Your contribution to The Griffin Fund will play a vital and immediate role in our renewed commitment to:
• Improve the physical condition and accessibility of the campus, from student dorms to common areas and beyond, with the goal of making every corner of campus as welcoming and vibrant as our community itself
• Elevate programming and increase opportunities for student-driven engagement and activities aligned with athletics, community service, internships, clubs, and more
• Expand resources that support our students in their academic and personal journeys
• Provide scholarships that help break down financial barriers and improve access to higher education for all
CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE
MAGAZINE
Fall | Winter 2022
Chief Communications Officer
Christopher Spangler
Managing Editor
Faith Kellermeyer
Proofreader
Brenda Lange
Designer
Suzanne Guelli
Contributors
Beth Alfonsi
Gini Mauchly Calcerano
Bella Ciervo
Marilee Gallagher ’14
Ahzayah NQuay Lunsfordellis ’25
Maureen Fisher McLaughlin
Jaclyn Newns
Nashelit Ochoa ’23
Jimmy Viola
Erin Wooley
Photographers
CACC Athletics
Bella Ciervo
Marilee Gallagher
Barry Hunsberger ’23
Linda Johnson
Faith Kellermeyer
Margo Reed
Nomadic Reverie
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Cover Photo by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®It is hard to believe that more than four months have passed since I officially joined the Chestnut Hill College family in July. I am blessed and humbled to be given this exceptional opportunity. As the seventh CHC president, I feel a great responsibility to the tradition and legacy of our founders, the Sisters of Saint Joseph. To that end, I am committed to ensuring our Mission continues to live and breathe as a vibrant, active current connecting and guiding our collective Griffin community, both on campus and beyond.
Moreover, as we look toward the future of our beloved institution, my attention is fixed on our students—the focal point of our Mission and our commitment “to transformative holistic education, just relationships, innovative thinking, and responsible action toward a more unified global society and sustainable Earth.”
From our innovative Academic Center Model and newly reimagined core curriculum to the wide array of events, services, and programs we offer our students, our faculty and staff are hard at work every day—ensuring that students are successful in the classroom and gaining the experiences, skills, and mindset to be successful in what comes next.
A major part of this preparation is to ensure that students are supported and engaged in the day-to-day life of the College. While it is important to challenge our students academically and help them to think openly and critically, it is imperative that our students feel comfortable, welcomed, and included, that they are able—and encouraged—to express themselves freely.
This is why I am investing in the student experience and making it a hallmark of my administration. From upgraded offerings and expanded hours in the dining halls to the upcoming renovations in the Fournier dorms, exciting things are happening and there is much more to come. As alumni and friends of the College, you are invited to come back and see for yourselves and take an active role in the important work that is underway as we close out CHC’s first century together.
I know that our efforts today will ensure that Chestnut Hill College remains an active and vibrant center of excellence for the next 100 years.
With appreciation,
William W. Latimer, Ph.D., M.P.H. President
After an action-packed summer of transitions, Chestnut Hill College students have returned to the classroom ready to take on new challenges.
By Jimmy Viola
Written in multiple languages across the ceiling of Chestnut Hill College’s McCaffrey Lounge is the phrase “Circle the city with love.” This sentiment was practiced by CHC’s founders, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, and remains a cornerstone of the College’s mission.
One way the College uses that phrase to meet its mission is the Leaders ENgaged in Service program, or LENS, a four-day community service immersion that encourages its student volunteers to embody the principle of circling the city with love. The LENS program relaunched last August, following several years of hiatus due to the pandemic.
Philadelphia, with all its vibrancy and grit, still has plenty of areas for improvement for its citizens. People experience hunger and homelessness. Excessive litter often mires both the city’s green spaces and charming city blocks. These hardships are evident within Chestnut Hill College’s figurative backyard—the neighborhoods and natural landmarks surrounding its quaint and lively campus.
LENS serves a secondary purpose for its students: introducing new freshmen and transfers to Philadelphia through volunteering in the city.
Jeron Cole, a Philadelphia native and freshman at Chestnut Hill College, prepared hot meals and handed out water in Germantown for LENS. The experience reminded Cole of his very first impression of homelessness in Philadelphia when, as a child, he saw people living in tents near a train station in Germantown, where he grew up.
The 2022 LENS program saw 16 Chestnut Hill College volunteers split among four sites, supervised by student leaders and faculty members. The 2022 LENS service sites included Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcome Center in Kensington, Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Kensington, Wissahickon Park near Chestnut Hill College, and Face to Face, which operates its food bank and community kitchen out of St.Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Germantown.
“That made me suffer inside knowing that all those people inside those tents did not have a home and had to sleep in the cold,” Cole said.
Since then, Cole said he is inspired to help others whenever he can. He feels strongly aligned with the College’s humanitarian principles, and is excited for his fall classes.
“With the volunteering, I’ve gotten to see smiles I’ve never seen before,” Cole said.
In addition to the volunteer portion of LENS, students attend interactive workshops with Chestnut Hill College professors. Dr. Ryan Murphy of the Sociology Department led a workshop on income equality in Philadelphia. The other workshop dealt with restorative justice, led by Dr. Tricia Way, who teaches a course on that subject.
* https://map.feedingamerica.org/county/2020/overall/pennsylvania/county/philadelphia
Approximately 15% of Philadelphia’s population, or 250,000 people, experience food scarcity, according to a 2020 report by the nonprofit group Feeding America*.
“Dr. Murphy’s workshop really opened my eyes to how a $1 difference can really change a person’s life,” said Xiomara Nieves, a junior majoring in forensic biology.
“Dr. Way’s workshop brought up different social justice issues, and how we can shed more light on them.”
Having grown up in Northwest Philadelphia, LENS student leader Hafsah Abdul-Malik said she feels passionately about food scarcity in the city. The issue isn’t just a shortage of food, but also the quality and diversity of nutritious meals. Abdul-Malik described some neighborhoods in Philadelphia as a “food desert,” with few grocery stores within walking distance that offer fresh fruits and vegetables. This is a challenge for the elderly and people with limited transportation options.
“I’ve seen so many food banks open and close, especially during the pandemic,” she said.
Abdul-Malik and her group of students assembled bags of food to hand out at Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Kensington where they tended its community garden, which supplies
“A pillar of the community in Germantown.” LENS volunteers attended the weekly art class offered by Face To Face in Germantown, in addition to helping with the organization’s daily food pantry services.
free fruits and vegetables to the neighborhood. The Parish’s food bank and community outreach program is run by one woman, Sister Linda Lukiewski.
“Sister Linda was a huge inspiration, because she embodies what it means to be a community leader,” Abdul-Malik said. “Without volunteers, without regular help from people outside of the church, there wouldn’t be a food bank, and there wouldn’t be a community garden with beautiful fruits and vegetables for people to come get for free.”
Another core component the LENS immersion stresses is the concept of serving the dear neighbor. It’s the simple act of extending kindness to those with whom Chestnut Hill College shares a community.
“Dear neighbor to me means to help those in need without being asked,” said Nieves. “It’s to be the friendly face people need when they’re in a rough patch.”
For Rebecca Hyde, the Hub coordinator at Chestnut Hill
College who helped program the community outreach for LENS, dear neighbor is more than just a phrase. It’s an action.
“It goes beyond encompassing buzzwords like forgiveness, sharing, and compassion, and acts on every single one of them,” Hyde said. “The dear neighbor is a call to action on injustices, to help the vulnerable and marginalized, and connect with the communities and world around us.”
Before she joined the staff full time, Hyde attended Chestnut Hill College for both her undergraduate degree in English literature and secondary education, and her master's degree in organizational leadership.
“When I first toured CHC as a high school student, I instantly felt at home,” Hyde said. “The community aspect is why I am still here today.”
Director of Campus Ministry Anna Ryan-Bender coordinated this year’s LENS service immersion and shuttled its students around in a van during the trip. The LENS itinerary included visits to community hubs in
the neighborhoods they served, like Uncle Bobbie’s in Germantown, a Black-owned coffee shop and bookstore. Embedded in the service programming of LENS, RyanBender said, is the intention to empower its students to feel comfortable venturing out in the city, even if that means just taking the subway or a bus to a new stop.
“We think about planning LENS in terms of how this experience expands students’ understanding of the city of Philadelphia, in all of its beauty and brokenness, and helps them to feel like we’re all responsible for one another,” Ryan-Bender said. “They also walk away with a comfort level in traveling around to different areas of the city.”
Jeron Cole said he gained a sense of belonging at CHC’s campus through the 2022 LENS program.
“It’s hard for me to actually describe how friendly the campus is,” said Cole, who currently commutes to school. “But it’s enough that I am moving into a dormitory next year.”
The 1,800-acre Wissahickon Valley Park is located across the street from Chestnut Hill College. LENS volunteers trimmed branches and picked up trash with the Friends of Wissahickon community group.
Starting in McCaffery Lounge and then strolling across campus, Chestnut Hill College President Dr. Bill Latimer recently spent time with current student Ahzayah NQuay LunsfordEllis for an afternoon chat. The campus café had transformed from the serene space it was throughout the quiet summer months into a hub of activity with students grabbing coffee, lounging around the fireplace, and socializing with their teammates and friends. The energy and enthusiasm of this location matched that of Latimer and LunsfordEllis who took turns describing their affinity for the Chestnut Hill College community. The following is an excerpt of their conversation, edited for length and clarity.
PRESIDENT BILL LATIMER: It’s such a pleasure to be with you today. Tell me, how did you pick your major?
AHZAYAH LUNSFORDELLIS: Now I’m a media communications major, but I came in as an accounting major. I realized that was very difficult. I was doing a podcast around that time, and I realized this is more my speed. I transferred over my freshman spring semester and ever since then I’ve been successful.
BL: That’s great. And by the way, [changing your major] is not unusual.
AL: I had no idea what I wanted to major in when I first came to college.
communications major Ahzayah NQuay LunsfordEllis ’25 take turns sharing what drew them to Chestnut Hill College and what their hopes are for its future.
BL: Yeah, a lot of people don’t. I do think that’s changing; I think more young people come in with an idea of what they want, but that doesn’t mean they’re right the first time, either.
AL: Yeah.You know, they get there, then they find out that’s not what they want to do.
BL: One of the most important things you can ever learn is figuring out what you don’t want to do. So you’ve figured that out early, which is lucky. And now that you like what you’re studying, do you know what you want to do when you graduate?
AL: I would like to be a sports broadcaster, preferably with the NBA. That’s more my speed. My league. That’d be great.
BL: Now that would be a great job!
AL: So before coming here to Chestnut Hill College, what were you doing?
BL: Immediately before here I was the Vice President of the Bronx Campus of Mercy College. The main campus is in West Chester, and they have another campus in Manhattan.
Prior to that, I was president at the College of New Rochelle, and before that I was a dean at Lehman College, which is part of the City University of New York system. And then prior to that I was a chair of psychology at University of Florida Gainesville.
AL: So you went from New York to Florida?
BL: I did, yeah.
AL: Where are you originally from?
BL: I was born in Schenectady, New York, which is near Albany. I lived 11 years in Baltimore and I was at Johns Hopkins, and then when my wife and I were in Baltimore, we were recruited to go to the University of Florida Gainesville. She became a faculty member, and I became the chair.
AL: You and your wife were working in the same area?
BL: Yes. Her Ph.D. is in public health at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. And my Ph.D. is in clinical psychology. My M.P.H. is in epidemiology. So let’s switch gears. Tell me, what are some of the aspects of the Chestnut Hill College student experience that are most meaningful to you?
AL: I’m really involved here. I like to get involved as much as I can, with as many activities as I can, so I try to go to a lot of student life events. I have multiple jobs here on campus too. Besides being a Gryphling (one of the student workers who assists the Big Griff mascot at his public appearances), I work in the fitness center and I’m the manager for the Women’s Basketball team. And I try to make it to as many sports games as I can.
BL: That’s great! Talking about traditions,You know, obviously we know that the College is founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. There’s a convent next door that many of the Sisters live in. Do you think there’s awareness of that among the typical CHC student?
AL: I want to say some people are aware of that, but maybe not all of the college students I interact with. For me, I went to Catholic school all my life. I went to Saint Martin de Porres and I graduated from Roman Catholic High School. So I’m aware of who they are.
BL: You were more connected to it coming in.
AL: Exactly. I know the Sisters, they teach me in my courses, you know, and I don’t hesitate to make myself known to any of them. How does the College mission and the legacy of the Sisters of Saint Joseph resonate with you?
BL: I think their emphasis on social justice, global equality, global justice, and ‘all are welcome’ inclusivity truly makes this place special, and what the Sisters of Saint Joseph bring to the heart of the College. I am very interested in continuing and expanding our campus efforts toward interfaith initiatives. What that means in a nutshell is to create opportunities for people (whether Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Muslim, etc.) to gather and talk about faith as a construct as opposed to only one specific faith.
AL: I think that’s a great idea. Something I really like about Chestnut Hill College is all the different cultures around the school and different religions as well. Can you talk about some of the visions you have for CHC in your role as president?
BL: Yes. I mean, the most important thing to do for the College to get stronger is to increase enrollment and to increase student success in the form of retention and graduation. So the two most important things to me are to recruit and enroll more students. And then keep them once they’re here. After that, I have a very long list of ideas and goals I’d like to work towards.
AL: Looking back to the beginning of this semester and compared to last semester, I’ve already seen some changes. Like the grab and go food from the Griffins Den has been moved upstairs, which is more convenient for students since you don’t have to go all the way downstairs and wait in line.You can just go right in.
BL: I hope the dining experience is getting better for students, because we renegotiated the food service contract, and we got more extended hours.
AL: That’s especially great for the athletes because they get back late from matches sometimes and if the dining options on campus close shop too early, they couldn’t eat here.
BL: I hope it continues to get better. Now, let’s talk about the College’s mission statement, “Chestnut Hill College, an inclusive Catholic community, rooted in and animated by the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, is committed to transformative, holistic education, just relationships, innovative thinking, and responsible action toward a more unified global society and sustainable Earth,” How do you feel this mission has affected your personal experience as a student and a member of the CHC community?
AL: Well, I’ve been involved with the Sisters of Saint Joseph from kindergarten to eighth grade. They’ve been teaching me for a while, so I feel like I carry that faith that has molded me for such a long time. I feel like I embody my faith everywhere I go and I try to carry that with me, in everything I do.
BL: There’s commonality in some of our experiences. When I was a young child, in effect I had three grandmothers. I had my mom’s mom and my dad’s mom, and then, my grandparents on my mother’s side took in a woman who lived with them for her entire life. I’m a lot older than you, so in the Great Depression of the 1930s, many people became homeless, right? So by the time I came along, I had my grandmother, but then there was this woman who was basically the same age as my grandmother, who was like another grandmother. The most salient connection of my faith is through the profound love of these three extraordinary women who took great care of me and my siblings. They were devout Catholics who taught me how to pray. My mom went to St. Joseph’s Academy in Schenectady with the Sisters of Saint Joseph, and her grandmother went to that school. It’s a real gift to be at a college tied to that tradition and that history and the legacy of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. They’re devoted to service, social justice, and equality. When they say, ‘All are welcome, all are included,’ they really mean it.
“I think their emphasis on social justice, global equality, global justice, and ‘all are welcome’ inclusivity truly makes this place special, and what the Sisters of Saint Joseph bring to the heart of the College.”
we desire our mission and core values to adequately express who we are now as a community and the beliefs that guide us. Following the recent revision of our College mission statement, members of our Mission Commission continued their valuable work by examining the language of our core values. In the 2022 spring semester, all members of the CHC community were invited to participate in campus-wide listening sessions to collaboratively reflect upon and revise our values statement. In March 2022, the Board of Directors approved the following five values that flow directly from our mission statement: Chestnut Hill College, an inclusive Catholic community rooted in and animated by the Mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, is committed to transformative holistic education, just relationships, innovative thinking and responsible action toward a more unified global society and sustainable Earth.
We Live This Value By:
• Pursuing academic excellence through interdisciplinary learning
• Offering challenging academic programs with a global emphasis
• Providing opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth
“Our mission means living a life of conscious understanding, education, and community. We want to grow guided by principles of justice and kindness while transforming those principles into action that promotes the wellbeing of the most vulnerable whose voices may be suppressed. We also want to support our environment.”
“I believe in celebrating one another’s potential— that's what we do every day here with our students and colleagues. We see the potential in our students, and it's our job from a place of love to help them see their own goodness and potential.”
—Nadine Maher, Academic AdvisorWe Live This Value By:
• Honoring the dignity of all persons and fostering mutual partnerships
• Celebrating one another's potential and achievements
• Creating an inclusive community which prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and truth
—Nashelit Ochoa ’23
• Cultivating lively forums for intellectual and cultural pursuits
• Expanding perspectives through mentor and peer relationships
• Imagining creative and courageous solutions which respond to local and global challenges
“Enabling creative out-of-the-box thinkers and doers is part of what makes CHC special. No matter what industry you enter after college, having the opportunity to gain experiences through experiential learning, mentoring, interdisciplinary thinking, and communicating effectively all play a part in the bigger picture of a student’s life.”
—Andrea Wentzell ’15, Instructor, Computer Science• Promoting the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s mission of unity, reconciliation, and active inclusive love
• Providing opportunities for spiritual growth through reflection, pastoral accompaniment, Catholic liturgy, and sacramental life
• Fostering spaces of interfaith dialogue and prayer which uplift our religious diversity
“My education here allows me to mentor and encourage others, especially Cristo Rey students and Tichenor-Greer Scholars. Going to the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C., will enable me to expand, dive deep, and reflect on how I can do good work for justice in Philly.”
—Cass Soto ’24• Living and learning according to ethical standards
• Engaging in dialogue and service pertaining to human dignity and social justice
• Upholding our responsibility as stewards of Earth
“I believe our God is dynamic, sustaining, and generous. Made in God's image, we are too. Our mission compels us to be actively inclusive: to go the margins, to practice hospitality, to heal wounds. We strive to create reflective spaces of prayer that embolden us to be people of passion and courage.”—Jaclyn
Newns, Chief Officer of Mission and Ministry
By Nashelit Ochoa ’23
If the U.S. Latinx population was treated as a country, what would be its Gross Domestic Product (GDP)? Where would its economic health (based on market production and services) fall among actual countries? During a Zoom call in September, Dr. David Hayes-Bautista shared the answer with this year’s UCLA Medicos, Enfermeros, y Dentistas Para el Pueblo (MEDPEP) program cohort—a pre-health leadership and development program intended to help address the low rate of Latinx health professionals—of which I am a member.
Hayes-Bautista shocked many of the participants as he stated that in 2019, the U.S. Latinx community made $2.7 trillion, tying with France for the 7th largest GDP. The Latinx GDP also ranked third for the highest growth rate in the world. What does this mean exactly? Often the Latino community is portrayed with a critical lens, highlighting flaws, and minimizing contributions. None of us imagined numbers this high, despite being part of this community. Unfortunately, in the U.S., minority groups are often negatively portrayed, and flaws become the stereotype.
During the pandemic, I saw the impact of immigrants at the front lines and the fruitless promises of a citizenship path for undocumented immigrants, with and without DACA status, who helped the U.S. stay afloat. To see the disregard for immigrants’ contributions, especially those from Latin America who are undocumented, the minute they are no longer needed was infuriating. In my desire to create some form of immigration advocacy on campus, I began collaborating with Anna Ryan-Bender from Campus Ministry to plan CHC’s first-ever UnDocuweek from October 31 through November 4 this year. What started as an idea has evolved into a planning committee composed of faculty and undergraduate students, including the Ignatian Teach-in student delegates.
When planning CHC’s UndocuWeek, I was hesitant about which goals to focus on. Would we highlight successful immigrants? Would we teach about the immigration process? Would we promote advocacy and allyship? Which groups would we have time to cover, which would we not? Immigrants are a vast group, diverse and complex—each group unique. So where to start?
Dr. Hayes-Bautista’s workshop made my focus clearer, especially considering the negative portrayals of immigrants in the media and politics. From being seen as threats to the U.S. to stealing jobs, immigrants continue to face resistance and barriers in a country founded by immigrants. Even though a 2020 Pew Research Center study found that the majority in the U.S. hold positive views about immigrants and see them as assets rather than a burden, there is a thin line when it comes to support. Recently, news broke that Texas Governor Greg Abbot bussed migrants from the Mexico-U.S. border to Vice President Kamala Harris’s residence, after she commented that the U.S. borders are secure, but immigration systems need reform. Similarly, Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, flew migrants to Martha’s Vineyard without any support, stranded in a place with nothing but their bags—if they had one—and the clothes on their backs. This mobilization of migrants to sanctuary cities has been taking place since the spring. Thankfully, volunteers have provided resources and support—but how can we allow people to be dehumanized to mere political pawns? I wonder when immigrants will not be viewed as outlaws, a burden, political pieces, job stealers, or threats. When will we stop walking on eggshells?
I have heard countless negative stories, but where have the positive depictions of immigrant contributions gone in the media and politics after the pandemic? Where is the story of why immigrants are the backbone of the U.S.? Where is the respect in telling the whole story? The immigration system needs change and not at the expense of individuals.
In light of these events and Dr. Hayes-Bautista’s workshop, which demonstrated the importance of public portrayals, I chose representation as the key goal of UndocuWeek. I hope to help people place themselves in the shoes of immigrants and appreciate their stories and contributions as well as remember their own immigrant roots—the history that led them to where they are today. Highlighting the undocumented community—the hidden group due to the stigma of illegality—is of special interest because of the power of their stories, the barriers they face, and the uncertainty of their status. Representing about 45 million immigrants in one week is impossible, but this week will rekindle the conversation at CHC. At a minimum, I hope UndocuWeek portrays the positivity, the power, and the tenacity of immigrants, who are not threats or burdens but the pillars of this nation.
References
Budiman, A. (2020, August 20). Key findings about U.S. immigrants. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/ fact-tank/2020/08/20/key-findings-about-u-s-immigrants/ Hamilton, D. H., Fienup, M., Hayes-Bautista, D., & Hsu, P. (2020). (rep.). 2020 LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report. Retrieved from https://diversity.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/ dgvnsk731/files/inline-files/2020_LDCLatinoGDP_final.pdf
Hanna, J., Alvarez, P., Koenig, L., & Cohen, G. (2022, September 15). Texas sends two buses of migrants to vice-president's residence in Washington CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/15/us/ migrants-kamala-harris-house-dc/index.html
Peri, G., & Zaiour, R. (2021, June 14). Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants Would Boost U.S. Economic Growth. Center for American Progress. Retrieved from https://www.americanprogress.org/article/ citizenship-undocumented-immigrants-boost-u-s-economic-growth/ Sennott, W., Kanno-Youngs, Z., Sullivan, E., & Mazzei, P. (2022, September 15). With faraway migrant drop-offs, G.O.P. governors are doubling down. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes. com/2022/09/15/us/desantis-abbott-migrants-immigration.html
“The immigration system needs change and not at the expense of individuals.”
Beyond Resilience—The Campaign for Chestnut Hill College wasn’t like other campaigns. It was a groundswell sparked by Sister Carol Jean Vale’s tenure and legacy and our goal as a community to shape the next 100 years at Chestnut Hill College. Sister Carol didn’t want a statue built in her honor or even a named scholarship. Her primary goal upon retirement was to help ensure the College’s long-term financial viability and sustainability.
The Campaign had two goals—create a healthier endowment balance between the general endowment and scholarships and build a new entrance to the SugarLoaf Campus. The general (unrestricted) endowment is a source of financial stability, and its strength provides leverage as we continue to meet the needs of our students and community. Simply said, it is an investment in our future. Increasing the general endowment allows us to invest in academic innovation, faculty development, and the continual modernization of the learning environment.
Thanks to the generosity of Michael Gerard and Margaret Carney McCaffery ’72 and their million-dollar matching gift, many joined them to improve the SugarLoaf Campus
Thank you to everyone who made Beyond Resilience—The Campaign for Chestnut Hill College a record-setting success. We raised more than $18.6 million, surpassing our goal of $16.7 million!
with a safe and welcoming entrance. This campus expands our footprint and offers new ways to generate revenue. SugarLoaf provides a home for promising community initiatives allowing us to expand our mission.
The past three years have been transformative. We have seen alumni and friends, old and new, support the institution at an unprecedented level. This includes increased engagement and volunteer support, all-time high participation in alumni events, and record-setting fundraising across all initiatives. The Chestnut Hill College community came together under Sister Carol’s vision and leadership. No stranger to challenges, Sister’s resilience and determination to fulfill one of her final goals as president led us to record-setting success.
Beyond Resilience—The Campaign for Chestnut Hill College and our efforts to honor Sister Carol would not have been possible without the dedication, commitment, and generosity of numerous members of our beloved CHC community. During the pandemic, we assembled one of the largest volunteer teams ever to reach out to alumni and friends near and far—to celebrate Sister Carol’s 30-year
tenure as president and to participate in the Campaign. A note of appreciation to our Beyond Resilience co-chairs, Cathy Lockyer Moulton ’92, ’22 SGS, Jack Gulati, and Mike Fitzpatrick for their leadership, support, and commitment. Thank you to all who made this success possible!
This committee worked with the Office of Institutional Advancement to execute the Campaign. Their work included the strategic and bold decision to continue Campaign efforts during the pandemic. They were integral in engaging others to make the Campaign successful.
Cathy Lockyer Moulton ’92, ’22 SGS—Co-chair
Jack Gulati—Co-chair
J. Michael Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.—Co-chair
Thomas J. Lynch
Barbara D'Iorio Martino ’60
Suzanne Coster McCarthy ’93, ’96 SGS
MaryAnn Stahl Patton ’87
Regina Maxwell Schwille ’65
Cecilia Haenn Turner ’88
This committee oversaw all aspects of Sister Carol’s retirement celebration. They helped maximize efforts to acknowledge, thank, and celebrate Sister Carol and her legacy.
Joseph P. Denny
Carol McCullough Fitzgerald
J. Michael Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.
James Gallagher, Ph.D. & Anne Gallagher
Kent Griswold, Ph.D. & Lori Griswold, Ph.D.
Jack Gulati & Rosemary Murphy Gulati ’61
Sister Patricia Kelly, SSJ ’72
Miriam Gibbons Mandell ’61
Barbara D'Iorio Martino ’60
Michael Gerard & Margaret Carney McCaffery ’77
Sister Kathryn Miller, SSJ, Ph.D. ’70
Cathy Lockyer Moulton ’92, ’22 SGS
Sister Anne P. Myers, SSJ
JoEllen Noonan Parsons ’66
Ann Rusnack Sorgenti ’58
Decade Co-Chairs and Young Alumni Leadership
This Committee worked to keep class officers informed about the various activities planned last year including the first all-class Reunion where everyone had an opportunity for a meaningful farewell with Sister Carol. They were instrumental in the success of Reunion Weekend.
Reunion Engagement Chair
Maryanne L. Walsh ’98, ’02 SGS
Decade Chairs
Louise Bradley ’52
Diane Napoli O'Grady ’57
Marion Williams Berry ’63
Margaret C. Moran ’67
Patricia Canning ’70
Cecelia Englebert-Passanza ’77
Kathleen O'Boyle ’84, ’97 SGS
Kathleen V. Quigley Grimm ’88
Linda Nicole Tarini ’97, ’05 SGS
Suzanne Coster McCarthy ’93, ’96 SGS
ENDOWMENT $11.9M $6.7M
GALA
$1M SUGARLOAF ENTRANCE PROJECT
Young Alumni Committee Members
Mark A. Hammons, Ed.D. ’08, ’10
SGS—Co-chair
Desmond Lites ’14—Co-chair
Mary Katherine Ortale ’16, ’18
SGS—Co-chair
Young Alumni Athletics
Keara J. Clauss ’07
Sarah E. Doherty Machcinski ’11, ’14 SGS
Christopher Moore ’12
Matthew M. Owens ’18
Christina M. Roach ’15
Kelly Sipocz ’14
Jeramy Solema ’14
Jessica Veazey Shriver ’13
Brandon Williams ’12
Stephanie Williams ’07
Young Alumni Campus Life
Samantha V. Covais ’20
Clarence Ferguson ’20
Kamiesda Melanie Kamuesa ’20
Danielle Griesbach-Santacroce ’07
Kathryn Sprandio Ells ’10
Young Alumni Clubs and Organizations
Andrew J. Conboy ’18
Andrew Hildebrand ’17
Tayib N. A. Inniss ’19
Samaria S. M. Turner ’19
Resilience In Red, an evening honoring Sister Carol Jean Vale, was the first Chestnut Hill College Gala to raise more than $1 million! More than 300 guests gathered at the Belleview in Center City Philadelphia to celebrate Sister Carol and support Chestnut Hill College students today through scholarships and tomorrow through the endowment. As sparklers shot through the air, it was announced that during the last three years, the College has raised nearly $31 million!
Special thanks to this year’s Gala Co-chairs, JoEllen Parsons ’62 and Ken Wong, and the entire Gala Committee for its work making the evening one befitting of the beloved honoree and her incredible impact. Joining the Co-chairs in their words of thanks were current Board Chair Cathy Lockyer Moulton ’92, ’22 SGS, past Board Chair Margaret McCaffery ’77, and current SSJ Congregational President, Sister Maureen Erdlen.
Sister Carol was celebrated for her strength, her wisdom, and her vision for the future. She was thanked for her brave leadership as she navigated institutional challenges, made critical decisions, and created a vibrant future for the College. She accomplished this all while ensuring that the College remained an institution that embodies the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph to provide a holistic education marked by academic excellence, shared responsibility, service to the community, and personal, spiritual, and professional growth. Sister Carol was given tokens of gratitude including a street sign designating the new entrance road to the SugarLoaf Campus, “Vale Drive.”
Sister Carol said, “When I think of the past 30 years, the growth, the transformation, the accomplishments—it has been an incredible journey! What I know for certain is that no one succeeds alone. It is because of your exceedingly generous gifts of time, talent, and treasure that I can stand here tonight, proud of what we have accomplished and confident in the bright future ahead.”
The event included the induction of a new giving society: the Order of the Griffin. This society recognizes those whose lifetime giving to the College is $1 million or more. The first million-dollar gift was given during Sister Carol’s tenure as president. This inaugural group recognized the donors and foundations who helped build a culture of philanthropy at CHC. Those inducted in the Order of the Griffin are:
An anonymous donor
Connelly Foundation
Christopher Papa, M.D.*, and Regina Cuta, M.D. ’56*
Joseph and April Denny
Nancy Devlin ’64
Suzanne K. Dufrasne ’58
Drs. Michael and Jean Fitzpatrick
Mary Jackson Fitzsimmons ’35*
Debby Dougherty Flint ’59
Carl Greer, Ph.D., Psy.D., and Patricia Tichenor Greer, M.A., Ph.D. ’62
Jack Gulati and Rosemary Gulati ’61
Barbara D'Iorio Martino ’60
Michael Gerard McCaffery and Margaret Carney
McCaffery ’77
Elizabeth Clime Lockyer Merriam ’42*
Sisters of Saint Joseph
Ann Rusnack Sorgenti ’58
Rita Tofini ’38*
The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
*indicates deceased
Sister Carol recognized those alumnae who served as board chairs and the Sisters of Saint Joseph Congregational presidents who served during her tenure. She said, “A president can only make bold moves with the support, bravery, and foresight of the women who served in these offices.” She went on to thank them for their commitment, care, kindness, and generosity. These women include:
Sister Margaret Flemming
Sister Patricia Kelly
Sister Anne Myers
Sister Maureen Erdlen
Barbara D'Iorio Martino ’60
Margaret Carney McCaffery ’77
Cathy Lockyer Moulton ’92, ’22 SGS
Special thanks to Sean and Cathy Lockyer Moulton ’92, ’22 SGS for their $100,000 matching gift that supported the gala and encouraged others to do the same. Thank you to all who helped match the $100,000 resulting in $200,000 towards the Gala goal!
The evening wouldn’t have been complete without comical entertainment acts, a Mummers string band, and a cardboard cutout of Sister Carol for selfies!
Thank you to all who attended, sponsored, and supported this culminating event for Sister Carol and for the Campaign.
Gala Committee
This group met regularly to plan a celebration befitting Sister Carol and her 30-year presidential tenure. Their work included event planning, securing sponsorships, and driving attendance.
JoEllen Noonan Parsons ’66, Co-chair
Kenneth Wong, Co-chair
Ann Claffey Baiada
Devin DeVoue ’11
Cristina Diaz ’15
Sister Patricia Kelly, SSJ ’72
JoAnne McFadden McBride ’63
Suzanne Coster McCarthy ’93, ’96 SGS
Sister Mary McFadden, SSJ, CFRE ’76
Loretta M. McLauglin ’74 SCPS
Carolyn Sagendorph Montgomery ’97 SCPS
Cathy Lockyer Moulton ’92, ’22 SGS
Sister Ann Myers, SSJ, Ph.D.
Lynn Mulvaney Sharp ’87
Meghan Walsh-Farrell ’92
Rashida Weathers ’95
THE CHC ALUMNI AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
is a comprehensive effort to organize, support, and promote all types of volunteerism—redefining the culture of engagement for alumni of CHC. This initiative harnesses and mobilizes the strength of the Chestnut Hill College family to make a difference in the lives of current and future Griffins.
Sign up at www.chc.edu/alumni
TYPES OF AMBASSADORS INCLUDE:
Admissions
Affinity Groups
Campus Engagement
Councils & Committees
Communication
Athletics
Career & Internship
Philanthropy
Book the city’s best-kept secret for your next event!
Whether you’re planning a wedding reception, corporate retreat, or family celebration, the Commonwealth Chateau at SugarLoaf, near charming Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, features 40 scenic, private acres that set the stage for an unforgettable event.
Contact events@chc.edu or visit www.chc.edu/event-rentals to start planning your ideal event today!
YOUR FULL-SERVICE EVENT PARTNER
• Indoor and outdoor event spaces
• Intimate dining and boardrooms to cocktail party capacity up to 200
• Tables and chairs, plus room setup included
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In any sport, it’s hard enough to win a championship, let alone two, in back-to-back seasons, which is what the Chestnut Hill College Men’s Lacrosse team accomplished in 2021 and 2022. The team isn’t done yet, though as it enters the 2023 season looking to continue its historic run as the two-time defending Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) champions.
The road to CHC’s first title was built on the back of several heartbreaking losses. Considered one of the favorites to win the CACC title once the conference added men’s lacrosse in 2018, the Griffins’ first two campaigns fell short of that goal. The team reached the championship game in 2018 and 2019 but couldn’t quite capture the title. 2019 CHC lost by one goal.
As a reminder of just how close they had come, the parents had polos made. On the side they read: unfinished business. “There was no question of whether I was moving on or coming back. I was coming back because I wanted to win,” says James DeCarlo ’17. A member of the team from 2014-17, DeCarlo joined the coaching staff in 2017, serving as the assistant coach in charge of defense. As a player, DeCarlo never got the chance to experience a championship run at the collegiate level. As a coach, he had experienced two, the last more crushing than the first.
“I kept telling the guys, ‘Remember what happened last year? Never be satisfied.You have to do your job every single day and never go through the motions because you never know, anybody can knock anybody off at any given day and we’ve been a part of that.’”
The road to that elusive first championship began in 2020 with a 5-1 record and a high level of confidence. Then Covid struck, and a promising season came to an unceremonious halt. The team would have to wait another year to see its championship dreams fulfilled. Even then, after a 2-2 start in 2021, a third consecutive run at the title was not guaranteed.
But then the team rattled off six wins in a row and suddenly, everything fell into place.
“You could just see it in the eyes of the returning players, there was no way we were going to lose the conference that year,” says Connor O’Donnell ’21, team co-captain.
O’Donnell helped anchor a defense that allowed just 13 combined goals across the semifinal and championship final. The offense, meanwhile, scored 42, completely dominating matchups against Dominican College and Wilmington University. The win over Wilmington was especially memorable; it gave the Griffins their first CACC title, and it occurred on home turf in front of a special group of fans including parents and program alumni.
“As seniors we always said we wanted to leave Chestnut Hill College better than we found it, and I believe we
did that,” says co-captain Ben Revak ’20. “To see how successful the program became compared to when I arrived on campus was amazing.”
So What? Now What?
That was the message preached in the locker room by then head coach Mike Terranova, current head coach James DeCarlo, and the entire coaching staff. It was a message that resonated with the team and one that served to belie the old sports cliché: Success breeds complacency.
“It’s never easy entering the next season as defending champions, and knowing we had that target on our back and eyes constantly on us was an adjustment,” says Billy DiMaio ’21, who served as one of the co-captains during the team’s two-year championship run. “No one owed us anything so as captains, we constantly reminded the guys we had to work as hard as ever to bring the trophy home to Philadelphia.”
While that mantra helped lead the team in positive moments, it was also in the back of the minds of the players in the not-so-positive ones, including three one-goal losses and three losses against top-15 ranked opponents. In all, the team lost six games in 2022, the most in a single season since 2018. If this was a litmus test for the Griffins’ hopes of winning a second CACC title and reaching the NCAA tournament, the team had seemingly failed. But each loss was just a single loss, and instead of dwelling on the low points, the Griffins relied on their experience and their desire for success to work their way back to the championship game.
The saying “So what, now what?” became the rallying cry for a historic season, and the Griffins knew they could move past the tough losses and onto a larger goal: winning another championship. The road to that second title went through Wilmington, one of the teams CHC had lost to in a one-goal game just a few weeks before. The reminder of this loss didn’t faze the team and in this second meeting, the Griffins made sure that history didn’t repeat itself.
“The way we lost that first Wilmington game, I would say it was in a lot of the guys’ heads to say, ‘Hey, we’ve been on the other side here, so let’s not let up,’” says DeCarlo.
“We hadn’t won a lot of those close games that season so to finally come out on top in the semifinals and championship was such a sweet feeling.”
It’s a feeling that DeCarlo hopes will continue as he takes over the head coaching reins this season.
“Being able to coach at the program you played with is something very special,” says DeCarlo. “I want my alma mater to be successful. I want this program to be set up not just to win conference championships, but to win national championships and I think we can do that here.”
To read more on championship reflections from James DeCarlo, Billy DiMaio, Ben Revak, and Connor O’Donnell, visit www.chc.edu/laxchamp
From June 1 – June 5, 2022, alumni came together for celebration, learning, and camaraderie. Reunion 2022 was very special: for the first time in College history, it was open to all alumni from every graduating class of Chestnut Hill College. This allowed for every CHC graduate to join in celebration of Sister Carol Jean Vale’s historic tenure and steadfast leadership. Over 600 alumni attended one or more events.
Relive the excitement by viewing a few photo highlights!
Cristina Diaz ’15 received the Young Alumni Impact Award. Regina Maxwell Schwille ’65 received the Eleanore Dolan Egan Award for Outstanding Service to the College. Janice Martin Foster ’67 (not pictured) received the Distinguished Achievement Award. Congratulations to all!
On Thursday night, June 2, 2022, Griffin alumni, family and friends gathered at the Rotunda in St. Joseph’s Hall for the 2022 Chestnut Hill College Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The Class of 2022 included five exceptional student athletes, Jesse Daywalt ’12 (Baseball); Lauren Riiiff Larkin ’12 (Women's Soccer); Michael Melnychenko ’14 (Men’s Lacrosse); Kelly Dennis Sipocz ’14 (Women’s Tennis); and Dominic Raia II ’15 (Baseball).
SAVE THE DATE FOR REUNION 2023!
JUNE 2-4
Mark your calendars now for Reunion Weekend 2023! We are excited to gather and celebrate with class years ending in 3 or 8. For more details, visit www.chc.edu/alumni
Sunday’s events included a beautiful Mass to remember alumni who have passed, followed by a farewell brunch.
On one fair evening in September, a handful of Sisters of Saint Joseph who serve as faculty and staff, gathered on a patio behind the Motherhouse overlooking the labyrinth and Harper’s Meadow. With a selection of cheese and wine, the Sisters enjoyed conversation and nostalgia-fueled laughter. While they share a common mission, the Sisters rarely gather informally for casual conversation and companionship, which made the evening all the better.
Mary Helen Kashuba, SSJ Professor of French and Russian; Chair, Department of Foreign Language and Literature
“I have had so much good fortune: receptive students, supportive colleagues, and devoted friends. Although the road was not always smooth, the journey has been rewarding, and I have always felt the presence of God sustaining me through the years.”
Jean Faustman, SSJ Associate Professor of French and Spanish; Faculty Athletic Representative (2016-2022)“I’ve had such joy in recent years being the Faculty Athletic Representative, getting to know so many students whom I never would have met. Hours and hours spent at games have been so much fun and helped to create meaningful relationships with students and with our tireless Athletic Department staff.”
Merilyn Ryan, SSJ Professor of Mathematics
“I have had two unusual groups of math majors who affected me deeply; memories of them always make me smile. One group included scholars and ‘characters’ who worked together and enjoyed one another and the math. The other was a small group of three international students who were the best group I ever taught. They, too, worked together well and loved math and one another. I love to hear from them!”
Kathleen McCloskey, SSJ Faculty Member; Chair of the Music Department“For me, knowing that the students in the performance ensembles were working toward a musical goal and then the moments of performance at each Carol Night can’t be compared with any other event. Everyone there seems to catch the spirit of Carol Night!”
Chestnut Hill College celebrated the 372nd world-wide anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph in LePuy, France. on October 17, in conjunction with our Fall Convocation. The ceremony in the Motherhouse Chapel gathered our community in sacred space and meaningful prayer to connect to our rich history. Our beloved Sisters of Saint Joseph missioned our students with CHC pins, inviting them to come to know and love their dear neighbor without distinction. The day was filled with stories and reflections that will animate us on the journey of this academic year.
Sisters of Saint Joseph who serve the College in full-time, part-time, and volunteer capacities:
Marie Bambrick, SSJ
Kathleen Duffy, SSJ
Jean Faustman, SSJ
Mary Helen Kashuba, SSJ
Kathryn Miller, SSJ
Margaret Mary Murphy, SSJ
Catherine Nerney, SSJ
Pat O’Donnell, SSJ
Marie SSJ Associate Professor of Education; Chair of Undergraduate Education
“I truly feel called to be here and with that calling comes great responsibility. As an educator, I am challenged to be a role model for our teacher candidates and my prayer is that they find the joy in teaching that I have been blessed to find.”
Mary Jo Larkin, SSJ Dean for Library and Information Resources“As Librarian and formerly as Dean of Students, my experiences with colleagues, with students of all ages and with campus visitors have been richly varied. Above all, I have learned to expect the unexpected and to pivot in response to emergencies, to better ideas, or simply to the needs of the dear neighbor.”
Sheila Kennedy, SSJ
Mary Jo Larkin, SSJ
Marie Leahy, SSJ
Mary Esther Lee, SSJ
Michelle Lesher, SSJ
Kathleen McCloskey, SSJ
CatherineMerilyn Ryan, SSJ
Rita Michael Scully, SSJ
Mary Theresa Shevland, SSJ
Regina Smith, SSJ
Kathleen Szpila, SSJ
Associate Professor of Religious Studies; Director of CHC’s Institute for Forgiveness and Reconciliation
“When we celebrated our Annual Forgiveness Day last April, the love and compassion shown by so many, especially our students, as they entered the rituals and prayer to lay down their stones/rocks of resentment and anger and pick up the flower of peace and a new life filled me with unforgettable joy.”
Rita Scully,
“Every morning, I pray our SSJ community prayer and ask to be a ‘healing presence in any and all situations.’ Being a psychologist and living as a Sister of Saint Joseph fits together perfectly. Our mission is that of unioning love, and that’s what I do as a psychologist. I work with clients to be at one with themselves, their neighbors and our world.”
Associate Professor of English (51 years); Aurealian Moderator (30 years); Internship Director for the English Department (10 years); Director and Teacher of Literary Studies Abroad (30 years)
“Some of my favorite memories of CHC include celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the College by teaching the charleston for a performance, working with the yearbook editors, and meeting students at Alumni Reunion Weekend.”
Armed with a camera, Chestnut Hill College alumna Kianni Figuereo ’21 hopes to bring change one story at a time. Figuereo currently serves as a video coordinator and video journalist for the Philadelphia-based Latino publication AL DÍA.
Kianni Figuereo got involved with AL DÍA as a video intern during her junior year at Chestnut Hill College. At first, it was only to brush up on her audio-visual skills. But she was won over by the publication’s mission to report on often neglected stories regarding Philadelphia’s Latinx and multicultural communities.
“Latinx people are not always painted in the best way,” Figuereo says. “I know how it feels to be misrepresented in the media, and I was actually very tired...of the same people telling the same stories in the same way.”
After graduating from Chestnut Hill College in 2021, Figuereo became the first-ever recipient of AL DÍA’s Felix Varela Fellowship. The full-time, year-long fellowship serves as a bridge between college and employment for aspiring reporters at the publication. Figuereo devoted her AL DÍA fellowship to reporting on gun violence in Philadelphia, and produced a video series for AL DÍA’s YouTube channel called “What Our City Needs.” It focuses on the city’s epidemic of violence, often through the perspective of teenagers and adolescents in
neighborhoods where these crimes are most prevalent. Figuereo’s work also relates gun violence to other factors of Philadelphia culture, spanning legislation, mental health, policing, and education.
As of publication, Philadelphia has had more than 420 fatal gun shooting deaths in 2022, and more than 1,450 non-fatal shooting victims.
“I was actually tired of the way that journalists had been covering gun violence previously,” Figuereo says. “‘14-year-old shot on X day at X time,’ and that’s it.”
She says video proved a powerful medium to convey these stories, by empowering its young subjects to be seen front and center and heard through their own voices.
“You see a youth, you see a young person, immature voice or maybe a little shy, it gives a different impact on the audience.”
Growing up in the Kensington section of Northeast Philadelphia, Figuereo witnessed the plight of opioids and gun violence in her neighborhood every day, calling gun violence her “reality.”
Like many of her neighbors, Figuereo became desensitized to firearms violence in her backyard.
“I found myself really getting angry,” she says. “We have all treated gun violence as something normal in our communities when it shouldn’t be.”
It wasn’t until Figuereo lived on campus for three years that her attitude toward gun violence changed. The College’s fundamental tenet of dear neighbor deeply resonated with Figuereo and helped rouse her journalistic ambitions to share other people’s viewpoints.
“How can you serve your dear neighbor and be there for your neighbor if you don’t know what your neighbor is going through?” she asks.
Figuereo’s fellowship at AL DÍA also led to her producing a minidocumentary about Vanessa Guillen, a Latina soldier who mysteriously disappeared from Fort Hood, Texas, and was missing for two months before she was found dead.
Presently, Figuereo remains an active member of AL DÍA’s newsroom, which is based in Center City, Philadelphia. Her video expertise quickly proved an asset for her colleagues—Figuereo says she is the only person in her office who can navigate video editing and graphics. As a video coordinator, Figuereo records and edits promotions videos for AL DÍA’s business partners, which
often end up on stations like NBC and Telemundo. And Figuereo remains a journalist, continuing to write and produce video packages for AL DÍA’s website and print edition.
“There are certain things that video cannot convey that writing can only do, and vice versa,” she says of her multifaceted duties.
Figuereo also credits the AL DÍA fellowship with teaching her entrepreneurship. In an age when people consume media every day from endless competing sources, she says it is crucial for journalists to know how to market their stories to better grab the public’s attention.
“Media creating content is a huge responsibility,” she says. “With video, you see their faces, you hear their voices, or you see the distress on their faces...it gives more context and more information.”
• Figuereo served as president of Chestnut Hill College’s chapter of La Voz Latina, an inclusive organization that shares Latinx culture with the school’s student body.
• Figuereo credits Chestnut Hill College’s courses in communication, video editing, and philosophy for preparing her with practical skills she’s used at AL DÍA
• AL DÍA was founded in 1994 in a basement in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood. Today, it reaches over 47,000 readers in the Philadelphia area and beyond. *
• Figuereo wrote a feature story for AL DÍA last May titled “Growing up with gun violence: Philly’s next generation speaks.” She interviewed 20 youths between the ages of 13 and 18 for this article and provided video reporting to supplement the print.
ISABEL SHERIDAN (NEE GRASS) ’65 wrote a review of Hope, But Demand Justice, a collection of writings by her classmate Pat Hynes ’65, former Boston University professor of environmental health:
“Nothing had prepared me for the grand sweep of this book’s compilation of many articles Professor Hynes published between 2010 and 2021, taken together, charting ‘a quest for peace and justice for all on our planet.’ In each chapter, Professor Hynes combines data with personal stories that bring the facts to life. The articles cover in amazing depth and scientific specificity a huge range of issues including the growth of wealth inequality in the U.S. from 1945 to the present, U.S. international relations and the Golden Rule, COVID 19 (eerily prescient in its May 2020 analysis of class and gender inequality in resources and therefore in health care), U.S. militarism's effect on world order and the climate, U.S. militaristic behaviors and wrongful motivations in Afghanistan, post-WW II veterans and their families, the history of nuclear and fossil fuel, and equality for all (including Hynes’ co-founding of Bread and Roses Restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1974).”
Hynes’ book is available for purchase at www.pathyneshopebook.com.
Classmates KATHY MCGRATH BEIRNE ’66 and KATHLEEN REX ANDERSON ’66 reunited in Portland, Maine. They had a great day sharing life’s adventures, CHC memories, the Portland Lighthouse, and lobster rolls!
MARYANNE KANE ’78 has published 13 items: seven articles in Newsweek on education reform, two articles in The Catholic Reporter on pain and suffering, and one article in CatholicPhilly.com on mother-daughter bonding. She has published six flash fiction pieces in Borrowed Solace (2019 and 2022) and one in Coffin Bell (2019). Kane recently wrote a book on bullying (available on Amazon), and all proceeds will go to UNICEF— Children of Ukraine.
MARYANNE WALSH ’98 ’02 SGS hosted students from Chestnut Hill College’s First Year Real College Experience (FYRE) program at the Myonex corporate headquarters in Horsham, Pennsylvania, in July. The students learned about the global clinical supply industry and about opportunities for careers at Myonex.
JIM MCLAUGHLIN ’08 SGS was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Community Development & Partnerships, IC3 Movement. The IC3 (International Career & College Counseling) Movement is a volunteer effort with a mission to ensure counseling in every school. In addition to providing free, in-depth training for school-based counselors through the IC3 Institute, IC3 helps create opportunities for university leadership, high school leadership, and school-based college counselors to build valuable professional connections. Educators from more than 90 countries have participated in IC3’s initiatives, which have directly impacted more than 2,800 high schools globally, serving more than 1.3 million high school students.
BRITTANY
AFFLERBACH ’18 graduated from Temple with her master's in actuarial science and joined Lincoln Financial Group as an actuarial associate in June.
SAM COVAIS ’20 and CHRISTOPHER BUNN ’20 got engaged in August on the steps of the Rotunda in Saint Joseph Hall, surrounded by classmates and friends.
Chestnut Hill College standout ANDREW DIETZ ’22 inked a deal with the Florence Y'alls of the Frontier League and made his professional debut in August. The Warrington native enjoyed the best season of his career at CHC in 2022, finishing with a .424 batting average, the second-highest single-season mark in program history. His average ranked second in the CACC and 24th among all NCAA Division II baseball players this season.
Alumni and members of the Chestnut Hill College community deceased since the last publication. (Notification to CHC: March 30, 2022, through September 30, 2022)
Elaine McDermott Bunn ’60
Joanne Corini Burrell, D.M.D. ’81
Helen Devine Coen ’55
Christine Brennan Conover ’56
Adrienne Donaghue Gallagher ’62
Lynne Giletto ’70
Geraldine Longo Hadley ’64
Patricia Nolan Hayes ’70
Barbara Joan Brown Hootman ’56
Carol A. Foote Huber ’90 SGS
Jane Liebsch ’69
Patricia McAdams, Ph.D. ’63
Beverly Johnston McIntyre ’57
Marita Howard O'Rourke ’52
Catherine T. Roche, SSJ ’58
Lynne Fowler Scarpiello ’57
Barbara Crane Tierney ’57
Virginia M.Verrecchia ’73
Helen Haag Voegele ’73
Joan Huber Winters ’56
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Friday,
OnOctober 1, Chestnut Hill College hosted a lecture and celebration in honor of the 25th anniversary of the College’s Psy.D. Program. Program Director Cheryll Rothery, Psy.D., ABPP, presented Rhea Fernandes, Psy.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, with the Chestnut Hill College Department of Professional Psychology Alumni Award for Distinguished Career Achievement. This award is given to alumni “who have distinguished themselves by contributions they have made in their chosen fields of endeavor, by the leadership they have exhibited, and by the general benefits to the larger society resulting from their activities.”
In her address, Dr. Fernandes acknowledged her family's vital role in her achievements. She also expressed gratitude for her experience at Chestnut Hill College. Dr. Fernandes advocates for continuous learning, diversity, inclusion, and Servant Leadership at Devereux. She serves as chair of the Devereux/TCV Community Services board of directors and is a member of The Forum of Executive Women, a network of women leaders in the Greater Philadelphia Region, and Chief, a national network of C-suite leaders. Fernandes is a recipient of the 2019 Philadelphia Business Journal’s Minority Business Leader award.
wishes everyone a very merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a joyous, prosperous, and healthy new year!
www.chc.edu
2022 marked the 372nd world-wide anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in LePuy, France. Our earliest Sisters, in collaboration with Jesuit priest Jean-Pierre Medaille, shared a profound desire for union with God and the dear neighbor, and fulfilled this desire with their “feet in the street,” seeking to meet the needs in the neighborhoods around them.
More than three centuries later, we experience the love, service and joy of sharing life and community with Sisters of Saint Joseph at Chestnut Hill College inside and outside the classroom. Look inside the issue for reflections from a few of our Sisters of Saint Joseph (p. 28-29).
