1846 Winter '24, Vol. 2, No. 1, Women's Issue

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHAIR

“Sugar and spice not included.”

hese words are printed on a workout shirt a friend gave me many years ago. It’s a good sentiment for workouts, a reminder that women (or “girls” as the old saying goes) are not always made of “sugar, spice, and everything nice.” Sometimes we’re made of strength, grit, and everything tough.

As we celebrate forty years of coeducation at Saint Vincent College and Women’s History Month, this edition of 1846 highlights many women who have been, and are, a part of Saint Vincent. Their stories demonstrate the special “ingredients” women contribute to our campus and the greater world. The Benedictine nuns who fed the campus and local community during the years of the Great Depression brought a spirit of charity and service but also the fortitude needed to work hard during lean times. The women who joined SVC in the early days of coeducation leavened the campus with an added measure of gentleness and showed great courage as trailblazers. The women faculty, administrators, and staff, past and present, have nurtured and guided students but also challenged them. The current women students demonstrate compassion and empathy while they are also strong campus leaders and learners.

I hope you enjoy the stories of these extraordinary women, their impact on campus, and Saint Vincent’s impact on them. They are just some of many such stories.

Next time I don my old t-shirt for a treadmill session, I will think of my sister Bearcats and appreciate that they are made of sugar, spice, and everything nice, but also so

Kimberly M. Colonna Vice-Chair, Board of Directors Saint Vincent College

Three women take part in nationally acclaimed STEM-related internships.

Thank you for being a proud supporter of Saint Vincent College. We hope you have enjoyed the first few issues of 1846: The Magazine of Saint Vincent College. In an effort to be good environmental stewards, we are limiting the number of physical copies of 1846 we send out and will in turn be embracing and expanding our online presence. If you no longer wish to receive physical copies of future issues of 1846, please reach out to 1846@stvincent.edu.

news briefs

bearcat advantage

SVC announced the launch of the Bearcat Advantage Program. Through a combination of grants and scholarships, the program will fully fund tuition for PELL Grant-eligible students from families residing in Pennsylvania who have a total household income of $60,000 or less. For more information about the Bearcat Advantage, email admission@stvincent.edu.

Rooney book talk

Jim Rooney presented a talk on his book, A Different Way to Win: Dan Rooney’s Story from the Super Bowl to the Rooney Rule, as part of Saint Vincent’s 2023 Homecoming Weekend festivities.

ABET accreditation

The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computing’s bachelor’s degree program in engineering has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.

December commencement

More than 80 graduates were awarded bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees at the 19th annual December Commencement ceremony of Saint Vincent College on Saturday, December 16, in the Performing Arts Center. Among those recognized were 31 students who received a doctorate of nurse anesthesia practice. The Honorable Kim L. Ward, president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate, delivered the commencement address.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Saint Vincent hosted the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, under the direction of Maestro Manfred Honeck, for a sold-out performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah on December 5 in the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

honors convocation

On November 16, Saint Vincent College hosted its annual Founders’ Day Honors Convocation. Saint Vincent College president Rev. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters to Rt. Rev. Olivier-Marie Sarr, O.S.B., B.A., S.T.L., Ph.D., Abbot of Keur Moussa in Senegal. A full list of awardees can be found at stvincent.edu/news.

Mr. Robert Markley Jr., instructor of business administration in SVC’s Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government, was recently interviewed by David Strausser, vice president of sales at Stellar One, on his business podcast, “Shark Bite Biz.” Markley spoke on the pros of entering into a career in enterprise resource planning.

future teachers conference podcast feature

SVC’s Department of Education held the Teach the Future: Engaging our Future Teachers Conference, coordinated by Dr. Tracy McNelly, associate professor of education in the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, on November 8. Local high school students who have dreams of one day becoming teachers were invited to the event. The event featured 2022 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Elizabeth Raff as the keynote speaker.

Read more and get the latest Saint Vincent College news at 1846.stvincent.edu/news.

40 forward celebration

On October 26, Saint Vincent College honored forty women who have made an impact on its community as part of its year-long celebration of forty years of coeducation enrollment. The celebration took the form of a dinner, held at the Fred M. Rogers Center. The 40 Women for 40 Years list is a project spearheaded by the staff of 1846: The Magazine of Saint Vincent College for inclusion in the special Women’s Issue of 1846 . The year-long celebration, planned by the College’s Women’s Leadership Team, was kicked off during Saint Vincent’s annual homecoming weekend and includes monthly events for the campus community.

Going back over 175 years, Saint Vincent College has a storied history—and women have played an important role in all of it. One could even make the argument that it all began with Boniface Wimmer’s mother, Elizabeth, who shaped his life to become the person we now know as our College’s founder.

Women have had a presence at Saint Vincent College long before it became coeducational in 1983, whether it was the Benedictine sisters who made sure all the young men and monks were happy and well-fed or the first women professors who helped shape the minds of those young men and monks or the women administrators who led the charge in helping to ensure women had the opportunity to receive a Saint Vincent education. Even our cherished Basilica, traditionally referred to with feminine pronouns and as the bride of the monks, could be considered as one of the longest-standing feminine presences on our campus.

The women who are on this list would not be on this list if it weren’t for the women who came before them. In fact, this list probably wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for them. So, this is our way of thanking all of those women; no matter how big or small their role was in shaping Saint Vincent into the institution it is today, it has been undeniably profound.

We received well over 200 nominations for this list, and narrowing that 200 down to 40 was a pleasant challenge to have. The women on this list embody, in every way, what it means to be a Bearcat—from their faith and dedication to being lifelong learners and their ability to foster transformative experiences for those around them to their achievements in leadership and their service to and impact on the College. They move our world forward, always forward. The impact these women have left on the College and our Bearcat Community is immeasurable and invaluable, and this project only scratches the surface of recognizing their successes and contributions. Let us, then, take this event, this project, as an opportunity to ensure that their impact will continue to be felt and that we continue to recognize and celebrate the women who move Saint Vincent College forward.

So, here’s to the women. Happy 40th.

Morgan Paris, C’16 Editor-in-Chief, 1846: The Magazine of Saint Vincent College

SLEZAK VERA

BY DR. DOREEN BLANDINO H’08

Professor

Emeritus of Foreign Language

When one thinks of Professor Vera Slezak, several adjectives come to mind: strong, sensible, proper, diligent, unique, candid, courageous, loyal, dedicated, and compassionate. In 1960, Vera Slezak embarked on her teaching career at Saint Vincent College, and this historic appointment rendered her the first woman to serve on the faculty. Vera’s noteworthy career would span three decades, and our “first lady” remained the only female professor on the faculty for many years. Vera Slezak is worthy of recognition not just because of her place in the history of Saint Vincent College, but because of the values and passion with which she lived her life.

Frau Slezak, as she was affectionately called by her students, was a gifted teacher, devoted to her students, and had undeniably high standards for the Benedictine monks and students who would study Russian and German with her through the years.

Vera did not have an easy life. She and her husband, Jaroslav, who also taught at Saint Vincent in the Physics Department, fled communist Czechoslovakia in 1958 for Austria and eventually arrived in the United States in 1960. Without discussing their plans to flee with anyone, the Slezaks left their families, friends, and careers behind for a life of democracy and religious freedom. In 1975, Jaroslav lost his sight due to detachment of both retinas, but he persevered in teaching for the last fifteen years of his career completely blind, with the continuous professional assistance of Vera, who also had her own full-time teaching load.

Upon her retirement in 1991, Vera was named Professor Emeritus of Foreign Language and was bestowed an honorary doctoral degree in 2008. Professor Slezak had a notable presence on campus throughout her career. She served as a mentor for faculty and was especially a great support and role-model for female faculty. Professor Slezak served the community as a translator for businesses, hospitals, and

professionals conducting research.

Throughout her life, Vera portrayed the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts values of Saint Vincent College. Her desire to practice and uphold the Catholic faith in every sense was the impetus for her to courageously go against the Communist regime by refusing to join the Communist Party. She would endure great suffering during her time “underground,” but her strong faith carried her through. Again, Vera confronted adversity when her husband lost his sight, but her unwavering Catholic faith and determination allowed her to persevere again.

Vera lived a very modest and prayerful life. She was a devout Catholic and member of the Saint Vincent Basilica Parish for fiftytwo years. She demonstrated Benedictine hospitality to students, colleagues, and friends and especially welcomed generations of Benedictine monks to her home and would prepare delicious meals and pastries for them.

A master teacher, Vera set high expectations for academic excellence and character in and outside of the classroom. She was proud of becoming a U.S. citizen and encouraged her students to be good citizens, to become engaged, and not take their freedom for granted. She also instilled in her students the value of a liberal arts education.

She was a devoted and beloved wife, colleague, friend, and teacher. She looked upon her students as her children. Students from five decades kept in touch with Vera by visiting; sending cards, letters, photos, and flowers; and providing updates on their careers and families, and all expressed their gratitude for the love, lessons, and care their “Frau” had showed them. Vera proudly shared those keepsakes with me and treasured every visit and correspondence. Vera always cherished living in the United States and her position on our faculty; she would often say to me that, “Being at Saint Vincent is like sitting on the edge of Heaven.”

Former Assistant Vice President for Student Success and Retention

BY DR. JEFFRIE MALLORY

ROTTLER Nanc y

Dr. Nancy Rottler is simply one-of-a-kind. As an unsure freshman who had just left the warm confines of a close-knit community in Virginia where everyone knew each other’s name, my transition to the SVC community was a sizable leap. With the need to balance the expectations as a studentathlete and the need to establish a routine, I was reminded by my mother to “look for the helpers,” as the late Fred Rogers would encourage us to do. From the moment I first met Nancy, I knew we would have a special relationship. Her warm smile, her many embraces, and her unwavering passion to help me and countless others who approached her made clear her commitment to ensuring we were put in position to succeed. I never saw her turn anyone away who asked for help. As she climbed the ranks in administration at SVC, I remained in awe that she could carve out the time to pursue her EdD in higher education administration. She is a primary reason that I decided to pursue my own EdD.

Among the most visible attributes that I and others witnessed in Nancy was her happy disposition, her treatment of others that was free of any judgment, her loyalty to the College, and her commitment to her faith. Nancy had a cherished way of making you feel better. In her role as the director of the opportunity program and as a support to many students, it was common for her to engage students who encountered difficulties; she always made it a point to make them feel better. As a professional, Nancy displayed the remarkable ability to engage people as they were, regardless of their background or differences. For her loyalty to SVC, Nancy, to this day, does all she can to promote the goodness about our special community. She continues to check-in on

current staff and students and is still known to reach out to many alums.

In regard to her faith, from our conversations about my family, her family, and especially about her mother, Mary Lou, anyone who encountered Nancy was well aware that faith has permeated her life in many ways. I truly believe that faith has allowed her to serve as tremendous mentor, colleague, and friend to so many who have been blessed to cross paths with her.

There is an important element about Nancy that many may not discuss or truly recognize. Nancy ensured that any students she worked with felt they were worthy and truly mattered during their time at SVC and in their respective lives after. As a person, she wanted to know the smallest details about you, all in the hope that she could better understand you and ultimately, better help you. I also recall a unique way that she would have an early impact on you: during the first few weeks of your arrival, Nancy would hand out copies of Make the Impossible Possible, an inspirational book by her mentor at the time, Bill Strickland. A mentor much later in my life, Bill was astonished to realize the impact that Nancy had on several generations of SVC students via his book. This example serves as one of many that points to a truly remarkable person and leader who molded the experiences of many.

Nancy’s recognition as one of the forty finest women who have impacted our SVC community is nothing short of deserving. On behalf of many and with the deepest gratitude allowed, I wish to thank Nancy on behalf of so many who are blessed to know you.

ANN GIACOBBI

ACCOUNTING MAJOR

C’98

Ann Giacobbi graduated from Saint Vincent in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. At Saint Vincent, she was involved with the Orientation Committee, Campus Ministry, the softball team, and Student Tour Guide Admissions Representatives, and she fondly remembers Sports Friendship Day. In her senior year, Ann was awarded the Saint Vincent College Community Service Award and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Award. She went on to receive her MBA from Duquesne University, with a concentration in leadership.

After graduation, Ann began her career with Kennametal, Inc., and went on to work with KPMG, LLP; Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.; Cleaveland/Price, Inc.; and GENCO, A FedEx Company. Ann also spent time as an adjunct professor at SVC. Working at Westinghouse Electric Company since 2015, she is currently a commercial financial analyst for nuclear fuel, providing analytics and financial support for reporting, forecasting, market development, and strategic growth initiatives.

Ann is also a certified internal auditor and certified public accountant, as well as a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, PICPA, and Women in Nuclear organizations. She has served on many committees and councils, including having formerly served as president of the Saint Vincent College Alumni Council.

Undecided on a major when enrolling at Saint Vincent, it was through the liberal arts education that Ann was able to explore different areas and ultimately find success in her accounting career. Ann recognizes that it is the people at Saint Vincent who make it a special place, not just as monks, professors, administrators, and staff, but as lifelong role models, mentors, and friends.

SHAUNA (HETRICK) POLICICCHIO

COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SCIENCE MAJOR

C’13

Few individuals have made waves as large as Shauna Policicchio, a 2013 graduate majoring in Computing and Information Science, following their graduation, but fewer still have done so with an innate drive to help others. In attending Saint Vincent College, Shauna took values from those around her and attached them to her lifestyle, learning to aid others in small ways that would lead to greater change overall.

Spending time in SVC’s Catholic community afforded Shauna the opportunity to bring her faith to all aspects of her life, and her education at Saint Vincent positively impacted her as a whole person, not only academically. Shauna’s faith pushed her and her husband into becoming foster parents and for her to become a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and to become a classroom aide in her church’s catechism class.

Currently, Shauna works for CrowdStrike as a senior security researcher, where in 2022, she received the CrowdStrike One Team, One Fight Award. The award is presented to CrowdStrike employees who go beyond what they’re told to do while working on a project. In Shauna’s case, she received the award because when the Ukraine War began, she took charge and participated in a “Ukraine War Room” in order to provide timely reporting to her customers during the early days of the war.

We’re proud to call a caring individual like Shauna an alumna of SVC, and prouder still of the accomplishments she continues to achieve—we’re grateful she’s a member of the Bearcat family.

THERESA RUSSO

PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR C’87

When Saint Vincent College began admitting women for the first time forty years ago, few women attended as readily as Theresa Russo. With SVC having always been a part of her life, she began to understand her father’s commitment to the school after she attended, her father having graduated from SVC himself.

It was the strong sense of community and putting students first that made Saint Vincent a very special place to Theresa. The education she received at Saint Vincent was a strong foundation for her graduate studies, and it motivated her to work in higher education. In her professional life, Theresa strove to provide learning experiences that would engage s tudents and facilitate their success, wanting students to have the same sense of belonging and relationshiprich education she experienced at Saint Vincent.

After graduating with her doctorate, Theresa began teaching as a professor in human development and family studies at SUNY Oneonta in 1999. In 2021, she took on a new role as the special assistant to provost for academic engagement, and eventually she became the acting associate vice-president for academic affairs. After many years, Theresa has retired, though she’s been working part-time in her role as the special assistant for a year.

After making her mark at SVC and other institutions, Theresa has had a life and career that is quintessentially Saint Vincent, and she’ll always be known as one of the first women at the College—a place to which she can always come home.

ELIZABETH HOXIE

BIOLOGY AND THEOLOGY MAJOR

C’08

Elizabeth Hoxie has embraced change in more ways than one. As a former Air Force and now Coast Guard spouse, Elizabeth is a devoted mother of six who has made several moves across the country supporting her husband in the military, most recently embarking on the long journey from Alaska to Virginia. Graduating Saint Vincent College in 2008 with degrees in biology and theology, her education fits perfectly into her current career as an educator. Today, she serves as the dean of students for the Kolbe Academy, a premier online Catholic homeschool provider.

When Elizabeth first set foot on campus, one of the most profound elements of the Saint Vincent community that stood out to her was the number of women in the STEM and theology classrooms. It made her feel like she was in the right place, to be surrounded by so many women professionals.

Elizabeth has always taken an active role in each new community she enters. She served in a number of roles including religious education instructor, certified fertility awareness instructor, and most recently, as an advocate and medical steering committee advisor for a local pregnancy resource center in Juneau, Alaska.

Elizabeth was deeply and immeasurably impacted by the formation she received at Saint Vincent College, but especially by the guidance of her mentors, including Dr. Chris McMahon, professor of theology, and Dr. Jen Koehl, professor of biology.

SHEILA (SMITH) MCGRANE

ACCOUNTING MAJOR

C’01

Sheila McGrane, CPA, started her record of achievement at Burrell High School, where she participated in volleyball, basketball, holds the twomile record in track, graduated at the top of her class, and was named homecoming queen during her senior year. She majored in accounting at Saint Vincent, during which time she played volleyball for the Bearcats, served as the accounting tutor, worked in the Athletic Department, and received a PICPA scholarship. Sheila graduated with highest honors, receiving the accounting major academic award.

Sheila completed an accounting internship with Ernst and Young (now EY) after her junior year and began full-time employment with EY at graduation. She completed an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh as part of an EY program to identify and prepare future leaders, graduating with distinction and being named Outstanding Student of the Year by the faculty. She transferred to the Washington, D.C., office of EY in 2013 and was named a partner in 2015, believed to be the first Saint Vincent female graduate to do so. Her primary role is in the area of assurance and advisory services to large global financial services organizations, and she holds multiple leadership positions for EY’s eastern region.

McGrane lives in Fairfax, Virginia, with her husband, Jason, and their three children, where they are active at St. Ambrose Parish.

AMY PANEBIANCO ACCOUNTING MAJOR C’88

Amy Panebianco graduated from Saint Vincent in 1988 with a degree in accounting and a minor in finance. She started her career at the IRS after graduating as a tax auditor. This would take her on to Duquesne University, where she graduated from its School of Law in 1994. She later became a revenue agent, staying with the IRS. While in this role, Amy mentored students who were attending Duquesne School of Law and were also interning with the IRS. She also provided technical assistance to the Wage and Investment Operating Division by volunteering to answer estate and gift questions referred by the telephone assistors. During this time, she also volunteered to run the Cranberry Township Office yearly food drive program and was a volunteer for the Butler County Literacy Program.

Amy served as Alumni Council president from 2002-2003 and remains one of the legal advisors to the Council, in addition to working on the fundraising committee for the Father Gilbert Burke, O.S.B., Alumni Council Endowed Scholarship. In 2008, she received the Silver Award –Woman of the Year from the Federal Executive Board in Pittsburgh. In 2013, she received the Bronze Award for Community Service also from the Federal Executive Board in Pittsburgh. From Saint Vincent College, she received the Alumni of Distinction award in 2008 and the Father Camilllus Long, O.S.B., Award from Alumni Council. She retired this March after serving as an Estate Tax Attorney in the Small Business/Self-Employed Operating Division, where she examined large estate and gift tax return issues. She was also the Northeast Territory Subject Matter Expert on estate gift whistleblower cases.

GILBERT Tif f any

Political Science and Public Administration

Major C’03

Currently a pastor at Another Level Ministries in Pittsburgh, Tiffany Gilbert is a graduate of Saint Vincent with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration, and she credits Saint Vincent for much of her success in her adult life.

SVC is a place that holds many special moments for Tiffany. She always had a high level of respect for Saint Vincent as an academic institution. Her relationship with SVC started as a young girl, simply because of her father sharing his experiences as a student and graduate of Saint Vincent.

Periodically, Tiffany can be seen on Cornerstone Television Network, while she is also the executive director at a Pregnancy Care Center in Pittsburgh. It’s clear for her how Saint Vincent has assisted in molding her to become the leader that she is today. Much of what she does requires skilled and bold leadership, and she’s thankful that Saint Vincent College gave her the opportunity to hone these skills, which she uses on a daily basis.

During her time at Saint Vincent, Tiffany had the pleasure of working in the summers with the Pathways to Success program, an academic enrichment program for inner city youth. She also participated in mock trial and had the opportunity to serve as a prefect. She also highly enjoyed playing ultimate Frisbee with her friends on the field. This year, she received the Alumni of Distinction award.

BOOSEL

As the current director of religious education at Slippery Rock’s Saint Faustina Parish, Katie Boosel enjoys coordinating educational opportunities for her community. In a post-COVID environment, she is encouraged to see the young adults in her rural community grow their faith through service, and she believes that people learn to love Christ by loving others.

As both a Saint Vincent student and staff member, Katie Boosel was a crucial force in building the vibrant Campus Ministry program that SVC students enjoy today. Hired in 2003 as the program’s work study, she worked behind the scenes to organize events and service projects for her fellow students until joining the staff as the first full-time female Campus Minister in 2005. During her tenure, Campus Ministry grew into a campuswide community that provides all students the opportunity to participate in Boniface Wimmer’s service-oriented and forward-thinking vision. She enjoyed giving students and faculty multiple avenues to connect, help their fellow Bearcats, and serve our international neighborhood through mission trips. While working at Saint Vincent, Katie planned and co-led student trips to World Youth Day in Germany, spring break mission trips to Brazil, and a Campus Ministry trip to Rome. She fondly remembers the immersive trips to Brazil where students would come together for mass and a meal after a long day of service and share their moments of wonder from their work.

Katie teaches several theology courses at Saint Vincent and works closely with the Office of Service Learning to build bridges between the Bible and the contemporary problems faced by our community on the day-to-day. In particular, she pairs her teaching of the Prophets with service learning so that students can enact the kind of social justice work the Old Testament talks about.

Katie lives in Prospect with her husband, Jason, and their three children, Chloe, Brigid, and Jack. Together, they enjoy chauffeuring them around to their various after school activities.

Former Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Softball Coach, and Associate Athletic Director

BY JIM BERGER

More than a decade since her untimely passing, Kristen Zawacki continues to leave a mark on Saint Vincent College Athletics.

Kristen became the first female coach in the school’s history when she was named head women’s basketball coach for the inaugural 1983-84 season. Shortly thereafter, she took on the same role for the softball program upon its launch in 1985, when she also became the Athletic Department’s first female administrator with her appointment as associate athletic director.

Over her illustrious basketball-coaching career, Kristen amassed a career record of 512-276, and at the time of her death was one of just thirteen coaches in the nation with 500 or more wins. She was named NAIA District 18 Coach of the Year seven times and the American Mideast Conference Coach of the Year three times, and she was inducted into the Saint Vincent College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.

As head coach of the Saint Vincent softball team from 1985-89, and again from 1999-2005, Kristen led the Bearcats to four playoff appearances, while as the school’s associate athletic director and senior women’s administrator, she helped lead the Department through a time of exponential growth, which included the addition of ten sports, the transformation of Kennedy Hall into the Robert S. Carey Center following a multi-million dollar 2003 renovation project, and the construction of the College’s first artificial turf field. Along with then-athletic director Father Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., and assistant athletic director Sue Hozak, Kristen also played a major role in helping the school successfully complete the transition from the NAIA to the NCAA Division-III ranks, a four-year process that commenced in 2006.

Kristen’s inaugural 1983-84 basketball team boasted just eight players but more than exceeded expectations, finishing 14-

10 and reaching the NAIA District 18 playoffs. It was a sign of things to come for the Zawacki-led program, as over the next twenty-six years, the Bearcats reached the postseason twenty-three times, including nine District 18 titles, four American Mideast Conference titles, and eight trips to the NAIA National Tournament. Fifteen players coached by Kristen received NAIA All-America honors, while twentyfour scored more than 1,000 points.

The 1990s were a decade of prominence for the Saint Vincent women’s basketball team, as the Bearcats went a combined 22285 between the 1990-91 and 1999-2000 campaigns. The team won the District 18 title every year from 1989 through ‘97, and in 1997-98, the Bearcats’ first year of competition in the new American Mideast Conference, SVC made quick work of its opposition, posting a 16-0 conference mark and a 25-7 overall record. By the end of the decade, the Bearcats appeared in the NAIA National Tournament in seven of ten years and added another NAIA postseason trip in 2002-03, when they recovered from a 4-6 start to finish 22-12, earning Kristen AMC Coach of the Year accolades.

The winning hardly stopped upon the Bearcats’ move to NCAA Division II, as a young 2009-10 squad, of which nine of fifteen players were either freshmen or sophomores, finished 23-5. In a season full of highlights, the Bearcats wrapped up the regular season with a 64-56 home win over nationally ranked Thomas More to give Kristen her 500th victory, while two weeks later, the Bearcats won the ECAC championship with a nail-biting 60-58 victory over Juniata to close with a 23-5 record.

The Bearcats entered the 2010-11 season ranked in the top 25, and after opening the year with seven straight victories, ascended to 16th in the national poll its highest ever ranking. Three days before Christmas, the Bearcats took to the

court against Randolph Macon in the final game of the Daytona Beach Shootout. In front of a bevy of family that resides in the Daytona area, Kristen would walk off the court a 72-52 winner in what turned out to be the final game of her illustrious career, as she unexpectedly passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 52.

Kristen’s impact on Bearcat Athletics continues to be felt today, as she was responsible for producing two of the College’s most successful coaches.

In July 2006, following an impromptu meeting, she hired a young graduate assistant coach, a Saint Vincent College graduate who was eager to embark on a college coaching career. Seventeen years later, this young GA, Jimmy Petruska, has led the Bearcats to three PAC titles, four trips to the NCAA tournament, and a .703 winning percentage.

Kristen’s star softball pupil, Nicole (Hinerman) Karr, rewrote the record books between 2001-04 and is still regarded as arguably the finest player in program history. In 2006, Kristen handed over the coaching reigns to Nicole, a 2019 SVC Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and fellow 40 Women for 40 Years honoree, who has since amassed more than 300 career wins and has guided the team to nine PAC tournament appearances and two trips to the NCAA playoffs.

Along with Jimmy and Nicole, dozens of Kristen’s alumnae went on to coach at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels, part of an alumni base that boasts successful women in fields including medicine, law, education, and business.

A discussion on whom to include on a Mount Rushmore of Saint Vincent College Athletics would stir endless debate, but with her twenty-seven years of success and immeasurable influence as a coach, administrator, mentor, and friend, one figure who would be included without a doubt is Kristen Zawacki.

ZAWACKI KRISTEN

BY DR. SARA LINDEY Former English Department Chair

ZAUHAR FRANCES

Fran(ces) Zauhar taught literature for fifteen years at Saint Vincent College from 1991-2006. In that time, she was almost always the English Department chairperson, and she had a special connection with students and faculty alike.

When I arrived in 2008 as faculty in English, Fran was famous, having taught as freshman the students I ushered out as seniors. They recalled passionate discussions about literature in her Multiethnic Literature of the US course. They told me how Dr. Zauhar took the literature they read seriously as intricate works of art, poignant social commentary, and beloved and touching stories. In her class, you could admit that you loved characters, even as you untangled the puzzle of the text that offers lessons from their failures. Fran loved literature in front of her students, and our students loved that they could both feel deeply about the stories, plays, and poems they read while analyzing them. Fran built community around important and touching stories.

Fran was also beloved by her colleagues. She brokered playful antics among her English department faculty, a male cohort she affectionally refers to as “My Guys.” As the only woman in the English Department, Fran frequently interrupted sword fights between Dr. Dick Wissolik and Father Wulfstan Clough, O.S.B. The fun-loving pranks and occasional trash can fire (somehow it was okay to smoke in the classrooms) brought a sense of joy to the English Department. Everyone from her time here remembers the way students and faculty would hang out on the fourth floor of Placid, a place abuzz with spirited conversations.

Ivette Mejia enjoyed arguably the most prolific running career in the history of women’s cross country at Saint Vincent College. A four-time AllPresidents’ Athletic Conference honoree, two-time PAC Champion, two-time All-Region honoree, and 2011 NCAA All-American, Ivette remains the team record-holder in both the 5- and 6-kilometer distances.

Ivette graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management. She returned to her hometown of New York City and has continued to run competitively in the road racing circuit, successfully qualifying for the 2020 USA Olympic marathon trials. Ivette is also active in coaching, as she works as a training supervisor at New York Road Runners Inc., and as assistant track and field and cross-country coach at Baruch College in New York City.

ANDREA REDINGER

BIOLOGY MAJOR

C’01

An energetic, creative biology instructor, whose lesson for the day can be indicated by her earrings, and coordinator of gifted education, Andrea (Ferraco) Redinger has been working with students at Greensburg Salem for over twenty years. Andrea graduated with highest honors in 2001, earning a BS in Biology followed by an MS in Science Education from Duquesne in 2002. She was instrumental in founding the Pennsylvania Science Curriculum Council and currently serves as its executive director.

Andrea is the recipient of multiple awards, including the SVC Alumnus Achievement Award, and is a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest honor bestowed by the US Government for STEM teaching.

At SVC, Andrea served as her class president, captain of the women’s volleyball team, and was highly active in the Life Science Club, Campus Ministry, and Alpha Chi Honor Society.

Through her efforts on the Boyer School Advisory Council, Andrea helped to institute Healthcare Exploration Days for gifted high school students, bringing them to campus for a day of hands-on laboratory activities.

Andrea loves animal critters of all types and houses 20 different species in her classroom. She possesses a passion for education and the desire to instill not only knowledge and experience in all those whom she encounters, but also the passion and love for science that she possesses.

Andrea’s enthusiasm has been referred to as “infectious” (pun intended). She can be found with her husband, David, and three kids, Everett, Patty, and Samuel, at any athletic field or court, skiing, or watching the new Star Wars movies and shows.

MARY REGINA BOLAND

BIOINFORMATICS MAJOR

C’10

Mary Regina Boland began her education at Saint Vincent College as a biochemistry major but switched into a newly created bioinformatics program when the biochemistry research involved larger and larger data sets, which required sophisticated computational methods. She won the departmental bioinformatics award, graduated magna cum laude, and was accepted into Columbia University’s biomedical informatics PhD program.

Mary Regina’s passion for research into socioeconomic disparities that exist in health care led her to an assistant professorship at University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, where she established a lab to develop novel methods that shed light on environmental and socioeconomic exposures that are important in women’s health and fetal outcomes. At Penn, she also had affiliate relationships with their Wharton School of Business and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This fall, she has returned to Saint Vincent College to develop and advance the College’s new data science major, an expansion of the former bioinformatics major.

But Mary Regina’s interests aren’t limited to bioinformatics and data science. At five years old, she began taking piano lessons. As an undergraduate, she began taking organ lessons from Father Cyprian Constantine, the Saint Vincent Archabbey Organist. She enjoyed the organ so much that she enrolled in lessons throughout her college experience.

Mary Regina’s impact on SVC students, from teaching and researching to occasionally playing the Basilica organ, is profound.

JULIE (CLAYBAUGH) SELEP

BIOLOGY MAJOR C’92

As a young girl, Julie loved coming to the August Saint Vincent Development Club picnic. She was the youngest of eight children of Tom and Florence Claybaugh, both active participants in the Development Club, a fundraising program for the monastery. The picnic began with an outdoor Mass behind Gerard Hall, followed by games on the field organized by Br. Pat Lacey, a picnic meal, and endless ice cream treats. In those days, she also enthusiastically collected autographs and photos of the Super Bowl-winning Steelers.

Her brother, Dave, is an alumnus. While her older sisters attended Seton Hill (SVC was still all male then), one married a Bearcat, Jay Murray. In 1988, it was an easy decision for Julie to enroll in a coeducational SVC because of its traditionally strong biology program and newly-established winning women’s basketball team. After winning the conference championship in three of her four years and completing the biology major and teacher certification, she moved on to her career at Avonworth School District.

Saint Vincent has enjoyed enrolling multiple students recommended by Julie, including her son, Ben, and two nieces, Maria Claybaugh and Carlee Kilgus. Like Julie, Carlee excelled both in the labs as a science major and on the court on the Women’s Basketball team.

For more than thirty years, Julie has served as an active member of the SVC Alumni Council and served two years as president. Equally important has been her continued informal engagement with alumni.

Julie and her husband Michael reside in Bethel Park and are proud parents of Laurel, Ben, and John.

(HINERMAN) Head Women’s Softball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director

BY JIM BERGER

KARR NICOLE

C’04, G’13

The greatest player and coach in program history, Nicole Karr has been the face of Saint Vincent College softball for over two decades.

From 2001-04, Nicole put together a stellar playing career, graduating as the team’s record-holder in numerous offensive categories. Two years after graduating, she was named just the third head coach in the program’s history and has built her team into a perennial playoff contender.

A four-year starter and three-year team captain, she burst onto the scene as a freshman by hitting a school-record 13 doubles. She hit over .400 as a sophomore before earning AllAmerican Mideast Conference honors and leading her team to the conference playoffs in 2003 after batting .415 with six triples and 15 doubles, both team records at the time. Her 2004 senior season remains arguably the finest in team history, as she led the conference with a .538 batting average, 20 doubles, and .925 slugging percentage, which all remain team records nineteen years later.

After serving as assistant coach in 2005, Nicole took over as head coach in 2006, needing only two years to lead her team to its first 20-win season. In 2012, she earned her 100th career victory while guiding the Bearcats to a first-place regular-season Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) finish before presiding over a storybook 2016 season in which the Bearcats won their first PAC championship and advanced to the NCAA Regional Championship Tournament, where they scored a first-round upset of top-ranked Virginia Wesleyan. It remains the only NCAA playoff win for any SVC team.

Nicole’s Bearcats won their second PAC title and landed another NCAA tournament berth in 2019, the same year in which she was inducted into the SVC Athletic Hall of Fame for both her playing and coaching achievements. The 2022 season, which included a record 13-game winning streak, culminated with a trip to the PAC semifinals, while in 2023, Nicole picked up her 300th career win as the Bearcats again qualified for the PAC tournament. She closed the 2023 campaign with a career record of 320-237-1.

A native of Greensburg, Nicole, who was recently elevated to the role of assistant athletic director, graduated with honors in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology education, later going on to earn a master’s in curriculum and instruction from SVC in 2013.

MARIANNE ANDERSON

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

ANALYSIS MAJOR C’87

Marianne Anderson’s accomplishments are as diverse and well-rounded as the liberal arts education she received. She achieved great success through the Forhan and Wakefield Group working with Exxon Research and Development, IBM, and Ashton-Tate. She was the first woman alum to be invited to serve on the SVC Board of Directors, starting at the young age of 35 (20002015). During her tenure, she chaired multiple committees: she was the Honorary Chairperson of 25 years of CoEducation at SVC, created the Michael F. Kubiak scholarship, and won the 1999 Alumna of Distinction award. She was also an adjunct professor for the McKenna School, teaching the Advanced Microsoft Excel course and a freshman collegiate computer camp.

Her life is led by the principle: always keep learning. She credits SVC’s well-rounded education with her ability to find success in science, technology, and mathematics; however, it was the business core classes that enabled her to own Maritom, LLC. Varied core classes gave her the ability to adapt her career to write human interest articles and become the executive editor of two local magazines. She feels deeply blessed and grateful for her SVC education and the SVC community support.

As Basil Robb replenished vending machines on the Saint Vincent College campus in 1985, he took a step that changed the trajectory of his daughter’s future: stopping at the Saint Vincent financial aid office during one of his visits, he asked for advice on how he could help his daughter apply to the newly coeducational college.

Several months later, with academic and financial goals met, Molly Robb enrolled as a new Bearcat in the fall of 1986.

As a first-generation student, her early days on campus might have proved a challenge, but Molly was excited to be part of a liberal arts environment, and within a short time, she knew she could do well at Saint Vincent, and she did.

Thanks to encouragement from her mentor, the late Dr. Richard Wissolik, Molly, an English major, applied for a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to prepare a critical edition of a comic opera. Dr. Wissolik was at Molly’s side when she opened the congratulatory letter.

The world opened up for her as a student at Saint Vincent, and the relationships she developed were life-changing. To acknowledge that impact, Molly created a scholarship in the name of her parents. Moreover, the

Benedictine spirit has remained with Molly throughout her life. She and her husband, Ken, are members of Saint Vincent Basilica Parish, and she stays involved in the community by serving on nonprofit boards and committees.

A 2009 Alumni of Distinction awardee, Molly went on to be one of the first females elected to SVC’s Alumni Council, even serving as president for a time. She currently serves as vice president for institutional advancement at Seton Hill University.

The trail blazed by Molly was soon followed by her two sisters, and now their children have also graduated from and matriculated at SVC, providing a new generation of the Robb family with the opportunity to mark their paths within the Saint Vincent community.

BY GEORGE FETKOVICH

MIELE JENNIFER

Jennifer Miele graduated from Saint Vincent in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in public policy analysis and minor in communication and information arts. She earned a Master of Arts degree in political science from Virginia Tech and a certificate in strategic planning from Georgetown University. After graduation, Jennifer worked as a television news reporter at WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia, and at WTAJ in Altoona. Locals might recognize Jennifer from her time as Westmoreland County Bureau Chief at WTAE Channel 4 in Pittsburgh. Following her television career, she would become vice president of marketing and communications at Excela Health, where she facilitated both internal and external communications as well as system branding and digital strategies.

Currently, Jennifer is the chief communications officer and managing director of evangelization at the Diocese of Greensburg. She serves in the Bishop’s Cabinet and also hosts The Catholic Accent TV Show on WPXI.

The Catholic Media Association has named her Communication/Marketing Executive of the year four times, most recently in 2023. She and her team have received dozens of Telly, American Videographer Association, and

Communicator Awards of Excellence. Jennifer also received the Athena Winner’s Circle Award for Community Service, having served on more than a dozen non-profit boards over the last two decades.

Jennifer spent more than ten years as the host of Get Acquainted Days for Saint Vincent College and taught both public speaking and marketing as an adjunct professor. She serves on the McKenna School of Advisors, covered Steelers Training Camp, and acted as emcee when President George W. Bush gave his commencement address in 2007.

Jennifer and her husband, Dr. Jason Cinti, have 2 children, Francesca and Vivienne Cinti, who attend Queen of Angels Catholic School in Irwin. She coaches cheerleading at Queen of Angels and is often seen at school events. The family attends Immaculate Conception Parish in Irwin, where the girls are altar servers and Jennifer lectors.

Former Registrar

BY GEORGE FETKOVICH G’90

BRUDNOK CELINE

For nearly a half century, Celine Haas Brudnok was a familiar face on the Saint Vincent College campus for students and administrators, Benedictines and faculty. But even before her arrival as an employee in 1978, the Haas family of Whitney already had a long relationship with Saint Vincent.

The freshly-baked bread produced by the Benedictine nuns provided the incentive for Celine’s family to traverse the rolling roads to the Gristmill and purchase loaves to enjoy. Over the years, the family made many connections, not only with the

sisters but also with the Benedictines, many of whom performed Sunday masses St. Cecilia’s, Celine’s home church.

The bond between the Haases and Saint Vincent was fortified during the devastating fire of 1963. Celine was a young child at the time but clearly remembers the fire. Her family, led by her grandmother, made meals for the firemen who battled the blaze for several days in frigid temperatures. As heartbreaking as the damage to the campus was, the relationship the Haases had with the people who lived and worked at Saint Vincent compelled them to provide support in the time of their deepest need.

Upon graduating from Greater Latrobe Senior High School in 1977, Celine served in the College’s Drug and Alcohol Prevention Projects, and her career at Saint Vincent was underway. Within a few years, she moved on to become secretary and administrative assistant to the provost, administrative dean, dean of coeducational affairs and the institutional research staff. Her next position would be lifechanging.

In 1982, Celine was appointed residence hall director. During the next 15 years, she not only lived in the dorms but also continued her assistant duties with the academic deans, along with coordinating housing and summer activities, new student orientation programming, and scheduling. Most importantly, Celine enrolled as a student at SVC, and in the spring of 1990 earned a bachelor of science degree with highest honors in business management. It was a special time for her; living in the dorms allowed her to build relationships with the students beyond the administrative level, and to walk across the stage with the students who she had mentored for four years was very emotional for her. Validation of her connection with the student body culminated when she received the Student Association Special Service Award in 1991 and 1992. She capped her education with an MBA from Seton Hill in 2001.

Elevated to the position of registrar in 1997 and consumed with new priorities,

Celine still found the time to serve on planning committees for the renovation of Kennedy Hall (now the Robert S. Carey Center), Rooney Hall, and upgrading the food service.

She maintains an affection for Saint Vincent, the people, and the Benedictines. She remains close with current Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., who was a young monk and eventual college president early in her career. Celine is the most proud, though, of her dedication to the College and her love for the students. Every December and May, she remains encouraged by seeing the success of young adults as they graduate—including her son, Shane, in 2017.

Today, Celine, along with her husband, Tom, enjoy volunteering at the local St. Vincent de Paul store and food pantry while spending time with her son, now married, and their daughterin-law. She also loves to bake, creating the perfect symmetry to her first encounters with the Saint Vincent community. Celine’s influence on the College can be summed up by her drive to find the capacity to do more, to take ownership of the environment she called home for the better part of her day, for the better part of her life.

While the physical journey from Celine’s childhood home to the campus of Saint Vincent was slightly less than four miles, her employment at the College spanned more than four decades, in multiple capacities at many levels—a true servant of Saint Vincent.

RUEFLE COLLEEN

BY MANDI MORINELLI

Colleen Ruefle entered Saint Vincent College in its early stages of co-education, having been a member of only the second combined class. She holds the distinction of being the first-ever female recipient of the President’s Award.

While attending SVC, Colleen pursued a history major with an education minor. She was a member of the volleyball team, led by Sue Hozak, with whom she maintains a friendship to this day. She was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008 and still holds the third-highest percentage of serve accuracy for a single season in team history.

Colleen actively contributed to the SVC community as a prefect and as a member of the Student Government Association and Activities Programming Board. In addition, she held the role of box office manager for the Summer Theatre, where she had the opportunity to work closely with her mentor and dear friend, Father Tom Devereux, O.S.B.

Her profound admiration for Fr. Tom is evident through the naming of her eldest son, Thomas, in his tribute. She consistently lends her support to the Father Tom Devereux Theatre Fund by making regular donations, and on her visits to the campus, she never fails to pay a heartfelt visit to his grave, leaving behind flowers as a token of her respect.  Motivated by her time at Saint Vincent, Colleen went on to pursue a Master of Arts degree in student affairs in higher education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, allowing her to shape her career in this field and reach her current position as vice president for student life, dean of students, and Title IX coordinator for La Roche University in McCandless.

She was named a Saint Vincent College Alumni of Distinction in 2013 and currently serves as a consultant on the planning committee for the Dunlap Family Athletic and Recreation Center.

Colleen and her husband, Jim Shields, have been happily married for twenty-six years. Together, they are the proud parents of four children: Julia; Thomas; Annie, C’23; and Liam.

Brothers Welcoming Sisters

TBY DR. WILLIAM SNYDER, C’73 Retired professor of English and department chair

he transept of the Saint Vincent Basilica is brightened by a stained-glass triptych of Saint Benedict presenting his Rule to Saint Scholastica. As the late afternoon light illuminates the gold of the tabernacle, the mosaic narrates a story of brother and sister meeting to discuss matters both secular and spiritual sometimes well into the night.

Although the two shared a family and vocation, they were separated by gender norms of the time the brother required to return to his monastery where no women were allowed, the sister retiring to a convent a few miles away. Yet they kept a promise to each other to meet once a year to affirm their faith and to draw inspiration from one another.

Their conversations near Monte Cassino, as described by Gregory the Great, have become a beacon across history, enlightening the notion that the sharing of insights between men and women is fruitful and godly.

For seventeen decades, as the first Benedictine institution of higher education in the United States, Saint Vincent has striven to reflect the light of that beacon. As one of a group of single-sex Catholic colleges during that time, its regional reputation was tightly entwined with its male-oriented houses. Throughout those years, SVC benefited from its association with the prep school, archabbey, and seminary. Many monks served as professors and administrators, and the chancellor was always the archabbot.

However, with the ripening of time, reputations can evolve to be hardened and delimiting: in the 1960s and 70s, students who declared to high school mates that they were attending college at Saint Vincent were often asked whether they were planning to become priests. These were the days of “Saint Vincent Classic,” an all-male residential campus whose graduates were long known to excel in academics and athletics.

It was in January of 1982 that Saint Vincent officially welcomed the light of Scholastica. Acting on a study instituted in 1977, and taking into account financial projections and possible effects on a longstanding cooperation agreement with Seton Hill, the Board of Directors deliberated about opening the College to women students.

Fr. Cecil Diethrich, then president of the College, reported that members of the board voted “without dissent” to move ahead with the venture. He and three abbots oversaw the research phase and transition process from ’77 through ’83. While some of the “old guard” representing Saint Vincent Classic had misgivings about such a dramatic change in the history of SVC, the brain trust withstood voices holding out for tradition, certain that the shift would strengthen the academic reputation of the school.

Wheels turned quickly after the vote. Sister John Miriam Jones, director of coeducation at Notre Dame University, was brought on as a consultant. By mid-1983, SVC had a new president, Fr. Augustine Flood, and a dean of coeducation of its own, Kathleen Yorkis, as all facets of the College—administration, faculty, and student government— plunged into the emprise.

On Monday, August 29, the first day of the semester in the new era, all segments of the campus community shared a picnic lunch in Melvin Platz followed by a “grand toast” to the “new beginning.” Students unveiled a large “birthday” cake that was eight feet long and four feet wide, with 137 candles marking each year since the College’s founding. A band added to a festive atmosphere before a thirty-minute fireworks display concluded the celebration.

Timothy Q. Hudak, current chair of the Board at Eckert-Seamans, was SVC’s student government president in 1982-83. He remembers that a confab involving him, John Mizner (co-chair of freshman orientation) and Dean of Students Fr. Tom Devereaux drafted the phrase “A New Beginning to an Old Tradition.” Hudak recalls that the switch to co-education catalyzed a maturity and growth in the existing student body that made the transition really

smooth and easy. A mitigating factor was that fifty women were transfers—students who likely came to SVC with experience on other coed campuses, helping to tone down any culture shock. Hudak remembers that the first women were overwhelmingly fantastic additions to the student body and building for the future.

Ruth Shedwick-Bryant from Ford City was an inaugural member of the 1983 freshman class. SVC came into her purview after her sister enrolled at Seton Hill the year before. Ruth, now a VMD, remembers that it was strange to be around so many guys and was impressed that most of the guys had also attended prestigious Catholic high schools with courses in Latin and Greek, philosophy and theology, thus raising the academic bar. Her competitive fires were stoked, and she graduated magna cum laude. By the time of her senior year, the guys felt like brothers to her in an atmosphere where gender didn’t matter.

Kim Grewe, an English major and current PhD, recalls that so many professors were instrumental in her growth as a person and scholar. She remembers the quiet, sacred spaces of the campus and appreciates SVC providing her with a great foundation for cultivating an open mindset and embracing diversity—characteristics that led to her present status as a national voice in open education and open pedagogy within the community college system in the US.

Perhaps the vibrancy of coeducation at Saint Vincent is best seen between the boundaries of court and field. Saint Vincent’s women’s athletic teams have hoisted over a dozen championship banners and multiple undefeated seasons, while always being “in the hunt.” The recruiting and coaching genius of Kristen Zawacki created a strong basketball tradition, with twenty-five 1,000-point scorers and ten who can claim the title “All-American.”

Women’s volleyball, coached by Sue Hozak since 1985, boasts a long string of playoff appearances and championships, led by four All-Americans. Likewise, women’s soccer has chipped in three All-Americans. Bearcat softball has posted, with one exception, winning records for the last ten years, winning two PAC tournaments in that time. And women’s bowling has been at or near the top of the league since its inaugural season in 2017, while cross-country has placed a dozen national qualifiers since 1987.

Today, the Benedict and Scholastica window streams its mosaic light in two directions: into the Basilica, and outward across the campus, where men and women continue to take up intellectual and spiritual work alongside each other, as they have for the past four decades—with devotion, collaboration, and eloquence. ♦

VERA SLEZAK joins the faculty as a language instructor. She serves as the only female instructor on campus for nearly ten years.

CAROL POLLOCK is appointed special programs coordinator and director of the Saint Vincent Gallery.

TEN SISTERS ARRIVE FROM BAVARIA to assist with meal preparations at Saint Vincent Archabbey and College. They become an integral part of the Saint Vincent community for the next fifty-six years.

SISTER PATRICIA

MCCANN, R.S.M. , begins teaching in the Saint Vincent Seminary and then teaches Religion in America and Catholic Social Teaching in the College.

CELINE HAAS begins work at Saint Vincent in the College’s Drug and Alcohol Prevention Projects, eventually being named as registrar in 1997.

A SCHOLARSHIP

ESTABLISHED IN DR. SARA MCCOMB work was dedicated of youth and welfare community. McComb

Doctor of Letters the College in 1958 construction of the Saint

A HISTORY OF

Women at Saint Vincent

SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE BECOMES COEDUCATIONAL.

Dr. Carolyn Attneave authors a detailed project report on the transition of the all-male Saint Vincent College to co-education.

Loretta Scalzitti is the first female continuing education student to earn a degree.

FUND IS IN HONOR OF MCCOMB , whose life to the education

of the Latrobe McComb received a degree from 1958 following the Saint Vincent library.

DR. DOREEN BLANDINO joins the faculty in the language department. She expanded the foreign language program and opportunities for study abroad. Dr. Blandino received the Boniface Wimmer Faculty Award as well as the Thoburn Excellence in Teaching Award and has served on every major committee at SVC at one time or another during her teaching career.

KRISTEN ZAWACKI

over 500 career games as SVC’s women’s basketball coach. She also coached softball.

ALICE KAYLOR is named dean of co-educational affairs at Saint Vincent College.

BOARD MEMBER

WINNIE PALMER passes away; her husband and children establish the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve in her honor.

NICOLE (HINERMAN)

KARR sets numerous records in SVC softball,

1991

JODI HALLER becomes the first woman to pitch for a college baseball team. Her SVC jersey and cap now reside in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

JOANNE is presented with an honorary degree for her artistic prominence and educational endeavors.

2004

2006

DR. MARY BETH appointed Dean of Social Sciences, Communication, and Education. Her work literature and background and secondary education the ideal candidate Fred Rogers Center and Children’s

MARY L. COLLINS becomes the first female vice president when she is named vice president for student affairs.

MAGGIE NELSON sets Division III scoring records in women’s lacrosse. She is featured Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” on May 18, 2018.

BETH SPORE is of the School of Communication, work in children’s background in primary education made her candidate to work with the for Early Learning Children’s Media.

CHANTAL BRAZIEL graduates from SVC and goes on to sing at the Metropolitan Opera, the Pittsburgh Opera, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

full-time female faculty members

34

SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE CELEBRATES

40 YEARS OF COEDUCATION

CARRIE DIRISIO

FINANCE MAJOR

C’12

As a finance major at Saint Vincent, Carrie DiRisio was often one of the only women in her classes, but she found great support and mentorship from her professors. Actively involved in clubs and sports as well as academics, Carrie credits SVC with helping her build a strong foundation in leadership, community outreach, and Benedictine values.

These traits helped Carrie achieve remarkable accomplishments. She has served as the Diaper Bank Chair for the Junior League of Pittsburgh, supported Federated Hermes’ Women in Investing resource group as their inaugural community chair, and traditionally published a young adult fiction novel.

For Carrie, though, the most impactful volunteer work she’s done began in the Rooney Hall laundry room. There, Carrie noticed the plethora of abandoned hoodies and sweatpants. Upon receiving permission to donate unclaimed items, she contacted One Spirit, a group serving the Lakota people of Pine Ridge Reservation, who were in dire need of such items for their teen shelter. Since then, Carrie remains a supporter of, and advocate for, the non-profit. Recently, Carrie was able to leverage her social media skills to aid the nonprofit in ensuring over 750 children’s Christmas wishes were met.

Carrie now holds the position of LMS training and development manager for Guardian Protection. She’s proud to say that the Benedictine values she learned at Saint Vincent are an excellent fit with the servant leadership philosophy of her workplace, and she strives to pay forward the mentorship and education she received while at SVC.

ALÉ SIMMONS

COMMUNICATION AND PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

C’10

Alé Simmons graduated from Saint Vincent in 2010 with a dual degree in communication and psychology. During her time on campus, she was an active member of the community, which included being president of her class, a member of SGA, an Orientation Committee member, and an admission ambassador in addition to being in Lambda Pi Eta and Psi Chi. Alé also started the college’s “Bearcat on the Street” video marketing campaign.

As the senior business development manager for Clark Hill, an international law firm with offices throughout the US, Mexico, and Ireland, Alé leads efforts for the firm’s litigation practice as well as several industry teams. She’s a skilled and savvy business development leader who works with attorneys to build their practices through authentic connections and industry knowledge by encouraging and navigating the strategic development of valuable relationships in the legal marketplace. With more than a decade of experience in legal marketing and business development, Alé excels at creating pragmatic, yet creative, strategies for distinctive business plans for both individual attorneys and focused groups.

Outside of work, she is a member-atlarge of the Legal Marketing Association Northeast Regional Board in addition to regularly volunteering for charitable organizations in the Pittsburgh area. She also serves as the current president of the Saint Vincent College Alumni Council and helps create pathways forward for alumni around the nation to remain involved with their alma mater. Alé has made a huge splash in her time since graduating from Saint Vincent and will surely continue making an impact for years to come.

KIM (STEVENS) FEIGEL

ACCOUNTING MAJOR

C’07

While attending SVC, Kim Feigel, an accounting major, demonstrated her leadership abilities by serving as both president of the Student Government Association and as a class senator. Additionally, she played an active role in several student groups affiliated with the SGA, such as the Bearcat Light Brigade, which assists in decorating the campus for Christmas, and the Bearcat Bucket Brigade, a spring cleanup initiative.

Kim also spearheaded a campaign to repair the deteriorating sidewalks in Melvin Platz. She reached out to thenPresident James Towey, who recognized the issue and ensured that the sidewalks were restored.

After graduating as a President’s Award recipient, Kim began her professional journey at the national accounting firm Ernst and Young. Within two years, she obtained her CPA certification. She went on to work for Carnegie Mellon University and Phillips Respironics before joining forces with her husband, Matthew (C’08), to acquire and manage a dental practice. Kim manages the practice remotely while fulfilling her role as a stay-at-home mother to their four children: Jacob, Maddy, Ava, and Olivia.

Kim and Matt share a deep love for Saint Vincent and are dedicated to raising their children in the Benedictine lifestyle. They actively participate with their children’s school, Blessed Francis Seelos Academy in Wexford, where Kim serves as an assistant soccer and track coach. They are also members of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Wexford.

Sue Hozak has served as the head coach of the Bearcat Women’s Volleyball team since its inception in 1985. As a coach, Sue believes in educating and guiding students by providing a positive environment for excelling academically, athletically, and socially to maximize their potential as valuable members of society. And it works.

In 2022, under Sue’s leadership, she guided three players to All-PAC Honors: Carly Augustine was named All-PAC Second Team, Luciana Polk was named an All-PAC Honorable Mention, and Becca Miller was named to the All-PAC Sportsmanship Team. She led the Bearcats to a 17-9 overall record, the most for Saint Vincent since the 2014 season when the Bearcats went 1813 overall.   In July 2022, Sue’s team earned the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award; her teams have now received the honor ten times and four consecutive seasons in a row.

During her tenure at Saint Vincent, Sue has helped guide her team to 671 wins in program history, claiming her 600th career victory at La Roche on Sept. 27, 2016. Entering the 2023 season, Sue ranks in the top 10 of active Division III coaches in all-time wins.

A 1983 graduate of Waynesburg College, Sue received a bachelor’s degree in public administration during her

ARMOUR MARY ALICE

Associate Athletic Director and Head

Women’s Volleyball Coach

HOZAK Sue

BY NOAH AFTANAS

undergraduate studies and later earned a master’s degree in education from Saint Vincent.

Her volleyball playing began at Norwin High School, where she was a member of three state championship teams. As a threetime All-District setter at Waynesburg, Sue was on teams that won three district championships, competing in three NAIA National Championship Tournaments.

Sue’s personal honors include 2005 and 2003 American Mideast Conference North Division Coach of the Year, 1994 NAIA/AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year, 1994 Keystone-Empire Conference Coach of the Year, NAIA District 18 Coach of the Year: 1990-92-93, and KECC Coach of the Year in 1994.

In recent years, Sue’s team won two consecutive ECAC Division II Championships, in 2006 and 2007, while the women’s team reached the ECAC Division-III semifinals in 2009 and the finals in 2010.

Sue serves as senior woman administrator and deputy athletic director at Saint Vincent. She is also currently a member of the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Committee and the chair of the Division III Women’s Volleyball Great Lakes Regional Advisory Committee.

GRETCHEN FLOCK

Mary Alice Armour provided professional care to everyone she treated. She was the Saint Vincent College wellness director and nurse from 1993-2013, collaborating with five College presidents and several deans, and diligently remembered medical histories and was able to explain most medical diagnoses and procedures better than Google. She also worked in the Monastery infirmary for five years, arriving for her shifts on her signature scooter.

After graduating from Saint Francis General Hospital and receiving her BSN from Carlow University, she gained valuable knowledge and experience throughout her career in pediatrics; ear, nose, and throat specialty; allergy and immunology treatment; and drug and alcohol rehabilitation—all of which laid the foundation for student needs in college health.

Mary Alice became the director of the Wellness Center in 1995 and changed the footprint of healthcare services at SVC. Wearing multiple hats, she provided direct care, educational programs, lectures, and served on the Animal Care and Use Committee as well Health and Safety Committee. She was instrumental in increasing services for students by combining Health and Counseling Services under one roof in 2003, and she started the beloved Therapy Dog Program on Campus and was also instrumental in the creation of the Labyrinth.

A lifelong Steeler fan, one of Mary Alice’s finest moments was getting to have dinner with Rocky Bleier and Franco Harris before an on-campus event. Her screensaver for some time was a picture of her with Rocky, who lent all four of his Super Bowl rings to wear for the photo.

The Saint Vincent community remains grateful for the care Mary Alice provided and for her love of the nursing profession and our students.

Former Director of the Wellness Center BY

BOGNER J olene

Joining the second class of women at Saint Vincent College, Jolene Bogner played a role as one of the first women to have graduated the college with a STEM-related degree at a time of great change. Graduating with a degree in chemistry, Bogner pushed boundaries that women today are pressing to follow.

While attending the College, Bogner took an active role in campus life and put her Catholic faith in action by volunteering in the community. She acted as a prefect for two years, worked diligently with Campus Ministry to form events like Sports Friendship Day, and even took part in the inaugural women’s tennis team.

Even many years later, the key principles of hard work, patience, and service are a priority for Jolene and those she met during her college years. SVC impressed on Jolene the values of the Benedictine tradition: love, work, stewardship, and hospitality. In the roles she’d held professionally, and in her personal life, these Benedictine values have made an impact.

Today, Jolene continues to play an active role in her community as she organizes parish fundraisers and events, participates in her local church, and acts as a board member for her local St. Vincent de Paul organization in addition to serving on the SVC Board of Directors. Although she has taken numerous jobs and projects in the past, Bogner currently works for Mettler Toledo, Inc. as a global process owner and senior business analyst, which is a job that has afforded her the opportunity to travel in all corners of the world several times a year.

With the opportunity to travel to far-reaching places, Jolene has been able to spread the values that she gained while attending SVC with those she’s encountered along the way. Although she may travel across the world, SVC will always have a place for Jolene to return to, and we’re glad to see a wonderful woman sharing her kindness with the world.

BY JIM BENDEL

Accounting Major

Employed at a large corporation in Westmoreland County in the early eighties and having advanced to the position of staff accountant, Loretta sensed that she had reached the highest position possible at that time; being a woman in a corporate environment had its professional limitations. Absent an appropriate college degree, there was little or no expectation of further advancement. But there was a restlessness within Loretta to begin the journey to secure a degree, and she knew exactly where to take the initial step.

A lifelong parishioner at a church serviced by the priests from the Benedictine Community at Saint Vincent Archabbey, Loretta made that move by enrolling in the Continuing Education program at Saint Vincent College. The challenge was awesome and immediately accepted by her. Taking courses two nights a week, she spent two other evenings studying for those classes. And, she always took her seat in the front of the classroom. With no prior history in higher education and family obligations, those initial courses were somewhat daunting but very satisfying to her. Loretta knew that the completion of her studies would not impact her professional career, but there was a more significant reason that was leading her to attend college. She had a restless hunger for

knowledge, but the academic environment had to be supported by a strong ethical base. Having witnessed in Jeannette the presence of the priests from Saint Vincent, she was ready to begin the journey.  Saint Vincent College would be her “second home” in the evening for the next several years. To supplement the courses at Saint Vincent, as needed, Loretta took classes at Pitt at Greensburg and Seton Hill College. One course that had a significant impact on her was conducted by Sister Lois Sculco and Jerome Oetgen. She likewise has fond memories of the support given to her by Sister Susan Jenny and Father Earl Henry, O.S.B.

Shortly after completing her degree in 1983, Loretta began the new phase in her life that allowed her to share those values instilled in her by the Benedictines in her early life and then reinforced by the faculty members during her collegiate career. Loretta is very proud of sharing those values through her many interests: hospice, Meals on Wheels, Saint Vincent Alumni Council, Jeannette Library, local parish work, and just by being the best friend of so many individuals in her life. We are so thankful for Loretta being the first woman graduate of Saint Vincent College. Her personal values, commitment to community, appreciation for what is important in life—all of them set the bar high for students who follow her.

COLONNA Kimberl y English Major C’94

Kimberly M. Colonna, Esq., graduated from Saint Vincent College in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in education. She was involved with the student newspaper, was a member of the Orientation Committee, played intramural flag football, had several campus jobs, and mentored many students as a prefect for Aurelius Hall. After graduating from Saint Vincent, Kim earned her juris doctorate in 1997 from the Penn State Dickinson School of Law.

Currently, she is chair of the Education Law Practice Group at McNees Wallace & Nurick, LLC law firm in Harrisburg. Kim represents colleges, school districts, charter schools, and other providers of educational services; counsels on matters involving student and faculty rights; and assists educational institutions with policy development and contract review.

Recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, a Lawyer on the Fast Track, and a Select Lawyer, Kim has also received the Central Penn Business Journal Forty Under 40 award, the Harrisburg Magazine Local Legal Leaders award, and the YWCA Tribute to Women of Excellence Award. In 2019, she received the Saint Vincent College Alumni of Distinction Award.

Kim is a former president of the Program for Female Offenders and previously served on the Saint Vincent College Alumni Council. She currently serves as the vice chair for the Saint Vincent College Board of Directors and chair of the Fred Rogers Institute Committee of the Board of Directors. She is a frequent speaker on educational law topics and was the speaker for Saint Vincent College’s Charles G. Manoli Tribute Lecture Series in the fall of 2022.

The Saint Vincent connection is meaningful for Kim and her family, with her father and two brothers also being graduates of the College. Reflecting on her time as a student, she still remembers and appreciates the deeply valued concept of community seen in the support from administrators, professors, and friends; the fun of Sports Friendship Day and Founders’ Day events; and the education that broadened her perspectives, helped her grow as a writer, and honed the valuable everyday skills needed as a lawyer.

In her free time, Kim enjoys biking, hiking, traveling, and training for half marathons.

SOMMERS SUSAN MITCHELL

Professor of History

BY DR. SARA LINDEY

Dr. Susan Mitchell Sommers has been calling it like it is since her first year as on the history faculty in 1992. At that time, there were few women teaching at Saint Vincent College, and Susan brought the hidden lives of everyday people into the light, from small town citizens to free masons in esoteric communities.

In her teaching, she developed what she calls the Oatmeal Theory of History, which showcases the challenges and recognizes the importance of studying history as the stuff that both radically changes lives while those lives also appear to stand still. She explains to students that for thousands of years, our ancestors got up every morning, ate a bowl of oatmeal, and then went out into the fields to cultivate oats. Then they came home, ate a bowl of oatmeal, and went to sleep. For thousands of years. But, if we taught about that in history classes, everyone would all get up and leave, even though it is the way things actually happened. We speed things up, highlight the changes, make history seem far more exciting than it generally was for the people living it. So, while Susan may talk about the Scientific Revolution or Spanish Civil War as times of sweeping change, she reminds us that most people were still eating oatmeal and growing oats.

While Susan is known for her gardening efforts—in fact, she has taken a special interest in the gardens on campus and was a founding member of the SVC Garden Group—she does a lot more than eat oatmeal. Susan has published four books, forty articles, more than a dozen book reviews, and has delivered countless presentations. Her main teaching and research interests are in British and intellectual history, especially of the eighteenth century. Her publications include book-length studies of freemasonry, esoterism, and small-town parliamentary politics. Susan is currently working on a biography of Rev. James Anderson (1679-1739), a Presbyterian minister from Scotland who was responsible for the first book of masonic constitutions in 1723. She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in the UK.

Susan is a professional, leading in our faculty community with wisdom, insight, and heart. When I think of Saint Vincent College, I think of her.

ATTNEAVE CAROLYN

Visiting Professor of Women H’81

BY FATHER PAUL TAYLOR, O.S.B.

Carolyn Attneave achieved world renown as a psychologist specializing in cultural issues and as the first Native American woman to earn her PhD in psychology. But to Saint Vincent College, she will forever be known as the guiding light of coeducation.

Carolyn’s history with the College reaches back to 1981, when she became the College’s first female commencement speaker and received an honorary Doctor of Science degree. Two years later, through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), she was hired in the position of Visiting Professor for Women to guide the transition to coeducation that had begun in the late 1970s under then-president Father Cecil Dietrich, O.S.B.

During her years at the College, Carolyn lived in Wimmer Hall, teaching courses in psychology and sociology. As part of the grant, she wrote a research paper titled “Saint Vincent College in Transition: Coeducation 1983-1984,” detailing the planning, implementation, and results of the transition. Met with approval by the NSF, her report and guidance alongside other leaders at Saint Vincent were instrumental in reaching equal enrollment of men and women within seven years—half the projected timeline.

Carolyn passed away in 1992, but not before making her mark on the world and Saint Vincent College. She served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve as one of its first female officers and founded the Network of Indian Psychologists. Though no longer a physical presence here, her legacy as one of the most significant figures in the College’s history will remain forever.

BY DR. DENNIS MCDANIEL

Near the end of the many years that Saint Vincent remained steadfastly single-sexed, few women on campus could lead the transition to coeducation. However, when circumstances demanded change, Alice Kaylor embraced that challenge and pioneered the transition that helped Saint Vincent realize its identity as an institution that welcomes and serves all.

In the twenty-five years that we worked together, I witnessed Alice’s passionate commitment to serving the College and its students. Alice was a central figure at Saint Vincent because everyone knew that she got things done. I often worried about the weight of the responsibilities that she carried, from dean of studies, to commencement and honors convocation planner, to designer of the Writing Classroom, but she managed these tasks with wisdom, grace, humor, and a passion for serving students marginalized by their environment, identity, or nationality.

Alice’s career bears witness to her passion for inclusiveness. Beginning with the Opportunity Program, for which she worked both at Saint Vincent and at her alma mater, Seton Hill, to her subsequent positions director of the coeducational affairs, associate dean of students, associate academic dean, interim vice president for student affairs, and ultimately dean of studies, Alice brought Saint Vincent to a greater awareness of disadvantaged students and created programs and communication networks that helped these students succeed. As Saint Vincent built its athletic programs, Alice wrote academic policies to guide student athletes. As students struggled to fit into conventional majors, Alice revived and directed the Liberal Arts major. As the need to prepare freshmen for a liberal arts education grew, Alice founded and directed the First-Year Experience Program and made it part of the core curriculum. And as we felt the need to diversify our student body, Alice established and directed the Pathways to Success Program, which gave urban middle-school students a glimpse of college life; she even stayed in the dorm with

Alice

the students when the program director was unavailable.

But her service to the college is just one stage of a lifetime devoted to serving those in need. While in graduate school, to fulfill her teaching certification community service requirement, Alice taught English as a second language to Yemenite women whose husbands worked in the steel mills of Buffalo. Joining the Peace Corps, Alice was sent to Afghanistan to teach English for three years. She has been commended for her work in the Peace Corps and for her service as an academic advisor. In her retirement, Alice continues to serve on boards of arts programs in the Greensburg area.

But perhaps her most notable, and most greatly appreciated service, was her guidance and support of female students who boldly enrolled at what had been a male enclave. She became a role model for young women when so few women were yet serving in faculty and administrative roles at Saint Vincent. Women alumni have marveled her courage in keeping her birth name after marrying and at her willingness to bring her young daughter, Miranda, to the office so neither work nor family would suffer inattention. She directed female students to pursue unfamiliar paths and take risks: she was the best example of a woman who did both. But she also provided opportunities for female students to develop leadership skills, especially through her oversight of orientation. She made new female students to feel included as an integral part of Saint Vincent classes, sports, activities.

Alice’s commitment to service and inclusiveness is deeply rooted in the College’s Benedictine tradition. The Rule of St. Benedict asks that we “let those who are not strong have help so that they may serve without distress.” As a distinguished woman of Saint Vincent’s community, Alice Kaylor has been instrumental to the success of so many students, especially those at the margins. Her fortitude built a coeducational community that is socially just and spiritually strong.

Former Dean of Studies

WINTERS DANA (PUGLISI)

When Dana Puglisi moved into her dorm in August 2000, she couldn’t have imagined all of the ways Saint Vincent College would become a lifelong home, instrumental in her education, work, and life. Dana dove headfirst into her time as an undergraduate at SVC, serving as a prefect and as the first chair of the newly-established Activities Programming Board. By the time she graduated, she had a career path ahead of her and had met her life partner, Jason Winters.

The next nine years would see Dana through a graduate program in student development, work with parents navigating career shifts during the 2008 recession, support of hundreds of inmates seeking education and opportunity upon their release, a PhD in sociology and education policy, and evaluation work with early childhood systems. At the end of nearly a decade of experience across education and family-facing systems, she found her way back to Saint Vincent. In her first role as Research Associate at the Fred Rogers Center, Dana was able to marry her understanding of the vast pressures impacting families and educators with Fred Rogers’ deep and simple approach to supporting children and the adults who love and care for them.

Probably most notably, more than twenty years after her days as an undergraduate at Saint Vincent College, Dana became the Rita McGinley Executive Director of the Fred Rogers Institute. In her role, she grew the reach and impact of the organization by

C’04 Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

BY EMMA LEE

spearheading a new strategic plan, including an organizational rebrand. Her work has taken her across the country and to several international locations to deliver keynote addresses, workshops, and to advise on the development and improvement of systems and programs serving children and the adults who provide for their care and education. Dana ensured the Fred Rogers Institute is an integral part of Saint Vincent College and that its vast opportunities are available to students: she has led and grown the Fred Rogers Scholars program and the Incubator 143 lab, teaches in the Children’s Studies Minor, and has traveled with student groups to Senegal and China. Dana has led the Fred Rogers Institute to a clear focus of “helping the helpers”—supporting and investing in the strengths of adults who serve children, youth, and families—based in the research-backed belief that to have an impact on children we can’t forget about their adults. Her work across the organization and college and partnerships with like-minded organizations has ensured that Fred’s legacy carries forward into the coming decades.

In addition to her inspiring work in the service of children and families through the Fred Rogers Institute, she serves on the Remake Learning Council and on Parish Council at Immaculate Conception in Irwin. She is a parttime youth sports coach, a voracious reader, and best of all is the mother to two incredible girls, Clare and Anna.

CHEMISTRY MAJOR C’12

Dr. Taylor Guido was a four-year starter for the Saint Vincent women’s volleyball team from 2008-2011 and was active on campus with Student Government and Residence Life. She was named All-PAC Second Team her senior season, finishing third in the conference in kills per set. In 2009, she earned PAC Coaches Award honors, the equivalent of an AllConference award for SVC, which was a provisional conference member at the time. She is also a graduate of Greensburg Salem High School, where she was a four-year volleyball letterwinner and senior captain. Taylor was an All-Section, All-WPIAL, All-State, and All-Region selection following her senior campaign. At Saint Vincent, she was a chemistry major and secondary education minor. Taylor returned to SVC in 2012 to be a volunteer and assistant women’s volleyball coach under head coach Sue Hozak. She was named to the PAC 60th anniversary Women’s Volleyball team as well. Taylor currently works as a science teacher in the Greensburg Salem School District.

Professor of Modern and Classical Languages

BLANDINO Doreen

BY GEORGE FETKOVICH

The opening of Doreen Blandino’s Saint Vincent College story in the fall of 1986 might have lasted only one chapter.

Arriving from the Buffalo area with a PhD in modern languages, Doreen began her SVC teaching career emboldened with her youthful energy to bring knowledge of French and Spanish to the halls of the SVC campus. But on the first day of classes, she still had not received textbooks for any of the classes that she would be teaching that semester. Furthermore, her desk was void of any office supplies. By the start of the second week of classes, Doreen was equipped and her storied career was set in motion.

The pace was demanding: She had four new class preparations in two languages to develop for both fall and spring semesters, while navigating membership on several committees as a new faculty member. Doreen also quickly realized that there were no other young women to shop or socialize with. She thought perhaps she had made a mistake and should have accepted one of her other offers.

Ironically, as one of the few female professors at the College, she was unaware that the spring of 1987 would signal the first women graduates who’d attended SVC for all four years in school history: completely immersed in providing the students with a quality education and developing her teaching skills, having females in her classrooms felt so natural that women acquiring degrees seemed truly second nature. From that moment forward, Doreen’s

SVC pages would begin to fill.

And fill and fill and fill. Since 1994, Doreen has been the chair of the modern languages department, a remarkable run—one of which she is extremely proud. In 2009, she was awarded the Thoburn Excellence in Teaching Award, and she is currently the longest tenured professor— male or female—at Saint Vincent College. While these accomplishments are a testament to Doreen’s skills and devotion to the College, she did not arrive at success in Latrobe at age 26 without the help of some friends.

Edmiston, she helped pioneer the Mr. SVC Pageant, the proceeds of which supplied food to underprivileged children in Guatemala.

She was raised by the “men-in-black.” Not black-suited men charged with policing alien activity on earth, but rather those charged with carrying out a life devoted to God and the Benedictine Hallmarks.

The Benedictines were extremely welcoming and helpful in every way. Under their guidance, she grew both academically and spiritually—the monks had become her friends and mentors, along with Professors Vera and Jari Slezak, Alice Kaylor, and her male colleagues who supported her and became her cheerleaders. From the occasional tennis match to sharing a meal, Doreen found mentors and a strong support system built within the Saint Vincent community, sustained by the Benedictines.

And that foundation allowed her to bring new initiatives outside of the classroom to SVC. In 1988, Doreen started the first study abroad program with a trip to Cuernavaca, Mexico,

Yet in Doreen’s eyes her greatest accomplishment is the commitment to inclusion of all women in the SVC community. Her diminutive stature masks her dynamo nature; her energy and enthusiasm are apparent to all who encounter her. Since the beginning, she has particularly made a point of welcoming women faculty, administrators, students, and staff into her orbit, allowing and encouraging them to invest in the SVC community. She leads by example, as she is a frequent spectator at College sporting events (rarely missing a men’s or women’s basketball game), lectures, student musicals, and theatre productions or gallery shows. In 2008, she started the Women of SVC Social, an opportunity for women of all departments and offices of the College to get together after hours to enjoy and share in their work and life stories. Today, that social event is a culmination of Women’s Week in March on the SVC campus.

Doreen Blandino’s inspiring character adds so much to SVC’s long narrative, and those who know and work with her, and study under her, are glad that she still has many chapters to contribute to a future bestseller.

CECCONI AMANDA C’87

When making a life-changing decision, an individual must be ready to make that choice on their own—Amanda Cecconi made such a decision to join the first class of women at Saint Vincent College, despite spending a freshman year at a different college.

Initially, Amanda began her college career at William and Mary on a Division 1 basketball scholarship. During her freshman year, after a rough season, she sought a community where she felt she might truly belong.

Transferring to SVC her sophomore year, she knew she’d come home. She was an avid member of the SVC community during her undergraduate years, including playing basketball and writing for the school paper, all while challenging herself academically.

Amanda pursued her master’s degree at the University of North Carolina Wilmington before transferring to Wayne State in Detroit, Michigan, after graduating with an Economics degree, getting married, and moving to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. There, she obtained a teaching assistantship and taught marketing to undergraduates, a field she had no prior experience in

Economics Major

but would eventually form the basis for her future career. After working for Ford Motor Company and several start-ups, in 2009, she founded Punching Nun Group, a marketing firm focused on the healthcare industry and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband, Pastor Randy Thompson, and where she raised her children, Marinda, Fiona, and Liam.

Today, Amanda remains on the Board of Advisors for the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government and has recently joined the SVC Board of Directors. During the past few years, she has written a book describing her journey and the struggles she’s overcome called God is Real, the Miracles that Built My Faith

Amanda values trips home as an opportunity to relax and reconnect with others. She loves jogging through the campus and noting the harmony between the students and Benedictine community. She feels that SVC offers a differentiated experience from most schools—small class sizes, continual interaction with professors who join each student in discovering God-given talent, and, most importantly, the opportunity to invest in spiritual development.

SISTER ROBERTA CAMPBELL

FORMER DEAN OF STUDENTS

Should you ask the Bearcat Community who one of the most influential women Saint Vincent College has seen in the last forty years, many would chime in with Sister Roberta Campbell’s name.

When a position for director in SVC’s Campus Ministry opened, Sister Roberta jumped at the opportunity, not knowing that she would spend the next six years on the campus, slowly changing it from the inside out for the better. Sister Roberta kept herself busy while with the College, eventually taking up roles as both a dorm moderator for Aurelius Hall and assistant dean of students alongside the dean at the time, Father Myron Kirsch, O.S.B.

Sister Roberta considers herself very lucky—even though it was a large consumption of time, she really enjoyed all three positions.

Refusing to be idle and wishing to bring people together, Sister Roberta took charge in creating opportunities that would benefit everyone, shifting her focus onto both the SVC community and that of the overarching diocese. She aided in the creation of the first Sports Friendship Day, formed a collaboration with Seton Hill to perform the “Carrying the Cross” between both campuses, and even pushed students to volunteer in numerous settings. She aimed to create community wherever she could, and SVC affirmed that notion tenfold by allowing her to form events that both brought students together and pushed them out into the world.

Although Sister Roberta now works with the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh as the co-founder and director of leadership and life coach training for women in faith-based ministries, SVC left as large of an impact on her as she did the College; it affirmed in her the values that she always carries with her: always being the best you can be, but also be more for others, an idea that had been instilled in her from her youth and the Benedictine community. In the long run, her hope is that those values have continued with the students, in their own way, to perpetuate them in the way they do best.

With the time and dedication that Sister Roberta put into SVC and its community, the College is still holding onto the values that she instilled in the students and the campus over thirty years ago. Her drive for change and community shaped the college into what we see today, and without her, many of the memorable aspects of the school wouldn’t exist. We are grateful to have had such a wonderful woman act as an influence on the college at a time of great change, and we thank her for the values she shared with us.

Former Director of the Career and Professional Development Center

MORRISON DONNA

BY DR. NICHOLAS RACCULIA

“Students first,” sums up Donna Morrison’s life and career at Saint Vincent College. In her thirtyone years in the SVC Career Center, she was always a hub of focused activity and unbridled energy. She counseled and coached students for internships, co-ops, jobs, and her personal favorite, résumé building. She guided students to reach their maximum potential, directing them to the Career Services Office, and identifying, changing, and adding majors, minors, and concentrations. Speaking from personal experience, when any student walked into her office (which always maintained an open-door policy), that student became the most important person in the world to Donna. She greatly enhanced Saint Vincent’s reputation with regional and national businesses, establishing relations with many Fortune 500 companies and other major corporations during her tenure here. Donna built ties with businesses that even today regularly hire Bearcats: KPMG, Grossman Yanak and Ford, Kennametal, PPG, PNC, Heinz, USS, and many, many more. Students who were fortunate to work with her felt that their career choices and internship pathways were the most important things for Donna. She passionately built individualized action plans for each student, allowing them to access their comparative advantages and develop individualized stories—crucial for interviews and longterm success. Donna helped students focus on the long run, becoming disciplined and realizing their hunger for success. In that, she truly exemplified the Benedictine Hallmark of Discipline. She treated each student as an individual, maintaining the righteous optimism that qualifications, drive, and discipline were what mattered most. Her accomplishments beyond career planning and campus recruiting include enhancing the growth and visibility of the SVC Career Development Center, chairing the Mid-Atlantic Co-op Conference, serving as the Cooperative Education Association of Pennsylvania president, and serving on the Pittsburgh Technology Council-Education Network Advisory Board. She is currently the webmaster for the Great Allegheny Passage-Westmoreland Yough Trail Chapter and regularly volunteers, along with her husband, Harry, at the Western PA Conservancy.

Donna has demonstrated a lifetime of strong leadership in student affairs, program development, and employer relations. Ultimately, her Students First approach impacted countless Bearcats in incredibly positive ways and built the network of SVC alumni that extends even today to benefit our current students.

DAVIS BETTIE

Retired/Adjunct Lecturer in Chemistry

BY BO TOKARSKI

The name “Dr. Davis” is as synonymous with the education received at Saint Vincent College as the names of the residence halls in which students live and the academic halls where they attend their classes. Bettie is a perfect representative of the coeducation at Saint Vincent over the last forty years, as she has dedicated over half of that time serving the students of Saint Vincent, chemistry and nonmajors alike. For students in the STEM fields, especially those in the Health Sciences Graduate Program for which she served as director for seven years, Bettie was more than just an incredibly talented lecturer—for many of us, she became an adopted mother, often spending time in her office talking as much about life as the organic chemistry lab we were tasked with writing a report for.

For nonmajors, Bettie’s “Chemistry and Crime” course became a must-take, and students from across campus would be enthralled with learning more about their favorite crime assays as depicted in their favorite crime television shows, learning more about the key aspects of chemistry that underlie the assays performed to solve crimes of arson, drugs, or murder. Her dedication to the advancement of education is evidenced by her continued support for the Collaborative Learning Program (CLP), which became a staple for continued knowledge-development and scientific practice for hundreds of students across the chemistry and biology disciplines, while also providing critical teaching skills to CLP facilitators who could then go on to become successful teaching assistants and/or professors themselves in higher education.

Bettie’s emphasis on mental health, and her openness to speak about her own experience with mental health, became a backdrop of support for so many students who confided in her their own self-doubts and mental health struggles, providing a strong and courageous support to so many to help make it through even the toughest times as a student. Within the Saint Vincent community, there is no one I can think of who more exemplifies the Ten Benedictine Hallmarks upon which the foundation of Bearcat Nation is built. Most of all, it has been and always will be Bettie’s love—love of science, love of students, love of the Saint Vincent campus—that make her the ideal candidate for the 40 Women for 40 Years honor. Her incredible personality, unwavering smile, extensive chemistry and biology knowledge, and kind heart make her unlike any other woman who has helped to shape as many lives as Dr. Bettie Davis has in the STEM courses at Saint Vincent College.

Contributors

Noah Aftanas, C’21, Athletic Communications Assistant

Jim Bendel, C’60, Director of Planned Giving

Jim Berger, C’04, Director of Athletic Communications

Dr. Doreen Blandino, Professor of Modern & Classical Languages

Aubrey Cintron, C’19, G’21, Director of Alumni Relations

Courtney Cecere, Contributing Writer

David Collins, C 24, English Major

Dr. Rob DePasquale, Professor of Business Administration

George Fetkovich, C’80, Art Director

Gretchen Flock, Director of the Wellness Center and Personal Counselor

Madison Whitfield, Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Brother Norman Hipps, P’61, C’66, S’69, Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Steve Jodis, Dean of the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computing

Madison Kozera, C 24, English Major

Emma Lee, Associate Director of the Fred Rogers Institute

Dr. Sara Lindey, Professor of English and English Department Chair

Dr. Jeffrie Mallory, C’06, G’13, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Dennis McDaniel, C’79, Professor of English

Mandi Moranelli, C’99, Contributing Writer

Dr. Nicholas Racculia, C’00, Professor of Finance

Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’92, President

Bo Tokarski, C’15, Contributing Writer

Mallory Truckenmiller-Saylor, C’19, Director of the Writing Center, Assistant Professor of English, Assistant Editor for Eulalia Books

By Guy Davis, Archivist and Collection Curator

The first women employed at Saint Vincent Archabbey and College came from the Saint Walburga Abbey at Eichstatt in Bavaria. Under the leadership of Mother Leonardo Fritz, O.S.B., ten Benedictine Sisters arrived in Latrobe on February 25, 1931. Archabbot Alfred Loch, O.S.B., had invited the sisters to live and work on the campus of Saint Vincent. Thus began a fifty-six-year period of service to the Saint Vincent community. Prior to the sisters’ arrival, all domestic work at Saint Vincent was performed by monks and hired laymen. They broke new ground as the first females to work at the all-male institution. By 1939, forty sisters had come to Saint Vincent, where they would prepare and serve meals for the Prep School, College, Seminary, and Monastery. Many of those early meals created by the sisters had a distinct German flavor and featured beef, pork, sauerkraut, potatoes, thick gravy, vegetables, and Saint Vincent bread.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The sisters at Saint Vincent not only prepared and served meals to the students and monks, but also created meals for special events, banquets, ceremonies, and retreats. During the lean years following the Great Depression, the benevolent sisters also provided meals for homeless men who frequented the campus in search of food. There was a special area off the kitchen where homeless men could secure both a morning and an evening meal. The sisters also prepared care packages of food for impoverished families, which were distributed by the Saint Vincent lay brothers.

Beginning in the summer of 1967, the sisters were tasked with feeding the staff and players of the Pittsburgh Steelers who made Saint Vincent College their annual training camp. Some may recall an incident during one training camp when a scuffle between Steeler players “Mean” Joe Greene

and Jimmy Allen broke out in the cafeteria, but was quickly quelled by a spatula-wielding Sister Monica and her diminutive partners, Sister Margareta and Sister Pancratia Fruth.

By 1987, there were only thirteen sisters remaining at Saint Vincent Archabbey and College, and most of them were in the twilight of their earthly lives. Mother Franziska Kloos, O.S.B., the Abbess of Saint Walburga Abbey in Germany, visited her sisters at Saint Vincent and recommended that the aging sisters join the other Benedictine Sisters at St. Emma Monastery. As the sisters prepared to move, Mother Hedwig commented, “It is our time to go. We have happy memories. It was a great privilege to live and work at Saint Vincent. It kept us young at heart.”

In 1934, Sister Gaudentia Kaemmerle left Bavaria to come to Latrobe where she worked for more than fifty years. She would become the last sister to have served at Saint Vincent. She died on January 28, 2012, at the age of 97. With her passing, the final link to a fascinating chapter in the history of Saint Vincent Archabbey and College ended. In a tribute to the sisters, former Archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., P’63, C’68, S’72, wrote, “The character of Saint Vincent today owes much to the loving presence of the sisters for so many years. They cooked and served meals, canned food and made preserves, made vestments and ceramics, knitted Afghans and booties, prayed and sang. They taught us all— we were all their students. All who have been privileged to know them are grateful for the abiding influence of that loving ‘gentle touch.’ In a true spiritual sense, the sisters will always be a beloved part of Saint Vincent.” ♦

SVC FROM

TCourtney Cecere

ILLUSTRATION

Ellie Powell

here is something to be said about women in STEM, but there is something to be shouted when you have three women participating in nationally recognized STEM-related internships. Summer 2023 proved to be an exciting opportunity for senior math majors Rachel Andreola, Grace Luikart, and Olivia Persin. Each spending their time in different states, the trio shared similar experiences working in the realm of mathematics and returning to Latrobe eager to continue to learn.

MING

RACHEL ANDREOLA

Rachel Andreola spent her summer at the University of Michigan-Dearborn participating in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), learning alongside several other undergraduate students and mentors. Focusing on studying the Berezin Range in comparison to the Numerical Range, Andreola used the opportunity to experience research and open the door of potentially attending graduate school upon graduation.

“I enjoyed participating in the research,” said Andreola. “I learned a lot and I really liked the overall challenge of the experience. My biggest takeaway from the opportunity is to keep challenging myself and doing things outside of my comfort zone because I will learn from it in some way.”

GRACE LUIKART

A familial tie with Marshall University ultimately led Grace Luikart to spend her summer in Huntingdon, West Virginia, where she worked within a melting pot of majors at her own REU. She implemented her knowledge taken from her graph theory class at Saint Vincent, condensing a magnitude of information regarding supply chain into a single graph before generating a mixed integer linear programming model to detail costs of materials from the beginning to the end of the supply chain.

“At this internship, every other person I get to work with is a different major,” remarked Luikart. “It’s been really cool to meet new people also in STEM-related areas who are not math. It’s been really interesting to see the real world and math collide.”

OLIVIA PERSIN

Much like Andreola and Luikart, Olivia Persin participated in an extraordinary internship with the guidance of Dr. Daniele Arcara, professor of mathematics. She spent her summer in Catonsville, Maryland, at the National Security Agency (NSA) participating in the 2023 Future Computing Summer Internship. While the opportunity was exceptional for her education, Persin was exposed to the various career opportunities and mission of the NSA.

“This internship allowed me to investigate other STEM-related interests and research opportunities presented,” said Persin. “It opened my eyes to the various career paths and development programs the NSA has to offer.” ♦

Aubrey Cintron q

POSITION AT SVC Director of Alumni Relations

YEARS GRADUATED 2020, 2021

MAJOR/MINOR

Communication/Management

GRADUATE DEGREE

Management: Operational Excellence

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPOT ON CAMPUS?

The piano hallway on the third floor of Carey

WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE WATT BROTHER?

TJ all day every day.

NAME A WOMAN OF SVC WHO’S HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOU.

Alé Simmons because she’s doing amazing work with the alumni community, and she’s a big reason why I’m excited for this role.

WHAT’S AN EVENT THAT ALL SVC ALUMNI SHOULD GO TO?

Anything that the alumni office has because they’re all great.

GO-TO BARISTA ORDER? Oatmilk latte with lavender.

WHAT’S A RANDOM FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?

I’m the proud adoptive parent of an ocelot at the Pittsburgh Zoo.

DOES THE LIMIT EXIST?

The limit does not exist.

IS IT CAR-MEL OR CARA-MEL? Car-mel.

WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING THING YOU’VE LEARNED RECENTLY?

I just discovered that a chef’s hat has 100 pleats, which supposedly represents the 100 different ways to cook an egg.

class notes

For a comprehensive, regularly-updated list of Class Notes, including birth, engagement, marriage, career, and other announcements, or to submit a class note of your own, go to 1846.stvincent.edu/classnotes

Jacob Clark, C’20

JBY AUBREY CINTRON

acob graduated from Saint Vincent in 2020 with a degree in history. He began his work at the Arnold and Winnie Palmer Foundation, with which he still works parttime, as a historical consultant before joining the Westmoreland County Food Bank in the summer of 2022. At the food bank, Jacob serves as a program coordinator, managing multiple programs that provide vital help to residents of Westmoreland County. Jacob oversees the “Military Share Program,” which gives all veterans the opportunity, regardless of income, to receive supplies of food. He also manages the “Weekend Backpack Program,” which focuses on those students whose only meal may come when they’re at school. Last year, the program provided more than 500 schoolaged children with meals over the weekends. Most notably to the Saint Vincent community, he has helped bring the Mobile Markets to campus. Mobile Markets do not only visit college campuses, but when they do, they have a focus on providing college students with fresh fruits, vegetables, and other produce, completely free of cost to the student. This program is fairly new, having just started in the fall of 2022. Jacob loves being able to assist in the Mobile Markets at Saint Vincent because every trip to campus is like going home.

Hannah Wojtowicz, C’16

BY MORGAN PARIS

Hannah Wojtowicz graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in music performance, but, like many new college graduates, wasn’t entirely sure of the path ahead. While she did luckily get a full-time job in the corporate world, she didn’t feel she was where she was meant to be.

With a couple years of experience under her belt and much time spent in prayer, she felt called to entrepreneurship and soon opened an organic beauty business with her sister, Emma, called “BlushTan Pittsburgh” in 2018. Though starting her own business was of course challenging at times, especially as that business continued to flourish, Hannah credits the well-rounded, liberal arts, Benedictine education she received from Saint Vincent, along with her faith, with keeping her steady.

Five years later, Hannah was able to sell the fully woman-owned start up for an impressive six figures before she hit 30, and it’s her hope that she’s able to inspire other young entrepreneurs, especially young women, to go after their dreams.

To read Hannah’s story in her own words, visit 1846.stvincent.edu/class-notes.

REMEMBERING

Father Cyprian

G. Constantine, O.S.B.

Father Cyprian Constantine, O.S.B., S’77, 74, a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey for forty-eight years, passed away Sunday, November 12, 2023, after a short illness. A native of Boulder, Colorado, he began the study of piano and violin at an early age and was locally, regionally, and nationally known as an organist.

Father Cyprian’s impact was felt throughout the community for nearly fifty years. We know and remember him as a brilliant musician and organist, blessed with perfect pitch, who filled the Archabbey Basilica with music and emotion during events like Honors Convocation and countless other performances. He was an assistant professor at SVC, where he chaired, at various times, both the Music and Fine Arts departments, and at Saint Vincent Seminary, where he also served for a time as academic dean, as director of liturgical formation and, for the past twenty years, as schola director. He was also concert master, first violinist, and principal keyboardist in the Archabbey Baroque Ensemble, and schola director for the Archabbey. For a six-year period, he directed the Saint Vincent Camerata, a group specializing in the performance of Medieval and Renaissance vocal and instrumental music.

Father Cyprian professed his final vows as a Benedictine in 1975. He appeared many times as organ recitalist in the Saint Vincent College concert series and in other series around the country. While most of his life revolved around music, he also undertook non-musical roles at Saint Vincent, including serving as associate director of admissions and financial aid and assistant director of the Opportunity Program at the College. In 1990, he was invited to serve as secretary to the Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Order, headquartered at the Collegio di Sant’ Anselmo in Rome, Italy.

He was predeceased by his parents, John George and Marian Olive (Willis) Constantine. Surviving are cousins Connie Jean Magee of Phoenix, Arizona; Janel Hall Schempf of Juneau, Alaska; and Susan Horst of Truckee, California as well as close friends Lonnie Graham of Northglenn, Colorado; John Buzard of Urbana, Illinois; and Jayne Russo.

NAME

Greg Torres, C’70

Anthony DiTommaso, C’71

Dr. Dale Louis DeConcilis, C’71

Frederick Zwegat, C’71

Richard Sepesy, Sr., P’48, C’52

L. Donald Miller, C’59

Mario Fatigati, P’44

Christopher Weiss, C’81

Robert Movelle, C’71

Dr. Gregory Grabiak, C’61

Hon. Judge James Kelley, C’54

Loretta Janik, C’89

Leonard Paletta, P’49

John Hutchinson, C’67

James Patrick Salmon, C’62

DATE OF PASSING

July 31, 2023

August 31, 2023

September 3, 2023

September 8, 2023

September 10, 2023

September 24, 2023

October 3, 2023

October 8, 2023

October 11, 2023

October 29, 2023

November 6, 2023

November 23, 2023

November 24, 2023

December 19, 2023

January 17, 2024

Helen Gerardia

American, born in Ekaterinoslav, Russia (now Dnipro, Ukraine), 1903–1988

Country Church, 1956

Lithograph

17 7/8 × 14 in. inches

Artist’s Proof

Saint Vincent College Collection

Gift of Samuel Sumner Goldberg

FROM THE Art Collection

Learn more about this piece at 1846.stvincent.edu/collection.

Bibie Boerio recognizes the need for supporting future students at the College. If you have an interest in being one of the “helpers” for Saint Vincent, consider reaching out to our director of planned giving, Jim Bendel, C’60, at 724-244-4905 or james.bendel@stvincent.edu

A Dreamer Becomes A Helper

ibiana “Bibie” Boerio grew up in Latrobe, where she was encouraged by family and friends to follow her dreams.

She graduated from Greensburg Central Catholic High School and then pursued a college degree from Seton Hill University, which had a partnership with Saint Vincent that allowed her to also take classes at SVC. She earned her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business and then went on to pursue a successful career in business, serving as EVP-CFO of Ford Motor Credit Company and then managing director of Jaguar Cars, LTD, making her the first woman with responsibility for an automotive global luxury brand.

Shortly after Bibie ended her corporate career, she returned to her hometown with a commitment to give back and be one of the “helpers” in the same manner as so many individuals helped her. This decision led to her assuming leadership roles on several not-for-profit boards in the area—including Saint Vincent College. Active on the Board of Directors for the College, Bibie was drawn to Saint Vincent by its amazing history and its equally amazing potential. From her time as a student, she remembers fondly SVC faculty member Chuck Manoli and his World War II class. More recently, she is proud of her work with Brother David Carlson on the Library renovation. As a result of her respect for Saint Vincent, Bibie has made a financial legacy commitment that will strengthen the College for future generations. ♦

Bibie Boerio sits with the Fred Rogers statue at the James H. Rogers Park in downtown Latrobe.