Gannon Magazine November 2019

November 2019

framing

OUR FUTURE A new academic building at Ruskin expands our new frontier.

- Page 16 -

IN THE NEWS

Read the latest news from Gannon University to stay in the know.

- Page 2 -

WE CALL THEM “FOUND TREASURES”

Re-discover Gannon’s Baroque- and Reformation-era paintings.

- Page 4 -

ENTREPRENEURIAL RESOURCES AID ‘UNDERCOVER BILLIONAIRE’ SBDC, professor, students helped Glenn Stearns build Underdog BBQ. - Page 10 -

from the

president

Members of the Gannon and Erie communities kicked off the demolition to I-HACK, including (front to back) Pennsylvania State Sen. Dan Laughlin; Gannon President Keith Taylor, Ph.D.; Vice President for Academic Affairs Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D.; Vice President for Planning and Finance Val Bacik; Vice President for Academic Administration Steve Mauro, Ph.D.; Dean of the College of Engineering and Business Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D.

With the approach of Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on the many blessings that Gannon University has experienced these past few months. Three words come to mind as I ponder that spirit of gratitude: dedication, inspiration and transformation.

I am moved by how I’ve seen our Gannon community put these three words into action and the effects they’ve yielded across our campuses and the communities we serve.

The landscape of higher education has changed, and we are changing with it. We celebrated the expansion of our Ruskin campus with the opening and dedication of a new academic building in August that will accommodate the campus’ rapidly growing student enrollment. This growing enrollment played a part in the university achieving its highest fall enrollment — 4,444 — since 1991, a significant milestone that inspires pride in us all and signals the next achievements on the horizon of a dedicated faculty and staff.

In addition to the changing landscape in Ruskin, our Erie campus is undergoing transformation as well. Plans are being carried out for major renovations to the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, including capping a gas well we discovered below the building. The adjacent Pontifical Center and Student Services Building were demolished to make way for that work, and this area will become

Doug Oathout Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Brianna Mariotti Marketing and Content Strategist

Vol. XXXIV, No. 1 • November 2019 Gannon University • 109 University Square Erie, Pennsylvania 16541 • (814) 871-7000 www.gannon.edu

new green space for our campus and urban neighbors.

Continuing the theme of physical campus transformation, interior demolition at Knight Tower has begun. That building will be home to the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge, including the Pierre McCormick Cyber Learning Center. Several of us joined together on an October day to take the first hammer swings toward transformation.

These important events continue to create environments where transformation of our students and our colleagues can occur as we share life-changing educational opportunities. We are grateful for the dedication of our faculty and staff, alumni, community partners, and all who are inspired by our Mission and are jumping into opportunities for transformation.

I am humbled to witness the evolution of our enthusiastic students into passionate and professional alumni on and outside our changing campus landscapes. What a privilege it is to share such stories with you in this edition of the Gannon Magazine. These stories represent just some of the many inspiring journeys of the many members in our Gannon community.

Ever grateful for God’s and your blessings and support,

Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President

Gannon Magazine is published

by University Marketing and Communications: Mallory Bottoni ’14 Haley Figurski Michael Gorski ’11M Laura Hinsdale Matthew King Andrew Lapiska ’09M Nicole Lossie ’11 Raechel Miller Kristine Rilling

We value your input; please direct any comments, questions or feature ideas to magazine@gannon.edu.

photography student, staff and alumni contributors Rick Klein ’84

printing Royle Printing

class notes and address changes Jana Hunt Assistant Director, Gift Recording hunt001@gannon.edu • (814) 871-7469

contents

Gannon Magazine November 2019

04

We Call Them “Found Treasures”

10

Gannon’s Entrepreneurial Resources Aid ‘Undercover Billionaire’

16

Growing Toward the Sun

02

In the News

20

A PAL Worth Having

08

Iconic Works on Paper

22

Homecoming & Family Weekend

Pursuing Dreams. Finding Purpose.

Transforming Lives.

24

Coaching on Home Field

26

Class Notes

12

Read the latest news from Gannon University to stay in the know.

Gerald “Jerry” Marterer ’76M returned to campus to share a private collection of world-class art.

The Archbishop Gannon Scholarship program has impacted the lives of many students by providing access to education. Three of those students have shared their stories of transformation with us.

14

Victory for a Red Sox Coach

Erie police Sgt. Tom Lenox ’98 is using his experience to kindle ties with city youth.

More than 1,000 Gannon and Villa Maria College alumni and Gannon family and friends returned to campus for an exciting weekend.

Soccer led Colin Petersen ’01 on an 8,000-mile journey to Gannon. Nearly three decades later, the campus is home for his family, as well.

Keep up with the latest news from Gannon Alumni.

The Boston Red Sox hold the 2018 World Series title, but for Colin Feikles ’17M, the win represents a personal victory as well.

On the Cover: Framing our Future The architecture of the original academic building at Ruskin frames the campus and new iconic arch. A second academic building was formally opened at the campus on Aug. 23, 2019 to support program growth and new students. With this $20 million addition, the University is expanding its footprint — and its opportunities. To learn more, turn to page 16.

View the Gannon Magazine Online Edition Look for this symbol for articles with exclusive video, photo galleries and expanded content found in the Gannon Magazine Online Edition: magazine.gannon.edu/Nov19.

To receive the Gannon Magazine Online Edition directly to your inbox or to manage your subscription preferences, visit gannon.edu/magazine.

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IN THE NEWS

A Changing Campus Landscape

Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel

A small natural gas leak was found under the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel in May, which caused this important campus building to close.

Significant progress has been made since then toward capping the abandoned gas well below the Chapel. Plans were set for major renovations to the historic campus structure and for the demolition of the adjacent Pontifical Center and Student Services Building. Both adjacent buildings had been identified for removal in Gannon’s 2009 master plan because they were well past their useful lives.

The landscape at the corner of Peach and Fifth streets changed in early October when the Pontifical Center was demolished to provide access for construction equipment to reach the gas well through a large hole cut into the north wall of the Chapel (pictured). The demolition of the Student Services building followed in mid-October.

The work on the well is expected to be completed before winter to ensure the Chapel is weathertight. Additional enhancements are being planned to the Chapel along with the necessary reconstruction over the next several months.

The University launched a capital campaign to help fund the renovations and enhance the structure’s appearance and amenities.

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

The beginnings of a Christian church on this site date back to 1860. The present church was rebuilt in 1950 following devastating fires to the building in 1920 and 1944. Its congregation merged with what is now the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant on West Sixth Street in 1981. Gannon purchased the property that year to establish the University Chapel, which was dedicated on Oct. 8, 1989.

Become a part of preserving Gannon’s past while shaping the future for our students and our community by donating to the Chapel capital campaign.

To find out more about how to donate, contact Almitra Clerkin, associate vice president for University Advancement, at clerkin002@gannon.edu The Pontifical Center, adjacent to the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, was demolished in early October to make way for construction equipment to access the gas well below the Chapel.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON I-HACK The University celebrated the start of construction to its Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge, or I-HACK, in a ceremony in October, as the first swings of sledgehammers began interior demolition of Knight Tower. The University unveiled the $13 million first phase of the project. This phase involves renovation and construction of the building’s exterior (pictured above), the first-floor lobby area and the second-floor space dedicated to academic learning environments.

This educational space, the Pierre McCormick Cyber Learning Center, will house faculty offices and classrooms, open collaborative innovation spaces, as well as a security-controlled Cyber Hacking Lab, a Cyber Defense Lab and an Internet of Things Lab. In these labs, students will be involved in projects alongside faculty and businesses on a variety of cyber-related topics including developing intelligent autonomous vehicles, intelligent health monitoring devices and smart sensors, as well as secure data storage and communications through advanced applications and intelligent systems design.

This initial construction phase for I-HACK is expected to be completed by Fall 2020.

The construction following phase one will further develop the I-HACK’s integration with businesses and resources for the community.

The University plans to develop the third through sixth floors in additional construction phases to create space dedicated to business idea development in the Hatchery, collaborative industry spaces for businesses and a toptier data center.

GUBotDev Unveils Mobile STEM Lab The Gannon and Erie communities came together for a celebration and blessing of GUBotDev’s 10-month project that transformed an old RV into a cuttingedge mobile STEM Lab (pictured above).

GUBotDev started the project with the purpose of taking STEM education on the road to local Erie schools to provide outreach to the community and inspire the next generation of innovators. During the ceremony, the Mobile STEM Lab was blessed by the Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Erie and chairperson of Gannon’s Board of Trustees.

GUBotDev expressed their gratitude to the many donors who made the renovations possible and contributed to the lab’s equipment. The mobile lab is equipped with digital soldering stations and oscilloscopes in a dedicated electrical space, 3D printers and computers with drone simulation software (pictured above).

The GUBotDev Mobile STEM Lab was introduced to the community by its founder and Computer and Information Science Instructor Mark Blair; Chief Operations Officer Nick Devine; Gannon President Keith Taylor, Ph.D.; and Dean of the College of Engineering and Business, Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D.

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“foun treasures” we call them

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

nd ”

Paul Brill’s “Saint John Preaching in the Wilderness,” a more than 350-year-old painting depicting John the Baptist as he promises the coming of the Savior, can be found in Old Main. It is one of 22 Baroque- and Reformation-era paintings that have returned or will return to public view at Gannon after a long absence.

“We call them ‘Found Treasures,’” said Lori Steadman, director of Gannon’s Schuster Gallery.

The paintings Steadman is referring to once adorned the walls of Old Main and the former library — what is now Gannon’s Yehl ballroom — in the 1940s through the ’60s. They were relocated to an air handling unit in Gannon’s Nash Library in the 1960s as the campus prepared for the renovation of Old Main and the Waldron Campus Center. The paintings remained undisturbed until a maintenance worker rediscovered them in 2016.

(Front) “Saint John Preachining in the Wilderness” by Paul Brill (1554-1626).

(Back) The “Annunciation” by Antoine Cuypel (1661-1722).

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Now, some of them are being conserved or put back into view as they await restoration. Their journey at Gannon dates back 80 years.

A receipt shows that Archbishop John Mark Gannon purchased the paintings on Oct. 20, 1948 from a New York art dealer named Julius H. Weitzner. The Archbishop bought the paintings for a total of $10,000.

A 1949 appraisal valued them at $53,050; their value today has not been calculated.

The religious tone of the paintings offer a clue to their origin.

“Human thoughts often reveals itself (sic) through an artistic form... There are some states of the soul which can find an expression only through the fine arts. They all have the same source: the instinctive need of human genius to create, to give a real existence to that ideal beauty which seethes within.”

- Father A. Crispo, Ph.D., excerpt from “Gannon College Gallery” “You have to think back in that time.

A lot of people didn’t have their own radios, music or art,” Steadman said.

“But at church, you’d have beautiful

music and beautiful art. Many of these churches sold art so they could help the people during the war.”

The exact origins remain unknown, but the paintings now belong to Gannon as a visual representation and celebration of our Catholic faith, identity and traditions.

Students in the Patricia H. and Richard E. Garman Art Conservation Program at Buffalo State College are helping Gannon conserve the paintings under the supervision of Fiona Beckett, assistant professor of Paintings Conservation at the college. The “Annunciation” and “Saint John Preaching in the Wilderness” have successfully been conserved.

Conservation of “Madonna and Child” will begin this fall.

Paul Brill’s “Annunciation” hangs in the President’s Office in Old Main.

(Right) A closeup of the “Annunciation.”

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

Beckett said the process of restoring the paintings is rigorous and involves analyzing, imaging and documenting the pieces before removing dirt and old varnishes that might otherwise obscure the composition.

Structural components such as canvas, wood frames and panels often need to be repaired because they are damaging to the overlying layers of

The “Crucifixion of Saint Andrew” by Guissepe Bazzani is displayed in the staircase in Old Main.

(Left) A closeup of the “Crucifixion of Saint Andrew.”

paint. Restoration of a single painting can take up to two years.

As a student, Jen Munch was assigned to “Saint John Preaching in the Wilderness.” She used imaging

techniques including infrared light to uncover hidden details of the painting, including a few small figures beneath the upper layers of the painted trees and double profiles of a figure seated on Saint John’s right, suggesting it was reworked a couple of times before the artist was satisfied.

Beckett and Munch may be among the first in history to view these historical details.

X-ray technology also helped Munch identify a certain pigment, led-tin yellow, that is associated with the 15th through the 17th centuries, confirming that the painting was created during the time Flemish artist Paul Brill was active.

“Discovering these secrets is always a bonus and really makes these projects worthwhile, both historically and for the conservator conducting the work,” Beckett said.

M.C. Gensheimer, assistant professor and co-director of the School of Communication and the Arts at Gannon, said she hopes to see the rich history of all 22 paintings conserved and returned to Gannon’s walls.

“There’s something about the inperson experience that helps Gannon students understand and appreciate the visual arts. Liberally-educated students need to see good art, highquality art in order to develop an appreciation and understanding of it,” Gensheimer said. “(Art) is the essence of what we are.”

Jen Munch, a graduate of Buffalo State College, conducts imaging on “Saint John Preaching in the Wilderness” before applying treatment.

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ICONIC WORKS ON

A Gannon University alumnus returned to campus to share a private collection of world-class art with his alma mater and the Erie community.

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

The Schuster Program for the Arts and the Schuster Gallery at Gannon presented these works during the show, “Iconic Works on Paper: A Selection from the Gerald and Suzanne Marterer Collection,” at the Schuster Gallery this October.

Gerald “Jerry” Marterer ’76M and his wife, Suzanne, own an impressive collection of art by iconic artists like Salvador Dali, Edvard Munch and Marc Chagall, among others of the mid-century modern school. Fifteen of these works were shown at the Schuster Gallery, including print gravures, etchings and watercolors primarily from the 1950s.

The nine-day show gave more than 300 attendees the unique opportunity to view prominent artwork and to engage in conversations with Marterer about his experiences and expertise in the arts.

“It was exciting to see this acclaimed art collector connect with students, the Gannon community, and local and regional community members,” said Lori Steadman, director of the Schuster Gallery. “It’s not every day that a local university or gallery has access to this caliber of visual work.”

Marterer also presented a lecture, “Impressionism in Paris,” in the boardroom of Old Main at Gannon, which was attended by nearly 100 faculty, staff and students. A signing of his travel book, “Paris 201: Uncommon Places in the City of Light,” followed the presentation.

Left: (L-R) Lori Steadman, director of the Schuster Gallery; Gerald “Jerry” Marterer ’76M; and Cathy Fresch, director of development.

Right: Chet LaPrice, operations manager of 90.5 WERG, admires artwork at the Schuster Gallery.

Below: Gannon and Erie community members view iconic works of art at the Schuster Gallery.

Marterer, a Pittsburgh Along the way, Marterer discovered he “I believe that people carry inside them native, has always had a deep appreciation for art. a kind of tuning fork that vibrates been a businessman. to certain works of art, just like it “I find that when I look at a piece of art, He received his would to music notes. Put simply, there is a reaction,” Marterer said. His Master of Business Impressionism resonates with me,” wife, who received an art minor from Administration from Marterer said during his presentation.

Clarion State University, influenced Gannon in 1976 and this growing interest, as well.

The couple began adding oil his undergraduate paintings from the 1930-1960 French degree in economics As newlyweds in the 1960s, the Post-Impressionist era when they and accounting couple spent weekends at auction purchased a home in Paris in 2003. from Clarion State houses and flea markets where they Marterer described these paintings as University in purchased land and seascapes to a “celebration of ordinary people.”

Pennsylvania. be used as wall decor. The 1980s saw a shift in their taste, as the “The Impressionists seemed to live Marterer began his couple gravitated toward the midthe life they painted: weekends in career at Hammermill century modern school, which the country, eating and drinking, Paper Co. in Erie is characterized by bright colors, socializing...and family gathering,” and transitioned into abstract subjects and fragmented Marterer wrote in his book.

International Paper where he worked geometry. Many of these pieces were for the next 33 years. Marterer served Now retired, the couple divides displayed at the Schuster Gallery first with the executive leadership their time between their homes in show. team and then as president of IP Asia, Charleston, S.C., and Paris where spending four years in Hong Kong. In Marterer finds himself especially they carry on a 40-year tradition 2002 he joined Arizona Chemical as intrigued by post-Impressionist era of collecting art that they hope to chairman. paintings. eventually share with others.

“The whole idea of having an art gallery is to bring art to people,” Marterer said. “I hope visitors to the show at Gannon could in some way benefit from seeing this art live.”

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GANNON’S ENTREPRENEURIAL RESOURCES ASSIST The entrepreneurial ecosystem at Gannon’s Center for Business Ingenuity caught national attention during the airing of ‘Undercover Billionaire,’ an eight-part TV series on the Discovery Channel.

Billionaire Glenn Stearns, founder of mortgage company Stearns Lending, LLC, went undercover in Erie as Glenn Bryant to build a business valued at $1 million in 90 days. If he didn’t meet that challenge, he vowed to invest $1 million of his own money into the business.

“When I got to Erie I realized after a short time how many people are good, hardworking folks who want to make a living and help others. I was excited about being here,” Stearns said.

Maggie Horne, director of the Small Business Development Center at Gannon, explained that producers contacted Gannon searching for community resources to assist entrepreneurs.

“We helped with understanding the industry and the environment to identify what was needed and would 10

GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

be accepted within the community. being small business centers that are We researched and talked about the all over the country,” Stearns said. “I kinds of businesses that would make was surprised by how many services an impact, create they had to offer.”

“There are resources people jobs, and really Students in help in the small don’t know about in a lot of Gannon’s business business focus programs worked communities – one being and movement directly with small business centers that here in Erie,” the undercover Horne said. are all over the country. billionaire to

The SBDC, ...I was surprised by how many support him as Dahklemper they do all clients services they had to offer.”

School of Business, explained Richard Erie Technology Incubator and Makowski ’18, ’19M, a current junior Gannon’s node of the Northwest business consultant at SBDC. Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive “We compiled industry research and Network worked one-on-one with competition analysis, then explained Stearns to provide insight into Erie’s the reports to Glenn when he was business landscape and introduce him looking at starting one of three to various community contacts. business ideas,” Makowski said. “Even “There are resources people don’t know about in a lot of communities — one

though we didn’t know who he was at the time, we could tell he was not

(Left) Student employees in Gannon’s Beehive assist clients with market research and analysis.

(Right) Glenn Stearns and Maggie Horne at Underdog BBQ.

your average entrepreneur. He had that ‘it’ factor.”

This research led Stearns to open what is now the Underdog BBQ restaurant.

The students found their time with Stearns was an invaluable experience.

“It was a professional lesson to see that even after you make billions of dollars you can still be approachable. He didn’t need to do this, but still chose to give back,” Makowski said.

Declan Bingham ’19, a Beehive employee and current MBA student, added: “If we wanted to start a business tomorrow we would all have a good sense of what to do to make that happen because of the experiences working here.”

Rich Hauser, Ph.D., associate professor of finance and economics in Gannon’s Dahlkemper School of Business, also assisted Stearns.

He was the expert who valued the business. Although Underdog BBQ fell short of the million-dollar value, Hauser identified it as having potential to quickly reach that value through a diversified business strategy.

Not only did Stearns and his team create and open a business in Erie, Stearns also invested $50,000 at the end of the show to establish the Underdog Entrepreneurial Foundation to award microgrants to eligible entrepreneurs. Gannon’s SBDC will play an advisory role and funnel candidates to apply and pitch their business to the Foundation.

To read expanded content, visit magazine.gannon.edu/Nov19

“The idea is to continue to have Erie help itself. As the restaurant has profit, I hope it’ll continue to help this initial investment and the community grow,” Stearns said.

As on the show, Stearns said, “I wanted people to see that you don’t need a lot of money. If you have inspiration and aspiration, and you’re able to really gather people around you and your dream you Glenn Stearns, owner of mortgage company Stearns Lending, LLC, can make it.” posing undercover as Glenn Bryant.

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TARÉ

MUHAMMAD

HEBA

PURSUING DREAMS. FINDING PURPOSE. TRANSFORMING LIVES. Gannon has remained dedicated to providing accessible education to students since it was founded. Establishing the Archbishop Gannon Scholarship program in 2014 was a testament to that dedication as it provides full-tuition scholarships to high school students in Erie Public Schools. A total of 90 students have started the program since its inception.

Featured are three of those students’ stories of how this program has transformed their lives and enabled them to uncover their purpose and make an impact on the lives of others.

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

TARÉ STANDBACK Junior, Respiratory Care

HEBA ALSAHLANI

Senior, Master of Physician Assistant (5-Year)

What did it mean to you to be an Archbishop Gannon Scholarship recipient?

It is an honor, and it means a lot that I was chosen as a recipient. There are a lot of great opportunities that have come from attending Gannon, and I’ve met great people who I’ve built meaningful relationships with.

What did it mean to you to be an Archbishop Gannon Scholarship recipient?

It’s been an amazing opportunity that has made a difference in my life. For this scholarship to be awarded to students in Erie shows that Gannon cares about the students in our community.

Who has made an influential impact on your life?

My professors and peers, and especially Heidi Brieger Noyes (director of Commuter Life) helped me put myself out there when I first started college. Also, my mom and grandmother have continued to motivate and inspire me. They both showed me a different type of love and taught me self-love, and always give great advice. They instilled my faith in God in me and taught me to believe in Him.

How have you been involved in the community?

I’ve completed an internship in Gannon’s Center for Social Concerns through which I worked at the Multicultural Center in Erie. Here, I worked with ESL students and children ages 3 to 18 from a wide variety of cultures who had just come to the U.S. It was a completely different world, and I learned a lot about myself by being with the students.

How have you found your purpose at Gannon?

I think helping and healing others is my purpose in life. I think God gave me that gift. The more I learn how to love myself, I try to give that same type of love back to the people around me. I hope that in the future I can give patients who are going through trauma hope that they will survive and that they will heal.

MUHAMMAD ALSAHLANI

Senior, International Studies and Political Science What academic opportunities have shaped your Gannon experience?

I completed an internship over the summer at the U.S. Committee of Refugees and Immigrants — International Institute of Erie. Here, I translated for refugees from Syria and North Africa, set up houses, and helped them apply for school and jobs.

Through Gannon’s semester exchange program, I studied in France last spring at Catholic University of Lille where I focused on how European foreign policy relates to the Middle East. I learned a lot about myself there.

Currently, I am in Washington, D.C. for an internship through The Washington Center program as a research analyst focusing on Middle East studies. I am conducting and helping professors in their research, attending and hosting conferences, and briefing others on what is happening in the region.

What did it mean to you to be an Archbishop Gannon Scholarship recipient?

Receiving this scholarship opened doors for me. It motivated me and really helped in my decision to go to school. I don’t think my semester studying abroad would have been possible without this.

How has your Gannon experience impacted you?

I’ve grown personally and academically in my four years here, and I am so thankful for every opportunity. My experiences working at Gannon’s STEM Center and with international students and refugees in the community were something that textbooks can’t teach.

My classroom experiences introduced me to research. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Quyen Aoh (assistant professor of biology) in our campus labs, as well as being a Research Fellow at the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. I worked for 10 weeks with master- and doctoral-level students and was tasked with understanding a specific disease process. It makes me passionate to one day be treating patients, but it’s really exciting for me to now work on finding cures for diseases.

How have you been able to find your purpose through those experiences?

My “why” has to do with people. I know that there are people internationally who need medical care now. It is one of my goals to be on the front lines to help them.

Another part of my “why” is my family, specifically my grandma. She knows education is power because she never had the opportunity to go to school. I’m doing this for her so she can see she is a part of my journey. It won’t be just me walking across the stage at graduation. I’m doing this for everyone that has helped push me to get here.

To read more of our students’ stories, visit magazine.gannon.edu/Nov19

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VICTORY FOR A

RED SOX

COACH 14

GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

Colin Feikles ’17M felt a personal victory when the Boston Red Sox claimed the 2018 World Series title. He did, after all, train and rehabilitate some of the players who were on the field that day.

Feikles is the head strength and conditioning coach for the Lowell Spinners, the Class A Short Season Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, since 2018. He also played a role rehabbing and training players of the Major League team that won the 2018 World Series.

Feikles said seeing some of the Major League players he worked with lead the team to a World Series win was a humbling yet satisfying moment.

He’d have to make connections to get there, however. “I made a lot of phone calls,” Feikles said. “I would ask, ‘Can I pick your brain on a couple things?’ and meet someone that way.”

Feikles also connected with a mentor and well-known coach, Zach Dechant, through an internship with Texas Christian University. The relationship led to his current position with the Boston Red Sox organization.

Feikles himself had a successful baseball “I care so much about (the players). That’s career while enrolled at La Roche College. what drives me,” Feikes said. “I hate when In 2014, he became the school’s firstbad things happen to people, because I ever Third Team All American second had a lot happen to me. If I can somehow baseman and first-ever AMCC Conference control that for the players, I’ve done my Player of the Year. He also received the job. I keep them healthy First Team NCAA All Region and moving so they can “I hate when bad second baseman and won do what they love.” three AMCC Conference things happen to Baseball Champion titles Feikles graduated people, because I during his career. His batting from Gannon’s Master average peaked at .432 during had a lot happen of Science in Sport his junior year. and Exercise Science

to me. If I can

Program. Now, he Feikles hoped for a somehow control designs and implements professional playing career, training programs for that for the players, but a broken hand and both minor and Major recurring issues with torn I’ve done my job.”

League athletes in cartilage in his shoulder drove the weight room and on the field, and him in a different direction. rehabilitates injured team members. His “It wasn’t anything that could be work earned him the 2019 Minor League controlled,” Feikles said. “But I think it Strength and Conditioning Coach of the may have been God’s way of telling me I Year in New York-Penn League. should go into (coaching).”

The career opportunity wasn’t an easy catch. But Feikles, who was born mostly deaf and communicates using hearing aids and lip-reading techniques, is known for his determination.

In 2016, Feikles shadowed Pirates’ strength and conditioning coach Frank Valesquez, who motivated him to pursue a full-time position in that field.

The outcome proved rewarding, as Feikles now trains professionals of the same Boston Red Sox organization that saw iconic players like David Ortiz imprint their own legacies onto baseball history.

(Top) Colin Feikles with fellow coaches and athletic trainer of the Lowell Spinners staff.

(Middle) Colin Feikles helps Nick Decker of the Lowell Spinners gain mobility in preparation for a game.

(Bottom) Colin Feikles was awarded a 2018 World Series ring in recognition for his work with the Boston Red Sox that year.

To read about another alumnus who is working in the MLB, visit magazine.gannon.edu/Nov19 #GUPOSSIBILITIES 15

Gannon’s Ruskin campus features a new 83,000-square-foot academic building.

TOW 16

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GROWING

WARD THE SUN Gannon University is growing — and not just in enrollment.

The university’s footprint is also growing, thanks most recently to the opening of an 83,000-square-foot academic building at the Ruskin campus. The building — constructed to accommodate more programs and new students — was dedicated on Aug. 23.

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1

4

Gannon University formally opened a new 83,000-square-foot academic building at its Ruskin campus on Aug. 23, 2019. 1 It was just five years ago that Gannon announced plans to open in Ruskin. The campus launched the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program with 28 students in 2015.

Since then, Gannon purchased and fully renovated one building, developed the new parking lot, and built a $20-million academic building.

Gannon’s Ruskin campus now has more than 240 students.

Richard Johnson, Ed.D., director of operations for expansion campuses, played a pivotal role in the campus’s development and said he senses the excitement among Florida’s Gannon Family.

“Everyone is just happy here. It’s a very interesting phenomenon,” said Johnson, who is also the program director for the Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program and has been in 18

GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

academia since 1991. “Everyone has been engaged and in some way feels responsible for what we created here and walks around with pride.”

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variety of equipment, including treadmills, bicycles, a metabolic cart and recording tables. Students in the Sport and Exercise Science Program can also use the space when learning testing procedures. Other facilities include a student gathering hall, distance education classroom, and academic conference room.

And for good reason. The building’s first floor houses a student-run health and fitness center 2 that includes four assessment and treatment rooms to be used for clinical practice. Spaces The building’s “Everyone has been such as the Speechsecond and third engaged and in some Language Pathology floors have yet to be and Rehabilitation way feels responsible for fully developed.

Sciences Laboratories 8 are used to foster what we created here and In the meantime, Gannon continues hands-on learning walks around with pride.” to move forward while providing in providing pediatric and adult services to the advanced educational opportunities. community. A Physician Assistant Today, Gannon offers a Doctorate in Laboratory 3 also offers students a Physical Therapy, an online Postlecture and examination space.

Professional Occupational A private research space Therapy Doctorate, for faculty and facultymaster’s degrees in student projects athletic features a training,

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physician assistant science, sport and exercise science, and a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology that will be launched in the fall of 2020. These programs are supported by a growing team of about 35 faculty and staff.

To those at Ruskin, the campus already looks and feels like Gannon University with its familiar signage, iconic arch and new Golden Knight statue. 6

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Frank Haas ’61 and his wife, Marie ’73VMC, generously gave toward the mobility garden — a space that includes multiple ground surfaces, a bridge and a butterfly garden, among other features — where students work with patients. 4 “The Ruskin campus is growing dramatically, and we felt this was a good opportunity to support that growth,” Frank Haas said.

Timothy and Daniel Schaaf, president and vice president of Building Systems Sarah Ewing, Ph.D., dean of Inc., respectively, gifted the base of the Morosky College of Health the Ruskin campus Golden Knight Professions and Sciences, expressed statue and Ruskin campus arch, the her appreciation for Ruskin’s generous latter of which replicates the Erie donors and all who made the campus’ campus arch that was donated by the new amenities possible. same family. “We’ve enjoyed seeing so “We are so grateful for the ongoing many pictures and gatherings happen support of the Ruskin community around and under the (Erie campus) as we expand our campus. The new arch. To have a similar arch at the building will provide innovative Ruskin campus seemed like a natural learning environments for our addition,” Daniel Schaaf said. students to learn and apply their

learning in ways that allow them to serve the community,” Ewing said. 7 President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., honored 28 graduates of Ruskin’s Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program during the campus’ second Commencement Ceremony on Aug. 24, making it a monumental week in Gannon’s development.

To view an exclusive photo gallery, visit magazine.gannon.edu/Nov19

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One police officer uses his experiences to kindle ties with city youth.

Erie police Sgt. Tom Lenox ’98 remembers growing up as an innercity kid in Johnstown, Pa. “I wasn’t the smartest kid, grew up a hard life,” he said.

It made coming into the Gannon community a bit of a challenge as an 18-year-old freshman.

attendees in 2017 to more than 200 at its third camp this summer.

The program has Lenox optimistic about changing the sometimes negative narrative around relationships between law enforcement and citizens.

“You see the tone and the tension and stress levels of some of the Head men’s wrestling coach Donald things we’re out here doing in the Henry recalls coaching Lenox on the team those first years. “Bringing a city community; it’s the kids who bring down that tension level,” Lenox said. kid into the Gannon community, it Perhaps the biggest payoff is seeing was a little bit of a struggle because adults who’ve admitted to previous of different environments, different negative encounters personalities,” with police express he said.

“You see the tone and the appreciation and But Henry and others tension and stress levels respect for the work at the university of PAL, Lenox said. of some of the things took a chance on the Students at this young teen, and now we’re out here doing in year’s camp toured Lenox is returning the Gannon’s Forensic the community; it’s the favor to the youth of Investigation Center, Erie City. kids who bring down a crime simulation This summer, 207 laboratory where that tension level.” students from six they learned about Erie Public schools attended the fingerprinting technology and other Police Athletic League Summer Camp, investigative techniques. Students an event spearheaded by Lenox in also received a visit from Erie SWAT partnership with the Erie Bureau and toured armored law enforcement of Police and hosted by Gannon vehicles, ambulances and firetrucks.

University. The program brings Erie City youth together with local law enforcement officers to establish positive relationships.

Lenox re-launched the Erie PAL program in 2016 following a 40year hiatus. A handful of officers participated in the after-school program at Pfeifer Burleigh as coaches, mentors and teachers. But enormous strides have been made since then.

Now dozens of officers from several law enforcement agencies are working with children from six Erie elementary schools, Lenox said. The league’s camp grew from 58 student

Other activities included a variety of sports, from football to swimming, and from dancing to wrestling.

The program typically awards bicycles to the top 10 campers, but a conversation between Lenox and Michael Peterson, owner of World Gutter Systems, led to bicycle donations from 47 local businesses and a number of individuals. The concluding award and recognition ceremony ended triumphantly as 207 donated bicycles were presented to the 207 campers.

Lenox said he hopes to see continued growth in the number of students involved with PAL. “Every year the number seems to double,” he said. “I just had a meeting with the city of Erie school district, and they want us in every school.”

Lenox said the response from the community has been overwhelming. “It’s a little personal for me, because I (was) one of those kids.

It strikes a nerve,” he said.

Above: (L-R) Erie police Sgt. Tom Lenox; Mark Schau, chief county detective at Erie County District Attorney’s Office; and Gerald Clark, program chair and associate professor of criminal justice at Gannon.

Left: Two-hundred seven campers attended the 2019 PAL Summer Camp, which featured a variety of activities. #GUPOSSIBILITIES 21

Homecoming & Family Weekend 2019 More than 1,000 Gannon and Villa Maria College alumni and Gannon family and friends returned to campus for an exciting weekend of events during the university’s Homecoming and Family Weekend on Sept. 26-29.

The weekend combined the traditional events of Homecoming with unique activities to create a fun and lively atmosphere. The classic pre-game tailgate featured the FreeDaps improv rap group, DJ music, student performances, and a food truck from Underdog BBQ, the restaurant featured on Discovery Channel’s “Undercover Billionaire.” At game time, fans cheered on the Golden Knights as they pushed their way to victory over Clarion University at McConnell Family Stadium.

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1 “Flashback Friday at Antler’s Pub” was a popular event for alumni at this year’s Homecoming and Family Weekend. 2 President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., introduces student Tejita Rajbhandari as a speaker at the Circles of

Distinction Reception. 3 Tom Barton ’17 and Alizabeth Leng ’17 participated in the pre-game tailgate festivities at the Recreation and Wellness Center. 4 Villa Maria College alumni reunited during the Villa Maria College Tea. 5 The women’s competitive cheer team at the Homecoming and Family Weekend pre-game tailgate. 6 (L-R) Luther Manus ’53, ’71M; Connie Manus; Carmella Kesicki; and Robert Kesicki ’60 at the Heritage Society Luncheon.

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2019

Distinguished Alumni

AWARD

Gannon University proudly honored five remarkable individuals with the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award. Distinguished Alumni recipients are selected by the National Alumni Board that represents more than 38,000 Gannon and Villa Maria College alumni across the globe. This year’s recipients include (L-R above):

4 New to this year’s Homecoming celebration was the “Flashback Friday at Antler’s Pub.” The event highlighted the Knight Club as the original Antler’s Pub of the ’60s and ’70s, a landmark of Gannon University. Guests enjoyed music of the decades, a beer garden, specially designed t-shirts, and great company.

• JOSEPH EUGENE TARQUINIO ’68, ’70M, executive director of the Maria House Project • KELLY MIELE ’10, ’14M, advanced placement teacher at Fairview High School • GREGORY CZARNECKI ’89, director of Applied Climate Science for the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources • CARL CARLOTTI, ESQ. ’77, former president of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.

• JOSEPH COOLEY ’64, retired vice president of Sales and Marketing at GST AutoLeather

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SAVE THE DATES! HOMECOMING AND FAMILY WEEKEND October 1-4, 2020 #GUPOSSIBILITIES 23

(L-R) Lia Petersen ’97, assistant women’s soccer coach, with Colin Petersen ’01, head women’s soccer coach.

COACHING BY: DAVID RUNG, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

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Soccer is what led Colin Petersen ’01 on the 8,000-mile journey from his native South Africa home to Erie, Pa. He arrived in the summer of 1993 to begin his collegiate playing career at Gannon.

The sport also brought Lia Petersen ’97 to the university when she joined the Gannon team after a standout high school career at Erie Central High School.

Nearly three decades later, Gannon is still home for the family.

“We started dating sometime while we were sophomores, got married in 1999, and now we have four beautiful kids,” Colin said. “This is my home now, so it’s pretty cool.”

Both Colin and Lia were successful on the field. Colin, a Gannon Athletics Hall of Famer, is 11th in program history in both goals and points and was a two-time allregion performer. He helped the Golden Knights to the NCAA Division II national semifinals in 1993.

Lia played just one season for the Lady Knights before focusing full-time on her academics, but turned in 119 saves as the starting goalkeeper in 1994. The mark still ranks third in the team record book.

Neither strayed far from the game after graduation.

Colin worked on and off with both the men’s and women’s programs at Gannon under coaches Rob van Rheenan and Jim Nestor while also working in the corporate world and later in Gannon’s Office of Admissions.

Prior to the 2002 season, the opportunity arose for Colin to take over the helm of the women’s program. After some initial hesitation, he’s jumped fully on-board as head women’s soccer coach.

Lia took a similar path to a full-time position at Gannon, but already had both feet in the coaching world.

In 1997 she was named the head girls’ soccer coach at nearby Fairview High School. In 11 seasons, the Tigers won 10 region titles, nine District 10 championships, and reached the PIAA state semifinals three times.

beginning with the 2009 season, Lia joined the staff at Gannon as assistant women’s soccer coach, and the success followed.

“A lot of people, when they see too much of each other, it’s an issue,” Colin said. “But for us it’s the other way. It’s not much of a difference whether we’re in the office or at home, we’re talking about the game, throwing ideas out at each other. Lia is a terrific coach, and she’s a big part of our success.”

The Gannon family and Petersen family overlap doesn’t end with the couple. Their oldest, Maddie, is a first-year education major and a studentathlete on the cross-country team (pictured right).

Her younger brothers, Charlie, 17; Owen, 15; and Lincoln, 3, have also been around the school and soccer team their entire lives.

“For me, even when I was a student here, it’s just not something that you can put your finger on (about Gannon) and say, ‘This is what it is,’ but there’s something, and I’ve just always been very comfortable here,” Colin said.

“When I came over here, I didn’t know too many people, and now this is my home. I’ll be forever thankful to Gannon, because they afforded me a great life. I love what I do, and all I want to do is have the kids — our own children and our players — have the same experience that I did.”

To read exclusive highlights from the fall sports season, visit magazine.gannon.edu/Nov19

The couples’ opposing schedules of practice, travel and games started eating into time with the family. So

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ROBERT McGEE has earned 273 gold metals, 130 silver medals and 88 bronze medals throughout his career in martial arts. During this year’s ATA World Championship, McGee won six gold medals and one silver medal in the Tournament of Champions. McGee began his training in Taekwondo at age 65. Now 72, McGee is a ThirdDegree Black Belt who trains under the outstanding leadership of Senior Masters Michael and Kimberly Brown in Fayetteville, N.C. McGee has trained in karate, kung fu, tai chi, and Taekwondo. He’s also been inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the Who’s Who in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. McGee is a CPA and attorney who has earned 23 academic degrees, including 13 doctoral degrees from universities in the United States and Europe. Additionally, he is an Amazon best-selling writer who has published 59 books.

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DAVID M. CULLEN ’79M launched Evident Financial, a registered investment firm providing asset management and financial planning services for individuals nearing or in retirement. Cullen has spent more

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KENNETH R. GAMBLE, Ph.D. was the featured tenor saxophonist at the eighth annual Kate Buczek Memorial Concert hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie. The concert paid tribute to Erie’s first lady of jazz, Mary Alice Brown, with whom Gamble has been musically associated for more than six decades. Among the musicians joining Gamble were bassist David Blaetz ’84, ’10M and vocalist Katie Chriest ’08M. Gamble spent nearly 50 years teaching at Gannon University and serving as chairman of the Department of Psychology and Counseling.

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than 40 years in the wealth and investment management industry.

Cullen previously founded the Eriebased Heritage Trust Co., as well as ParentBroadcast, one of the country’s first school emergency notification companies.

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CHRISTOPHER C. KNOLL was promoted to director of Global Research & Development with Eriez. Knoll joined the company in 2011 and most recently served as product engineering manager.

TIMOTHY G. NECASTRO, CPA participated on the speaker panel during the Athena Speaks: On Board Balance luncheon at the Jefferson Educational Society. NeCastro discussed becoming a board member and provided tips on board service.

NeCastro is the president and CEO of Erie Insurance and a board member for American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Insurance Information Institute, UPMC Hamot, Gannon University Board of Trustees, and the Erie Downtown Development Corp.

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DAVID T. BLAETZ, JR. ’10M was the bassist at the eighth annual Kate Buczek Memorial Concert hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie. Blaetz played alongside featured tenor saxophonist Kenneth Gamble ’63.

The event paid tribute to Erie’s first lady of jazz, Mary Alice Brown. Blaetz and Gamble were joined by vocalist Katie Chriest ’08M. Blaetz currently teaches in the Gannon University School of Communication and the Arts.

JEFFREY J. KAVENEY was named director of sales and product management for Eriez. Kaveney has been with Eriez for 24 years, previously serving as manager of product marketing and administration.

His current responsibilities include providing leadership for the company’s

SHARE YOUR NEWS LET US KNOW WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO! Submit a class note at www.gannonalumni.org separation, vibratory, metal detection and recycling product lines; developing key sales strategies for light industry markets; and overseeing order administration.

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JOSEPH G. CACCHIONE, M.D. transitioned from his role as CEO of Ascension Michigan to serve as the executive vice president of clinical and network services for St. Louis-based Ascension Health. Cacchione will unite clinical and care excellence functions and subsidiaries. Cacchione started at Ascension in 2017 to lead Ascension Medical Group.

TINA (CICCHETTI) DONIKOWSKI was a panelist on the Erie Community Foundation’s Erie Women’s Fund educational presentation, which addressed the underrepresentation of women on boards and in the highest decision-making offices within companies and governmental offices.

Donikowski is the retired executive vice president of Global Locomotive Operations at GE Transportation.

Donikowski currently serves on Gannon University’s Board of Trustees.

GREGORY F. NOWAK ’85M was promoted to senior technical director for Eriez. Nowak most recently served as the technical director of research and development. He joined the company in 1989.

GREGORY F. REED, Ph.D. was the distinguished guest speaker for the Lehigh University’s Institute for Cyber Physical Infrastructure and Energy. Reed currently works at the University of Pittsburgh as the founder and inaugural director of the Energy GRID Institute and the Electric Power Systems Laboratory in the Swanson School of Engineering. He is also the professor of Electric Power Engineering in the Swanson School’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. Since September of 2019, Reed has served on assignments with

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KORIN (DEMICHELE) GILES, MS, CESCO, CWMP ’11M was promoted to vice president for Urban Engineers.

Giles leads the firm’s environmental practice in Erie, Pa. Giles supervises a number of environmental projects and provides industrial employee training and compliance consulting services. Giles has been certified by the Registrar Accreditation Board as an environmental auditor and assists clients in developing, implementing and auditing environmental management systems. Giles has more than 30 years of experience in the field.

SHERRI (FURLONG) McCLEARY, VMC delivered the commencement address for Penn State New Kensington’s 62nd Commencement Ceremony held Saturday, May 4, 2019. McCleary is the director of business development, additive manufacturing at Kennametal Inc. McCleary is responsible for driving growth opportunities that leverage 3D printing technologies in the company’s markets and applications for high-performance wear materials and components. Prior to joining Kennametal, she spent more than 30 years with Alcoa and Arconic in various positions within technology development and leadership. McCleary holds several U.S. and foreign patents and received R&D Magazine’s R&D 100 Award for developing one of the 100 most technologically-significant new products in 2014.

Alumni Honored with Erie’s 40 Under 40 Distinction

Photography courtesy of Erie Reader

the National Science Foundation as program director for the NSF’s Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers Program in the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships. Reed has more than 33 years of combined industry and academic experience in the electrical power and energy sector. He worked in positions in engineering, research and development, and executive management and leadership during his career with the Consolidated Edison Co. of New York., ABB Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., and DNV-KEMA.

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Nine Gannon alumni were recognized as part of the Erie Reader’s annual 40 Under 40 list of young professionals who are leading Erie into the future through their respective professions and causes. These individuals include: JAMIE (STUBENHOFER) BRENEMAN ’02, director of Human Resources for Mercyhurst University. 1 CASSANDRA M. DUNDON ’09M, chief compliance and planning officer for the Achievement Center. 2 KRISTY M. GNIBUS ’09M, family and consumer science teacher in the Millcreek Township School District and influential community member via social media, community engagement, and work through organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of NWPA. 3 KELLY (DOMBROWSKI) KARNS ’09M, owner of Erie Food Tours and a parttime instructor in the Department of Education at Mercyhurst University. 4 JANAE P. BUTLER ’11, communications specialist for Erie Public Schools. 5

BRETT R. WILER ’14M, vice president of Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership and director of Capital Formation at Flagship Opportunity Zone Development Co. 7 ASHLEY E. LAWSON ’16M, public policy advocate for Blue Zones Project in Corry, Pa., secretary and treasurer on the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority Board of Directors, and president of the Civic Leadership Academy Alumni Network for the Jefferson Education Society. 8 LANNA HAENER NIERATKO ’16, general manager of Whole Foods Cooperative, representative for the National Cooperative Grocers’ Eastern Corridor Steering Committee, Erie Ambassador, and member of the Athena Circle of Trust. 9

AMY R. MURDOCK ’12, director of Government Affairs at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. 6

#GUPOSSIBILITIES 27

KEVIN P. SULLIVAN received two 2019 Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on the Nickelodeon animated series “The Loud House.” The show won Best Animation Writing and Best Children’s Animated Series.

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STEVEN J. BENKE was hired as the women’s bowling coach at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Benke previously worked as the McDowell High School women’s bowling coach, guiding the team to five Metro League championships over seven seasons.

Benke was voted the McDowell 2017-18 coach of the year. Benke also works as a residential assistant for L’Arche in Erie.

His bowling resume includes first place in the 2001 Times-News Open.

MARTIN J. BROWN played the trumpet for 43 years and is an integral part of Roar on the Shore’s annual Fallen Riders Memorial Run. Brown performed “God Bless the U.S.A.” just before more than 200 bikers departed Penn State Behrend for the fifth annual 18-mile Fallen Riders event. Brown performed the National Anthem at the 2017 Fallen Riders gathering and “Amazing Grace” at the 2018 Fallen Riders pre-ride festivities. Originally from Erie, Brown now lives and works as an ATM specialist with Citibank in Florence, Ky. Brown returns to Erie every July to visit family and friends while participating in Roar on the Shore activities.

DANIEL C. ZIMMERMAN was promoted to operations director at Eriez where he provides strategic leadership to the Eriez operations teams. Zimmerman has been with Eriez since 2004, serving most recently as director of business development.

90 Hosted by Alumni Services to connect with alumni in their hometowns while celebrating our Gannon family.

Coming to a City Near You...

Detroit, MI Pittsburgh, PA Cleveland, OH Fort Lauderdale, FL Phoenix & Scottsdale, AZ Tucson, AZ Jacksonville & Orlando, FL Naples & Ft. Myers, FL Raleigh & Durham, NC Harrisburg, PA Washington D.C., MD Austin & Dallas, TX Atlanta, GA New York, NY To view upcoming tour dates and a photo gallery of past events, visit www.gannonalumni.org.

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JIM FIORENZO ’90M joined the Erie-based human resources and consulting firm of J.L. Nick and Associates Inc. as a partner and executive consultant. Fiorenzo will serve primarily as an executive coach and work with businesses in health care and related fields. As president of UPMC Hamot, Fiorenzo managed a $30 million construction project and helped bring Erie’s Safe Harbor Behavioral Health and WCA Hospital of Jamestown, N.Y. into the UPMC system.

He earned a pharmacy degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his MBA from Gannon University.

CRAIG C. SIDDON joined the Oliver D. Appleton Golf Course at St. Lawrence University as the new golf course manager for the 2019-20 season. Siddon manages all aspects of golf course operations.

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ENA E. HENNEGAN, D.O. founded the multiracial hair care line, Many Ethnicities, for her daughters and others who have multitextured and curly hair.

Hennegan is a board-certified and

practicing physician in the Chicago area who created the hair care products to fill a void in the market.

MARK E. MUENZER was appointed new community development and transportation director in Redwood City, Calif. Muenzer previously served as community development director in Menlo Park, overseeing the city’s planning, building, housing and economic development divisions.

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DR. JOHN “JACK” W. FULKMAN is now the preferred chiropractor for the NFL’s Houston Texans. Fulkman is also the owner of Gateway Chiropractic - South Shore, PLLC in League City, Texas.

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RONALD J. McCONNELL ’94M joined the Department of Health Policy and Administration faculty at the Pennsylvania State University as an assistant teaching professor in the Master of Health Administration Program. McConnell is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has more than 20 years of healthcare administration experience in providing students with a modernday practitioner’s view of management in today’s complex health environment.

McConnell has held positions as chief operating officer of UPMC Altoona, senior vice president of Altoona Regional Health System, and dean of Mount Aloysius College.

KAREN A. SURKALA was named president of Westfield Memorial Hospital. She has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare field, including many years of service to Allegheny Health Network Saint Vincent and Westfield Memorial Hospital. She previously served as vice president and administrator for WMH from 2007-2011.

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DANIEL R. SCHIESSER ’98M was recognized as the National Hockey League’s Teacher of the Year. The NHL selected five teachers throughout

marriages Hannah Kaltenbaugh ’19 married Jordan Martig ’19 on Aug. 3, 2019. 1 Drew D. Deimel ’12 married Lauren Uht on July 6, 2019.

Kara S. Miller ’01 married Matt McCarty on May 5, 2018.

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the United States and Canada who take advantage of a web-based course sponsored by the NHL. The course uses sports to teach STEM subjects. Schiesser is a STEM teacher at Cleveland Hills Middle School in Cheektowaga, N.Y. where he introduced the new web-based course to students.

In January, he took 90 eighth-graders to a STEM day event hosted by the Buffalo Sabres at the KeyBank Center.

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VIKTORIJA P. TELBIS was honored with the Corporate Promotion of Education Award at the 2019 Black Engineer of the Year Award Gala. Telbis is the director of clinical education for Boston Scientific and has been successful in mitigating the opioid crisis by teaching clinicians how to engage patients with more effective treatment options. She also supports Boston Scientific’s Bridge to the Future, a STEM outreach program that provides mentoring and internships for highschool aged African American students bound for college.

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RICHARD A. GALBRAITH has been a registered nurse for more than 22 years. Galbraith started his nursing career as a flex nurse in a local community hospital for seven years.

He gained valuable knowledge about all aspects of patient care for newborns to the elderly. He worked with acutely ill patients in the Erie Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Galbraith then moved into a community health nursing position within the Erie VA system.

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Galbraith feels great camaraderie with his patients as he himself is a veteran.

DIANE L. MacWILLIAMS ’07M is the National Association of Biology Teachers’ 2019 Pennsylvania Outstanding Biology Teacher. The association honors one teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada and overseas territories annually. MacWilliams was honored for her creativity, curiosity regarding the natural world, educational leadership, and commitment to her school and community. MacWilliams has been a science teacher at McDowell Intermediate High School since 2004.

She has also been an adjunct biology professor at Gannon University since 2011.

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LARISSA (SMITH) ANDERSON was given the opportunity of a lifetime last year, and she made the most of it. Anderson was named head softball coach at the University of Missouri.

Under her leadership, the Tigers program had a successful turnaround and a berth in the NCAA Regionals.

Anderson coached at LIU-Post, part of the Long Island University system, for two years before spending the next 17 seasons at Hofstra University in New York.

JULIE (MARSHALL) LANG expanded her fitness studio in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of St. Marys in St. Marys, Pa. The studio offers spin classes and personal training for local residents. In April 2018, Lang and her partner, Hannah McClain, officially opened the doors to Temple Studio, located in Ridgway, Pa.

Maggie Bahm ’17 married Zach Jackson on June 28, 2019. 2

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ALLEN L. BONACE, R.N. ’99M was promoted to president and CEO at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie. Bonace served as vice president for Special Projects since 2016 and as the director of nursing for the 12 years prior.

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BRIAN C. McCALLA, PE, CEM, CEP, CDSM, CPE ’00M joined the H.F. Lenz Co. Conneaut, Ohio office as a project engineer. McCalla led a team in the development of approximately $2 billion worth of annual performance contacting and DBOM pay-from-savings projects for more than 10 years. In addition to previously running his own firm, BCM Engineering, McCalla also served as an adjunct professor for the University of Pittsburgh.

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JOSHUA S. CARLSON has been named CEO of Wells Media Group, Inc., which is based in San Diego.

Carlson served as chief technology officer and chief innovation officer of Wells Media Group since 2015. He also serves as a member of the board of directors. Prior to this dual position, Carlson held numerous positions with the company since 2001, including as vice president of technology. Carlson has been instrumental in leading Wells Media Group’s digital growth for nearly two decades.

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Mary Green Andrus ’05M Rev. John G. Barwin ’57 Sister Mary Margaret Balizet, SSJ ’66VMC Sister Mary Francis Becker, SSJ ’66VMC Ann Bittner ’02M Joyce Nelson Boxer ’67VMC Beth A. Brokenbek ’99 Gerald W. Callahan, Esq. ’60 Theresa Presser Conti ’85 Charles “Chris” C. Cooney ’63 Kenneth Crawford, Jr. ’75 Eugene F. Deiner ’71 Marion A. DeRose ’70 Mary Golubski Desin ’82VMC Milton J. Dickerson ’63 John W. DiLuzio ’58 Michael J. Doka ’73 Harold E. Downey ’50 Barbara Belin Fahey ’59VMC Kevin B. Fardink ’96M Margaret M. Ferko ’70M

in memoriam

Alumni Robert L. Frye ’79 S. Stephen Gentile ’73 Daniel J. Gerstner ’83 Bernard R. Graf ’64 John A. Green ’62 Kenneth G. Hart ’79, ’90M Thomas M. Heintzel ’56 John D. Henke ’66 Wesley C. Herbol ’74M Thomas G. Hessley ’68 Charles E. Horn ’50 Mary McMahon Hosack ’68VMC Arthur C. Johnson, Jr. ’66 Clark C. Jones ’80 Crystal A. Kinzig ’97 Judy Fesenmyer Kirk ’77VMC Rose Hess Koziorowski ’49VMC Harry “Tom” T. Kuntz ’59 Kenneth E. Larson ’48 Eric F. Leone ’70 Roberta L. Lewis ’82VMC Frank E. Lucician ’72

Philip R. Lynch ’65 William P. Lyons ’71 Joseph G. Matheis ’91, ’89 John W. Mattis ’69 Mahlon W. McCoy ’60 Richard J. McLaughlin ’50 Sandra Williams Mead, Ph.D. ’68VMC, ’78M Ann Bowes Moffatt ’58VMC, ’75M Cheryl A. Mook ’93 Jeanne Shufflin Niedzielski ’46VMC John F. Noal ’66 Alice Boyle Orr ’74 Cecil S. Ortallono ’66 James L. Owen ’89, ’87 Linda A. Petrillo ’83VMC John E. Picard ’65 Janice L. Purdue-Dance ’94 Marino J. Quercio ’14 James D. Renaud ’59 Frank J. Salvia, CPA ’58

Robert A. Sauers ’88 Michael J. Schlack ’68 Bernard “Ben” J. Schmidt ’53 Sister Mary J. Scully, SSJ ’58VMC Margaret A. Sementilli ’05, ’07, ’11M Richard C. Senger ’63 Howard R. Simpson, CPA ’61 Peter B. Spampani ’61 Frank R. Surrena ’74 Edward A. Sutula ’55 Robert A. Szyper ’70 Mary D. Tellers ’70VMC Clarence “Carney” E. Vensel ’92M Robert H. Vinca ’61 Susan Kotyuk Vogel ’97 Roberta L. Vomero ’92 Duane A. Wassum ’88 Jennifer L. Weis ’96 Donald D. Williams, Jr. ’60 Sister Naomi Wood, SSJ ’69VMC

Ina Rae Corey Geraldine M. Costa John R. Evanoff Jack Gold, M.D. Judith D. Gramley Sandra M. Hammon Nelda Scalzitti Hart Gary Hixenbaugh Doris Inter Jay Jenkins, M.D.

Benjamin F. Kimmel Halit M. Kosar, Ph.D. John F. Krystek Francis Mainzer Jack Marcus Leon D. Matczak Sandra Williams Mead, Ph.D. Wallace B. Nash Larry L. New Ronald F. Pauline, Ph.D.

Mary Alice Tippett Peters Rita A. Przepierski Margaret A. Seip Walter M. Spichiger Russell P. Thelin Michael Vorberger Elizabeth J. Wilcko Joseph F. Zielinski

Parents and Friends Diane Allegretto Carl A. Amidon Louise Feige Becker Irwin Belk Mary Hain Bensur Karin S. Bergdahl John B. Bert, Jr. John P. Campbell Isabell A. Clemens James C. Conway, Jr.

MICHAEL J. DEERING ’02M was appointed chief investment officer for HUTTON. Deering joins HUTTON with nearly 20 years of business experience and more than 13 years of commercial real estate and fund management experience. HUTTON is a commercial real estate development and investment company focused on developing, acquiring, managing and constructing high-quality real estate in single tenant, multi-tenant and shopping center formats, as well as multi-family and self-storage properties across the United States.

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ANDREW J. CHALOT was named the head coach of Mansfield University’s Mountaineer baseball program. Chalot served as the interim head coach since May and as an assistant coach with Mountaineer baseball for the past eight seasons. Chalot manages the pitching staff and coordinates team recruitment.

Chalot came to Mansfield from West Virginia Tech University where he served as an assistant coach. While at Tech, Chalot coordinated recruitment for the Golden Bears and assisted in the development of the strength and conditioning program.

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STEPHANIE A. KEEBLER ’03M was approved as the Titusville Area School District’s new superintendent.

Keebler most recently served as the director of federal programs for the district. Prior to joining the district, she taught Spanish and French at Venango Catholic High School in Oil City. She also taught Spanish in kindergarten through grade six in the Clarion Area School District.

GAURAV PURI ’03M was promoted to assistant vice president of analytics strategy for Selective Insurance Group.

Puri joined Selective Insurance in February 2019. Prior to that, he served as assistant vice president of Business Insurance Product and Platform at Travelers Insurance.

JOEL M. ZUPICH has been promoted to assistant vice president of Credit Administration for CNB Bank. In this role, Zupich is responsible for the oversight of the Credit Administration and Secured Lending departments at the main office in downtown Clearfield, Pa.

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NATHAN J. DeSIMONE ’04M was named athletic director for Union City Area School District. DeSimone is a sixth-grade teacher at Union City Area Middle-High School where he also coached track and field, baseball and wrestling for the Bears. He was the assistant golf coach for 15 years and was named head coach of the girls’ varsity golf team in 2018.

KATRINA (VINCENT) SMITH ’04M has joined Marquette Savings Bank as a business banking representative.

Smith brings 16 years of leadership experience in project management, economic development and commercial real estate. Most recently, she served as vice president of real estate and chief operating officer for the City of Corry and Erie County Redevelopment authorities. She had previously served as CEO of DevelopErie and the Economic Development Corp. of Erie County.

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ERIN R. HOUSTON, Ph.D. was the speaker for the 45th annual awards luncheon of the Mercer County Frontiers Club. Houston is president and CEO of the Shenango Valley Urban League, Inc. She served for eight years as education director of the Urban League before being selected to her present position. Her duties involved overseeing the youth programs, employment, human relations and community outreach initiatives.

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PATRICK C. WASHINGTON has joined the staff at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., as assistant admissions director. He previously served as the senior enrollment advisor and diversity recruitment coordinator for Gannon University.

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DANIEL C. BARDO has joined the law firm of Pyfer Reese Straub Gray & Farhat as an associate attorney. Bardo was previously an associate attorney at Gearty Law Offices. His focus of practice is on criminal, personal injury, family and support cases. Before that he was an assistant district attorney for Montgomery County.

DANIEL R. ROSS was asked to assist the Cleveland Indians equipment manager within the clubhouse during the 2019 Major League Baseball Futures Game and the MLB All-Star Game.

Ross started his career with the Erie SeaWolves and is currently the visiting clubhouse assistant for the Detroit Tigers. He spent the 2012 spring training season as an attendant in the Detroit Tigers clubhouse for the Tigers’ minor league team in Lakeland, Fla. He was the Erie SeaWolves’ clubhouse manager in 2011 and returned to that position for the SeaWolves’ 2012 season.

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REV. ERIC J. DINGA was elevated to the role of pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish and St. Rose Parish, both in the Greensburg Diocese in Latrobe, Pa. Dinga was ordained to the priesthood on June 20, 2015.

AFRIM LATIFI ’14M is returning to the PSAC soccer world as Clarion University’s women’s soccer team coach. He will take over the Golden Eagles after one season in charge of the women’s program at Bethany College in West Virginia.

MELINDA A. MEYER ’11M spoke at the annual public meeting of the North East Historical Society. Meyer’s presentation, “Saving Places That Matter,” provided an overview of efforts underway throughout the county to save places that matter. She is the chair of Preservation Erie and a frequent speaker on Erie County history.

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DREW D. DEIMEL was the coleader with a two-under-par 70 after the first round of the 2019 Erie District Golf Association’s Marquette Savings Bank Amateur Championship held at Downing Golf Course. Deimel won the tournament in 2010. He also had the chance to sweep this year’s EDGA majors thanks to his victory in June’s Match Play Tournament held at North East’s Lake View Country Club. This was the second consecutive year he won the tournament.

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REV. AARON F. KULCZYK was ordained as one of the Diocese of Buffalo’s newest priests. Kulczyk’s first assignment began on June 17 at St. Gabriel Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Elma, N.Y.

births A son, Treg Jacob Ward (born Feb. 22, 2019) to William Ward ’07 and Kimberly (Varela) Ward ’08. 1

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STEPHEN PIOTROWICZ was named head coach of Cathedral Preparatory School’s basketball team. He also oversees the Annual Fund at the school.

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EMILIE A. SWAN has joined the law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP as an associate in the firm’s Trusts & Estates, Tax, Real Estate, and Business Transactions Practice Groups. Prior to joining the firm, Swan participated in the Duquesne University Law School’s study abroad program in Ireland and worked as a legal intern at an international law firm in Cologne, Germany.

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KATELYN A. McCARTHY now works on UPMC Hamot’s 6 South where she cares for renal transplant patients postoperatively.

NATHAN D. ROSS was named business banker at Northwest Savings Bank and now serves small business clients throughout the Erie area with any lending and deposit needs and provides guidance to small business clients.

He has been with Northwest since 2015 and has held several positions, including management trainee, assistant office manager and office manager.

He is currently in his second year at the Pennsylvania Advanced School of Banking and serves as vice chairman of the board of directors for Americans for the Competitive Free Enterprise System. He is also a board member for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Erie County.

RAPHELL M. THOMAS-EDWARDS signed a one-year deal with the British Basketball League, Bristol Flyers. Last season, he played for the Leicester Warriors in the National Basketball League’s Division One League in England.

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KRISTAL K. AMBROSE launched the non-profit organization Bahamas Plastic Movement in November 2013.

Ambrose has participated in research conferences around the world and

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New Titles from your Gannon Family GERALD CLARK, PH.D. associate professor of criminal justice “On the Lam: A History of Hunting Fugitives in America” Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Fugitives occupy a unique place in the American criminal justice system. They can run and they can hide, but eventually, each chase ends. And, in many cases, history is made along the way. In his third book, Clark and co-author Ed Palattella trace the history of fugitives in the United States by looking at the characters – real and fictional – who have played the roles of the hunter and the hunted. They also examine the origins of the bail system and other legal tools, such as most-wanted programs, that are designed to guard against the flight.

STEVEN MAURO, PH.D. vice president of Academic Administration “Flooded: Drugs, Bugs and Our New Water Crisis” EdEn Edge Our drinking, recreational, and sewage water sources are flooded with emerging pollutants and contaminants that pose imminent human health and environmental risks. Narrated through the lens of a water biologist, Flooded describes the sources and impact of these new chemical and biological pollutants produced by a technology-driven society. While alarming, the book also provides threads of hope: the new frontiers in science and technology that have the power to restore our natural environment.

GREG CZARNECKI ’89 former Gannon University National Alumni Board president “Gannon University” Arcadia Publishing A pictorial history of Gannon has never been compiled, until now. Through photographic storytelling, Czarnecki reveals Gannon’s history from its inception in 1933 as a boys’ college, it’s merger with Villa Maria College 56 years later, transition into the Strong Mansion in downtown, Erie, and gradual development into Gannon University as we know it today.

KATHERINE ZLABEK, PH.D. assistant professor of English “When” Ohio State University Press In this collection of stories situated within the mythology of the Midwest, the past is always present, tangible and unrelenting, constantly asking its characters whether they will be a sacrifice or a martyr, daring them to give in without a fight. Here, transcendence is a tonic hard-earned by the battered soul. The atmospheric stories in “When” illuminate the customs of rural America, a part of this country that’s been asked to risk the best of itself in order to survive, revealing with humor and weight fears about wealth, worth, and the dignity of home.

was recognized for her fight in ending plastic pollution. Her advocacy and work through her non profit has been featured in international publications showcasing the work of environmental innovators.

GABRIELLE E. KENNELLEY was the youngest Erie county runner to compete in the 123rd Boston Marathon, held in April.

JENNIFER L. THIES was awarded an NIH Diversity Research Supplement, a highly competitive national grant. The grant offers a two-year pre-doctoral fellowship that covers stipend, tuition and health care. The program supports ongoing dissertation research training for individuals from under-represented groups.

KIMBERLY C. THOMAS ’16M joined the staff at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership as the director of strategic initiatives. Thomas oversees the creation of a regional workforce development plan. She was previously the northwest regional director for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. She was recently named director of strategic initiatives at the ERCGP where she previously served as the Northwest regional director.

MORGAN E. WALTERS was hired as assistant volleyball coach at Montana State University Billings. Walters served as graduate assistant coach for one season at Walsh University, a private NCAA Division II institution in the

Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

Prior to that, she spent one year at Minnesota State University Moorhead as operations manager. She played four years of volleyball as a setter and defensive specialist for the Gannon Golden Knights.

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TAVON M. BAILEY signed with the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League for his first season of arena football.

HAYLEY A. NEJMAN was named the first head coach of the Acrobatics & Tumbling program at Chowan University in Murgreesboro, N.C. Nejman joined Chowan following a season at Urbana University as assistant acrobatics and tumbling coach in the program’s inaugural season. She helped Urbana to a third-place finish at the Mountain East Conference Championship. While in the Urbana area, she was an assistant gymnastics coach at Beavercreek High in Dayton, Ohio. As a student, Nejman was a member of the Acrobatics & Tumbling program from 2014 to 2018. She helped take Gannon to its first National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association’s All-American competition in 2017.

MALLORY L. RONGIER recently completed two months of training with Delta Air Lines to become a flight attendant. Following graduation, Rongier spent a year in France teaching

English to French high school students.

She returned from France in April and started training. Rongier chose her father to pin on her wings at the graduation ceremony, as he served as a flight attendant for Air France for many years. Rongier is now following in his footsteps.

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BRAD J. KOVALESKI ’19Ph.D. recently earned his Ph.D. in organizational learning from Gannon University after successfully defending his dissertation, “Exploring University Employee Perceptions of Engagement.”

Kovaleski is the student services and engagement director at Penn State Scranton.

NICOLE G. LaCAVA was named Gannon’s 2018-19 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee. The Woman of the Year award is given to an outstanding graduating female student-athlete who demonstrates excellence in competition, the classroom and community. A standout basketball player for the Lady Knights, LaCava joins five other nominees from PSAC schools. She picked up All-PSAC second-team honors this past season and was named Gannon Athletics’ Female StudentAthlete of the Year.

MACKENZIE S. WENRICK is pursuing her graduate degree in the Marietta College Physician Assistant program.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE

ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 1985 Men’s Soccer team Javar Cheatham ’02, Men’s Basketball Jaime McLaughlin ’99, Softball Jen Papich ’14, Women’s Basketball Stacey Reynolds ’00, ’01M, Women’s Lacrosse Jon Richardson ’10, Football Brittany Tabron ’10, ’11M, Women’s Basketball

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