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The Strategic Plan to Strengthen Centenary Our Year of Championships 20th Anniversary of The President’s Circle THE MAGAZINE FOR FRIENDS AND ALUMNI OF CENTENARY COLLEGE
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Centenary’s Next Chapter Dear Centenarians, When Centenary was founded in 1867, the institution’s leaders adopted the Latin motto “Erudito vera,” or “true learning.” For 146 years, the pursuit of truth, knowledge and the greater good has guided the College on its path from a co-educational preparatory school to a women’s college, and now to an innovative baccalaureate and master’s degree institution that is an educational and cultural “Beacon for the Region.”
“Rooted in Centenary history, the plan builds on the College’s core strengths and links the ideals we value — academic excellence, integrity and service to others — to long-range financial goals that will ensure success.”
Centenary has most certainly changed and flourished but has always kept an eye on our history and values. As we look forward to the College’s sesquicentennial milestone in 2017, I am pleased to introduce you to Celebrating Our History: Forging Our Future, the strategic plan that will guide our actions over the next five years. The plan provides a clear vision for the future with five strategic priorities. Strategic priority one recognizes that Centenary has made great strides in advancing Strategic Partnerships with government, industry and community organizations in recent years. We will continue to develop new partnerships and leverage existing ones that provide opportunities for our students. True Learning, as well as curricular and co-curricular experiences that Educate the Whole Student, have defined a Centenary education for generations of graduates. The strategic plan challenges us to build on academic strengths and set new standards that further distinguish our students in the ever-changing knowledge economy. These goals can only be achieved as we pursue Financial Flexibility — a multi-faceted approach that will create greater stability for the College
through efficiencies and leveraging technology to lower operating costs, more strategic enrollment and continued fundraising. Finally, we must continue to invest in the Physical Environment. Improvements to the campus, whether it is renovating existing facilities or the construction of new residence halls and the David and Carol Lackland Center, support the excellence current and prospective students have come to expect from a Centenary education. This issue of The Centenarian is devoted to the strategic plan and several initiatives that are already helping to chart the future of Centenary College. For instance, “Educating the Whole Student” offers a compelling account of outstanding Centenary volunteer service programs that gave students real world experience in their areas of study. You will also read about the positive impact Centenary’s Distinguished Teachers have on students and the College, and how the strategic plan outlines the financial blueprint to sustain our mission. The aspirations of our new strategic plan are high, but achievable. Centenary is thriving today in large part because of the many dedicated alumni, friends and supporters who believe in our mission and vision. Our institutional leadership is committed to advancing the progress of recent years and forging a stronger future to meet the needs of students and communities that now look to Centenary to inform, educate and inspire. Together, we can ensure that Centenary’s next chapter is its best chapter. Sincerely,
Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite Centenary College President
Five-Point Strategic Plan
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Enhance and develop Strategic Partnerships to increase the visibility and recognition of Centenary College in New Jersey and beyond.
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Deliver on the College’s core mission of academic rigor and integrity through initiatives that expand the pursuit of True Learning.
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Strengthen a robust learning community further through meaningful curricular and co-curricular experiences that Educate the Whole Student.
PLEASE CONSIDER
Contents
Making Centenary a Philanthropic Priority Virginia “Ginny” George Hook ’44 is a member of the Alumni Association Executive Board (AAEB) and M. Alden Siegel is a Centenary College Trustee and husband of Dorothy “Doll” Spach Siegel ’59. Both believe strongly in the mission of the College and have an important message to share with their fellow Centenarians. “Centenary College gave me a great foundation for the rest of my life.” “The friendships I forged at Centenary have truly lasted a lifetime.” “The days I spent on the Centenary campus were some of the happiest and M. Alden Siegel and Virginia George Hook ’44
most memorable of my life.” As a member of the AAEB and a Trustee of the College these are the comments we hear time and again from so many proud Centenary alumnae. Yet, when we
recently took part in the strategic planning process for the future of Centenary College, we became aware of a surprising trend: married women are less likely to give to their alma mater. And if a married woman supports her institution of higher education, it is usually to a much lesser extent compared to the level of support a spouse provides to his alma mater. We believe it is time for this trend to end, especially when there are so many accomplished, successful women in our midst who frequently credit their life’s blessings to Centenary. Carol Burgess Lackland ’54/10 HA has a wonderful story. Ten years ago, her husband, David Lackland ’10 HA, came to her with an idea. They had run a successful business, and David suggested the time was right to give back to Centenary. David graduated from Lehigh University, but when he visited Centenary as a student, he was always impressed by the College and its quality of education. The Lacklands had a conversation about the best way to make a difference, and decided their good fortune would have a much greater impact at a smaller college: Centenary. They joined forces to make the David and Carol Lackland Center a reality, and continue to be among the College’s greatest supporters. We, Ginny and Alden, are not asking you to give a new building. But we are asking you to make
2 View from the Dome The latest news and developments from Centenary College. 6 Celebrating Our History: Forging Our Future With five priorities rooted in the College’s history and strengths, the strategic plan for Centenary College is well under way. 12 Advancing Centenary The 16th Annual Scholarship Gala and A Night of Knights raise money and enthusiasm for Centenary. 25 The President’s Circle at 20 A milestone for College leaders. 12 Departments Cyclones Update ... 14 Class News and Notes ... 16 The Last Word ... 24
Centenary College a top philanthropic priority. Please share David and Carol’s story with your spouse and have your own conversation about making a gift. Like the Lacklands, we have talked to our families and have made the commitment to support the Annual Fund and The Campaign for Centenary College, and also included a bequest to help secure Centenary for future generations. Reflect on your time at the College and how the education, experiences and friendships changed your life for the better. If you have not made a gift to Centenary College, it is never too late to begin; every single donor counts, no matter the size of the contribution. If you currently support your alma mater and are in a position to increase your gift, please consider making Centenary a philanthropic priority, as we have. Join us in responding to your alma mater’s needs. Centenary College will be forever grateful. Sincerely,
Virginia George Hook ’44
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Centenary College is a registered trademark.
On the Cover: Centenary is looking forward to the future with its Strategic Plan M. Alden Siegel
Achieve Financial Flexibility through student recruiting, fundraising and efficiencies to ensure the future economic health of Centenary.
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Continue to invest in the Physical Environment to deliver a superior academic and co-curricular experience that makes Centenary a top choice.
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NEWS FROM CENTENARY COLLEGE Lou Reda ’13 HA, the award-winning television producer and founder of Lou Reda Productions, who also delivered the keynote address. Honorary doctorates were also awarded to Ruth E. Grauert ’35/13 HA, a graduate of Centenary Academy and noted choreographer, lighting designer and lecturer in dance and theatre; and Norman Worth ’13 HA, co-owner of local radio station WRNJ, member of the Board of Trustees and longtime friend of Centenary.
Above: Chairman of the Communication and Fine Arts Department Carl Wallnau, Centenary College President Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite and Trustee Wolfgang Gstattenbauer ’84/13 HA in procession.
“We are continuing down a beautiful journey, one that will challenge us along the way, but no matter what, we will all come through with purpose.” Valedictorian Allison Nowicki ’13
Graduates with a Purpose 138th May Commencement Four hundred and fifteen Centenary College graduates embarked on the next chapter of their lives following the 138th May Commencement held May 18, 2013, on the front lawn of Smith Hall. “We all have choices to make, plans to fulfill,” said Valedictorian Allison Nowicki ’13. “We are continuing down a beautiful journey, one that will challenge us along the way, but no matter what, we will all come through with purpose.” The Class of 2013 included graduates from the College’s main campus in Hackettstown and the School of Professional Studies. Centenary awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters to
The crowd was undaunted by threatening skies at May Commencement. 2 The Centenarian
More than 20 percent of degrees conferred were at the graduate level. This included Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration and Master of Education, underscoring Centenary’s vital role in providing relevant degree programs that help professionals advance in their careers and support work-force needs.
Christopher Linne ’02/04, Jennifer Linne and Jan Linne
Alumni Service Award for the Linne Family For Centenary Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology Christopher Linne ’02/04, giving to the County College of Morris (CCM) is a family affair. Professor Linne is a 1984 graduate of CCM. He, his wife, Jan, and daughter, Jennifer, established the Linne Family Scholarship at Centenary and the Linne Family Scholarship at CCM through the CCM Foundation. CCM honored the family at its 2013 Scholarship Gala. Centenary College has close ties with CCM. In 2011, the two institutions established a seamless transfer process for CCM graduates with an articulation agreement that allows for dual admission into 19 bachelor degree programs at Centenary.
as well as support from the Building Our Futures Bond Act, which provides critical investment in infrastructure to colleges and universities in New Jersey.
Second Annual Sports Management Conference A Sports Management Conference was held on April 24, 2013, at the Sitnik Theatre in the David and Carol Lackland Center. The second annual The opening of the Environment Science Center (ESC)
Environmental Center Opens As Centenary Environmental Science students return to campus this fall, they will have a new experiential learning facility for classes, laboratory work and research. The Centenary College Environmental Science Center (ESC) at the Charles O. Hayford State Fish Hatchery formally opened on May 9, 2013. The College introduced its Environmental Science major in 2012. Study at the ESC will focus on the relationship between the environment and our daily lives, with particular emphasis on environmental
event was run by one of the College’s own Sports Management classes, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Sports Management David Perricone. “We had a diverse group of professionals in the sports field speak with our students, members of the community and high school students who are passionate about this field,” Professor Perricone said. “It was a unique opportunity for students and the public to network and learn how to get started in the sports industry.” Eighteen presenters held panels covering subjects including networking, sales, internships,
quality, stewardship of the land, human health and how local actions impact the global community.
event management and operations, and sports
The new facility is the product of a longstanding partnership between Centenary, the State Hatchery and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife,
“This was a wonderful experience,” said Timothy Brix ’14, one of the students who managed the event. “I learned a great deal from this process.”
management in high school and colleges.
Cyclone Service Three Centenary studentathletes participated in a week-long Habitat for Humanity build in Wilmington, Del., in June. Baseball player Ryan Mariotti ’16 and wrestlers Cory C. Vernon ’14 and Erick Orellana ’16 joined fellow Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) studentathletes, Commissioner Jennifer Dubow and Mariotti’s father and brother on tasks including roofing and installing window screens and cabinets. “Success is not always measured by A’s or a grade-point average, but rather the personal growth one undergoes while striving to better both themselves and their community,” said Vernon.
Power in Politics: Abuses and Advancements Former Congresswoman speaks about Watergate and women Former Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman headlined the Centenary College Gates-Ferry Distinguished Visiting Lecture Series, speaking on April 16 and April 23, 2013, at the Sitnik Theater in the David and Carol Lackland Center. The first talk, “Lessons of Watergate: 40 Years Later,” focused on President Richard M. Nixon’s actions leading up to his impeachment. The second, “Women in Politics,” covered the many advances in women’s rights and the gender equality problems that remain. The Gates-Ferry Distinguished Visiting Lectureship at Centenary College recognizes the dedication to the College of Joseph R. Ferry, Trustee from 1948 to 1976, and Treasurer of the board of Trustees for 20 years. It was established to set high standards and goals for students and faculty alike, and to enrich the quality of life on the Centenary campus.
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Our Year of Championships
Determination and talent put Centenary at the top of equine, business competitions
A Line of Champions Cori Reich ’13 is the fourth Centenary equestrian to capture the prestigious Cacchione Cup. Previous winners include Marissa Cohen ’11, Lindsay Clark ’09 and Kelly Ann Taylor ’97.
Equine Photos: © Richard Ormanowski/www.ormophoto.com 2013 for the IHSA
Cori Reich ’13 was determined. In 2012, the Centenary equestrian competed for the Cacchione Cup in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) championship but fell short of capturing the prestigious prize. 2013 would be different.
she stated. “I knew that the professors and trainers were excellent, as is the riding team. It was a decision that I have always been pleased with.” She graduated from the Equine Studies program with a concentration in Riding Instruction and Training.
Reich learned a lot observing other riders at the 2012 IHSA championship, so she focused on “smoothing out” her riding for this year’s national competition. On May 4, 2013, in Harrisburg, Pa., she became the third Centenarian in five years to win the Cacchione Cup, which is sponsored by the United States Equestrian Federation.
Reich’s triumph was one of several championship wins by Centenary teams during the 2012–13 academic year. Prior to the IHSA championship, Centenary racked up significant victories at the 36th American National Riding Commission (ANRC) National Intercollegiate Equitation Championship. Centenary riders bested Sweet Briar College by less than one point to capture the top spot. Kelsey Bernini ’13 was also named individual National Champion at the April competition.
Reich said Centenary was the only college she ever considered in her pursuit of an equine career. “Centenary’s reputation in the industry is stellar,” 4 The Centenarian
Church Street Set for Makeover
Left, top: The Hope Leaf Enactus service project team in Guapi, Colombia (L to R): Cary Lawson ’15, Nina Conine ’14, artisans Dilia Condumi and Hever Mancillo, Professor Kathleen Naasz and graduate student Tim Tomaino. Left, bottom: Nina Conine ’14 giving comfort to a child of Guapi.
performance and track record have impressed many judges and potential employers. “We continue to build our brand and reputation through the excellence of our projects and presentation,” she said. In addition to being part of a winning tradition, the discipline, knowledge and leadership skills acquired through Enactus are life changing. “I’ve grown as a leader, working with a diverse group of people and developing my presentation skills,” said Nina Conine ’14.
Top Entrepreneurs Once again, Centenary proved to be the team to beat in entrepreneurial action. The Centenary Enactus team captured the regional championship for the second year in a row last April. In May, the team was first runner-up in the opening round at Nationals in Kansas City, finishing ahead of high profile schools such as Boston College and Notre Dame University, and placed in the top 40 among 158 competitors nationwide. Enactus is a nonprofit educational organization that works with businesses to provide college students with leadership experience in community outreach programs that teach about economics and business. According to Associate Professor of Business Kathleen Naasz, who completed her second year directing Enactus, Centenary’s
Centenary Enactus’ signature service project, Hope Leaf, continues to support sustainable entrepreneurship in Guapi, Colombia. This year the team collaborated with two Colombian artisans to create marketable designs. They also purchased and distributed Nexus Google tablets to the children of Guapi. “I stress that projects come first and the presentation second,” said Professor Naasz, who attributes the team’s success to its focus on helping those in need and prioritizing substance over style. “In doing so, the students gain valuable knowledge and feel good about our ethical approach,” she added. Conine, who will serve as Enactus president in 2013–2014, said her trip to Guapi put everything into perspective. “During the week, I would sometimes feel guilty knowing that I would be going back to the U.S. where we have anything we could possibly need,” she said. “But then I realized that as long as I am changing just one person’s life, that could be the start of something great.”
What started out as a vague idea has evolved into a solid plan to rejuvenate Church Street. The New Jersey Department of Transportation awarded $800,000 to Centenary College for the 2014 project, which will benefit the College and the community at large, and support the efforts of Celebrating Our History: Forging Our Future by providing an effective way to create local partnerships. Nancy Paffendorf, Dean for Community and College Affairs, explained the concept’s genesis. “At our Thanksgiving Dinner in 2011, community people said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could do something like fix Church Street so the town and the campus would be better connected?’” Jim Sheldon, Executive Director of the Hackettstown Business Improvement District, reached out to Paffendorf to let her know that the idea was on its way to reality. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us,” Paffendorf said. The plan includes new lampposts, benches, improved lighting, road resurfacing and a bike lane. “It’s a gift that fell from heaven,” she said. “We’re hoping for more traffic in town from our students, faculty and staff, and we will also encourage the people in town to come up,” Paffendorf explained. “We have a lot of free programs that are available to the people in town and a lot of talent here on the campus. Being able to share our facilities and engineering staff, we can do something for the town above and beyond the dollar amount of the grant: we can share our skills with the town.”
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Educating the Whole Student Shore to assist with rebuilding efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
“The amount of progress we achieved in that one week was inspiring. It was absolutely the best Spring Break I ever had.” Ashley Manion ’14
Since Sandy affected many Centenarians personally, Tiffany Kushner, Director of Co-Curricular Transitions, spearheaded an effort to combine the two projects. “At first, students had the option to work at the Boys & Girls Club or participate in the rebuilding process,” she explained. “They ended up being able to do both instead of having to choose. We had some Education majors who really wanted to work with the kids, but also wanted to participate in the rebuild. It was nice that they were able to do both.”
Alternate Spring Break: Local Edition Over the past decade, Centenarians have trekked thousands of miles to rebuild lives and communities devastated by hurricanes on the Gulf Coast. They have spent many a Friday night distributing essentials to the homeless in New York City, and worked closely with entrepreneurs to get businesses off the ground in such far-flung locations as Alaska, Guatemala and Colombia. Centenary students want to make a difference.
Alternate Spring Break provided opportunities for greater hands-on experiences related to students’ area of study, as outlined in Celebrating Our History: Forging Our Future, the strategic plan for Centenary College. Last March, Centenary volunteers served on two projects where the needs were still great, the work still immensely rewarding, but the destinations far closer to home. Alternate Spring Break brought Centenary students to the Boys & Girls Club in Newark to work with underprivileged youth and revitalize a facility, and to the Jersey
From City to Surfside Over the course of the first half of the Spring Break week, the students completed the total cleanup of a space at the Boys & Girls Club. Improvements included setting up new bulletin boards and reinvigorating the space with an exhibit. “We had sounds, pictures and images taken by some of the students that were worked into a gallery throughout the halls,” said Kushner. Alternate Spring Break at the Boys & Girls Club also provided opportunities for hands-on experience related to students’ area of study, as outlined in Celebrating Our History: Forging Our Future, the strategic plan for Centenary College. Kushner recalled one Social Work student who broke up an argument between two children. “She had to learn to have those conversations, so this was a great real-world experience for her,” Kushner said. Mid-week, the students headed south to Union Beach and Lavallette to help restore homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy. With their range of experience levels, the students made a huge difference over a small period of time while also
Service: Through the Years
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1942 At the start of World War II, Centenary students received Army training on how to care for and feed civilian evacuees.
1999 Centenary became the first college in New Jersey to introduce a community service requirement. Celebrating Our History: Forging Our Future calls for greater engagement in character building and career development through experiences in and out of the classroom.
picking up valuable skills. Ashley Manion ’14 had signed up without knowing any of the other participants. “I got involved because I live by the Shore and the destruction to the place I call home was devastating,” she said. “I wanted to make a difference and lend a helping hand to those in need.” It did not take long for unfamiliarity to become permanent friendship. Manion explained, “I was nervous, but within just one short week, we became family. I love them all! The amount of progress we achieved in that one week was inspiring. It was absolutely the best spring break I ever had.”
Making Connections Like so many previous Centenary relief efforts, the volunteers made meaningful connections with the people they helped. Kushner recounted one example. A Jersey Shore resident had given up his full-time job to work on his own place and help out his neighbors. During the week, his radio broke, so the Centenary students pooled their money to buy him a new radio. “It was a small gesture,” said Kushner. “But one that has surely gone a long way even after the students left the site.” By the end of the week, students who had set out to help others found themselves changed in the process. James Thrash ’15 recalled putting his skills to the test when the volunteer team took a last-minute request to put up a roof tarp. “It is days like today that I love the most, knowing those people can sleep better tonight,” Thrash posted on his Facebook page. “There are still people who care and are willing to go out of their way to help total strangers.”
2006 130 Centenary volunteers aid Katrina victims on the Gulf Coast. Over the next seven years, more than 700 Centenarians served with the annual Disaster Relief Project.
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The college experience defines the future for many students. From making decisions about which classes to take, to negotiating what may be the first time living away from family, a student is bombarded with new experiences and influences. Yet in terms of how a student comes to understand the true nature of learning, it is the faculty that has the most lifelong impact. 2013 Distinguished Teacher Kathleen Naasz
And at May Commencement, Centenary College singles out one faculty member as Distinguished Teacher for the closing academic year. The annual announcement comes as a surprise to each muchloved and well-respected recipient, but perhaps not to their students.
Dedicated to Students
2011 Co-Distinguished Teacher Dr. Keith Morgan
“The prime criteria [for Distinguished Teachers] is excellence in the classroom. They are all phenomenal classroom teachers.” Dr. James Patterson, Chief Academic Office and Provost
While Distinguished Teachers vary in area of discipline and length of experience from year to year, one characteristic remains constant: their dedication to teaching students. “The prime criteria is excellence in the classroom,” said Dr. James Patterson, Chief Academic Officer and Provost. “They are all phenomenal classroom teachers.” Being named a Distinguished Teacher gives these alreadyenthusiastic, proactive individuals an added morale boost and reinforces their efforts to help students find meaningful direction. The level of classroom expertise demonstrated by these special teachers helps keep Centenary on the path to True Learning, as explained in Celebrating Our History: Forging Our Future, the College’s strategic plan. In the words of the plan, “Centenary will continue to strengthen faculty, demand academic rigor in all programs and offer coursework that incorporates career centered skills, experiential learning, collaborative research and global
understanding.” Distinguished teachers not only live by the rule of True Learning, but set an example for others to follow.
Distinguished Teachers 2009–2013 2013 Distinguished Teacher Kathleen Naasz, Associate Professor of Business and advisor to the student entrepreneurial group Enactus, has taken several aspects of the strategic plan’s True Learning component to impressive heights. Professor Naasz guided Centenary’s Enactus team to finish in the top 40 out of 158 colleges and universities in the national competition last spring. She also accompanied a group of students to Guapi, Colombia, last June for an ongoing service project that assists entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses (see page 5). “She is the classic example,” Dr. Patterson said. “The students adore her.” Professor Naasz established the Hope Leaf Project, in which students serve the greater good while applying classroom learning to real world situations, “This is exactly what the whole thing is about,” Patterson said.
2010 Distinguished Teacher Dr. Lauren Bergey (second from left)
Academic Rigor and Integrity
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1954 Taylor Memorial Library was founded, and has served the needs of the community for nearly 60 years. The strategic plan calls for initiatives that will develop collections, improve infrastructure and deliver new forms of service.
1995 Centenary became a master’s degree granting institution, providing academic programs for the knowledge economy. Centenary will continue to offer coursework that incorporates career-centered skills, experiential learning, collaborative research and global understanding.
True Learning Distinguished teachers not only live by the rule of True Learning, but set an example for others to follow.
2009 Distinguished Teacher Professor Teri Klemm
Other recent Distinguished Teachers have included Dr. Richard Sévère, Assistant Professor of English Literature and Director of the Writing Collaboratory (2012); Dr. Keith Morgen, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Institutional Review Board (Co-Winner 2011); Dr. Lauren Bergey, Associate Professor of Biology, Department Chair of Mathematics & Natural Sciences and Director of Environmental Programs (2010); and Terri Klemm, Associate Professor of Social Work, BSW Program Field Director and Chair for the Presidential Task Force on Inclusion (2009). Dr. Patterson described the suspenseful moment of the Distinguished Teacher reveal at Commencement. “We typically surprise the individual, not making it clear who it is until we’re three-quarters or more through the description of their accomplishments,” he said. “It’s a remarkable experience to be up there.” 2012 Distinguished Teacher Dr. Richard Sévère
2012 The Writing Collaboratory is an innovative, peer-to-peer tutoring center with faculty oversight. The strategic plan calls for the expansion of this vital resource to serve more students in every field of study.
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Ultimately, achieving the goals of the strategic plan and campaign shows students that their dreams and aspirations matter. In 2017, Centenary College will celebrate 150 years of educating students for purposeful careers and preparing graduates who make meaningful contributions to their professions and communities. This milestone also presents an opportunity to solidify and ensure the future of Centenary College and its legacy of providing life-changing education and opportunities to future generations.
Centenary’s Future “In today’s world, most students need more assistance paying for college,” said Linda Van Winkle Watkins ’62, a member of the Board of Trustees. “The strategic plan is a critical part of the College’s future. It recognizes the economic pressures of rising tuition on families and strives to attain greater balance among all of the College’s sources of financial revenue. It will help students and create a foundation of security for Centenary.”
Tuition currently accounts for approximately 96 percent of the College’s annual operating budget. Celebrating Our History: Forging Our Future, the strategic plan for Centenary College, includes a multi-faceted plan to diversify financial resources through strategic enrollment, greater operational efficiencies and reinvigorated fundraising.
Critical Priority: Increasing the Endowment Growing the Endowment is a key component to achieving the Financial Flexibility outlined in Celebrating Our History: Forging Our Future. For many years, the College made do with a modest endowment of $2.5 million, but the members of the Centenary community who produced the College’s strategic plan have emphasized the need for a larger endowment. “The endowment generates annual income that defrays annual operating costs, makes the College less reliant on tuition and relieves the financial burden for students,” explained Watkins. “If the College is to continue its mission of changing lives, permanent funds are essential to keep tuition affordable for the many talented, hard-working students who make the most of a Centenary education.”
Advancing Academic Excellence and Integrity The Strategic Plan is also positioned to enhance teaching and learning through initiatives that strengthen faculty and provide greater opportunities for research, internships and relevant experiences
The Strategic Plan will help students and create a secure foundation for the College. Campaigns Through the Years 1899 Fire destroyed the campus’s main building in 1899, but the Centenary community rallied and built the Edward W. Seay Building in 1901. With the help of alumni and friends, the iconic Centenary structure was restored to its full glory by 2001. 10 The Centenarian
Future that prepare students for success. Gifts to Named Scholarships, the Faculty Research and Support Fund and the establishment of Endowed Chairs and Endowed Professorships are essential to these efforts. “Research, and faculty-student collaborations in particular, have been on the rise in recent years,” noted Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, Centenary College President. “Centenary now has an Environmental Science major where faculty and students investigate air and water quality and educate the public on important environmental issues. Our Psychology students have presented new findings on substance abuse at major conferences. Graduate schools now expect to see undergraduate research from program applicants.”
Growing the Endowment is a key component to achieving the Financial Flexibility outlined in Celebrating Our History: Forging Our Future.
Robust funding in these areas not only impacts students, but also helps retain and attract outstanding faculty and increases the reputation and recognition of Centenary in the region and beyond. Ultimately, Centenary leaders say that achieving the goals of the strategic plan and campaign shows students that their dreams and aspirations matter. “Increased support, especially the endowment, is the single most effective way to ensure that we continue to provide affordable and uplifting education to promising students,” said Doll Spach Siegel ’59. She and husband M. Alden Siegel have been generous and enthusiastic supporters of the Centenary mission. She also asked Centenarians to reflect on their own formative experience at the College and, “Imagine how you might help another young person achieve their full potential here.”
2000s The multi-year Campaign for Centenary College transformed the campus and student experience with the addition of the David and Carol Lackland Center, the renovated and expanded John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center and enhanced Equestrian Center.
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Student Dreams Do Come 16th Annual Scholarship Gala Honors Benefactors Who Help Make Dreams Reality Nina Rasmussen ’16 has only been at Centenary one year, but she already feels a strong connection to the College and the hundreds of alumni and friends who supported the 16th Annual Scholarship Gala, held June 21, 2013, at the David and Carol Lackland Center. “After the first day at Centenary, I was won over,” said the Fine Arts major from Roxbury, N.J. Scholarship Gala honorees Orin R. Smith ’91 HA, John Post, Margaret Post and Ellen BaarsBanks ’93
Rasmussen, who is responsible for funding her own college tuition, says it is a great privilege to be a part of close-knit learning community. She is extremely grateful to benefactors who make institutional awards such as the Centenary College Award and the Cyclone Award possible. “These
scholarships made a huge difference, making the loans to pay for my education less overwhelming,” Rasmussen explained. Thanks to a strong turnout and the generosity of Centenarians, the 2013 Scholarship Gala, which celebrated “Scholarship & Community Service,” raised more than $100,000. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $2.6 million to benefit the Centenary College Scholarship Fund. The event’s Gold Dome Award was presented to Ellen Baars-Banks ’93, the John A. and Margaret Post Foundation and Orin R. Smith ’91 HA. Baars-Banks is a founding member and former chair of the President’s Circle and current member of the Board of Trustees. The Post Foundation is a nonprofit that has funded many worthwhile organizations in Northwest New Jersey and the Slate Belt region of Pennsylvania. Smith is also a Centenary College Trustee and former 1st Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Raymond Nisivoccia, founding partner of Nisivoccia and Company, LLP, and Centenary College Trustee, served as Scholarship Gala Chair.
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Alumni, students and friends of the College’s Equine Studies program turned out in full force for “A Night of Knights,” held May 15, 2013 at the Equestrian Center in Long Valley, N.J. The annual event honored eight benefactors and raised funds for the Equestrian Center Enhancement Project, a multi-year campaign that is making significant improvements to Equine facilities.
James Salerno, a longtime friend of the Equine Studies program, served as honorary chairman for the event, which featured a jousting and horsemanship performance by Medieval Times. The Equine Studies program paid tribute to Robert Beck, owner and trainer of Hunter’s Crossing Farm, for helping to secure the donation of many horses for the College; Beval Saddlery, an employer of Centenary Equine graduates and supporter of the Enhancement Project; Shelli Breidenbach,
True
Former Centenary College President Stephanie Bennett-Smith and Trustee Wolfgang Gstattenbauer ’84/13 HA
Honorary Chairs were Edith Bolte Kutz ’42, David A. Lackland ’10 HA, Carol Burgess Lackland ’54/10 HA, Robert E. Littell ’96 HA, Virginia N. Littell ’04 HA, Dominick V. Romano ’01 HA, Kathryn Romano and Adelaide Van Winkle ’08 HA.
Marc Skoda, Elizabeth Friday ’93, former Centenary College President Stephanie BennettSmith and Orin R. Smith ’91 HA
In addition to a silent and live auction, attendees heard from many current Centenary College scholarship recipients. “Donors have contributed so
much to my attending college without even knowing it,” said Natalia Ortega ’15, a Sports Management major from Jersey City, N.J., president of the College’s Sports Management Association and member of the Women’s Basketball team. Ortega called the Transfer and Community Service awards she received a vote of confidence. “Thanks to these scholarships, I not only attend college, but get to stay on campus and have a full college experience.” Ortega has taken full advantage of opportunities at Centenary and landed internships with the New York Red Bulls and the Spire Sports Group sports management and marketing firm. With $14 million in financial assistance distributed to full-time Centenary undergraduates last year, many Centenary students are able to put their dreams into action. “I know many of the other scholarship recipients. They are a really hardworking group,” Rasmussen observed. “I think I can speak for all of us when I say that without the scholarship donors many of us would not have been able to come to Centenary.”
Students, from left to right: Kyle Conner ’14, Amanda Coons ’16, Samantha L. Davis ’14, Cary Lawson ’14 Nicole Chaladoff ‘15, Paige Norman ’14, Abiodun Lawal ’16, Cynthia Cheng ’13, Susan Gorman ’14 and Kathryn Nieves ’14 with Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, College President (center)
Donors do not have to wait for the Annual Scholarship Gala to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Centenary students. Alumni and friends can make gifts any time of year. Contact (908) 852-1400, ext. 2335, or dimarcop@ centenarycollege.edu.
a renowned equine photographer who donated a horse to the College; Cedar Lane Farm and the Johnson Family, Enhancement Project contributors and horse donors; Donna Clancy and Kathy Davidson, friends of the College who have supported Equine Studies with horse donations; and WeatherBeeta, Inc., an employer of Equine Studies graduates that has also partnered with the College on product testing. Funds raised at the event will help restore and expand facilities for the Equine Studies Department. The Centenarian 13
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CYCLONES UPDATE
Centenary’s All-American Wrestler J.D. Zitone ’13 stands out as a scholar, athlete and person
“Wherever J.D. goes, he’s going to be a mentor to anyone he comes into contact with. That’s just the type of person he is — somebody who’s willing to help and give back.” Coach John Garriques
When Coach John Garriques took over Centenary’s wrestling program in the fall of 2006, he introduced greater discipline and a selfless approach to teamwork that he describes as “living the good life.” “We hold doors for people and make sure we’re proactive in the community,” said the Hackettstown-raised coach. Among the many extraordinary wrestlers who have taken Garriques’ vision to heart and brought the team national attention, J.D. Zitone ’13 stands out.
That service mentality applied off-campus as well. Zitone enthusiastically participated in the team’s community-related activities, including shoveling snowy Hackettstown sidewalks. Garriques said Zitone was always the first to arrive: “He would be grinning ear to ear because he couldn’t wait to go out and do something a little different, and have fun. Those community service projects just brought out the best in him.”
And that’s not just because he wrestles at 285 lbs. The College’s first athlete to break 100 wins, Zitone graduated this past May with a 3.43 GPA. The Business Administration major was named to the 2012–2013 CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-District At-Large Teams. Among the five Centenary wrestlers to become NCAA qualifiers, Zitone became the first-ever Cyclone to make it to the championship round, achieving a second-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championship. Zitone transferred from Delaware Valley College to Centenary in his second year, and his contributions both on and off the mat helped the Cyclones reach outstanding levels of achievement. As team captain for two years, Zitone worked closely with his younger teammates, while also mentoring underclassmen as a First Year Leader for the College. “It really helped me build relationships with the guys on the team,” Zitone said. Wrestling Coach John Garriques
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“Wherever J.D. goes,” said Coach Garriques, “he’s going to be a mentor to anyone he comes into contact with. That’s just the type of person he is, somebody who’s willing to help and give back.”
J.D. Zitone ’13 is the first Cyclone wrestler to break 100 wins.
Cyclones Update Centenary’s student-athletes continue to shine in competition and in the classroom And wrestling hasn’t been the only sport where Zitone, who now lives in Montague, N.J., has garnered attention. When the ABA basketball team Jersey Express first made Centenary College its home in 2012, he volunteered to serve as their mascot. “I had to wear overalls and a train conductor’s hat,” he said. The role required Zitone, a self-described “quiet and laid back” guy, to be “out and about and loud!” Garriques, who was named the College’s 2012– 2013 Coach of the Year, proudly cites Zitone as a prime example of someone whose discipline and generosity of spirit have made a difference for the Wrestling program and the community. “I tell all my guys, ‘You buy in, you win,’” the coach said. “He bought in. He did everything right. He lifted in the off-season, and he was dedicated. It was a religion to him. He sacrificed things other people wouldn’t sacrifice, and it paid off!”
Stellar Season for Cyclone Catcher The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) named Cara Montferrat ’13 to the First Team All East Region Catcher for an outstanding performance during the 2013 Softball season. The Cyclone batted .484 with 11 doubles, Cara Montferrat ’13 seven triples, nine home runs, 27 RBIs and 24 walks. Montferrat also established new College records at Centenary in doubles, home runs, total bases and games played. She is the 2013 Centenary Female Athlete of the Year and received the Cardy Gemma Award, the annual award established in 1998 that recognizes two graduating seniors for outstanding athletic ability and team leadership. J.D. Zitone ’13 (see main story) is also a 2013 recipient of the award.
NABC Honors for Cyclone Basketball Players
J.D. Zitone’s 2012–13 Season Highlights
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) named three Cyclones Men’s Basketball team members to its Honors Court in July. Guards Max Hughes ’13, Kyle Malavasi ’14 and forward Tim Brix ’14 were recognized for meeting high academic standards in 2012–2013. The Honors Court recognizes junior and senior varsity student-athletes with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.2 or higher whose teams are members of the NCAA.
• Finished the 2012–2013 season with a 27–2 overall record
Baseball, Men’s Lacrosse Reach New Heights
• First Centenary Wrestler to make the NCAA finals • Named NCAA All-American after finishing second at 285 lbs. • All-Time Tournament Win Leader in Centenary College history • First place finish at NCAA East Regional, Doug Parker Invitational, and Bob Quade Open • Named the 2012 Bob Quade Open Most Outstanding Wrestler • Named an NWCA Scholar All-American • Named CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All District First Team District II
Centenary teams proved they could go toe to toe with top teams in the Colonial States Athletic Conference. Baseball returned to the CSAC Tournament as the fourth and final seed. Hungry for victory, the young squad earned the program’s first ever tournament win, beating GwyneddMercy College in an elimination game by a score of 5-4. Men’s Lacrosse finished the regular season 12–2 and earned the second seed in the CSAC Tournament, where it defeated Gwynedd-Mercy College to secure a place in the program’s first CSAC Championship game. The historic season was capped with personal and career milestones for three graduating seniors: Cameron Gunn ’13 earned his 100th career point, Robert Nuzzolese ’13 earned his 100th career goal and Conor Nolan ’13 recorded his 100th career assist and 100th career goal, 200th career point and became Centenary’s All-Time Assist Leader. The Centenarian 15
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CLASS NEWS AND NOTES
SAVE THE DATE
October 11-13, 2013 FAMILY & ALUMNI WEEKEND
Make Your Class Notes Stand Out! We encourage communications regarding career changes, promotions, relocations, volunteer work, travel, marriages, births and other items of interest to your classmates. All notes are edited for consistency and space. Photos should be high resolution; when in doubt, use your camera’s highest resolution setting. The next Class News and Notes deadline is October 15, 2013. Submit via e-mail: brennanc@centenarycollege.edu; Fax (908) 852-3256; or mail to Alumni Office, Centenary College, 400 Jefferson St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840.
1939 Carol Olsen-Voorhees 40 Sergeantsville Road Flemington, NJ 08822-1584 (908) 782-5373 corkyjo@netzero.net Carol Olsen-Voorhees writes: It was a great summer. Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend!
1942 Edith Bolte Kutz 4561 Oak Tree Court Delray Beach, FL 33445 (561) 498-4388 ediekutz@aol.com .
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1943 70TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Georgine Hill Mendillo (850) 625-3340 80 Cedar St. Apt 331 Branford, CT 06405 Georgine Hill Mendillo writes: Last September, we moved from Naples, Fla., back to Branford, Conn. The children wanted us near them because of our advanced age. We miss the wonderful weather, our boat and my golf. Jane Schlegel Reid-Anderson has moved from Massachusetts to Vermont to live closer to her two daughters. My dear friend MarciaMarie Weber Fowler Canavello died last January. She had lost her husband but her oldest son dying was the last straw. I would love to hear from more of my classmates.
1944 Virginia George Hook 553 Rosemont Ringoes Road PO Box 93 Sergeantsville, NJ 08557-0093 (609) 397-0553 Ginny George Hook writes: It has been a great summer. I look forward to seeing you at Family & Alumni Weekend!
1945 Barbara Wheatley Murray 89 Kensington Road Bronxville, NY 10708-1406 (914) 337-2134 Barbara Wheatley Murray writes: Gloria Hansen Pretzfelder is recovering from a bad bout of asthmatic bronchitis. It has been a bit of an ordeal but she is eagerly going to rehab. She was always a good golfer and tennis player. Here’s to her early recovery.
Gloria’s daughter’s twin sons are graduating from eighth grade and are already playing high school basketball and are very talented. Sadly, Gloria reported the recent passing of Marilyn Kohart Smith. Marilyn was an avid bridge player, a member of a number of groups and always tops in sports. Marie Sutter Kammendzind sustained a broken leg but has recovered and is now on a walker and enjoys the senior facility where she lives. Barbara continues: I would love to have more news. Please call or write. I wish I could see all the new developments at Centenary but I no longer drive and use a walker. May you all enjoy a wonderful fall.
1946 Dorothy Latchford Lota 418 Boxcar Way Valrico, FL 33594-6812 (813) 661-5032 Dorothy Latchford Lota writes: My oldest son, Tom, passed away April 21, 2013, from cancer. We all miss him very much as he was well known in the Apollo Beach area. He was a school teacher and wrestling coach for many years. My youngest granddaughter had a baby girl in June, the only baby girl in the family. Jeanette Bell Gould has 2 grandchildren, Jared, 12, and Victoria, 8. Jeanette is working in TV and movies, as well as her grandchildren. Anne Morgan’s son, Peter, is moving back to Louisville, where she is living now. Anne says it’s a lovely place to live with her beautiful cat.
1947 Helen Eckhardt Sheehy P.O. Box 987 Amagansett, NY 11930-0987 heckhardt62@optonline.net (631) 267-8984 Helen (Lennie) Eckhardt Sheehy writes: Ann Mayberry Johnson wrote that her
CLASS OF ’63: What Class of ’62 Centenarians had to say about their 50th Reunion: “It was first class, fabulous fun in every way ... Years melted away and we all became Centenary College girls once again.”
— Susan Gould Weber
“A note to the Class of ’63: Mark your calendars. It was an event you should not miss!”
— Judi Braddock Andrews
husband, Bill, passed away on May 11. Bill was a prominent Presbyterian minister. Ann has moved to an assisted living facility. Her new address is 104 Dr. Julius Kelley Lane, Pocasset, MA 02559. I know she would love to hear from you. It seems more and more of us are taking advantage of this new way of living for seniors. Mary Fisher Rossel wasn’t too sure how she would enjoy her change but she is thoroughly enjoying every bit of it, even the dining room dinners. Perhaps some of you will remember Mary rarely participated in dinner at Centenary but walked down to the diner instead. As I continue to plug away at maintaining my home, the idea of assisted living is sounding better as each day passes. Hope all is well with everyone.
1948
65TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Naoma Muller Morgenstein 300 Plainville Ave - G21 Unionville, CT 06085 (860) 507-6458 naomaquilts@gmail.com
1949 Florence Austermuhl Larson 5925 Poppy St. La Mesa, CA 91942 (619) 469-7385 Rob.Larson@gcccd.edu Florence Austermuhl Larson writes: Nancy Morrell McClatchie was the 2013 Frederick H. Dayton Award recipient. She is president of the 104-year-old William E. Morrell Insurance Company in White Plains, N.Y. Her two sons and two grandsons work with her. She has served on the board of the Independent Insurance Agents of Westchester County and is a board member of the Republican City Committee. She is Vice President of Memorial
United Methodist Church and has been involved in the church activities for many years. Evelyn Dries Mathews and her husband moved to a retirement home in Livermore, Calif. and are enjoying no cleaning, cooking and laundry. They celebrated Mother’s Day with their children. Debby Ettinger Moss and her husband are planning a trip to Boston. They will celebrate their 60th anniversary in October in Las Vegas with their family. Their grandson goes to Notre Dame and granddaughter goes to the University of Colorado. Audrey Henn Nawoschik was in the hospital for six weeks and is still weak. Nancy Hendee Pain has three granddaughters who are 24 and a 27-year-old grandson. Three graduated from Temple and one from State. All are doing well and have great jobs. The twin granddaughters do “Ironman” contests. Her grandson lives in San Diego and she will come to see him for Christmas. She is planning a trip to Turkey in the fall. Doris Little Osterhoudt said she’s had a few ups and downs and has had a good friend help her when she needs it. As for myself, I have had cataract surgery but otherwise doing fine. Peggy Bolte Castle continues to enjoy selling real estate in the Baltimore area and had a delightful visit with her former roommate, Laura Lechner Woodcock, and her husband, Bob. They have recently moved to 1400 Waverly Rd. Unit V31, Gladwynne, PA 19035. They have their own Centenary Alumni group with Ann Middleton Flood and Carol Minster Pendergrass also living in this lovely Waverly Heights community.
1950 Ann Messenger-Viau 260 Chatham Road Harwich, MA 02645-3365 (508) 432-1049
1951 Eleanor Decker McNaugher 504 Laurel Oak Drive Valencia, PA 16059-8781 (724) 625-4299 edmjrm@consolidated.net
1952 Joan Thornton Teller 712 Willow Valley Lakes Drive Willow Street, PA 17584 (717) 464-6954 jtrtteller@aol.com Liz Kilkenny writes: I have just finished a book by our classmate, Vida “Sis” Goldman Prince. I found it to be very powerful and a “must read.” She interviewed and recorded St. Louis residents to produce this thoughtprovoking history, That’s the Way it Was: Stories of Struggles, Survival and Self-Respect of Twentieth-Century Black St. Louis. The 13 subjects interviewed show that self-respect and determination in segregated St. Louis were the abilities they needed to be strong and survive. I recommend that you read it. Any bookstore can order it from publisher History Press, Charleston, SC 29403. Sis is not new at oral
history. She has been doing this for the past 30 years – Asian-Americans and Holocaust survivors. Hats off to her!
1953
60TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Drusie Fox Jenkins 208 Linden Ponds Way Apt CL 601 Hingham, MA 02043 (781) 740-1769 drusiej@verizon.net Drusie Fox Jenkins writes: For those classmates who enjoy hearing from other friends in our Class of ’53, I hope that more of you will stop and take time to send me news of yourself, where you are and what you’re doing with your life at this point in time. All of us are nearing the 80-year mark, and it would mean a lot to catch up on Centenary classmates. SO, please send your news to me so I can pass it along for the next issue. My apologies for not getting news to Centenary for our last issue, but I had a few things going on which kept me from being up-to-date on desk things. Norma Hoefgen Schadt wrote that she and Willard spent time last year in Melbourne Beach, Fla., celebrating her mother-in-law’s 101st birthday, and soon after that, the family celebrated Norma’s mother’s 104th birthday — WOW. Her oldest son lives in Melbourne Beach. Also, her oldest grandson’s wedding in August was out in Boulder, Colo., so another special reunion. The rest of the year, Norma volunteers as Town Historian, with the big project last year being to paint all 42 of the historical markers in town. Willard keeps busy painting and visiting nursing homes with their therapy dog, Ripley. He also plays his accordion for the patients. What a wonderful way to volunteer one’s time. Margie Holmes Brown sent us her new address: 12 River Mead, Avon, CT 06001. She would love to hear from Centenary friends. When she put her house in Simsbury, Conn., on the market, it sold in just over two weeks, so she had a hurried move, to downsize, and settle into a new environment. Now, Margie is back to her usual busy days: volunteering, bridge, plays and family time. Hurricane Sandy interrupted one trip, which she had to extend an extra four days. Vangie Roby Sweitzer and Donald Sweitzer celebrated their 50th anniversary last year, then Vangie discovered she had three blocked arteries and leaking valves. Doctors took care of her problem, and she’s now back doing her usual favorite things. Their two grandchildren add a lot to their lives in Pennsylvania. Gwen Kennedy Butz ’54 makes her home in Palm Harbor, Fla. Gwen and Jack keep busy with their large family, and try to spend time in Vermont during the summer. Gwen went to her 60th High School reunion in Pennsylvania, which was attended by approximately 100 friends and spouses. Drusie continues: Norm and I are fine, and after having my second knee replacement in October, The Centenarian 17
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CLASS NEWS AND NOTES I’m happy to be walking without pain. What a treat. We continue to love living here at Linden Ponds in Hingham, Mass., where we keep comfortably busy with volunteer activities and seeing our children and “grands” whenever possible. June will find us in Chatham on Cape Cod for three months and wonderful family time. Please take a few minutes to send me more news for our next issue of The Centenarian.
Evie Klebe Hepper and Shirley Wilson McCune ’50
1955 Ellie Rausch Greene 2411 NE Pinecrest Lakes Blvd. Jensen Beach, FL 34957-6648 (772) 334-8006 richardcgreene@bellsouth.net Ellie Rausch Greene writes: Greetings to all the class of ’55. I wish there was more news. When you receive this issue of The Centenarian, please take a moment to send news for the next issue. Joan Parker Stevenson reported that her husband, Jack had open heart surgery in September and is doing well. On February 28 they celebrated his 80th birthday. Joan enjoys singing in several choirs and taking pictures for the Opechee Garden Club. Her granddaughter will be married this summer on Mark Island, which is on Lake Winnipesaukee. Evie Klebe Hepper wrote that she and husband Bill stopped to visit Shirley Wilson McCune ’50, who lives in Deland, Fla. This year was different from earlier visits due to the recent death of Shirley’s husband, Jim, in October 2012. Jim was loved by all who were privileged to know him. He will be sorely missed. Also, (as reported in the last issue) Carol Guerber Messner passed away after treatment for a heart attack. Carol was a good friend to me dating back to high school in Teaneck, N.J. Barbara Hance Blackfan and Cy were in Fort Lauderdale at “LagoMar” for a short time last February. They enjoyed it so much and are planning to return this winter. Evie and Bill Hepper, Bob Barry, Dick and I had our annual lunch in West Palm Beach in March, which has become a valued tradition for us. However, Joyce Tietjen Barry had passed away in 2012 and was missed but fondly remembered.
L to R: Ellie Rausch Greene, Bob Barry, Evie Klebe Hepper and Dick Greene at annual lunch. 18 The Centenarian
1958
55TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13!
1954 Gwen Kennedy Butz Westin Innisbrook Resort 36750 US Highway 19 North Palm Harbor, FL 34684 (727) 943-3772 jackbutz@aol.com
birth in March to our first great-grandchild, Kinley Rose Baylor. Ashley lives in Schertz, Texas, near San Antonio, which is about a four-hour drive from San Angelo, so we don’t get to see her often as we would like. Please note that I have a new e-mail address: abhobbs75@yahoo.com.
Bill Hepper, Evie Klebe Hepper, Linda Klebe Larsen ’68 and David Larsen
1956 Phyllis Cotter Graf 46 Dennison Road Essex, CT 06426-1351 (860) 767-2328 ggraf2@comcast.net
1957 Alice “Baynes” MacLea Hobbs 2814 Canyon Creek Drive San Angelo, TX 76904-7004 (325) 944-3017 abhobbs75@yahoo.com Baynes MacLea Hobbs writes: Jane Ellicott Flattery wrote that she stays in touch with Deanna Basta Bugan, Kay Lawrence Hall, and Pat Wiegand Fairchild via e-mail and phone. Jane and I are both from Towson, Md., and were thrilled that our Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl. Jane did say that in the last Centenary publication there was an article about a book that was written by Dr. Raymond Frey entitled Centenary College, New Jersey. I would think anyone who attended Centenary would love to have a copy and I found it on Amazon. It is the entire history of the College with many, many pictures. In his acknowledgments he mentions Dr. Ernest Dalton, who was at Centenary from 1947-1980. “(Dr. Dalton’s) dream was to write a history of the College to be published after his retirement. Ernie died suddenly in 1984 and his unfinished manuscript was stored in several boxes in the archives until I discovered the incredible wealth of information he had collected.” My family has expanded by two. My youngest daughter, Amanda, married for the second time in February, so I have a new son-in-law. They are living in Las Vegas. Now Arthur and I have a good reason to visit Las Vegas. My oldest granddaughter, Ashley, gave Centenary College, New Jersey is available during normal business hours in Taylor Memorial Library and the Business Office. Or contact Stan Kula in the Office of College Relations at (908) 852-1400, ext. 2329, or Suzanne Cubberly in the Business Office at (908) 8521400, ext. 2365.
C. Joy Riddell 101 East McNab Road #210 Pompano Beach, FL 33060-9278 (954) 781-9315 joyriddell@gmail.com
1959 Ann Hufnagel Rafferty 249 Long Lane Upper Darby, PA 19082-4020 (610) 352-9516 araffert@adphila.org Thais McAleece Haines 1950 Hovsons Boulevard Toms River, NJ 08753-1519 (732) 255-2772 thaishaines@gmail.com Doll Spach Siegel 10 Hartley Farms Road Morristown, NJ 07960-7045 (973) 236-9669 masiegel1@comcast.net Pauline Britt O’Connell writes: Jim and I visited Dallas, Texas, in April 2013 and met with Susan Smith Herbert and her husband, Zan, for lunch and had a great reunion after 50-plus years! Susan and Zan live in Richardson, Texas, and have children and grandchildren in the area. We live in Williamsburg, Va., where I am retired as a fulltime Realtor® and work as a referral agent. Jim is the treasurer for the Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue. We have a son in Virginia Beach and two daughters in Richmond and six grandchildren, all in Richmond.
Pauline Britt O’Connell and Susan Smith Herbert
1960 Elizabeth “Betsy” Stanley Thomas 2206 Solmar Drive Silver Spring, MD 20904 (301) 384-8104 BetsyThms@aol.com
Gail Sylvester Longstreth 239 Halemaumau Street Honolulu, HI 96821-2055 (808) 373-4490 rlongstreth@hawaii.rr.com Gail Sylvester Longstreth writes: I haven’t heard from anyone with their recent news in a very long time. Please take a minute and drop me a note as to what you have been doing in the last few years, and a recent photo would be nice. My time in the last few years has been spent within the Daughters of the Nile and Ladies Oriental Shrine, both supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children. As in my CCW days, I am in charge of the switchboard at our local hospital when the regular gal takes her days off each month. Don’t picture Ernestine pulling out cords; ours is a much bigger, more modern board, but I get to also greet all those who come in the front door, so it’s a very rewarding job. This year it was my extreme honor to receive a national appointment to DON as one of the 12 appointed officers ... Supreme Princess Zenobia. It has been a real pleasure being part of the Supreme Queen’s entourage during many of her official visits to the Temples in the West. This is the photo of me being installed as Supreme Princess Zenobia. The Daughters of the Nile is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year in June. The membership is about 30,000 ladies in the U.S. and Canada. I am very proud to be a member of such a worthwhile group. We donate over $1.5 million dollars a year to the Shriners Hospitals and countless hours of volunteer service and items to be used in the hospital. There are 141 Temples (based on Egyptian temples) throughout the U.S. and Canada (I think at least two in New Jersey). You can check it out on their webpage. It was the greatest honor of my life to receive this special appointment for the year. Looking forward to hearing from you with news for the next issue.
Gail Sylvester Longstreth
1961 Joyce Fierro Velzy 1253 NW Bentley Circle Apt. A Port St. Lucie, FL 34986 (772) 873-9008 joyvelz@juno.com Joyce Fierro Velzy writes: Though I don’t know anyone from any other class than ours and those in the classes who graduated before and after us, I always enjoy sitting down and reading The Centenarian when it arrives. It never surprises me: the main theme in most everyone’s column is about the friends made at Centenary, how much their time in Centenary meant to them as years went by and how wonderful it is to meet up again with old friends from Centenary and how they cherish those friendships. In the Spring 2013 issue, I enjoyed reading the 1962
column, written by Judi Braddock Andrews, where she states that her dear friend, Bobbi Bidwell Gallagher ’61, “spoke so highly of her 50th class reunion last year, it has been a must on my calendar for the past year.” Judi and friends from her class attended their 50th, had a great time and told the Class of ’63 to be sure to attend theirs! Molly Power Balzer writes that she spent seven weeks on Anna Maria Island, Fla., this spring surrounded by relatives. She and Lee Fobes Murphy and her husband, Jim, did meet up in Sarasota for a lunch and nice visit. Molly, who lives in Vancouver, B.C., let us know that all is well in the Pacific Northwest. Besides answering “nothing to report…nuttin’… same old, same old” when asked for info for our column, Mary Nash did say that life is good. Her grandsons are growing like weeds. “When was it that I began looking up to them when we meet? Enjoying watching them in lots of sports, as always, and just having fun.” Besides sending a photo of herself with a camel in the background, Ann Kenarney Eschenfelder wrote: “Paul and I are on a cruise from Istanbul to Athens with stops in Cairo to visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx and on to Athens before heading back to Houston. What a wonderful birthday present.” Recently Debbie Sisbower Lingwood fell and broke her neck and was wearing a neck brace for quite a while. Debbie called to say that after the brace was taken off, she was able to tilt and turn her head once more. Her second piece of good news is that she and her husband, Elden, were anxiously awaiting the birth of their great-grandchild. I had a nice newsy note from Barbara Williams Foster: “The weather in Houston, Texas, has been beautiful, but now the lovely heat is setting in. It is time to travel up North. We are taking our 14-year-old twin grandsons on a car trip up the East Coast. Each year we do this with two of the grandchildren. This year it is Brandon and Tyler’s turn. We will spend two weeks in Lewes, Del., with my sister at her beach condo right where the ferry comes in between Cape May and Lewes. The boys can’t wait to go fishing and swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. Then we head for Washington, D.C., for three days to take the boys on a tour of Washington. After that it’s back to Houston. In September, Warren and I and my sister are going on a Russian river cruise between Moscow and St. Petersburg. We are looking forward to that adventure. I hope our classmates have been well and happy. Life is good here in Texas.”
Ann Kenarney Eschenfelder
1962 Judi Braddock Andrews 1635 Swansea Place Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805) 497-1268 judiand1635@yahoo.com Judi Braddock Andrews writes: My husband George and I spent a busy, fun-filled weekend with Bobbi Bidwell Gallagher ’61, in Solana Beach, Calif., a few months ago. Always very special to get together with my dear New Jersey friend. We travel between the coasts every five to six weeks to spend time with my Mom, who will be 95 this year. Per Mom’s request, we’re planning a repeat of last year’s family Thanksgiving/Reunion in Winter Park, Fla. Four generations, close to 40 in attendance. We are truly blessed. Judy Colton Christensen still talks about our adventure with Betsy Zweier Paxton going to our 50th reunion last fall and what a good job the College did honoring our class. The three of us are planning to see each other in September. Nancy Beckman is enjoying retirement. (I’ll second that, Nancy.) Meg Breuer Scott and husband Dick enjoyed their second winter on Hilton Head Island and joined friends for a river cruise up the Po River followed by a few days in Florence and Rome. They are looking forward to another summer on Hilton Head with trips to the beach with their grandchildren. Bob and Bobbi Leslie Demsey visited Sea Island with them for a holiday house tour, luncheon and afternoon of catching up. She met Lois Montana Kroll and Bobbi for lunch on Jekyll Island. Sure would love to hear from more of our classmates. Write, call, e-mail. Stay connected!
1963
50TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Janice Babcock Johnson 312 E. Fiedler Road Maple Glen, PA 19002-2714 (215) 628-3642 jjgolf@comcast.net Janice Babcock Johnson writes: Centenary College has special events planned for our class at Family & Alumni Weekend. Hope to see you there!
1964 Carolyn James Harbourt 661 Hillcrest Boulevard Phillipsburg, NJ 08865-1444 (908) 454-8979 cbharbourt@earthlink.net Susan Lefler Weiler writes: I graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Magna Cum Laude, and I share this because I want to say it’s never too late! The photo is of me and President Dennis Hollinger. I hope all is wonderfully well with you and yours. The Centenarian 19
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CLASS NEWS AND NOTES We need to rally and get others to send in news and photos!
Susan Lefler Weiler
1965 Claire Kilpatrick Michlovitz 47 South Curtisville Road Concord, NH 03301-5909 (603) 715-1298 foxpersonone@comcast.net
1966 Judith Loveman Noonan 24 River Glen Road Wellesley, MA 02181-1640 (781) 237-1483 judnoonan@aol.com Barbara Debevoise Dinsmore writes: News from a long lost classmate (not lost, just incommunicado). Our son Andrew was married in December to Kathleen McGovern, also from D.C. He is Projects Manager for U.S. Senator Chris Coons in his Wilmington, Del., office and Kathleen works in D.C. for the National Academy on the Arts. Our daughter, Lucy, is the Rose Garden Horticulturist at the Morris Arboretum, the official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. We continue to enjoy almost everything about life in D.C. I stopped working in 2006 as I began about a year of dealing with the big C and all of its not-so-fun side effects. But after surgery, chemo and radiation I am good to go and now am spending most of my time in the garden, which was recently included in the book Beautiful No Mow Yards. Clem just turned 70 and continues to trek to work every day. Life is good. I recently uncovered a number of photos from a spring week in Bermuda and will send them out to those I remember and recognize. You know who you are!
1967 Barbara Leighton Faulkner 6761 Pheasants Ridge Hudson, OH 44236-3265 (330) 653-6826 lauraleightondesigns@windstream.net
1968
45TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Linda Klebe Larsen 15214 Brier Creek Drive Haymarket, VA 20169 (703) 753-6462 lklebelarsen@comcast.net 20 The Centenarian
Jean Anderson Webb 6559 Jay Miller Drive Falls Church, VA 22041-1134 (703) 354-1725 jwebbelo@gmail.com Linda Klebe Larsen writes: Dave and I want to announce the birth of our first grandchild, Maxwell Edward David Larsen, who was born on May 24, 2012, to our son, David, and his wife, Sara. We live in Haymarket, Va., and are about 45 minutes away from the kids. It is so much fun for us to watch Max grow — it’s just about time to celebrate his first birthday. We enjoy our retirement and travel frequently. We cruised around the coasts of Uruguay, Argentina and Chile during the month of March. Dave is a dedicated bird watcher and added new species to his life list; I love experiencing the geography of various countries. Hope to see many of the Class of 1968 at our next reunion!
Linda Rudnik Liberty and husband Wynsor Conway Liberty
1970 Melinda Lord Martin 85 Windsor Road Kensington, CT 06037 (860) 225-0461 melinda1243@comcast.net
1971 Carol Swenson Tanzola 3009 Trout Run Road York, PA 17402-8952 (717) 755-3172 carol@jvtanzola.com
1972
Evie Klebe Hepper ’55 with great-nephew Maxwell Edward David Larsen Class of 2033
1969 Elizabeth Braun Andreini 68 Lincoln Park San Anselmo, CA 94960 (239) 262-3837 ebandreini@comcast.net Linda Rudnik Liberty writes: I got married in May 2012 to my first boyfriend, Wynsor Conway Liberty, whom I met in 1960 on Cape Cod, vacationing with my parents. We hadn’t seen each other in 50 years. We thought of each other from time to time but hadn’t communicated until I sent him a hello e-mail through classmates.com. The timing was right and the rest is history. I moved to Cape Cod from Prairie Village, Kan., sold my house there, packed three Pods, Wyn came to Kansas City and we drove back with my two Schipperkes! We have been remodeling and adding an addition and are almost finished. I will be able to walk down the street to the beach very soon. After 40 years in the Kansas City area it is very nice to be back on the East Coast. I stay in contact with Judy Bartsch Widger, Janis Whitehead Quinn and Maryellen Price Downs, my great friends from my 1969 class. Janis, Maryellen and their husbands came to the wedding in Cape Cod and we are planning a get together in the fall! Life is very good!
Karen Clark Blane 1885 Penshurst Drive Collierville, TN 38017-9107 (901) 854-4779
1973
40TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Gayle Manning Brown 9502 Liberty Tree Lane Vienna, VA 22182-3405 (703) 938-4169 gayle.brown@gmail.com Cynthia Johnson Dodd 704 Burning Tree Circle Salisbury, MD 21801-7002 (410) 543-1483 cdodd53@aol.com
1974 Valerie Coleman Moore 6 Meyer Pl #2 Pompton Plains, NJ 07444-1804 (973) 839-0148 vcolemanmoore@yahoo.com
1975 Carolyn Holt Miksch 11 Windemere Terrace Washington, NJ 07882 (908) 223-7457 sunshinec@comcast.net
1976 Debra Ray Botbyl 113 Maybrook Road Campbell Hall, NY 10916 (845) 427-5797 dbotbyl@hotmail.com
1977
1980
Ellyn Minor 47 Aubrey Road Upper Montclair, NJ 07043 (973) 744-7763 ellynminor@gmail.com
Miriam Santowasso Cash 1731 Clock Tower Drive West Chester, PA 19380-6473 (610) 692-0103 mimc@verizon.net
1978
1981
35TH
REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Nanci Marks Oakley 2718 Plymouth Drive Easton, PA 18045 (610) 258-3737 njo1313@ptd.net Nanci Marks Oakley writes: 35 years, ladies! Yes, 35 years. Who’s coming to our Reunion Weekend October 11-13? I do hope you will try to make it, even if it’s just for the day on Saturday. In April, Janice Ferro and I got together with Elise Laing Doerrier for the bridal shower of her daughter, Carolyn. Believe it or not, Elise was the first classmate I met at Centenary on Move-In Day, 1976... I’ll never forget it and am so fortunate to have established this wonderful friendship we’ve been able to maintain across the miles. I met Janice my second year and we quickly became the Three Musketeers of Wash Hall! There must be so many more of these friendship stories to share, and I hope we can do it in October. Or you can shoot me an e-mail and I’ll submit your story for the next issue of The Centenarian. This has been a year filled with ups and downs for me. I was let go from my job at Brown-Daub at the end of August. I’ve been working part-time at the Miller-Keystone Blood Center in Development, and just landed a fulltime position with the Morning Call newspaper. My oldest son graduates from King’s College in May and will attend law school in the fall, and my youngest will be a senior in high school next year, so his college search is just beginning. What do you say Class of ’78... Let’s get together and catch up at our 35th Reunion in October. Hope to see you all in Hackettstown.
L to R: Janice Ferro, Elise Laing Doerrier and Nanci Marks Oakley, April 2013.
1979 Susan Van Schelven Fischer 43 Princeton Avenue Midland Park, NJ 07432 (201) 670-6735 fdsrcd@optonline.net
Jennifer Brown MacKenzie 2 Birchwood Court Middlesex, NJ 08846-2073 (732) 469-8808 jamdarlin2@aol.com
Gennethe Carojordán ’13/15
1982 Tracy Toole Shikada 9557 Baycliff Court Orlando, FL 32836-5758 (407) 876-8671
1983
30TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Erica Hontz Hoffman 568 South Chiques Road Mannheim, PA 17545 (717) 898-8452 ejhoffman826@gmail.com Erica Hontz Hoffman writes: It’s hard to believe how fast the time is flying. Not sure when I put the last notes together, but it seems a long time ago. However, the year has seemed to fly by, especially the past few months. I finished my A.A. in computer support last May, spent time in a job search program for nearly nine months, and finally landed not one, but two part-time jobs. For one, I’m doing Visio site plan drawings remotely from home. For the other, Customer Service, sample orders — I’m in the office 20 to 40 hours a week entering e-mailed order requests from the company reps into their order entry system. That job ends in two weeks. No other leads at present, but I’m going to apply for several positions within the company, though none are truly in my degree field. Jim and I are both busier than ever at church with choirs, both traditional and contemporary, vocal and instrumental, including the handbells, and technical support in sound and media for services. We’ve just called a new pastor and things are changing for the better. I’m not on campus as frequently this past year, as personal plans have interfered with various meetings. The completion of the Lackland Center and the movement of many activities to what was the rear of campus has led to the omission of the handbells from the Christmas activities for the past few years. We really miss going up to teach an impromptu choir and perform during that celebration. Centenary is always gorgeous in the snow.
American Dreamer In 2010, Gennethe Carojordán ’13/15 made the U.S. her permanent home. Centenary College had always been part of this long-held dream. When she was in elementary school in her native Colombia, a nun with a relative in Hackettstown made Carojordán aware of Centenary. After seeing photos of the campus, attending Centenary College became her dream. Carojordán graduated with an Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts at the College’s 138th Commencement in January 2013. She earned the degree through the School of Professional Studies (SPS), where she was able to balance the pursuit of higher education with working at a law office. She credits the College for providing her with the necessary tools to perform her job well. “The business administration skills I’ve learned at Centenary College have given me the opportunity to better my performance as a manager of business operations,” she said, adding that her professors have reshaped the way she thinks. The Centenary alumna decided to stick with SPS and is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. The combination of learning a new language and getting an education in a place that was unfamiliar to her just a few short years ago is no small feat, and Carojordán’s determination made it possible. “I did a year of high school in the U.S., but was placed in the ESL (English as a Second Language) environment, which unfortunately left me with very little command of the English Language,” she explained. “I left the U.S. again, and when I returned years later, I became determined to learn the language to the best of my abilities.” Carojordán’s achievements have added to her love and appreciation for the country she now calls home. “Effective planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and budgeting help you achieve, in the business world, what many call the American Dream,” Carojordán said. “I think this beautiful nation is grounded in freedom and the ability to work and negotiate your dreams.” The Centenarian 21
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CLASS NEWS AND NOTES
Spring & Summer
ALUMNI
Gatherings In Arizona, Florida, Maryland and New Jersey
THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD Vita Romanelli-Young ’78/80 President Elizabeth “Blake” Downey ’71 1st Vice President Jacqué Banks ’04/06 2nd Vice President Angela Rodriquez Moore ’90 Secretary Erica Hontz Hoffman ’83 Treasurer
Chris Linne ’02/04 Nominating Chair Audrey Hines Bonaparte-Watts ’78 Trustee Josie Muench ’01/07 Past President MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Monique T. Brodie ’06
Angie Desai ’07 Marie Scocca-Draghi ’82 Victoria Floriani ’10 Ann Manno Greszczak ’75/77 Jamanda Hightower ’09 Ginny George Hook ’44 Michael Iris ’07
Leah Marie Thorn ’05 Bryan Watkinson ’07 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES Sammie Davis ’14 Paige Norman ’14 Courtney Pyatt ’14 Shawnee Smith ’14
1984
1985
1987
Mary Sue Wines Lamb 9 Strathmore Road Freehold, NJ 07728-0061 (732) 294-0061 mswlamb@aol.com
Denise Sabasko Ciesla 6 Darby Circle West Mt Holly, NJ 08060-3269 (609) 261-7288 dsciesla@comcast.net
Anne Siebecker 5 Foxhill Lane Ringwood, NJ 07456 (973) 962-6118 amsrose@aol.com
Katherine Godlewsky Bill 74 Harmony Station Road Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 (908) 878-7999
22 The Centenarian
1986 Laura Vitale Gambino 368 North Road Chester, NJ 07930-2327 (908) 797-8402 ruedad3@aol.com
Lori Post Kelly 40 Scott Drive Hillsborough, NJ 08844 (908) 281-9103 ltkelly@patmedia.net
1988
25TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Position Open
1989 Shelia Zelaskowski 545 Vath Street Jackson, NJ 08527-5221 (908) 883-0120 zelaskowski@hotmail.com Shelia Zelaskowski writes: Hello, Class of 1989! I hope this issue of The Centenarian finds you all well. I have begun my home addition project and it is going along nicely. Sometime in the last two years I decided I could be the general contractor for this project, figuring that building savvy is genetic (my Dad’s a builder). I’ve come to the conclusion that once one knocks down their only bathroom and kitchen, one is committed to see the project through. This experience just drives home the observation that something new is learned every day. I am in awe that it is possible for an event to be exciting and terrifying all at once. On another note, my aunt and I are looking forward to the alumni trip to southern Italy this November! I will be sure to give a summary of the trip, plus pictures. I look forward to reconnecting with a classmate or two and making new friends in the Alumni community while enjoying the sights of Italy! I would imagine that most of you, like me, enjoy reading the Alumni Notes and News. Our contributions are what make for interesting reading, and I would love to share your notable happenings. Take a moment to contact me and I will be sure to pass the information on! If you have had a mini reunion with classmates this past year, tell everyone about it. Of course, photos are always enjoyed by all. A new job, a wedding announcement, births, family interests and your travels are some of the topics that your classmates would like to hear about and share with each other. As your class correspondent, my goal is for you to never see a blank area for the Class of 1989. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
1990 Anna Guzzi–Camooso 1715 Marconi Road Wall Township, NJ 07719-3919 (732) 280-9072 acamooso@yahoo.com
1991 Justine Steinfeld-Mahon 918 Old School House Road Newton, NJ 07860 -4012 (908) 874-5046 jm1991cc@yahoo.com
1992 Kristen McKitish 10 Quail Run Hackettstown, NJ 07840 (908) 240-6837 mckitishk@centenarycollege.edu
1993 Position Open
1994 Michelle Brennan Abbate 5 Windy Bush Lane Sparta, NJ 07871 (973) 729-8107 mcbrenn@hotmail.com
1995 Heather Bush Loven 216 Carentan Road Hopatcong, NJ 07843-1801 (973) 398-0691 missmerlot1@yahoo.com
1996 Jennifer Cassini 194 Free Union Road Great Meadows, NJ 07838-2333 (908) 637-8658 cassini@goes.com
1997 Margaret “Peggy” Gibbs Guay 844 Route 28 Apt. 5A South Yarmouth, MA 02664-5264 (508) 398-2505 marbleandtoast@yahoo.com
1998
15TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Merrilee McMurray 34031 Corktree Road Lake Elsinore, CA 92532-2959 (909) 243-3323 merrilee.m@hotmail.com
1999 Laura A. Orbine 132 Tumble Idell Road Frenchtown, NJ 08825 (908) 996-7196 lorbine@hotmail.com
2000 Coleen Trentacosta 215 North 22nd Street Kenilworth, NJ 07033 (908) 276-5613 Yingyang252000@yahoo.com
2001 Julia Kimball 23 Bayberry Lane South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 951-1646 juliak@howardcenter.org
2002 Megan Kriger Ballie 12299 Sullivan St Surrey, BC V4A 3B7 Canada (604) 866-3487 megankriger@yahoo.com
Jenelle Woodrup PO 2606 Clifton, NJ 07015 jenellewoodrup@hotmail.com
2003
10TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Frances Hoare Licciardiello 935 Anderson Road Port Murray, NJ 07865 (908) 835-0451 presidentfrances@gmail.com
2004 Natasha “Tasha” McMaster PO Box 87 Allamuchy, NJ 07820 chachagirl333@msn.com
2005 Jillian D’Alessio 418 W. Washington St. Slatington, PA 18080-1748 (908) 727-3266 Jillybeans82@yahoo.com
2006 Alicia Miller 5 Red Maple Road New Egypt, NJ 08533 (609) 758-0664 aamiller9@aol.com
2007 Position Open
2008
5TH REUNION
Hope to see you at Family & Alumni Weekend, Oct. 11-13! Position Open
2009 Position Open
2010 Michelle Hill 43 Brunswick Ave Lambertville, NJ 08530 (856) 305-2512 MsHill@msn.com
2011 Position Open
2012 Monica E. Brinson 3050 Edwin Ave Unit 1 H Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (201) 394-2420 Monbri201@aol.com www.linkedin.com/pub/monica-brinsonmba/48/987/689/ The Centenarian 23
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THE LAST WORD
Little Theatre of Big Stars to Hackettstown, N.J., years before the formation of the professional Centenary Stage Company (CSC). Mildenberger captured select images from Babington’s collection at a recent visit with the former theatre director. Even before the founding of CSC, students were very involved in the technical and creative aspects of theatrical production. “I just loved it and blossomed at Centenary,” said Mildenberger, who maintains a close friendship with Babington and his wife,
The late Christopher Reeve in a 1970 Centenary Little Theatre production of “Good Housekeeping,” from the collection of former theatre director John Babington.
former Centenary librarian Nancy Babington, to this day. “It was a real stepping stone to the rest of my life.”
At Centenary, Roberta “Bobbie” Mildenberger ’67 practically lived in the theater and dance studio, and the Centenarian has the pictures to prove it. There is a photo of a young Christopher Reeve, who starred in a 1970 production of “Good Housekeeping” at Centenary’s Little Theatre, and one of Mildenberger as an undergraduate with Academy Award®-nominated actress Barbara Barrie. Barrie came to campus to lead a master class for Centenary students. As president of the drama honor society, Delta Psi Omega, Mildenberger was the actress’s official host. These opportunities were made possible by John Babington, director of the College’s theater program from 1961–1975. “He used his theatre connections,” is how Mildenberger believes a number of Broadway performers found their way
Roberta “Bobbie” Mildenberger ’67 with Academy Award®nominated actress Barbara Barrie, from Mildenberger’s personal collection.
In Memoriam Our prayers and condolences are with the family and friends of the following:
Elizabeth Graham Bailey ’37
1/11/13
Robin Giorlando ’85
Clara Kellogg Baldauf ’41
5/30/13
Elizabeth Joyce Hitchcock ’59 4/16/13
Gail Baldwin Simmonds ’62
1/14/13
Doris Harper Kuder ’52
5/16/13
Sara Ross Viguet ’55
Joan Toombs Ludlow ’54
7/17/13
Joan Mirandon Walther ’48
5/30/13
Kathleen Herena Mangone ’04 7/1/13
Joyce Willever Wilson ’44
5/11/13
Virginia Smillie Wilson ’53
6/25/12
Madeline Reese Wizorek ’47
5/28/13
Joan Gosnell Birch ’53 Mary “Nancy” Bissell ’72 Carol DeSerio Curtis ’43
11/23/12 5/3/13
Denise Duda Dox ’96
5/27/13
Sandra Peeples ’63
Lois Forsch ’48
2/12/11
Natalie Raub Robinson ’42
24 The Centenarian
3/7/13
11/25/12 2/25/12
Lois Schilke Schermerhorn ’45 1/25/13 3/7/13 7/9/13
CENTENARY MILESTONE CENTENARY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President’s Circle members, from left to right: Nancy Keely Bell ’61, Arlene Shorter Young ’96/99, Carol Burgess Lackland ’54/10 HA, Ellen Baars-Banks ’93, Linda Van Winkle Watkins ’62 and Lucinda Thomas Embersits ’59
20th Anniversary of the President’s Circle Nearly 20 years ago, the President’s Circle was formed by a dedicated group of alumnae who recognized Centenary’s potential and wanted to do something about it. Initially, 12 women stepped forward to work on behalf of their alma mater, but by the time the first President’s Circle meeting was held in February 1994, the group had already grown to 15. Over the years, the President’s Circle became the backbone of supporters advancing the College’s mission and vision. Members have served as strategic advisors and ambassadors to the broader community, raised more than $1.5 million for the construction of the David and Carol Lackland Center and established a President’s Circle Scholarship. “Once the initial group formed, it was full steam ahead,” said President’s Circle Chair Suzanne Wallbank Rowland ’57. Wallbank Rowland joined the President’s Circle shortly after reconnecting with Centenary a decade ago. After seeing the positive progress at Centenary, she said, “I became interested in doing what I could to help the College.” The commitment is shared by fellow President’s Circle members. “[Members] feel they received a very good education. The President’s Circle is a way to give back and help the College.”
“The input and support of the President’s Circle has meant everything to Centenary College,” said Senior Vice President for College Relations Diane Finnan. “The group’s accomplishments are an inspiration to all Centenarians and we are a much better and stronger institution thanks to their enthusiasm, support and generosity.”
President’s Circle Founders Ellen Baars-Banks ’93 Lucinda Thomas Embersits ’59 Meredith Post Van Pelt ’32 Nan Briwa Veeder ’46 Deborah Thomas Linburn ’61
Valerie Wilson ’71 Elissa Robinson Prout ’54 Gayle Sickinger Maffeo ’61 Sally Wolfe Turrell ’52 Elizabeth “Betty” Dickinson Dunlap ’44/95 HA
Joan Garey Hooper ’50 Karen Phillips Irons ’63 Jean Anderson Webb ’68 Dorothy Hoffman Dunn ’32 Lois Montana Kroll ’62
Arden Davis Melick ’60/01 HA, Chairman Kenneth L. Hahn, 1st Vice Chairman Norman Worth ’12 HA, 2nd Vice Chairman Christopher Treanor, 3rd Vice Chairman Lucinda Thomas Embersits ’59, Secretary Alan J. Shaw ’11 HA, Treasurer Ellen Banks ’93 Audrey Bonaparte-Watts ’78 Dr. Stanley Caine Tilly-Jo Emerson The Rev. Dr. Frank Fowler, III Wolfgang Gstattenbauer ’84/13 HA Michael Halpin David W. Johnson Dr. Joann La Perla-Morales The Hon. Michael B. Lavery, Esq. Rochelle Makela-Goodman ’97 Raymond Nisivoccia Denis Hennessy O`Rourke M. Alden Siegel Orin R. Smith ’91 HA James D. Stryker Linda Van Winkle Watkins ’62 President Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite Trustees Emeriti Dr. Hae-Jong Kim David A. Lackland ’10 HA Editorial Offices The Centenarian The President’s Report Centenary College 400 Jefferson Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840 As of March 11, 2013
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My dream
CAREER?
Helping Those Affected by Disaster Carolanne Fernandez ’10 knew she wanted to be in the business of helping people after she took part in the Disaster Relief Project through Centenary College. A year spent as Team Leader for AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), working non-stop to assist those affected by Hurricane Isaac, Superstorm Sandy and the Boston Marathon bombing, brought her a Gold Presidential Award of Service and other honors. Now she is a full-time Volunteer Services Specialist with the Red Cross in New Orleans. “I would never have been involved in this type of profession had I not been exposed to humanitarian work through Centenary College.” Carolanne said, “Now I will continue working with volunteers to improve the city and preparing for and responding to disasters.”
400 Jefferson Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840 (908) 852-1400 www.centenarycollege.edu alumni.centenarycollege.edu
Learn more at centenarycollege.edu.
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