on a comprehensive campaign, nameless at that time, but not without goals for the institution in mind.

continued

page 12

In its early years, a fundraising campaign is said to be in its quiet phase; however, the dollars raised from our generous donors assisted us in ways that have been seen and heard all over campus.

This June, King’s enthusiastically launched the public phase of its very ambitious comprehensive fundraising campaign, themed Send Us Forth: The Campaign for King’s College, which seeks to move the College forward into a new era.

“This phase of the campaign begins at a pivotal moment in our institution’s evolution,” said King’s College President Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D. “It seeks to call our community to action in support of initiatives that will benefit every King’s student. Looking toward our future, now is a critical time to strengthen our resources for the next generation of Monarchs.”

The goal of the campaign is to raise $50 million over the next several years, and the work is already well underway. To date, the College has raised more than $30 million towards its overall goal. These funds have already benefitted the King’s community in tangible ways, such as the renovation of the Chapel of Christ the King at the George and Giovita Maffei Family Commons, the Mulligan Center for Engineering, and the Richard Abbas Alley Center for Health Sciences.

Chaired by two dedicated alumni who also serve on the College’s Board of Directors, Timothy J. Morris ’64 and David A.

Schankweiler ’81, the campaign calls on alumni, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and friends to engage in this multiyear project in multiple ways—as donors, volunteers, stewards, and cheerleaders for the cause.

“I believe in the value proposition that King’s offers. I experienced it firsthand,” Schankweiler said on his reason for remaining so involved with King’s over the years. “I am an active alum because of what King’s did for me, and I want that same process to play out for current and future students.”

“Almost forty years later those memories are still fresh for me,” he continued. “King’s has held true to its mission of serving young people over that time span. Whatever I can do to help that mission continue, I am all in.”

A Comprehensive Campaign

You might be wondering, “what is a comprehensive campaign, anyway?” You may have heard the term “capital campaign” used in fundraising before, and King’s has engaged in successful ones in the past. Over the years, fundraising campaigns have supported building and renovation projects like the Charles E. & Mary Parente Life Sciences Center, William G. McGowan School of Business, the Mulligan Physical Science Center, or the renovated McCarthy Stadium at Betlzer Athletic Complex.

Campaign Co-Chairs: David A. Schankweiler ’81 and Timothy J. Morris ’64

Looking toward OUR FUTURE, now is a critical time to strengthen our resources for the NEXT GENERATION OF MONARCHS.

But this is an era that calls for something broader and more inclusive—a way to help guarantee the health of King’s for future generations of Monarchs through a variety of initiatives integrated into a single fundraising effort. To accomplish this goal, Send Us Forth centers on four pillars of strength that reflect the institution’s priorities in the coming years.

PRIORITY ONE: EVERY MONARCH. EVERY DAY.

As a small, mission-based institution that is tuition dependent, King’s has a student body that is largely made up of individuals from working-class families. To ensure that every student has the opportunity to attend King’s and to give them the best possible experience, this priority seeks support for the KC Fund, with an unrestricted designation that directs gifts towards the areas of greatest need where they can be put to immediate use.

PRIORITY TWO: A FOUNDING PROMISE.

The second priority directly supports scholarships at King’s. No student should ever be turned away from receiving a King’s education because of their inability to pay. Help for students comes in the form of tuition scholarships, experiential scholarships, and immediateneeds assistance through the Presidential Hope Fund.

PRIORITY THREE: CAMPUS AS CONNECTOR.

The third priority focuses on raising support for physical spaces that will improve the student experience. Dollars raised so far in the campaign have gone to support specific capital projects such as the Chapel of Christ the King at the George and Giovita Maffei Family Commons and the former Times Leader Building, which will soon become home to the College’s first doctoral program, the Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.

PRIORITY FOUR: FOREVER HOLY CROSS.

Our final priority calls for support for programs that allow us to remain steadfast in our commitment to our Holy Cross values. Gifts made in support of this priority will be designated towards opportunities for service work that is fundamental to our Catholic and Holy Cross identity. Campaign investments will support Campus Ministry, SERVE trips, and opportunities to engage directly with the local community.

Schankweiler is ready to heed the call to action.

“This campaign is vitally important to King’s College’s future,” he said. “To continue to carry out the mission, to provide top academic and experiential opportunities, and to carry the Holy Cross message into the world through our graduates is extremely important. We need financial support to continue this good work. It has played out for so many of us graduates. It is time to give back and make it possible for others to experience the King’s tradition.” n

MISSION MATTERS AT KING’S COLLEGE. Our Holy Cross values bind us and distinguish us as a college and as a community.

NED NAME IT FOR

King’s Renames Wrestling Facility in Honor of Long-Serving Coach Ned McGinley

By Denis Mulroony ’96

This year, King’s College remodeled and dedicated the wrestling room as the “Ned McGinley Wrestling Facility” in honor of the long and storied career of our legendary coach. All told, through 48 seasons, Ned led the Monarchs to 455 dual meet wins and coached 45 Division III National Tournament qualifiers, 20 MAC champions, 18 NCAA Division III All-Americans, and six NCAA Division III National finalists.

And I was not one of them.

I wrestled for two seasons under Ned, getting the wrestling itch again (not that wrestling itch) during my sophomore year at King’s. I was fortunate enough to earn the varsity spot at 167 pounds that first season and then at 158 as a senior after losing my junior year to a torn ACL (thanks to flag football at Kirby Park!). If you looked up the word “competitive” or “adequate” in the dictionary (Google didn’t exist in 1996), you’d find a picture of a gangly and slightly emaciated Denis Mulroony with the definition: “guy who won slightly more matches than he lost.”

We were a successful team during my time at King’s, and I had teammates that were significantly more gifted than I was who achieved great feats under Ned’s tutelage (see Tony Fabri ’94, Dennis Morgan ’98, Kevin Lesoine ’98). However, none of that mattered

Facing page: Rev. Thomas P. Looney,C.S.C., Ph.D., President of King’s College; Cheryl Ish, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation; Coach Ned McGinley; Josh Roosa, Head Wrestling Coach; and Eric Swank ’89; at the dedication of the Ned McGinley Wrestling Facility on September 18, 2021.

to Ned. I showed up, made weight (barely), worked hard, and, as the most level-headed driver in the group, drove the team van back on long road trips whenever called upon. That was enough for him. Ned treated me like he treated everyone else: with fairness, kindness, and an affable frankness that made you want to work hard to make him proud.

I graduated from King’s in 1996, armed with amazing friends, an English degree, a teaching certificate, and the desire to follow in Ned’s footsteps as a wrestling coach. Over twenty-six years, as a teacher, coach, principal, husband, and father, I am often reminded of my time with Ned and have always put a priority on relationships, laughter, loyalty, and dedication.

To this day, Coach is an avid Facebook-er and uses the platform to stay in touch with people from his past and continue to encourage, support, and congratulate. Using his typical Irish wit and heart, he reminded me that I “outkicked my coverage” when I got married, wished me luck on various new positions at work, and teased me that my “daughters look beautiful, no thanks to [my] genes.”

When Ned coached his last match in 2017, I made the trip up to

Wilkes-Barre with an old teammate, Duke Lazowski ’97, to support our old coach and friend. Despite a (suitably) substantial crowd and the magnitude of the evening, Ned greeted us both like we were his special guests, taking the time to have a long and nostalgic conversation about our families and our time together at King’s. We told stories about cutting weight and big wins and laughed at embarrassing moments. It felt like it was 1996 again. And that’s the secret of Ned’s success. Not that he was a gifted wrestler, or an amazing coach, or a talented teacher (he was all those things), but rather that he knows the importance of listening and connecting and caring, that hard work pays off beyond wins and losses, that other people matter more than yourself. On his night, like he did every day of his career, Ned wanted to make us feel important and special.

I suppose this is just one example of the connections I made at King’s College. On the mat, in the classroom, at the dining hall or chapel, professors/coaches/staff knew who you were and genuinely cared about you. Doors were open (and stayed open) for genuine, life-long relationships. n

Denis Mulroony, DLitt., is a graduate of the Class of 1996. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English, received a master’s in School Leadership from NJCU in 2006, and a doctorate in Writing from Drew University in 2012. Denis is the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools in New Jersey. He does not weigh 158 pounds anymore. Not even close.

Above: Duke Lazowski ’97, Coach Ned McGinley, and Denis Mulroony ’96 at Ned’s final match at King’s College in 2017.

King’s College Honors Kearney & Company Gift and Naming

By Wendy Hinton, Executive Director of College Marketing and Communications

In September 2020, King’s College announced that in recognition of a $1,000,000 commitment from Ed Kearney ’74, his wife, Anne, and his business, Kearney & Company, it was naming the College’s well-respected Accounting Department as the Kearney & Company Department of Accounting. Due to the pandemic, the College was unable to publicly celebrate and recognize the Kearney gift in person at that time. On May 11, 2021, the College welcomed the Kearneys to campus to celebrate this extraordinary gift, which supports King’s and its students in the William G. McGowan School of Business in several impactful ways.

The celebration was attended by Ed and Anne Kearney and their son, Brian; then King’s College President Rev. John Ryan, C.S.C., Ph.D.; President Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D.; employees of Kearney & Company; members of King’s senior administration; students, faculty, and staff from the William G. McGowan School of Business; and recipients of the Kearney & Company Scholarship, Hannah Marvin ’22 and Kyle Mlodzienski ’23, both of whom received full tuition scholarships. Mlodzienski also earned a summer internship with Kearney & Company this year.

A native of Dallas, Pa., Kearney is the President and CEO of Kearney & Company, a Virginia-based certified public accounting firm that focuses exclusively on the federal government, providing an array of services across the financial management spectrum.

Kearney offered remarks during the presentation that highlighted his journey from his beginnings at King’s to his successful leadership and expansion of his firm.

“I’m not sure I should have been here,” he said. “I was a much better carpenter than I was an accountant, and certainly a much better carpenter than I was a student. But nonetheless, everybody here was patient enough with me to help along my way and help me grow. That’s what gave rise to me wanting to do something to pay back the school for what it’s done for us.”

Longtime partners, Kearney & Company annually recruits King’s students for internships and jobs following graduation. In addition to his service on the King’s Board of Directors since 2017, Kearney also gives back to his alma mater through his involvement with current students. He truly understands that the networking experiences students have with alumni can be invaluable as they pursue careers in the financial industry. n

Above: Brian Kearney; Rev. John Ryan, C.S.C., Ph.D.; Ed Kearney; Anne Kearney; Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D.; Barry Williams, J.D., M.T., M.B.A., C.P.A., Dean of the William J. McGowan School of Business; and Tara Shawver, D.B.A., Department Chair and Professor of Accounting.

Making a Monarch Legacy

By Brandi George Davis ’12, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations

For any college-bound student, scholarships are usually a significant factor in their final selection of where they will spend the next four years of their life. As the cost of attending college rises, for many this financial assistance is the only way they can pursue their degree.

Commonly, scholarships are designed in two ways: to help reduce financial stress based on need or to support those with excellent academic achievement. In both cases, they provide access to opportunity and highquality education. It is through donations from caring alumni and friends that scholarships are created, awarded, and cherished, and the College carefully stewards those dollars to ensure they are maximized for positive student growth.

King’s College is fortunate to have an incredibly generous community and strong scholarship endowment to make a four-year degree possible for hundreds of individuals every year. With a mission rooted in educating first-generation college students and nurturing both the mind and the heart, these funds allow students to not only complete their degree without additional financial burden but also pursue internships, study abroad, or participate in service trips. And in the last five years alone, the College has created nearly 40 new endowed scholarships, each with unique commissions, while continuing to raise dollars that increase the value of existing scholarships.

The Rev. Patrick J. Sullivan, C.S.C., Scholarship was established in 2008 by alumni and friends of Father Sullivan to honor his years of mentorship, friendship, and service to King’s College. “Sully” is one of the beloved Holy Cross priests who worked at King’s for many years, and this fund in his name has already benefitted more than 15 students since its inception. Many King’s alumni, especially loyal Monarchs who graduated in the 1960s, have come together to collectively support King’s students by generously donating.

“Hope is central to the ethos of Holy Cross and King’s,” said Timothy J. Morris ’64, member of the King’s College Board of Directors and a leading supporter of the Father Sullivan Scholarship. “As Father Pat used to say, hope is faith. Providing scholarship support to students who want to better themselves through the King’s experience gives hope to those students.”

Other scholarships, like the one sponsored by the Brittany Devin Heaney Foundation, are established in memory of those lost but who have made a substantial impact at King’s College or in their community. Brittany graduated in 2012 with her degree in criminal justice and psychology and earned her juris doctorate from St. John’s University four years later. Having served as the Assistant District Attorney in the Special Victims Bureau in Kings County, she fought tirelessly on behalf of sexual assault survivors until her untimely passing at the age of 30.

Her foundation was formed to help professionals who work with survivors of sexual assault by providing emotional, educational, financial, and technical support, and the scholarship at King’s will assist future criminal justice majors with financial need.

“Brittany lived a life of service that helped so many,” said Shannon LaDuca, one of Brittany’s two sisters. “The Foundation is proud to have endowed the Brittany Devin Heaney Scholarship at King’s College to continue her legacy by providing financial support to students pursuing careers aiding those victimized by sexual assault or other crimes.”

For experiential learning support, the Joseph D. Lepore ’60 Study Abroad Scholarship was established in 2019 by his wife, Teresa, his daughter, Maria, and his son, John, in

honor of their patriarch, who spent his career in local schools teaching French and sponsoring study abroad trips to France. The family created this scholarship to assist students seeking similar experiences but requiring financial support.

John and Maria reflected on their father’s deep passion for teaching foreign languages and his impact in giving high school and college students new insights into the world beyond their communities.

“With our mom, Teresa, we were delighted to establish this scholarship in honor of Dad’s vision,” they said. “So that future generations of King’s students could share his passion for using the study of foreign language to expand their horizons.”

Preference is given to those studying the French language, and the first recipient last year, Victoria Rosario ’22, was able to travel to Cannes, France for the semester. While abroad, she traveled Europe extensively, visiting Santorini and Athens in Greece, Monte Carlo in Monaco, and had the opportunity to visit with family in Paris. After returning, she graduated with a dual degree in French and criminal justice.

“During my time abroad, I became friends with the two other girls in my program and honestly, I am so grateful to have met them and experienced Europe together,” Rosario said. “The three of us ended up becoming best friends (almost like sisters) because we lived together, had classes together, traveled together, and sometimes even argued like sisters. We traveled to four different countries in Europe and made amazing memories throughout our three and a half months abroad. I never expected to make lifelong friends during study abroad, but I did, and I am so thankful to have met Alyssa and Chelyann.”

Finances should never prevent a student from attending King’s College. Unfortunately, this is often the case, particularly for those who need King’s most. Coupled with our student success-centered model, these scholarships are life changing, and our founding promise is to make King’s College a reality for more hard-working students who need support. In doing so, we know the world will be in better hands having molded graduates in the names of Father Sullivan, Brittany Heaney, Joe Lepore, and countless other Monarchs who make our institution strong and proud. n

Coupled with our student success-centered model, these scholarships are life changing, and our founding promise is to make King’s College a reality for more hard-working students who need support.

Presidential HOPE FUND

I sincerely owe being able to finish my education and start my happiest life to the gift I received from the Presidential Hope Fund.

[hope] to mentor a student who received the same gift I did and show them what potential awaits them.

Brennan

dollars awarded

have been

with tuition or

grants

awards were made

The Spirit of

Rehabilitation

By Brandi George Davis ’12, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations

Ask almost any graduate or long-time employee, and they will tell you there’s a real spirit to the King’s College campus. Perhaps it’s the ethos of the community-driven mission or maybe just a romantic notion for college days of yore. Or maybe it’s the campus itself.

King’s College—bound by its urban and residential edge—has always deftly navigated campus planning within such a tight footprint. From its early days on Northampton Street to the momentous move to the Administration Building and its subsequent expansion north, the College’s campus has become a well-loved patchwork of past and present.

Reserving large, new construction for influential expansion projects like O’Hara Hall and the Auxiliary Gym, the College has purposely chosen to invest in neighborhood rehabilitation through adaptive reuse projects. Whether it is renovating downtown structures like the former Spring Brook Water Supply Co. facility on North Franklin Street into a new engineering center, the Memorial Presbyterian Church at the crest of North Street into the new Chapel, or even the treasured haunt for decades of alumni, the S&W Restaurant, into the new campus bookstore, King’s is equally committed to campus improvements that are spirited, sustainable, and meet student demand.

And this year, King’s will embark on one of its most impressive renovations to date: converting the 25,000-square-foot former Times Leader Building on North Main Street into a state-of-the-art hub of teaching and learning for the health sciences. Coinciding with the project, the College announced in April the launch of its first doctoral program in the institution’s 75-year history, the Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, which will be housed in the building when it launches in 2024.

At the program’s announcement event, King’s College President Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., remarked, “It takes great vision and collaboration for a space to be transformed from the daily work of researching, writing, and printing the stories that shaped the lives of the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania to the daily work of researching, writing, and publishing so that doctoral students will be empowered to bring healing and hope to the lives of people here and beyond.”

How fitting that occupational therapy and the building’s renovation are both a work of rehabilitation, coming together in one project to create a new academic center for in-demand training of future rehabilitators of the body, mind, and spirit.

The College purchased the mostly vacant Times Leader Building in February 2018 and with careful planning and study, determined

there was considerable opportunity in creating additional space for health science programs. Located directly across the street, the new building will work in close coordination with the Richard Abbas Alley Center for Health Sciences, which opened in 2014 after its renovation from its former function as a Ramada hotel. The Center currently houses the College’s competitive physician assistant, nursing, exercise science, athletic training, and nutrition science programs as well as the primary on-campus residential resource for health sciences students. Together, the two buildings will serve as one of the largest dynamic living-learning communities for health sciences in the region.

The anticipated $8 million renovation will also have a great impact on the College’s neighbors. In addition to bringing more students, faculty, and staff downtown, an economic impact study estimates the renovation itself will generate over $11.3 million and 63 jobs during construction and nearly 40 permanent jobs both at the College and downtown after construction. And overall, the project is estimated to produce an annual economic impact exceeding $9.5 million, infusing the city and surrounding community with talent, energy, and capital.

The former Times Leader Building is a great addition to the patchwork, as are the two new residential buildings purchased on North Franklin Street this year, completing operational ownership of the entire block that bisects campus.

King’s College looks forward to the next chapter of growth and transition—and building on the last eight years of building investment totaling $44 million. In an era when institutions face fierce competition in enrolling students, breathing new life into campus and downtown Wilkes-Barre is of critical importance for not only recruiting the next generation of Monarchs but also enriching and preserving the architectural history of a coalmining town.

Throughout its seven decades of evolution, King’s has remained a memorable place in large part due to its approach to measured but consistent stewardship. Some of the College’s most loved spaces are those that celebrate their former life by bringing people together to experience them anew, and this stewardship can be tied directly to the College’s foundation that educates both in mind and heart.

As King’s restores the structures around campus, so too do they build a strong foundation from which students can learn by example to honor the past, think critically about the future, and replenish their community in the present—the true spirit of what it means to be a Monarch. n

Transforming My Mind and Heart

By Hannah Lisowski ’24

Growing up, my family and I always attended Mass. I volunteered at my local church often, but my relationship with God was never as strong as I would have liked it to be. My brother Robert—being 11 years older—graduated high school when I was only in third grade. Although there was a large gap in age, there was never a gap in our strong bond, held together by family ideals and a yearning to have God present in our lives.

Robert worked for our local parish, altar serving, teaching catechism, and volunteering whenever he could. He graduated from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and minors in Classics and psychology. From there, he entered the seminary, began studies for the Congregation of Holy Cross, and then earned his Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame.

Since I could remember, he wanted to become a priest. I realized, looking back, I never asked why because I didn’t understand what it truly meant. I never wondered what he was studying, why he was studying it, or how his studies were going to shape him as a person. Once I visited Notre Dame for his ordinations, I felt a spark in my spiritual self that I never felt before and finally understood why he was called to be a priest.

He is Father Lisowski to you but still just my brother “Robbie” to me. For all of us, he is God’s messenger to the Church, and in an even more particular way, he is my personal messenger, awakening me to God’s presence and call in my own life.

The people he has mentored while a rector in one of the undergraduate residence halls shared how much they admired his qualities: intelligence, passion, deep faith, and dedication. It quickly became clear to me, though, that these qualities and ministries were not only present in my brother but were hallmarks in each priest and religious brother in the community ordained that weekend—the same qualities that I have found in the Holy Cross community at King’s College.

The Congregation of Holy Cross fulfilled the call that my brother heard, and not only has it impacted his life but also mine; after all, it brought me to King’s—the best experience of my life thus far. Like many other students, this time allowed me to explore my faith through theological questions, asking where God might be leading me all while trying to seek God in every activity, conversation, and journey in which I partake.

Studying Christian social ethics with Father Dan Issing was particularly transformative and helped me realize my passion for serving others more vulnerable than myself. I have had the privilege of attending SERVE trips through the Shoval Center, which allow us not only to serve those in need but also encounter our own need and inner poverty and reveal the

Facing page: Hannah Lisowski ’24 and her brother, Rev. Robert Lisowski, C.S.C., at the University of Notre Dame during the 2022 ordination.

The Congregation

of Holy Cross

fulfilled the call that my brother heard, and not only has it impacted his life, but also mine; after all, it brought me to King’s.

Left: Elaina Freeze ’22, Rachel Richard ’23, and Hannah volunteering at André House in Arizona this past May.

Above: Hannah and her brother at his ordination in April 2021 at the University of Notre Dame.

vulnerable side of all involved. Faculty leaders bring their passion for serving others to their students and those served humbly allow us to journey with them, hear their stories, and share our own in the process.

When I started college during a pandemic, it was clear that students, including myself, were struggling to hold onto our faith. I have had the privilege of watching both myself and my peers regain their confidence in Christ through the ever-helping hand of our Campus Ministry team.

Those who have come to know King’s College know that Campus Ministry is a safe space for us all as they also provide students who are not Catholic an opportunity to become a part of Holy Cross traditions. Through theology classes, service opportunities, and oncampus ministry events, no one is excluded. Everyone encounters the Cross through the hope it provides, teaching us to envision a world better than our own as Father Moreau, the founder of the Congregation, wanted. My friend Julia Freund, a sophomore who is not herself Catholic, attends Campus Ministry programming often and has come to believe wholeheartedly “the Congregation of Holy Cross is a symbol of community and compassion for all.”

Campus Ministry has also given me some of my best friends and memories. Being mentored by and working with Father Brogan Ryan and observing his passion for ministry has been the ultimate gift for me this year. Our priests and faculty have created this blessed and comforting environment centered around our beautiful Chapel of Christ the King. Having access to the Chapel to pray and worship has been an indispensable outlet in a sea of daily struggles and triumphs.

God blessed me with an older brother who is the good in the world—a light on the hill. And it is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self that I can undoubtedly say the Holy Cross of King’s College has offered me zeal in a community of hope and aided in the transformation of my mind and heart.

With its service-oriented mission, this incredible institution has shown me that I can be a small change in such a crazy world, and no matter how small the change, by responding to the call of Jesus and imitating his example, I, too, can change another person’s life for the better. n

Hannah Lisowski will be starting her third year this fall as a biology major with a minor in theology. She serves as the president of the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC), assistant editor of The Crown, women’s ministry coordinator, and intern of the About Face Opioid De-Stigmatization Campaign. She is a member of the Biology Club and Catholic Relief Services Club. A native of Old Forge, Pa., she plans to pursue a career in medicine after graduation.

Social Media HIGHLIGHTS

Sending Us Forth 100 June 25, 2022

King’s College launches their $50 million comprehensive campaign focused around four key priorities that will support current and future Monarchs.

Alum Receives 24th Tony Nomination 224 May 9, 2022

Wilkes-Barre native and four-time Tony Award winner Santo Loquasto ’66 earns another Tony nom for Best Costume Design of a Musical with his work on the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!

Taylor Swift said it best: “like the colors in autumn, so bright, just before they lose it all.” Nothing beats the fall in Northeastern Pennsylvania!

New Nurses Pinned 163 May 16, 2022

The Nursing Department holds its first on-campus pinning ceremony honoring five graduates in the RN to BSN program.

Women Placekickers Make History 966 Oct. 21, 2021

Freshmen Delaney Hilferty and Alyssa Accordino make history as the first pair of women placekickers to score points in an NCAA football game. They are featured on NBC’s Nightly News with Lester Holt.

Homecoming/Reunion Returns 614 September 18, 2021

Our first big celebration since the start of the pandemic. Happy Homecoming, Monarchs!

Bringing the Mayor’s Cup to 600 North River Street Nov. 13, 2021

This year, the Monarchs defeat Wilkes in the annual Mayor’s Cup!

Father Looney’s First Day 721 as President July 1, 2021

Congratulations to Fr. Looney as he begins his new ministry as the College’s tenth president. His official inauguration is May 6, 2022.

Defying Death, Odds, and Expectations

By Michael Q. Ecker ’22

Vanessa Camille ’22 should not be alive today. In addition to complications at birth, she has come within spitting distance of death on three separate occasions: grazed by a bullet while walking home from school, her car totaled by a drunk driver, and concussed falling out of a cheerleading stunt.

Even in those instances where she hasn’t seen her life flash before her eyes, Vanessa’s story is one most acquainted with hardship. From being born in Haiti during political upheaval to navigating the public school system as a nonEnglish-speaking immigrant, Vanessa has overcome the most insurmountable of odds and is surely destined for great things—destined for more additions to an already incredible story—and King’s College has so proudly played just one part.

The epic of Vanessa Camille began in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where she was born and experienced the first fight for her life. Doctors warned it was either her life or her mother’s. In a theme that would see her well into adulthood, Vanessa defied expectations with both mother and child healthy upon delivery.

Vanessa was a profoundly advanced child, reading and writing by her third birthday. Life in Haiti was just what it should have been for a budding child like Vanessa—until it wasn’t.

By the time political unrest began to seriously mount, Vanessa’s parents had divorced but agreed on one thing: their girls’ safety.

At age seven, Vanessa, her sister, and mother immigrated to the United States, settling in a Brooklyn neighborhood rich with a Haitian population extending their homes and resources to newly settled families. While they shared a culture, language, and identity, these commonalities and congenial spirit ended at their homes’ thresholds as the New York public school system presented a garish awakening for immigrants like Vanessa.

Assuming her inability to comprehend their lessons presented in English was an inability to keep up, her educators suggested remediation. She was pulled out of the classroom and taught the same material at a slower pace but still in a language she didn’t know. Because they didn’t ask, they didn’t realize she already spoke three and that 1,500 miles away she was a prodigy.

The odds stacked against her, Vanessa managed to keep up anyway. While looking down at an outdated history text or staring blankly at a phonics workbook was a waste of time, there was one academic language that was immutable: math.

She eventually caught the attention of her teachers and for her efforts was awarded a “most improved” sticker. Vanessa still has this

sticker and emphasized the importance of recognition in the classroom.

“A lot of the time, it felt like efforts weren’t being put into us because we just got here,” she said. “But it should be the exact opposite; we need the most help.”

As a Black female immigrant, she noticed the immense lack of her own representation in her new reality.

“You don’t become aware of your Blackness until somebody points it out to you,” she said.

Vanessa remembers her mother giving her and her sister two steadfast rules when leaving the house: don’t wear hoodies and don’t interact with the police—a frightening set of tasks for two girls under ten who were waking up at 5:30 a.m. and taking two busses then a train to sit in a class they couldn’t understand.

Vanessa learned the language as time passed and saw her success in the classroom compound thereafter. The Camille family re-settled in Southern Pennsylvania as Vanessa entered high school, but here too she was chastised—this time, by her peers.

Vanessa remembers being called “show-off” and “fraud” regarding her willingness to participate in class, which continually proved to be an unsafe space. As graduation neared, she looked forward to her next educational pursuit. However exciting, Vanessa wasn’t expecting much. In every other instance, school was a place in which she felt othered and unappreciated.

Her interests and academic excellence pointed her in the direction of medicine, and it wasn’t long until she found King’s College by way of its accelerated physician assistant program. She planned to charge through her studies as efficiently as possible and certainly wasn’t going to waste time falling for the trappings of a mission that hawked “transformation.”

But as it has for so many, time revealed the King’s and Holy Cross experience to be far more than a marketing ploy; instead, it was an investment in her success. It was her educators at King’s that told her she had the vast potential to pursue medical school.

A new direction set, Vanessa heeded their call of unadulterated faith and support and became a biology major with a minor in neurology. She particularly credits the College’s focus on liberal arts education for her vast post-secondary transformation.

“I’m not going to lie,” she said. “I really thought the whole ‘small liberal arts education’ was just a bunch of words. But it really changed my entire life.”

It was namely an Honors course with Professor Matthew Eaton, Ph.D., that led her to declare an additional ethics minor.

continued

“I think God keeps calling me, and I’m just not picking up the phone.”

“I was being asked to think about what motivates people, and in doing so, I thought the same thing about myself, what motivates me,” she said. “And it was then that I knew I needed to help people in the capacity of doctor.”

After entertaining a variety of offers, Vanessa will be attending Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina, none of which, she said, would have been possible if not for the education she received from King’s College.

Vanessa’s story could be summarized by many words, but easy would not be one. Whether a complicated birth, stray bullet, car crash, or concussion, Vanessa’s story would prove to many a good set of reasons to live a cautious life.

But Vanessa has never really considered herself part of the many. She instead used each of these unimaginable instances—and each in between—as the markers of the redirection she needed: it was the stray bullet that moved her family out of New York, the car

crash that gave her a path to medical school, the concussion that made her realize just how precious life is—especially hers.

Vanessa has a reason to be here, and we cannot wait to see what she does next. n

Michael Q. Ecker is a graduate of the Class of 2022. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing with minors in history and political science and served as senior class treasurer and assistant editor of The Crown. A native of Quakake, Pa., Michael will move to Manhattan this fall to pursue a focused legal education in entertainment at the Cardozo School of Law.

By Michael Q. Ecker

College brings about an exciting time for young adults: often a first real sense of independence, the opportunity to forge a new identity, and a chance to meet new people much different from yourself. College provides a unique space where you can come to really know people with different backgrounds and who often come from all over the country—sometimes even the world.

Each year, King’s College hosts a select group of students on exchange for the full academic term. This year, two female students from Ireland, Dearbhla McAllister and Jenny Wilson, came to King’s from Queen’s University in Belfast. Trading in one monarch for another, both Dearbhla and Jenny made a big leap in signing themselves up for a full year abroad, but as they would tell you themselves, their experiences in America—and specifically at King’s—have been nothing short of wonderful.

“Since a very young age, I wanted to spend an extended period here and really live the American experience,” said Dearbhla. “When I heard of the StudyUSA scholarship, I jumped at the chance.”

The scholarship search is a comprehensive one, with a particularly long application that includes essay responses, screening processes, and an interview stage. Around sixty students from the north of Ireland are chosen for the cohort and are then placed around the United States accordingly.

Both Dearbhla and Jenny are studying business administration and management at King’s. Dearbhla received her law degree from Queen’s last year, and Jenny has one more year of undergraduate studies once she returns to Ireland before she does the same. Both describe their education at King’s as having a much more personal feel.

“Studying in the States is so different than studying in Ireland,” said Jenny. “The work here is continuous with much more teacherstudent interaction. At home, I often only had two assessments for each class I took and had very little one-on-one interaction with my lecturers,” she exclaimed.

Nodding, Dearbhla was quick to chime in adding, “Yes, I really didn’t even know their names back home!” She clarified that at Queen’s, there could be as many as 120 students in a single lecture—something incredibly different than the academic experience they encountered here.

But their enjoyment didn’t end in the classroom—in fact, it was only just beginning there. Just as openly as they felt King’s embraced them, they too embraced King’s. Dearbhla and Jenny quickly became involved on campus in prominent groups like student government and the cheerleading squad. The pair could also often be spotted attending many campus events.

“Everyone is so welcoming here. And I really could not speak more highly of the international student services team. I really do feel like King’s is a second home for me at this point,” Dearbhla said

only to be followed overlapping by Jenny, “It really shocked me how welcoming everyone has been. I can definitely feel the sense of community that everyone talks about here. From the international students’ team, to my classmates, and even my professors, there wasn’t a moment that I didn’t feel welcomed and included.”

Dearbhla and Jenny have been able to live the American experience to the fullest, too, via Wilkes-Barre’s convenient proximity to the major cities of the east coast like Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C., and Boston. They were sure to get everything they could out of the time they had stateside.

Over the winter recess, Dearbhla and Jenny returned home, but contrary to their expectations, they recount becoming quite homesick for the friends they made in Wilkes-Barre.

Within their time in the United States and at King’s, they have come to know a little bit more about both another culture and their own, formed impressionable personal relationships with their educators, and established friendships that are more closely aligned as family: exactly everything the college experience should be. n

Above: Irish exchange students Dearbhla McAllister and Jenny Wilson in O’Connor Park.

40s

1945: Rev. James Connerton, C.S.C., arrives in Wilkes-Barre to start a Catholic college in the anthracite coal region.

1946: Classes begin for the first semester

Diamond Jubilee

This past year, King’s College celebrated 75 years of educating individuals both in mind and heart. It is amazing to reflect on the last seven decades and how the institution has grown and will continue to make a difference for our students and community. Last October, the College held an outdoor ceremony with students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members in Monarch Court, featuring live music from Cantores Christi Regis choir, food, games, and fellowship. King’s President Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., shared remarks alongside student representatives, elected officials, and alumni, including Ray Kane ‘50, an alumnus from the College’s first graduating class. In March of this year, a special exhibition was presented in the Widmann Art Gallery, taking visitors on a journey through Monarch history. To permanently commemorate the anniversary, a historical timeline was developed and will continue to be nurtured and refined as the College evolves. Enjoy the full experience at kings.edu/timeline.

50s

1950: The inaugural graduating class includes 255 students.

1952: King’s officially moves into what is now known as the Administration Building.

1953: King’s College acquires Marian Apartments later known as Hafey-Marian Hall.

24-foot “Christ the King” statue is installed on top of the Administration Building.

60s

1965: Ground is broken on Holy Cross Hall.

1968: Scandlon Gymnasium is dedicated.

1969: Corgan Library opens.

1969: The radio station WRKC is established.

70s

1970: King’s College opens enrollment to women. Nancy Fairchild ’74 is the first woman to register.

1971: The new Thomas A. Sheehy Student Center is dedicated.

1972: Flooding from Tropical Storm Agnes devastates the Wyoming Valley.

Rev. John J. Lane, C.S.C.

Rev. George P. Benaglia, C.S.C.

Rev. James Connerton, C.S.C.

Rev. Leo F. Flood, C.S.C.

Rev. Lane D. Kilburn, C.S.C.

80s

The Leo the

the Class of

Paul’s

90s

1991: King’s offers its first master’s degrees.

The William G. McGowan

of Business building is dedicated.

The Charles E. and Mary Parente Life Sciences Center is added to campus.

President Bill Clinton visits King’s College.

00s

10s

Christ

George

Commons

King

Giovita

North

Rev.

Rev.

Rev.

Rev.

It Was Written in the Stars

By Brandi George Davis ’12, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations

Ann wanted to be an astronaut. And, as fate would later have it, she’d spend three decades working for NASA, and all because of King’s College.

“Houston, we’ve had a problem.”

Today, the words are ubiquitous, but for some, they still hold significant meaning.

Apollo 13 was only two and a half days into its mission when disaster struck. An explosion crippled the spacecraft, and the three astronauts on board lost access to water, power, and their oxygen stores. Worse yet, the three of them had to fit themselves into the lunar module that was only meant for two. For days, the country’s attention was fixated as their goal shifted from landing on the moon to survival.

From her home in Nanticoke, Pa., a four-year-old Ann Jenkins sat crosslegged on the carpet in front of her television set. It hadn’t even been a year since she sat there to watch Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. Now, she patiently waited to see what would become of the astronauts as they worked with controllers in Houston to return to Earth on April 17, 1970.

Ann was growing up in the most exciting era of the space program, and, as a young girl, she was captivated by the incident. Communications had blacked out just as the ship was re-entering the atmosphere. When their voices were finally heard again and the capsule splashed down in the South Pacific, Ann jumped up with so much energy, she slipped on the rug and split open her chin. Even still, she refused to go to the hospital until she saw the astronauts were okay.

After a tense hour watching swimmers secure the capsule, the three astronauts finally emerged. Only then did Ann and her mother drive to the hospital for stitches in what she fondly calls her “Apollo 13 scar.”

Ann wanted to be an astronaut. And, as fate would later have it, she’d spend three decades working for NASA, and all because of King’s College.

King’s College Launches Ann’s Career

Ann’s vision of being an astronaut remained strong until high school when she fell in love with words. Beginning to flourish as a creative writer, Ann was also involved on the speech and debate team and participated in the Greater Nanticoke Area High School TV Station providing daily announcements to students and faculty.

“I envisioned myself as a TV reporter or producer,” she said. “And I even had this fanciful notion that maybe I could be an MTV video producer. It was the early 1980s, and MTV was just bursting onto the scene.”

Whatever she did, she added, she believed studying communications could take her somewhere interesting and fun—she just never realized how interesting her journey would be.

Inspired by her uncles who had attended King’s College, Ann followed in their footsteps. It had the program she was interested in, it had a great reputation, and it offered her the best deal: a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

“Receiving that scholarship changed my life,” Ann said. “I would not have been able to go to college without it.”

Ann joined the Honors Program and double-majored in English and mass communications with a minor in marketing. Like many students, she developed close relationships with faculty and staff who helped her succeed. One of which was English professor and Honors Program

director Dr. Edmund Napieralski who pushed her to get into the Washington Center for a semester internship with CNN.

“The internship was wonderful,” she recalled. “CNN was a young network in 1986 and was downtown on Massachusetts Avenue right in the thick of things. They just had their claim to fame as the only network to cover the Challenger launch live, and therefore the only ones to capture the horrific explosion.”

Returning to King’s for the last semester of her senior year, Ann wrapped up her studies with her sights set. She worked closely with Dr. Tony Mussari, head of the Mass Communications program, honing her skills and focusing on what she wanted to do after graduation: move back to D.C. and attend the University of Maryland for her master’s in journalism. She credits both Dr. Mussari and Dr. Napieralski with helping her get there, and, yet again, with a full-tuition fellowship.

“God bless them both; I can’t say enough how much they changed my life,” Ann said.

It Was Like it Was Always Meant to Be

Ann’s time at UMD was markedly different from her years at King’s. Looking back, she understands the impact of her undergraduate experience.

“King’s is so warm and welcoming,” she added. “People care about you and take a personal interest in your career. I didn’t fully appreciate this until after I graduated.”

In 1988, after her first year of graduate studies, Ann realized that despite her fellowship, she wouldn’t make it living in the area on her stipend. Figuring she’d work for a PR firm or a TV station, she headed to the UMD Journalism job bulletin board.

Among the listings: Writer, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

With her dreams of being an astronaut all but evaporated, Ann hadn’t even realized a NASA Center was only two miles from her apartment. She immediately sent in her resume and just as quickly found out she got the job.

“I know luck favors the prepared, but I am so grateful for the opportunities I was given, and it all started at King’s. If I didn’t get the scholarship or the internship, I never would have found my way to NASA.”

Ann started working at NASA for EnviroNET—in the fledgling days of the internet. Here, data about the Space Shuttle environment were stored, including information about the electromagnetic radiation the shuttle traveled through and the effects cosmic rays had on it. For several years, she balanced her studies with assignments writing technical engineering documents until eventually graduating and joining the Hubble Telescope program full-time in January 1994.

“This was a crazy time right after the December 1993 mission that fixed the Hubble Telescope,” Ann recalled.

Like others, she wasn’t sure if this mission would be successful, and it was a big gamble to join Hubble while the new optics were still being checked out. But, as luck would favor her again, the gamble paid off.

Ann spent the next 14-and-a-half years working exclusively on Hubble, shifting her writing to public-facing projects, such as researching and publicizing “technological spinoffs” and writing press releases for NASA’s Office of Public Affairs. But after fourteen years as resident writer, she knew the program was soon to be retired and she needed to be prepared for the next chapter. Writing about Hubble gave her extraordinary opportunities and other projects did not captivate her in the same way.

“I’ve seen five Space Shuttle launches from Kennedy Space Center and three times after caught the next flight to Houston to work in Johnson Space Center’s Mission Control,” she said. “Still, I couldn’t imagine remaining at NASA and working on anything else other than Hubble.”

An opportunity opened at the Space Telescope Science Institution (STScI), a partner organization in Baltimore, Md., that performs the science operations for several NASA missions, including Hubble. Having collaborated with STScI in her own work, Ann knew she could continue working on Hubble while also having more job security. She jumped and left NASA in July 2008.

As opposed to working with engineers, Ann was now working with scientists. In her new role, she worked in the Office of Public Outreach writing press releases, stories about scientific projects, and the annual Hubble Highlights book that featured the most interesting stories to come out of that year’s data. Today, she continues her work as Principal Science Writer, now also producing social media and website content and gearing up for NASA’s latest program: the James Webb Space Telescope, which launched December 25, 2021.

“The Webb launch was the best Christmas present I could ever have,” Ann exclaimed.

The telescope has now moved into position about a million miles from Earth—about four times farther than the Moon—and is continually collecting data. As opposed to Hubble—which sees ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light—Webb detects infrared light, or heat, farther into the electromagnetic spectrum. Its vision pierces through dust and gas, revealing some of the farthest and earliest galaxies, stars, and objects in the universe for the first time ever.

In July, NASA released a preview of Webb’s impressive work from its first seven months in orbit: four stunning images of nebulas and galaxies, as well as the signatures of water, clouds, and haze on a distant exoplanet. Ann was part of a small, core team that first saw the Webb images and worked on the press package that revealed them to the world.

“It’s still hard for me to believe that after years of preparation, Webb is finally exploring the universe!” Ann said. “But it is, and I’m so grateful to be a part of this historic time. Stay tuned—the best from Webb is yet to come!”

How Space Tech Came Down to Earth

Ann’s dream—although different from her childhood—is an amazing feat that has left a lasting impact both professionally and personally.

In her early days on Hubble, Ann was writing an article about special charge coupled devices (CCDs), light-collecting instruments that would be installed on the telescope in a future mission. Ann’s piece about “space tech coming down to Earth” detailed how, prior to that mission, medical professionals found an alternate use for these special Hubble CCDs in mammography, where they would allow for more precise needle biopsies.

Her team produced a corresponding video, filmed at UMD Medical Center, where Ann stood in as the patient model for the machine’s demonstration. How could she know then that two decades later in 2017, she herself would be diagnosed with breast cancer?

“It turned out that the same technology I wrote about in 1994 was used for my biopsy,” Ann remarked.

This July marks five years since her diagnosis, and her next chapter as cancer free.

Looking ahead, Ann is excited for the world to see what will follow now that Webb has released its first scientific images. Although not an engineer or astronomer herself, Ann’s knowledge and understanding of NASA’s telescope programs and data is remarkable. Her energy and passion for space and the work STScI is doing today is palpable, as if she were still the four-year-old sitting on her living room floor.

“Without a doubt, King’s College changed the trajectory of my life,” Ann said. “Those who go to King’s should realize how lucky they are. For anyone thinking about going there, it’s a wonderful opportunity that can expand your horizons.” n

Left: Astronaut Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman, Ann Jenkins, Utah Senator Jake Garn, and Astronaut Bruce McCandless II at Hercules Aerospace in Utah in 1995.

Above: Ann proudly displays her Monarch pride in her office at STSci.

Right: Ann as a technical writer at McDonnell Douglas in 1992.

Reconsidering Student Anxiety

By Michael Little, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English

For a few years now, even before COVID-19, I have been noting what seemed to be a significant and widespread shift in student mental health. Students seemed to be growing more sensitive, more isolated, and less engaged.

I began discussing this with my colleagues and they shared similar observations, not just in student behavior but in students’ increasing willingness to express their concerns, many of which are versions of anxiety: social anxiety, test anxiety, and even generalized anxiety. And now it’s becoming clear that this is not a localized trend, as professors around the country identify similar behavior from one campus to the next.

The extreme impact of COVID-19 on how college classes are taught has been noted as a powerful negative influence on students’ academic attention: a recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education explores student disengagement around the country; a New York Times editorial by Jonathan Malesic, a former theology professor at King’s, argues that COVID-19 policies meant to give students freedom in a difficult time have the unintended consequence of setting them adrift.

But this loses sight of something else at work, something that has been building for many years at this point. Even before the novel coronavirus, in 2015, Jan Hoffman noted that, in a study of 100,000 students, more than half of the students who visited campus health clinics mentioned anxiety as their concern. Another study at the time by the American College Health Association found that 1 in 6 students had been diagnosed with anxiety or treated for anxiety in the previous twelve months.

At King’s, anecdotal observations by me and my colleagues are confirmed by professionals with greater insights into student mental health: Sheri Yech, Director of the Academic Skills Center at King’s, notes an increase in the volume of students reporting to Academic Skills, the Counseling Center, and teachers that “they feel anxious, depressed, or have other mental health concerns.”

The core question, it seems to me, is simply why? Why are these numbers increasing, and how can we understand the struggles our students may be facing more clearly?

Tina Arendash, Director of the Counseling Center at King’s says, “There are a multitude of reasons for why we are seeing these trends.”

One is encouraging: the stigma against mental health concerns is fading, which means more people are willing to acknowledge and announce their concerns rather than keeping them secret out of a sense of shame.

But other reasons compel our attention. Both Yech and Arendash point to social media as a profoundly negative influence on mental health. For example, both point to the debilitating spiral of selfdoubt that comes from immersing yourself in—and comparing yourself to—the endless stream of social media pictures and comments that glamorize fabulous lives and enviable fitness.

Yech suggests that “feeling inferior” is almost unavoidable, and Arendash sees this as a driver of “disordered eating as well as body image concerns—our young adults are constantly stuck in unhealthy comparisons.” Arendash also points out that the isolation of social media environments has taken away students’ coping skills, skills that can best—and perhaps only—be developed through negotiating face-to-face social situations.

It may also be that students don’t fully understand their own discomfort. Arendash cites a list of traumatic experiences our students have witnessed: “Issues related to the pandemic, social and racial injustice, sexual assault experiences, exposure to violence, gender and sexual orientation discrimination, major world and political events, food insecurity, and homelessness.”

The peculiarity of social media bubbles is that students are often so immersed that they have no perspective—they receive a virtual bombardment of traumatic news in pitched terms and have limited options for balancing that with other news or placing it in a larger context. When all you hear is traumatic news, the world understandably looks like a catastrophically traumatic place. Combine that with underdeveloped coping mechanisms, and the key, at least as I see it, is that students respond to these traumas in ways that they themselves cannot and do not comprehend. They feel something, very real and very unpleasant, and they call it anxiety when it may actually be a response to trauma.

“Often symptoms of trauma can seem and feel like anxiety to our students,” Arendash says, “and they mislabel what is actually a trauma reaction as ‘anxiety’.”

When our students lack practice in social interaction, they struggle to develop not just social skills but the very understanding of what they feel when they feel social discomfort. They struggle to develop their sense of interoception.

According to Jennifer Dessoye, Director of the Occupational Therapy program at King’s, interoception is one of our senses, like taste or sight, and is the sense that helps us understand how our

body feels. When we’re hungry, for example, we feel it. When we’re thirsty, we feel something different. Interoception is the sense that distinguishes those feelings and helps us interpret their meaning and how we need to respond.

We all find the psychological onslaught of social and cultural traumas to be difficult to endure, but perhaps our students find the difficulty to be literally impossible to process because their sense of interoception is underdeveloped and they have no understanding of what they’re feeling. And the closest they can come may be what they call “anxiety,” a term that encompasses a range of discomforts and is their best attempt to label it.

In the end, our students are the products of their environment—as are we all. And their environment has done them a tragic disservice.

“The instant gratification culture also makes it hard for students to sit with difficult emotions,” says Arendash. “Just because we are feeling anxious doesn’t always mean we have anxiety—that is, a diagnosable anxiety disorder. Some level of anxiety, or sadness, or frustration, can be very normal, and for many of us, these feelings pass or dissipate when we know how to problem solve or cope.”

Perhaps for many of our students, they simply have no training in how to problem solve or cope. And perhaps it may help many of us educators who are trying to understand our students to heed the words of Miranda Virone, occupational therapist and Director of Clinical Education at Carlow University: “We don’t know which of our students are impacted by trauma. Would it not be wise to interact with all students using a trauma-informed approach?”

There is still a lot to unpack on this topic, which is of growing interest to academics, mental health practitioners, and educators in classrooms from the elementary to secondary levels. As I continue to explore this topic and talk to professionals and students alike, I hope to follow up with more notes on how we might better meet our students where they are. n

Michael Little, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of English and Chair of the English Department. He earned his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in 2004 and has taught American literature, professional writing and business writing at King’s since 2005.

“the isolation of social media environments has taken away students’ coping skills, skills that can best—and perhaps only— be developed through negotiating face-to-face social situations.”

Crisis in Ukraine Animates Model UN Class

By Beth Admiraal, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science

On the first day of class this spring, before I could even hand out the syllabus, one of the students said, “Hey, Doc.” He calls all his professors “Doc,” which relieves him of having to remember any of our names, but he asked a serious question: “Do you think Russia will invade Ukraine?”

I write about Russia, have spent time there, and pretend to still be fluent in Russian, so I should know the answer, right?

“They’ll never invade,” I responded. “It’s all a bluff.”

This class, Politics of the United Nations, is unique in that the material is structured around the National Model United Nations competition that takes place every year in New York City. King’s College has participated in the conference every April since I first proposed the class seventeen years ago.

Structured as a mix of traditional lecture, discussion, and workshops, the course often involves a back-and-forth, so I threw the question back at the students, some of whom were less convinced than me. We took a poll, and the split was pretty even on whether Russia would invade by February 15. Russia, of

course, did invade, but not for a week and a half past my made-up deadline, which didn’t feel like much of a win on my part.

The invasion took me by surprise, even though there was massive Russian troop buildup along the Ukrainian border. I started studying Russia and the Russian language back in the mid1990s, with the Cold War firmly in the rearview mirror and the burgeoning of a prosperous democracy in Russia. My work focused specifically on the role of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in Russian identity.

At first blush, this might not appear to position me well for understanding the Russian government’s military strategy. However, it’s often said that “Russia is Orthodox and Orthodox is Russian,” and church and state have a long and storied relationship in Russia, often involving Ukraine in some fashion. In 2008, I published a chapter in a book on religion in Russia in which I noted that there was an imperialist element to the way Putin utilized religion, writing that “closely identifying ‘Orthodoxy’ and ‘Russian’ can justify control over the regions around Russia, particularly Ukraine and Belarus.”

Since 2014, Russia has been supporting rebels in the eastern regions of Ukraine with the ROC playing a central role in

First row, from left: Students Jonathan Shaw, Samantha Kulman, Ivy Vazquez, Marissa Jason, Ian Edler Von Lerch, Avery Mastrandrea, Michael Caravaggio. Second row, left to right: Christian Hernandez, Shelby Carr, Keila Escalante, Darius Bermudez Viccica, Issa Dahdal, Devn Thomas, and Aidan Temple.

justifying—both politically and culturally—the need for Russia’s control and laying the foundation for Putin to capitalize on this intertwining of nation and religion. None of this compelled me to predict an imminent invasion.

I might also have been wise to remember when, months after Crimea’s annexation in 2014, I was in Finland presenting a paper and after which traveled with colleagues to St. Petersburg for more dialogue with Russian scholars. At the border, most of us were quickly ushered into the country by the guards, but there was an apparent “issue” with two Ukrainian scholars in our van. They were escorted into a small booth and questioned repeatedly for hours while the rest of us bit our fingernails. In the end, they were not permitted entry because of “visa problems” and were forced to wait at the border crossing for someone to pick them up. It was a sign of the mounting animosity of the Russian security apparatus against Ukraine, a precursor for what was to come, which I failed to summon from my memory. Despite this incident, by my reckoning—and in the view of many scholars— Russia was decisively Western, nearly European, in orientation, generally committed to international law and territorial integrity, with Crimea a rare exception.

On that first day of class, after conducting our initial poll and reviewing the typical “this is what we’re gonna do this semester” material, I asked the students to start paying attention to the role of France in the increasingly tense situation in Ukraine.

Why this country, in particular? For this year’s Model UN, we’d been given our most impressive assignment to date: we would be representing France, whose permanent position on the Security Council gives it standing our students hadn’t experienced before. I asked them to pay particular attention to how the Ukraine crisis might affect their diplomatic efforts as representatives of France on their assigned committee. We talked about the crisis during nearly every discussion and

workshop, developing strategies for how it might affect topics ranging from climate change to migration. In late February, a journalist from one of the local newspapers joined our class to listen to our discussion about France, the UN, and the crisis before publishing an article about our efforts.

To do our job well at the conference, we needed to get to know France—its history, politics, culture. One cultural aspect rose to the surface quite often: France prides itself as being a secular nation with a clear distinction between church and state but has had its own challenges reconciling its generally cooperative posture in the UN with its desire to maintain sovereignty over its secularization policies. This tension has played out in its decision to ban Muslim headscarves in public, for example.

Conversely in Russia, religion is an important part of political life and, pertinent to our class’s discussions, the invasion of Ukraine has presented the ROC with opportunities to show off its commitment to Putin’s initiatives, even those with such heart-wrenching consequences. The mutually dependent relationship between church and state in Russia, which is so unlike the situation in France, has been a critical piece of the invasion.

I recently wrote an editorial for a journal, for which I have served as co-editor for several years, outlining the religious dimensions of the crisis and introducing the articles that were included in the issue— some written by Ukrainian scholars who have since been forced to flee their cities—with a call for solidarity. Our journal’s readership is not wide, and our impact is likely not significant, but words matter, and if around the world there is a collective outcry against the invasion, it will matter.

My students experienced this lesson first-hand as they modeled the work of diplomats at the conference, negotiating with around 4,000 other students from around the world over a period of five days. As I watched them, I was reminded how important this class is and how it has made a difference for students in the two decades I’ve taught it. Some have gone on to work at the United Nations and in Washington D.C. Another was so motivated by the experience, he stayed active in the class as an outside consultant and recently established a fund at the College towards putting this program on solid financial footing.

Our students frequently win awards for their position papers and performance, and this year was no different: the King’s College delegation won a Distinguished Delegation Award, affirmation of their collective work to address issues of global concern through peaceful diplomacy and good will. Yet, the ongoing crisis in Ukraine is just one more reminder that collaboration, mutual respect, and peaceful negotiations are not yet acknowledged by all states, and so the good work of this class and the UN remains unfinished. n

Elsabeth (Beth) Admiraal, Ph.D., is chair of the Political Science Department at King’s College and co-editor of Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe. She earned her doctorate in 2004 from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. She lives with her family in Forty Fort, Pa.

THE POWER OF THE KING’S COLLEGE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC’S UPHEAVAL

By Samantha Olson Chencharik ’12

W

hen we look back on important events, we often recall with vivid detail what we were doing at the exact moment we received the news. In early March 2020, Joann Kosik ’86, the Director of the Student Health Center at King’s College, remembers she was, ironically, at an infectious disease conference. While there, she began the first of many meetings attempting to unravel the rapidly spreading disease that had made its way to the United States and would soon make an imminent and profound impact on the students’ lives. When she returned, the campus closed within

days—along with thousands of other colleges and universities across the country. Kosik recalls, “At that point in time, there was so little known about COVID-19 and significant concern about safety.” The pandemic was one of those events powerful enough to leave us with an indelible memory from the impact it made on so many for years to come. How King’s College handled the pandemic was a test of extraordinary diligence and tact—one that we can reflect on with admiration for all that was accomplished through such uncertainty.

The Campus Comes Together: It Takes a Village

In the decade Kosik has worked as the Student Health Center’s director, she never saw the level of vast uncertainty that a disease could catalyze. As a physician assistant and King’s College alumna herself, she hit the ground running for her community. She turned her office up the hill on North Street into a triage facility with a system based on necessity and know-how. By August 2020, the school reopened with an additional two ventilation systems in the health facilities. Kosik’s team went to work, diligently siphoning those with flu-like symptoms from others with more seemingly innocuous conditions.

“So many members of our campus community came together during the pandemic,” Kosik said. The saying ‘It takes a village’ really comes to mind and knowing we had the Emergency Management Team, senior leadership, and so many caring staff working together made a tremendous difference in our ability to

stay on campus and support each other emotionally, spiritually, and physically.”

King’s College’s reputation as an academic institution is simultaneously dedicated to the success of its students and to serving its community. That commitment was highlighted when Campus Ministry, along with the Shoval Center—King’s College’s hub for developing teaching, research, and volunteer opportunities that advance the needs of the community—decided they needed to help by sharing what resources they could. They collected masks and medical supplies and allocated them to two local hospitals: Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

“Testing, tracking, restocking supplies, caring for the quarantined—it all needed to be done right,” Kosik recalled. “Being able to obtain things like masks, hand sanitizer, and eventually testing equipment was a huge obstacle and eventual success. We moved quickly but every step of the way we were constantly thinking about how we can help the most people in the safest way possible.”

Today, King’s College is one of the most successful campuses serving as an example of what the power of collaborative efforts can achieve.

TESTS

ADDITIONAL

HEALTH

Campus Reopens Through Tremendous Collaboration and Commitment

The College was already set with an Emergency Management Team in place before the pandemic, which was composed of 14 leaders, including Kosik, who represented different functions across the institution—from student affairs to dining facilities. Kosik, along with the rest of the team, were quickly called to task to assess the situation, meeting more frequently on video conference calls to painstakingly evaluate and build a response.

“Everything was constantly changing. We approached every situation with deal, cope, adapt, change,” Kosik recalled. “We knew how important it was to provide our students with in-classroom learning, which is why it became our number one priority, along with their safety constantly in mind. Every question was met with: how we can make it all work for these students and our faculty.”

The team went to work. They hired a full-time testing coordinator, assessed staffing issues, managed personal equipment for faculty and students on campus, implemented on-campus testing sites, an exposure protocol, quarantine in-dorm and isolation system, and vaccination and testing tracking. They also conducted random surveillance on the entire campus community by choosing occupants of residence halls, off campus residences, commuters, and employees for testing. King’s College was mobilized to take on the pandemic with extraordinary force, and at the helm was the Emergency Management Team.

“We worked diligently to care for the students who were placed in isolation or quarantine, even to go as far as our president hand delivering meals to the students’ doors,” Kosik said. “Various departments made small care packages for the students and would reach out by phone or email to assure the students felt cared for and not forgotten. Our testing coordinator, student health staff, human resources, athletics, athletic trainers, residence life, dining

MEALS

PREPARED

services, faculty, security, student affairs—the list goes on and on— really stepped up to the plate. Many of us were on campus working for months while others continued remote work.”

Its rapid response to the ever-changing protocols and guidelines reflected the College’s ability to become a cohesive and flexible team. Through the decisions that came out of these meetings, the team’s steady hand and collaborative approach to the crisis quickly earned the trust of the community and set uncertainty at ease. Their unyielding work, and efforts of the entire campus, is the reason why King’s College was able to re-open campus in the fall of 2020 and offer in-person classes, while other institutions remained hybrid or shuttered.

“At a time of crisis, our shared priority had always been to ensure the health and safety of every member of the King’s College community,” said Dean of Students Robert McGonigle, who was tasked to lead the Emergency Management Team as chair. “Looking back over what we were able to accomplish together, I am incredibly proud of the facilities and dining services who pivoted alongside our team, and the amount of people we had volunteer— from delivering food to students in isolation to checking in people on campus for testing. From faculty to staff, it really shows the commitment of the people at this college to one another.”

Today, King’s College is one of the most successful campuses serving as an example of what the power of collaborative efforts can achieve. By May 2022, they celebrated a four-week streak of no positive COVID-19 cases and have updated its policies for optional masking and testing. Yet, the pandemic continues to evolve, and the tried-and-true task force will continue meeting to assess next steps.

“Our goal from the beginning was to hold in-person classes because we know our students do better when they’re in the classroom,” said McGonigle. “I am proud to say that because of the great work we’ve done, we are now able to do that and continue moving forward together, stronger.” n

Samantha Olson Chencharik, Class of 2012, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing. She earned her Master of Science in Journalism from Stony Brook University and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in English at St. John’s University. Sam works as a Senior Writer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and lives in Basking Ridge, N.J., with her husband, Steven Chencharik ’10, and son, Wesley.

Where Else But King’s?

By Scarlett Spager ’22, Class President

On May 22, the Class of 2022 gathered with our friends, families, and King’s community to celebrate our graduation. This was momentous for 439 of us as, like many graduates, we’ve made it through learning in a pandemic. We undoubtedly struggled, lost memorable moments in our college careers, and adapted to situations other alumni might never have to navigate.

But if you ask most of us, that was not the focus of our time at King’s, and it was not the focus of our commencement ceremony. I had the privilege of addressing my class one last time as their president, which is a position I was blessed to have held and be trusted with by my friends and fellow classmates.

Looking back, I think most students head into King’s not understanding most of the College’s community appeal. Sure, there are great facilities and programs, but what makes it this community of hope we talk about?

There have been moments where I’ve known in my heart that some things only happen here at King’s.

I now know that nowhere else would my freshman year advisor Dr. Little take the time to ask me what I really love to do. Once I told him, the flood gates of my busy college career opened. “Doc” happily marched me through the halls of Hafey-Marian, enlisting every history professor in my pursuit to make a documentary. Three short films later, my history professor Dr. Mackaman could probably make a career change to associate producer if he really felt like it.

Where else could I be a part of a tradition like the Radio Home Visitor, the WRKC radio reading service for the blind that students have helped operate for an audience of 15,000 listeners?

I am joining a long list of alumni who have sprinted, run, prayed, and hoped Sue Henry or Father Carten didn’t notice we turned on the radio reading service just 30 seconds past the hour. I think for the rest of my life I will be anxious at 10 a.m. on Tuesday mornings because of that. The RHV is a true hallmark of how service has been woven into my time here.

This year’s graduates are going on to do great things. Vanessa Camille is going to Wake Forest Medical School to study trauma medicine. Nora Brown is going to study law in the Big Apple this fall. Benton Smith is joining the Holy Cross Service Corps to give back to the Holy Cross mission.

And I am producing a prime-time news broadcast for ABC in Alaska.

What we take with us from King’s might not be identical to one another, but I think we can all agree we’ve never felt like a number in our campus community.

Our faculty and staff’s dedication has equipped us to be vessels for our vocations. But perhaps the most important part of our education was the formal training of our hearts, minds, and spirits in the tradition of the Holy Cross mission.

King’s is a unique moment you must be sure not to let pass you by. It is a special place, truly. Don’t let it ever be lost on you that we all now played a role in its proud, storied history.

I would like to thank each and every one of the members of the Class of 2022, my amazing professors, and mentors for being the truest source of my happiness for the past four years. This community is the reason I’ve left class with the dumbest smile on my face, have had hope in my heart, and felt like something bigger than myself.

It has been the answer to the prayers that I didn’t know I needed to pray.

It has taught us how to make a living, make a life, make art, make friends, make good memories and, hopefully, make King’s proud. It’s hard to imagine this chapter coming to a close, but I know my journey as a Monarch has only just begun. I speak for all of us when I say the Class of 2022 is proud to join an impressive, dedicated, and amazing alumni community.

Here is to the future of King’s and all the Class of 2022 will go on to achieve! n

Scarlett Spager is a graduate of the Class of 2022. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with a minor in history and served as class president, station manager at WRKC, and editor-in-chief of The Crown. A native of Old Forge, Pa., Scarlett has run her own small floral business, The Vintage Hippie, alongside her studies. Scarlett has been remotely working full time as a news producer with ABC Alaska since the beginning of the year and will move to Manhattan this fall.

Our faculty and staff’s dedication has equipped us to be vessels for our vocations.

King’s College Honors 2021 and 2022 Alumni Award Winners

By Brandi George Davis ’12, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations

Celebrated annually during Commencement Weekend, the Alumni Awards are given to distinguished alumni who have made remarkable contributions to their professional fields, their communities, and the institution. Each year, a committee comprised of faculty, staff, administration, and alumni assist the president in the selection process from nominees submitted by fellow alumni and friends of the College.

Last year’s ceremony was adjusted due to the pandemic and held virtually on August 31, 2021, while this year’s returned to its normal schedule, and in-person format, on May 21, 2022. In this issue, we honor recipients from both academic years and their extraordinary service as Monarchs.

THE LEO AWARD is presented to alumni within 15 years of their graduation who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their professional or community activities and is named for the King’s College mascot, suggesting the energy, pride, and sense of purpose that recipients personify.

Jaclyn Beck DMSc, MSPAS, WCS, CCLS, PA-C graduated summa cum laude in 2016 with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. As a student, Beck earned the Thomas J. Lemley Award for Diversity and Health Disparities, the Nathanial Alston Student Achievement Award, and the Class of 2016 Community Service Award. Beck continued her medical education at the University of Lynchburg, where she graduated summa cum laude with her Doctor of Medical Sciences degree and performed her doctoral fellowship in general and vascular surgery. She has completed post-doctoral certificates in Global Health and Disaster Medicine, Healthcare Administration and Management, and Emergency and Disaster Management.

Beck serves as a senior surgical PA-C at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where she covers a wide variety of surgical subspecialties throughout the pre-, intra-, and post-operative periods. She also works as a per diem Critical Care PA-C in emergency medicine at Envision Physician Services in Morristown, NJ, and assisted her healthcare colleagues in treating patients with COVID-19. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has appointed her a member of the Trauma and Critical Care Team of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team. She has given of her time and talents as a healer on both short and medium-term medical missions in Haiti, Kenya, and Azerbaijan, where she was part of a trauma surgery team caring for civilian refugees victimized by the Armenia-Azerbaijan war.

Matthew L. Nice, Ph.D., graduated in 2012 with a double major in psychology and sociology and a minor in theology. Three years later, he graduated from Marywood University with a master’s degree in school counseling and earned his doctorate from the Duquesne University counselor education and supervision program. For his achievements, Nice was awarded the Duquesne University School of Education 2020 Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

Today, Nice serves as an assistant professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is currently in his second year and on tenuretrack. He was selected as one of six school counseling professors nationwide to serve on the Educational Testing Services Praxis Counselor National Advisory Committee. As a committee member,

he created the new assessment all school counselors must pass to become certified, which has been taken by thousands of school counseling students across the country. In addition to this honor, Nice is the president of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association and has been recently elected president of the National Association of Adult Development and Aging.

THE ROBERT J. ELL ALUMNI AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO ALMA MATER

is named for Robert J. Ell ’50, the first Director of Alumni Relations at King’s College and is given to alumni for extraordinary service, dedication, and commitment to the College.

Marian Palmeri graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Palmeri currently serves as the College’s Director of Institutional Research, a position she has held since 2002. Palmeri’s dedication to the institution reaches beyond her duties in the academic affairs division and extends to her generous gift of time in support of the College’s mission. She has been a constant presence on campus, volunteering to work towards improving the student experience. Along with her husband, Louis Palmeri ’77, she worked as a volunteer with the alumni phonathon from the 1970s through the 2000s, where she took on leadership roles of class chair, decade section chair, and ultimately chair of the phonathon. Palmeri has been actively involved in supporting the College’s Catholic identity, having served as the chair of the Catholic Identity Committee, co-chair for the Rev. P. Looney, C.SC., Ph.D., Inauguration Committee, as well as having represented King’s at the canonization of St. Andre Bessette.

Matthew Kotch, MBA, graduated summa cum laude in 2011 with double majors in finance and economics. He graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in 2015 with his MBA and has since continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business earning an executive education certificate in digital marketing.

After graduating from King’s, Kotch was hired by the Vanguard Group, and for the past decade, has performed a variety of roles, most recently as senior intelligence strategy analyst for the retail investment division. At Vanguard, Kotch co-founded a King’s College alumni network focused on fostering community and providing career opportunities for current students. In doing so, he has worked closely with the College’s Office of Career Planning,

AWARDS

establishing personal relationships with dozens of students over the years and helping influence students’ career decisions through impactful mentoring. Additionally, Kotch is a member of the William G. McGowan School of Business Advisory Council and has participated in the College’s newly established Mentoring Program—impacting the lives of numerous students in both classroom and one-on-one settings.

THE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL

ACHIEVEMENT honors alumni in both business and arts and sciences who have distinguished themselves through exceptional personal achievement.

Business Honors

Michael W. Bukosky graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting. He later earned his Master’s in Healthcare Administration in 1987 from Southwest Texas State University, where he also served as an adjunct professor. Bukosky is a leader in the healthcare industry, with more than forty years of progressive financial, administrative, and executive experience working in healthcare settings.

Bukosky has served as a fellow in the American College of Medical Group Practice Administrators. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the American Medical Group Association from 2009-2013 and held the position of Chair of the Board in 2013.

He was elected to the King’s College Board of Directors in October 2019. Bukosky and his wife, Judy Dalmas Bukosky ’75, have three children, Tara, Craig, and Brooke, and they are grandparents to two granddaughters, Vivienne and Virginia. After their son, Craig, passed away from leukemia at age 12 in 1995, Bukosky organized his first junior golf tournament in Craig’s honor for golfers 7-18, a tradition that has continued for more than 25 years.

Arts and Sciences

Dr. P.J. Utz graduated in 1986 with his Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in English, philosophy, and chemistry. He received numerous awards while at King’s, including the Center for Independent Living Award, the Regina Award for Biology, and the CRC Chemistry Award. Utz graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine in 1991,

and after finishing his medical degree, completed a short-track residency in internal medicine and rheumatology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Utz joined Stanford University in 1999 and is a professor of medicine and associate dean for medical student research in the School of Medicine. He is an expert in the development of multiplexed assays for studying autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases, type 1 diabetes, and immunodeficiency disorders. Through his collaborative research and work, he has contributed to the use of protein arrays in clinical trials and the development and human testing of tolerizing DNA vaccines for Type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. In addition to his work as a researcher, Utz is a dedicated and innovative educator who founded Stanford Institutes of Medical Research, one of the nation’s largest and most-respected immersive high school research programs. He has been awarded faculty teaching awards in the Department of Medicine and in the Immunology Interdepartmental Ph.D. Program.

Arts and Sciences

Douglas Coslett, M.D. graduated summa cum laude in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He attended Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel School of Medicine, completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lankenau Hospital, and was presented the Philadelphia Obstetrical Society Residency Bowl Award.

For nearly twenty years, Dr. Coslett served the community, specializing in minimally invasive surgery. He both chaired and served on numerous hospital committees, including as president of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital medical staff. Later, he transitioned to hospital administration as chief medical officer, overseeing several other facilities and representing the institution on numerous state and national committees—one of which was the Pennsylvania Governor’s initiative for opioid harm reduction. After many years of clinical exposure to those suffering with substance use disorder, Dr. Coslett took a position at Brookdale Premier Addiction Recovery, Scotrun, Pa. Dr. Coslett and his wife Kathleen currently reside in Moosic, Pa. Dr. Coslett gave the address at the 2022 Summer Commencement.

THE AWARD FOR SERVICE TO SOCIETY is presented to alumni who have distinguished themselves through selfless and caring personal commitment to benefit others.

Daniel J. Simpson graduated summa cum laude with his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Neuroscience in 2013. Displaying an early dedication to serving his community, Simpson participated in multiple SERVE trips throughout his time at King’s, both in the continental United States and Mexico. In recognition of that service, Simpson was the recipient of the Fr. James J. Doyle, C.S.C. Volunteer of the Year Award in 2013. He continued his education at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine with honors in 2017. Simpson performed his postgraduate training at the Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia and the Block Island Medical Center in Rhode Island. He completed his residency as an emergency medicine resident physician in the Level 1 Trauma Center at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in North Philadelphia, where he routinely treated critically ill and injured patients with life-threatening conditions. During the last two years, Simpson’s already challenging job was made even more heroic as he selflessly treated a relentless surge of COVID-19 patients, which experienced the greatest number of COVID patients in Philadelphia along with Temple University. Simpson continues to tirelessly serve patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, NJ.

Timothy McDonnell graduated in 1980 and remained in the WilkesBarre area for several years to operate a small business. He later started a new career in New York City, where he witnessed and survived the terrorist attacks of September 11. He extended himself both financially and emotionally to the many families who lost so much that day.

In the wake of other tragedies, McDonnell and his wife Clare established the My Three Sons Foundation, assisting a family who had lost their father to leukemia by sending their children to college. They also pledged to help disenfranchised adults and children in Long Branch, NJ, in partnership with a local parish, making food deliveries each month and ensuring families have presents and turkeys for the holiday season. McDonnell was later himself diagnosed with leukemia and shortly after his son was critically injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver. This time, the community gave back to their family. McDonnell’s generosity and desire to “pay it forward” has had a lasting impact on his community. He lives with his wife and his sons Timmy and Matt in Oceanport, NJ, after spending the previous 30 years in Holmdel, NJ. n

you know of a Monarch who has distinguished themselves with exceptional accomplishments? Nominations are now open for our five award categories in service and professional achievement.

more and submit your nomination at kings.edu/alumni-awards

Homecoming and Reunion Celebrations Return in 2021

By Beth Doherty ’18, Associate Director of Alumni Engagement

After a one-year hiatus, King’s College welcomed almost a thousand alumni and friends to campus for an in-person homecoming and reunion last September. The weekend’s events combined the celebrations of alumni whose class years ended in 1s and 6s as well as those ending in 0s and 5s to make up for the cancelled celebration in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns.

Held September 16 through 19, the scheduled events included an alumni golf tournament at Mountain Laurel Golf Club, the Homecoming Celebration at the field during the Homecoming football game, and evening milestone reunions with gatherings of young alumni at Senunas’ Bar and Grill and the Classes of 1995 and 1997 celebrating their 25th Anniversary as Silver Monarchs.

A very special reunion dinner was held for the Classes of 1970 and 1971, who returned to campus as Golden Monarchs in recognition of 50 years since their graduation. At the dinner, Raymond “Jeff” Geoffrey ’70 and Jorge Junquera ’71 each took turns addressing those gathered about their unforgettable time at King’s. On Sunday, a pinning ceremony for the Golden Monarchs took place at the Homecoming Mass in the Chapel of Christ the King, followed by a farewell reception for all alumni and friends.

The weekend was filled with incredible energy and joy as Monarchs from generations over finally returned to campus. We are blessed to have alumni who care so deeply about our institution, and we know how important our homecoming and reunion events are. While we’ve learned to adapt and make the best of our circumstances, we greatly look forward to this year’s festivities! n

BACK IN THE GAME

By Brandi Georg Davis ’12, Assistant Director of Communications & Public Relations

MONARCH MAYHEM 2: BACK IN THE GAME brought excitement back to the Fall 2021 semester and to King’s College Athletics after an unconventional 2020-21 academic year. King’s Athletics looked to continue the success seen in the first Monarch Mayhem event in 2019 as the “drive for 555 donors for 555 athletes” wildly surpassed its goal within the first few hours.

Starting on September 15, 2021, the Monarch Mayhem crowdfunding campaign covered a 24-hour span during Homecoming Weekend. Fans, alumni, and the entire King’s College community got involved by donating to their favorite athletics programs to benefit sport-specific fundraising needs.

Teams took to social media and email to promote the event for their programs. Videos, graphics, and other posts went up in the weeks leading up to as well as during the day-long event to generate excitement and encourage donors to get involved.

“It was so exciting seeing our athletic department work together to make Monarch Mayhem 2 such a success,” said Director of Sports Information Bridget Walsh.

“Some of our teams get really creative with their posts to generate support, and the whole 24 hours had campus buzzing and ready to return to normal this year.”

Especially after missing out on the traditional fall and winter seasons due to the pandemic, being able to hit the ground running and generate more excitement for Homecoming meant all that much more to King’s Athletics and the campus community. In all, 1,371 gifts totaled $42,700 for our students!

“This effort raises critical support for our athletic teams,” said Freddie Pettit, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “The campus community truly shows up to give back and it makes all the difference. The King’s Community is already looking forward to the next event this fall.” n

We’re Forever Loyal, Ever Proud to

By Sarah Scinto ’13

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? How about in your bones?

The notes rattle about your ribcage, humming under every breath, wrapped around your vocal cords, begging for release.

I have carried the first few measures of “O Magnum Mysterium” with me in this way ever since one vivid day of Cantores Christi Regis rehearsal. We stood around the piano in the former Chapel of Christ the King, surrounded by those red bricks and red upholstered chairs we all came to know so well over the course of four years. Our binders sat closed as our director, Rob Yenkowski, had challenged us to see how far we could make it through the complicated piece without our music. We very nearly made it to the end, only losing the thread of the melody on the final few measures. When I walked into rehearsal for CCR’s 20th Anniversary Reunion, the choir had their binders open to “O Magnum Mysterium.” My bones finally breathed as we released those first few notes, and the hum that had hidden under my breath became part of the pulse of an incredible ensemble of choir members, current and alumni, gathered here once again to make something beautiful.

I never doubted CCR would reach its 20th anniversary. King’s may not have a music program, but it has Rob, someone determined to

Photo by Amanda Kocher

Sing

carve a space for music and who passes along that determination to every student who auditions. That determination was exceedingly apparent over the weekend’s celebration.

The current CCR members, while smaller in number after two pandemic years, welcomed alumni with open arms. I settled into my spot in the alto 2 section with my alto 2 sister Ruthly at my side and snuck glances at my husband in his usual spot in the tenor section, as if no time had passed.

More alumni arrived on Saturday, filling the front of the new chapel as we all worked together to recall each piece and sound like a true ensemble. By concert-time, I felt like we had all been singing together for much longer than a few hours. I think it sounded like it, too.

I hope everyone who attended the concert enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed being there and singing once again. Very few of us have music as part of our careers these days, but CCR’s continued existence and the group of forty-some alumni who came back together that weekend prove that a passion doesn’t need to provide a paycheck to be worthy of your time.

Thank you, CCR, for that reminder. n

Sarah Scinto, Class of 2013, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and has worked in print, radio, and television journalism. She is a Connecticut native residing in Wilkes-Barre and is currently the local voice of NPR’s All Things Considered on WVIA-FM in Pittston, Pa..

Bringing Zeal to King’s College

KING’S COLLEGE LAUNCHES ITS FIRST JOURNAL THIS OCTOBER

By Bernard Prusak, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy

Madonna had it easy: back in the 1980s, she was a material girl in a material world. The liberal arts have it harder: in the 2020s, they are in a pre-professional world, in which it’s increasingly puzzling to know how they fit. Who can afford the luxury of philosophical reflection, or theological speculation, when college costs an arm and a leg and inflation is rampant? History may not be bunk, but who enjoys the leisure to consider the reasons why not?

That picture of the plight of the liberal arts is exaggerated, but it’s also not created out of thin air. Nowadays, the liberal arts must justify their value in a way that a degree in accounting, engineering, or the health sciences is exempt from having to do. But value there is. As the College explains about its liberal arts core curriculum, it not only helps students develop foundational skills and competencies that professional programs build upon, but also fosters intellectual virtues such as curiosity, open-mindedness, creativity, perseverance, and independent thinking. And yes, studying the liberal arts presents opportunities for students’ cultural, moral, and spiritual formation, consonant with the distinctive mission of King’s as a Holy Cross institution.

In this context, launching the journal Zeal: A Journal for the Liberal Arts comes as a strong affirmation of the College’s liberal arts mission. The journal’s name connects with the Holy Cross vision of helping people discover the deepest longings in their lives. As King’s President Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., remarked,

“Naming this journal Zeal is a great affirmation of the spirit in which our dedicated faculty pursue scholarship and the art of teaching.”

The journal’s launching also is recognition that excellent higher education requires intellectually active and engaged faculty. Part of the purpose of the journal is to stimulate intellectual life on campus, directly serving the King’s faculty and thereby indirectly serving our students.

The journal will appear twice annually, with the first issue scheduled for Fall 2022. Features will include interdisciplinary forums, author-meets-critics book discussions, and less conventional “Provocations & Occasions”—articles that, though worthy of a wide readership, are typically misfits with standard disciplinary journals.

Zeal belongs to the portfolio of activities organized by the College’s McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility. To learn more, visit kings.edu/zeal. n

Bernard Prusak, Ph.D., is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility. He earned his Ph.D. from Boston University in 2003. He came to King’s in 2012 from Villanova University to found the McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility.

The McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility is actively seeking funding to support the and other activities, including lectures, conferences, and faculty-staff

CLASS NOTES

60s

Michael L. Bentley ’68 received the 2021 Award for Outstanding Science Teaching and Contributions to Science Education by the Virginia Association of Science Teachers. Also in 2021, Michael presented programs on the climate crisis to community groups and his City Council and continued volunteer work on Plowshare Peace and Justice Center’s board, as secretary of the regional Sierra Club, Citizen’s Climate Lobby, and Virginia’s Interfaith Power and Light.

70s

Jose Bello ‘79 self-published a memoir entitled Marine Tigers: A NewyoRican Story. It is available on Amazon.

80s

Maureen M. McBride ’82, a partner at Lamb McErlane PC in West Chester, Pa., has been appointed Co-Chair for the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Appellate Advocacy Committee, which promotes communication and dialogue between the bench and the bar. Maureen was also named “Best of the Bar” by the Philadelphia Business Journal, a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, a Best Lawyer in America, a Five-Star/Top Attorney by Suburban Life Magazine, and a Main Line Today Top Lawyer.

90s

Paul R. Semendinger ’90 has written a new book about the New York Yankees entitled The Least Among Them. Throughout their history, the Yankees have been defined by the legends and successes of their most famous players. But, as part of their long history, the Yankees have also fielded players that have become lost to history. This book is those players’ story.

Thomas Eccleston ’93 works for Visiting Angels, a home health company, as full-time caregiver for his homebound mother. Tom started getting paid for this service in March 2019, despite having assumed caregiving duties at the time of his mom’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis fifteen years earlier. In October, Visiting Angels named Tom their Employee of the Month.

Matthew L. Burdett ’94 has published his first book, Make America Central Again, which focuses on the need for a serious third party in American government and some of his experiences while at King’s, including a visit by Ross Perot. It is available on Amazon.

Tara A. Taffera ’95 has published her first book, Love Ordained, a Christian romance and the first novel in “A Divine Love”series. It is available on Amazon. Tara is a journalist who has been employed by Key Media & Research for more than 23 years. She lives with her husband of more than 23 years and her three daughters.

Charles O. Roca ’97 was named chief of the Allentown Police Department in 2021. Charles, who previously served as an assistant chief, and then interm chief, is the first Latino officer to lead the department.

JoHanna Schultz ’97 graduated with her M.Ed. from Liberty University in May 2021. She attained Highest Honors with Distinction by maintaining a 4.00 GPA. She continues in her role as a Program Specialist for the Human Resources Center, Inc. of Honesdale. JoHanna was chosen to be a member of the ANCOR Leadership Academy Class of 2024 for her achievements and advocacy in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services.

Melissa A. Heinlein ’97 was recently awarded the Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs Honor Award for Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence (ICARE) for creating a program to provide companionship to Veterans experiencing social isolation during the pandemic through volunteers.

00s

Lacey S. Banis ’00 is working as a senior reporter at Entertainment Weekly. She spearheads their children’s entertainment/pop culture beat and has had recent interviews with former First Lady Michelle Obama and actress Jennifer Garner. She lives in Los Angeles with her wife and their daughter.

Michael L. Bentley ’68

Maureen M. McBride ’82

Paul R. Semendinger ’90 Patrice (Kopec) La Vigne ’00

Keri Pluck Ebeck ’00 was recently promoted to Equity Partner at BernsteinBurkley, P.C., with offices in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Wheeling, W.Va. BernsteinBurkley specializes in bankruptcy and restructuring, creditors’ rights, litigation, real estate, business law, and oil and gas. Keri also recently became certified in consumer bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification, a nonprofit organization committed to providing progressive and responsible leadership in the field of legal specialization.

Patrice (Kopec) La Vigne ’00 released her first book, Between Each Step, a trail memoir about her thru hike on New Zealand’s Te Araroa with her husband. She is freelance writer whose work has been featured in magazines like Backpacker, Outside, and REI Co-Op Journal. Patrice has hiked more than 6,000 miles, including the Appalachian Trail, and lives with her husband in a cabin outside of Alaska’s Denali National Park. Atmosphere Press published the book and it is available on Amazon.

Jennifer Tully ’04 is the recipient of the Healthcare Businesswoman’s Association 2022 Luminary Award. She was recognized for her outstanding performance, leadership, and contribution in healthcare. Jen is vice president of strategic operations at Doximity, the leading digital platform for medical professionals.

Joseph R. Giomboni ’03, the former King’s College Assistant Director of Public Relations, accepted a tenure-track position in 2021 as an Assistant Professor of Communications, Social Media Production at Susquehanna University. He recently defended his dissertation, titled “Between Opportunity and Exploitation: Labor Expectations and Institutional Practices in the Public Relations Internship,” to earn his doctorate in Media and Communication from Temple University.

Erica L. Andruscavage ’04 earned an Education Specialist (Ed.S) degree in E-learning from Northcentral University in 2020.

10s

Brandi George Davis ’12 was selected as a finalist for Cultural Ambassador of the Year at the 2021 Young Professionals Awards organized by the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. The awards recognize rising stars, ages 25-40, in their industries as well as their communities in professional and volunteer categories.

Brynn Kovalick, an autistic support/ emotional support classroom elementary school teacher who earned a teaching certificate from King’s in 2011, was recently named the NJ-PA-OH regional winner in Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) Teacher of the Year Program, for her efforts in leading The Graham Academy, where she works, with exceptional learning experiences for her students.

Steven Hippeli ’14 has been named one of the 2020 “40 Under 40” by Incisal Edge, a dental lifestyle magazine. The magazine, published by Benco Dental since 1997, has celebrated honorees for ten years through a series of profiles recognizing achievers in dentistry, ages 40 and under, with its signature award.

Danielle Kean-Grassi ’14 has written her first book, Grief Is Only Suppressed Gratitude. Danielle Kean-Grassi is a certified Anxiety Strategist & Mental and Emotional Coach. Danielle’s written work has appeared in mental health blogs such as Succeed Now, and she has spoken about anxiety and emotional development on podcasts and live interviews. The book is published by The Unapologetic Voice House and available on Amazon.

Heather A. Danishanko ’17 was named 2021-22 Teacher of the Year at The Burlington School in North Carolina where she works as a Spanish and psychology teacher.

20s

Kendra A. Krolick ’21 recently won the “Her Story” Award at Price Chopper, where she worked while in college. Price Chopper operates in six states, and one woman from each state received the award.

Jennifer Tully ’04

Heather A. Danishanko ’17Brynn KovalickBrandi George Davis ’12

CLASS NOTES

1 Steven Buczek ’15 married Alexandra Heavilon ’15 on January 2, 2021. Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., was the celebrant.

2 Cameron Trick ‘18 and Megan Heintzelman ’18 were married on August 8, 2021. They currently live in Delaware with their dog, Jetta. Cameron works at Christiana Care as a clinical exercise physiologist in cardiac rehab. Megan is in her third year of the University of Delaware’s Health Behavior Science and Promotion Ph.D. program studying the impact of wearable devices on physical activity in special populations.

3 Sarah Scinto ’13 and Noah Klinges ‘13 were married on October 23, 2021. Several alumni were in attendance. Pictured are: Eamon Klinges, Laura Rysz ’14, Sarah Scinto ’13, Noah Scinto ’13, Stephen Hoernle ’13, Brittney Hoernle ’13, Andria Klinges ’18, Kaitlin Adams ’13, Mark Baron ’05, Sara Klinges ’02, and Gareth Henderson ’11.

4 Paul Michael Adams ’99 married Brian Allen Tucker. Both Paul and Brian reside in Washington, D.C., where Paul works as an senior intelligence official and Brian is a first-grade teacher.

5 Edward Tomaszewski ’08 married Tracie McCutcheon ’10 on June 25, 2021.

Alumni and friends in the party pictured from left to right are Nicholas Hojsack ’08, Patrick Tomaszewski, Derek Call ’08, Edward Kopec ’08, Igor Bodnar ’09, Chad Jennings, Kevin Tomaszewski ’14, Edward Tomaszewski ’08 (Groom), Tracie (McCutcheon) Tomaszewski ’10 (Bride), Allison Connell ’17, Karlene Dillon, Melissa (Simoson) Walsh ’10, Mekala Daly, and Tiffany Landi ’11.

6 David C. Davis ’07 married Brandi L. George ’12 on October 10, 2020. They held a second ceremony with friends the following year on their anniversary with 40 fellow Monarchs in attendance.

7 J.C. ’07 and Meghan Blewitt ’07

on the birth of their daughter, Kaylee Mae, on June 1, 2021.

8 Nicholas ’06 and Holly ’07 Sorino on the birth of their son, Scott Oriendo, on August 18, 2021.

9 Jacqueline Gryskevicz Waslin ’09 and her husband, Michael, on the birth of their son, Kayne William, born on January 9, 2021. He joins proud big brother Jayce.

10 Gianna and Robert Moulton ’14 on the birth of their son, Rio Jordan, on May 25, 2022.

11 Nicole (Pierson) Reese ’13 and her husband, Brian, on the birth of their twin girls, Alexandra and Natalie, on April 27, 2020

12 James ’14 and Faith Schepf ’14 on the birth of their daughter, Kaitlyn Lucille, on December 3, 2020.

13 Daisy Sosa-Terron ’18 and her husband on the birth of their daughter, Violet Salas-Sosa, on May 9, 2022.

IN MEMORIAM

Our prayers and condolences are extended to the families of the following alumni and friends who passed away recently.

Robert J. Ell ’50

Charles Kirk Paye Jr. ’50

Clement J. Giedroc ’51

William G. Hlavac ’51

Charles J. Leddo ’51

Raymond J. O’Donnell ’51

John M. Woychick ’51

Joseph Michael Boyle ’52

Joseph James McCarthy Jr. ’52

Francis Patrick Murphy ’52

Stanley F. Swiecicki Jr. ’52

James M. Ryan ’53

Ralph Stark ’53

Thomas Edward Durkish ’54

Walter J. Macierowski Jr. ’54

Michael Robert Mishkin ’54

Eugene P. Healey ’55

Donald D. Kasarda ’55

Thomas Charles McKelvey Sr. ’55

Phillip A. Farber, Ph.D. ’56

Garrett Thomas Flynn ’56

Robert Piatt ’56

Dr. James Dennis Henry ’57

William R. Michaels ’57

Richard Fosko ’58

Leonard C. Hogrebe ’58

Joseph Howatch ’58

Leonard John Krzyzewski ’58

Henry “Hank” Kuzminski ’58

Gerald Lacattiva ’58

Ludwig Lou Rauscher ’58

John Roger Reinard ’58

Joseph Schwartz ’58

Joseph M. Stash ’58

John G. Stengel ’58

Robert J. Allen ’59

Joseph M. Callahan ’59

Patrick J. DeGennaro ’59

Thomas Joseph Donahue ’59

Paul J. Firing ’59

John G. Hemenetz ’59

Bernard J. Kazmeroski ’59

Robert Mayovich ’59

John L. Milot ’59

Leonard Joseph Snyder, DMD ’59

Norbert Wisniewski ’59

Robert A. Yastremski ’59

Bernie J. Bartoli ’60

Bernard lessner ’60

William J. Brown ’60

Anthony J. Lapallo ’60

Robert John Leagus ’60

Richard Dennis McAteer ’60

James McCabe ’60

Neil P. Montone ’60

Biagio Vincent Musto ’60

Robert Nowicki ’60

Paul A. Opar ’60

Adolph “Buzzy” E. Peters ’60

Joseph Petronio ’60

Ralph Procopio ’60

Richard Thomas ’60

David Kelly ’61

Francis E. McCarthy ’61

Chester B. Muroski ’61

John Jack Beidler ’62

Dr. Robert L. Clarke ’62

Joseph L. Delinsky ’62

Attorney George J. Emershaw, III ’62

Leonard Edward Greskiewicz ’62

Thomas J. Halpin ’62

Robert Kachmar ’62

Casimir A. Lasecki ’62

Dominick J. Ortolani ’62

Ronald J. Roman ’62

Robert J. Stavish ’62

Eric Nip Borchert Jr. ’63

Carl Kalish ’63

Thomas “Tommy” Nardone ’63

Anthony Patrick Perrone ’63

Myron Pitcavage ’63

Joseph Tatusko ’63

Joseph Salvine Fiore ’64

Harold Fuller ’64

Anthony J. Galinus ’64

John J. Gallagher ’64

Edmund Charles Jenkins ’64

James Joseph Mooney ’64

William Frederick Rooney ’64

John J. Sikora ’64

Joseph A. Snavely ’64

Oliver Crosby Sparks III ’64

John Vaskorlis ’64

Burton C. Berrettini ’65

James Flynn ’65

Joseph A. Lehman ’65

Richard Phillips ’65

John “Jack” Joseph Reid Sr. ’65

Joseph Simon Stelmack, CPA ’65

Henry J. Wasilewski ’65

James A. Bourne ’66

Stanley J. Britt ’66

John J. Caffrey Sr. ’66

Richard J. Donati ’66 John Fagan ’66

James T. Holton Jr. ’66

Edward Lisk ’66

Alfred A. Mariani ’66

James S. McKeown ’66

Lawrence J. “Larry” Sklaney ’66 Ronald J. Yakupcin ’66 Frank Zuraf ’66

Joseph Czarnecki ’67

Stanley Ebert ’67

John “Jack” McGrane ’67 Paul “Buddy” O’Malia ’67 Nicholas Reale ’67 Peter Ritch ’67 John Rusnak ’67 William Tigue ’67 John Williams ’67

Thomas Callahan ’68

Robert A. Mariani ’68

Edmund F. Markowski Sr. ’68 Henry Witlock Moriarty II ’68 Joseph Francis Morrison Jr. ’68

Metro P. Pauluk ’68

Edward Pusateri ’68

Patrick William Sammon ’68 Peter Solinsky ’68

Michael Edward St. Clair ’68 Steven R. Tokach Sr. ’68 George Joseph Elias Jr. ’69 Jerome Hizny ’69 Emanuel Manny Mihalos ’69 Joseph J. O’Connell Jr. ’69 Mark John Tormay ’69 John C. Barrett ’70

Charles N. DeFrancesco ’70

Michael Peter Demko ’70

Francis B. Dessoye Jr. ’70

Richard Howard Glade ’70

Bernard J. Hine ’70

William F. Huff ’70

John D. Loskie ’70

Thomas B. Needham Jr. ’70

Robert F. Becker Jr. ’71

Arthur Borchert ’71

Christopher Fallon, Esq. ’71

Martin J. Nichols ’71

William Joseph O’Connor ’71

Dr. Ronald G. Petrillo ’71

Rev. Harold R. Stockert ’71

John Q. Trojanowski ’71

John J. Walsh ’71

Dr. Ronald M. Zarychta ’71

Gregory C. Zionkowski ’71

Mark Edward Dymond ’72

Daniel A. Lello ’72

J. Michael McCracken ’72

Kevin Mooney ’72

Harry E. Panek ’72

Andrea Picchi ’72

Michael J. Simko ’72

Edward J. “Ratty” Waskevich ’72

Bill Yosh ’72

Robert James “Bob” Bustin ’73

Dr. Robert J. Czwalina ’74

David L. Krantz ’74

Philip Michael LaScala ’74

Michael T. Lloyd ’74

James Joseph McCormack ’74

Brian T. Mulhern ’74

Gerard Mark Brady ’75

George J. Czajkowski ’75

James John Dooner ’75

Reverend Leo J. McKernan ’75

Robert John Ritchie ’75

Joseph Michael Simone Sr. ’75

Bruce J. Chirinko ’76

Dennis P. Clarke ’76

Joseph Gizara ’76

J. Charles Lentini ’76

Marie Margaritha Lewis ’76

Robert “Bob” Louis Lodge ’76

Susan Lynn Osmanski ’76

Michael E. Sickonic ’76

Arlington A. Snyder ’76

William Warunek ’76

Christine Rose Zynel ’76

Dr. Peter M. Kaminski ’77

Janet Constance DeGuglielmo Milita ’77

Thomas Murphy ’77

Rev. Thomas Carten, C.S.C. ’78

L. Col. George C. Farrell ’78

Vincent R. Garvey Jr. ’78

Mary T. Kucewicz ’78

Judy Kleckner Mullin ’78

James Stephens ’78

Dr. Christopher Alexander ’79

Michael P. Becker ’79

Eugene Bushick ’79

Frank P. Conway ’79

Joseph Kearney ’79

John R. Niemiec ’79

Evangeline Mae White ’79 David Bolinski ’80

Jo Ellen Logue Ryan ’80

Thomas W. Stancik Sr. ’80

Kenneth L. Walker ’80

Thomas J. “Tucker” Conahan ’81

Judith Ann Dongoski ’81

Gregory Menichini ’81

Michael T. Nardone ’81

Dennis J. Walsh ’81

Kathleen Zabresky Daskalakes ’82

Thomas ”Pep” Pepperling ’82

David Bruce Weisgold ’82

Robert Rexford Carroll ’83

Susanna D. Chokola ’83

Gail A. Hossler Pfeiffer ’83

Joseph Kafchinski III ’84

Edward John Loftus ’84

Neal Patrick McNulty ’84

Jacqueline “Jackie” Johnson ’85 Judith Napierkowski ’85

Patricia Capozucca ’86

Kimberly Barchock Primatic ’86 Mary H. Cuba ’87

Ann M. Coolbaugh ’88

Maureen Ann Everett ’88

Vincent J. Kundrik ’88

John C. Barney ’89

Scott J. Cienki ’89

Justine Santarelli Fairclough ’90

Lisanne Ciotola McKeown ’90

Tracie Lynn Wood ’90

Leann Maureen Strickland ’91

Tanya Adele Calfut ’92

James F. “Jim” Flannery Jr. ’92

Donna Hanson ’92

Cheryl D. Murphy ’92

Jay Christopher Neely ’92

Margaret Ann Simmonette ’92

Maridee Kelly ’93

Jeffrey Cooper ’94

Jennifer E. Roth ’95

Elaine Barber ’97

Dr. Jeffrey R. Folk ’97

Mary F. O’Brien ’97

Christopher M. Mortensen ’99

Mary F. Dorrler ’01

Michael D. Mooney Jr. ’01

Sean C. Murphy ’01

Michael Frank Zarzecki Jr. ’01

Michelle Lynn Perea ’03

Matthew C. Harm ’05

Mirna E. Mackay ’08

Kevin Conboy ’09

Kathleen Susan King ’11

Charles T. Ford ’12

Brittany Devin Heaney ’12

Matthew Kerrigan ’17

FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS AND FRIENDS

Lucy Boris Edward Brominski Sr.

Christopher Brownawell

Irene Casaia

Andrew Cebrick

Dolores Cebrick

Dr. Carol Crawford

Vernon Crispell

Jeffery Deats

Jane Doles

Diana Dow

Mark Engel

Eberhard “Tim” Farber IV

Mollie Farmer

John Fixl

Mary Fixl

Rev. John Ford, C.S.C. Valeria Genetti Howard Gleim

Faith Greenfield

Helen Harris Margaret Healy Earl Keller Michalene Levi Lorraine Loftus

Thomas Martino Ruth Namey Anne Noone

Nancy O’Donnell Edward Orloski Jr.

Patricia O’Sullivan-Toole

Mary Parente

Lucille Parri

Elmer Petlock

Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J. Marion Pollock Harold Rosenn Sallyanne Rosenn Rosemary Sigmond Patrick Solano

Marjorie Trethaway James Tubridy Jr. Henry Wehman, M.D., Ph.D. Barbara Weisberger

Remembering Two SPIRIT OF HOLY CROSS AWARD Recipients

The Holy Cross Spirit Award is awarded by the United States Province of Priests and Brothers in annual recognition of the critical importance lay people play in living out the vision and mission of Holy Cross founder Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C., to make God known, loved, and served in education, parish, and mission settings.

Robert J. Ell ’50

Member of the first graduating class, Robert “Bob” J. Ell, passed away on April 19, 2021. After graduation, Bob started working at the College as Alumni Director and Placement Director and continued in these capacities until 1968 when the positions were separated. After serving for several years in fundraising and development, he returned to his role as Alumni Director in 1973 and continued until retirement in January 1992. Even after retiring, Bob’s involvement with King’s College alumni continued. He was the recipient of numerous awards during his time at King’s College, including the Spirit of Holy Cross Award, which he considered to be one of the highlights of his life.

Anne Noone

Long time King’s College employee, Anne Noone passed away on October 30, 2021. Up until the time of her passing, Anne was employed by the College as executive assistant to the president and assistant secretary to the board of directors. Her incredible 55 years of service to King’s was marked by an amazing level of dedication, loyalty, and love for the institution and its mission. Anne received the Spirit of Holy Cross Award in 2017 and is missed by many across campus.