Spring/Summer 2 0 0 8
Alternative Break Service Trips New Orleans
Editor’sInklings Volume XXI, Issue 3 Spring/Summer 2008 Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. President Audrey E. Scruton Publications Officer and Editor advisory committee
Kimberly Cavanagh Britt Dyer Daehnke ’98 ’05M Cathy Fresch Frank Garland Mary Carol Gensheimer Ron Kerman Catherine Oakley ’05M Duane Prokop, Ph.D. Rev. Nicholas J. Rouch, STD ’83 Steven Ropski, Ph.D. ’78 Richard Sukitsch contributors
Monika Bach ’08 Russell Combs Paul DeSante, Ph.D. Cathy Fresch Erin Gaydos ’08 Jana Hunt Jeannie Kloecker Jennifer Mailey ’95 ’05M Nicholas Pronko Dan Teliski ’97 George Wang photography
Ed Bernik Tim Rohrbach design
Tungsten Creative Group Gannon magazine is published three times annually (Summer, Winter and Spring) by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications at Gannon University and is mailed free to alumni, friends of the University, graduate students, parents of undergraduate students and college presidents across the country. Contributions: Gannon magazine welcomes letters to the editor, class notes information, comments and suggestions. Please send class notes information to Jana Hunt, coordinator of Gifts and Records, at hunt001@gannon.edu. All other information should be sent to Audrey Scruton, editor, at scruton001@gannon.edu or to the University’s mailing address below. Gannon University 109 University Square Erie, Pennsylvania 16541 (814) 871.7000
I am honored and excited to introduce myself as the newest editor of Gannon magazine. Having a strong background in journalism, with a B.S. in mass communications from Middle Tennessee State University and an M.A. in journalism from The University of Memphis, the magazine is the perfect outlet for me to write, edit and create within Gannon University’s supportive, caring atmosphere. It also allows me to return to the higher education arena—my parents are both English professors, so I have always felt most at home in a collegiate setting. I hope you enjoy reading my first issue as editor as much as I enjoyed assembling it! While there are many different things you could learn about me, one significant personality trait is my love of photographs. From formal, framed portraits hanging on the wall to yellowing snapshots tacked to a bulletin board, I have pictures everywhere. Graduations, family reunions, Lake Erie sunsets—they’re all there, moments in time I can remember at a glance. If a picture really is worth a thousand words, then this issue of Gannon magazine speaks volumes about the enthusiastic and compassionate community that is Gannon University. Images of New Orleans, devastated by Hurricane Katrina, saddened the entire world. Today, almost three years after the storm, equally emotional pictures have come to light; this time, however, they bring feelings of hope and optimism. On the cover, several Gannon students surround a flourishing palm tree in the heart of New Orleans, where they spent spring break helping a single mother rebuild her storm-ravaged home. This is just one of many community service projects Gannon faculty, staff and students have participated in, as evidenced by the recent addition of the University to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll (page 2). As the University prepares to implement a new three-College structure this fall, several buildings are being renovated and refurbished to accommodate the growing programs. Photos have helped document these changes and provide insight for those not able to witness the transformations in person. Images of renovations to Beyer Hall and the Robert H. Morosky Academic Center (page 9) create excitement for the future and foster pride in the University’s success. We all know what it’s like to get lost in old pictures, spending hours looking through old photographs and reminiscing about days gone by. With several decades of history to draw from, Gannon too remembers important people in the University’s past. On page 14, former student journalists remember their time working on Gannon’s student newspaper, The Gannon Knight, while on page 7, several alumni reflect on what it means to be “Leaving a Legacy” to their alma mater. The ability to inspire and motivate is another notable quality of pictures. The Women’s Basketball Team, inspired by teammate Abby Bunstine and her mother, Lynn, hosted the University’s first-ever Think Pink event to raise funds for and generate awareness of breast cancer (page 12), and the Men’s Basketball Team rose to great heights in championship play, setting school records and surprising those who predicted a mediocre season (page 16). Inspiration can also take other, more subtle forms: alumna Suzanne S. Prevost ’82VMC, Ph.D., R.N., CNAA recalls being encouraged by her professors as a student (page 18), while current students of electrical engineering professor Dr. Fong K. Mak, Ph.D., P.E. tell of his impact on their academic careers (page 19). Photographs are truly amazing objects: through this medium, communities can be tied together, historical events can be recorded and individuals can be inspired to document their own achievements. Let the pictures and stories of Gannon faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends in this issue show you—like nothing else can—the thriving spirit of Gannon University.
Audrey E. Scruton, Editor scruton001@gannon.edu (814) 871.5817
6 Leaving a Legacy by Jennifer Mailey ’95 ’05M
Giving back to the University can take many forms.
10 A Growing Gannon
Signs of positive growth and change abound on campus this summer.
12 Think Pink
The Gannon community comes together to raise funds for and awareness of breast cancer.
contents
Features
14 ...And to All a Good Knight! Former student journalists remember their experiences with Gannon’s student newspaper.
16 Shooting for the Stars by Nicholas Pronko
The Gannon Men’s Basketball Team shows what a little ambition can do.
Departments 2 18 19 20 22 28
NewsNotes AlumniFocus FacultyFocus SportsScan AlumNotes EndNotes
On the Cover: Students (Front, L to R) Brianna Dezsi, Brandi
Kelly, Alisha Simpson, (Back, L to R) Angela Woods, Anthony Firetto and Kim Urbanowicz are all smiles during the Alternative Break Service Trip to New Orleans over spring break Photo right: Flowering crab apple trees that line the west side
of Nash Library are in full bloom
Archbishop Emeritus of Washington Gives Commencement Address His Eminence Theodore McCarrick, Ph.D., D.D., Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, served as the keynote speaker for spring commencement on May 10. During the ceremony, President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. bestowed two honors upon Cardinal McCarrick: the 2008 Ut Diligatis Invicem Award and a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. Over 650 degrees were awarded during the Cardinal McCarrick (L) and President Garibaldi ceremony, including 24 doctoral, 249 master’s, 356 bachelor’s and 25 associate degrees. The Archbishop John Mark Gannon Award was presented to 12 students in recognition of earning perfect 4.0 grade point averages: Jessica Baumann, Nathaniel Coon, Ashley Jastram, Molly Keyes, Melinda Klavon, Emily Kochanowicz, Molly Lewis, Jenna Perpich, Marcie Soltesz, Kimberly Varela, Scott Vascik and Steven Walker. In addition, Rebecca Fresch was awarded with the Gannon University Medal of Honor for leadership, character and scholarship.
Erie City Students Visit the Gannon Campus
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Gannon helped nearly 600 students from the Erie City School District become CHAMPS (Creating Healthy Active Members Planning to Succeed) as part of an interactive enrichment program.The students, from 12 elementary and middle schools, visited campus in January. CHAMPS is designed to serve as a preventative after-school program for students in grades 3-8, providing opportunities and experiences to help them lay the groundwork for a successful future.The program offers a number of services, including academic enrichment, personal development and high-risk behavior prevention. During their visits, students participated in activities related to brain health and fitness and toured campus.
University Named to President’s Honor Roll The Corporation for National and Community Service has named Gannon University to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in recognition of continued commitment to community service and volunteerism.The honor was given for the 2006-07 Academic Year, during which students, faculty and staff performed 58,645 hours of community service. The University’s total service hours represent a 14.9 percent increase from the previous academic year and President Garibaldi, faculty, staff and students complete the first lap at Relay for Life represent dozens of initiatives, including food collections, blood drives, mentoring programs and health screenings.“This award is a reflection of Gannon’s commitment to its institutional Mission as well as to the local community,” said Gretchen Fairley, director of the Office of Service-Learning.
Gannon Celebrates Catholic Colleges Week The University celebrated National Catholic Colleges Week, Feb. 17-23, with numerous campus events. Highlights of the week included: Knight with Scholars, where accepted students who have been offered scholarships to attend Gannon visit campus overnight; Archbishop Gannon Day, which gives area Catholic students an opportunity to visit campus; and women and men’s basketball games versus Mercyhurst College, where Fr. Jason Glover ’98 of Gannon and Fr. James Piszker of Mercyhurst prayed together on behalf of the two schools. Most Rev. Donald W. Trautman, STD, SSL, Bishop of Erie, offered an Evening of Recollection for University students, faculty and staff during Catholic Colleges Week
SBDC Hosts First Women’s Leadership Conference Women’s History Month was observed in March with several events, including the first WILD (Women in Leadership Development) Conference, presented by Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The conference focused on the knowledge, passion and energy of women helping women through a combination of nationallyrecognized keynote speakers, local business exhibitions, seminars and focus panels. Topics included wellness, leadership, entrepreneurship and personal development. Approximately 300 women from northwestern Pennsylvania attended the event. On-campus events included: Gannon University Support Staff Association’s Women’s History Month Tea; Schuster Art Gallery’s featured display, “Women’s Art—Women’s Vision” and Gannon’s Gathering in Praise prayer service. Members of the Gannon University SBDC with keynote speaker Jean Gatz (fifth from left)
Faculty Awards Convocation Faculty Awards Convocation, held April 18, recognized faculty and staff for excellent service as teachers and advisors. Rev. Robert Susa, director of the Honors Program from 1987-2007, and Dr. Hamid Dr. Keith Taylor, provost (R) Torab, professor of mechanical engineering, received the presented the Distinguished Faculty Award to Distinguished Faculty Award, Rev. Robert Susa nominated by the Faculty Senate; Dr. Weslene Tallmadge, associate professor of chemistry, received the SGA Excellence in Teaching Award; Dr. Mary Anne Rivera, assistant professor of theology, received the Bishop Trautman “Feed My Sheep” Award, a recognition chosen by students’ election; Dr. David Kozak, professor of political science, received the Undergraduate Research Award; Kimberly Cavanagh, assistant professor in the Physician Assistant program, and Scott Miller, JD, assistant professor of accounting, received the College Advising Award; and
International Night Brings Worldly Flavor to Campus Gannon brought international flavor to campus with the 20th Annual International Night, Freshman Sony Issac celebrates held March 29. The event, her Indian heritage presented by the International Student Association, is the University’s largest event celebrating multicultural diversity and features a variety of cultures represented by Gannon’s students, faculty and staff. “International Night offers the community an opportunity to gather beneath the Gannon Arch and celebrate with this global banquet,” said Constance Peterson-Miller, director of the International Student Office. This year’s activities included an international food bazaar featuring dishes from more than 20 countries and traditional dance performances from Mexico, Poland and Afghanistan, among others. Approximately 550 people attended the event, its largest turnout to date.
P.A. Faculty Recognized as Distinguished Fellows Three Gannon professors received national recognition in December 2007 as American Academy of Physician Assistants (PA) Distinguished Fellows. This recognition is conveyed on the basis of outstanding contributions to patient care, commitment to advancing health care for all people, service to the profession, dedication to scholarly development and exemplary personal and professional development. Catherine Gillespie ’84, MPAS, DHSc, PA-C, associate director of the PA Program, Holly Jodon ’83, MPAS, PA-C, assistant professor and Carolyn Knox ’84, ’96M, M.S., PA-C, assistant professor and clinical coordinator all received this honor. All three continue to practice clinically in addition to their faculty appointments. Dr. Patricia Pollifrone, associate professor of education, received the inaugural Award for Excellence in Service-Learning. In addition, Jan Friedman, assistant professor of nursing, was recognized for 25 years of service, while Dr. Pollifrone and Michael Tkach received retirement recognition.
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NewsNotes Instructor Retires After 43 Years of Teaching Robert J. Falkewitz ’58, an English instructor at Gannon University since 1964, retired in December 2007. He taught English full-time from 1964 until 1995, Robert Falkewitz also volunteered his when he semi-re- time with Gannon’s radio station, tired and worked 90.5 WERG, seen here in the station’s studio in 1982 part-time as an instructor and faculty consultant. He retired as a regular faculty member in 1998 but continued to teach speech and debate classes as an adjunct through the Fall 2007 semester. “Mr. Falkewitz, a.k.a. ‘Bunny,’ worked to coax many shy students into the public speaking arena and was famous for his zany jokes and one-liners. His teaching style was open and collegial; we will miss his kind spirit and his patient, deliberate work in our speech classrooms,” said Mary Carol (M.C.) Gensheimer, assistant professor of communication arts.
Service Recognition
Longtime employee R. Joseph “Joe” Luckey ’55 was recognized for 55 years of continued service to Gannon University during the annual Service Recognition Ceremony held Feb. 1, which honored 83 faculty and staff for milestone years of service. He began on Sept. 1, 1952 as a maintenance worker, semiretiring in 1994 and working part-time as a member of the Physical Plant staff, where he continues today.
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Former U.S. Poet Laureate Speaks at Gannon Gannon University’s 31st annual English Awards Night, held April 16, featured for- Ted Kooser read selected poems at mer United States Poet this year’s English Awards Night Laureate Ted Kooser as the event’s guest speaker. Kooser, who served as Poet Laureate from 2004-06, read a selection of his poetry. Kooser has published 11 books of poetry, and his many awards include the Pulitzer Prize. He also writes a nationally-syndicated newspaper column, is editor and publisher of Windflower Press and serves as a professor of English at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. The event honored winners of the English Department’s high school and University poetry contests as well as recipients of the Peter C. Braeger Research Writing Award and the University Journalism Award. In addition, the 2008 Totem, Gannon’s literary-art magazine, was unveiled during the evening.
Gannon Faculty Named Outstanding Advisors Robin Powers, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, and Michelle Wiley, M.Ed., academic advisor, both received 2008 Outstanding Advising Awards from NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) for Region 2, which covers five states and Washington, D.C. Dr. Powers was selected in the faculty advisor category, and Wiley was chosen to represent the primary advisor category. They were both nominated by Marc Adkins, director of Gannon’s Academic Advising Center, and were formally recognized at this year’s regional conference, held in April. The award is presented to individuals who demonstrate qualities associated with exceptional advising of students. Holly Jodon ’83, MPAS, PA-C, assistant professor in the Physician Assistant program, received a Certificate of Merit as well. (L to R) Dr. Garabaldi, Joe Luckey and Robert Cline, director of human resources
NewsNotes
Jenna L. Reitz Named 2008 McGowan Scholar
Marketing major Jenna L. Reitz of Brookville, Pa. was named the William G. McGowan Scholar for the 200809 Academic Year and will receive an $18,000 scholarship for her senior year at Gannon. The McGowan Scholarship program recognizes the business contributions of William McGowan, the founder of MCI Communications. Reitz is a member of the Advertising Club, Marketing Club and Phi Eta Sigma and has been accepted into Gannon’s five-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. She is especially interested in marketing within business-to-business organizations in technical fields, such as plastics. “Earning the title of McGowan Scholar has given me the confidence and drive to pursue a career in marketing. From researching Mr. McGowan’s life, I learned a lot about his business practices and philosophies that will help me once I am in the business world,” she said.
Alternative Break Trips Focus on Service Nearly 30 students continued a University tradition of performing community service by foregoing a traditional spring break in March in favor of volunteer efforts. Students helped rebuild homes in New Orleans damaged by Hurricane Katrina, served food at a soup kitchen in New York City and worked with a women’s organization that borders Texas, New Mexico and Mexico to help educate women about economic development opportunities.
The Lance is AwardWinning Yearbook The Lance 2007, the yearbook of Gannon University, received several awards from each of the three associations it belongs. This marks the third consecutive year The Lance has garnered Both American national awards Scholastic Press Association and Associated College Press gave The Lance a first place award, while Columbia Scholastic Press Association named it a gold medalist with a score of 950 out of 1,000 points. The Lance also received All-Columbian Honors in the following categories: design, 190 out of 200 points; writing, 196 out of 200 points; and coverage, 243 out of 250 points. Catherine Oakley ’05M, assistant director of Waldron Campus Center, and Bridget Rager ’02, assistant director of admissions, serve as yearbook advisors. Melissa Hanely, a senior theology major, served as The Lance 2007 editor-in-chief and is also editor-in-chief of the 2008 yearbook.
Chemistry Students Present Research at National Conference
Four undergraduate chemistry students, under the direction of Department of Chemistry faculty Dr. Michael Bucholtz and Dr. Timothy Laher, presented their research at the National Council on Undergraduate Research Conference, held April 10-12 at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Md. Chosen were: Katie Krise (“Mass Spectral Fragmentation and Molecular Modeling of Wood Volatiles”); David Gibbons (“A Computational Analysis of the UltravioletVisible Spectra and Conformations of Selected Retinals”); and Teresa Capristo and Ralph Davies (“Electrospray Mass Spectrometry of Seventeen Coumarin Dyes of Forensic Interest”).
Junior Elissa Criner participated in the service trip to Mexico
“This conference is highly respected and highly competitive. Over 3,000 abstracts are submitted and only 2,000 are chosen,” said Dr. Carolynn Masters, dean of the College of Sciences, Engineering and Health Sciences.
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The Waldron Campus Center, built in memory of Dr. John Waldron
Leaving a
Legacy
by Jennifer Mailey ’95 ’05M
Many Gannon and Villa Maria alumni have chosen to give back. Many have visited campus and their guest lectures have inspired students. Some have hosted alumni events. Some have helped to recruit students. Hundreds have donated faithfully to the Annual Fund; in fact 55 alumni have given $100 or more to Gannon every year since their graduation! Others have established generous scholarship funds or bequests. And, some alumni have provided dedicated leadership as engaged members of our Board of Trustees and our National Alumni Board.
How have you shown your support? If you haven’t already started to leave your Gannon legacy, you can begin to do so today by: donating to Gannon’s Annual Fund, supporting The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign or naming Gannon in your will.Your Gannon legacy can serve as a testament to a person or people who have had profound influences on your life. Many alumni have described their Gannon and Villa Maria experiences as transformational, and while their legacies and individual stories are varied, all are inspirational.
Campaign Update
Meet Mr. Charles Deaner ’48, a Gannon graduate from the Class of 1948. At 85 years of age, Mr. Deaner is still practicing real estate law as a partner at Deaner, Deaner, Scann, Malan & Larsen in Las Vegas, Nevada, a firm he co-founded in 1971. After he was discharged from the United States Army in 1945, Deaner moved back to Erie, where he was born and raised. He was working on the assembly line at the General Electric plant, earning just $45 a week when his sister suggested that he enroll at Gannon, a small, Catholic college for men in downtown Erie. Deaner recalls meeting with an admissions officer at Gannon who suggested that he take some aptitude tests at the Veterans Office and then apply. Deaner took those tests and was accepted. With a major in history and a minor in economics, Deaner graduated from Gannon in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. Deaner said he remembers Gannon’s founder, Archbishop John Mark Gannon presiding at his commencement.
Campaign Update Charles Deaner ’48
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Archbishop John Mark Gannon (L) with Msgr.Wilfrid J. Nash (R), Gannon’s second president Mr. Deaner talks fondly about his favorite professors at Gannon, especially Dr. John Waldron. Dr. Waldron taught him economics and education courses and had a major influence on his life. “Gannon not only gave me a chance, but the college changed my life. The relationships I made with my professors at Gannon helped me achieve great success throughout my career. I owe much gratitude to Gannon,” Mr. Deaner said. It is because of those relationships, and the education that he received that he was motivated to leave his legacy at Gannon. Mr. Deaner made a bequest to GanDr. John Waldron non and named the Deaner Room in the Waldron Campus Center, which was built in memory of ‘Doc’ Waldron in 1999. Mr. James Baldauf ’62 is leaving his legacy in other ways. In addition to serving on the Gannon Board of Trustees for the past 30 years, Mr. Baldauf has been a very loyal donor to Gannon’s Annual Fund and has supported the University since his graduation in 1962. Baldauf earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an accounting concentration. Originally from Bethel Park, Pa., near Pittsburgh, Baldauf worked part-time as a janitor in Wehrle Hall to pay for his education.
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Like Mr. Deaner, Mr. Baldauf also had a sincere appreciation for Doc Waldron, who was his advisor and professor. He credits Dr. Waldron with helping him realize that he was more suited for a career in accounting, which is why he
changed his major from engineering to business. Another great influence on Mr. Baldauf was his accounting professor, Michael Yarbenet. “Gannon gave me a great educational background and a strong foundation in accounting. My professors had a sincere interest in my academic success. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for Gannon,” he said.
James Baldauf ’62
After graduation, Mr. Baldauf spent two years in the military and then came back to Erie to work at Ernst and Ernst. He later worked for Zurn Industries as its vice president and corporate controller for 18 years, and then retired from Erie Forge and Steel in 1995. Mr. Baldauf and his wife, Mary Ann (Mead), enjoy traveling cross-country in their motor home.
A Family Legacy For alumna Mary Riley Rutkowski ’84, Gannon has become a family tradition. She graduated in 1984 with an associate degree in paralegal studies, followed by a bachelor’s degree in business education in 1987. Mary taught business education classes at Villa Maria Academy for seven years prior to starting her family. She credits her professors, Dr. Tom Ostrowski, Judge John Bozza, Judge Stephanie Domitrovich and Ron Susmarski, with giving her an excellent education in political science and law. “My professors were excellent teachers,” she said. Mary’s husband, Jim Rutkowski, Jr. ’83, has been serving on the Gannon Board of Trustees for the past eight years. Jim graduated from Gannon in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. His brother, Charlie Rutkowski ’89, graduated from Gannon with a bachelor’s degree in industrial management. Charlie’s wife,
“My professors had a sincere interest in my academic success. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for Gannon.” - James Baldauf Annie (DeCecco) Rutkowski ’87, earned a degree in political science. Jim and Charlie work with their father, Jim Rutkowski Sr. at Industrial Sales and Manufacturing in Millcreek Township, Pa., their family business. Jim Rutkowski, Michael Yarbenet, professor Sr. has also been a loyal of accounting supporter of Gannon. He and his wife, Joan, established the Rutkowski Family Foundation Scholarship Fund. “Erie is blessed to have Gannon University. We all received an excellent education at Gannon, which is why we have all chosen to give back and remain involved,” said Mary. The next generation of Rutkowskis is already connected to Gannon. Jim and Mary’s oldest daughter, Natalie (14), visited campus in April and participated in Gannon’s Mechanical Engineering Day. Mr. Arnold Bergquist ’58, CPA has been actively involved with Gannon for more than 50 years. He was working at Cook’s Market in Erie when he decided to apply to Gannon and study accounting. Like Mr. Baldauf, Yarbenet was also one of Mr. Bergquist’s favorite professors. He also enjoyed Fr. Bonaventure Ciufoli, who taught him art and music appreciation. In fact, Bergquist says his current love of classical music was prompted by Fr. Ciufoli. While at Gannon, Mr. Bergquist was a member of the ROTC program and received the Distinguished Military Graduate Award and the Wall Street Journal Award. After graduation, Mr. Bergquist was admitted to the Finance Corps of the United States Army, where he spent two years as the deputy finance and accounting officer stationed at Ft. Holabird, Md., site of the Army Intelligence School. He Arnold Bergquist ’58
then returned to Erie and worked at the accounting and auditing firm of Root, Spitznas and Smiley. He joined Don Schwab ’51 and Charles Brown in 1966 when they formed Brown, Schwab, Bergquist and Company in Erie which, when merged, became Malin, Bergquist and Company, LLP in 2000. Mr. Bergquist retired in 2000, but continued to work at the firm on a part-time basis through 2006. The firm currently has more than 100 employees and 18 partners. Mr. Bergquist has been an active member of the Gannon Board of Trustees for the past eight years. “I owe a great deal to Gannon, which is why I continually give back and remain involved,” he said. Mr. Bergquist is co-chairing his 50th Class Reunion from Gannon, which will meet Oct. 10-12 during the 2008 Alumni Homecoming/ Reunion Weekend.
The Rutkowski family gathered for the 2007 Scholarship Celebration
Campaign Update As of May 23, $28.9 million—or 96 percent of the total $30 million goal—has been raised in The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign. This amount does not include an additional $7 million that has been raised in federal and state funds. If you would like more information about how you can leave your Gannon legacy and donate to the Annual Fund and The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign, please contact Britt Dyer Daehnke ’98 ’05M, associate director of the Annual Fund and Campaign coordinator, at (814) 871-7261 or via e-mail at daehnke001@gannon.edu.
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A Growing Gannon Positive changes are everywhere this summer at Gannon University, evidence of its continued growth and active life. There are numerous signs of a successful, ever-growing University, such as campus renovation and construction projects, and in Fall 2008, a new three-College structure will be implemented. To accommodate the increasing student population and ensure each academic program receives adequate resources, President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. announced in January the decision to move from the current two-College structure to a new three-College structure. “We first talked about restructuring during meetings of the Strategic Plan II Task Force. We looked at areas where we were growing and discussed what would be likely to expand further,” Dr. Garibaldi explained. “This is a continuation of many positive things. It is an advancement for the University and allows for collaboration between and among each of the different disciplines.” Effective in the 2008-09 Academic Year, the College of Sciences, Engineering and Health Sciences and the College of Humanities, Business and Education will separate into three: the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; the College of Engineering and Business; and the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences. “The guiding principles were to be balanced and fair,” said Dr. Keith Taylor, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “We started with the Strategic Plan and it really defined our goals for us. Our primary goal was to encourage an environment for excellence in education and we wanted to make the colleges unique and have tangible missions. We wanted to create an identity, a mission and a vision for each college and give direction to the schools.”
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With change comes new and exciting possibilities. “Change provides an opportunity to look at what we do and build on
our core foundations. It gives us opportunities for reflection in an ever-growing institution,” Taylor said. Earlier this year, the University purchased a new building to house the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, and an exciting component will be a fully staffed, 5,800-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art Patient Simulation Center. The education and training facility, which is scheduled to open in 2009, will utilize several high-fidelity human patient simulators to provide students from multiple disciplines the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. “Our graduates will be even more successful and the resources for our students will be even greater. The Health Professions and Sciences faculty and students are excited about the new building and the new Patient Simulation Center. Engineering and business envision entrepreneurship opportunities with the Gannon University Small Business Development Center and the Erie Technology Incubator, and the Humanities and Social Sciences now have more recognition with their names in the formal title of the school,” President Garibaldi said. All three colleges are prepared to move to the next level, with many strengths in each: in the Health Professions and Sciences, the development and implementation of the Patient Simulation Center is a high priority; in the College of Humanities, Business and Education, an important goal will be to enhance and strengthen opportunities for international education as well as outreach and distance education programs. Although the new college structure is a change, some things remain the same. For example, the strong history of the Villa Maria School of Nursing will continue, with the school retaining its longstanding name as it is housed within the College of Health Professions and Sciences. With the many transformations occurring across campus this summer, Gannon University is headed in a positive direction. “There are many good things underway when you take them altogether. For example, the Liberal Studies Core Revision is showing a recommitment to theology, philosophy and diversity as well as making leadership, speech and information technology a tangible part of the learning process. It’s the little things, taken altogether, that make up the heart and soul of the University,” Taylor said.
Beyer Hall renovations, Summer 2007
ETI Scheduled to Open in August Amazing things are happening at the Erie Technology Incubator (ETI), a not-for-profit business incubator dedicated to stimulating the development of advanced technologies and promoting the formation, growth and retention of early stage technology-based companies that will then be able to generate new job opportunities in northwestern Pennsylvania. At the beginning of March 2007, a general contractor was awarded the bid for interior renovations, and work has continued full throttle since then. Interior demolition work is already 75 percent complete. Right now, the hope that the ETI will be able to hold its grand opening in August seems to be a sincere possibility. I am currently interviewing eight entrepreneurs going through the entrance process to be accepted into the ETI. These companies cover technological categories such as data mining, petroleum synthetics research, geothermal technology and video securities technologies, just to name a few. Plans are also under way for a complete redesign of the ETI Web site, www.erietech.org. In addition, I have also been receiving calls on a regular basis, inquiring about the attributes of and opportunities presented by being admitted into the ETI. As I have told President Garibaldi, exciting times are ahead for the ETI and the Erie region. We are looking forward to many positive results.
by Russell Combs, ETI executive director Robert H. Morosky Academic Center renovations,Winter 2007
A mother. A daughter. A sister. A friend. With an estimated 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States today, odds are that this disease has touched your life. By hosting fundraising events to encourage research and promoting awareness of detection and treatment, the Gannon University community is stepping up and helping out in the fight against cancer. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States besides skin cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death Junior guard Abby Bunstine and her mother, in women,” said Kelley Lynn, inspired the team to host Think Pink Spaeder of the Western Pennsylvania Region of the American Cancer Society. “However, death rates from breast cancer have been declining, believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening, increased awareness and improved treatment.” In April, Hamot for Women joined forces with Gannon to present the first Breastival Festival, a free educational breast cancer event for students, and the University’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life team raised more than $15,000. This October, several student organizations will be participating in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. But the University’s largest event during the 2007-08 Academic Year was Think Pink, an annual week-long breast cancer awareness campaign—sponsored by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)—that recognizes those who have survived breast cancer while raising funds to support cancer research and awareness. Local sponsors included Danielle M. Duchini, D.O. and The Center for Breast Health, Northwest Savings Bank, Hamot for Women, Erie Insurance and Silk Screen Unlimited.
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Although this marked the first year for Gannon to host the event, $10,000 was raised to help support the cause, coming from the sale of t-shirts, jerseys, candles and snacks as well as in-kind donations. The game was also a success in more than monetary measurements. An estimated 1,185 people attended the women’s game, reaching a season attendance high for the team with 600 people more than any other game in the season. The game marked the highest attendance since the Feb. 23, 2004 game versus local Mercyhurst College.
During the event, the women’s basketball team showed its support by wearing pink uniforms. The team was inspired to participate by team member Abby Bunstine, a junior pre-med major from Chillicothe, Ohio, who knows all too well the importance of breast cancer awareness. Her mother, Lynn Bunstine, was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and recently completed chemotherapy treatments. “This is why it’s so important to raise awareness of breast cancer and to generate funds for its treatment, cure and prevention,” Bunstine said. Moved by Bunstine’s story, the team put extra effort into the event. “Our players realize the impact this disease can have and were very passionate about Think Pink. They put a lot of effort into making it a successful event,” said Anneke Chewning, Women’s Basketball part-time assistant coach. During a time-out in the first half of the game, 25 breast cancer survivors were individually recognized by name, including several members of the Gannon community. “Words cannot express the emotion and support felt in the Hammermill Center when the survivors stood up to recognize their journey through diagnosis, surgery, treatment and survivorship,” said survivor Nancy Kujawinski, secretary in the Office of Student Organizations and Leadership and a member of Gannon’s Think Pink Committee. In addition to raising funds for and awareness of breast cancer, Think Pink served as yet another way Gannon students, faculty and staff serve others. “The event represents support and service to and for others and is meant to include anyone. I certainly think that is reflective of Gannon’s Mission,” Chewning said. “It has a big impact and gives the team an appreciation for life and for the strength of those who have had to face such difficult—and to many of us, unimaginable—circumstances,” Chewning said. All proceeds from Think Pink went to the local Erie Unit of the American Cancer Society—Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, which Spaeder said is used for breast cancer research, advocacy, community education, patient services and survivor support as well as community partnership grants. “As a survivor, I cherish the gift of time and celebrate each day. Think Pink is a celebration of life, hope and support while raising funds to find a cure for breast cancer so that our daughters and granddaughters will not have to hear the words, ‘You have breast cancer,’ ” Kujawinski said.
The Lady Knights wore special pink jerseys in honor of the Think Pink game
...And to All a Good
Knight! While academic instruction is a key component of higher education, so much of what students learn at Gannon University comes from hands-on, experiential educational opportunities. From professional internships to study abroad tours, experiences outside the classroom can often be just as important. For more than 200 alumni, their time as a staff member of The Gannon Knight student newspaper served just this purpose. “The newspaper is a valuable commodity. It gives students opportunities to experience multiple aspects of the business—reporting, editing, photography, layout—while providing important news to students, staff and alumni as well as the Gannon community as a whole,” explained Frank Garland, English Department professor and current Knight advisor. “Working on The Knight, and especially serving as editor, was the single most important experience in my education, and I know it got me my first job,” added Julie Waechter ’81 ’88M, editor-in-chief from 1980-81 and Knight advisor from 1988-91. Enjoy this trip down memory lane... Barry Hudock ’91 and Diane Rao Harman ’91 make use of the brandnew layout equipment, purchased during the 1988-89 academic year
“My days as editor-in-chief contributed toward identifying me today with an unbiased point-of-view and an unlimited scope of life.” -Tom Doyle ’69 By RITA (MICELI) WOKER ’96 editor-in-chief For me, there was no happier place on campus than the cavernous, windowless Knight office. The responsibilities of meeting deadlines, working with paying advertisers and managing a staff of students were real, adult lessons that transcended any class syllabus. After graduation, I was admitted to the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. When I arrived, I was intimidated by my classmates, but I realized that my Gannon education had prepared me to succeed in a rigorous environment. I’m not sure where writing will take me in the future, but I know that the foundations I formed during my time at Gannon will carry me through the next incarnation of my career.
By KELLY FENNESSY ’08 editor-in-chief When I first set foot on campus, I wanted to find a meaningful way to get involved. As a communication arts major, The Knight seemed like the perfect fit. After working my way through the ranks, I was appointed editor-in-chief. I learned so much, going beyond the technical aspects of producing a newspaper. Talking to people about a subject for which they are passionate, then putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys) and telling the world of their stories made me feel purposeful. Often, my friends teased me that I knew “way too much” about the University. I could think of a relevant source for a story or spell out an acronym without looking it up. I will always cherish the time spent at and the experience I gained through The Knight.
By BOB JARZOMSKI ’76 staff writer I spent one year writing the intramurals column for The Knight. I was lucky; because of that one year on staff, I got a job with the Erie Morning News. Tony Pasquale ’73, who worked in sports for the News at the time, contacted The Knight to see if anyone was available to answer telephones for basketball games. I did that, and for the next two years did a lot of part-time work for both the Morning News and the Times-News (a Sunday paper at the time). After graduation, I was hired as a fulltime writer and desk editor. I’ve covered a lot of events here in 32 years, from Pittsburgh Steelers football to Erie Otters hockey; it’s not easy, but it’s rewarding. It brought me a lot of memories and a lot of great people.
Michael Nobers ’96 composes pages for another issue of The Knight
By DOUG RIEDER ’70 editor-in-chief I wasn’t much of a joiner in high school or college, so any spare time I had between classes was spent shooting hoops at the gym. I’d probably still be there now, but my friend Tom Doyle ’69 was named editor of The Knight and asked me to join the staff. Eventually, I was made sports editor, along with Mark Eisert ’70, and our page was called “Spotlight on Sports”—I know, pretty corny, right? After graduating from Gannon, I joined the Times Publishing Company as a direct result of working on The Knight.
By ROB LEWKOWICZ ’85 editor-in-chief I was an inner-city teen, and no one told me how college worked. On my second day, I went to The Knight office; two years later, I was editor. On my first day, the basement offices were dark and my desk was bare, except for a typewriter and a white mug with a “W” on it. I was surrounded by a wonderful group of friends who were passionate about writing, photography, sports, advertising and, most of all, talking. My time on The Knight taught me that if a nervous, inner-city kid can rise to be editor of a college newspaper in two short years, then he can do anything. Today, that white mug with the big “W” sits next to me—as it has at every desk I have ever occupied.
Reminiscing about your time at The Knight? Visit the alumni Web site at www.gannonalumni.org to share your memories and read what other former staffers have to say, and then join us for the first Gannon Knight alumni reunion gathering during the 2008 Alumni Homecoming/Reunion Weekend, Oct. 10-12. For more information, contact Homer Smith ’76, assistant director of Alumni Relations, at (814) 871-7784 or via e-mail at smith176@gannon.edu.
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Shooting for the Stars by Nicholas Pronko
Prior to the start of the 2007-08 season, Gannon University Men’s Basketball Coach John Reilly thought his Golden Knights had a chance to be good. Reilly, preparing for his third season at Gannon, wasn’t sure how good. Looking back, Reilly’s uncertainty was understandable, considering the roster included nine new players. As such, he did not set a specific goal for how many games the team would win. Ironically—seeing how special the season turned out to be—his main concern was setting a positive tone for the future. The Knights certainly set a positive tone—boy, did they ever. Gannon started the season with a 126-50 rout of Penn State Greater Allegheny en route to winning the first six games of the season. By January, the Knights were 12-1 and ranked 18th nationally in Division II. The dream season also included a sweep of rival Mercyhurst College, a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Reilly, and a 26-5 record to give the program its most wins in a single season in more than 20 years. “It was such a tremendous feeling to bring Gannon back to the top, where it belongs,” said Cory Knight, a junior guard. “Over the years, Gannon has been such an outstanding program, and to restore the winning tradition this year was very special.” In many ways, Gannon’s 2007-08 season was special and one to remember. It also was nearly as improbable as it was successful.
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Orchestrating a Turnaround Entering this season, Gannon was coming off back-toback losing seasons for the first time in 50 years. The
Knights were also picked to finish last in the GLIAC’s South Division. “We wanted to approach the season one day at a time, and focus only on our next practice and then our next game,” Reilly said recently from his office in the Hammermill Center. “I wanted the players to be as good as they possibly could be. Without a doubt, every player reached their potential.” Still, it did take time for the players to get to know each other. With all the new faces, team chemistry wasn’t a given. Consequently, Reilly emphasized team building in addition to working hard in the weight room and on the court. “With so many new players, chemistry is always a concern,” he noted. Knight, in particular, shared that concern. “I was kind of skeptical of how we were going to mesh as a team when we all stepped on campus,” he said, “but it was almost like something clicked right away, and it seemed like we’d been playing together for years.” Reilly’s decision, early in the season, to have the players spend a lot of time together undoubtedly unified the team. Each player shared with the others his personal goals. Players talked about how they each were accountable for the team’s success. They also participated in community service projects together. “The way the new players gelled with the current ones really played a big role in our success in that it happened so quickly,” said Tyler Stoczynski, a redshirt junior. “We preached playing together because the single entity by itself is never as strong as the team. We wanted to start off as a cohesive unit and we just kept that thought process throughout the season.” Early on, Reilly also asked one of his former players from Brescia University in Kentucky, where he coached 12 seasons prior to coming to Gannon, to talk to the Knights. The player, Tim Sullivan, stressed that there were no shortcuts on the road to success. “Tim told them what would be expected of them and why they needed to work extremely hard,” Reilly explained. “Success is partially a willingness to work hard. It’s not enough to simply say that you want to win—you have to put the work in.” In addition to hard work, Reilly knew success would depend on the team’s ability to consistently out-rebound opponents, limit opposing teams to making fewer than 40 percent of their
shot attempts and, offensively, commit 12 or fewer turnovers per game. The emphasis on defense, rebounding and smart and unselfish basketball—a formula that helped Reilly win 232 games at Brescia—resulted in Gannon’s most successful season (in terms of wins) since the 1986-87 team advanced to the Division II national championship game. In a season in which Gannon proved all the doubters wrong, the Knights also achieved another huge milestone: with a 73-56 win over Drury University (Mo.) in the opening round of the Great Lakes Regional, the Knights recorded a win in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 13 seasons. “To have people from around the city come up to you and tell you what a great season you had is just a great feeling, because the Erie community really cares about how we do. Gannon is Erie’s team, and it feels tremendous being a part of one of the best teams in school history based on our record,” Knight concluded.
(from top) Junior center Kyle Goldcamp and junior forward Dave Wilson celebrate a victory Junior guard Cory Knight Junior guard Pierre Howard Junior center Kyle Goldcamp Teammates (L to R) Kyle Goldcamp, Tyler Stoczynski, Vince Mosley, Cory Knight and Pierre Howard huddle (below) Senior forward Vince Mosley
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AlumniFocus
Suzanne S. Prevost ’82VMC, Ph.D., R.N., CNAA by Erin Gaydos ’08 Compassionate nurse, caring professor, community supporter—all of these describe alumna Suzanne Shimmons Prevost ’82VMC, Ph.D., R.N., CNAA. Whether she is mentoring future nurses or actively helping to improve her neighborhood, Dr. Prevost embodies the Gannon University spirit of teaching, learning and service. Since graduating from Villa Maria College with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, Dr. Prevost has gained a considerable amount of clinical experience throughout her 15 years as a critical care staff nurse, clinical nurse specialist, nursing administrator and consultant. Currently, she devotes her career to academia and instructing students in the nursing profession as a nursing professor at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, Tenn., which boasts more than 1,700 students enrolled in the program. Name
Suzanne Shimmons Prevost
Education
Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University – 1992 M.S.N., Medical University of South Carolina – 1986 B.S.N., Villa Maria College – 1982
Academic/Clinical Areas Critical Care Nursing Geriatrics Advanced Practice
Research Interests
End-of-Life Care Evidence-Based Practice Outcome Evaluation Pain Management
Family
Husband, Frank Daughters, Elizabeth and Emily Granddaughters, Caroline and Lauren
“Get as much education as possible, as soon as you can; it will accelerate your career.” 18
In addition to her work at MTSU, Dr. Prevost serves as a visiting professor at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky. “I am very honored to be teaching here (as well), since they have one of the first Doctorate of Nursing Practice programs in the country,” she said. Like many alumni, Dr. Prevost cites community involvement as a high priority in her life. “I am actively involved with the United Way and have chaired our university’s charitable giving campaign twice. I also serve on the Family Selection and Family Support Committees for our local office of Habitat for Humanity and teach a Sunday school class for college-age women at Belle Aire Baptist Church,” she said. Dr. Prevost has many vivid memories from her years at Villa, including English classes with John Young and piano lessons with Vienna Cocuzzi. She cites the late Dr. Dorothy Novello, vice president of Academic Affairs at Villa Maria College, as a significant role model, and also recalls playing volleyball and bowling with her close friends. As a professor, Dr. Prevost encourages all students to be proactive in their educational careers and goals. “Get as much education as possible, as soon as you can; it will accelerate your career. Don’t put off going to graduate school,” she said. Dr. Prevost is excited about Gannon’s new state-of-the-art Patient Simulation Center, scheduled to open in 2009, and explained how important recent technology and tools are to nursing education. “Simulation is definitely the future direction for nursing and health professions education. As editor for Nursing Clinics of North America, I am currently working on a whole issue of the journal devoted to the use of technology in nursing education,” she said. Dr. Prevost and her husband, Frank, will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this summer and have two daughters and two granddaughters. Although her career has given her many awards and honors, Dr. Prevost’s proudest moment involved her family. “One of my proudest professional accomplishments is the fact that my eldest daughter, Elizabeth, has followed me into the nursing profession,” she said.
FacultyFocus
Dr. Fong K. Mak, Ph.D., P.E. “Analyze it critically, implement it boldly, evaluate it wholeheartedly and enjoy it fully.” This statement, by Dr. Fong K. Mak, Ph.D., P.E., sums up his motto for both teaching and living. “This is perhaps the one thing students should remember from my class; it gives me the formula for implementing ideas in life,” Dr. Mak said. “After all, what is life if you cannot enjoy it fully?” As chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and program director for the Embedded Software Graduate Program, Dr. Mak embraces a love for both teaching and industrial experience. “I like both hands-on experimental work as well as theoretical discovery. I love challenges and new learning experiences, and constant learning keeps my heart pumping,” he said. In addition to his work at Gannon, Dr. Mak has been a consulting engineer to GE-Transportation since 1994. This dual role helps him lead his students to new heights. “I would like to see my students become head of a company. To achieve that, I emphasize not only technical skills, but also communication and leadership skills,” he said. “One of my former graduate students has become the sub-section engineering manager at GE and is currently my manager there. That makes me happy and proud of my profession.” Having dealt with adversity while growing up in Johor, Malaysia, Dr. Mak draws on personal experience to teach his students. “My mom is the most influential person in my life. We went through financial hardship when we were young, but she is the most adaptive person I know: she can easily change course when needed and is not afraid to admit when she’s made a mistake,” he said. “With that, I often remind my students that it is okay to make mistakes in life, but you should not make the same mistake twice. This gives them the strength to see change as a positive challenge.” Students such as junior electrical engineering major Emilie Hirt and embedded software engineering graduate student Sheehab Aamir have felt the impact of Dr. Mak’s teaching philosophy. “He discusses real-world examples whenever he can fit them in and really tries to help his students understand the material on a deeper level,” Hirt said. “He pushes the limits on his students’ learning and knowledge because he wants us to become all that we can be.” As Aamir put it, “He is able to maintain my enthusiasm and motivation, and he always imparts practical insight into the subject. Dr. Mak has the unique ability to provide students with a quality education while at the same time fostering their character development and preparing them for success in the professional world.”
“I like hands-on experimental work as well as theoretical discovery. I love challenges and new learning experiences, and constant learning keeps my heart pumping.” Name
Fong K. Mak, Ph.D., P.E.
Education
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois (1990) M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois (1986) B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University (1983)
Professional Certifications
Professional Engineer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – 1992-present Full Technological Certificate in telecommunication and computers from City and Guilds of London Institute– Nuclear Institute, Malaysia
Recent Publications
“Streamlining ABET EC2000 Preparation Using an Online Assessment Tool,” in Best Assessment Processes VII Symposium, 2005 “Using Student Learning Outcomes Assessment to Assure EC2000 Program Effectiveness,” in Proceedings of the ASEE/ AaeE Global Colloquium on Engineering Education, 2005 with Stephen T. Frezza “A Web-based Outcome Assessment Tool: EvalTools,” in Proceedings of the Fourth IASTED International Conference on Webbased Education, 2005 with Stephen T. Frezza
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by Dan Teliski ’97, Director of Athletic Media Relations
Gannon University shined brightly in the national spotlight during the 2007-08 winter sports season. All four winter programs participated in post-season play, and three played in their respective National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships, with the men’s basketball program completing one of the best turnaround stories in college basketball (see “Shooting for the Stars” on page 14).
Women’s Basketball
Abby Bunstine
The defending Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) champions battled injuries throughout the season and finished 1612 overall and 10-7 in the GLIAC. It was the program’s second consecutive winning season and fourth in the last five campaigns. The program also participated in its 11th consecutive GLIAC tournament, the second-longest streak in league history.
Gannon overcame two major injuries to record another winning season. Junior guard Carrie Nolan redshirted after suffering a season-ending injury in the pre-season, while leading scorer Kim Vargas saw her season come to an end in February due to an injury. Season sweeps over local rival Mercyhurst College, as well as the University of Findlay (Ohio) and Ashland University (Ohio), highlighted the campaign. The Lady Knights also posted an 89-64 victory over Edinboro University (Pa.) in December. Vargas and Kristina Freeman were named to the All-GLIAC South Division first team, while Ashley Lowdermilk landed a spot on the All-GLIAC South Division second team. Freeman also earned GLIAC South Division All-Defensive honors.
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Freeman and Vargas both excelled during their first seasons as starters. Freeman averaged 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 steals while starting every game. The sophomore guard shot 50 percent (148-295) from the field, 37.8 percent (48-127) from three-point range and 75 percent (83-113) from the free throw line. She reached double
digits in scoring 22 times, including a career-high 30 points at Findlay on Feb. 16. Vargas was Gannon’s leading scorer (16.2) and second-leading rebounder (6.0) before suffering a season-ending injury. The redshirt sophomore forward shot 53.6 percent (140-261) from the floor, 34.4 percent (22-64) from behind the arc and 76.1 percent (54-71) from the charity stripe. She ranked 37th nationally in field goal percentage and 76th in scoring.Vargas reached double digits in scoring during 18 of 22 games, including a career-high 32 points at Wayne State University (Mich.), which was the 18th-highest single-game total among NCAA Division II players during the 2007-08 season. Lowdermilk concluded her collegiate career as third all-time player at Gannon with 185 career three-pointers.The senior guard finished 11th all-time with 1,183 career points, falling three points shy of Gannon’s all-time top 10. She hit a team-high 53 three-pointers while averaging 10.9 points and 2.9 rebounds.
Women and Men’s Swimming
Ashley Lowdermilk
The Gannon women and men’s swimming and diving teams concluded another great season under second-year head coach Gregg Sarbak. The Golden Knights broke 21 school records and recorded 65 performances that were among the school’s all-time top 10 and missed three more school records by five-tenths of a second. In addition, Paul Musille and Megan Beresford qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships. Musille qualified in the 50-freestyle, 100-freestyle and 200-freestyle; Beresford participated in the diving pre-qualifications. Musille became the second Gannon male swimmer to ever qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championships and the first since Brett Lindenmuth earned All-America honors in the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard breaststroke at the 1997 National Championships. He broke school records during his 50-yard and 200-yard freestyle events at the national championships, but still failed to move
into the top 16 and the national finals during an extremely fast-paced heat. Musille and Beresford accounted for seven of the 21 school records in 2007-08. Musille set new marks in the 50-freestyle (20.87), 100-freestyle (45.85) and 200-freestyle (1:41.35). Beresford set highs in the one-meter six dives (227.60), one-meter 11 dives (365.45), three-meter six dives (237.10) and three-meter 11 dives (383.54). Ashlee Calandra, Sarah Lawton and Michael Piper recorded two school records each. Calandra had school-record performances in the 1000-freestyle (10:33.90) and the 1650-freestyle (17:47.29). Lawton set high marks in the 100 backstroke (1:01.19) and 200 backstroke (2:13.01). Piper produced school records in the 200 backstroke (1:56.30) and the 400 IM (4:14.23). Seven school relay records fell in 2007-08, including all five men’s relay records. The men’s team broke records in the 200-freestyle (1:23.88, Richie DiLoreto-John Krakowski-Sean Hazlett-Musille), 400-freestyle (3:06.20, DiLoreto-Krakowski-Joe Wagner-Musille), 800-freestyle (7:05.03, Mitchel Meighen-Igor Makovey-Wagner-Krakowski), 200-medley (1:33.70, DiLoreto-Connor WolfHazlett-Musille) and 400-medley (3:29.55, DiLoretoWolf-Hazlett-Musille). Women’s relay records fell in the 800-freestyle (7:56.49, Calandra-Brenna Pease-Liz Clary-Hess) and the 400-medley (4:06.69, Lawton-Rachel Rzymek-Clary-Calandra). In dual meets, the men’s team finished 10-3 while the women’s squad posted a 10-5 mark.
Wrestling The Gannon wrestling program had yet another superb season on the mat and in the classroom. Gannon recorded the 13th-highest team grade-point average among NCAA Division II programs in 2007-08, according to the 15th annual All-Academic wrestling selections announced by the Wrestling Coaches Association. In addition, six Golden Knights earned Division II Academic All-America honors. Pino Scavella was named to the first team, while Kevin McElhaney, Zack McKendree and Brandon Monin landed a spot on the second team. Tony Petrella and Jacob Tazzi earned honorablemention accolades. Anthony Sayles
Brandon Monin Scavella landed a spot on the All-America first team with a 3.31 GPA. The redshirt senior was a second-team selection last season. In 2007-08, he posted a 30-16 record with 19 pins. Scavella finished fourth at the NCAA Division II East Regionals with a 3-2 mark at 184, advancing to the national championships for the second consecutive season. He finished his collegiate career with an 83-66 record and 34 pins. McElhaney was named to the second team with a 3.53 GPA. He was 31-13 with 16 pins at 141. The redshirt sophomore owns a 39-26 career record with 20 pins in two seasons. McKendree and Monin were also named to the second team. McKendree (3.05 GPA) went 24-14 with eight pins at 149, improving his career record to 45-21. He also earned All-America honors on the mat after finishing seventh at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Monin owns a 3.12 GPA and was 21-12 with three pins at 157. He has produced a 68-44 record with 14 pins during his collegiate career. On the mat, Gannon sent four wrestlers to the NCAA Division II National Championships and finished 26th nationally. McKendree was Gannon’s top finisher with a seventh-place finish at 149. Corey Bowers (133), Frank McGrath (Hwt.) and Pino Scavella (184) also qualified for the national championships. Gannon had two of the nation’s top three wrestlers when it came to ending a match via the pin. Scavella finished No. 1 among NCAA Division II wrestlers with 19 pins. McElhaney placed third nationally with 16. Twelve of Scavella’s pins came during the first period.
Spend Your Summer with GU!
This summer, Gannon University will offer a variety of fun camps and workshops for a wide range of age groups and interests, from sports-related activities to career-driven workshops. Whether it’s sharpening their writing skills, acquiring hands-on engineering experience or improving their volleyball technique, students from elementary to high school are sure to find something to take part in. Visit www.gannon.edu/summer for a full listing of camps and programs offered.
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1966
1973
was elected to the Spectrum Control, Inc. Board of Directors.
was appointed chief executive officer of Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and Jennie B. Richmond Chaffee Nursing Home in Springville, N.Y.
GEORGE J. BEHRINGER III
FRANK E. HAGAN, PH.D.
served as presenter on a panel at the American Society of Criminology Conference in Atlanta, Ga.
EDWARD D. SIVAK, M.D.
received the Outstanding Clinician of the Year Award for 2008 from the New York State Thoracic Society.
1967
JOSEPH W. KLOECKER
joined the staff at Decision Associates as a consultant.
WILLIAM C. WITKOWSKI
PAUL A. DESANTIS, CPA, MHA
GREGORY M. OEHLER
was named chief operating officer for Hunt Commercial Real Estate. He is an associate broker and has worked for the company since October 2003.
PRISCILLA A. (MOORHEAD) WHITE, R.N.
won first place in the Mather LifeWays Aging Well Rocks! Song Contest. She is a registered nurse at the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home in Erie.
1977
was appointed to the Pennsylvania CARL M. CARLOTTI, ESQ. State University Council of Fellows at Penn State – Behrend. was promoted to senior vice president of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.
1969
JOHN E. PAGANIE
was promoted to vice president of energy efficiency with FirstEnergy Corporate Headquarters in Akron, Ohio.
1970
JOHN N. LECHNER
F. MICHAEL PLASHA, RYT
completed Ayurvedic and Yoga teacher training with the American Institute of Vedic Studies.
RAYMOND J. SOBINA
was named acting superintendent of the State Correctional Institution at Albion (Pa.).
1978
is a first-term Republican commissioner for Mercer County, where he serves as secretary of JAMES E. PLAVECSKY the Mercer County Board of was appointed regional sales Commissioners. manager for Edgetech I.G.
SUSANNE POROWSKI (VMC)
received the Spirit of Goldstein Award from Perseus House.
1971
DENNIS C. CUNEO, ESQ.
was elected to the AK Steel Board of Directors.
JOSEPH E. MARCHINI
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will head the new commercial mortgage division of Liberty Mortgage Corp.
1979
MICHAEL P. ROBINSON
was named director of marketing and communications at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center.
JAMES T. RYAN ’79M
was presented with a fourth level Progressive Growth Award at the Profiles International Global Conference.
1980
KATHERINE A. GUSTAFSON, R.N., M.S.N. (VMC)
had an abstract accepted for a poster presentation at the 40th Annual Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society Conference.
JEB S. HURLEY
was named president and chief executive officer of ONYX Graphics, Inc.
JANET (DAHLKEMPER) PAWLOWSKI, R.N. (VMC)
is the founder, president and clinical director of KaleidAScope, Inc. and is the sole proprietor of the Child & Family Guidance Center.
ANDREW P. ROTH, JR., PH.D. was appointed to the Partnership for Continued Learning. He is president of Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio.
1982
ATTY. MATTHEW J. SMITH
is seeking reelection to a fouryear term as the Mohave Co. (Az.) Attorney.
1983
JAMES R. FRYLING, ESQ.
named associate general counsel and senior litigation manager for The Redwoods Group in Morrisville, N.C.
TIMOTHY M. LEWIS
was promoted to president of Signal Technologies, Inc.
SALLY SIEROTA, R.N.
was promoted to vice president of quality initiatives at Great Lakes Home Healthcare Services.
1984
PETER J. PEARSON
was named regional chief operating officer of the new central region for Student Transportation of America (STA).
DR. JOSEPH M. PETERS
is an ACE Fellow at the University of Florida in Gainesville and is being mentored by President Bernie Machen.
1985
ALICE A. EDWARDS, PH.D.
presented a paper on Maria Luisa Bombal at the International Association of Women’s Hispanic Literature in Sevilla, Spain.
JAMES J. GITNEY ’85M
founded Group50 Consulting, a consulting firm that works with start-ups and mid-cap companies.
joined the Corporate Advisory Board for Action for Children North Carolina. He was also
alumcal 2008 July 26
National Alumni Board Meeting
September 17
Quail Hollow Golf Outing
September TBD
Executive on Campus (Tentative) Wine Tasting
October 10-12
2008 Alumni Homecoming/ Reunion Weekend
October 18
Scholarship Celebration For more information or to register for any events, contact Tracy Stolz, secretary for Alumni Services, at 1-877-GU-Alums, ext. 1 or via e-mail at stolz005@gannon.edu. You can also visit the alumni Web site at www.gannonalumni.org for additional events and updates..
1987
MONICA (MANGEFRIDA) BROWER, CEcD ’90M
was appointed to the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association Board of Directors. She is the president of the Economic Development Corp. of Erie County.
GLYNN M. CHASE
AlumNotes THERESA A. MUELLER, PHR
is human resources manager for Centers for Rehab Services, a partner of UPMC.
1989
ERIC A. BALLINGER, ESQ.
was elected to the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Georgia in 2007.
presented at three conferences regarding the delivery of autism services in rural communities. He is the director of business development at the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute.
MARGARET (ROTHGERY) VANDERLAAN
1988
1990
CHRISTINE M. CASERTA
competed in the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco, Ca., running the full marathon.
MONICA L. LEWIS
is a contributing editor for Erie Life magazine, Erie’s first city magazine.
births
a son, Dylan Kevin Briggs (born March 29) to Tonya M. (Allemang) ’97 ’02M and Kevin T. Briggs ’00. Dylan joins older sister Mayra Rose, born Nov. 11, 2005. a son, Jackson Chiocco (born Aug. 17, 2007) to Julie Piazza Chiocco ’01 ’04M and her husband, Joshua. a daughter, Abigail Grace Czzowitz (born Feb. 17) to Gregory J. Czzowitz ’92 and his wife, Shannon. a daughter, Lily Anna Groenendaal (born March 12) to Julie Krumpe Groenendaal ’98 and her husband, Gene. a daughter, Grace Elizabeth Henry (born Nov. 9, 2007) to Holly J. Kenjora Henry ’99 and her husband, Don.
was named vice president of corporate communications and public affairs for Gates Corp. in Denver, Co.
ANDREW K. DAHLKEMPER
Lynchburg Police Department and will eventually oversee the city’s Neighborhood Watch Programs.
practice at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie.
1992
1993
SHANNON G. GILBERT
was appointed to the Board of Directors for KaleidAScope, Inc. She is a teacher’s aide with the Barber National Institute.
RUSSELL V. GILCHRIST
joined the medical staff at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, N.C. He is an interventional physiatrist.
JENNIFER (BURROWS) PRONKO ’07C
TRACEY (COLE) LARSON
is currently working as a realtor at the Howard Hanna east office in Erie.
LAURIE (MACLEOD) SCHNEIDER
was promoted to senior vice president of marketing and business development for Great Lakes Home Healthcare Services.
was named executive vice MARK T. SOBOLESKI president, Worldwide Human Resources for BEA Systems, Inc., was named head varsity football headquartered in San Jose, Calif. coach for McDowell High School in Erie.
RANDY J. EDWARDS, D.O.
is program coordinator for the Crawford County School-toWork Partnership with the PENNCREST, Conneaut and Crawford Central School districts in Pennsylvania.
THOMAS A. MATTINGLY II ’93M
has founded an independent publishing company, Matting Leah Publishing Company, and has written and published two children’s books under pen name, Matthew S. Field.
CHRISTOPHER J. TARBELL is a family practice physician was hired as community with Edinboro (Pa.) Family Practice and a professor of family services coordinator with the Crime Prevention Unit of the
twin boys, Henry Edward and Owen Bradley (born Dec. 22, 2007) to Michelle Palermo Hudak ’96 and her husband, Bradley. The twins join older sister Grace, born Aug. 1, 2005. a son, Grayson Morse Jones (born March 29) to Kristen Kallner Jones ’98 and her husband, Nathan. a son, Jacob Mark Kavulak (born Nov. 13, 2007) to Lindsay R. (Good) ’98 and Mark D. Kavulak ’97. Jacob joins older sisters Sarah, born Feb. 16, 1999, and Elizabeth, born Sept. 13, 2002. a daughter, Sofia Faye (born Sept. 10, 2007) to Aimee C. (Vaniglia) ’02 and Adam E. Knauff ’04. a daughter, Janelle Elizabeth Koval (born May 1, 2007) to Wendy J. (Wiggins) ’01 and Thomas R. Koval ’99.
a son, Nathan Scott Macioce (born March 10) to Deanna L. (Leskovec) ’00 ’01M and Mark J. Macioce ’03M. a son, Joseph David Morman (born Aug. 29, 2007) to Kate Schulte Morman ’99 and her husband, Gary. Joseph is their fifth child. a daughter, Collette Maribeth Naggy (born Nov. 21, 2007) to Erin M. (Dickinson) ’00 and Josh I. Naggy ’97. Collette is their third child. a daughter, Madison Rosaline Page (born Dec. 17, 2007) to Clinton M. Page, Jr. ’00 ’02M and his wife. a daughter, Lucia Louise Pasquarette (born Feb. 20) to Claudia A. (Holland) ’97 ’02M and Anthony P. Pasquarette ’99.
a son, Trent Nicholas Read (born April 29, 2007) to Nicolette Washek Read ’95 and her husband, Adam. Trent joins older brother Todd Addison, who is two years old. a daughter, Hannah Marie Shelton (born Dec. 27, 2007) to Karen Jackson Shelton ’96 and her husband, Mark. a son, Orlin Aurelius (born Nov. 18, 2007) to Amber Schiele Simecek, MPT ’03 ’05M ’06M and her husband, Brian. Orlin joins older brother Avery Alexander, born July 3, 2006. a son, Owen Jakob (born Nov. 15, 2007) to Julie A. Teslevich ’99 and her husband, Jon. a daughter, Kaylee Elizabeth King (born June 22, 2007) to Rebecca M. Zachar ’06 and Matthew King.
23
AlumNotes President Garibaldi Shoots Hoops for a Cause
President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., had his basketball skills challenged on April 30 by more than 30 students, coaches, faculty, staff and alumni at the Fifth Annual GU Basketball Shoot-out Tournament. The event was held during Springtopia, a week of interactive activities and events for students before spring semester final exams. This year’s tournament raised $100; all funds raised from the event benefited Gannon University’s Relay for Life team, an annual fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.
MICHAEL P. WALTER
was appointed president for Oshkosh Corp.’s subsidiary, JerrDan Corp.
is a senior associate with Mercer.
1994
1997
is founder of Custom Fitness Concepts.
graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007 and began his residency in internal medicine at Millcreek Community Hospital in Erie.
THOMAS R. KALKA, JR.
BARBARA W. NIEBAUER ’94M
was appointed to the Board of Directors for KaleidAScope, Inc. She is an entrepreneurial trainer for Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center.
1996
ANTHONY M. LETIZIO II, D.O.
CHRISTOPHER PECORARO has joined McGill, Power, Bell & Associates, LLP as a staff accountant in the firm’s Meadville, Pa. office.
LISA (NORTON) TOTH, MPT ’99M
marriages Kelly A. Karstaedt ’03 married Brandon A. Stanko ’03 on May 19, 2007. Heather L. Keenan ’01 married William Michael Carideo on July 28, 2007. Karen A. Jackson ’96 married Mark A. Shelton on Jan. 1, 2005. Robert R. Johnson, Jr. ’99 married Carrie A. Ream on March 10, 2007. Emily L. Lindsley ’99 married Douglas Crowley on Aug. 26, 2006.
operates two outpatient orthopedic clinics, Hands On Physical Therapy, LLC, in the Youngstown, Ohio area, in addition to managing an outpatient clinic for a group of 11 physicians.
Jeffrey William Martin ’04 married Lauren Nicole Schultz on July 21, 2007.
was honored in recognition of Doctors’ Day 2008. She is a member of the Millcreek Community Hospital Department of Family Practice and is a clinical professor in family practice at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie.
1998
Cynthia Carroll Musser ’06 married Branden Michael McCall ’05 on July 14, 2007.
AMY E. GUSEK, R.N., M.S.N., C.D.E. ’96M
was promoted to assistant vice president and assistant controller at Marquette Savings Bank.
KEITH L. BENJAMIN ’99M
was promoted to outpatient coordinator for Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, Pa.
STEPHANY F. ESPER, D.O.
24
KAREN (JACKSON) SHELTON
was inducted into Eli Lilly’s President’s Council for superior leadership and sales achievements. She is a senior sales representative with the company and one of only 50 associates in North America to achieve this status.
JULIAN E. UNDERWOOD
Gwen Medic, MPT ’01 ’03M married Jesse J. Beichner on Sept. 15, 2007.
Dr. David J. Predko ’07M married Stephanie E. Heishman on June 2, 2007. Christina T. Sanchez RPAC ’02 ’03M married Jamie Hatfield on Sept. 2, 2006. Amber V. Schiele MPT ’03 ’05M ’06M married Brian Simecek on Jan. 3, 2004. Matthew J. Schreckengost ’00 married Bethany L. Applebee on Sept. 29, 2007. Lauren Nicole Schultz ’06 married Jeffrey William Martin ’04 on July 21, 2007. Jill M. Soroka ’03 ’04M married Benjamin Gore on Sept. 22, 2007. Jaime J. Tecza ’00 married Catherine Joanne Mitchell on June 30, 2007. Wendy J. Wiggins ’01 married Thomas R. Koval ’99 on June 8, 2005.
is the new assistant high school principal at New Brighton (Pa.) High School.
SHERRY J. WALLER ’03
Natasha M. Nesteruk ’03 ’06M married Matthew A. Camera ’03M.
1999
JENNIFER L. DOMBROWSKI is a bureau reporter for KFOX-TV, a FOX affiliate in El Paso, Texas.
ROBERT R. JOHNSON, JR.
is employed by Qorpak, the laboratory supply division of All-Pak, Inc. in Bridgeville, Pa., where he was recently promoted to outside regional account manager. He also received the Qorpak Rookie of the Year Award for top new sales rep in 2007.
AlumNotes Alumnus Honored with City of Sharon Proclamation Philip Scrimenti ’70, ’74M, regional local government policy specialist for the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services in Erie, was honored on Dec. 27, 2007 by the City of Sharon for his contributions to the city. Mayor Robert J. Lucas declared the day “Philip Scrimenti Day,” citing Scrimenti’s work in helping the city receive a Commonwealth grant for an Early Intervention Study. Scrimenti also helps promote the city, actively participates in its downtown revitalization plan and was an important conduit with the State on the City’s Home Rule Commission. He also served as an adjunct lecturer in Gannon’s Dahlkemper School of Business from 2001-07.
JULIE A. (CHAMBERLAIN) TESLEVICH is teaching kindergarten in Latrobe School District.
2000
SCOTT C. LINDSAY, D.O.
is completing his surgical residency at Pinnacle Health in Harrisburg, Pa.
JANELLE R. MUDRI
works at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, N.J.
CLINTON M. PAGE, JR. ’02M
2001
HEATHER L. (KEENAN) CARIDEO
is a Spanish teacher with the Millcreek (Pa.) School District.
KIMBERLY A. GARRITY
was inducted into the Beavercreek High School Athlete Hall of Fame. She was a four-year starter on the school’s girls’ basketball team and holds the school records for number of 3-point shots made in one game (six) and most career 3-pointers (66).
CHRISTINA (SANCHEZ) HATFIELD, RPA-C ’03M
2002
JAIME J. TECZA
was accepted to the North Carolina Principal Fellowship Program and is working on a Master of School Administration degree at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The Young Alumni Committee is working closely with Gannon’s Student Government Association to develop an engagement plan for current students. For example, students participated in this year’s Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner. The Alumni Association also presented its first Founder’s Day “Inspiration for the Next Generation” Award in April to senior Shayna Weir ’08. The award recognizes a graduate who embodies the ideals, mission and character of the University. Over the next year, increased collaboration with additional student organizations on campus is planned.
Gannon has a strong, talented student body. Engaging with students early and often leads to the continued growth of an equally strong, talented Alumni Association, one that can support the University and its next generation of students while sustaining the excellence in education that Gannon is known for.
STEPHANIE (HERZING) PILATOWSKI
is employed by Nestle Foods, USA.
Gannon alumni can and do serve multiple roles, including: assisting with new student recruitment; mentoring; identifying internship opportunities; and providing networking support for students entering the workforce. This support is possible because the Alumni Association is a dynamic, growing organization with active regional leadership.
ROBERT I. CALLAHAN
GWEN MEDIC, MPT ’01 ’03M
MATTHEW J. SCHRECKENGOST
One of the Alumni Association’s key Strategic Plan Initiatives involves expanding alumni communication with current and prospective students. This effort is being led by National Alumni Board member and Young Alumni Committee chair Jeremy Ballaro ’02.
As an Alumni Association, we also work with Enrollment Services to develop and support plans to expand identification and recruitment of students. This is an important step in early introduction of the Alumni Association to incoming students and their parents. In addition, we are working to enhance the relationship with Career Development and Employment Services and the Center for Experiential Education to provide internship opportunities from a cross-section of industries and to develop a network of alumni who can provide information on—and assistance in—accessing job opportunities for new graduates and alumni searching for new career opportunities.
is a physical therapist and multi-site director for Physiotherapy Associates in Youngstown, Ohio.
is an advertising sales consultant for the information technology division of VertMarkets, Inc. in Erie.
Young Alumni: The Future of the Alumni Association
is a physical therapist at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville,Va.
was promoted to assistant director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
is a physician assistant with Orthopaedic Associates of Rochester in New York.
25
AlumNotes ERICA L. KOTULA
joined the staff of Optical Image Technology, Inc., a global software developer, as public relations coordinator.
MICHAEL S. NEUBAUER, CPA
was certified as a valuation analyst by the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. He is a supervisor at the accounting firm of McGill, Power, Bell and Associates.
2003
MATTHEW A. CAMERA ’03M received a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy in Erie in June.
26
Robert E. Alexander ’76 Charlene H. Day Barringer ’70VMC William G. Billig ’83 Joan Dormann Braeger ’50VMC William N. Burger ’69 Robert S. Carter ’49 Patricia A. Chapin ’91 N. Phyllis Childs ’84 Steven C. Collins ’75 George R. Deiner ’49 George T. “Bear” Dobrick ’69 William A. Dunegan ’47 Ross W. Etter ’70 William F. Freiwald, Jr. ’73 Frank R. Golino ’57 Joseph A. Hand ’50 Gordon L. Head ’49 Patricia G. Conley Hewitt ’70VMC Edward A. Hickey ’76 James J. Holodnak ’52 Jacob Hoornstra ’73 Mary Mehler Jamison ’39VMC Sister Eleanor Jones, SSJ ’63VMC William G. Kennedy ’52 Sister Mary P. Kiehlmeier, OSB ’53VMC Douglas T. Kingston ’57 Jack T. Kingston ’50 Joseph R. Kozik ’64 Ronald M. Lander ’64 William F. LaRock ’99 Peter P. Libra ’53 Bernard G. Loney ’80 Monica Madden ’44VMC Martin T. Mauer ’49 John W. McCarthy ’49 Patrick W. McDannel ’60 Rev. Stephen J. Minkiel, Ph.D. ’61
is a physician assistant on the surgical team at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Erie.
JILL (SOROKA) GORE ’04M
is currently a physician assistant in hematology/ oncology at Cancer Care Centers of South Texas in San Antonio.
BRIAN S. HOUSEHOLDER
in memoriam
Alumni
NATASHA (NESTERUK) CAMERA ’06M
Elmer J. Morrison, Jr. ’00 Robert J. Nodes ’60 Samuel D. Puffer ’50 J. Kevin Quinn ’58 Margaret Guerin “Peggy” Reck ’42VMC Teresanne Guelcher Reichert ’51VMC Dennis C. Rositer ’64 Robert A. Ruby ’72 Rev. James P. Ruhling ’54 Robert P. Salchli ’47 Rosemary Schaller ’57VMC Jane Fitting Schmitt ’71 Felix M. Schultz ’53 Margaret K. Schumacher ’34VMC Gerald M. Scienski ’82 Edward J. Seblom, Jr. ’50 Anne M. Seymour Strazisar ’72 Russell M. Swienski ’80 ’85M Gerard T. Uht, Jr. ’86 Deacon Edward E. Ward ’00C Thomas J. Ward ’54
Parents and Friends Rev. Msgr. A. Joseph Book Ruth D. Brugger Ann Tronetti Calabrese Charles Curtze Rt. Rev. Donald J. Davis John D. Drinko Rev. William J. Driscoll Walter A. Dylewski Chester J. Filipkowski William F. Grant Eileen C. King Marion A. Loscalzo John T. McQuown Hon. Glen E. Mencer Kelly A. Pol Richard F. Rosser Rev. Edward J. Stutz Anne Weigel Diana Ferri Zambelli
is currently on his second overseas deployment with the U.S. Navy.
AMBER (SCHIELE) SIMECEK, MPT ’05M ’06M
MICHAEL R. VARLEY
is a senior consultant with a CPA firm in Chicago, Ill.
JENNIFER D. WOODS, MPA ’03M
is one of 25 people selected to participate in the 2007-08 Resident Fellows Program of United Way of America. She is the leadership giving coordinator for United Way of Erie County.
MELISSA S. ZINTECK, PHARM.D.
is a staff pharmacist at Wegmans Pharmacy in Erie.
is currently working as a physical therapist at Ft. Knox, Ky., fulfilling her ROTC commitment.
George Wang Remembers His Brother, Dr. Joseph C.P. Wang ’52 by George Wang Approximately 80 friends and relatives of the late Dr. Joseph C.P. Wang ’52 gathered in Potomac, Md. on Oct. 21, 2007 (the eve of what would have been his 79th birthday) to memorialize his life. Dr. Wang’s niece, Nina Wang Bice, welcomed guests and gave opening remarks, and Dr. Jonathan Chaves of George Washington University read a poem in Dr. Wang’s memory, reciting it in both Chinese and English. Rev. G. William Finch of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Rockville, Md. presided over the service. In 1949, Dr. Wang left China to study in the United States. He studied English literature at Gannon University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1952. He continued to study English literature at New York University, and upon graduation, moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where he would work for the United States Information Agency and Voices of America (VOA) for more than 30 years. In 1963, he taught Chinese at George Washington University and American University, marking the first time both universities offered such courses. Over the course of his career, he published several books, including The Origin and Development of 500 Chinese Characters. In December 2006, Gannon presented Dr. Wang with a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. Dr.Wang passed away on April 1, 2007.
2004
ANGELA R. (PERO) ANNIBALE
was appointed senior manager for community and nonprofit services at Strategy Solutions, Inc.
JEFFREY W. MARTIN
is a teacher with the Fairview (Pa.) School District.
JAY MOSER ’04M
was named junior-senior high principal at Riverview High School in Oakmont, Pa.
JENNIFER K. ROBINSON
2006
JOREL B. BUFFA
is an international trade analyst for General Electric in Cleveland, Ohio.
LAUREN (SCHUTZ) MARTIN is a registered nurse at Hamot Medical Center in Erie.
CYNTHIA (MUSSER) MCCALL is a teacher at Erie First Assembly of God preschool.
AMANDA R. OLIVER ’07M
2007
2005
joined Corry Publishing as an account executive.
joined Corry Publishing as an account executive.
PAUL F. LONCHARIC
CHRISTINA L. JACKSON
is playing basketball for the Perik Jumpers, a professional Dutch women’s basketball team.
DAVID J. PREDKO ’07M
BRANDEN M. MCCALL
SCOTT J. SHAFFER
DORCAS A. “ANNIE” MORRIS
President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. (center) accepted a check for $25,000 from Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) in Erie, bringing the company’s total contribution to The Power to Transform Comprehensive Campaign to $50,000. Gannon University alumni John E. Paganie ’69 (left), vice president of energy efficiency, and Daniel J. Heher ’75, Erie area manager, represented Penelec.
SEAN P. HOFFMAN
is the vice president, director of sales and advertising for Erie Life magazine, Erie’s first city magazine. is a teacher in Erie.
Penelec Makes Second Campaign Contribution
is a physician assistant at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie.
joined the Newly Corporate Web blog team. She is a customer integration leader at GE-Transportation in Erie.
JOSHUA K. ALGER ’06
AlumNotes
is a physical therapist at HealthSouth Rehabilitation in York, Pa. is a systems technician at Marquette Savings Bank.
competed in the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco, Ca., running the half marathon.
Have you recently married, changed careers, published a book or had a child? If so, let us know! You can post information and see what your friends are up to on the alumni Web site at www.gannonalumni.org, or you can send your information to Jana Hunt at (814) 871-7469 or via e-mail at hunt001@gannon.edu.
Alumni travel to Panama
Left to right: Scott Green, Donna Green, Monika Bach ’08 (back), Lindsay Kohser ’08, Rebecca Opaluch ’08, Dr. Elisa Konieczko ’84, Theresa Vitolo, Dr. Karinna Vernaza (back), Jessica Coulston ’11, Rita Vitolo, Marion Gallivan ’81M (back) and Robert Gallivan enjoyed a trip to Panama City, Panama in March with Dr. Elisa Konieczko, associate professor of biology, and Dr. Karinna Vernaza, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. The trip was designed to create a better understanding of Panama’s history, wildlife and environment and to study engineering perspectives of the Panama Canal. by Monika Bach ’08
27
EndNotes Innovate, Integrate and Educate: Gannon’s New Three-College Structure Will Advance Academic Excellence Continuous transformation and growth are common themes across campus this summer. From new and renovated buildings spurred by record enrollment to the establishment of a third College and the near completion of a successful The Power to Transform Comprehensive Campaign, Gannon is meeting and exceeding many of the goals outlined in the University’s 2002-08 Strategic Plan. The University is anticipating another year of strong enrollment. As of May 23, 584 deposits and 2,956 applications have been received for the Fall 2008 Semester. Last year’s total enrollment of 4,134 students was the largest in 15 years and included 613 first-year students and 1,405 graduate students, which was the highest total ever; 284 of those graduate students were international students, which was also the largest number ever. As a result of Gannon’s steady enrollment growth over the last six years, the University has created a new three-College structure. The following organizational structure will take effect in the Fall 2008 Semester: The Robert H. Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences; the College of Engineering and Business; and the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. This three-College structure will not only strengthen our already strong academic programs, but it will also support Gannon’s Catholic Mission, the goals and objectives of the new Strategic Plan II: 2008-13 and specific academic and co-curricular programs for students. The three Colleges will also create an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship that will facilitate collaborations among the Colleges and the external community, as well as enable each College to have a unique identity that will be promoted both internally and externally. The Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences will be housed in the Robert H. Morosky Academic Center, an exciting component of which will be a 5,800-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art Patient Simulation Center. The education and training facility, which will be located on the ground floor of the Center, will open in 2009. This specialized learning center will utilize high-fidelity human patient simulators to provide students from multiple disciplines the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. The Center will incorporate the most advanced, innovative medical simulation and education technologies into the health professions curricula. Students will engage in hands-on, multi-disciplinary training that will promote communication and problem-solving skills so that they will be better-prepared to meet the challenges of today’s healthcare industry.
28
In addition to a major gift from Mr. Robert H. Morosky ’63, Gannon alumnus and member of the Board of Trustees, to name the building and the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, Gannon also received a $237,000 gift from the Orris C. &
Beatrice Dewey Hirtzel Memorial Foundation and a $75,000 gift from the A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust to help build the Patient Simulation Center. The College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences will educate students from the associate degree to the doctoral level and will offer the benefits of a rich liberal arts curriculum accompanied by practical, hands-on valuable internships, clinical placements and student teaching experiences. Gannon’s new doctoral program in Organizational Learning and Leadership, the first and only program of its kind in the region, will remain in this College. This doctoral program prepares professionals to manage institutions and organizations in a variety of leadership capacities. The integrative College of Engineering and Business will be housed both in Beyer Hall, which was renovated last winter, and in the Zurn Science Center, where extensive interior renovations began this summer. Zurn will be remodeled into a state-of-the-art academic and research facility that will support Gannon’s science and engineering programs. Planned renovations will include the creation of more interior research space and the addition of eight new laboratories as well as a technology-rich Erie Insurance Learning Center, where conferences and lectures sponsored by Gannon’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the new Erie Technology Incubator (ETI) will be convened. The ETI, which will assist hightech start-up companies, will open on campus later this summer. Furthermore, the success of Gannon’s The Power To Transform Campaign continues. This historic Campaign, the largest in Gannon’s history, represents an ongoing investment in attracting and retaining high quality Gannon students and faculty, an opportunity to provide students with ample scholarship support, funding to help enhance facilities that will advance learning and research and gifts to strengthen Gannon’s Endowment. As of May 23, the University has raised $28.9 million, or 96 percent of a total $30 million Campaign goal. That amount does not include an additional $7 million from federal and state support. Members of the Gannon Board of Trustees, as well as many Gannon and Villa Maria Alumni and friends of the University, have given generously to the Campaign. The combined total Campaign giving among Trustees and Alumni is $20.1 million. If you have not already made a contribution to The Power To Transform Campaign or Gannon’s Annual Fund, please consider making your gift prior to the end of this current fiscal year, which is June 30. The generous contributions of alumni and friends like you have given us the additional financial support and momentum to continue to provide an excellent education to all of our students. We sincerely thank you for your commitment to and belief in this great University. Your financial support and involvement with Gannon will help to continue the University’s growth and transformation for years to come.
What Every Gannon Graduate Needs to Know:
If you know a high school junior or senior who would be a good fit for Gannon University, there’s something else you need to know. As a Gannon graduate, your signature on that student’s admissions application means that we’ll waive the application fee. Over the past two years, Gannon alumni have helped waive the application fees for 345 high school seniors applying to Gannon. This current year alone, 70 of these students who were accepted now plan to enroll this fall. The Office of Admissions at Gannon University would like to thank you for your continued support in identifying and referring quality prospective students to Gannon. If you have any questions or would like additional information about this program, please call us at (814) 871-7240 or 1-800-GANNON-U.
Gannon University 109 University Square Erie, PA 16541-0001 www.gannon.edu
Believe in Research
Graduate electrical engineering student Jatin Burman explains his poster presentation to Dr. Linda Fleming during Gannon’s annual Graduate Research Conference