Allegheny Magazine Summer 2012

Vol. 30

• N o . 2 • S u mm e r 2 0 1 2

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Commencement

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2012

ommencement 2012 dawned bright and beautiful, setting the stage for the remainder of the day. The Allegheny community honored 456 graduates and four distinguished leaders: Tom Ridge, E. J. Dionne, Carol Glazer and Arnold Palmer, who received honorary doctorates of humane letters. They are pictured above with members of the board of trustees. Dionne, the keynote speaker, challenged the Class of 2012 to “never lose your desire to transform charity into justice, division into civility, selfishness into generosity, cynicism into hope.”

“ Yo u a r e n o w f u l l - f l e d g e d m e m b e r s of the Allegheny family. You’ll get to read your diploma soon — but here’s what’s unwritten: It comes with membership in a family. An accomplished family. And a deeply caring family whose members, to a person, stand ready to help you, as you carve your way.

We ask only this in return: When you have achieved your own individual greatness, give back to future Allegheny family members, as others have given to you.

“By the way, I make no apologies for talking audaciously about the greatness that awaits you. Because, by vir tue of your Allegheny education, greatness is now your destiny.

Your Allegheny diploma is a hunting license for greatness.

“To be sure, your greatness will come in different forms. Some will become national leaders. Others will seek less high-profile but equally meaningful careers. And I believe you will demonstrate greatness where it matters most.

As loving spouses. Caring parents. Committed volunteers. And civil citizens. By positively touching all the souls God privileges you to meet. That is the highest greatness of all.”

— Tr u s t e e T i m o t h y L . R e e v e s ’ 8 3 , M a y 12 , 2 0 12

Trustees

Vol. 30 Eddie Taylor, Jr. ’87, Chair Earl W. Adams, Jr., Ph.D. Christian L. Allison ’83 Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton Alice Sturgeon Bierer ’59 Gladys Mullenix Black ’54 Edward J. Borkowski ’81 William H. Brown, Jr. ’80 Mark R. Campbell ’82 Jane Miriam Earll ’80, Esq. Gary M. Elliott ’72 Mary H. Feeley ’78, Ph.D. Kimberly Tillotson Fleming Judith Thomas Horgan ’68 Steven D. Levinsky ’78 Richard W. Maine Isabelle Crabb Moss ’67 James H. Mullen, Jr., Ed.D. Herbert H. Myers ’61 Jerome V. Nelson ’83 James C. New ’67 John H. Niles, Jr. ’59, M.D. Martin Pfinsgraff ’77 Timothy L. Reeves ’83 Mary E. Sceiford ’54, Ph.D. Rev. Dr. Yvonne Reed Seon ’59, Ph.D. Dag J. Skattum ’84 Thomas N. Slonaker Robert L. Smith, Jr. ’73 William P. Steffee ’57, M.D., Ph.D. Hayes C. Stover ’62, Esq. Bruce R. Thompson ’86 William H. Timbers ’72 Robert C. Woodworth ’69 Douglas F. Ziegler Trustees Emeriti

Bishop George W. Bashore Ann Simakas Degenhart ’71 J. Tomlinson Fort ’50, Esq. Thomas T. Frampton ’70, Esq. Samuel Hellman ’55, M.D. William I. Jack ’57, Esq. The Hon. Jack K. Mandel ’58 Frank E. McElree, Jr. ’47, M.D. Silas R. Mountsier III ’52 John C. Phillips, Jr. ’56 James F. Pomroy ’56 Thomas M. St. Clair ’57 Ferd J. Sauereisen ’57 Henry B. Suhr, Jr. ’55 Arthur Tepper ’58 Patricia Bush Tippie ’56 Robert A. Vukovich ’65, Ph.D. John D. Wheeler ’61, Esq. Editor

Richard D. Stanley Contributors

Rebecca Cimko Bohnert ’11 Diana Brautigam ’80 Patrick S. Broadwater ’93 Heather L. Grubbs James Kramer David W. McInally Bernadette Wilson Design

Jonathan Miller Design Principal Photogr apher

Bill Owen ’74 Printing

Commercial Printing, New Castle, PA Cover Photo

Bill Owen ’74

• No. 2 • Summe r 2 012

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The Confounding Cost of College On the Hill

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Reunion Weekend 2012

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Sports

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Class notes

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Vital Statistics

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The Last Word

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With a Fond Farewell…

Allegheny magazine (ISSN 02796724) is published three times a year by Allegheny College, 520 North Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335 for the alumni, parents and friends of the College. Opinions and comments expressed herein are not necessarily those of the College. Postmaster: Send address changes to Allegheny magazine, Allegheny College, 520 North Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335. © 2012 Allegheny College

Q ue s t i o n :

The

f ounding C onf Co$ t C ol l e ge

by Dav id W. McInally

of

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A ns w er :

W h y doe s A l l e ghe n y cos t

a I t d o e s n ’ t.

l

$ 47, 0 0 0

p e r y e a r?

llegheny’s price differs from its cost — whether cost refers to the amount students pay to attend or the expense the College incurs to educate a student.

This is one of many puzzling aspects of higher education economics, leading to a series of related questions:

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Why has tuition gone up faster than inflation?

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Why do we discount so heavily?

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Has Allegheny’s character changed ?

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What about America’s trillion-dollar student loan burden?

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Is the higher education pricing bubble about to bur st ?

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Above all, why don’t we cut the price?

( i.e., reduce cos t thr ough C ollege -f unded scholar ships ) Is it now af fordable only for wealt hy families ?

et us begin with that question about cost.

In 2012-13 Allegheny’s comprehensive fee (tuition, room and board) will be $47,150. The College’s total expenses — by which we mean all of the expenditures necessary to enroll and educate the student body — will be slightly less than $111 million. Enrollment will be about 2,050, so the cost to educate each student is more than $54,000. The difference between the comprehensive fee and the actual cost is made up primarily by alumni gifts to the Annual Fund — every penny of which goes directly to the operating budget — and the endowment, of which 5 percent is spent each year to support the cost of education. In other words, alumni generosity means that the price to educate each

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97% of allegheny students receive som student is nearly $7,000 less per student than the cost to the College.

At the same time, the actual cost for the average student is quite a bit lower than the published price.

Total revenues from students (tuition, room, board and bookstore) will be $58.8 million, which comes to almost $29,000 per student. The difference between the $29,000 in revenue per student and the $54,000 in expenses per student — what we will call the cost of college gap — is made up of financial aid and the aforementioned gifts. Specifically, about $18,000 of it is in financial aid and $7,000 in gifts.

Keep those numbers in mind, for they represent what might be the key strategic issue for Allegheny

$54,000 $29,000

and other national liberal arts colleges in the coming years. Although it’s not widely understood, the most significant financial issue facing colleges is the proportion of that gap that is met by gifts versus financial aid. Colleges with large endowments fund most of that gap through endowment income, while the less wealthy schools, such as Allegheny, need to fund it through financial aid discount. We call it a discount because this financial aid does not take the form of cash, but rather a reduced price.

Schools that fund the gap entirely with discount are fighting a losing battle. They need to keep spending to compete with the Alleghenies of the world, but their revenue is lagging due to steep discounting. If they cut

C o s t t o E d u ca t e a n A l l e g he n y S t u d e n t

Actual average amount paid per student

$18,000

Financial Aid

$7,000 Gif t s

“Cost of College Gap”

A l t h o ug h i t ’s n o t w i d el y understood, the most

significant f in a n cia l i s s u e f a c ing c o lleg e s i s t he p r o p o r t i o n o f [ t h e c o lleg e ] g a p t h a t i s me t by g i f t s ve r s u s f in a n c ia l a i d .

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me form of aid — 75% of that is need-based

expenses to make up for the reduced revenue, then it is difficult to compete with institutions that can afford better faculty, facilities and equipment.

Unfortunately, Allegheny’s proportion is weaker than the schools with whom we compete, most of whom use endowment income to close more than half of their gap. That means that in the short run we must be smarter — getting more value out of all of the resources that we have. In the long run we must increase the endowment so that it can close more of the gap.

The only alternative — other than large-scale expense reductions and their attendant compromising of educational quality — is to close the gap by discounting less, which will shift the burden to families and greatly restrict access to an Allegheny edT o t a l C o l l e g e e x p e n s e t o E n r o l l & E d u c a t e 2 , 0 5 0 S t u d e n t s $111,000,000 ucation for people who are talented 55% Salaries &&Benefit s 9% 11% 25% but may not be Salaries Benefits 29.7% rich. How many Physical Food Technology, families do you Plant Ser vice & Scientific know who can pay the real cost — remember that it’s Residence Equipment, Halls Of f- Campus $54,000 — of educating an Allegheny student?

s

o why doesn’t Allegheny simply cut the price to $29,000 — the amount actually paid by the average student — and eliminate financial aid? It’s a reasonable question but the answer is not as easy as it seems. Allegheny has historically served a population who may not have great wealth, but who brings exceptional academic ability to the campus.

Nearly one-half of them will not be able to attend Allegheny at a price of $29,000. For those who do have the means, our competitors offer substantial scholarships to high-achieving students, and many of those families prefer a high-priced college where they receive a large scholarship (the prestige factor) to a low-priced college with no scholarship. In order to be fully enrolled, and to recruit a diverse and academically talented student body, the high-tuition, high-discount model has become the norm among America’s colleges and universities.

Of course, another way to cut the price is simply to

Study, Athletics, Admissions, Fund-Raising

reduce expenses. Is it possible to cut the budget without a significant impact on academic quality, and without creating a public perception that Allegheny is in trouble?

One thing has remained unchanged about Allegheny over the years: The first priority is personalized education based on individual student-faculty relationships. For that reason, salaries and benefits represent more than 55 percent of the College’s budget. The salaries are keyed to the median of a comparison group made up of similar institutions in order to be competitive at hiring and retaining faculty. As long as Allegheny continues to offer a people-intensive educational model, there will be little opportunity to reduce this expense. The easiest way to cut costs is to have a higher student-faculty or student-staff ratio, but that will not only detract from the quality of education but also will mean that we no longer compete with prestigious, national liberal arts colleges.

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Students continue to flock to the most expensive institutions because quality always sells

Other major expenses include auxin s t i t u t io n s t o c h a r g e a iliaries (food service , b u t t h ey and residence hall a l s o ex p e c t t h o s e in s t i t u costs) and the physit io n s t o h ave t h e r e s o u r c e s cal plant, which respectively account t o p r ov i d e t hem w i t h for 11 percent and f in a n cia l a s s i s t a n c e.

9 percent of the budget. When we add those expenses to the 55 percent compensation figure, we see that simply providing a competitive faculty, staff and campus requires more than 75 percent of the resources before we even begin to spend on technology, scientific equipment, off-campus study, athletics, admissions or fund-raising. Some colleges have been criticized for frivolous spending, but at Allegheny every expenditure is rigorously scrutinized for its contribution to teaching and learning.

This means that each year’s budget — as well as multiyear financial forecasts — must strike a balance between spending enough to offer a top-quality educational experience and keeping costs low enough to provide access for students. After all, none of this will

[ S t u d e n t s ] ex p e c t t o p

high price

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matter if students cannot afford to attend Allegheny or if they graduate with such a large debt burden that they cannot prosper in their careers and personal lives.

That’s where financial aid — the discount — enters the picture. It is true that Allegheny’s published price has risen at a pace faster than inflation (which is true of most colleges and universities). But the actual cost to students once financial aid has been taken into account has risen at a much slower pace. This is a critical point that has somehow been missed by the op-ed alarmists.

Four academic years have passed since the American economy entered a recession. In that period, Allegheny’s net tuition (the tuition price multiplied by the number of students, minus financial aid) has grown 2 percent, or about 0.5 percent per year. This is less than the growth in the consumer price index over the same span. The popular press makes quite a fuss about tuition outpacing inflation, but its calculations are based only on price, without taking into account the actual cost for families. When college-funded financial aid is part of the equation, tuition has outpaced inflation by a much smaller factor, and in many cases — such as the last four years at Allegheny — has not outpaced inflation at all.

t

he popular myths also suggest that a lower

price will boost enrollment by attracting many new, highly qualified applicants. This is a reasonable idea, but in fact it has not worked for the few institutions that have tried it. Students continue to flock to the most expensive institutions because quality always sells — and because they know that their actual cost will bear little resemblance to the published price.

They expect top institutions to charge a high price, but they also expect those institutions to have the resources to provide them with financial assistance.

This high-tuition, high-discount approach to pricing may be confusing, but it actually optimizes Allegheny’s ability to provide access for all qualified, interested students. Approximately 97 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid, and about 75 percent of that aid is based strictly on need, according to students’ ability to pay. The remaining 25 percent is used for merit, to recruit students who would otherwise go elsewhere due to the attractive aid packages offered by our competitors.

Two key factors must be considered regarding merit

T he e a s ie s t way t o

cut costs

i s t o h ave a hig h e r s t u d e n t-f a c ul t y o r s t u d e n t- s t a f f r a t i o, b u t t h a t w ill n o t o nl y d e t r a c t f r o m t h e q u a li t y o f e d u c a t io n b u t a l s o w ill me a n t h a t we n o lo ng e r c o mp e t e w i t h p r e s t ig i o u s , n a t io n a l lib e r a l a r t s c o lleg e s .

aid. First, the students have earned it. This is a freemarket system, and the top performers command the best aid packages. Second, families who receive only merit aid — meaning they are wealthy enough not to qualify for need-based aid — still pay, on average, significantly more than half of the cost of the Allegheny education. The lion’s share of the cost is borne by those who have the means, while still rewarding achievement. The system is designed so that students without great wealth can afford to attend, while at the same time not penalizing wealthy families, since the stronger their academic record, the more merit aid they can earn.

Unfortunately, Allegheny does not have the means to pay for all of this financial aid, which leads to the question of student debt. Colleges with large endowments subsidize their financial aid budgets heavily so that students do not need to use debt to close the gap between their net cost (after financial aid) and their ability to pay. Allegheny’s average student loan burden at graduation is in the mid-$20,000s. It is a superb investment in terms of the quality of education and increased earning potential, but we all wish that students were not encumbered by this burden when they

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Comparative Endowments* for 10 Competitive Institutions begin their careers. If we remain committed to the private, personalized residential educational model, then we will need to increase our endowment to reduce this loan burden (either by lowering price or increasing financial aid).

The nation’s $1 trillion student loan debt is certainly a problem, but it is not due to institutions like Allegheny — where graduates have job prospects and the default rate is far below the national average — but rather to schools whose graduates are having difficulty finding work and repaying their loans. In some cases these are for-profit, online institutions, where students have borrowed heavily but have not found that their coursework has enhanced their earning power.

Nevertheless, the attention-grabbing trillion-dollar figure raises the question of whether higher education is in a pricing bubble, where the value does not justify the price. The bursting of the dot-com and housing bubbles wreaked havoc on the American economy, and many wonder whether higher education is next.

Once again, the question of the financial aid discount is paramount. Higher education may well be in a bubble in terms of price, but not in terms of actual cost. In fact, the real cost to families after financial

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aid is far below the value of a college degree, whether it is measured in increased earning potential or in the true cost of education.

Allegheny employs a set of metrics to evaluate the risk of the bubble bursting, including price cuts at other institutions, declines in admissions yield among prospective students, changes in government aid and more. We would be happy to cut our price and reduce financial aid, but it will only work if a significant number of other institutions do the same. Otherwise, we will “leave money on the table” from families with means, we will have less financial aid for high-need students and we will have less overall revenue to invest in the academic program, causing us to fall behind our competitors.

That is why the fund-raising campaign that we are just embarking on is focused on increasing our endowment. If we have the discipline to steer new resources to endowed scholarships — a discipline that many colleges lack due to demand for new buildings, higher salaries, etc. — then we can close the cost of college gap for students and families without compromising educational quality.

Imagine an endowment that is $200 million larger

than it is now, or roughly the size of our competitors’.

Most of those colleges added operational expenses as their endowments grew over time, so they cannot reset their pricing models without significant cuts in their academic programs. Allegheny, on the other hand, could use new resources to lead the way in developing a sustainable pricing model. A $200 million increase in endowment would produce $10 million per year (recall that we spend 5 percent each year), which could cut the price by $5,000 per year for each student — without having to reduce need-based aid for those who still cannot afford the lower price, and without abandoning the people-intensive, face-to-face educational approach.

A

$ 2 0 0 mil l ion

in c r e a s e in e n d ow me n t wo ul d p r o d u c e $ 10 milli o n p e r ye a r ( r e c a ll t h a t we s p e n d 5 p e r c e n t e a c h ye a r ) , w hi c h c o ul d c u t t h e p r i c e by $ 5,0 0 0 p e r ye a r f o r each student.

D e n i s o n U n i v e r s i t y B u c k n e l l U n i v e r s i t y

303.3

F r a n k l i n & M a r s h a l l

247.5

C o l l e g e o f W o o s t e r

237.7

Gettysburg College

Kenyon College Allegheny College Muhlenberg College

189.2

179.9 153.5 150.2

Washington & Jef ferson College

* Tot a l s a re in m il l i o n s of

d ol l a rs, ro un d e d t o t h e n e a re st hun d re d t h o u sa n d.

So u rce: Nat i o n a l A sso c i at i o n of Col l ege a n d Un ive rsit y Bu sin e ss O f f i ce rs

654.6

575.3

326.6

D i c k i n s o n C o l l e g e

Ohio Wesleyan University

104.0

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e believe that this goal is achievable — in fact, that it is essential. Anyone with a calculator can see that the published price of tuition will reach an absurd figure if compounding escalation continues, and chasing after it with ever-rising discounts is not a good long-term solution. We would like to bring it back down to earth through a measured, reasonable approach that does not compromise Allegheny’s status as a top national liberal arts college. Alternative plans are in place if the bubble bursts, but they will require sacrifices that change the fundamental nature of an Allegheny education. If we can catch up to the Joneses — or the Woosters, Denisons and Gettysburgs — and use our increased resources to control costs for students, rather than for non-essential luxuries, we can ensure that talented students have access to an Allegheny education for generations to come. = David W. McInally is the executive vice president and treasurer of Allegheny College.

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Wi th a Fond Far e well ...

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Three legendary Allegheny mentors

— Bill Bywater, Scott Choffel and Ward Jamison — have r et ir ed , t ak ing mor e t han 10 0 year s of teac hing experience with them. At the same time, they leave behind more than a combined centur y of inspiration and leadership on which to build.

“Each of these individuals has had a profound impact on Allegheny histor y; each has changed the lives of countless students; each has left Allegheny better than he found it,” says President James H. Mullen, Jr. “On a personal level, I feel so for tunate that Ward, Bill and Scott are colleagues and friends.”

As generations of new students come to Allegheny, they will benef it from the work to which these men dedicated their lives. Be it through programs the professors helped establish or through scholarships endowed in their names, future Gators will know the names Bywater, Choffel and Jamison.

Allegheny spent some time with them this summer to f ind out what is in their futures and what they remember best about their years on campus.

By

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Rebecca

Cimko

Bohnert

’11

“The willingness of the black students in the 1970s to share [their experiences]

1

Bill

and to help me learn about the life and

B y w at e r

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n the months leading up to Professor Bill Bywater’s retirement, his days were filled with displays of admiration and recognition of his influence on campus. The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and the Women’s Studies Program co-sponsored a conference on social justice to honor him. A group of his peers and students nominated Bywater for the 2012 Julian Ross Award of Excellence in Teaching as a capstone to his illustrious career. Always one to insert some humor into an otherwise serious conversation, Bywater says, “I recommend retiring as often as possible.”

Bywater’s influence will continue, thanks in part to his sister, Barbara Creed, who established A recent photo (above left) of a an endowed fund jaunty, retiring Bill — and an to continue his equally jaunty, but not-so-recent legacy. one (above) with his wife, Ruth.

“For more than four decades, Bill has been teacher, mentor, coach and scholar for generations of Allegheny students. Our parents, who valued education highly, would be delighted by the creation of this fund to recognize Bill’s achievements and assure that future Allegheny students of philosophy have opportunities to enrich their classroom experiences through attendance at philosophy conferences and lectures and exchanges with visiting scholars,” says Creed.

This endowed fund will expose Allegheny students to socially relevant issues just as Bywater would if he were continuing his teaching career. As an educator, enhancing undergraduate knowledge of the vast pool of philosophical thought was close to his heart.

history of black culture was an important learning experience in modesty and in being sure you don’t know everything.”

Says former student Peter Capretto ’12: “In addition to being a brilliant educator in the classroom, Professor Bywater was constantly seeking out opportunities for students to become involved with the wider philosophical community. Not only did he work with students to go to conferences in philosophy, but Professor Bywater crafted an entire campus-wide curriculum in my sophomore year to create original content and an open format for interdisciplinary thought on race.”

Giving students “the opportunity to be more aware of what the world is like and to look at things in a broader perspective is why I stayed [at Allegheny] for 44 years,” Bywater says. This attitude of encouraging analytical thinking and exploration of alternative viewpoints is, according to Bywater, “what the liberal arts is all about.”

Since he started here in 1967, he has shared his philosophy on education and the liberal arts.

“Bill was hired in the late 1960s to teach a very conservative palette of courses, focused particularly in aesthetics, yet by the 1970s his concern led him to become one of the founders of the Women’s Studies Program on campus, and, since then, Bill has consistently contributed his philosophical insight to many of the concerns taken up in interdisciplinary minors,” says Professor Eric Boynton.

In addition to helping to start the Women’s Studies Program, Bywater also led one of the first independent study courses on Black Studies. In that class, Bywater learned a lesson that has stayed with him through his entire career. “The willingness of the black students in the 1970s to share [their experiences] and to help me learn about the life and history of black culture was an important learning experience in modesty and in being sure you don’t know everything,” he says.

With the students’ help, he was able to create a course titled “Black American Thinkers” and, eventually, go on to help establish the College’s Black Studies Program. His legacy extends into the Lesbian and Gay Studies Program, the VESA (Values, Ethics and Social Action) Program and the Dance Program.

Bywater has seen the growth of Allegheny and the progress the College has made in educational theory over the years. During the Vietnam War, “student Allegheny Magazine

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pressure to discuss contemporary issues during class resulted in teachins and made Allegheny think differently about education,” says Bywater. “[We] now have classes on contemporary social and political issues, but not during Vietnam.”

In addition to the student-led efforts, his own teaching style was something that has helped influence the College. His classrooms were noted for being student-centered, allowing for free expression of thoughts and values. “Professor Bywater was exceptionally interested in student intellectual growth and made himself available for meetings and discussions. This commitment to student learning made his courses the highlight of my overall wonderful intellectual experience at Allegheny and fomented a lifetime passion for the liberal arts in many of my fellow classmates as well, including some who were not philosophy majors,” says Christopher Ames ’89, a former student.

Bywater will remain a part of the Allegheny community as a professor emeritus, and he will continue enlightening the world through his work on social justice issues from the comfort of his home office, which he has affectionately dubbed the “Philosophy Cave.”

He also plans on continuing to broaden his own social outlook by traveling with his wife, Ruth, and visiting Cittanova, Italy, where she used to live.

“When Choffel taught, he brought humor, knowledge and passion to the topic.”

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Scott

Choffel

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cott Choffel enjoys telling the story about how he started working at the College in 1985.

During an emotional springtime ceremony in Ford Chapel noting his retirement, he related it to the audience.

It was his late-wife, Rosie Ah Wong Choffel, who introduced him to the idea of having a working relationship with the College rather than just an academic one. After graduating from Allegheny in 1972, he worked as a mechanic for many years. His career prospects began to change when Rosie began working at the College. One day, as he was waiting for her in the storied social hub, the Grill, his former academic advisor Dick Overmyer struck up a conversation and advised him to “watch the paper,” where a few days later, the job of technical theater supervisor appeared. Choffel applied and was hired, and thus began his career at Allegheny.

In 1995, he was able to continue the unique legacy by hiring his former work-study student Jim Sumerfield ’89. “I took an entry-level position at Allegheny College in 1995 purely because of my desire to work with Scott Choffel. Seventeen years later, his influence on my life, my family and my work is immeasurable. His careful hands have left indelible marks all over our campus as well,” says Sumerfield.

Throughout his career, Choffel participated in many transitions around campus. With his guidance, the theater, dance and music programs within the College saw improvements in facilities and technologies.

“Scott is an incredibly passionate man whose love of the arts infuses everything Scott (in black shirt) doing what he does best—working with students— high above the stage at the “Vuk.”

he does. He has enormous respect for the artists he works with. . .”

love for Allegheny, an unrivaled institutional memHe was part of the planning process for the Vukovich ory, terrific taste in music, yet questionable taste in Center for Communication Arts, and also helped save coffee. He’s a patient, earnest and dedicated theatre Montgomery Gym from destruction. Choffel and his worker, with a strong flair for lighting design. In the colleagues applied for and received funding to convert Playshop Theatre, Scott was a quietly efficient role Montgomery Gym into the Montgomery Performance model who constantly led by example — the first to Space. They uncovered all the winclimb our tallest ladders in order to dows and transformed this space for refocus a lighting instruAllegheny dancers. ment or to hang a piece of “Scott is an incredibly passionate molding just minutes before man whose love of the arts infuses opening night. Througheverything he does. He has enorout his years at Allegheny, mous respect for the artists he works he was completely dedicated with, and the touring companies to safety and instruction and that have come to Allegheny have trained scores of students often commented on how Scott’s who are now working in the stewardship of our facilities and profession.” his sensitivity to the artists’ work In honor of his teaching and needs have been incredible. and of his service to the ColBoth Scott and Rosie valued their lege, he received the 2003 roles at Allegheny because they Robert T. Sherman Distinenjoyed working with students, guished Service Award. The teaching them, sharing cultural award is given to those emexperiences with them and quiployees who go above and beetly encouraging them in their yond the requirements of their maturation process,” says Propositions. Receiving this award fessor Beth Watkins. epitomized Choffel’s extraordiBeing able to work with denary commitment to Allegheny partments across campus as well College. as being able to introduce stuThis summer, he moved to dents from all academic fields Louisville, Ky., to be closer to a to the wonder of the arts is S co tt (t o p good family friend. He plans to what he will cherish most ) a n d th e b a ck st a g e li g h te r m cr ew in a om en t. make Kentucky his home and will about his career with Allegh“p h ot os h o p p ed ,” become a volunteer with the Oleny, Choffel says. msted Park Conservancy to help He retired in May from his position as the maintain the Louisville parks. technical director for the Playshop Theatre and as a Though anticipating mostly to volunteer and to spend part-time instructor in the Communication Arts and time with his family during retirement, Choffel intends Theatre Department. “Scott cares deeply about the edto come back to Allegheny as a freelance lighting deucation of our students, and he has mentored students signer to assist with student productions. “We’ll miss in many different situations that have given them the Scott but we’ve invited him back for two guest artskills they need for future jobs or the perspective necist gigs next spring. He’ll be designing the lighting for essary to pursue their academics and the ability to Anna in the Tropics and The Foreigner in the Playshop combine academic skills and craftsmanship in pursuit Theatre,” says Watkins. of professional or personal goals,” says Watkins.

Choffel succinctly sums up his Allegheny experiProfessor Mark Cosdon praises Choffel’s dedication ence with this statement, “I came. I built. I left with a to Allegheny and his students when he says, “A quismile. I’m a lucky guy.” et, warm and giving colleague, Scott has the deepest Allegheny Magazine

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“Together they taught students values that reach far beyond rehearsals.”

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Jamisons

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he beauty and precision of the hundreds of alumni who returned to the Allegheny campus on Reunion Weekend 2012 to celebrate the Jamisons in song was bittersweet. While the gathering meant reconnecting with former students, it also meant that the Jamisons’ exhilarating 31 years at Allegheny were coming to a close.

Professor Ward Jamison, or “Chief ” as he is fondly known to students, started his career at Allegheny in 1981. His wife, Vicki, a part-time vocal music instructor, has been his colleague from the beginning. Working side-by-side, the Jamisons shaped countless lives while continuing Allegheny’s musical traditions.

Professor Alec Chien praises the couple and says, “Together they taught students values that reach far beyond rehearsals. Students, many from diverse academic backgrounds, learned the importance of perseverance and commitment from this inspiring couple.

They care, and we all benefit.”

Professor Lowell Hepler is preaching to the choir when he describes his admiration for Ward and Vicki.

“Over the 31 years as colleagues of Ward and Vicki, it’s sort of like looking back on the time spent with one’s own family. I am very grateful that most of my years on the Allegheny music faculty have been shared with these two fine musicians and educators.”

The Jamisons are “fine educators” indeed. They say that watching and partaking in their students’ progress has been reward enough for their hard work. “[I get a lot of ] satisfaction in watching students progress and realize their potential through hard work,” says Ward. Vicki adds, “It’s rewarding to see where our students have gone.

Past students are now teachers, doctors, lawyers and small business owners, the majority of whom still participate in music in some way.”

Their passion for education and the musical arts is evident in the relationships they have with their former students. Vicki’s former student and one of Allegheny’s voice instructors Diane Kalinowski speaks from experience when she says, “Vicki and Ward are both true teachers. They are both incredibly adept at 14

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making their students feel comfortable in finding their true voice and working with each student to discover what keys unlock the voice for them as an individual.”

In honor of their careers and their influence on Allegheny, former students, friends and colleagues have established two endowed funds: the Ward and Vicki Jamison Scholarship and the Ward and Vicki Jamison Vocal Studies Award. [These two funds will continue the good work of the Jamisons by providing scholarship support and financial assistance to offset the cost of voice lessons for eligible students.]

Though not leaving Allegheny completely, the Jamisons will be reducing their time spent with students. As a professor emeritus, Ward will transition from full-time to part-time teaching while continuing to assist with the Chamber Music Program. Unlike her husband who is officially retiring, Vicki will be slowly decreasing her teaching obligations over the next few years. Due to the close academic relationships that have developed among Vicki and her voice students, she has promised to see her current students through their graduations. As she is phasing out her teaching commitments at the College, Vicki will be nurturing her private studio where she teaches local high school students and area adults. Ward and Vicki not only worked in the same department at the College, they also worked in the same room. This close working relationship will continue as they plan to lead workshops for schools, churches and community programs.

Their legacy will carry on through the incoming director of choral activities, James Niblock ’97, and his wife, Carol Bowler Niblock ’02, who will follow in Vicki’s footsteps as a vocal instructor. Sharing this career transition with former students is humbling, the Jamisons say. They say that witnessing the way students continue to make room for music in their lives amid the strenuous Allegheny study schedules is the highlight of their careers. The satisfaction and reward of seeing current and former students continue to make room for something so demanding is, as Ward puts it, “the best thing of all.” =

On the H i l l

Allegheny College honored its retirees, 25-year employees and the Robert T. Sherman Distinguished Service Award recipient during a May ceremony in Ford Memorial Chapel. Pictured, front row, from left, are Sharon Ann Byers, Kathy Symons, Sandra DuChene, W. Scott Choffel and William G. Bywater, Jr. Middle row, front left, Michael N. Keeley, Eric T. Pallant, Melissa Mencotti, Deborah S. Zinz and Amelia J. Carr. Back row, from left, David M. Bachman, Daniel R. Hetrick, Ward M. Jamison, Vicki Jamison, Michael J. Barry, Peter M. LeBar and President James H. Mullen, Jr. Not in the photo were Aurora B. Curl and Asuman N. Baskan.

Brian M. Harward Named Director of Center for Political Participation Brian M. Harward, an associate professor of political science, has accepted an appointment as director of the College’s nationally known Center for Political Participation (CPP).

T he CPP par tners A l l e g h e ny s t u d e nt s a nd facult y wit h local, state, national and international commun it ie s t o u n d e r t a ke interdisciplinar y approaches to political, economic a nd social challenges.

“E ach of t he programs and partnerships of the CPP is directed at empha sizing politic a l pa r ticipation broad ly c o nc eive d,” s a id

Harward. “Our work is directed at linking the resources of the college and the larger scholarly community with the pressing needs and complex challenges facing many of our communities.”

The CPP provides programming through a diverse offering of collaborative resea rch, commu nit ybased learning, study away o p p or t u n it ie s, colloquia, undergraduate research, public lectures, seminars and other programs.

“We are fortunate to have Brian take over the reins of the CPP,” said Provost and Dean of the College Linda DeMeritt. “As a former faculty fellow at the CPP, he knows the center’s programs and helped to guide them. As a teacher and mentor who

won teaching awards at Southern Illinois University and at the University of Georgia before coming to Allegheny, he is ideally suited to work with CPP fellows and other students to ensure that they have the best possible experience. And as a respected scholar, he has both the perspective and the expertise to lead the CPP in the years ahead.”

The CPP will also benefit from the experience of the current program coordinator, Mary Solberg, who will continue to assist in program development and communications for the center.

Harward teaches classes in constitutional law, judicial process and philosophy of law, among other courses in American politics.

He earned his doctorate at the University of Georgia and his bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College, where he helped establish the Center for Public Service. Harward worked for several years at the American Association for Higher Education in Washington, D.C., developing a national program on civic education.

Har ward’s wife, Ashley, a psychotherapist trained at Washington University in St. Louis, works in Allegheny’s Counseling Center.

They have two children, Wynn and Catherine, and live in Meadville.

Allegheny Selects Students for Research Awards Allegheny recently announced its first two recipients for the Beckman Scholars Program Award, which encourages talented undergraduate students to pursue ambitious research projects.

Abigael L. Dishler will work with faculty mentor Marty Serra, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, on the project, “Determining RNA Secondary Structure using the Fluorescent Probe 2-aminopurine.” Abby is a rising senior from Baden, Pa. She is a biochemistry major with a minor in history. She is the daughter of Clifford and Diane Dishler and a Allegheny Magazine

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R e u n i on W e e k e n d 2 0 1 2 R e u n i on W e e k e n d 2 0 1 2 R e u n i on W e e k e n d 2 0 1 2 R e u n i on W e e k e n d 2 0 1 2 R e u n i on W e e k e n d Record-setting attendance — What a memorable event it was for the 1,198 alumni who attended. Among the highlights was the emotionally charged Reunion Choir Concert where Ward “Chief” Jamison and his wife, Vicki, offered their final official performance at Allegheny, helped by 292 friends and former students.

There weren’t many dry eyes in Shafer Auditorium at the conclusion of the performance. Overall, it was a weekend of reconnecting and rejoicing among former classmates. You can find many more Reunion Weekend 2012 photographs at https://picasaweb.google.com/ AlleghenyGatorAlumni

Passing the baton Allegheny’s choral directors through the years

M o r t e n J . L u v aa s

W.S. Wright North

nd in the end . .

A ll Reunion photos by Mik e Wa lk er e xcep t w here noted

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W ar d J am i s o n

photo by Bill Owen ’74

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Returning and reconnecting, a record number of Alleghenians celebrated cherished traditions, decades-old friendships, national championships and almost four days of really nice weather! If you weren’t here, we missed you.

J am e s N i b l o c k ’ 9 7

a n o u t p o u r i n g o f a p p r e c i at i o n a n d e m ot i o n f o r 3 1 y e a r s o f d e d i c at i o n t o

a llegheny ’s

l o n g h i sto ry o f c h o r a l e xc e l l e n c e .

B r av o ,

Wa r d & V i c k i !

end 2012 Reunion Weekend 2012 Reunion Weekend 2012 Reunion Weekend 1990 National Cha mps

The landmark 50th Reunion drew 75 members of the Class of 1962, shown at the bottom of the page. At the Alumni Award Luncheon, a group of dedicated alumni were recognized for their service to Allegheny (Blue Citation) and volunteer and professional accomplishments (Gold Citation). In the photo below, from left, are Michael Alch ’78, Trustee Hayes C. Stover ’62, Peggy Toman Siegle ’70, Philip L. St. Moritz ’61, Dr. W. Peter Peterson ’59 and President James H. Mullen, Jr. Standing in front is Trustee Mary Elizabeth Sceiford ’54, recipient of the Alumni Medal, the College’s oldest and most prestigious award. Inset photo is Melissa Mencotti, recipient of the Robert T. Sherman Distinguished Service Award.

challenge, collectively purchasing more than 1.8 billion kWh of green power. EPA’s Green Power Challenge is open to all U.S. colleges, universities and conferences. In order to qualify, a collegiate athletic conference must include at least one school that qualifies as a Green Power Partner, and the conference must collectively purchase at least 10 million kWh of green power.

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. Purchases of green power help accelerate the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide and help reduce g reen house ga s emissions from the power sector.

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photo by Bill Owen ’74

Reunion Weekend 2012 included a celebration of the College’s athletics program, highlighted by a celebration of the 1990 NCAA Division III Championship Football Team and the Hall of Fame ceremony. This year’s inductees, seen below, included Coach Ken O’Keefe, Renea Surrena Gaus ’92, Shane Ream ’02, Tony Pendolino ’90 and Patrick Stewart ’89. Members of the 1990 Division III Championship Team, seen above, celebrated their remarkable achievement. Also attending was Joe Philbin, pictured at right with current coach, Mark Matlak ’78. Philbin was an assistant coach on the 1990 championship team, and is now head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Also pictured at right are former athletic director, Norm Sundstrom, and his wife, Betty. Coach O’Keefe, who is now an assistant coach for the Dolphins, told his audience: “Everyone is capable of doing something great in their lives and that’s what Allegheny does — it leads and prepares us for that greatness.”

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photo by Bill Owen ’74

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Grants

A New Ride for Creek Connections The Creek Connections program at Allegheny College in July won a new van in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good Program, through which the automaker gave 100 vehicles to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days. Creek Connections was selected as one of 500 nonprofit finalists — from more than 4,000 applications nationwide — earlier in the year. On July 20, Creek Connections supporters registered the most votes on Facebook among five organizations that were vying for the vehicle that day.

An outreach program of Allegheny College, Creek Connections brings hands-on, inquiry-based education about watersheds to students ranging in age from elementary to high school. Throughout the school year, participating students retrieve water samples and conduct research on waterways, monitoring the conditions that affect the creeks’ water quality.

Creek Connections staff members had been using their own vehicles to travel to schools and research sites.

More information on Creek Connections can be found at http://creekconnections.allegheny.edu/. =

Gifts = Allegheny College received a $1.5 million undergraduate science education

grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). This grant will be used to build a global health program. It will support the establishment of an interdisciplinary major, creation of two tenure-track faculty positions, resources for faculty and curriculum development, collaborative research opportunities for students on and off campus, and opportunities for students to engage in health-related study-away experiences abroad and domestically. Lee Coates, professor of biology and neuroscience, is the project director. “This grant demonstrates HHMI’s confidence in Allegheny’s leadership role in higher education and our faculty’s strength in cultivating creative and innovative researchers and practitioners in the science and medical fields,” said Allegheny President James H. Mullen, Jr. “Our students have educational, collaborative research and experiential learning opportunities in the natural sciences that are second to none, and this grant recognizes that fact. We are honored to have been selected and look forward to sharing the expertise and knowledge we gain with other educational institutions.”

= Allegheny received a grant of $200,000 from the Booth Ferris Foundation in support of the renovation of Carr Hall to house the Environmental Science Department and significantly improve Physics Department space.

= Assistant Professor of Environmental Science Mark Neff received a grant of $164,111 from the National Science Foundation’s Science of Science and Innovation Policy program in support of his project, A Comparative Study of Structural Influences on User-engaged Ecology Research. His project explores potential limitations on user-engaged research imposed by publication requirements, using an international comparative ethnographic approach. This grant represents 100 percent of the total cost of the project. = Assistant Professor of Chemistry Mark R. Ams received a $35,000 Cottrell College Science Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement for his project, Molecular Torsion Balances for Probing the Distance Dependency of CH-pi Interactions. Allegheny is matching Research Corporation’s funds with $15,060 for a total project cost of $50,060. The goal of this award program is to promote basic research as a vital component of undergraduate education. It provides seed money to jump-start productive research programs, engaging students in independent research and inspiring a passion for discovery and self-inquiry. = Allegheny received a $30,000 grant from the Grable Foundat ion to support Creek Connections’ operations in Pittsburgh. Creek Connections is a partnership between Allegheny’s natural science division and 40 elementary, middle and high schools that uses rivers and streams in the schools’ watersheds as outdoor laboratories for ongoing water quality investigations done by K-12 students. = Allegheny received $200,000 from Barbara B. Creed (pictured at right) to establish the Professor Bill By water Endowment. The income from this fund will be used primarily to provide support for undergraduate philosophy conferences at Allegheny. Funds also may be used to provide enrichment of the undergraduate experience, including scholarly lectures, visiting scholars and student travel to philosophy conferences. = Richard J. Timer ’76 and friends of Sam Timer have established the Timer Memorial Fund to maintain and enhance the Frank B. Fuhrer Field at the Robertson Athletic Complex. = The Sutton Fund, established by Robert L. Sutton, Jr. ’63, in honor of Dr. Edward L. Sutton and Dr. John B. Henderson, will be used to provide scholarship support for eligible students interested in pursuing managerial economics studies related to economic development. = The Karl Fund, established by James D. Karl in memory of his brother, John E. Karl, Jr. ’51, is used to provide scholarship assistance to eligible students.

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Bowden Receives USDA Grant

Michael J. Vlah

Abigael L. Dishler

2009 graduate of New Brighton Area Senior High School.

Michael J. Vlah will join faculty mentor Scott Wissinger, professor of biology and environmental science, on the project, “Role of Caddisflies in Liberating Detritus-bound Nutrients and Energy to Food Webs in Temporary Alpine Ponds.” Their research will be conducted at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Crested Butte, Co. Mike is a rising senior from Ellwood City, Pa. He is a biology major with a minor in environmental writing. He is the son of John and Marsha Vlah and is a 2009 graduate of North Hills High School.

Allegheny is one of only 11 colleges and universities nationwide to receive a 2012 Beckman Scholars Program award. The program was established in 1997 by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, and its purpose is to help “stimulate, encourage and support research activities by exceptionally talented undergraduate students at our nation’s universities and colleges; young people who ultimately will become prominent leaders in their scientific and professional pursuits.”

The $77,200 award to Allegheny will support a total of four students across the next three years as they conduct research in chemistry, biochemistry and biology. Selected as sophomores or juniors, the students will conduct research with faculty members full time during two summers and part time during the intervening school year.

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The College received a $35,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture in support of Professor of Environmental Science Rich Bowden’s project, “Long-term controls on forest soil carbon quantity and quality.”

T he prima r y goal of Professor Bowden’s project is to examine the ability of forests to remove excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in soils. Carbon dioxide is the primary pollutant involved in human-induced climate change.

The project continues a two-decade experiment at Allegheny College’s Bousson Experimental Forest that examines exchanges between forest trees and soil. This work is part of a larger network of si m i l a r exper iment s being conducted across the U.S. and Europe.

Investigators from a number of universities, including Harvard University, O r e go n St at e University, and the Universities of Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Hampshire, Oregon, California (Davis) and Toronto, are also assisting with the study. “These institutions are invaluable in providing additional analyses of soil biology and chemistr y, thus enhancing the overall value of this USDA support,” said Bowden. “Furthermore, our students lear n additional field, laborator y and networking skills through these collaborations.”

Allegheny Earns Another Sustainability Honor Allegheny has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency as the 2011-2012 Individual Conference Champion for using more green power than any other school in the North Coast Athletic Conference.

Since April 2006, EPA’s Green Power Partnership has tracked and recognized the collegiate athletic conferences with the highest combined green power purchases in the nation. The Individual Conference Champion Award recog nizes the school that has made the largest individual purchase of green power within a qualifying conference.

Allegheny College beat its conference rivals by using nearly 15 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, representing 100 percent of the school’s annual electricity usage.

Allegheny purchases renewable energy certificates from Constellation NewEnergy, helping to reduce the environmental impacts associated with the campus’s electricity use.

“EPA applauds Allegheny College as the North Coast Athletic Conference Champion in this year’s College and University Green Power Challenge,” said Blaine Collison, director of EPA’s Green Power Partnership.

“By purchasing 100 percent renewable electricity, Allegheny College is reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions and showing that small schools can make a big difference for the environment.”

According to the EPA, Allegheny College’s green power use of nearly 15 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the electricity use of more than 1,000 average American homes annually, or the CO2 emissions of more than 2,000 passenger vehicles per year. The North Coast Athletic Conference’s collective green power purchase of nearly 28 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the CO2 emissions from the electricity use of more than 2,000 average American homes, or the annual CO2 emissions of nearly 4,000 passenger vehicles.

Thirty collegiate conferences and 73 schools competed in this year’s

s ports

After having finished the 2011 season with its worst record in team history, Allegheny softball authored the largest single-season turnaround in North Coast Athletic Conference history en route to the program’s eight h conference championship and top seed in the NCAC Tournament in 2012.

T he Gator s i mprove d by 16.5 games and finished the year with a 27-11-1 record. On the heels of another banner season for the program, the Gators collected a bevy of postseason honors, including a sweep of the NCAC’s major awards. Junior Stephanie Fort was named NCAC Player of the Year, rookie Caitlin Nealer was named Pitcher of the Year and Head Coach Sandra Sanford earned Coach of the Year honors.

Sophomore Maureen Pallone and Nealer were named First Team AllCentral Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), while Fort was named Second Team All-Region as the Gators boasted three all-region players for the first time since 1999 and two first-team selections for the first time since 1997.

Women’s Golf Extends National Record Allegheny women’s golf extended its national record as the first golf team across any NCAA division to qualify for the national championships its first seven years as a varsity program.

Behind another sensational campaign that included four tournament titles, the blue and gold was awarded a coveted at-large bid into the national field.

Junior Liz Blyth birdied the final hole of the competition to lift Allegheny into a tie for ninth place as the Gators secured their sixth consecutive top-10 finish at the NCAA Division III Championships. Blyth

finished 20th overall to lead Allegheny with a four-day total of 313, while sophomore Sarah Vorder Bruegge and senior Lauren Hammell tied for 34th.

Earning AllAmerica Honors

Photo courtesy of Victah Sailor

Softball — From Worst to First

Junior Brandon InVaulting to the t r ie r i s pl it 20.57 i n O ly m p i c s ! the 50-yard f reest yle at the 2012 NCAA Division III Swimmi ng Jeremy Scott ’03 earned a spot on the pole-vaulting a nd Diving Champiteam that represented the United States at the onships en route to his Olympic Games in London this summer. He did so third career All-Amerwith a stunning performance at the University of ica citation, while seOregon’s Hayward Field in June. Competing at one n ior Mi r no Pa s qu a li of the most hallowed sites in all of sports, Scott made the most of his cleared 18-feet, 4 ¼ inches at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, while qualifying for his first first trip to the nationOlympic Games with a second-place finish. Scott al cha mpion ships by placed 15th in the qualifying round on Aug. 8 and ear ning All-America didn’t advance to the pole vault finals at the London honors in the 200-yard Olympic Stadium. Allegheny will report on Scott’s backstroke with a time experience in its winter issue. of 1:49.54 as Allegheny As a senior at Allegheny, Scott competed as the men’s swimming a nd only collegian on the U.S. Track and Field Indoor diving added to its rich team at the IA AF World Championships in England history. in 2003. He was a two-time national champion Pa squali’s swim at in the pole vault as a member of the Gators and nationals established earned four All-American honors in the event while donning the blue and gold. a new program record.

Scott graduated with honors with a degree in For Intrieri, who earned neuroscience.

He earned a master’s degree in his fourth career Allexercise science from the University of Arkansas.

Conference accolade w it h a s ci nt i l l a t i n g s w i m i n t he 10 0 f ly (49.63), h i s s e c o nd c o n s e c ut ive the league spotlight. In the final dual NCAA Championship appearance meet of the season, Capone totaled was punctuated with a strong finish a score of 402 on the one-meter, in the 100 free (46.09). which was seven points above the 395 needed to qualify for nationals.

Evanoff Named She rode that momentum into the Coach of the Year conference championships where she became the first Gator in four years to secure All-NCAC honors Sophomore Emily Capone, who on both boards. didn’t begin her season with the GaWith Capone and rookie Danielle tors until the second semester, enHollenbeck both delivering great joyed a stellar second half of the year seasons, Fred Evanoff was honored on the board as she helped propel as the 2012 NCAC Diving Coach of a program that has won 15 NCAC the Year. = Diver of the Year honors back into Allegheny Magazine

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Homecoming 2012 Sep tember 29

Reunite, reconnect and celebrate Here are just a few of the planned activities:

Photos by Mike Walker

• Alumni and Student TailGator Luncheon • Football Game vs. Oberlin • Creek Connections Alumni Breakfast • Women’s Basketball Alumni Game • Cornerstone Award — Celebration of recipients from past 10 years • Fraternity and Sorority Events — including an All-Greek Alumni Brunch • Recent Graduate Gathering — Classes of 2008-2012 View a complete Homecoming schedule and RSVP for events at w w w. allegh e ny.e du / alumni or call the Alumni Office at 814-332-5384 for more information.

2008 2003 1999 /1998/1997 1988 1979 /1978/1977 1973 1963 Torchbearers —all graduates from 1962

and earlier, including the 55th (class of 1958) and the 60th (class of 1953) In addition to gatherings for members of the classes shown above, we will welcome

M ay 3 0 – J un e 2

Reunion Weekend 2013 the Association of Black Collegians/ the Advancement of Black Culture (ABC) for a special reunion.

For more information about Reunion Weekend plans, visit www.allegheny.edu /reunion

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Use GatorLocator.org to connect with classmates and friends planning to attend Reunion Weekend. This powerful search engine lets you locate classmates by name, graduation year, city, student organization, etc.

Keep your information current in order to receive communication from the Alumni Affairs Office about these, and other, upcoming alumni events. Log on to: www.allegheny.edu/updaterecord

ClassNotes

Jay Raskin ’42 hosted Allegheny students from the Hillel group at his California home on March 21, 2012. The group was in California on an Experiential Learning trip.

Front, from left: Julie Payner ’15, Jill Breit ’14, Brianna Zins ’14, Jay Raskin ’42, Katherine Katilius ’15, Kerry Bornstein ’12 and Andrea Bloodworth, Allegheny advancement officer. Back, from left: Rachel Dingman ’08, Zeben Ashton ’12, Sam Moritz ’12, Erik Giangregorio ’14, Michael Kilcoyne ’12 and Aman Biswas ’13.

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The Mizel Museum in Denver, Colo., h o n o r e d G lenn R . Jones w i th th e 2012 Community Enrichment Award in May. His shor t list of successful business endeavor s include s founding Jone s Inte rc able, Jones International University (JIU), Jones Knowledge Group, Jones e-global Librar y and Jones International, Ltd., among others.

message: “Bucking the downsizing trend, we are adding a real guestroom to our tiny home, hoping for visitors – but not just yet!

The southern Appalachians are beautiful any time of the year. Reach us at dottymorgan@yahoo.com. We can’t do everything, so hope to see you for the 60th in 2017!

Cheers to all.”

As an early commemoration of his 80th birthday, D. Donald Cervone ’54, a b ove, assembled former member s of the Brockport Singers, a chamber chorus he conducted from 19 6 8 to 1982, while on the faculty at Brockport State College in New York. Two days of rehearsals culminated in a public presentation at the First Baptist Church of Brockport on June 10, 2012. The program included the first performance of Cervone’s second setting of the text of Nunc dimitiis, composed especially for the occasion in memory of deceased member s of t he Brock por t S inger s and deceased colleagues of the Music Department.

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Bill Deane completed the true crime novel Smooth Criminal, A One-Man American Crime Wave in May 2012. This story exposes the consequences of our government releasing hardened criminals back into society where some run amok, stealing, drugging, even murdering some American citizens.

The suspense novel is the result of more than four years of investigative research that Bill began after taking early retirement from his 30-year assignment editor position at CBS in New York City. Smooth Criminal is available on Amazon as well as by order at any bookstore and was designed and published by his daughter, Jennifer Deane ’86, through her book publishing company, Muse Media LLC.

’57 Dr. Ar t Blank Jr. repor ts that he

continues in full-time private practice of psychoanalysis and psychiatr y in a new office in Chevy Chase, Md., near Washington, D.C. His wife, Donna Hepler Blank Brown ’64, is a Feldenkrais trainer and practitioner, and also has a full-time practice.

To m J o n e s w i l l r e l e a s e a b o o k , A g i n g Aggressively, this year with the research and marketing help of Phoebe Jones Zayas ’87, Todd Jones ’88 and Stefan Jones ’90.

Sander ’59 and Sharon Romick’s Shabbat ser vice was held March 23, 2012, and Allegheny students and alumni attended in California. Front row, from left: Christie Newman, Judy Mandel P’90, P’91, Michelle Mandel, Katherine Katilius ’15, Julie Payner ’15, Sharon Romick, Sander Romick ’59, Brianna Zins ’14, Jill Breit ’14, Kerr y Bornstein ’12 and Andrea Bloodworth, Allegheny advancement officer. Back row: Rachel Dingman ’08, Zeben Ashton ’12, Michael Kilcoyne ’12, Erik Giangregorio ’14, Sam Moritz ’12, Josh Mandel ’91, Mike Newman ’94, Aman Biswas ’13 and the Honorable Jack Mandel, ’58, P’90, P ’91.

D o r o t h y K . To l l e y M o r g a n s e n d s t h i s Allegheny Magazine

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Maryann Snavely Little sends this post: “Where, oh where, have the wonderful memories and years gone? While the years are behind us, the memories are forever. And such wonder ful memories we made. With love to all.”

’59 Nancy and Jonathan Helmreich say

they now split their time between homes in Jamestown, Pa., and Sanibel, Fla.

Robert W. Smith, a resident of Key West, Fla., for the past 30 years, still sings in the Keys Chorale, he says.

’62

Maida C. Boswell repor ts that she is retired and, along with husband, Michael, divide their time between Mystic, Conn., and Cape Coral, Fla. Andy Sheffler, a Pennsylvania resident, reports that he recently retired after 40 years in the pension fund industr y. He ser ved 14 years as a chief executive of ficer of a major state public pension fund and 26 years as a senior marketing /sales executive in investment management.

’66

Dick Alfred is emeritus professor of highe r e du c ation at the Unive r sit y of Michigan following his retirement in April 2011. His most recent book Performance: The Dynamic of Results in Postsecondar y Organizations was published in June 2012.

He and his wife, Pat, reside in Arizona during winter and return to Ann Arbor for the rest of the year.

Lou Schultz was quoted in an article in the Columbus Dispatch in June regarding the War of 1812 and his role as a member of the Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.

’67 Veteran cruisers John and Susanne

Buyck completed their first exciting pilgrimage to the Holy Land last fall. Their ship was approaching the southern Israeli por t of Ashdod in the early-morning hour s of Oct. 30, 2011, when the area was shelled by rockets launched from Gaza. Diver ting to the nor thern Israeli por t of Haifa, (which set a record of six cruise ships in por t that day) the Buycks explore d the re gion for four wonder ful days, visiting Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada, Dead Sea, Nazareth, Galilee, Golan Heights, River Jordan and Tel Aviv. ( This trip was almost as exciting as their ’09 cruise through pirate-infested waters of f Somalia enroute to Dubai!)

Dr. Thomas B. Miller sends this note: “Our re cent move to D urango, Colo., enable s us to par take of and suppor t the lives of three very special grandkids (and their busy parents) as well as enjoy and become involved in the multiple bounties of the Four Corners area.”

’68 Shelley Koltnow has been appointed 24

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to the Audit Committees of Presence Health in Chicago (Resurrection / Provena Health, a merged entity since 2011) and the Arthritis Foundation’s National Office in Atlanta, Ga. Mark Kravetz reports that he has retired as family ser vice counselor, CSP, at Carolina Memorial Park in North Charleston, S.C., and moved with his wife, Carol, to Carrowdore, Nor thern Ireland, U.K. B a r ba r a Yelli g Lu pfer wa s fe a t u r e d i n a newspaper ar ticle in her hometown of Aiken, S.C., for her work with child r e n i n th e N a tu r e’s Cla s s ro om p ro gr a m.

She also donated b o o ks , c r af t m a te r i als, videos, bird nests, a feather collection and rock colle ctions to several nature facilities in the region.

Teaching children about the natural world is one of Lupfer’s joys. “It’s been a lifelong passion of mine, and getting kids involved early on is really impor tant,” she told the Aiken Standard. “I am now amazed at the status of Allegheny’s environmental studies curriculum and wish it had been there back in ’68,” she tells Allegheny magazine.

“Af ter retiring from my professional life, I returned to what I loved — nature and the environment, and earned a degree in horticulture and became a cer tified arborist, as well as volunteered over 1,000 hours to the master gardener volunteer program in Leesburg, Va.”

’69

Barb Pelander Hanniford retired in July 2011 as dean of continuing education at Cleveland State University. She is now an adjunct instructor at Cleveland State, te a c h i n g g r a d u a te c o u r s e s i n t h e a d u l t learning and development master’s degree program.

’70 Lyn Hainge wa s na me d a dis tin -

guished alumna at George Mason University in March 2012. She received her master’s de gre e in health systems administration in 2005. She is the assistant Public Health D i v i s i o n c h i e f (c h i e f o p e r a t i n g o f f i c e r ) for Arlington County, Va. She has been a leader in the Nor thern Virginia health care “safety net” for more than 20 years, having helped create, govern and/or manage such organizations as Hospice of Nor thern Virginia (now Capitol Hospice), Nor thern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM), Alexandria N e ighb o r ho o d H e a lth S e r vi c e s In c. (the area’s first federally qualified health center) and the Nor thern Virginia Area Health Education Center (NVAHEC). As founding executive director of NVAHEC, she led the agency to local and national prominence in the field of health ca re inte rpretation and translation ser vices. In addition to her

work in health care, Lyn is a member of the Fair fa x Choral Society and a past chair of its board of directors.

Dianne McCoy has joined Prudential Gray Greene Realtor partners in Houston, Texas, as director of professional development.

’71 Dan Kuehl is retiring (as he says,

“re de ploying” ) af te r more tha n 18 ye a r s as a professor at the National Defense University’s College in Washington, D.C. He’ll be leaving federal service to move back to his roots in Erie, where he’s joining the fac ulty at Mercyhurst U n i ve r s i t y. D a n wa s one of the founders of NDU’s program in information operations and its component activities such as psychological operations and cyber war fare.

More than 1,0 0 0 se nior milita r y of f ice r s (such as Marine Colonel Medio Monti ’79) and government civilians shared his exploration of information as an element of national power and how we as a nation use it in our national security strategy. Now he’s joining the Intelligence Studies program at Mercyhurst, where he’ll be teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses, bringing to bear his more than four decades of experience in the active militar y (he’s a retired lieutenant colonel USAF ) and its professional military education community. He acknowledges the difference in students — “when I tell a colonel to do something he does it!!” — but relishes the challenge of developing his students’ analy tical, communications and intellectual skills, such as his mentors at Allegheny, including the l a te Pr ofe s s o r J ay L u va a s , d i d fo r h i m.

He is going to miss going to Washington N atio na ls g a me s with his b rothe r s f ro m Theta Chi (Ken Kolson ’67, George Clack ’68, and Bill Penniman and Steve Smith ’69) but expects them to get him tickets for the Nats’ playof f games this year!

’72 Lanning M. Melville repor ts that

he’s still a psychotherapist /psychoanalyst in Southern California with a horsebackriding 12-year-old daughter. He is pursuing a doctorate and says he enjoyed seeing friends at the Reunion Weekend. He is married to wife, Carol.

’73 Jim Mika recently became a boardcer tified coach specializing in career and life coaching.

John Morris, a professor of pharmacolo g y a n d tox i c o l o g y i n t h e U n i ve r s i t y of C o n n e c t i c u t S c h o o l o f P h a r m a c y, w a s honored as a 2011 board of trustees distinguished professor during a ceremony at the UConn Foundation. The designation is

the university’s highest honor for faculty.

Gregory L. Peterson, a Jamestown, N.Y., l aw ye r, wa s g i ve n a 2011 D i s ti n g u i s h e d S e r v i c e A w a r d b y t h e L a w, Yo u t h a n d C i tize n s hip C o m m i t te e of th e N ew Yo r k State Bar Association. The award recognizes someone from the legal profession who has made an outstanding contribution to law-related education.

’76 June F. S wanson ha s joine d the

Pit tsburgh practice of Meyer, Unkovic & Scott as par t of the firm’s real estate and lending practice group. She focuses her practice on commercial, real estate and risk management issues facing businesses and nonprofit corporations. She received a juris doctor from Duquesne Univer sit y School of Law.

’77 John Lydon, chief executive of fi-

cer of Auberle, a social ser vice nonprofit, was the Commencement speaker on May 5, 2012 for the graduating class of Penn State G re ate r A lle ghe ny in McKe e spor t, Pa. John was also appointed as a member of Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald’s Human Ser vices Vision Team.

Andy Williams sends this note: “Three old friends and Delt brothers have departed way too soon: Pete Maropis ’76, Van Spitzer ’77 and Gary Kelsey ’76. We had many great times at Allegheny and many stories from Baldwin Hall 3rd Prospect to the Delta Tau Delta house. I’m sad! My email address is a-1a nyc re dit@c o m c a s t.net. I would love to hear from others with any memories of them. And to my uncle, friend and godfather, D. Armour Hillstrom ’37, we all miss you.”

’80 Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Jon M. Davis

has been appointed as the deput y commander of U.S. Cyber Command. He had been commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraf t Wing in Nor th Carolina.

Fields Jackson Jr. has been nominated for a 2012 Small Business Influencer Award.

He is the founder and c hi e f exe c u tive of f i cer of Racing Toward Diversity magazine in Cary, N.C., and an adjunct professor, teaching entrepreneurial sales and marketing at Chicago State University in Chicago.

From 1994 to 2011, he ser ved as president of Charles Fields Inc., providing artwork, lithographs, posters and premium items to colleges, universities and corporations.

The Antioch University Board of Governors has appointed Felice Nudelman as its fifth chancellor, ef fective July 1, 2012. Felice

was executive director of education for The New Yo r k T i m e s C o. w h e re she was responsible for d e v e l o p i n g a n d o v e rseeing education initiatives, including The New York Times Knowledge Network. Before joining The New York Times, Felice ser ved as executive director for Pace U n i ve r s i t y ’s S c h o o l of Education, receiving Pace’s Outstanding Contribution award for her work.

D a n i e l P. R e i n i n g a , president and chief executive of ficer of L ake Shore Bancorp Inc., and L ake Shore Savings in N e w Yo r k S t a t e , w a s the subject of a lengthy interview in March 2012 in The Wall Street Tr a n s c r i pt, a re s o u r c e for investors and business researchers.

Sue Steven ’75, above, and her husband, Craig Blasingame, completed a coast-to-coast bicycle trip from San Diego, where they live, to St. Augustine, Fla. Sue got her start in bike touring on a weekend trip to Bousson while at Allegheny and then expanded to weeklong trips when she lived in Europe. “For anyone who has thought of doing a trip like this, do it while you are young. The bike riding is the easy part; the camping is the challenge,” says Sue.

’81 Edward Borkowski has been named

chief financial officer for ConvaTec, a worldwide developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for communit y and hospital ca re. Ed had se r ve d a s CFO at CareFusion Corp. and CFO of Mylan Inc. prior to his most recent appointment. He earned his MBA from Rutgers University.

Brian Forbes was re cently promote d to a s s o c i a te p r ofe s s o r of p e d i a t r i c s /p e d i atric ophthalmology at the Unive r sit y of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and ser ves clinically at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He has been elected one of Philadelphia’s Top Doctors twice in recent years and has lectured worldwide on shaken baby syndrome as it relates to the eyes, his primary area of research. In addition he has done about 20 international medical missions operating on children in underserved nation s with va r iou s eye c ondition s. He sends this update: “Personally, I’ve been married 19 years to Marianne McCormick, M.D., and have six children, ranging in age from 5 to 15. Enjoying infinite number of car rides to baseball, basketball, soccer and various track meets has not kept me from running, having completed 18 marathons and various other runs in my days since Allegheny. Though I live in Philadelphia, my hear t remains with Pittsburgh spor ts. I have recently taken up golf (though I stink) as my hips have become rickety. I would enjoy being beat on the links by any Gator who’s up to the challenge.”

’82 Victoria A . Lipnic, a former U.S.

assistant secretar y of labor, is now commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Oppor tunity Commission (EEOC). She was nominated on Nov. 3, 2009, and received a recess appointment to the position by President Barack Obama on March 27, 2010.

Lipnic’s government experience includes ser vice as assistant secretar y of Labor for Employment Standards from 2002 to 2009.

“I believe equal opportunity in work is critical to all Americans and to how we define ourselves as a nation,” Lipnic said. “I look for ward to working with Chair Berrien and my fellow c ommis sione r s in this cr itic al task. I hope that I will carr y out my responsibilities in a manner that will do honor to all who have advanced the cause of civil rights in our countr y — with understanding and respect toward all.” Lipnic received her juris doctor from George Mason University School of Law. The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

’84 William S. Demchak has been elected president of PNC Bank and PNC Financial Services Group.

Demchak had been senior vice chairman of PNC since 2009 and had held super visor y roles for all PNC busin e s s e s s i n c e 2 0 10 .

Demchak first joined PNC in 2002 as CFO. In 20 0 5, he wa s a p pointed head of corporate and institutional banking, responsible for PNC’s middle market and large

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corporate businesses, as well as capital markets, real estate finance, equit y mana g e m e n t a n d l e a s i n g . H e a l s o ove r s aw P N C ’s a s s e t a n d l i a b i l i t y m a n a g e m e n t function. Prior to joining PNC, Demchak was head of structured finance and credit por tfolio for JPMorgan Chase. He received his MBA from the University of Michigan.

Western New York community, Smith has been a volunteer counselor for 25 years at Camp Good Days and Special Times, which has recognized her many years of ser vice at its annual gala event. She earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in English from the University at Buffalo and received her bachelor’s degree in English.

Faheem Masood has been named president and chief operating of ficer of ESL Federal Credit Union. Faheem most recently ser ved a s ES L’s s e nio r vi c e president and marketp l a c e d i r e c to r s i n c e 2003. He will retain his current responsibilities, which include ESL Investment Ser vices, marketing, contact and branch c e n te r s a n d c o r p o r a te p l a n n i n g . I n h i s new role, he will also assume responsibility for ESL’s operations and lending centers. Founded by George Eastman in 1920, ESL Federal Credit Union is a full-ser vice financial institution with more than $4 billion in assets. Faheem began his career at ESL in 1991, as senior financial analyst. In 1994, he was named manager of financial planning and analysis, and in 1997 he was appointed president and chief operating officer of ESL Investment Ser vices. In 2000, he wa s na me d vic e p re side nt /c o r p o r ate product development. Prior to joining ESL, he received a bachelor’s degree in eco nomics and earned a master’s in business administration from Buf falo State College.

He is a member of the board of directors of Unity Health System and the Rochester Downtown Development Corp. He and his family live in Fairpor t, N.Y.

T h e H i l l G r o u p I n c. o f C a r n e g i e , Pa., announced that Chris Brussalis, president and CEO of th e f i r m, wa s a p pointed to the National Board of Trustees for the ALS Association.

The ALS Association is the world leader in the fight to treat, cure and raise awareness about amyotrophic late r a l s c le ro s is ( A L S), the disease that took Lou Gehrig’s life and then his name. “I am very eager to begin my work with the ALS Association and to continue honoring the legacy of Lou Gehrig,” said Chris. Chris has ser ved as president and CEO of the Hill Group Inc. since 1996 and is adjunct professor of management and policy at the Heinz College of Carnegie Mellon University. The Hill Group Inc., a national management consulting firm founded in 1953, is a premier provider of management counsel, specializing in strategy, operations and measurement.

’85

Stephanie Plank Livengood is co-author of the article “Financial Literacy: a Pr i m e r fo r L ib r a r i a n s , Ed u c a to r s , a n d R e s e a r c h e r s ,” w h i c h a p p e a r e d i n t h e February 2012 edition of College & Research Libraries News. Here is the link: http://crln. a c r l .o r g /c o n t e n t / 7 3 / 2 / 8 8 .f u l l . p d f+ h t m l .

Stephanie is a librarian at the University of Akron Wayne College.

’86 Hilber t College in Hamburg, N.Y.,

honore d Amy Smith, chairper son of the school’s Division of Ar ts and Sciences and director of the Honor s Program, with its Excellence in Ser vice award in the spring of 2012. Amy was honored with her third Excellence in Ser vice Award, a recognition she previously received in 2008 and 2000.

Since joining the Hilber t facult y in 1996, she’s overseen and been involved in several college community service projects and ser vice learning endeavors, including the Kenya Krew international ser vice learning trip and various student projects to benefit local families and communities. Active in the 26

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’87

Scott Liotta was among 47 people honored as Shining Stars by Baltimore, Md., County for his volunteer work in youth soccer.

’88

Dick Bondi has been honored with the Five -Star Wealth Manager award in the Pittsburgh area. He has earned this honor i n 20 0 9, 2010 a n d 2 011. T h i s a w a r d i s voted on by peers and clients and is given to less than 7 percent of wealth managers. Dick is a vice president and financial advisor in the Upper St. Clair branch of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

David A. Bornstein has launched his graphic design firm. You can visit the website at www.davidbornsteindesigns.com.

Megan K. Murphy was recently named the executive director of the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS), a leading advocate for girls’ education. The coalition is an association of independent and pub lic, day and boarding schools that acts at the forefront of educational thought, dedicated to empowering and educating girls to be influential and meaningful contributors to the world.

’89

I n h i s f o u r t h ye a r o f b e i n g h e a d coach for the men’s and women’s cros s countr y programs at Penn State Abington, Jose Rodriguez was honored with the Jim McGettigan Coach of the Year award. This award is given to a coach who best demonstrates leadership by meeting all requirements of his or her position, who motivates players through positive reinforcements, and recognizes and rewards players who consistently work hard. The team maintained a commitment to academic achievement, handled adversity well and honors the spirit of their spor t through showing respect to opponents, of ficials and the game.

’90 E l l e n

Kemp K rumm received a m a s te r ’s d e g r e e i n p syc h o l o g y/sy s te m s counseling. She works as a counselor at reSTART, an Internet addiction facility, and recently started a private marriage and family therapy practice. She and her husband, John, live in Redmond, Wash., with their two teenage daughters.

Rober t L. Manuel has been selected a s t h e n e w p r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i ve r s i t y of Indianapolis, becoming the univer sit y ’s n i n t h p r e s i d e n t in July. An estimated 5,50 0 students attend the private university located on the south side of India napolis. Robe r t had been Georgetown Unive r sit y a s s o ciate provost and dean. He received his bachelor’s degree in history and political science, a master’s degree in higher education administration from Syracuse University and a doctorate in higher education administration from New York University. He and his wife, Wilmara, have three daughters, Sophia, Alexandra and Margaux.

Dr. Jonathan Woodman of Town & Country Veterinary Services, P.A., in Minnesota has joined with a group of the world’s leading business exper ts and author and speaker, B r i a n Tr a cy, to p u b li s h th e fo r th c o m in g book titled Cracking The Success Code: The World’s Leading Exper ts Reveal Their Top Secrets to Help You Crack the Code for Optimum Health, Wealth and Success. It will be published by CelebrityPress. Jonathan is co-founder and head veterinarian at Town & Countr y Veterinar y Ser vices, a companion animal veterinar y clinic in Hastings, Minn.

As a veterinarian he’s worked in emergency me dicine, fa r m a nima l a mbulator y c a re, exotic animal medicine, and general companion animal medicine and surger y. As a business owner, he’s worked to develop Town & Countr y Veterinar y Ser vices from a part-time, one-doctor ambulatory service to a thriving full-ser vice clinic and hospital employing two additional veterinarians,

four veterinar y technicians, along with five other staf f members.

’91 Darrell Park has published his book,

Better Than We Found It: Simple Solutions to Some of the World’s Toughest Problems.

Darrell donates 20 percent of the book’s proceeds to charity.

Timothy R. Walmsley has been appointed to the Superior Court of the Eastern Judicial Circuit in Savannah, Ga. Tim and his wife, Alison, have lived in Savannah for the past 17 ye a r s a n d h ave t wo s o n s , A d l e r a n d Gavin. Before his appointment, Walmsley had b e e n a li tig atio n pa r tne r at Hu nte r, Maclean, Exley & Dunn.

An update from Barbara L. Werner: “We are back in Colorado where my husband is teaching at the Air Force Academy. I am composing music for handbells and volunteering at school for my three boys, Will, 12, Noah, 10, and Zeke, 6. This summer, E.J. and I are renewing our vows for our 20th anniversar y.”

’92 Eric Deemer has accepted a position

as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Purdue University ef fective in August 2012.

Kelly Coursey-Gray had an exhibition of her wildlife photographs in a one-woman show at the Community Ar ts Center of Cambria County in the spring of 2012.

Stephanie Glasser repor ts that she and h u s b a n d , K a r l B o e h m , c e l e b r a te d t h e i r 15th wedding anniversary on June 30, 2011.

’93 Jody L. O’Grady was recently pro-

moted to director of sales operations at Taylor Technologies Inc. in Sparks, Md., a manufacturer of water-test kits.

Mar y-Kate O’Hare has been named curator of American Ar t at the Newark, N.J., Museum. She joined the museum’s American Ar t Depar tment in 2000 as research associate, becoming assistant curator and, in 2007, associate curator. She holds a master’s degree and doctorate in Ar t Histor y from Rutgers University.

Andre Perry of New Orleans was awarded the Kappa Alpha Psi Citizens Award in April 2 0 12 . T h e C i t i z e n s Award recognizes and honors the contributions of individuals w h o h a ve d i s p l a y e d excellence in human e n d e avo r s . A n d r e i s th e a s s o c i ate dire c tor for educational initiatives for Loyola I n s t i t u te f o r Q u a l i t y a n d Equi t y in Edu c a ti o n. H e e a r n e d hi s

doctorate in education policy and leadership, with an emphasis in higher education, f r o m th e U n i ve r s i t y of Mar yland College Park.

’94

Rebekah Ashmore Woodworth is the production and facilities manager for Lonza Rockland Inc., which develops and manufactures products used in molecular and cell biology research. She lives in Rockport, Maine, with her husband, Tim, son, Paul, 15, and daughter, Fran, 12.

’95 Emily MacQuarrie

Every year, seven friends from Baldwin Hall (3rd Prospect) get together for a long weekend of fun and catching up. This year they met in Santa Anna Island in Florida. Shown here are Elizabeth Pohley Spencer ’96, Andrea Kotjarapoglus Kruger ’97, Christina Miller Dolan ’96, Nikki Sikora Richardson (attended 1992-1993), Jennifer Moorefield Schwanke ’95, Sheila Christopher Gokkaya ’96) and Leslie Gallagher Craig ’96.

H i n n o v, a f t e r h o l d i n g several full-time teaching appointments (at Bowling Green State University-Firelands College, Southern New Hampshire Universit y and Boston University), has star ted a position as assistant dean of curriculum in u n d e r g r a d u a te s tu d i e s a t G r a n i te S t a te College in Rochester, N.H. Also, her latest book, and edited collection, Communal Modernisms: Teaching Twentieth-Centur y Literature and Culture in the Twenty-firstCentury Classroom, will be published with Palgrave in 2013. She lives in Exeter, N.H., with her husband, Erik ’90, and their son, Eli Magnus.

Joy Kosiewicz ha s be e n name d a pa r tner in the law firm of Brouse McDowell in Cleveland. Joy earned her law degree from Case Western Reser ve University.

Craig Malagise has been named corpo rate sales executive at Krof f Chemical Co. Inc., in Pittsburgh. Krof f is a water treatment company. Malagise previously served as corporate sales manager for ChemTreat Inc. His career star ted at HRP Metals Inc., where he held several leadership roles and progressed to positions with BetzDearborn a n d A s hl a n d S p e c i a l t y C h e m i c a l — D rew Industrial. He holds a master’s degree in environmental health and toxicology from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and biology.

Jason Mettley has joined Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP in Pittsburgh as an associate at tor ney. Ja son fo cuse s his p r ac tic e on representing plan sponsors and individuals in a variety of employee benefit matters, including plan design and draf ting, fiduciar y responsibility and plan governance.

He ea r ne d his law de gre e from Wide ne r University School of Law.

’98 Craig Szalai has joined the Jones

Group Inc. as talent acquisition specialist, focusing on design and creative recruiting for the group’s 30-plus apparel brands, including Rachel Roy, Stuar t Weitzman and Rober t Rodriguez, in New York City.

’99 Jeremy Alcorn is one of 10 authors

included in the book Climate Change: What You Can Do Now. The book discusses how the issue relates to public health, IT and communications, land use, infrastructure, vehicles and fleets, supply chain and nati o n a l s e c u r i t y. A l c o r n l e d th e d eve l o p ment of the chapter on national security, which discusses the relationship between a changing climate and ef for ts to protect our nation’s interests at home and abroad.

Michael Crawford has been retained by Towers Watson in Pittsburgh as its newest consultant in the health and group benefits practice. “Af ter six years at a competing global consulting firm and the last eight ye a r s a s o n e o f t h e r e g i o n’s to p g r o u p health underwriters, I am extremely excited to bring my experience in the market and my exper tise in the field back to consulting. I can be reached via email at michael. craw ford@towerswatson.com.”

’00 Andy Walker has been named as-

sistant city manager/city clerk for the City of Meadville. Walker had been director of the nor thwest Pennsylvania of fice of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. Walker and his wife, Brooke, are the parents of two sons.

Kara Harchuck has joined Hunt Companies Allegheny Magazine

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company that does the right thing every time, no exceptions,” says Justin.

’03 J o s e p h

Adam Duncan ’06 proposed to Daphne Saavedra ’08 on April 3, 2012 at their favorite local sushi restaurant in Pittsburgh. As traveling enthusiasts, they have decided to wed on the beach in Cancun, Mexico, on July 20, 2013. Both are very excited and looking forward to celebrating in the sand and sun with friends, family and the Most Interesting Man in the World. Salud!

Inc., ser ving in the newly created role of executive vice president and general counsel. Prior to joining Hunt Companies, Kara re pre se nte d a spe c trum of real estate clients, including institutional lenders and investors, developers, public companies and real estate funds in her role as a real estate attorney at Mayer Brown LLP in Chicago. In her new job, Kara leads the legal services department for Hunt Companies. She will be based in the company’s Chicago of fice. Kara received her juris doctor from Nor thwestern University School of Law and graduated magna cum laude from Allegheny.

’01 A planning director and project man-

ager with nearly a decade of experience in regional, municipal and count y planning, D av i d M . J ir ou sek ow n s a n d o p e r a te s Horizon Planning and Consulting LLC, in Beaufor t, S.C. David launched his career following receipt of his bachelor’s degree i n e nv i r o n m e n t a l s tu d i e s a n d m a s te r of communit y planning from the Unive r sit y of Cincinnati, where he also ser ved as a graduate assistant.

Justin Shear has joined Coppertree Homes in Columbus, Ohio, as the director of sales and marketing. The company was featured in The Builders Maga zine due to its rapid grow th and its personalized treatment of customers. “We build the highest quality homes in Columbus but build relationships eve n b et te r. It fe e ls gre at wor k ing for a 28

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C. Cowart has been named head coach of the New Castle, Pa., Re d Hur r ic a ne s fo otball team. He has been o n t h e s c h o o l ’s f o o tball staf f for four years, two of which he ser ved as defensive coordin a t o r. B e f o r e r e t u r n in g to hi s a l m a m a te r, Joe coached at the University of Clarion.

’04

J e f f r ey D a v i d Fromknecht announced his engagement to Anne Elizabeth George in May. Jef f rey e a r ne d a m a s te r o f s o c i a l wo r k d e g r e e a t t h e U n i ve r s i t y of Pittsburgh and graduated in June from Duquesne University School of Law. Jeffrey is employed with UCP of Pittsburgh. Anne graduated from the Drey fus School of the A r t s in 20 0 3 a n d f ro m the Unive r s i t y of Florida in 20 07. She ear ne d a maste r of public health degree from the Universit y of Pittsburgh. Anne is employed with the National Center for Juvenile Justice. The couple is planning a New Year’s Eve wedding in Singer Island, Fla. A postnuptial celebration will be held in Erie the summer of 2013.

are helping our countr y rise to the many challenges of the 21st century,” said Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Obama.

“The White House is proud to feature the stories of these Americans who are doing ex tr ao r dina r y thing s in their communities to out-innovate, oute d u c a te a n d to o u tbuild the re s t of the w o r l d .” I n t h i s r o l e with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Lindsay works with communities ranging in population from 75 to more than 300,000, to implement sustainability efforts that reduce environmental impact and climate change, help local governments save money and improve quality of life for local residents.

Kristen Walcott- Justice completed her doctorate in computer science at the University of Virginia in May 2012. Her thesis is titled “Testing in Resource-Constrained Environments.” In the fall, she will be joining the Computer Science Depar tment at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, as an assistant professor.

’06 Jessica Henriquez completed her

fo u r-ye a r p r o g r a m a t Te m p l e U n i ve r s i t y Kornberg School of Dentistr y and received

Andrea McMillen recently star ted a new p o s i t i o n w i t h t h e Ec o l o g i c a l S o c i e t y o f America in Washington, D.C., as its education programs coordinator.

Krystal Baldwin Roth recently earned her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from the Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg. Her master’s thesis focused on developing a comprehensive functional behavior assessment training manual for mental health professionals. She plans on taking the board cer tification exam in the fall.

’05 L i n d s a y B a x t e r, a p r o j e c t m a n -

ager with the Pittsburgh office of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, has been named a 2012 “Champion of Change”

by President Barack Obama. Lindsay was o n e o f o n l y n i n e A m e r i c a n s n a t i o nw i d e re cognize d in May and was sele cte d for “her innovative energy priorities and sustainable living practices making a greener communit y a possibilit y in any American city or town.” All nine were honored at a W h i te H o u s e eve n t i n Wa s h i n g to n, D.C. Lindsay earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental science. “These Americans

Nathan Haines ’07 and Julie Reisz are excited to share the news of their May 2011 engagement. Nathan received his MD from Wake Forest School of Medicine, also in May 2011, and is an ophthalmology resident at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. Julie earned a doctorate in chemistr y at Wake Forest University in December 2011 and is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Departments of Biochemistry and Internal Medicine also at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Nathan and Julie are planning a September 2012 wedding in Pittsburgh.

An Eye for Art and Opportunity Elizabeth Geller ’05 fuses her art and economics background as director of museum’s corporate program

T

h e p l a n wa s —t h e r e wa s n o p l a n.

And it worked out perfectly for Elizabeth Geller.

The Sewickley, Pa., native graduated from Allegheny in 2005 with a degree in art and technology and a minor in economics. But aside from a summer internship with Amara Geffen and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, working on the Read Between the Signs community art project on Route 322, Geller had no clue what she was going to do next. She only knew that, rather than return home, she would take a more adventurous route and go live with her aunt and uncle outside of Boston.

A little more than two years later, that adventure turned into a dream job.

“It was a whirlwind,” said Geller, who is head of the corporate art lending program at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. “It was the happenstance of knowing what you want and being aggressive and having the goal and somebody seeing that in you and helping you get there.”

In Boston, Geller immersed herself in the local employment scene by taking a job at Starbucks and volunteering at the Museum of Fine Arts. After about a year, she landed a fellowship interview with Jennifer Roff at deCordova. Geller didn’t get the job, but Roff recommended her for a job at a nearby gallery, then hired her at deCordova when another full-time position opened up. A few months after hiring her, Roff went on maternity leave and didn’t return, and Geller took over as head of the program.

“The first time I visited deCordova I told myself, ‘This is where I want to work,’” Geller said. “It took two years, but then I made it in the door.”

The deCordova art loan program, which turns 40 in 2013, is a membership initiative that provides businesses with original contemporary art exhibitions in exchange for philanthropic support. More than 100 companies and 220 artists, mostly in the Greater New England area, participate in the program.

Geller is its public face, responsible for building and maintaining relationships with corporate clients and artists, and she is ideal for the job. With a passion for both art and economics, she’s able to speak knowledgeably about the business aspect of the program as well as the artistic side.

“I feel I provide a point of access for the general public,” Geller said. “My studio art background provided me with the vocabulary in which to speak of art with clients, and the economics minor assists me

with the day-to-day administrative and budget responsibilities and evaluating the big-picture operations of the program.”

Geller may have been new to the city and lacked a built-in peer support group when she moved to Boston, but it didn’t take her long to build a network of Allegheny connections, including Trustee Christine Scott Nelson ’73. The first time Geller installed an exhibit for the longtime clients at Cornerstone Research, she recognized one of the consultants — Matt Armstrong ’03 — from their overlapping years at Allegheny. In the course of their conversation, Geller learned that Nelson, director and founder of the Boston office, was also an Allegheny alumna.

“She’s a very impressive young lady,” Nelson said.

“She’s a terrific communicator and someone who can really identify with individuals with whom she’s speaking.”

DeCordova’s corporate loan program has no advertising budget, so word-of-mouth marketing is the best tool Geller has at her disposal. Keeping clients and artists happy is a major part of the job. Geller has done well enough in that respect to secure the museum’s first member from New York state: Westchester Capital Management. But success can also be measured by the reaction Geller and her team receive when they make their annual visits to rotate the exhibitions for member corporations. The artwork often resonates with the staff who shares the workspace. And at some companies, like Cornerstone Research, a spot on the committee that makes the final determination of which art is selected for display is highly prized.

“Routinely we hear, ‘DeCordova art day, my favorite day!’ It adds a little variety to the employees’ day,” Geller said. “It really does make such a difference.”

– P a t r i c k

S .

B r o a dw a t e r

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Vital Statistics

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’79

A Nancy Hulit married for the first time on Dec. 29, 2011 to Jess Barrientes, who, in his 64 years had also never marrie d. Fellow A lpha Chi’s Sallie Spencer Graziano and Karen Hughes joined her in Austin, Texas, for the grand occasion and a super reunion. Sallie acted as matron of honor. Robert Graziano ’78 also attended.

Eight Gator alumni became doctors on June 3, 2012 when they graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. From left: Dr. John Dudzinski ’08, Dr. Alison Helfrich ’08, Dr. Jared Nemeth ’06, Dr. Jayson Loeffert ’08, Dr. Caitlin Holt ’07, Dr. Katie Stock ’08, Dr. Caroline Lewis-Steinman ’08 and Dr. Brian Stephenson ’08.

the degree of doctor of dental medicine. “I plan on moving to Boston to start work this summer. I am extremely excited about this next stage in my life. If anyone is living in the Boston area please contact me! I’d love to hear from you and learn more about the area,” Jessica says.

Emmanuel M. Weinberger prize from the Depar tment of Internal Medicine for excellent work in the field of gastroenterology.

In June, S t acy b e ga n a ge ne r a l surge r y residency at UPMC Presby terian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

’07 Seen running in the Pittsburgh Mara-

Zachar y Smith recently graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He has joined the practice of Leefer Chiropractic Center in Pleasant Hills, Pa., as an associate and is accepting new patients.

thon in May were: Marco Dozzi and Bryan Jordan ’06, who both ran the full marathon.

Also, Zachary Best ’09 and Jamie Pletz Jordan ’06 ran the half marathon.

Mario Tarquinio and Sandie Garcia were engaged in Februar y. They will be getting married in spring of 2013 in Key West, Fla. Mario works in the fitness industr y, while Sandie is in communications and public relations for a trade organization. They both reside in Washington, D.C., with their dog, and in their spare time, enjoy competing in bodybuilding and fitness competitions.

’08 Stacy Kowalsky received a doctor of

medicine degree from the Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Stacy received a bachelor’s degree in biology and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Societ y. She was inducted into the Alpha O m e g a A lp h a H o n o r Medical Societ y and wa s th e re c ip i e nt of the W. Emor y Burnett Prize in Surger y for outstanding work per formed in the field of surgery. Stacy was also the recipient of the

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’09

Emily Ricotta graduated from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a master’s of science degree in molecular microbiology and immunology.

She then accepted a full-time position at the Mar yland State Health Depar tment in June 2012.

’10 Katie Donahoe received her master’s

degree in librar y and information science from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, in December 2011. She is currently employed at the Brentwood Librar y in Pittsburgh, Pa. Katie was recently named the chair of the Allegheny County Library Association Adult Programming Forum.

’11

Michelle Levesque is joining 220 other people from across the countr y in Vinton, Iowa, where they are devoting the next six months to giving back to communities in that area of the countr y. Michelle has been ser ving with the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program, since Februar y and says she enjoys it. Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies.

’84 Michael Higgins married Melissa

Van Houten on Aug. 9, 2011 at Aina Moana State Park on Waikiki Beach, in Honolulu, Hawaii, in a small ceremony. It was the second marriage for both of them. The couple resides in Easton, Pa.

’90

B Susan Burgess and Rich Tencza ’89 were married on Hilton Head Island, S.C., on March 31, 2012 at the Westin Resor t.

It was a beautiful beachfront ceremony in front of 50 close friends and family. Gators in at te nda n c e, pic tu re d f rom lef t, we re: Katherine Baur Aracri ’90, Joe Aracri ’90, Eric Hern ’90, Rich Tencza, Susan Burgess, Jef f McGear y ’88, Susan Button McGear y ’87 and Christine Maslo Weighell ’9 0.

Not pictured but in attendance was Hank Cor son ’89. The bride and groom reside in Pit tsburgh and plan to honeymoon in September to Spain and France.

Scott Knox Grosjean and Jennifer Lynn Coutley married on April 5, 2012 in an outdoor ceremony overlooking the mountains at St. Regis, Deer Valley, Utah. The couple is residing at 1321 W. Addison, 3A, Chicago, Ill. 60613, following a honeymoon at Deer Valley. The bride received her bachelor’s degree from De Paul Univer sit y and is a flight at tendant with Southwest Airlines.

Scott is a pilot with Southwest Airlines.

’93

C Lisa Drew married Tony Kropinak on Sept. 4, 2010. Allegheny friends Chris Anderson, Sue Alisanksi, Rob and Carolyn Allen Dubois, Shawn Amy, Scott and Sharon S m i t h B r u m a g i n , a n d D e b b i e Tr e g a s k i s Buckner and her husband, Steve, attended.

“Then on May 20, 2011 we had our daughter Adalyn Gloria who came so fast she was born on our couch! The EMTs barely got there in time. I hope she will be a future Allegheny singer. In July 2011 I became a licensed local pastor in the United Methodist Church and am ser ving Windham UMC in

’09

F Emily Larimore married John A .

Bohn II on July 30, 2011. Surrounded by family and friends, they celebrated their union in Pittsburgh, Pa. For their honeymoon, the couple traveled to Italy. They currently live in Minneapolis, Minn., where Emily is a kindergar ten teacher and John is a manager for impor ts at Target Corp. headquar ters.

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A r r i va l s

’88 Tim O’Connor and wife, Mar y, wel-

c o m e d t h e i r s e c o n d d a u g h t e r, V i c t o r i a Elizabeth, who was born April 4, 2012.

’91 Clare Bojarski Puerzer and hus-

band, Rich, welcomed a daughter, Addison, on Leap Day 2012! Addison joins big brothers Casey, Aaron, and Josh. Ever yone is doing well. You can contact them at: richclare@optonline.net.

D

Kevin Shivers and wife, Karen, welcomed d a u g h te r, K a t h e r i n e E l i z a b e t h , o n A p r i l 28, 2012. “Katie” ar rive d at 7:16 p.m. at 6 pounds, 11 ounces. She is the couple’s first child. They reside near Harrisburg, Pa.

’97 Tracy Stih Stockard and her husF

E

O h i o. Pe o p l e c a n f i n d m e o n Fa c e b o o k or email at songbird9497@hotmail.com,” says Lisa.

’05

D Lisa Timbers married Nick Girard ’04 on May 26, 2012 at the Timbers’ family home in Potomac, Md. “There were 22 Alleghenians in attendance, including a couple of trustees — we had our own reunion of sor ts!” Front row, from lef t, Rhiannon Mauk ’05; Phoebe Chadwick-Rivinnus ’05; Adam Homoki ’05; Robert Clark ’06; Kirsten Santiago ’07; Sarah Wilson ’05. Back row, Tom Slonaker P ’84, P ’93, Trustee; Nick Timbers ’72, P ’05, Trustee; Nicole Scatena ’07; Katie Bradshaw ’05; Dave Rober ts ’06; Angelica Runova ’06; Rick Podbielski ’04; Mat t Wilson ’0 5; Lis a T imbe r s ’0 5; Nick Girard ’04; Jill Mat tson Flinchbaugh ’77; Andrew Rielly ’05; Will McMahon ’04; Nick Johnson ’07; Rick Seward ’04.

’06 Hikmat Daghestani wa s m a r r i e d

to Sarah Mar tini on May 27, 2012 in Oak Brook, Ill. In attendance were fellow Gator a l u m s Va h i d A z a m t a r r a h i a n ’ 07, A a r i s h Ria z ’08 and Carlyn Johnson ’11. Hikmat i s a p o s td o c to r a l re s e a r c h a s s o c i a te a t Duke University Medical Center, and Sarah will begin graduate studies in rehabilitation counseling at the Universit y of Nor th Carolina- Chapel Hill beginning in the fall of 2012.

’08

E Laurie Hanniford and Eric Sloan married on May 29, 2011 in Carlisle, Pa. T he re we re m a ny G ato r s in at te n da n c e: Fr o n t r o w, s i t t i n g o n g r o u n d / k n e e l i n g , lef t to r ight: M a rc S cuilli ’0 5, A la n Ca r r ’07, C h r i s Fe d e l e ’07, B e n M o n tg o m e r y ’05, Berardo Diamante ’09, John Pappas ’07(mostly hidden), Erik Johnson ’06, Tad Rupp ’06, Dan Carrick ’07, Ryan Kelly ’07, B o b D e l G r e c o III ’0 8, J o n a th a n B u g g ey ’08, Ryan L arkin ’08 and Dave Recker ’0 6 . S e c o n d r ow, s i t t i n g i n c h a i r s: N e i l Hanniford ’73, Sarah Greenbaum Hanniford ’75, Eric Sloan ’08, Laurie Hanniford Sloan ’08, Jay Lewis ’70, Beth Greenbaum Lewis ’71, Barbara Pelander Hanniford ’69 and Glenn Hanniford ’68. Back row, standing: Cour tney Holland Montgome r y ’0 5 (with daughter Anna Caroline, future Gator), Gina Panzetta, Angelo Panzetta, Linda Pehel ’75, Sigmund Pehel ’74, Rober t DelGre co Jr. ’76, Rita Cherry DelGreco ’77, Robin Bunch ’07, Nicole Trerotola ’10, Dan Monarko ’06, Lindsey Crookshanks ’08, Jessica Humphrey ’08, Lindsay Stenberg ’08, Kelsie Cajka ’08, Hope Marijan ’08, Devin Fackenthal ’08, Elizabeth Smith ’08, Kristyn Paone ’08, Ian Coyle ’08 (he was our DJ!), Melissa Geer ’08, Lauren Por ter field ’08, Jamie Lee Skender ’08, Julie Cain ’08, Rebecca Rotoloni ’08, Natalie Baldauf f ’08, Patrick Bowman ’08, Jessica Heuer Stutzman ’08 and Andrew Stutzman ’08.

ba nd, Tom, welc ome d a daughte r, Da na Christine, on Feb. 17, 2012. Dana was seven pounds and 20 inches long. This is the first child for the elated mom and dad.

’98 A d a m

Va n H o a n d h i s w i f e , T i n a Merlitti, welcomed their first child, Michael Anthony VanHo, on Nov. 18, 2011 at Akron

City Hospital. Mikey was born at 7 pounds, 4 ounces and joins Adam and Tina’s canine “son,” Bexley. Adam serves as counsel with the Akron law firm of Burdon and Merlitti, where he focuses on civil and criminal litigation, and recently opened a second office in the Cleveland suburb of Independence. .

Sarah Nelson Cahill and Richard Cahill welcomed their son, Seamus Richard, on Oct. 20, 2011. They are living in Nor th Walpole, N.H.

’00

’99 Jeffrey Akers repor ts the bir th of

Claire Harper Akers on May 4, 2012. Mom and big brothers are great!

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’01 Brian Adams and Angela Giorgianni

Adams ’02 welcomed their first child, Maria Angelina, into the world Nov. 2, 2011. They live in Pittsburgh, Pa.

’05

Celeste Lindahl Halcomb and her husband, Tony, are proud to announce the

from Princeton University. He then attended Stanford L aw School, Class of 1940. He served during World War II in the U.S. Naval Communications Intelligence unit that deciphered the Japanese code. After the war, he set up a private law practice in estate and trust affairs in San Jose, Calif., and was later associated with the Silicon Valley law firm now known as Mount, Spelman & Fingerman LLP. He practiced law for 50 years in San Jose. He is survived by three sons, Rober t, Martin and Douglas, and his brother, Gerald, who also at tended Allegheny College for the academic year 1938-39, before transferring to Stanford University.

’40

bir th of their first child, Madelyn Elizabeth.

She was born March 2, 2012 in Corbin, Ky. They are ver y thank ful for this new blessing in their lives!

’06 Jennifer Knapp Rioja and husband, Brandon, welcomed their first child, Holden Rioja, into the world July 16, 2011. The family currently resides in Lower Burrell, Pa.

D e at h s

Eli zabet h But termor e S pray o n Feb. 11, 2012. She had been active with S t. A n d rew Uni te d M e tho di s t Chu rc h of B e ave r c r e e k , G r e e n e C o u n t y H i s to r i c a l Societ y, Beavercreek High Band Parents Association, scouting and was a Paul Harris Fellow. She was marrie d for 67 year s to t h e l a te Way n e S p r ay. A f te r g r a d u a t i n g from Allegheny she taught high school in Pennsylvania. She is survived by three children, Elwin, Elaine and Carl.

Genevieve Gehrlein Stock on June 15, 2012. She married William R. Stock, who preceded her in death. She was a member of the Sacred Hear t Church, the American Association of University Women and the C h r i s ti a n Fa mil y M ove m e nt. S h e i s s u rvived by t wo daughter s, Anne Bet ts and M a r y S t o c k ; f i v e s o n s , W i l l i a m R . J r. , G re gor y L., Dr. Roger D., Carl J. and Dr. Paul A .; e i g h t g r a n d c h i l d r e n; a n d e i g h t great-grandchildren.

’42 Richard R. Caldwell on April 19,

Dale Meadowcroft ’68, left, his father, Melvin, and James Meadowcroft ’64.

’34 Melvin R. Meadowcroft on March 24, 2012. He lived in the same Trafford, Pa., house where he was born, completing 101 years of a full life. He and his three brothers, now deceased, all attended Allegheny College. Many nieces and nephews and their children also attended Allegheny, following the brothers’ example. He had received the Torchbearer’s Medal from the College.

He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the Allegheny Singers.

’36 The Rev. Ronald W. Ober on May 27, 2012. He is sur vived by his daughter, Ellen Mar tin; a sister, Wilda Coppersmith, grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

’37 Norman Stoner on Oct. 21, 2011. He attended Allegheny College from 1933 to 1934, and later graduated Phi Beta Kappa

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2012. He attended Allegheny College until he enlisted in the Navy at the start of World War II. Af ter the war, he finished his bachelor’s degree at Case Western Reserve. He is survived by his children, Deborah McNeil, Ca roly n Ca ldwe ll, Re nny Ca ldwe ll, Ja ne Bridges and Timothy Caldwell, as well as six grandchildren.

’43 R o b e r t W. Th o m a s o n M a r c h 2,

2012. He received his bachelor’s degree in business. It was at Allegheny that he met his wife, Louise Parsons Thomas, who died before him. During World War II, he ser ved as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Anne Arundel. He returned to Meadville in 1946 and joined McCrosky Tool Corp. He became president in 1956 and later chief exe c u t i ve o f f i c e r u n t i l h i s r e t i r e m e n t i n 1986. Noted for his community ser vice, he was a member of Stone United Methodist Church where he ser ved as a trustee. He also served on the board of directors of the Meadville Housing Corp.; as vice president of the board of corporators and chairman o f t h e f i n a n c e c o m m i t te e o f t h e f o r m e r Meadville City Hospital; as a char ter member of the Meadville Jaycees, and on the

board of directors and as fund chairman of the United Way of Western Crawford County.

In a business and professional capacit y, he ser ved on the advisor y board of Mellon Bank, formerly Northwest Pennsylvania Bank and Trust Co. He is sur vived by his three children, Christopher, Molly Lundquist and Janet Kenney; his sister, Sylvia Mountsier; and three grandchildren.

’44 Wallace E. Borger in January 2010.

He was a World War II veteran, Army Air C o r p s, a n d p il ote d a B -17 B o m b e r ove r Europe. He was an entrepreneur and focused h i s e f fo r t s i n h o u s i n g c o n s t r u c ti o n a n d the sales field. He is sur vived by a daughter, Shelley Koltnow ’68, a son, Thomas Borger ’72 and eight grandchildren.

’45 Barbara Moran Brickett on March

5, 2012. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She worked at the Belgian Economic Mission in Washington, D.C., before moving to New York City to work at the Psychological Corp. She married John A .

Brickett, who died before her. Among the organizations for which she volunte ere d were the Franklin County Association for R e t a r d e d C h i l d r e n (n ow t h e U n i te d A r c of Franklin and Hampshire Counties), the G i r l S c o u t s , t h e Fo u r C o r n e r s P TA , t h e Greenfield Visiting Nurse Association, the American Association of University Women, the Fresh Air Fund and the Junior SPCC Thrif t Shop. She is sur vived by her daughters, Diane E. Brickett Allis, Gwen Brickett, Bonnie Brickett and Janice Brickett, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

’46 Shirley McDonald Newcomer on

June 27, 2012. S hir ley gr aduate d with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology. She worked in human resources for Bell Telephone and later was a substitute elementary school teacher in the Northeastern School District in Pennsylvania. She held many volunteer positions with the United Methodist Women on the district and conference level, as well as locally with her home church, Otterbein United Methodist in Mount Wolf. Shirley was a charter member of York Hospital Auxiliar y in the Nor theastern Branch and also a char ter member of the N o r m a n d i e R i d g e A u x i l i a r y. S h e i s s u rvive d by thre e dau ghte r s, S u e H e r s hey, A nn S tr i ck le r a n d Ja ne S hade; he r s o n, Phil Newcomer; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Phyllis Zorrilla on April 4, 2012. She had been living in Coral Springs, Fla., and enjoyed her pets and playing bridge. She is sur vived by her daughter, Sandra Zorrilla.

’47 Loa Etta Bartlett Dowler on Sept.

16, 2011, just nine days af ter her husband, Rober t E., died. She taught business education for 29 years, retiring in 1976 from the General McLane School District in Edinboro,

2012. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1947. He at tended Allegheny College, Notre Dame and Wa shington Unive r sit y, where he graduated with a business degree.

He founded Waterhout Construction Co. in 1962 and was active in the Home Builders Association, providing thousands of homes in the St. Louis, Mo., area. He was a 32nd Mason of the Scottish Rite. He is sur vived by hi s wi fe, J oyc e; c hil d re n, R o b e r t C., Renee Bell, Heather Wilmesher, Nicholas Rober ts, Anthony Rober ts and Mikal Ann Dillon; sister s, Lorraine Dunn and Grace Tamantini; and grandchildren.

’49 William Blackburn on Feb. 18, 2012.

He graduated from Allegheny, where he met his wife of 59 years, the former Joann Dilley, who survives. He received his master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Blackburn (as he was known to his students) retired from the Bethel Park, Pa., School District af ter a long career in teaching. He is also survived by two daughters, Ann and Susan.

Dr. Edgar S. Henr y Jr. on April 4, 2012.

A f te r A l l e g h e ny, h e g r a d u a te d f r o m t h e Universit y of Pit tsburgh Medical School.

He was a practicing ophthalmologist for 35 years in Sewickley, Pa. He was married to Honor Linton Henry. His children include Janet Pastors and Greg. He also is survived by several grandchildren.

Elizabeth R. Scheid McClowr y on April 16, 2012.

Barbara J. Platt on Feb. 1, 2012. She graduated from Allegheny with honors in psychology and earned a master’s degree in psychology from Ohio State University. She

’51

Marshall L. Wheeler Jr. on March 24, 2012. He was a former Olean, N.Y., city clerk who was awarded a Purple Hear t in Wo r l d Wa r I I. B o r n i n J a m e s tow n, N .Y., he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistr y. He ser ved with the U.S. Marines in the South Pacific during World War II and was awarded a Purple Hear t af ter suf fering a bayonet wound. He had worked a few ye a r s a s a s cie ntist at S c r ipps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla, Calif. From 1952 to 1968, he was a research chemist at the Linde Division of Union Carbide in the Town of Tonawanda, N.Y. While there, he

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developed several polymer patents. Af ter leaving Union Carbide, he served a decade as the Olean city clerk. He moved to Florida in 2010. Sur vivors include his wife, the former Helen Gamble; two sons, Joseph and Marshall III; two daughters, Nancy Manus and Becky Musselwhite; a brother, Rober t; and five sister s, Marion McKinna, Helen C o r d a , N o re n e D e li a , D o n n a Fi s h e r a n d Carol.

’52

Margaret Seib Culbertson on April 5, 2012. While at Allegheny, she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and served as its president her senior year. She was also vice president of her graduating class. She attended a session at Rensselaer Poly technic Institute during the summer of 1953, af ter having taught at Dormont High School in Pit tsburgh, and before teaching for two years at Millcreek Junior High School in Erie. Af ter her marriage to John S. Culber tson, she was a homemaker, enjoying her family and serving as a volunteer for the Meadville Garden Club, especially the Trees of Christmas, Meadville Market Authority and Meadville Medical Center. She was active in church organizations, most recently as a member of First Presby terian Church in Meadville. In addition to her husband, sur vivors include three daughters, Annet te Calder wood, Connie Culber tson and Janie Lehman, and four grandchildren.

’53

William J. Anderson on March 30, 2012. He attended Allegheny College prior to enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1951.

He retired in 1981 with almost 31 years of ser vice in the Air Force. He is sur vived by his wife, Doris; daughters, Sandy Salazar and Leslie Grillo; and grandchildren.

Donald W. Neely Sr. on Feb. 19, 2012. He was a chemist for the U.S. Army during the Korean War and then for I.E. DuPont and for Rohm & Haas in New Jersey. Following retirement, he was Collingswood Board of Education health and safety inspector and grounds and maintenance super visor, retiring again in 1996. He is sur vived by his daughter, Anne Neely, and a son, Donald Jr. Dorothy E. Welsh on Feb. 27, 2012. She was also a graduate of the University o f P i t t s b u r g h a n d a t t e n d e d Ke n t S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y. S h e t a u g h t s c h o o l i n t h e Parma and Brecksville, Ohio, school systems; substituted in a number of suburban Allegheny County schools; and w o r ke d f o r t h e A l l e g h e n y I n t e r m e d i a t e Unit, working with under-achieving gif ted students. She worked for many years as Allegheny Magazine

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’48 Rober t N. Waterhout on A pril 8,

John D. Smith on May 20, 2012. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and served as a message decoder on the Philippines Front of Wor ld Wa r II. He ma r r ie d D or is Irene Romasser, who died in 2000. After the war, he graduated from Allegheny College with a degree in economics. He was hired at Gelvin, Jackson & Starr Inc. and eventu a ll y b e c a me p re s ide nt of the f ir m. H e ser ve d on the board of incorporator s of Meadville Medical Center, volunteering his “talents” for years in the Charity Follies, as president of the Allegheny College Alumni Association, member and past president of Meadville Kiwanis Club, member of Meadville Roundtable, past board member of the Meadville Public Librar y, member of the Army of the Cussewago, member and past master of Masonic Lodge 408, member of Craw ford County Shrine Club and Zem Zem Shrine Temple, Erie, member of Elks Lodge 219, past president of the Meadville Countr y Club, Vete rans of Foreign War s Post 2006, American Legion Post 111 and First Presby terian Church. He was also a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

In 1984, he received the Blue Citation from Allegheny in recognition and appreciation of outstanding ser vice to the College. He was a student of the Civil War and held a significant war librar y that he donated to the Crawford County Historical Society. He retired in 1987 and spent many years enjoying travel abroad. He is survived by his son, Peter O.; a daughter, Carole Andreas; his companion, Gerri Heibel; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

ou r

u s

Edgar H. Ward, M.D., on Feb. 20, 2012. He also was a graduate of the Univer sit y of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He practiced internal medicine in Erie at Saint Vincent Health Center and Hamot Medical Center. He ser ved his internship at the L ankenau Hospital in Philadelphia and his fellowship in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. He was past president of the Erie County Medical Society, and a prior chairman of the Depar tment of Medicine at Hamot Hospital. In post-retirement, he returned to ser ve several years in the Outpatient Clinic at Hamot. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Seltzer Ward; a daughter, Barbara Ann Ward; a son, John Christopher; a sister, Marjorie York; and four grandchildren.

was on the administrative staf f and ser ved as a laborator y instructor in biology and psychology at Get t ysburg College where her husband, Charles, was a member of the psychology depar tment. She also ser ved for 25 years as a volunteer at Gettysburg National Militar y Park and was named outstanding volunteer for the Northeast Region of the National Park Ser vice in 2005. She was a member of the Gettysburg National Militar y Park Advisor y Commission for 15 years. She authored This Is Holy Ground, a histor y of the Gettysburg battlefield from 1863 through 2009. Sur vivors include her son, Ronald, and her sister, Marjorie Laffer Cull ’60.

f o r

w r i t e

Pa. She was a member of the Pennsylvania A s s o c i a ti o n of S c h o o l R e ti r e e s a n d th e Alpha Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international honor society of women educators.

n e ws

the volunteer coordinator for the East End C o o p e r a t i ve M i n i s t r y a n d wa s th e te l e phone contact during the early years of the Of f the Floor, Pittsburgh program. She enjoyed her years working with the Contact / Stand-by Telephone Ministr y, the Friday Book G roup at Fox Chapel Pre sby te rian Church and the Lifelong Learning studies at Carnegie Mellon University. She was the wife of Richard L. Welsh. She is sur vived by her sister, Rose Mar y Walker.

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Charles T. Arther on May 31, 2012.

Te d gr aduate d with a de gre e in his to r y.

Following college, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

He was trained as a pilot on F-86 Sabre fighter jets. He began his career in 1958 with Jones and Laughlin Steel, working at its offices in Manhattan, San Francisco and Buf falo, eventually transitioning from the sales to the service side of the steel industr y. As an industr y innovator and through his company, Furnco Construction Inc., he consulted to steel production facilities on the repair and maintenance of blast furnaces and coke ovens from Pittsburgh to Luxembourg to New Delhi. He was a member of the American Iron and Steel Institute, the Duquesne Club and St. Clair Countr y Club. Ted is sur vived by his wife, Shirley Mertz Arther; a daughter, Elizabeth Wilson; a son, Theodore; five grandchildren; and a brother, John R. Ar ther Jr. Marva Digby McArthur on Jan. 20, 2012.

She is survived by her husband, Bill; daughter, Karen; son, Mark; her sister, Pat; and grandchildren.

Robert C. Thurston on April 27, 2012. He spent the majority of his career at General Electric working in the Re-Entr y Systems Division in Philadelphia, Pa. Upon his retirement from GE in 1989, he taught math, statistics and calculus at Rowan University, Penn State University-Great Valley and several other community colleges. He received his master’s de gre e from RPI. He was a professional engineer and also taught the class to others seeking their PE designatio n. H e wa s a Ko re a n Wa r Vete r a n a n d received the Camden County Korean War Ser vice Medal in 2003. He is sur vived by his wife, Carol J. Demson ’55; four sons, Douglas C., David E., Dana R. and Rober t Craig; and six grandchildren.

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Robert D. Evans on May 14, 2012.

He married the former M. Eleanore Reynolds who died in 2003. He was the co-owner of the Hearing Aid Center in New Castle, Pa., with his wife for more than 35 years. He was a hearing aid specialist. He was a former member of the New Castle Rotar y. He was a n ac tive me mb e r of T hird Pre sby te r ia n Church, where he formerly ser ved as an elder. He is sur vived by his former wife, S u s a n C. Ly nn; a dau ghte r, D e b r a A nne 34

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Evans; two stepdaughters, Patricia Rielly and Christine Billyk; two stepsons, Peter M. Thomas and Dominic Lynn; two sisters, Barbara Donaldson and Joan Jud; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

’57 Shirley Ann O’Connell on May 29,

2012. While at Allegheny, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She was an ardent bridge player, a golfer, and a librar y volunteer. She is sur vived by her husband, Alexander ’54; her mother, Pearl McCune; her sister, Beverly Perr y; two sons, Scott and David; and one daughter, Kim Canfield.

’59 Mason C. Cady on March 3, 2012.

Af te r A lle ghe ny, he e a r ne d his m a s te r’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

He was a social studies teacher from 1960 to his retirement in 2000 with Moon area schools where he coached many of the district’s spor ts teams. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania State Education A s s o ciation. He is sur vive d by his wife, Marlene Shannon Cady; three children, Lee Ann Rinderknecht, Matthew and Gregg; a sister, Carol Kadar; and eight grandchildren

Richard J. Engel on May 2, 2012. Af ter Allegheny, he earned his MBA from Syracuse University. He ser ved in the Coast Guard Reser ves for eight year s. He star ted his career as a CPA with Haskins & Sells in New York City and then worked in financial management for companies in New Jersey and Atlanta. In 1979, he moved his family to Manchester, Vt., where he established his own CPA practice, which today is Engel Spivey Lemonik PC. In 20 0 0, he became a licensed cer tified financial planner and established Wealth Management Par tners.

He retired in December 2010. He was on the board of the Vermont Children’s A id Societ y for more than 15 years. In 20 05, he received the Asa Gifford Award for Wise and Dedicated Leadership from the society. He was also active with the Vermont Society of CPAs and served as board chairman from 1999 to 20 0 0. He was a member of the Manchester chapter of Rotar y International where he ser ve d a term as p re side nt a nd wa s na me d a Paul Ha r r is Fellow. He is sur vived by his wife, Pamela En g e l; hi s s o n, J o h n; d a u g h te r s , S u s a n Engel and Stephanie Zoufaly; his brother, Rober t; and grandchildren

’60 Arthur Young on Feb. 7, 2012. He

was profe s sor eme ritus of astronomy at San Diego State University. In his almost 35-year career, he was a highly respected researcher, professor and author of numerous scientific publications. He was recognized for his innovative research in stellar astrophysics. His book, It’s Turtles All the Way Down, is an analysis of the structure of scientific thought. Af ter graduation at A ll e g h e ny, h e s e r ve d th re e ye a r s in th e U.S. Air Force. After his military service, he

entered the graduate program in astronomy at Indiana University, where he earned his doctorate. He joined the astronomy faculty at SDSU in 1967. He is survived by his wife, Candice, and two sons, Greg and Bruce.

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John C. MacIvor on May 30, 2012.

He graduated with a degree in geology and retired from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He is survived by his children, Tracey Moat, Cyndy and Craig; a brother, Har vey, and several grandchildren.

William F. Peters on May 1, 2012. He was an accomplished athlete in football, basketball and tennis. He earned a degree in political science, and in 1963 he received a master’s degree in political science and economics at Tuf ts University. He then was hired as assistant wrestling coach at Conneaut Lake High School where he taught histor y and Spanish. In 1969, he was hired at Meadville Area Senior High School as an assistant football coach and social studies teacher, where he taught U.S. history and world cultures for a decade. He continued his education, receiving a law degree and graduating cum laude from Cleveland-Marshall Law School. In 1979, he was admitted to the Craw ford County Bar. In 1981, he was appointed to the newly created position of Craw ford County Juvenile Cour t Master, a position he held until retirement in 2010.

During his time of ser vice he received the “2008 Permanency Advocate Recognition” from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

He ser ved on the Cit y of Meadville Civil Ser vice Board and the City Zoning Board.

He is sur vived by his wife, Linda A . Peters; son, Floyd William James Peters; two stepchildren, Donald A . Osborne II and Leslie D. Berger; two sisters, Gretchen Bar th and Sondra Curth; numerous grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

’66 Penny J. Hruska on Dec. 8, 2011.

She retire d as as sistant principle of Elk Grove High School District 214 in Elk Grove, Ill., i n 19 9 9. S h e e a r n e d h e r b a c h e l o r ’s degree in English from Allegheny and her master’s degree in special education from Northeastern Illinois University. She was an avid world traveler, visiting all seven continents. She is survived by her brothers, Ron Nichols and David Nichols.

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Karen Forssmark Nagel on April 21, 2012. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistr y. While at Allegheny she met her husband, Ar t Nagel. She volunteered a t t h e G a l e s F e r r y L i b r a r y a n d w o r ke d at Gales Ferr y Ta x Ser vice from 1983 to 1986. She was one of the first volunteers for the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut. She then earned a master’s degree in accounting from New Haven Unive r s it y. S he wo r ke d fo r S o na lys ts in Water ford from 1988 to 1989 and then was employed as an accountant at Doherty Beals

and Banks in New London. She became a cer tified public accountant in September 1992. She retired from Doher ty Beals and Banks in 2000. After retirement, she served as treasurer on the board of directors for Martin House and Thames River Community S e r v i c e s i n N o r w i c h f r o m 20 0 0 to 2010 and as treasurer on the board of directors of Child and Family Agency (New London) f r o m 20 0 0 to 20 0 9. S h e wa s t h e c h a i rman of the board of directors of Child and Family Agency from 2009 to 2010. She was awarded the 2011 Child and Family Volunteer of the Year award. She is sur vived by her husband; a daughter, Jennifer McCracken; a son, Joe; a sister, Cindy Det tman, and grandchildren.

’71 Michael J. Baughman in Februar y

2012. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics and also earned a juris doctor from the University of Pittsburgh Law School in 1975. He worked in the legal departments of International Paper from 1979 to 1990 and General Electric from 1990 to 2007. He served on the Fairview School Board in the 1980s. Along with his wife, Diane ParkerBaughman, he leaves two daughters, Natalie Baughman and Lindsey Baughman-Dalton, and four stepsons, Capt. Rober t Parker III, First Lt. David Parker, Sgt. Br ydon Parker and Ensign Drew Parker.

’72 John Taylor on A pril 9, 2012. He

joined Stars and Stripes in 1988 and worked in various positions, including features, the news copy desk and as spor ts copy editor.

Richard Braun, general manager of Stars and Stripes’ European edition, said, “An organization consists of all kinds of individuals.

Some are more noticeable and attract attention. Others, like John, are low-key and simply get the job done without a lot of fanfare.” For more than a decade, he headed up the features sections of the newspaper, including Europe’s popular Travel section and Quick Trips features, as well as being lead copy editor on local spor ts content.

His organizational skills made him the perfect choice to help Stripes move its of fice from Macedonia to Kosovo in 2000 when the paper sent repor ters to cover the conflict there and its aftermath. He is sur vived by his wife, Chris Taylor, a daughter, Laura, and a son, Alex.

’75 Christopher A . Beck on Jan. 17,

2012. He received a juris doctor from the University of Pittsburgh in 1978 and earned an MLLS from Duquesne University in 1999.

Chris worked in the Pittsburgh area as an attorney for many years, star ting at Philips & Galanter; then at Ravick, Beck & Henny; at Riley & DeFalice; at Israel, Wood & Puntil; at Thorp Reed and Armstrong; and most recently for Liber ty Mutual. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, t h e We s t V i r g i n i a B a r A s s o c i a t i o n , t h e Allegheny County Bar Association, and the

Ohio State Bar Association. Chris most recently specialized in personal injur y and workers’ compensation law. He was active in the Rotar y of Pittsburgh for many years and had served terms as Three Rivers Club president, as district governor and as chairman of Youth Exchange. He served in many capacities, including elder and a deacon, at Southminster Presbyterian Church of Mt. Lebanon, Pa. He was the son of Dr. Roger S. and Ruth Beck and the brother of Holly Clark ’77.

’76

Dr. Peter S. Maropis on April 14, 2012. He was a member of the Athletic and Academic Hall of Fame at Allegheny College.

He went on to play professional baseball for the Chicago White Sox for four years.

After his baseball career, he became a selfemployed dentist, ser ving the Murr ysville, Pa., community for 31 years. He is survived by his wife, Kathr yn Stewar t Maropis; two sons, Dr. Peter S. and Matthew; and two brothers, Michael and Patrick.

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Dr. Joseph W. Scerbo on May 1, 2 012. A f te r A l l e g h e ny, h e a t te n d e d t h e Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine.

He owned and operated his podiatr y practice in Somerset for more than 25 years. He was well-known in the local youth and high school wrestling communities. He played the cello in the Livingston Symphony Orchestra.

He is survived by his wife, Christine Scerbo; two sons, Thomas and Joseph; and his father, Constantine.

’82 Dr. Renay Manley on Feb. 28, 2012.

She worked as an optometrist at Wal-Mar t V i s i o n C e n t e r i n O l e a n a n d L a ke w o o d , N.Y., for 18 years and previously at Sterling Optical in Olean. She received other degrees from Perkins School for the Blind and New England College of Optometr y. She is survived by her husband, Dave, and their two sons: Dylan and Aaron; her mother, Donna Pacitti; a brother, Gar y Glazer; three stepbrothers; and two half-sisters.

’04

Ethan J. VanDer vor t on May 19, 2012. A f te r A ll e g h e ny, h e a t te n d e d L i fe Chiropractic College in Mariet ta, Ga. He l ove d t h e o u t d o o r s , s n ow b o a r d i n g a n d mountaineering. He summited Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams in Washington state as well as peaks in British Columbia, Canada and t h e A l i n h o r n i n S w i t ze r l a n d. H i s t r ave l ing took him to places such as Egypt and Kenya, Africa, throughout Europe, the British Isles, Switzerland, and Central and South America. He is sur vived by his parents, Dr. Jack K. and Maureen E. VanDer vor t; a sister, Sarah E. Hunter; maternal grandfather, William Rio; paternal grandfather, J. Kenneth VanDervort; and his childhood nanny, who helped to raise him, Ada Coblentz.

’08 Gregor y D. Richards on Feb. 21,

2012. He played basketball for four years at

Allegheny and served as a captain his senior year. He is survived by his fiancee, Melissa Joyce Bittner; his parents, Catherine and David Richards; two sisters, Emily Richards and Meghan DelGiacco; his brother, Kevin, and his grandparents, Edward and Margaret Durham and Patricia Richards.

F r i e nds Janet R. Demmler on May 27, 2012.

Joseph Fetcko on Nov. 20, 2011. He was a senior advancement officer at Allegheny.

J. Warren Higgins on June 2, 2012. He was a professor in the Economics Depar tment in the 1950s.

Theresa A. Piccoli Hogue on Feb. 12, 2012.

She was a production worker at Talon for 3 0 ye a r s , r e ti r i n g i n 19 87. S h e wa s fo rmerly a member of the Allegheny College Community Choir.

Robena L. Lawson on April 6, 2012. She retired from Allegheny College with more than 15 year s of ser vice as a cook. She previously had been employed as director of the food program for the former Unity Institute and worked for the former Talon Inc. for seven years until the plant closed.

James B. Lowing on April 13, 2012. He had worked in the maintenance depar tment at Allegheny College for 18 years.

D r. K a t e M a d d e n , a f o r m e r A l l e g h e n y College professor, on April 10, 2012. She most recently had taught at Brockport State College in New York.

Charlotte Vivian Ours on June 19, 2012.

She was a former head cook at Allegheny College.

Helen C. Hilber t Peterson on March 4, 2012. She was the mother of alumni Karen L. Lingelbach ’69 and Kirsten Peterson ’78.

Lawrence T. Silvis on May 4, 2012. He had been the director of police safety for eight years at Allegheny College.

James Howard Strickler on April 28, 2012. He joined the facult y at Allegheny College in 1989 as an adjunct instructor in the Communication Ar ts Depar tment, later was named lecturer and continued in that position until 2009.

Bessie Blye Spencer Taylor on April 25, 2012. She retired from Brooks Hall kitchen af ter several years of employment.

Gino A . Zappia on May 9, 2012. He had worked as a security guard for Allegheny College.

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The Last Word B y

P o r t i a

H o e g

Gator athletics…

Winning in the Classroom and Community

I t is often said that athletics is the front

porch to an institution. A quality athletics program provides wonderfully positive visibility to higher education. As a former Division III student-athlete, I discovered my alma mater, Trinity University, through its athletics program. I grew as a professional, however, through my strong liberal arts education and life lessons learned as a member of the women’s basketball team. My time as an undergraduate was so impactful that I decided to blend my educational pursuits as a business major and my passion for athletics to pursue a career as an athletics administrator. I am proud to say I now have my dream job as the director of athletics and recreation at Allegheny College.

My goal, simply put, is to WIN — win in the classroom and community, on the field of play and in life.

In the true spirit of Division III athletics, the “student” in student-athlete comes first and foremost.

Fifteen of our 21 varsity sports teams compiled a grade point average of 3.0, and the overall athletic department GPA was above a 3.0 this past year. In fact, Gator student-athletes earned a higher aggregate GPA than the general student population.

Three of the last four valedictorians at Allegheny have been student-athletes (women’s golfer Abby Sorensen ’12, women’s soccer player Monica Schaffer ’10 and men’s basketball player Adam Simbeck ’09).

Three football players were among the 12 inductees into Phi Beta Kappa, an honor society, in 2012.

Academic excellence is evident; however, it is my desire to maintain and surpass this standard.

Philanthropic activities continue to be a staple among each athletic program as student-athletes volunteer in the Meadville community with Seton Catholic School, Bethesda Children’s Home, the American Cancer Society and many more organizations. Being engaged in the community supports the College’s mission to enhance the student experience.

While student-athletes accumulated more than 400 hours of documented community service last fall, it is my expectation that we will continue to be involved in camps, clinics, tutoring, neighborhood cleanups and more.

We are a solid athletic program with unlimited potential to be great. I am driven to champion an athletics program that embodies developing the best and brightest student-athletes. Since the program has been in existence, we have won at least one conference championship in each year we belonged to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (1959 to 1983), as well as each year we have been affiliated with the North Coast Athletic Conference (1984

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to present). That signifies more than 50 years of stellar Gator athletic teams represented by a variety of varsity sports!

In addition to these department accolades, there were several noteworthy individual awards. Former Softball Coach Sandra Sanford and Diving Coach Fred Evanoff earned coach of the year honors in the North Coast Athletic Conference this past year. Two softball players, Stephanie Fort ’13 and Caitlin Nealer ’15, were honored as conference player of the year and pitcher of the year, respectively; two men’s swimmers, Brandon Intrieri ’13 and Mirno Pasquali ’12, qualified for the NCAA national swim championship, and two basketball players, Heidi Goeller ’13 and James Ness ’12, joined the 1,000-point club. With an unmatched work ethic, quality liberal arts education, personalized recruiting strategy, dedicated staff and proactive, innovative techniques, the Gators will rise to exceptional levels of greatness. Not only will being “great” become the benchmark by which we measure ourselves, but it also will become the adjective that is synonymous with who we are and what we stand for as a college, on and off the field of play.

Lastly, the final component of winning is to excel in life. The overarching goal for our student-athletes is to graduate in four years. They will progress to graduate schools or secure a career. Student-athletes typically have a strong affinity toward their college because of the time, dedication and energy put into competing at a high level. I seek to encourage our student-athletes to give back to the College. Giving back is not necessarily calculated on a financial basis, but as alums donating their time in committee service and participating in alumni events/games.

Allegheny is truly a place made special by its people.

The spirit of our community is unmatched, and that is why alumni favorably recall their time spent at the College.

To be a Gator means greatness, and it is great to be a Gator. As one of the newest members of the Gator family, this phrase speaks to everything I aspire to be while I am the athletic director and where I intend to lead the athletics program. As the College proceeds toward a new and exciting chapter of Gator athletics, we will strive for greatness in all aspects of the department. The attainment of greatness and winning are my focus for the amazing journey our athletes, coaches, staff and alumni will embark upon. I hope you will join us on our road to greatness, conveying excellence, pride and passion in all that you do. =

...More

May 12, 2012 — It was a day for graduates to revel in their successes and for dignitaries to enjoy the hospitality and beauty of a visit to the Allegheny campus as the College celebrated its 193rd Commencement. In the photo to the far right, President James H. Mullen, Jr. welcomed professional golfer and humanitarian Arnold Palmer.

The golf legend said that “as an old Pennsylvanian it is quite an honor for me to be part of the graduation ceremony at Allegheny … I just wish I were one of the kids graduating. That would be the nicest thing that could happen to me.” President Mullen later told graduates: “I charge you to love this place that has been your home for the last four years. As it approaches its third century, I ask you to help it as it sets the standard of excellence for liberal arts learning in America.”

Commencement

2012

A l l e g h e n y M a g a z i n e A l l e g h e n y C o l l e g e 5 2 0 N o r t h M a i n S t r e e t M e a d v i l l e , P A 1 6 3 3 5

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 121

C h a n g e S e r v i c e R e q u e s t e d

Allegheny gets a ‘new, green Carr’ — On Oct. 12, 2012, the College will dedicate its newest campus jewel – a renovated and environmentally friendly Carr Hall that includes the Richard J. Cook Center for Environmental Science. Environmental science students and instructors now enjoy their own teaching and research facilities in Carr Hall. The biology and chemistry departments also have new teaching space in the refurbished building.

New Castle, PA