W&J
class notes
Byron T. Smialek (1943-2013)
Dedicated reporter and W&J football announcer Byron T. Smialek, celebrated spokesman of athletics in the Pittsburgh media and football announcer at Washington & Jefferson College, died Oct. 8, 2013, at the age of 69. Beginning his career as a reporter at the age of 17 with the Canonsburg Daily Notes, Mr. Smialek’s passion and persistence led him to become sports editor of the Observer-Reporter in 1969, where he spent the rest of his career. In 1972, Mr. Smialek hired Park Burroughs ’71 as a sports writer on his staff. Burroughs went on to become the executive editor of the paper. “He loved people,” said Burroughs. “He wrote more than 1,200 columns and most of them were about the people that he made an effort to meet. Not everybody liked him, but everybody read him.” As sports editor, Mr. Smialek expanded the Observer-Reporter’s coverage to include Pittsburgh professional and collegiate teams, personally covering the success of the Steelers throughout the 1970s. In addition to his success as a print journalist, Mr. Smialek served as public address announcer for W&J football games for more than 10 years. Scott McGuinness, sports information director at the college, remembers Mr. Smialek fondly. “Byron meant a lot to me,” said McGuinness. “I was 22 years old when I came to the College and Byron, unsolicited, offered me valuable suggestions on dealing with the media.”
Mr. Smialek was committed to giving back to the community. He cofounded the 2000 Turkeys seasonal food drive in 1982, and in less than a decade, Mr. Smialek and the Smialek was a public address other founders received an award announcer for W&J football games for more than ten years. from the Greater Washington County Food Bank. What began as a simple canned food drive is now a successful annual fundraiser. The campaign raised over $33,000 in 2013. Mr. Smialek’s initiative to help low-income families has become a holiday tradition for the businesses and community members of Washington County. Mr. Smialek was named to the Washington-Green County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hallf of Fame in 2008, which he regarded as one of the proudest achievements of his life.
from Rhode Island College in 1969 and went on to become a teacher in the Washington School district and for the Intermediate Unit. For a time, she served as director of the post nursery at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, N.Y., while her husband, Kenneth L. Baker, was stationed there. Mrs. Baker attended W&J. She is survived by her husband Kenneth L. Baker ’68.
Olympics event. Later hired by Hiram College, Mr. Chupa served as the liaison between the college and the Cleveland Browns during their summer training camp. Mr. Chupa worked as a coach and physical education instructor at W&J. A World War II veteran, Mr. Chupa received a Meritorious Conduct Medal for directing physical therapy for soldiers returning from the European and Pacific Theaters.
Marjorie C. Brown, Berwyn, Pa., died Oct. 28, 2013, at age 81. She was a direct descendant of Reverend John Corbly, a founder of W&J. Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband, Oliver Wellington Brown Jr. ’49, and grandson, Charles Wellington Brown Seiler ’13.
Vijay K. Jain, San Antonio, Texas, died Sept. 4, 2013, at age 73. Mr. Jain attended St. Xavier’s University in India, before moving to the United States in 1959. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, he held positions with the state departments of public welfare and human services in Ohio and Iowa. He also held finance positions with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, as well as with the cities of Schertz and Bastrop. Mr. Jain attended W&J.
Nora Alice Kerr Calvert, Washington Pa., died Oct. 30, 2013, at age 97. Mrs. Calvert was a housemother for Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity at W&J, as well as a cook and server for the College. She also served as an aide at Washington Hospital and Kade Nursing Home. Edward A. Chupa, Dallas, Texas, died Oct. 30, 2013, at age 95. Mr. Chupa taught American government and world affairs at Twin Falls Senior High School in Idaho before his retirement. Previously, he taught physical education and coached athletic teams at John Adams High School in Ohio, and ran the citywide summer sports program, where he helped organize the first Junior
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Still, his journalistic success was not limited to the realm of sports. Mr. Smialek went on to become a general-interest columnist, and he covered Washington City Hall as city editor. He worked as a senior writer and columnist from 1993 until his retirement in 2009.
SPRING 2014 MAGAZINE
Barbara E. Morrison, Washington Pa., died Sept. 11, 2013, at age 75. Mrs. Morrison worked as business manager for the Washington County Library System and Citizens Library. She served on executive boards for numerous community organizations, including treasurer for the Business and Professional Women’s Club, and the first treasurer for the Washington Literacy Council. Following her retirement, she began her business, Betsy’s Doll’s Rooms, with the help of her husband. Mrs. Morrison attended W&J.
David E. Olson, Rostraver Township, Pa., died Nov. 3, 2013, at age 69. Mr. Olson received his master’s in art education from Pennsylvania State University and taught at a number of institutions in Western Pennsylvania, including W&J. He belonged to the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and was a charter member of the Macdonald Bagpipe Band. He performed with the W&J Wind Ensemble, as well as several Veterans of Foreign Wars bands. Taylor M. Parkman, Washington, Pa., died Sept. 16, 2013, at age 23. Ms. Parkman graduated from Washington High School. She loved music and played the clarinet in the Washington High School band, as well as the W&J Orchestra. Michael L. Tonya, Cumming, Ga., died Sept. 20, 2013, at age 87. Mr. Tonya worked as a flight line electrician in Los Angeles, before moving to Columbus, Ohio, where he ultimately worked in sales. During the Bosnian War, he volunteered at the Atlanta Catholic Social Services as an interpreter for refugees. Mr. Tonya spoke several foreign languages include Croatian, Slovenian and Russian. Mr. Tonya served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946. Following his honorable discharge, he attended W&J.