Fall 2016 Collegium by St. John Fisher College

COLLEGIUM A PUBLICATION OF ST. JOHN FISHER COLLEGE Â· FALL 2016

FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Alumni, Friends, Students, Parents, and Colleagues: It was a pleasure to see so many of you back on campus for our 2016 Alumni Weekend. I hope you enjoyed your time with us whether you celebrated a reunion year or joined us for the headlining acts or other events. This year we expanded the weekend to include many new events, while continuing to offer alumni favorites like the Taste of Rochester, Cardinal Carnival and Tailgating at the football game, and anniversary year gatherings. The stories shared by our alumni and the institutional history they convey enrich our understanding of the College’s earlier days and add insight to the many great people who have played a role in what Fisher has become today. Inside this issue of Collegium, you will read more about the weekend’s happenings, including a recap about our newest Science and Technology Alumni Hall of Fame inductees and our inaugural Ten Under 10 award recipients, a look inside the Class of 1966 50th Reunion celebration, and much more. You will also learn more about the Class of 2020 – over 770 new members of the Fisher family who joined us on campus September 3. And like so many of you, they proudly signed the Fisher Creed during our Matriculation Ceremony, becoming the 19th class in College history to do so. The Creed articulates the values our students agree to live by and build on the Basilian virtues of “Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.” Framed copies of the Creed hang in the President’s Office during a student’s first year and are later transferred to the Bain Campus Center, where they hang for all to see.

I’m proud to report that this summer, the College was included in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For” list. This is the first time that the College was included on this list. Most recently, we were also recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Top Colleges” and landed the No. 22 spot on U.S. News’ “Great School, Great Values” list for the first time. I’m certain that these recognitions go hand in hand, as engaged employees create wonderful learning environments and excellent support services for our students.

Gerard J. Rooney, Ph.D.

Construction is underway on the much anticipated Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great, which should be open by next summer. As you may know, the original plans for the College included a standalone Chapel located on the main axis of campus. I am pleased to report, that with the generosity of many – especially the Hermance Family Foundation – we are able to realize this goal and bring the Chapel to completion to honor the commitment of the Congregation of St. Basil to the College. In closing, please accept my thanks for your continued interest in, support of, and loyalty to St. John Fisher College. Kind regards,

Gerard J. Rooney, Ph.D. President

COLLEGIUM FEATURES

16 Queen of Kings 18 A Project to inSpire 21 Alumni Weekend Roundup 26 Chapel Groundbreaking

DEPARTMENTS 4 Campus News 10 College Notes 30 Athletics 32 Class Notes Page 18

Fall 2016. Collegium is a magazine for alumni, friends, students, parents, faculty, and staff of St. John Fisher College and is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications. Letters to the editor are welcome and may be sent to the address below. Diverse views are represented and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editor or official policies of the College. St. John Fisher College, Collegium Editorial Office: 3690 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618 • Email: alumni@sjfc.edu.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Maherly Schaeffer ’98 LAYOUT Maherly Schaeffer ’98

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Melissa Greco Lopes Maherly Schaeffer ’98 Kate Torok

PHOTOGRAPHY Annette Dragon Photography Melissa Greco Lopes John Smillie Photography Maherly Schaeffer ’98 Kate Torok

Movin’ On In “Stay focused, and don’t procrastinate.” That’s the advice that Jim Prioletti had for his daughter, Laura Prioletti, one of the more than 580 first-year students who moved into St. John Fisher College on September 3.

Laura Prioletti

A native of Marcellus, New York, Prioletti said she’s excited to meet new people. As a chemistry major, she’s looking forward to exploring courses in math and science.

Fisher’s newest undergraduates— including incoming freshmen, transfers, and readmitted students— and their families also enjoyed a welcome picnic on move-in day, hosted by President Gerard J. Rooney.

The president, and his wife, Susan, met families as they waited in line to drop off their belongings at Ward-Haffey, and even helped parents move boxes in Murphy Hall. Throughout Orientation weekend, members of the Class of 2020 participated in workshops and seminars introducing them to Fisher, led by upperclassmen. Senior Kyle Cataldo, a student orientation coordinator, said greeting new students as they arrive on campus is his way of paying forward the warm welcome he received as a freshman. “We really are a Fisher family, and we want to make sure freshmen feel welcome here,” said Cataldo. “I’m happy to be on the other side, carrying that tradition on, and

CAMPUSNEWS helping out the freshmen, giving them that same experience.” After a full weekend of Orientation activities, the Class of 2020 began their official academic start at the College during the annual Matriculation Ceremony. Held on Tuesday, September 5, the ceremony brought the entire class together to sign the Fisher Creed, marking the 19th class to sign the document. Adopted in 1997 and conceived and written entirely

by Fisher students, the Creed speaks to the basic values and aspirations of students at the College. Upperclassmen Kristen Furey, Anthony Lee, Brooke Meader, and James Rustowicz read the Creed to the incoming class. President Rooney then addressed the students. “Respect, open-mindedness, integrity, leadership, responsibility—these are values and aspirations from the Fisher Creed that may serve as a guide for you,” he said to the class. “We’re so proud that you have chosen to spend this part of your life with us here at Fisher.” Lee, who is president of the Student Government Association, also addressed the students, urging them to jumpstart their college careers. “One of my proudest decisions at Fisher was getting out of my comfort zone and exploring the different opportunities that the campus had to offer,” he said. “I encourage all of you to dig deep and find your passions. The time flies, my friends, so start now by getting involved!”

President Rooney leads the deans in greeting students for the Matriculation Ceremony. Right to left: Rooney; Dr. Mike Wischnowski, dean of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education; Dr. Christine Birnie, interim dean of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy; Dr. Rama Yelkur, dean of the School of Business; Dr. Dianne Cooney Miner, dean of the Wegmans School of Nursing; and Dr. Jim Bowers, interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

The ceremony concluded with members of Measure 13 leading the crowd in singing the alma mater.

HONORING A CREATOR OF THE FISHER CREED

In April 2016, William Boatwright ’97, former president of SGA and a member of the group that developed the Fisher Creed, passed away. A memorial celebration honoring Boatwright was held during Alumni Weekend. During the celebration, Dr. Rick DeJesús-Rueff, dean of students, announced that the current Student Government Association had unanimously voted to rename its annual Fisher Creed Award—given to a student who embodies the tenets of the Creed—the William Boatwright ’97 Award.

Boatwright (second from left), pictured with fellow members of the Student Government Association in 1997.

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SPORT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM RECEIVES NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

Fisher’s Bachelor of Science in Sport Management degree program has been granted a seven-year accreditation from the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). The program, housed in the College’s School of Arts and Sciences, is the first and only sport management program in New York State to earn accreditation. “The accreditation marks Fisher’s sport management program and its faculty as among the best in the nation, and tops in New York State,” said Dr. James Bowers, interim dean of the School. “This is recognition of the

as an institutional member in 2012, and became eligible for accreditation in 2014. The program had previously been approved by the North American Society for Sport Management Program Review Council. Launched in 1999, the sport management program prepares graduates for careers in the business and management of professional and intercollegiate athletics, recreational facilities, and nonprofit organizations, among other industries. Since its inception, the program has graduated more than 380 students. Alumni are employed by local, regional, and national sports organizations, including the St. Louis Cardinals, the Buffalo Bills, and the New York Mets, as well as municipalities, agencies, management firms, and colleges and universities. “Receipt of this accreditation is validation of the high-quality experience and support we provide students and alumni as a department and College,” said Dr. Todd Harrison, chair of the program. “We are excited to have earned COSMA’s approval and look forward to building on the program’s last 17 years.”

A hallmark of the program is its focus on experiential learning. Through the work of a dedicated staff member, students receive specialized guidance in obtaining A Fisher sport management intern working with the Rochester Red Wings, a Triple A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. internships and field placements in a variety of sport and entertainment outstanding job our faculty do in providing organizations. These opportunities provide students with a strong curriculum, excellent students with an intimate understanding of the applied experiences, and unmatched preparation operational side of sport enterprises, and help for entering the various facets of the sport them develop the skills they need for successful industry.” careers in the industry. A specialized accrediting body, COSMA provides Students in the program regularly participate in external accountability to programs, ensuring academic case competitions, including Diamond they meet professional standards, stay abreast Dollars, which challenges teams to prepare an of the leading trends in higher education, analysis and presentation of a real baseball and employ mechanisms for continuous operations decision. Fisher students won the improvement. To date, COSMA has granted New York University-based competition in 2014. accreditation to just 47 undergraduate or graduate sport management programs at 26 colleges and universities. Fisher joined COSMA

#SJFC

LIFE AT #SJFC - A SAMPLING FROM INSTAGRAM

Submit pics with #sjfc and see more by following stjohnfishercollege on Instagram and St. John Fisher College on Tumblr.com.

St. John Fisher had an insane comeback against Brockport tonight. They were at a 28-7 halftime deficit and came back to win 42-38. @mikeyyowens Like the colors in Autumn, so bright, just before they lose it all. @jake.h.allan

Very successful orientation with the best SOC(K)s ever. @taysandss

President Rooney and the president of @fisher_sga, Anthony Lee. Welcome home #fisher2020! @stjohnfishercollege

@ctlittlewood heads back to @stjohnfishercollege today! Have as much fun as I did at Fisher! @skydive_curt

Got the win this weekend 24-50 baby letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s go!!! @babycoleman

It was an amazing night and so awesome to see familiar faces from the last 10 years celebrating our #WSoPiversary. @wsop10years

#sjfc #sjfcclassof1996 @beckykieffer

Biology is going to be a good class this year. @natehalsteter 7

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Fisher gets #UPCLOSE with new ad campaign In early August, Fisher launched its new marketing campaign, “Up Close,” with a series of television commercials showcasing the student experience, including academics, co-curricular activities, and athletics. Created in partnership with Jay Advertising, the campaign saw five of the new commercials debut during the Olympic Games, including one during the opening ceremonies. In September, all 11 commercials—including some featuring each of the College’s five schools—launched in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany. Each spot features Fisher students, faculty, staff, and alumni, filmed on campus and locations throughout the Rochester community.

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BUFFALO BILLS SET TO RETURN TO CAMPUS

In early October, the Buffalo Bills and Fisher announced that Buffalo Bills Training Camp, presented by Connors & Ferris, will remain at St. John Fisher College as the team and the College have signed a five-year extension of their partnership agreement. “The training camp partnership between the Buffalo Bills and St. John Fisher College has been extremely beneficial for both parties,” said Bills Managing Partner and President Russ Brandon, a Class of 1989 alumnus. “Our training camp model is among the best in the entire National Football League, and we’re excited to continue our relationship with St. John Fisher College and the Rochester community for years to come.” The Buffalo Bills have hosted training camp at Fisher since 2000. “We are pleased with the continuing opportunity to host the Buffalo Bills Training Camp on

C-SPAN VISITS CAMPUS

Students interested in the presidential election received an interactive look at government in action during a visit from the C-SPAN Campaign 2016 bus. The multimedia bus stopped by campus on Tuesday, Sept. 20, as a part of the television network’s New York tour.

the St. John Fisher College campus,” said President Rooney. “The Camp is one of only nine camps across the NFL that is held on a college campus, and we are proud that our campus facilities create a positive experience for the Bills organization, Bills fans, and the Greater Rochester community. This has been a successful partnership for both organizations, and we look forward to welcoming the team back to campus in 2017.”

Samantha Call ’17, a political science major, said the interactive features of the bus brought her course work to life. “Everything that we saw could be connected to topics we have covered in class,” said Call. “The bus helped us explore issues we care about and filled us in on the state of the election,” she explained. “It was also just a nice reminder that politics and communication are actually fun and interesting. For political science nerds like me, nothing is better than being immersed in the political process and seeing how things work.” Fisher was the only local stop for the bus which had a six-day tour through New York State that ended at Hofstra University for the first presidential debate. Through the 2016 election season, all presidential hopefuls, except Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, had visited the bus at different locations for live broadcasts.

COLLEGENOTES

HIGHLIGHTS Rooney Honored as Executive of the Year

President Rooney was honored as the Executive of the Year by the Rochester chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Rooney was recognized during the PRism Awards, the organization’s annual ceremony that celebrates the area's best work in public relations. The award recognizes a corporate or not-for-profit executive in the Greater Rochester area who has demonstrated an understanding of and regard for the practice of public relations.

Fisher Earns Accolades

The College was recognized by U.S. News & World Report in several categories. Fisher came in at No. 22 on the Great Schools, Great Prices list, a specialized ranking which lists national universities who provide a high quality of education at a best value. Also, for the sixth year in a row, the College was included in the publication’s ranking of America’s Best Colleges, listed at No. 146 in the national universities category. Fisher was also named to U.S. News’ 2017 Best Colleges for Veterans list. This academic year, the College has more than 70 students who receive financial benefits from the Veteran Administration. Veterans receive support and resources through

Fisher’s Veterans Affairs Office and the Veterans Affairs student organization. Additionally, the College was included in the publication’s A+ Schools for B Students list, which touts institutions where “spirit and hard work could make all the difference to the admissions office,” and where B students not only have a chance of being admitted, but can thrive. Finally, Fisher was also ranked No. 220 in the High School Counselor list, and the College’s School of Business programs were ranked No. 326. In addition, the College was recognized by the Chronicle of Higher Education as a 2016 Great College to Work For®. The results were according to a survey conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education and ModernThink LLC.

Students Start Semester with Service Saturdays “Give where you live” is the motto of the College’s Service Saturdays initiative. Now in its second year, the program encourages the Fisher community to lend a hand at local nonprofits for the first six Saturdays of the semester. Volunteers worked at the 31st annual New York State Beach Cleanup, Foodlink, Willow Domestic Violence Center, Mt. Hope Cemetery, and the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester, among other sites.

Pharmacy Students Serve Abroad

This summer, a record 48 students from the Wegmans School of Pharmacy engaged in domestic service trips or international medical missions. In what has become a capstone experience, the trips provide opportunities for students

to work with underserved populations, often working on health care teams at local health clinics. The service trips have expanded greatly in a relatively short time. In 2006, the School’s first medical mission sent just four students to El Salvador; a decade later, nearly five dozen students will have traveled to five countries—El Salvador, Nicaragua, Kenya, Honduras, and India—for medical missions and clinical rotations. Students also take part in service trips to Montana.

Kicking Off the 2016-2017 Women’s Leadership Series

On September 16, students from the School of Business had the opportunity to examine their strengths and talents during the first session of the Women’s Leadership Series. The Clifton StrengthsFinder, an assessment tool developed by the research organization Gallup, Inc., was made available to the cohort and individuals were asked to complete a questionnaire that recognizes signature themes—or talents—that one possesses. Each participant had a list of the top five talents they can leverage and develop to meet and exceed the demands of their careers and personal lives. Dr. Julia Overton-Healy, a leadership coach and director of the Career Development Center at SUNY Plattsburg, worked with the students, having them reflect on their own strengths and interact with members of the cohort. “You will never be able to control how other people respond to you,” said Overton-Healy. “But you can accentuate your strengths to manage situations in an effective manner.”

College Continues Justinian Tradition The Justinian Order of St. John Fisher College held its 15th annual civic luncheon for members of the judiciary,

COLLEGENOTES

the bar, government, law enforcement, and the business sector in May at the Rochester Plaza Hotel. Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren (right) served as the event’s keynote speaker. The Justinian Order is an academic and legal society intended to create collegiality among Fisher graduates professionally involved in the law. It is currently composed of over 400 judges and attorneys, all of whom are graduates of the College. The members gather socially and professionally, offer networking opportunities for young alumni, and mentor and advise current undergraduate students, particularly those in the legal studies program including the mock trial team.

Faculty Host Problem-Based Learning Science Day For the third year in a row, a group of nearly 45 Advanced Placement chemistry students from Pittsford Sutherland High School presented their Problem-Based Learning (PBL) projects at the College. This event, held in June, was part of a community partnership established between Dr. Marie Lo Re, a teacher at Pittsford Sutherland, and Drs. Nahyr D. Rovira-Figueroa and Kermin Joel Martínez-Hernández, professors in Fisher’s Chemistry Department. Throughout the spring semester, both Fisher professors trained and mentored the students on their PBL projects. Students then had the opportunity to present their work to their parents; high school principal, faculty and staff; Pittsford Schools superintendent; Fisher faculty; and their peers.

Bank of America Continues College Club Support The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of

Education received a $7,500 grant from Bank of America, which continued its support for Fisher’s after-school extracurricular College Club program. This is the fourth grant Bank of America has awarded to the College Club, formally called Partnership for Success. The program is designed to mentor teens through two fundamental components: college readiness education and a research project. Fisher currently runs its program at three Rochester area high schools—Rochester Early College International High School, East Rochester High School, and University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men. Organizers of the club anticipate that nearly 150 students—50 from each school—will participate in the program throughout the year.

#MoreUtopia Conference Celebrates 500th Anniversary of Utopia

The College marked the 500th anniversary of Thomas More’s imaginative book, Utopia, with “A Book for All Seasons,” a series of lectures, panel discussions, and activities running throughout the month of October. The events explored the book, along with More’s extraordinary life and his lasting literary, philosophical, political, and religious significance, as well as his friendship and collaboration with the College’s namesake, John Fisher. “Utopia is still relevant today because it grapples with the idea that when you become caught up in trying to create the perfect society, you lose touch with what the good life really is,” said Dr. Timothy Madigan, associate professor of philosophy. “I think if Thomas More were around today, he would challenge people to examine their own sense of what’s important.” In addition to the events, Lavery Library created an exhibit that displayed More’s works. Organizers also had hoped to generate excitement around Utopia by

encouraging students, faculty, and staff to take a selfie with the statue of the philosopher, also located in the Library, and post it to social media using the hashtag #MoreUtopia. “The contemporary questions we wrestle with, like how to organize a just and productive society, are not new at all,” said Dr. Clair Smith, associate professor of economics. “My own horizons are stretched by the opportunity to examine these questions with students and faculty across disciplines and perspectives.”

Accounting Program Golf Tournament Celebrates 35 Years

On September 24, the Accounting Club hosted its 35th annual networking golf tournament at Island Valley Golf Course in Fairport. A record number of nearly 80 students, recruiters, alumni, and faculty gathered on a perfect autumn day to spend a few hours getting to know each other ahead of the 2016 recruiting season.

The winning group—alumna Colleen Knauf and current students Lauren Sutorius, Tim Siver, Matt Lesnick, Colin Gaffney, and Adam Moran—came in at four under par. “The day was less about golf and more about developing and strengthening relationships,” said Hugh Lambert, assistant professor of accounting. “The students of today are the alumni of tomorrow and the future leaders of the accounting profession. The golf tournament brings these groups together in the spirit of community.”

COLLEGENOTES

physical chemistry committee.

RECOGNITION & AWARDS Dr. Laura Markwick, assistant professor in the Wegmans School of Nursing, was given the Nurse Practitioner Association’s (NPA) 2016 New York State Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award. Markwick was honored as a part of the association’s annual conference.

The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in clinical practice, promoted health services in underserved areas of New York, and advanced the profession through outstanding leadership, mentoring, or education, among other criteria.

Dr. Allison Rioux, an adjunct professor in

the graduate literacy program in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education, was selected to serve as the assistant director for humanities for the Brighton Central School District.

Aleksandr Hunt ’17 was selected as the

College’s nominee for the National Collegiate Honors Council Portz Scholar award. Hunt was chosen for work on a paper titled, “Fracking: On the Road Again.”

Dr. Shannon Cleverley-Thompson, a visiting

assistant professor in the School of Education, was featured in a Rochester Democrat and Chronicle article on the Rochester Anti-Poverty Initiative.

Dr. Andrea Bills,

assistant professor of chemistry, was selected to serve a four-year term on the American Chemical Society Examinations Institute on the

Terry Ward, a member of the Ed.D. in

Executive Leadership cohort two in Syracuse, has been named assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and pupil personnel services in the Cazenovia School District.

Dr. Mark Rice, professor and chair of the

American Studies Department, was named the winner of the 2016 Gintong Aklat (Golden Book) Award, in the category of social science, for his book Dean Worcester’s Fantasy Islands: Photography, Film, and the Colonial Philippines. Winners of the award, regarded as one of the most prestigious book prizes in the Philippines, were announced on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Rice was inspired to write the book after a two-year visit to the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer in the late 1980s.

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP Sheila Brady-Root, science events coordinator at St. John Fisher College, was honored with the Pi State Achievement Award, given by Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society of women educators. Dr. Kermin Martinez-Hernandez, assistant professor of chemistry; Dr. Nahyr D. RoviraFigueroa, general chemistry coordinator and adjunct faculty of chemistry; and Dr. Fernando Ontiveros, assistant professor of biology, established a collaboration on the implementation of a novel microfluidic laboratory experiment for the general chemistry laboratory curriculum. Through this collaboration, Ontiveros

was invited to teach PETL (microfluidic chips) fabrication to an undergraduate audience of biology, chemistry, and physics students at Beloit College in April 2016. He also presented a talk at the American Society for Mechanical Engineering on PETL fabrication in Washington, D.C. in July, and was asked to lead a workshop on microfluidics and PETL fabrication at the University of Rochester Department of Bioengineering facility as part of a weeklong series of workshops on microanalysis and microfabrication in August. “The implementation of this new laboratory experiment was well received by the students at Fisher and by colleagues around the United States,” Martinez-Hernandez said.

Kourtney Blackburn ’10 and Benjamin Hockenberry,

librarians at Lavery Library, published the article, “Get out of fines free: Recruiting student usability testers via fine waivers,” in the Journal of Access Services. The article details a pilot project at the library in which students with overdue fines tested usability of library websites in exchange for fine waivers.

Dr. Ryan Gantner, associate professor in the Department of Mathematical and Computing Sciences, delivered a workshop on inquiry-based learning in mathematics at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Dr. Sandra Chapman, a graduate of the first Ed.D. in Executive Leadership cohort at the College’s extension site at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, was invited to facilitate a workshop on racial microaggressions and implicit bias at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Dr. Tim Madigan, associate professor of

philosophy and director of the College’s Irish studies program, published two books, Bertrand Russell, Public Intellectual and Lessons Learned from Popular Culture. In September, Madigan spoke at the 2016 Global Mural Conference about how Frederick Douglass became an international figure of peace through the murals of Danny Devenny, a former IRA member and current peace activist. The presentation focused on how Frederick Douglass’ trip to Ireland in 1845 influenced his later views on abolition and human rights. Douglass remains a powerful figure for reconciliation in modern-day Ireland and Northern Ireland, with murals honoring him in Belfast. There is also a Douglass mural in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Dr. Chinwe Ikpeze,

assistant professor in the School of Education, presented research at the 11th International Conference on SelfStudy of Teacher Education Practices in Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex, UK.

Dr. Barney Ricca, associate professor in

the Department of Mathematical and Computing Sciences, presented two papers at the Conference on Complex Systems in Amsterdam, Netherlands, this fall.

Dr. Gary E. Maggs, professor of economics

at Fisher, and Dr. Ben L. Kyer,

professor of economics at Francis Marion University in South Carolina, have had their paper, “American Experience with Double Dip Recession in the Early 1980s,” accepted for publication in an upcoming issue of Atlantic Economic Journal.

Dr. Charlene Smith, professor and

chair of the undergraduate nursing program in the School of Nursing, co-edited and co-authored the recently published textbook Leadership in Nursing Professional Development: An Organizational and System Focus. She also co-wrote a paper with Dr. Karen Parker, assistant professor at the School, and two additional colleagues that was published in the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development.

UPCOMING FIRST FRIDAY LECTURES

From post-presidential race predictions to the olfactory sense of king penguins, Fisher faculty and alumni will address a range of topics during the First Friday Lecture Series.

November 4: “Health Care Milestones at Fisher: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Fisher’s Nursing Program and the 10th Anniversary of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy” Presented by faculty from the Wegmans School of Nursing and Wegmans School of Pharmacy.

December 2: “There and Back Again: Studying the Sense of Smell of King Penguins in the Antarctic” Presented by Dr. Greg Cunningham, associate professor, Biology Department.

February 3: “Post-Presidential Race: Results and Review” Presented by Dr. Katie Donovan, assistant professor, and Dr. Wes Renfro, assistant professor and interim chair, Political Science Department.

March 3: “Will the New Administration Affect Your Tax Bill?” Presented by Dr. Lynn Mucenski-Keck, associate professor of accounting and finance, with additional School of Business faculty.

April 7: “Beyond the Shore: My Experiences Rowing Across the Atlantic” Presented by Phillip Theodore ’89. Sponsored by the 1948 Society, the lecture series is designed for individuals who are interested in hearing learned perspectives on a variety of topics from members of the St. John Fisher College and greater Rochester communities. Visit go.sjfc.edu/FirstFriday to register. For more information, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (585) 385-5292 or email advancement@sjfc.edu. 13

SWINGING

Fore STUDENTS

On June 6, 2016, golfers filled the historic east course at Oak Hill Country Club for the 27th annual Scholarship Golf Tournament in honor of Fr. Lavery and Fr. Dorsey. After a beautiful day on the links, the tournament committe—chaired by Ken McAlpin ’77, Marty Moll ’82, Lauren Burns ’82 and honorary chair, Tom McDonough ’89— announced that the tournament raised more than $125,000 for student scholarships at Fisher. Save the date for the 2017 Scholarship Golf Tournament: June 5, 2017.

THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT. PRESENTING SPONSOR The Theodore & Cashmere M. Mendick Foundation GOLD Alesco Advisors LeChase Construction SILVER Basilian Fathers of East Rochester BRONZE Alliance Precision Plastics Barnes & Noble Billitier Electric The Buffalo Bills M. Kevin Dugan ’70/PrimeGroup, Inc. Genesee Regional Bank Mike Goonan ’75 HNP Capital, LLC Jay Advertising JC Jones & Associates, LLC LaBella Associates Lackmann Culinary Services Leo J. Roth Corporation M&T Bank 14

Manning Squires Hennig Co., Inc. McAlpin Industries Monroe Roadways Morgan Stanley Mossien Associates Architects Mary Muench ’77 and Family Diana Nole Northern Safety Co., Inc. Michael O’Conor ’78 Passero Associates Matt Rowe ’90 Tompkins Bank of Castile Travelers and Marsh USA Payroll Zeller Corporation GOLD TEE Keith Ashby SILVER TEE Covered Wagon Tours, LLC John Davidson ’76 O’Connell Electric The Honorable Paul Warren ’79

BRONZE TEE The Bonadio Group Cambridge Financial King Graphic Communication, LLC Manning and Napier Sage Rutty & Co., Inc. UGI Whitney & Company Investment Management, Bill Shaheen ’76 HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSOR Piehler, Inc. SPONSORS The Brown Strategy Bruce Ginder ’84 Rick Shibel ’82 Mike Tietjen ’89

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BOARD APPOINTS NEW LEADERSHIP

Martin K. Birmingham, president and chief executive officer of Financial Institutions, Inc. and its subsidiary, Five Star Bank, has been named chair of the St. John Fisher College Board of Trustees. Formerly vice chair, Birmingham succeeds Victor E. Salerno ’66, chief executive officer of O’Connell Electric Company, who completed a threeyear term as chair. Stepping into the role of vice chair of the Board is Jack DePeters ’73, senior vice president of store operations at Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. The Board also welcomes new member Janice Loss ’92, president and owner of Skin Search of Rochester, Inc. and DermaSpa, Partners of Dermatology Associates of Rochester, P.C.

Birmingham has spent the last decade at Financial Institutions, Inc. and Five Star Bank, and was promoted to president and chief executive officer in March of 2013. He has been a trustee on Fisher’s Board since 2000. He follows his father, Martin F. Birmingham, who served on the Board of Trustees for several decades and also served as chair. Left to right: Birmingham, DePeters, and Loss.

DePeters began his career at Wegmans in 1966 and spent the next 50 years rising from part-time employee to his current position. A member of the College’s Board of Trustees since 2007, DePeters currently serves as chair of the Facilities Committee.

FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS ARE ON “THE FRINGE”

The talent and hard work of Fisher students, faculty, and staff were on display during the 2016 First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival in mid-September.

During the festival, the College’s Department of Media and Communication presented its annual Student Film Festival at the event’s Spiegeltent. Entries included short films, television pilots, and video essays from Fisher students majoring in media and communication and/or minoring in film and television studies. Films shown include Endgame, a story of corruption in the world of big pharma; The Rassler, about the sacrifices made in the world of professional wrestling; and Zombie Harmony featuring a zombie’s entrée into the world of online dating. The festival also included the pilot episodes of The Verge, a comedy about a small town news show, and Stalled, focusing on a recently minted Ph.D.-turned Uber-esque driver.

Dr. Rubén L. Gómez, professor of Spanish, performed during the Fringe Festival for the third consecutive year as the lead in the play Rumba & Mojito Picante. The play, in Spanish and English, was the only bilingual play in this year’s festival. Jeremy Sarachan, associate professor and chair of the Department of Media and Communication, directed Far Away, a Caryl Churchill play that follows the story of a teenage girl who goes to live with her aunt and uncle and becomes entangled in a dystopian nightmare of war and hat making. Dr. Daryl Hurd, associate professor and chair of the Biology Department, also performed as a member of the Rochester Ukulele Orchestra.

Queen of

had no skill set in the sport, but within a couple of weeks of Gina forming the team, we very quickly forged a bond.”

Kings T his year, the St. John Fisher College men’s rugby team, the Fisher Kings, celebrates its 25th anniversary. Throughout its history, hundreds of players have worn the team’s signature green and blue, with teams capturing state championship titles in 1999 and 2012. An active alumni base meets regularly for friendly games, and on campus, today’s students practice nightly on the pitch behind Murphy Hall. It’s a legacy former and current players say is steeped in brotherhood that traces back to one person: team founder Gina Keyes ’93.

Keyes, who transferred to Fisher from the University of Buffalo as a junior, played four seasons on the women’s rugby team at Buffalo. While she loved Fisher’s small size, she missed the comradery and friendships she had formed with her UB teammates. One semester into her studies at the College, Keyes set out to put together a women’s rugby team. As it turns out, she was a little ahead of her time, and wasn’t able to garner the interest needed to field a team among her female classmates. Through her campus outreach, though, the idea of a rugby team piqued the interest of several men on campus, and Keyes turned her vision toward forming a men’s club. Soon enough, she had the 15 players needed to field a team.

When it came to selecting the team name and colors, Keyes said she deferred to the team. In the end, it was Tom “Spike” Antinora, an active member of the Rochester rugby community who served as a coach and resource to the fledgling team, who came up with the name.

As Barry tells it, Antinora tossed out the name Fisher Kings, likely because the 1991 Robin Williams movie “The Fisher King” had just come out. There was historical context behind the phrase, which refers to an Arthurian legend revolving around the last keeper of the Holy Grail, but mostly, Barry said, the team thought it sounded cool. In the first few seasons, the club played any team they could add to their schedule, heading to Alfred University, the College at Brockport, Canisius College, and SUNY Geneseo, doing everything they could to learn the fundamentals of the game. “Gina had the ability to direct and mentor 20 male peers in a way that I found incredibly effective. She was, in my view, the best and most influential coach that I’ve ever experienced,” said Barry. “To accomplish that in that role–dealing with a group of immature and inexperienced male peers–was impressive at the time, and 25 years later, I find it as impressive.” With the help of Antinora, the team was able to develop a relationship with the Rochester Colonials, an established community rugby club. Colonial players mentored the Fisher Kings, and would play matches against them as well. “Tom was an amazing wealth of knowledge and a terrific resource,” Keyes said. “The Colonials helped us to gain knowledge, to gain strength. It was very supportive.”

“Because they all came into this at the same level, they were equal,” Keyes recalled. “They just accepted each other and were instantly brothers. This is really what this sport creates … It was amazing.”

Throughout the years, the Fisher Kings developed into a quasi-feeder team for the Colonials, with players graduating from the College and continuing to play with the community club. Today, several Colonials are proud Fisher Kings alumni.

One of those interested in learning about rugby was Joby Barry ’94.

Barry attributes this desire to stay active in the sport to the “rugby ethos.”

“We were a ragtag group of young men,” he said. “We

“The ‘rugby ethos’ is the concept of mutual respect for

FISHERFEATURE teammates, opponents, and leadership,” he said. “A commitment to the team infiltrates not just the way you play rugby and associate with teammates, but into your personal and professional dealings. Gina introduced us all to this ethos, and 25 years later, a lot of us are active in rugby. Hundreds of students would have missed out on the opportunity to live this lifestyle, and play a sport, if Gina hadn’t transferred to Fisher.” One such alumnus is William Walter ’13, a four-year member of the Fisher Kings who currently plays for the Rochester Colonials. Walter originally came to Fisher to play Division III soccer. After being cut from the team, he heard about the rugby club at the Teddi Dance for Love.

“I was talked into joining during hour 23, when I was too tired to say no,” he said. “I showed up at the first practice after Teddi and never looked back.” It turned out to be a life-altering decision. Walter was a part of the team that won the 2012 Upstate NSCRO West Division Championship and the Empire GU DIII State Championship. The path to the championship game was no small feat, though. In a loss to Alfred University in the opening match of the season, the team’s hooker, Scott “Gumby” Hudson ’14, suffered a serious injury. Shaken by their teammate’s injury, the club dedicated the season to him, using the hashtag #doitforgumby to rally players and fans. Plowing through their season, the team faced Alfred again in the state semi-finals match, this time beating the Saxons and moving on to the championship. In what Walter described as the coldest, wettest match he’s ever played, the Fisher Kings defeated Union College 23-17. Current students, including James Bailey ’18 and

Aaron Guarino ’17, look at the 2012 championship team for inspiration and drive to keep the program strong. Noting that rugby is the type of sport where anyone can be the hero, Bailey said its appeal lies in not just its competitive edge, but its element of fun. Now a member of the western division of the Upstate Small College Rugby Conference, the Fisher Kings have their sights set on returning to championship play. “I hope that we can build the team back up to that level,” Guarino said. “With the kids we have this year, we have the potential to win States.” While they focus on success on the pitch, that “rugby ethos” remains as strong as ever.

“We’re close as a team, and the alumni are very supportive, attending games and looking out for us,” Bailey said. “I’ve learned that once you’re a Fisher King, you’re always a Fisher King.” Reflecting back on the team’s 25 years, Keyes said that while she couldn’t have envisioned the team’s longevity when the club first formed, she’s not surprised by its lasting legacy. “I started to see who these rugby players became as men at our 10-year reunion, 15-year reunion, and at 25, the writing became readable on the wall—they had stuck together all that time, and you can see it being fed to the underclassmen. They look up to the alumni and veterans,” she said. Her hopes for the next 25 years? “We have a saying, ‘15 Kings, 1 Crown,’ and my hope is that future students don’t forget that,” she said. “It takes all of them to build their reputation, maintain their connection to the school and administration, and garner more support as they continue their journey.”

A project to

in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The spire is the upper portion of the steeple above the tower section.â&#x20AC;?

SPIRE The College icon gets a makeover

hile the College has seen many physical changes over the years, the iconic tower and cross that sit atop Kearney Hall have always remained the same. But that changed for a period of time this summer when the steeple received some much-needed refurbishment. The work began in mid May, starting with the building of a scaffold that grew to encompass the entire tower, spire, and cross. Each day, a crew from CSTM Corp., a Rochester-based company that specialized in the preservation of historical properties, would clip in to harnesses and climb the scaffolding to complete several different projects on the structure. On the exterior, they replaced the copper cladding and reglazed the large plate-glass windows. Interior work included repairing and replacing the steel and wood structural framework, replacing the access ladder and catwalk, and adding a new lighting system. And, for the first time in College history, the cross was removed from the

FISHERFEATURE spire for restoration work. According to decorative painter and gilder Rick Muto, who worked on the cross, it took nearly 40 hours to clean, sand, and prime the metal before applying the beautiful new gold leafing. On the morning of Friday, July 22, the cross was ready to be reinstalled on the spire. “We’re especially excited about the new lighting system, as it will provide our continued ability to light the steeple in a variety of colors,” said Larry Jacobson, director of facilities services for the College. He noted that his team learned a lot in their planning for the project, including the difference between a steeple and a spire. “The spire is the upper portion of the steeple above the tower section and the spire with the tower is the steeple.” While working on the spire, CSTM crews discovered artifacts left by the original builders. The pieces included four pennies soldered into the base of the cross from 1952, the year that the original steeple project was completed. Also left was a handwritten note with details on the origin of the cross. The cross was made by Arthur L. Topel, an employee at Geo Ballards Roofing and Sheet Metal on May 1, 1952. It was installed a week later on May 8 by Ed Gommel, Carl Usselman, and Fred Scherer, who left hunting and fishing licenses, as well as a member card for the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association. The project, which was made possible due to the support of state senator Rich Funke, was completed in early August.

Introducing the Spire Society Since the beginning, Kearney Hall has been the foundation of St. John Fisher College, with its soaring spire as an enduring symbol. It is the highest point on campus, capturing the essence of our heritage and the vibrant promise of the future. To support our own aspirations as an institution and our hope to inspire generations to come, this fall we will launch the Spire Society, created to honor the iconic Fisher landmark. Members of the Spire Society will carry Fisher into the future by investing in our students, our people, and our mission. Your impact will be felt in classrooms and laboratories; in libraries and auditoriums; in gymnasiums and on athletic fields; and in the success of each student’s realization of a St. John Fisher College degree. With the establishment of the Spire Society, proud alumni and respected community members will leave an imprint on Fisher students as strong as the symbol of the spire. To learn more, contact Chris Sullivan ‘94, Director of Leadership Annual Giving, at (585) 385-8001 or csullivan@sjfc.edu. 19

FLYING HOME TO THE Alumni Weekend is for the Birds More than 1,000 alumni came back to campus for the annual Alumni Weekend—four days full of social, athletic, and academic events. The festivities, which began on Thursday, September 29 with the Science and Technology Alumni Hall of Fame (see page 22), and ended on Sunday, October 2, featured fan favorites such as Alumni Tailgating and the Cardinal Carnival, along with new performances and lectures. Friday was filled with events, from a special edition of the First Friday Lecture Series through to the inaugural Ten Under 10 Awards reception (see page 22). Susan Rooney, wife of President Rooney, hosted the second annual Alumnae Luncheon, bringing more than 100 women together for an event that featured an engaging panel on women’s leadership.

AN ENGAGING WEEKEND

NEST

The weekend officially launched with the Alumni Kickoff Party, followed by a performance by former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Nasim Pedrad. This event, which brought together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the community, included a standup set by Pedrad. The comedian then brought five audience members to the stage for a live table read of an SNL skit, with Pedrad serving as the director. Pedrad took time to take questions from the audience before a small meet-and-greet with student volunteers. date for

Save the

! The next morning, President next year6-8, er Rooney hosted an alumni breakfast Octob 7 1 0 2 prior to welcoming Jon Favreau, former speechwriter to President Barack Obama, to the stage in the Athletic Center. Favreau delivered a 30-minute lecture on storytelling and writing in the White House, and took questions from the audience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, Favreau also spoke about the benefits of a liberal arts education.

David DiCaro, director of Safety and Security at Fisher, had an interesting request leading up to Alumni Weekend. Christian Gonzalez ’13 contacted DiCaro to ask if he could suprise his girlfriend and fellow alum, Samantha Looker ’13, with a visit to the Haffey 5 lounge when they were on campus for Alumni Weekend. The pair often studied in the lounge as undergraduates, making it the perfect place for Gonzalez to propose to Looker. DiCaro gladly obliged and escorted the pair to the lounge and stepped away until he heard a happy Gonzalez call out. "She said yes!"

Class reunions are always a highlight of Alumni Weekend. Reunion classes from 1956 through 1981 enjoyed a Friday evening reception hosted by President and Mrs. Rooney. Additional reunion classes gathered at events Saturday evening to celebrate. The always popular Cardinal Carnival and Alumni Tailgating event during the home football game was packed with alumni and their families, who watched the nationally ranked Cardinals improve to 5-0 with a 28-24 win over Buffalo State. Alumni and staff of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program at Fisher reconnected at the HEOP gala on Saturday evening. The program has a rich 46-year history at the College. In his first year as vice president for institutional advancement, Phil Castleberry enjoyed the Alumni Weekend experience. "Having the opportunity to see alumni from all eras together was fantastic. Graduates of the 1950s went to class, library, and science labs in one building while more recent graduates experienced a very different Fisher. Yet they share a great love for the institution and a strong sense of Fisher family." Opposite page, top: Alumni and students came out to support Fisher Football; Lower: Shalunda Junious and a guest at the HEOP Gala. This page, clockwise from top left: Alumni from the 1990s at the Alumni KIckoff Celebration; President Rooney greets a Class of 1956 guest at the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Residence on Friday; alumni reconnecting at Alumni Tailgating; students on stage with Nasim Pedrad; President Rooney talks with Jon Favreau; and alumni families enjoying the weekend.

On Saturday evening, the Class of 1966 (above) celebrated their 50th reunion with dinner and a pinning ceremony (right). The pinning ceremony has become a rite of passage as classes join the 50+ reunion club. Class members traveled from as far as Florida, Texas, and California for the celebration. The Class of 1956 gathered the same evening to celebrate their 60th reunion, joining the Class of 1955 in the 60+ reunion club.

D N E EEK 21

ONORING EXCELLENCE The College inducted five alumni into the Science and Technology Alumni Hall of Fame during a ceremony held on Thursday, September 29, as a part of Alumni Weekend. Dr. Stephen A. Di Biase ’78, Dr. Craig M. Kubik ’80, Dr. Thomas W. Miller ’65, Dr. Gennaro “Jerry” Vasile ’67, and Dr. Theresa “Tish” Creasey ’79 received the honor. Established in 2011 by the College’s Science and Technology Alumni Group, the Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to science, technology, science education, or medicine and health-related fields, or who are noteworthy for their service to their community or the College. Di Biase currently serves as the founder and president of Premier Insights, LLC and co-founder and managing director of VentureForge, LLC. Kubik is chief of the medical staff at the Mayo Clinic Health System’s Waycross campus. Miller has served as a sport psychologist for NCAA Division I football and basketball teams, as well as Major League Baseball and National Hockey League franchises. He currently holds academic appointments as a professor emeritus and senior research

scientist at two Rank 1 research institutions: the Center for Health, Intervention, and Prevention at the University of Connecticut and the University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health and College of Medicine. Through his career, Vasile has held several major executive positions, including chief executive officer at major academic medical centers including University of Rochester Medical Center’s Strong Memorial Hospital and the Johns Hopkins Health System. He currently serves the Archdiocese of New York City as a board member of the Catholic Health Care System of New York City and chairman of the archdiocese’s managed care companies. Creasey serves Merck Millipore as the executive vice president of the applied solutions strategy, marketing and innovation team. In this role, she is responsible for $1.2 billion in revenue. On Friday, September 30, the College recognized the achievements of graduates over the last decade during the inaugural Ten Under 10 Awards ceremony. The awards honored individuals for their personal and professional

successes, as well as their commitment to the community. The 2016 Ten Under 10 awardees are: Dr. Craig Brackett ’06 of Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Lauren Cirulli ’09 of the Syracuse City School District; Brendon Dever ’08, founder of Head’s Up; Bronson Kopp ’07, attorney in the Syracuse region; Dr. Michael Maguire ’07, resident of internal and pediatric medicine in Wilmington, Delaware; Dallas Miller ’07, digital media manager with Little League International; Dr. Kathryn M. Nesbitt ’10, postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan; Mark Schnobrich ’09 of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network; Michael Spier ’09 marketing manager at Finna Group; and Kayleigh Terranova ’09 of United Way of Buffalo/Erie County. Clockwise, starting from top left: Vasile, Miller, and Kubik with President Rooney; Schnobrich, Kopp, Maguire, Terranova, Brackett, Miller, Dever, Spier, and Cirulli with President Rooney; the Ten Under 10 Award; and a student presenting research to alumni, faculty, staff, and honorees at a reception preceding the Science and Technology Alumni Hall of Fame.

D N E EEK 23

MARKING A MILESTONE During Alumni Weekend, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners from the Wegmans School of Pharmacy celebrated the 10th anniversary of the founding of the School. “This is a wonderful milestone worthy of celebration and reflection,” said Dr. Christine Birnie, interim dean of the School. “As part of the founding faculty, I am personally in awe of how we have successfully and rapidly made the transition from a newly established School to a leader in pharmacy education in the region.”

Ten Years By the Numbers 478

Founded in 2006, the School was the first pharmacy school in Monroe County and the fifth in the state. In addition to the doctor of pharmacy program, the School partners with the School of Business to offer a Pharm.D./ MBA joint degree program. Since its opening, the School has graduated nearly 480 students, who consistently perform well on statewide licensure exams. In June 2016, the School boasted a 100 percent pass rate on the New York State Part III exam, the only school in the state to do so. Additionally, the 69 Fisher students who took the 2015 North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination for the first time earned a 97.10 percent pass rate, outperforming their peers from Albany College of Pharmacy, D’Youville College, and the University at Buffalo, among others. Fisher’s pass rate also exceeded the national average of 92.64 percent. Above: John Carlo (left) and Jack DePeters ’73 (right) celebrate with Dr. Christine Birnie.

733

graduates of the Wegmans School of Pharmacy.

white coats presented to P-1 students.

percent pass rate in the New York State Part III licensure exam for June 2016 offering.

faculty members.

3,900,000

dollars in grant support earned.

couples have met as students and are now married.

alumni have gone on to top-level residencies.

8,641

applicants since 2006.

3,800

local community service hours in the spring 2016 semester.

medical mission and service trips have brought students and faculty around the world.

LEARNING FROM LEADERS

The second annual Alumnae Luncheon, hosted by Susan Rooney, drew quite a crowd with the Women’s Leadership Panel. Moderated with Dr. Theresa Westbay ’86, the panel featured Fisher student leader Kelsey Michener ’18; Katrina Busch ’95, president of Roberts Communication; Dr. Lesli Meyers ’01, ’08, superintendent of Brockport Schools, Dr. Susan Berlin ’81, president of the American Association of University Women Palm Beach County branch, and doctor of dental surgery in private practice; and KD Kim ’87, president of Impact Golf.

Clockwise from top: (L-R) Rooney, Kim, Michener, Busch, Berlin, Westbay, and Myers. Berlin answers a question. The panel at work; Catching up before lunch begins.

D N E EEK 25

FISHERFEATURE

BREAKING GROUND ON A 70-YEAR OLD VISION More than 100 members of the Fisher community gathered on Saturday, July 16, to break ground on the new Hermance Family Chapel of St. Basil the Great.

Kris Hermance with President Rooney and a member of the Hermance family.

The ceremony formally marked the start of construction of the Chapel, a 9,000 square-foot sanctuary currently under construction adjacent to Kearney Hall. A tribute to the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic heritage, the Chapel will provide the Fisher community with a new center for spiritual life on campus, and realizes the founding Basilian Fathersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; early vision for the College.

FISHERFEATURE

The building’s construction is funded entirely by philanthropic efforts, led by a principal gift from the Hermance Family Foundation. The foundation gift was granted by Kris Brown Hermance in honor of her late husband, Ronald E. Hermance, Jr. ’69. “Through this Chapel, Ron’s dedication to his alma mater and his commitment to service will shine,” said President Rooney. “Ron embodied the virtues of the Basilian motto of goodness, discipline, and knowledge in so many ways,” said Bob Moline ’68, a longtime friend of Hermance. “When future students enter, pray, and celebrate life in this magnificent

students who will be the vehicles, the architects, and the instruments for constructing a world at peace; that this Chapel will give them the

“When future students enter, pray, and celebrate life in this magnificent Chapel, they will all come to know him for the wonderful example [Ron] set.” tranquility and consolation needed to develop the gifts that have been given to them,” Matano said. The exterior of the Chapel will reflect the gothic architectural style of Kearney Hall and will be constructed using the signature Fisher brick. The Chapel will accommodate 250 guests and will feature 12 colored-glass windows designed by glass artist Valerie O’Hara. Large windows behind the altar will provide a view of the expansive Kearney lawn. The Chapel is expected to open in Summer 2017.

Chapel, they will all come to know him for the wonderful example he set.” Fr. Al Cylwicki, C.S.B., campus minister and member of the Board of Trustees, remarked, “The Basilian Fathers are grateful for this Chapel, and it being dedicated to St. Basil the Great, our patron saint and a doctor of the Church,” said Cylwicki. The Most Reverend Salvatore Matano, Bishop of the Diocese of Rochester, blessed the construction site. “We ask that this Chapel will usher from it

He is teaching two courses this semester, an MBA class on leadership and a history class dealing with late 19th to mid-20th century American foreign policy. He said the semester is off to a great start, and that it is wonderful to be back in the classroom.

REVISITING HISTORY A look inside President Emeritus Bain’s return to the classroom

n June 30, 2015, after 11 years of walking into the front door of Kearney Hall, turning left, and settling into his office, Dr. Donald Bain turned right and walked out of the front door of Kearney Hall into his retirement from the presidency. The man who has been known to tout our students as our “most precious responsibility, and alumni, our proudest achievement” was on his way to a well-deserved break. But those who know him well knew he’d be back to Kearney Hall in no time. Dr. Bain, president emeritus, has spent the last year on sabbatical. He spent much of the year catching up with his bookcase full of reading that had accumulated during his time as president. “I was eager to read them and pleased that I finally had the time,” he said. But the professor in him has also spent time preparing for his return to the classroom. And return he did. On September 6, he walked into Kearney Hall, this time heading up to his new fourth floor office to prepare for his first class. “From my first day as president, I planned on returning to the classroom once I completed my tour. I wanted to finish where I had started,” explained Bain. “The story of Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, the Roman statesman, was on my mind. He did his duty when called as Consul and when finished, he returned to his farm.”

Teaching in a college classroom—or any classroom, really—has changed since the last time Bain taught. Clearly, the technology available to today’s educators has revolutionized, in many ways, teaching and learning styles across all college campuses.

“I am struck by how the basic character of our students has remained consistent over my 41 years at the College.” But as much as things change, some things really do stay the same. “I am struck by how the basic character of our students has remained consistent over my 41 years at the College. They are still filled with all the goodness and energy and hope and promise that I recall finding in them during those early years,” he said. While the classrooms, student fashion, news headlines, and the campus footprint look different from his earlier teaching days, another thing for Bain hasn’t changed a bit: “No Friday is a bad Friday.”

CAMPUSNEWS

COLLEGE WELCOMES NEW LEADERS

Fisher has welcomed Dr. Kevin Railey as the new provost of St. John Fisher College and Dr. Rama Yelkur as the new dean of the School of Business. In his role, Railey will be the chief academic officer and will provide academic leadership and supervision for the College’s School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, Wegmans School of Nursing, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education, Lavery Library, and numerous areas of academic affairs. He will also be a member of the President’s Cabinet and the Senior Staff. Railey comes to Fisher from Buffalo State College, where he has served as Clockwise from top: Railey, associate provost and dean Yelkur, Perales, and Bowers. of the graduate school since 2007. During his tenure at Buffalo State, he also served as interim associate vice president of enrollment management and chair of the English Department. In addition, he was coordinator of the Freshman Writing Program and coordinator of English Education. Yelkur comes to Fisher from Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) in Michigan, where she served as dean of the College of Business and Management since 2013 and as the director of the university’s Stevens Center of Family Business, an endowed center that supports family businesses through education, networking, and collaboration. Prior to her time as dean at SVSU, Yelkur held several positions at the University of WisconsinEau Claire, including director of international business programs. Outside of higher education, Yelkur brings nearly three decades of consulting experience

with organizations such as Kimberly Clark, NBC Universal, and the NFL. Her research on Super Bowl advertising has been cited in the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger's, the New York Times and Forbes, among others. In addition to these appointments, the College has named Dr. James Bowers as interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Bowers steps into the position as the search for a permanent dean continues into the 201617 academic year. Bowers succeeds Dr. Theresa Westbay in this role. His appointment began July 1, 2016. As professor and chair of the Department of Political Science and Legal Studies, Bowers has spent nearly 30 years at the College, teaching courses and publishing research on state, local, and national government, campaigns and elections, and constitutional law, among other topics. In 1998, Bowers was given the Trustee Distinguished Scholarly Achievement Award, and has also been the recipient of the Father Dorsey Faculty Service Award. Lastly, Jose Perales has been appointed as vice president for enrollment management after having served in an interim capacity since July 2015. He has been with Fisher for 20 years serving in a variety of positions at the College, most recently, as director of transfer and graduate admissions. In his new role, Perales oversees admissions, financial aid, and intercollegiate athletics. Additionally, he participates in strategic planning for the College and fosters community partnerships and outreach initiatives.

FISHER BATTLES TO BRING HOME COURAGE BOWL WIN NO. 12

The nationally-ranked Cardinals rallied to a 4238 win over the College at Brockport in Courage Bowl XII on Saturday, September 24. The Empire 8 Conference football matchup was played in front of more than 8,400 fans. The victory marked the largest deficit overcame in a win in Fisher history with senior quarterback Matt Naton’s oneyard dive with 17 seconds left, clinching the win. At the time of the win, Fisher was ranked 16th in both the D3football.com national poll and the national coaches poll. The Cardinals are a perfect 12-0 alltime in Courage Bowls.

GOLF TEAM HOSTS A SPECIAL GUEST

Proceeds from the game support Camp Good Days and Special Times, a not-for-profit organization that provides thousands of children with cancer the opportunity to come together in a residential camping experience. Since its founding, the camp has impacted more than 45,000 campers from 22 states and 29 countries. With a small group of paid employees, Camp Good Days is a volunteer-based organization. To avoid placing any additional financial burden on the families served, all of the programs are offered free of charge for the participants.

The men’s and women’s golf teams, along with coach Bob Simms, hosted Michael Brown at a practice round at Midvale Country Club this fall. Brown, co-founder and senior vice president of Fibertech and leader of The Brown Strategy Group, is a finance student in the School of Business. His love for the game of golf prompted him to support team travel for both the men's and women's programs.

Catch up on the latest...

Visit athletics.sjfc.edu for the most up-to-date news on the Cardinals, or follow St. John Fisher College Athletics on Facebook and @FisherAthletics on Twitter.

ATHLETICS #GoFisher 1981 FOOTBALL TEAM CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY As the nationally ranked Fisher football team took to the field for their sixth contest of the season on Saturday, October 8, a very special group of alumni and friends watched from the William J. Pellicano Pavilion on the east side of Growney Stadium. Members of the 1981 club football team were gathered to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their national championship win. “In so many respects, this atmosphere is very different from what we experienced back then,” said Ralph Fornuto ’84. “We were a club team; we had no stadium, no locker room. But, we feel a strong connection to today’s Fisher football.” And they should. At the time of their national championship run, the football program was young. Founded just 10 years earlier in 1971 by a group of students, the program grew quickly into a powerhouse, coached by volunteer

Bob Bayer. The great success of the club team would prompt the College to transition football to a full NCAA program, a process that started in 1987. Today, the Fisher football program is an NCAA DIII powerhouse. “This group of men is one of the reasons why we are a strong program today,” said current head coach Paul Vosburgh. “These guys have supported us, they’ve cheered us on, they’ve inspired us, and they helped established the winning tradition of Fisher football.” After earning the national title in 1981, club football would go on to win two additional championships, in 1985 and 1986. At a celebration dinner in the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Athletic

Center on Friday, October 7, teammates reminisced about the first championship season and honored friends who have passed away. They looked to the future, as well.

“We are dedicated to supporting the Fisher football tradition,” said Fornuto. “We remember what it was like to work to raise money for uniforms, for team travel, for everything. We might be past players, but we will be part of the future in a big way.”

Top: Teammates began their celebrate on Friday night with dinner in the Ralph C. Wlson, Jr. Athletic Center. Above: Members of the 1981 championship team at the Fisher football game on Saturday, October 8. The jerseys were worn by family members of teammates who had passed away (Scott McEneany, Brian O’Reilly, and Chuck Pelletier).

CLASSNOTES 1964

Guy Coppola finished the George Eastman Museum Photo Finish 5K on Saturday, October 1. He came in second place in the 70+ age group.

1987

KD Kim, president of Impact Golf (below, far right), and husband Ji Kim (far left), visited Fisher's men's and women's golf teams to discuss the golf industry as well as her upcoming book Eight Minutes to Better Golf.

1970

James Bowers received the 2016 Urbach CPA Community Builders Award for his career leadership in recovering a number of nonprofits.

1985

Dave Brown has been named to the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

1986

Gregg Gordon, CEO of Social Science Research Network (below, left), has merged his company with Elsevier B.V., a $2 billion Dutch publishing company.

1996

Dr. Costas Solomou was named dean of undergraduate admissions at George Washington University. Prior to his appointment at George Washington, Solomou was the dean of admissions and a member of the president’s cabinet at Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina, where he led a highly-lauded reorganization of the university’s admission structure and practices.

1999

Dr. Alyssa Stephany has been named section chief and medical director of hospital medicine at Children’s Hospital

of Wisconsin. She is associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Stephany and her husband, Chris DeCiantis ’99, have two children, GiGi (5) and Grant (20 months).

2004

Christina M. Verone Juliano has been selected as an Upstate New York Super Lawyer – Rising Star for 2016. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, and is limited to five percent of the lawyers in the state. Juliano has also been named to the Fisher Alumni Association Board of Directors.

2006

David Bullwinkle MBA has been named chief financial officer and senior vice president of Kodak, Inc. Dr. Laura Markwick has been named to the Alumni Association Board of Directors. She was also honored as New York State Nurse Practioner of the Year.

WITNESS TO THE FISHER FAMILY

It was a Fisher alumni affair at the wedding of Kristina Kurzepa ’08 and Jonathan Abbey on June 18, 2016 at the Genesee Valley Club in Rochester. Front row, left to right: Nicole VanGorder ’11, Laura (Dever) Howard ’08, Danielle Valerino ’08, the bride, and Meghan Ryan ’08. Back row: Melissa (Cimato) Kern ’08, Lee Kern ’08, Sara Garvey ’05, Dr. Todd Harrison, Cheol Kessler ’10, Steve Moscaritolo ’08, David Vogt ’81, Tish Ciaccio ’83, and Jonathan Howard ’07.

ALUMNI ON ICE

The Fisher Club Hockey Team held their inaugural alumni game in September. “This was a great way to get players from different eras together,” said coach Randy Smallridge. “This game was planned at the last minute, but we had over 25 players involved. We hope to build on this in the future.”

Front row, left to right: James Draveck ’14, Mike Gala ’09, Kyle Van Thof ’14, John Crean ’14, Frank Lattuca, Jr., Jon Cortina ’10, John Mosca ’16, Sean Lavin ’16, Adam Johnson ’16, Nick Papayankos ’16, Brian Hoffman, and Josh Rathbun ’15. Back row: Andrew Simonelli ’15, Frank Lattuca, Sr., Andrew Choma ’11,

Andy Wozniak ’09, Joe Meyer ’11, Steve Conlon, Phil Martello ’12, Brent Simpson ’10, Ryan McDowell ’15, Steve Turnbull ’16, Sam Loh ’16, Ryan Marino, Frank Sorge ’16, Kyle Spaiches, and Jeff Kellerson ’16.

CLASSNOTES 2007

Dave DeLary and Kelly Bates were married in September 2015 near Old Forge, NY. The wedding party included MaryKate DeLary ’14. Thomas Mannella (M.S.) has published The Zipper Club: A Memoir (May 23, 2016), chronicling his experience as a survivor of childhood heart surgery. The book is available in paperback and e-book formats. Learn more about the book at thomasmannella.com.

2009

Jason Polasek has been named to the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

2010

Dan Dixon has been named to the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Colleen Dugan recieved her Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Michigan in April 2016. She gave the keynote lecture for Fisher’s annual Science Scholar Symposium in April,

discussing her thesis, “Design and application of microfluidic platforms for integrated adipocytle perfusion and secretion analysis by enzyme assay and mass spetrometry.” She is the daughter of Peter ’70 and Diane Dugan.

2011

Yasmin Mattox (M.S.) was named a “Woman to Watch” by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Mattox, a member of Roc City Coalition, owns a social science/market research consulting firm and is a program assistant for RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship. Nicole VanGorder has been elected chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

2014

Olivia Gosdeck has been named to the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

2016

Mary Alice Frazier was named a recipient of the Future Nurse Leader Award, given by the American Nurses Association. Cpl. Tyler Simmons (MBA) was awarded the Purple Heart on July 11, 2016, in recognition of injuries sustained

while serving in the United States Marine Corps. Simmons sustained injuries in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2006 from an improvised explosive devise. supported the teams’ travel this year.

IN MEMORIAM

David Niermeyer ’63 passed away on July 24, 2016. Bruce Davis ’64 passed away on June 28, 2016. Juli Lydum ’80 passed away in May, 2016. Gurnal Jones ’87 passed away on June 20, 2016. The Rev. Patrick Braden, third president of St. John Fisher College, passed away on June 16, 2016. Nancy Yanes Hoffman, former faculty in the English department, passed away on May 29, 2016.

SAVE THE DATES...

Teddi 35: February 17-18, 2017 Alumni Weekend 2017: October 6-8

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REUNION

Despite near triple-digit temperatures, more than 40 Fisher alumni and friends, representing every graduating decade in Fisher history, showed up to watch the Colorado Rockies face the Philadelphia Phillies on July 10. In attendance (not all pictured) were: Nick Alencewicz ’14, Emily Beh ’13, Peter Bielka ’95, Jacquie Cowley ’14, Jack Donnelly ’84, Charles Fine ’14, Jim Gruele ’69, Mike Guinta ’14, Zach Hildebrand ’14, Mark Hill ’11, Brendan Hughes ’14, Joey Jackling ’13, Michelle Jennejohn ’15, Steve Kang ’09, Courtney Kelley ’14, Jay

Kline ’15, Matt Lander ’13, Larry Megalo ’70, Malena Montesdeoca ’11, Gina Muoio ’11, Jacob Quattrini ’14, Nicole Savage ’14, Bob Schickler ’56, Mike Spier ’09, Shelby Szuba ’13, and Matt Thibodeau ’13.

BANKING ON FISHER ALUMNI

Alumni spanning four decades at Fisher found themselves as classmates this past summer. AG Cutrona ’83, senior vice president of Five Star Bank; Paul Quinlan ’04, associate vice president at Tompkins Financial Corp.; Steve Brennan ’79, executive vice president at Savannah Bank; and Aaron Fehnel ’99, vice president at Genesee Regional Bank, were all studying at the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania when they made the connection that they were all Fisher alumni.

CLASSNOTES ALUMNI LAUNCH SUCCESS TOGETHER

Several members of the Fisher family were on hand to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Launch Team Inc. this past spring. Pictured left to right are employees Katie Steelman ’12, Aimee Schenck ’13, and Mandy Bly ’16; Tom Proietti ’67; intern Aaron Guarino ’17; client Neal Elli ’80, president and CEO of Empire Precision Plastics; and Michele Nichols ’03 MBA, president of Launch Team. Launch Team's integrated marketing services build clients’ brands to create message continuity across all customer touchpoints.

A FISHER-AQUINAS HALL OF FAME

Several members of the Fisher family were honored at the Aquinas Institute Hall of Fame Dinner in June. Fisher faculty member, Fr. Leo Hetzler, C.S.B., and Jerry Sussina ’73 were inducted for meritorius serive. Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B. ’83, member of the Board of Trustees, was inducted for his distinguised career, and the Iacovangelo family was inducted for family dedication. Back row, left to right: Rosica, Bernie Iacovangelo ’70, Frank Iacovangelo ’62, Anthony Iacovangelo, Sussina, and Hetzler.

ZAMBON ’73 NAMED DEAN AT UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO Dr. Joseph J. Zambon ’73 been appointed dean of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Zambon, a UB faculty member since 1982 and an internationally recognized authority on periodontal pathogens, said it was “an extreme honor to be able to lead the School of Dental Medicine.” “With the support of the UB administration, faculty, and staff, I hope to renew our physical infrastructure, rejuvenate our faculty, and position the school for dental practice in the 21st century to ensure our graduates have the necessary skills to be successful, competent, and caring dental professionals.” In addition to his faculty appointments at UB, Zambon has served as interim dean of the School of Dental Medicine since August 2015, as associate dean for academic affairs for 14 years, and for two years as associate dean for faculty advancement and advanced education. He was also director of the advanced education program

in periodontology in the Department of Periodontics. Zambon has authored or co-authored more than 400 scholarly papers, book chapters, and abstracts. He holds five patents and has secured more than $11 million in grant funding over his career. Zambon has been recognized by UB for teaching excellence several times, earning the R. Earl Robinson Periodontal Regeneration Award and the Clinical Research Award, both from the American Academy of Periodontology. In 2013, Fisher's Buffalo Niagara Alumni Chapter honored Zambon with its Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2014 he was inducted into the Science and Technology Alumni Hall of Fame. He serves the Buffalo Niagara Alumni Chapter as a volunteer. Zambon is a member and former chair of the dental school’s curriculum committee and a co-director of its electronic curriculum project, which

completely digitized the school’s educational program. He has served on the editorial boards of several of the leading academic journals in the field of periodontology, including the Journal of Periodontal Research and the Journal of Periodontology. He was also elected a fellow of the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists. Zambon received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Fisher and a D.D.S. and Ph.D. in oral biology, both from UB.

CLASSNOTES THE IMPACT OF JASY By Dale Stoker ’06 By definition, volunteering is to “freely offer to do something.” And aren’t the best things in life free? I found that by giving myself to others, I grow as a person, and some of the most impactful times in my life were spent volunteering in Jamaica. Since 2010, St. John Fisher College has been partnering with Jamaican Advantage thru Sports for Youth, also known as JASY. The mission of this Rochester-based nonprofit, founded by a Fisher alumnus, is to positively impact the lives of at-risk Jamaican children living in some of the poorest areas of Kingston, Jamaica. Through sports, JASY volunteers serve as role models to Jamaican children and teens, and offer them personal attention and opportunities to grow.

by the Jamaicans to understand their language and interpersonal relationships. Our days were long, we were exhausted, we saw things that broke our hearts. But at the end of the trip, I had trouble saying goodbye to the kids that we served, praying they would be okay. I struggled coming home and enjoying a comfortable lifestyle in America. I was so profoundly changed that I knew I had to go back. A few years passed. I had moved to

When we arrived, it was more than I was ready for. I was challenged

On this trip I realized how much the people involved, both from Fisher and in Jamaica, made JASY so special. The children of Jamaica were again the driving motivation, and seeing the same Jamaican volunteers was comforting in a foreign country. Working next to committed Fisher alumni, faculty, staff, and students was a proud experience. There were many times I saw Mary from across the field holding children’s hands or teaching them how to catch a ball, and my heart smiled. Mary wasn’t able to attend JASY 2016, but I signed up, even more excited than before. Being a JASY veteran, I was asked to lead the group reflections each night, which is a time for our Fisher group to check in on our personal and collective challenges. It was an amazing gift to help foster the transformation of the students over just one week, and I couldn’t help but to change, as well.

As a Fisher service scholar, I volunteered at an inner-city school, and I had been the chair of the Teddi Dance, working with the kids of Camp Good Days for several years. So when I was asked to chaperone the 2010 JASY trip, I thought I was prepared. I was not. That first trip was a culture shock. We had plenty of meetings to prepare us for what our JASY team would be doing and what we would see in Jamaica. Sitting in classrooms in Pittsford, however, is much different than the reality of working a municipal area in Jamaica.

firsthand, just as I did.

California to be with my now wife, Mary Ciesinski ’08, when we were both asked to join JASY 2014. We had always dreamed of doing service work together internationally and we quickly signed up. I tried to prepare Mary while knowing there were some things that I could never explain. She would have to experience them

After three JASY trips, I still find it difficult to fully explain to others. It is easier to just say it is life-changing. The Jamaican volunteers are now my family, and I have formed even deeper bonds with the Fisher JASY family. The Jamaican children are a constant reminder to me to be grateful for my gifts and hopeful for the future. Fisher has strengthened my community through service. About the Author: Dale Stoker ’06 is an employer relations specialist at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

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As we head into winter, here’s a throwback to a beautiful day in July when Fisher alumni, faculty, and staff hit the fairways for the annual Whackers & Hackers Alumni Tournament. It’s not rare for families to play in the tournament. What makes this a special picture for the #fisherfamily is that it involves three generations. Left to right are Chris Tuite ’85, Dr. Bob Tuite ’81, Bob’s daughter Shaylyn, and Dr. Bob Tuite, Sr. ’56.