Gannon Magazine - November 2021

BELIEVE. INSPIRE. TRANSFORM. Gannon’s Next Century Pages 15-22

IGNITING

next-level IMPACT

The Hatchery opens at I-HACK, ushering in a future of deep connections between local industry and academic programs.

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IN THE NEWS

CELEBRATE THE MILESTONES

MORE THAN A THERAPIST

A look at what’s happening on our Erie and Ruskin campuses.

Unveiling the anniversaries of influential parts of our campus.

Ruskin’s Student Occupational Therapy Association advocates for meaningful change.

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Page 8

Page 26

Keith Taylor, Ph.D., Gannon president, chats with students on the Ruskin, Fla. campus during a visit in October.

and the Gannon Small Business Development Center. As we highlight this history, we also celebrate the related events and pioneers who have led us to where we are today.

from the

president

There is nothing quite like the feeling of forward movement.

When we set new goals and commit to the hard work, passion and journey toward achieving those goals, we are destined to create powerful impact on those we serve.

One of the things I appreciate about the Thanksgiving season is that it causes me to reflect on the past year and to assess just how far we’ve come. For me, this season is a reminder that transformation is the result of a relentless pursuit of progress. Sometimes it happens in leaps; more often it is a series of incremental steps. And, it is always the result of the cumulative effort of many.

This September, we announced an ambitious university campaign that will launch us forward into our next century in 2025. In a celebratory event, we unveiled our Believe.

Inspire. Transform. Gannon’s Next Century campaign – a bold $100 million comprehensive fundraising campaign to harness the resources needed to advance our university’s mission and our trajectory for the future. This campaign is the most ambitious in our nearly 100-year history, and we are proud to have raised more than $60 million to date.

In the following pages, you can read about the goals of this campaign and how we are committed to driving forward our mission of transforming students’ lives through high-quality, affordable educational experiences that make a difference for students and the communities they serve.

In this issue, we’re also celebrating our history and the notable anniversaries of our Master of Business Administration program, the student-operated 90.5 WERG,

Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1 • November 2021 Gannon University • 109 University Square Erie, Pennsylvania 16541 • (814) 871-7000 www.gannon.edu

The newly opened Hatchery at the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge is yet another example of our relentless march forward. The Hatchery, located on the third floor of the I-HACK building, is designed to mix local businesses and business development with academic learning in one active space. It was just earlier this year when we opened I-HACK’s first two floors, and now we’re inhabiting the stunning third floor that already buzzes with the energy of innovation, new ideas and creative solutions.

A sign of our university’s momentum can be found in our growing enrollment – we welcomed 4,705 students to Gannon University this fall, the most ever. These students have shown tremendous commitment to their academics by engaging in collaborative projects with Gannon and business leaders, advocating with legislators to effect meaningful changes, and stepping into essential leadership roles. To enhance these incredible experiences, we’ve revised our Liberal Studies Core to best connect our Catholic tradition and identity with a liberal education to prepare students to meet the evolving needs of a 21st-century marketplace.

I am deeply honored that we can provide a fertile environment where these students can pursue their personal and professional goals. I am inspired by them, and I am confident that we will see incredible things from this generation as they prepare to enter careers and make their mark across the globe.

Strides are being made across our two campuses and I can’t help but be grateful for the healthy position we find ourselves in this holiday season. I hope these stories will inspire you to be thankful, to have hope, and to anchor yourself in your pursuit of moving forward. I am so honored to share this issue of the Gannon Magazine with you.

God Bless,

Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President

editors

contributing writers

exclusive video content

Doug Oathout Chief of Staff and Director of Marketing and Communications

Mallory (Hedlund) Bottoni ’14 John Chacona Bryan Kast Nicole (Dohoda) Lossie ’11

Matthew King

Brianna Mariotti Marketing and Content Strategist

editorial contributors

design

photography

Laura Giannelli Andrew Lapiska ’09M

Haley Figurski Kristine Rilling student, staff and alumni contributors

Gannon Magazine is published bi-annually by University Marketing and Communications.

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

online edition Michael Gorski ’11M Chloe Forbes ’21

printing Knepper Press; Clinton, Pa.

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

contents

Gannon Magazine November 2021

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Steps to a New Future

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More Than a Therapist

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In the News

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Defending the Goal

08

Celebrate the Milestones

30

Office Space Showcase

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Class Notes

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A look at what’s happening on our Erie and Ruskin campuses.

Unveiling the anniversaries of influential parts of our campus.

Believe. Inspire. Transform.

Gannon’s Next Century

Gannon University is embarking on its next century of impact through a $100 million comprehensive fundraising campaign.

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How one goalkeeper is taking chances to achieve a dream.

We put a call-out for some of the greatest offices on our campuses.

Keep up with the latest news from Gannon alumni.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail

One Gannon alum has logged 764 miles – so far – on a journey he calls ‘living with the sun.’

On the Cover: Igniting Next-Level Impact Gannon University and business leaders celebrate a ribbon-cutting that officially opened The Hatchery at the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge. In this space, students are developing new ideas and bringing them to life in a collaborative innovation space that fuels creative ingenuity and solves today’s industry challenges. To learn more, turn to page 4.

View the Gannon Magazine Online Edition Look for this symbol for articles with exclusive video and photo galleries found in the Gannon Magazine online edition at magazine.gannon.edu/Nov2021.

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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GANNON LAUNCHES ORLANDO BIOMEDICAL ETHICS LECTURE SERIES

LUMI Café offers “better for you” menu items in the Center for Business Ingenuity.

ALUM BRINGS NEW DINING OPTION TO CAMPUS Troy Bingham ’92 brought another dining option to students on the Erie campus.

LUMI Café opened in the Center for Business Ingenuity this fall, offering “better for you” food and beverage menu items. Bingham originally founded and launched LUMI™ in Australia – his home country – and is bringing his business to the U.S. market with Gannon University as its launching point through the support of Gannon’s Small Business Development Center.

Gannon University launched its inaugural Orlando Biomedical Ethics and Catholic Social Teaching Lecture Series with its first event, “COVID-19 Vaccines: Individual Freedom and the Common Good,” presented by Rev. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P, Ph.D., S.Th.D., professor of biology and theology at Providence College. The bi-annual lecture series in Erie and Ruskin (L-R) Gannon President Keith Taylor, Ph.D.; Cynthia Orlando; and Richard Orlando, empowers people with the knowledge M.D., F.A.C.S., ’74. and skills they need to respond to the rapidly changing contours of the biomedical sciences. It is supported by the Orlando Biomedical Ethics and Catholic Social Teaching Endowment created by Richard G. Orlando, M.D., F.A.C.S., ’74 and his wife, Cynthia.

FALL 2021 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER ANNOUNCED Mike Nunes ’01, senior vice president of current programming at NBC Universal Television and Streaming, will be the keynote speaker at Gannon’s Commencement Ceremony on Dec. 12.

Nunes is a 17-year veteran of NBC, where he has worked on some of the network’s biggest hits including This is Us, The Good Place, Superstore, New Amsterdam, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. In 2017, Variety Magazine named Nunes to its annual list of new leaders, featuring him among the profiles of “the most prominent up-and-comers in the entertainment business.”

GANNON CELEBRATES RECORD ENROLLMENT Gannon University celebrated a record enrollment of 4,705 total students from almost every state and 71 countries and territories across the globe, thanks to heightened recruitment efforts that saw significant success. This includes 782 global students, representing significant strides in becoming a thriving globally diverse and inclusive university.

Nunes, an Erie native, graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1997. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Gannon University in 2001 and a master’s degree in television, radio and film from Syracuse University. Gannon will award Nunes with the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.

Mike Nunes ’01, senior vice president of current programming at NBC Universal Television and Streaming.

RUSKIN ACADEMIC BUILDING RENOVATIONS CONTINUE Work has begun on the Ruskin Academic Building’s third floor. This space will house new classrooms, laboratories and a simulation center for clinical skill development. A Gannon Learning Commons will have a study space, individual study rooms and a green screen studio. The floor will also feature dedicated interfaith and meditation spaces, a café, lecture hall and gathering space connected to an outdoor patio overlooking the mobility garden. Construction is expected to be completed in Fall 2022. Gannon formally opened the 83,000-square-foot academic building in August 2019 to support growth in programs and student enrollment.

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

World - Business - Finance - Lifestyle - Travel - Sports - Weather GANNON UNIVERSITY

EST. 1925

NOVEMBER 2021 ISSUE

GANNON UNIVERSITY RANKS AMONG THE BEST New statues of Mary and Joseph hang prominently in the newly renovated Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel's sanctuary.

Gannon University was recognized by a number of highly accredited national and global rankings. These recognitions include:

MARY AND JOSEPH STATUES ARRIVE IN CHAPEL The newly renovated Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel saw a recent addition of the statues of Mary, Seat of Wisdom and St. Joseph the Worker, which arrived this fall. The figures are made of Linden wood from Yugoslavia and hand-carved and painted in a small village in Orisei, Italy. They now hang at the front of the sanctuary to represent their relationship to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

GANNON REIMAGINES THE LIBERAL STUDIES CORE Gannon University revised its Liberal Studies Core to enhance students’ academic learning outcomes to better prepare them to meet the demands of 21st-century life, career and citizenship. The Liberal Studies Core builds on the university’s mission and Catholic identity, fusing foundational, integrative and vocational elements to engage students with traditional aspects of liberal education while connecting those learning experiences to particular fields of study. It will be introduced for first-year students starting Fall 2022.

Learn more about the Liberal Studies Core revision in an exclusive interview at magazine.gannon.edu/Nov2021

A TOP SCHOOL IN THE NATION Wall Street Journal’s 2022 College Rankings

NATIONALLY RANKED UNIVERSITY, AGAIN TOP 27% SCHOOLS OFFERING GRADUATE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT DEGREES UNDERGRADUATE NURSING, ENGINEERING, COMPUTER SCIENCE AMONG NATION’S BEST U.S. News & World Report, America’s Best Colleges 2022 Honor Roll

2021

NAMED A 2021 GREAT COLLEGE TO WORK FOR® WITH HONOR ROLL DISTINCTION The Great Colleges to Work For®

#GANNONFAMILY

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STEPS TO NEW FUTUR Scale the staircase of Gannon’s Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge to the third floor and you’ve entered The Hatchery, a nextlevel learning and working environment designed to fuel creative ingenuity and solve today’s evolving industry challenges.

The Hatchery at Gannon’s Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge officially opened on Sept. 17, 2021, marking the completion of phase two of I-HACK’s construction. 6 Gannon and Erie community members gathered to witness the celebratory opening of this innovative third-floor space that is designed to bring together industry development and training with academic learning and creativity.

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

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The Hatchery has quickly become home to networking, idea sharing and creation among the Gannon community and partnering businesses.

Here, our students and faculty are engaged in the energy of innovation, forward-thinking and creative solutions. Since its official opening, two core components that make the Hatchery the unique space that it is have been in full use. Courses, research and projects are taking place in the various labs and collaborative spaces while business partnerships are creating practical, hands-on experiences for students.

Powering Imaginative Innovation The Hatchery is a power source for bringing creative ideas into existence.

Each of the labs, classrooms and collaborative spaces serve a distinct purpose that fosters innovation.

The Erie Insurance Idea Lab 5 is the thought center of The Hatchery and home to Gannon’s minor in innovation and creativity. The space is equipped with large touch displays and adorned with imaginative resources to foster out-of-the-box thinking.

The partnership with Erie Insurance brings together Gannon students and faculty with the region’s largest private employer to work on projects that positively impact the community.

The Network Lab & GIS Center 4 is home to Extreme Academy and Gannon’s geographic information systems, or GIS, minor courses. Here, students across disciplines become proficient in digital map-making, as well as geospatial management and technologies while professionals advance their careers with the ExtremeDojo™ online training and certification program.

The Maker Lab 3 brings ideas and projects to life. Here, students and faculty are engaged in hands-on learning and application. The space is equipped with rapid prototyping capabilities using 3D printers, cuttingedge lasers, laser scanners and an array of soldering tools. It also features high-end video production equipment, as well as sewing and embroidering machines for multimodal creative endeavors.

The Knight Studios 2 are a set of quiet rooms to ideate, collaborate and innovate. They include large workbenches and toolkits for students to design and build prototypes. Engineering and business students alike use these spaces within their senior design and capstone projects.

The Project Studios 1 are dedicated spaces for partnerships and contracted work with external partner companies. Here, professionals, students and faculty collaborate on real-world projects and research to solve challenges facing today’s industry. Students work alongside industry experts in paid positions before graduation to build 5 their experience and resumes in their fields of interest.

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Since then, Gannon formed additional partnerships with several local The university’s forward-thinking vision and corporations seeking exceptional talent. $3.9 million investment into The Hatchery These partnerships include regionalcreated a space for students and faculty to based MCPc Inc. and Ben Franklin engage in meaningful, collaborative project Technology Partners, as well as globalwork with local and global based companies business partners. This business “Gannon prepared a UNISHKA and model creates research, project Aurora Worldwide space for this training. and internship opportunities Development Corp. that provide real-world value

Futureproof Career Experience

for students and serves as talent-spotting opportunities for employers.

...It’s putting meaning behind what’s being taught in the classroom.”

“This model is more important now than ever before,” said Brad Gleason, director of entrepreneurial operations. “Businesses are shrinking their footprint, many are working from home, and professional job training has become a challenge.”

“Gannon prepared a space for this training and outsourced work that allows students to learn companies’ proprietary tools and their culture. It’s building their confidence in the workplace, and companies are spotting talent in return.

There’s a return on investment for both and it’s putting meaning behind what’s being taught in the classroom,” Gleason said.

As part of this model, students can work with companies as early as their second semester. The outsourced work has created an ideal feed of internship candidates and entry-level hires for the companies while bringing students valuable hands-on experience and jobs prior to graduation.

“It is very important to me that Gannon is giving me the amazing opportunity to have real-world experience in a work environment while still in college,” said Christopher Heinrich, student and contracted intelligence analyst.

“This is helping me gain work experience, make new connections, and exposing me to data analysis techniques.”

Through a contract with a partnering company, Heinrich is responsible for daily monitoring of news relevant to several business units, as well as production and dissemination of daily intelligence products using cutting-edge data mining technology.

Extreme Networks 7 was the first to engage in The Hatchery’s collaborative model. The partnership focuses on elevating Gannon’s cyber curriculum with certification training, bringing new professional training opportunities to the region, and equipping I-HACK with state-of-the-art networking technology. A partnership with Erie Insurance 9 soon followed to provide workforce development and student employment opportunities by bringing together their employees, Gannon students and faculty to work on projects that impact the community.

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Work with MCPc, Inc. focuses on security and networking - Brad Gleason utilization and optimization while Ben Franklin Technology Partners provides 8 both early-stage and established companies with funding, business and technical expertise. The partnerships with these local companies provide collaboration among subject matter experts to execute projects and research that is focused on crowd funding, networking operations and technology.

The global partnerships are engaging students in practical experience in creating deliverables

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for stakeholders. Through UNISHKA, students are trained in anti-corruption through data collection, as well as anti-money laundering data analysis.

The partnership with Aurora WDC provides students with business, entrepreneurial and critical thinking experiences through identified contract work.

Franklin Castro Espinoza 8 began working on the Aurora WDC contract in May 2020 when finding work during the height of the pandemic was challenging.

He is an I-HACK analyst who provides actionable insights to relevant decision-makers of a business intelligence consultancy with a portfolio of 500 customers.

“I have been learning a lot about major tech companies going into the health industry to provide better support and data.

However, one of the biggest issues is keeping patient data “...(This) helps students (health records) safe,” become more Castro said. “I responsible and am currently passionate about pursuing my MBA their tasks. ...It makes in business Gannon stand out.” analytics, so I have learned a lot - Franklin Castro Espinoza about the power and dangers of big data. For this reason, my goal is to become a forensic accountant to ensure the safety and integrity of financial data.”

“Going through an experience like this helps students become more responsible and passionate about their tasks. When students go into the real world, they are more prepared than other candidates in a job position or field.

It makes them stand out and it makes Gannon stand out,” Castro said.

By Mallory (Hedlund) Bottoni ’14, marketing and communication specialist

Take a visual tour of The Hatchery, view a photo gallery and see video from the Dedication and Blessing Event at magazine.gannon.edu/Nov2021 #GANNONFAMILY

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Cele Celebrate brate Milestones the Mile the

This year, Gannon University is celebrating the notable anniversaries of influential parts of our campus. This special feature unveils these pieces within our history that honor our roots and the pioneers who have led us to where we are today. In these stories we celebrate our past while leaning forward ever in pursuit of bigger goals.

50TH ANNIVERSARY MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

50TH ANNIVERSARY 90.5 WERG FM

40TH ANNIVERSARY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

50TH ANNIVERSARY 50

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM

(Left) Former Gannon business professors, Ron Volpe and Charles Bennett, with business students in 1978. (Middle) Duane Prokop, Ph.D., a professor in the Dahlkemper School of Business since 1981, seated with a student. (Right) Robert Wallace, Ph.D., taught in Gannon’s business administration program for 45 years.

The year 1970 was an eventful one at Gannon College. Successful basketball coach John “Denny” Bayer resigned abruptly, and the Hammermill Center, then called the Gannon Auditorium, hosted raucous concerts by Three Dog Night and Steppenwolf, and student protests against the Vietnam War roiled the campus. It was an unusual time, to say the least, to launch Gannon's Master of Business Administration program.

Little noticed at the time, the MBA The program was a success from the “This was just an unbelievable thing,” program launch didn’t even crack the beginning.

Frew said. “We had a bigger MBA pages of the newspaper. Yet in the half “Because of program than century since, nearly 1,500 Gannon anybody in the the pent-up “For many international MBA graduates have made news as surrounding demand, we students, getting a U.S. entrepreneurs, visionaries and leaders had 300 areas. We were master’s education was a of corporations, financial institutions, just growing so students organizations and governmental units almost fast.” dream, and we are helping in positions of all levels. More than make that dream come immediately,” Innovative 60 have earned advanced degrees true.

These students are truly said David new programs including doctorates from institutions Frew, Ph.D., grateful to be at Gannon contributed like the University of Pennsylvania, University, learning from our who was to the growth.

Stanford University and the University director of faculty and experiencing life The increasing of Michigan. Nearly 50 Gannon the MBA economic in Erie, Pa.” MBA graduates teach at colleges and program for importance of – Celene Kalivoda, DBA, ’11MBA universities nationwide. its first 10 the nonprofit Much has changed since 1970 in the years. Fueled and government way that businesses are managed, by the creation of regional MBA sectors led Gannon to become the first staffed and operated, and the Gannon cohorts in 1980, the program grew to university in the region to introduce MBA program – the region’s first – has serve nearly 500 students at its peak a Master of Public Administration responded at every turn. enrollment. program in 1981. The use of personal #GANNONFAMILY

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computers in all aspects of business operations led to the creation of a pioneering computer-intensive MBA curriculum in 1998. Two years later, the Gannon MBA program became the first in the region to receive national accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. In 2009, an accelerated one-year MBA program was added, followed by an online MBA first offered in 2011.

Beyer Hall of the 1970s, where many of the first MBA classes met.

The curriculum, too, would be unrecognizable to the first cohort of Gannon MBA students and shows a far-seeing commitment to meeting the needs of our global economy.

The latest innovation - introduced in 2019 - is the MBA in Business Analytics program, a collaborative effort between the Dahlkemper School of Business and the Department of Computer and Information Science.

In the decade that followed, the MBA program and the Dahlkemper School of Business joined Gannon’s Erie Technology Students work Incubator and collaboratively Small Business in consultingDevelopment like projects to Center in the Michael Messina, Ph.D., professor of marketing create business and graduate business studies, has taught at new Center for plans, present Business Ingenuity. Gannon since 1982.

Gantt charts, This laboratory conduct research and recommend for the future of business and branding strategies.

Using advanced entrepreneurship is located in the tools such as GIS mapping and data heart of Erie’s central business visualization, they present analytic district and simulates a corporate summaries to regional organizations headquarters. In atmosphere and from tech startups to legacy health technological infrastructure, CBI care and social service providers. makes a startling contrast with the

Gannon University’s Master of Business Administration program has been a destination for students from diverse backgrounds, professions and nations in its 50-year history, but the story of Richard Makowski ’18, ’19MBA stands out.

“Our students are experiencing how data impacts their lives both personally and professionally, and the program’s content positions them to be effective, entrepreneurial thought leaders who can immediately add value to any organization,” said Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Business.

In recent years, the MBA program has seen the most diverse student group in the program’s 50-year history.

“For many international students, getting a U.S. master's education was a dream, and we are helping make that dream come true. These students are truly grateful to be at Gannon University, learning from our faculty and experiencing life in Erie, Pa.,” said Celene Kalivoda, DBA, ’11MBA, director of the MBA program.

Yet, while much has changed in the business arena in the last 50 years, the energy and optimism of MBA students has been a constant.

“The accomplishments of these students and the joy in their eyes as they explain everything they have done,” Kalivoda said, “this is why I love my job.”

By John Chacona, contributing writer

receiver for Gannon’s NCAA Division II football team. His devotion to his academic career and extracurriculars earned him both athletic and academic scholarships.

When he graduated, he had earned dean’s list every semester and achieved an overall 3.94 GPA.

Makowski took his undergraduate Gannon education to the next level, triple majoring Makowski didn’t stop there. He continued in finance, international management, and his education to earn a Master of Business sports marketing and management. At the Administration from Gannon University same time, he served as vice president and on an accelerated track. Now? He’s in the professional events chair at Alpha Kappa Psi, C-suite of an investment firm as chief Theta Lot Chapter and competed as a wide investment officer at Evident Financial.

Richard Makowski ’18, ’19MBA

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Read Makowski’s full story at magazine.gannon.edu/Nov2021

50TH ANNIVERSARY 50

90.5 WERG FM

(Left) WERG's transmitter being installed in the Nash Library in the ’70s. (Middle) A student works at 90.5 WERG in the ’70s.

(Right) Tom McCarthy and Bill Young in the WERG studio in 1973.

In 1972, Gannon College’s airwaves transmitted a new sound as its student-operated radio station, 90.5 WERG, signed on for the first time. Now in its 50th year, the station is cueing generations of alumni, faculty and listeners to reminisce and honor its rich, evolving history.

Two turntables and a microphone 3,000 watts, enabling students to were industry standard the year broadcast over the entire city of Erie, 90.5 WERG first signed on. Over the serving “two countries, three states years, the station and one big evolved to boast a lake.” tri-state audience, “As programming director, WERG spent digital equipment I was basically always at a long tenure rivaling national the station and had the under the commercial honor of training incoming advising of stations, and industry DJs. Some of my favorite hard-earned professional memories are of just sitting accolades. and professor in the station talking with The low-watt Anthony friends and enjoying the educational “AJ” Miceli, atmosphere and getting to station was the 41-year watch new people come originally created department in and fall in love with the to train students chair who station just like I did.” in broadcasting was vital in – Camryn Grey ’21 in what current establishing Operations WERG’s Manager Chet collaborative LaPrice described as the only learning presence within the Center for laboratory in operation 24/7, 365. Just Communication and the Arts. five years after WERG signed on, the In these early days, the station Federal Communications Commission pumped out an album-rock format authorized it to increase power to

with news, informational and sports programming, including Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. Community volunteers filled weekend spots with iconic shows like “Super Soul Saturday” that still runs today. The ’80s brought the earned upgrade to 89.9 FM, solidifying WERG’s place as the educational station where students could learn broadcasting while “enjoying the benefits of having an actual sizable listening audience.”

Over the years one thing never changed: WERG is operated by the students. They try new ideas and expand their professional knowledge while being afforded opportunity to fail.

“If the students are operating (the station) in good faith and are trying to do something creative and say, it doesn’t work … we circle the wagons,” LaPrice said. “You have permission to fail here because that’s how you learn.

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passionate loyalty, wanting to succeed as part of the team, we’re going to give you the learning laboratory to work your magic.”

“We run WERG like a professional broadcast operation, and the students treat it that way,” LaPrice said. About 60 students and volunteers work at the station every year.

Monique Beatty ’87 went on to become director of TV production at DreamWorks Animation Television.

Kevin Sullivan ’87 is now an awardwinning writer with Nickelodeon Animation Studios. Both have given

reunion show is a finalist for a national special program award.

Jim Griffey ’77 went on to work at K104 before a 30-year career as production and creative director and copywriter at what is now Cumulus Media. He remembers the station as a creative launchpad and Miceli as one who “steered the station in a unified direction with the idea of making WERG as close to a real-world station as we could be. And it was a breeding ground for talent that went on to great careers in broadcasting,” he said.

LaPrice lends his students the creative reigns to pitch and execute new ideas.

Students Sydney Oyatta ’20 and Epizitone Nsanbeh ’19G launched “Uzuri wa Africa,” or “The Beauty of Africa” that focused on African The legendary Rockman traditions, music and Tony Bonvini ’77 recently Homecoming 2017: The Media Rats invade the 90.5 WERG studio. culture, and Gannon retired after more than (Back, left to right) Christine Scalise ’87, Kevin Sullivan ’87, Monique Beatty ’87. global student interviews. (Front) Jeffrey Wizniewski ’88 and Greg Marshall ’16. forty years of managing The show ultimately stations in South Florida. earned the “Best Specialty Show” 2020 Commencement Speaker Harry back to Gannon, and they and their by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting Hairston ’77 left WERG to work as a self-proclaimed “Media Rats” crew are System Conference. television personality on Erie’s WICU now the namesake of a classroom at before working in markets in Detroit Gannon.

“It was a show that brought people and Philadelphia, earning broadcast together. It makes people real and “Having WERG air shifts was the awards along the way. Daniel Daube someone who (you) can emotionally first step toward me coming out of ’84, a two-time Emmy winner for connect with… and then it won a my shell and (literally) finding my editing and producing, is now a national award,” LaPrice said. voice,” Sullivan told the Gannon Knight technical consultant for the Turner student newspaper. “It’s such a great Other favorites like “Sonic Sunrise” Broadcasting System in Atlanta. Tom opportunity to be brewed from Puckett ’96 has served on News Radio creative, to entertain, to 930 WBEN in Buffalo for nearly 20 student requests find out what you want years. and became “The Hott 80's Hott 2000 to say and how to say it the station’s in 2012. Most fun I – and to play awesome longstanding ever had on the radio music. WERG can play morning drive counting down the top such a significant part show. The 2000 songs of the 80's of your growth during award-winning for a year!” your years at Gannon.”

“Prime-Time Sports Guys” – Dan Sheldon The Media Rats was pitched still gather each by students in Homecoming to spend 2003 as a three-hour sports analysis time on WERG’s airwaves. They program – and is now entering its helped kick off the 50th anniversary 20th year. celebration along with Joe Brunscak When it came to celebrating the station’s 50 years, LaPrice made sure to honor the names and legacies of WERG alumni.

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’88, Jeffrey Wisniewski ’88 and Christine Scalise ’87. At the time of this writing, their 2020 virtual

WERG is a two-time winner of the Intercollegiate Broadcast System “Best College Radio Station” with an enrollment under 10,000 students designation.

One thing is certain: Gannon’s 90.5 WERG has yielded a unique pride among alumni in its 50-year history.

“We just had a blast just doing radio and doing our thing – and finding the fact that there are other people that are into this kind of stuff, too,” LaPrice said. “Good radio always

“During the incredible 37-1 Lady Knights Basketball season, Gannon and WERG sent me to do color commentary in Missouri.

Zach McDermott and I were the only students from any school at the press table for the Elite 8 and Final 4.”

– Beth Gaertner ’12

involved the combination of music, information and entertainment. Our two-part mission of serving the students and the university, and then serving the community with unique diverse programming while serving as a learning laboratory for our students to learn how to do that – that creates those quality moments. I'm proud to be a part of that.”

By Nicole (Dohoda) Lossie ’11, marketing and social media specialist

THROUGH THE YEARS Dec. 1, 1972

Oct. 19, 1977

WERG increases power to 3,000 watts and expands broadcasting to the City of Erie. WTAEFM in Pittsburgh donates a new antenna, and WERG moves to 89.9 FM.

1998

WERG evolves from album rock to include new wave and alternative rock.

1989

The station upgrades to a new Henry transmitter and can now broadcast in FM stereo.

1990s

WERG adopts the moniker “Energy-FM 90” and begins to outgrow its space in Zurn.

Sept. 2000

June 30, 2005

May 2008 Dec. 2, 2009 2012 2014

2014

Aug. 2014 View exclusive content and photo gallery at magazine.gannon.edu/Nov2021

Gannon College’s 10-watt 90.5 WERG signs on for the first time as “The Fine Eighty-Nine” in the Zurn Science Center basement.

2019 2020

WERG moves into the Walker Building with all new equipment. The station begins airing 24 hours a day, supporting a global digital livestream.

Gannon Radio moves from 89.9 to 90.5 FM. With a brand new ERI-LPX antenna mounted on the WQLN transmission tower, WERG can now broadcast over the entire tri-state area.

WERG secures a Wheatstone D7512 digital broadcast console.

New all-digital computer control system from Wide Orbit Automation for Radio goes online.

Gannon Radio turns 40 and celebrates with “We’ve been Rockin’ GU since 1972!”

WERG is named the “Best College Station in the Nation” and received the prestigious Abraham and Borst Award at the 74th Annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System media conference.

WERG becomes the first college radio station in NCAA DII history to provide on-air and worldwide online broadcasting of the Elite-8 tournament to NCAA basketball fans.

WERG moves to the brand-new Center for Communication and the Arts.

WERG becomes an NBC News Radio affiliate.

WERG is again named “Best College Radio Station in the Nation.” #GANNONFAMILY 13

40TH ANNIVERSARY 40

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER The Gannon University Small Business Development Center helps entrepreneurs across northwest Pennsylvania realize their dreams of business ownership by providing consulting services and resources that help businesses start, grow and prosper.

Gannon President Keith Taylor, Ph.D., addresses guests during the Gannon SBDC’s 40-year anniversary celebration.

Q:

How did the Gannon SBDC get its start?

“The Small Business Development Centers were established by the U.S. Small Business Administration in 1980 as a pilot program to assist small businesses in accessing resources.

Gannon University welcomed an SBDC to campus in 1981 to support a healthy Erie and regional economic environment.”

Q:

How has the SBDC evolved over the years to become what it is now?

“Gannon SBDC has evolved to respond to the challenges and opportunities in the small business community. The team has consisted of consultants who provide clients with a range of technical assistance. Most recently, in response to COVID-19, the SBDC launched a Tech Team of Gannon students to assist regional small businesses with website and social media development at no cost. For this, the Tech Team was recognized with an Award of Excellence by the PASBDC Lead office.”

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

This November, university and business leaders gathered to mark the SBDC’s 40th anniversary.

We got in touch with SBDC Director Maggie Horne to learn more about the Gannon SBDC’s history of impact.

Q:

What has been the impact of the SBDC in our community and region?

it was certainly a surprise when this person was later revealed as Glenn Stearns, a successful billionaire entrepreneur. I’m proud that our team was a part of a successful series that is relevant to what we do every day.”

“The SBDC provides and connects our regional small businesses with resources to face the ever-changing business environment. We’re the What is the significance of only statewide, nationally accredited this 40-year celebration? program that provides high-quality, “It means that the assistance we one-on-one consulting, training and provide is still relevant to the people information resources to empower we serve. Celebrating 40 years of new and existing businesses. We’ve assisting businesses in achieving worked with more than 17,000 clients dreams and goals is a phenomenal over the last 40 years and developed milestone. We did not do this alone, relevant training programs to help but with the support of Gannon entrepreneurs find business solutions.” University, SBA and DCED. I’m so What is meaningful to thankful to everyone who has been you about being a part supportive and helped us reach this of the SBDC? milestone.”

Q:

Q:

“I worked in the private sector for about 20 years before coming to the SBDC and have experience in the financial/valuation sector working with companies across the U.S. I love sharing knowledge with our small businesses and helping them through entrepreneurial challenges. The most memorable part for me is being part of “Undercover Billionaire.” A production team had come to us with the request to film the journey of an entrepreneur;

By Brianna Mariotti, marketing and content strategist

Maggie Horne, director of Gannon's Small Business Development Center.

GANNON’S NEXT CENTURY

Dear Gannon family, I am so proud to introduce Believe. Inspire. Transform. Gannon’s Next Century, a bold $100 million comprehensive fundraising campaign that celebrates our centennial anniversary in 2025 and charts an ambitious course into our next century.

Since our founding, we’ve made it our mission to believe in, inspire and transform our students to live lives of impact around the globe. We’ve come a long way in our first century – but we have something even greater in mind for our next 100 years.

I’m excited to announce that we’ve already raised more than $60 million toward this campaign. But we need your support through gifts of all sizes. What follows in these pages is a picture of our strategic campaign priorities that will propel us into our next 100 years. I invite you to join us as we inspire the next generations of students, dreamers, innovators and change-makers.

Barbara Beuscher, CFRE vice president for University Advancement

To view our campaign film, visit magazine.gannon.edu/Nov21 #GANNONFAMILY 15

“Over the past 96 years, Gannon University has remained steadfast in its fidelity to Christ’s message, in its commitment to excellence in teaching, and in its commitment to making the way to higher education a possibility for so many students,” said The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L., Bishop of Erie and chairperson of Gannon’s Board of Trustees.

Building on this longstanding tradition of providing affordable, accessible education, Gannon University President Keith Taylor, Ph.D. announced on Sept. 24 the public launch of Believe. Inspire. Transform. Gannon’s Next Century – an ambitious $100 million comprehensive fundraising campaign that invites the Gannon family to invest in and advance the university’s mission.

The campaign, the most ambitious in the university’s nearly 100-year history, has been quietly gaining momentum with more than $60 million raised so far.

Gannon’s Next Century campaign is composed of four overarching goals that will drive forward our mission of transforming students’ lives through high-quality, affordable educational experiences that make a difference for students and the communities they serve.

“Gannon University has flourished in its 100year history and is increasingly becoming a place where our students believe in their possibilities and are inspired to pursue opportunities that lead them out into the world to transform lives,” Taylor said.

(Top) Guests celebrate the public launch of Gannon’s Next Century campaign.

(Middle) Bishop Lawrence T. Persico addresses guests at the Believe. Inspire.

Transform campaign launch. (Bottom) Gannon President Keith Taylor, Ph.D. and Robert Barker ’72, Gannon University Board of Trustee member.

Student Experience $30 million

Academic Excellence $35 million

$100 MILLION

Campus Enhancements $25 million

Gannon Fund To view a video of the campaign launch, visit magazine.gannon.edu/Nov21 16

GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

$10 million

$60.9M

*

$100M *Total reported as of Nov. 9, 2021.

$35 MILLION

Foster Academic Excellence

When Moses Juah ’23 traveled from his home country in Africa to attend Gannon University, it was to “find a place of unforgettable experiences,” he said.

“When I was thinking about what I love to do, where I want to work, and what I want to accomplish in the future, finding a place of possibilities was vital to me,” said Juah, who is a first-generation student.

Juah found those possibilities at Gannon, where he is pursuing his degree in cybersecurity.

service learning, and academic enrichment services including career exploration and learning support.

Our enrollment is increasing in numbers and diversity, so we will also meet this growth with funding to recruit and develop top-quality faculty to carry forward our traditions of success through engaging and innovative classroom and laboratory learning.

Achieving the goals of this strategic funding priority will propel our

“Gannon has enabled me to believe in the possibilities and to strive for excellence until I reach my full potential.”

“Cybersecurity is critical to the fabric of any modern business. As breach after breach hits the headlines, it’s clear that organizations need more professionals focused on cybersecurity,” Juah said of his decision to pursue a career in this field.

- Moses Juah ’23

students to achieve excellence and success in their academic and professional careers again and again – just as Juah is.

But Juah’s university experiences don’t stop there. He serves as president for the African Student Organization at Gannon and a cabinet member of the Student Government Association, is a member of the Black Student Union, and competes as a running back for Gannon’s NCAA Division “Gannon has enabled me to II football team. He also serves as a cadet of Gannon believe in the possibilities and University’s Reserve Officer’s Training Corp. Juah’s academic to strive for excellence until I and extracurricular success earned him scholarship reach my full potential,” Juah opportunities to continue this important journey. said.

“Being engaged in these experiences plays a major role in how I view the world and the people around me,” Juah said. “The programs, clubs, team organizations and activities that I am engaged in at Gannon are the paths that are changing me and my destination.”

By funding support for academic excellence through Gannon’s Next Century campaign, we can provide students like Juah with similar experiential learning opportunities through graduate assistantships, research, global and Learn more about our goal of fostering academic excellence at campaign.gannon.edu/academic-excellence #GANNONFAMILY 17

$30 MILLION

Enrich Our Student Experience

In many ways, Braden Bizon ’22 exemplifies how Gannon students become leaders through campus experiences that enhance personal and academic interests.

He is, after all, involved in much of what Gannon has to offer – from athletics to fraternity life, theatre, Campus Ministry, residence life and the Student Government Association. He also found himself involved in playing music – and learning a powerful lesson of transformation.

Persisting, his band debuted at an event that same year and continue to play today.

“Knowing I am at a place where I am supported and my dream is heard means so much to me,” Bizon said. “I’m just one student who is transformed by Gannon’s values into my best possible self.”

Bizon, a physician assistant major, is unsure what his career journey will bring, yet he knows he can achieve whatever he sets out do to – thanks to his Gannon student experience.

“Coming to Gannon was probably the best decision I’ve ever made,” Bizon said. “I’ve had opportunities I never thought I would have, and that definitely “Knowing I am at a place where transformed me into being a person who realizes I can take destiny into I am supported and my dream my own hands.”

After meeting at freshman orientation, Bizon and another student swiftly is heard means so much to Bizon’s story is one of many that point agreed to me. I’m just one student who is to the transformative impact of a start a band.

Gannon student experience.

For Bizon, transformed by Gannon’s values Our next century campaign will that meant into my best possible self.” enrich the student experience actually - Braden Bizon ’22 and ensure the most dedicated learning students can experience this impact to play an and achieve their career aspirations – no matter their instrument: the campus’ public background or financial standing. piano.

“The greatest lesson I learned We will also continue providing critical support in areas including orientation, leadership, student health and there was not how to play counseling, accountability, recreation, wellness, residence piano, but how to work and commuter life, study abroad and scholarship for a dream,” Bizon opportunities. said. “I had to make myself vulnerable and humble myself.”

Overall, we will enrich the student experience so that all of our students can focus on what matters most: earning a Catholic, values-centered education that fuels their passions and prepares them as leaders and career professionals. Just like Bizon.

Learn more about our goal of enriching our student experience at campaign.gannon.edu/student-experience 18

GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

$25 MILLION

Enhance Our Campus Landscape

Catalina Ordonez Siza ’23 found her faith-filled home at Gannon University in the newly transformed Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.

Since 2008, Gannon has invested more than $140 million in purchases and renovations at our Erie and Ruskin campuses to accommodate new programs and growth in enrollment. Yet, we’re continuing to champion what an effective learning environment looks like for students in our next century.

“The environment makes me feel like I am home,” said Ordonez Siza. “It is a place where I feel safe and loved. I am surrounded by amazing people who make me feel like I belong.”

By funding this goal, we will further enhance new cutting-edge facilities like our Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge, or traditional ones like our chapel and athletic complex. We will also drive continued expansion at our Ruskin campus through academic building renovations and program growth to meet health care needs in the community.

The chapel recently underwent significant renovations that enhanced its appearance and amenities, providing a spiritual home for Gannon family – like Ordonez Siza – to grow in their faith walks.

“This chapel is a house of prayer for the Gannon family, especially for students,” Ordonez Siza said.

The chapel gives Ordonez Siza and others in the faith community a welcome place to honor Catholic Mass or to encounter the love of God through organizations like Campus Ministry.

We’ll also outfit our academic spaces with today’s latest technology that we know students will encounter in the real world.

The Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel is an important symbol of Gannon’s identity as a Catholic institution and powerful component in its mission of transforming lives and inspiring “The environment students to become their best selves.

Through Gannon’s Next “Being part of Gannon’s faith Century community has made me a better campaign, version of myself,” Ordonez Siza said. we will “It encourages me to work on my continue to faith and to be thankful for the small help build the things in life.”

- Catalina Ordonez Siza ’23 future of our Just like Ordoneza Siza, students students – like across campus are experiencing life transformations Ordonez Siza – through support for through enhanced facilities and amenities that continue to campus enhancements. offer the best of the Gannon experience.

makes me feel like I am home. It is a place where I feel safe and loved. I am surrounded by amazing people who make me feel like I belong.”

Learn more about our goal of enhancing our campus landscape at campaign.gannon.edu/campus-enhancements #GANNONFAMILY 19

$10 MILLION

Leverage the Gannon Fund

Alejandra Ledesma ’22 did not fully expect to ever go to college, but a letter from Gannon University awarding her the Archbishop Gannon Scholarship made all the difference.

Gannon’s Next Century campaign will leverage the Gannon Fund to ensure this remains our students’ legacies. The Gannon Fund bridges the gap between the cost of educating students and the price that students pay to obtain this education. Gifts to the Gannon Fund support the greatest needs and emerging priorities of the university, as well as provide students with immediate access to financial and educational resources that they depend on to be successful.

“The scholarship has given me the opportunity to earn a college education to achieve my goal of becoming a teacher,” Ledesma said. “I am thankful to be an Archbishop Gannon Scholar.”

A gift to the Gannon Fund furthers Gannon’s mission by enhancing student financial support and university experiences that make a difference in students’ lives and educational journeys.

The scholarship targets students in the Erie Public Schools who have the academic credentials to be admitted to “Donors who are giving to Gannon University but lack the financial ability to do so.

Gannon are really making a Ledesma is one of many students who have received full positive tuition assistance through the impact program, empowering them to “The scholarship has given on the reach their full career potential. lives me the opportunity to earn a Thanks to the scholarship, of many Ledesma is on her way to a college education to achieve my young people, meaningful teaching career. because they goal of becoming a teacher.

“I’ve had the chance to participate are supporting I am thankful to be an in multiple field experiences us and since the spring semester of my Archbishop Gannon Scholar.” helping us freshman year of college. This - Alejandra Ledesma ’22 to pursue our has given me the opportunity to careers and meet and work with teachers in the City of Erie. I am also what we’re passionate for,” Ledesma taking courses to earn a certification in teaching English said. “Because of that, we’re able to as a Second Language,” Ledesma said. “The Archbishop make a difference.”

Gannon Scholarship has helped to make this possible.”

Students like Ledesma come to Gannon to develop as career professionals and socially responsible citizens. Once they graduate, they take their knowledge and skills back into their communities to transform lives.

Learn more about our goal of leveraging the Gannon Fund at campaign.gannon.edu/gannon-fund

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Matching the Momentum As part of the Believe. Inspire. Transform. Gannon’s Next Century campaign, we’re launching two scholarship challenge matches that will immediately propel our next century campaign by increasing scholarship support, making a Gannon education more affordable and accessible.

By accepting one of these challenges below, you can double the impact you have on our students in need. We invite you to consider making a gift today to help us transform students' lives.

Next Century Endowed Scholarship Challenge Gannon University’s Board of Trustees designated $1 million in funds to be used as a match for endowed scholarship gifts.

This challenge will leverage gifts of $25,000 toward endowed scholarships and support additional students every year through merit- and need-based scholarships for students on the Erie and Ruskin campuses.

Inspiration Scholarship Challenge Robert Barker ’72, Gannon Board of Trustee member and chair of the University Advancement committee, personally gifted a $500,000 match to the Inspiration Scholarship Challenge.

This challenge will create an additional $1 million by matching donor contributions of $500 up to $10,000 one-to-one. As an alumni of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, Barker announced that any gift provided by a Delta Sigma Phi brother will be matched on a two-to-one basis.

“Our centennial campaign will provide the resources we need to continue fully living out our mission of transforming students’ lives through high-quality, affordable academic experiences on a growing and vibrant campus landscape. My hope through this campaign is that we can bolster our success-driven academic opportunities that have already equipped generations of Gannon alumni to live a life full of impact and inspire the next generations of students to do the same.”

Robert Barker ’72

Gannon University Board of Trustees member Retired executive vice president and operating officer, president aerospace, Parker Hannifin

To join us in our scholarship challenges, visit campaign.gannon.edu/scholarships

#GANNONFAMILY 21

We believe in the possibilities that will come when you join our campaign – the ones that inspire generations of students, faculty and alumni to pursue bold opportunities that transform them and those in their communities across the world.

Throughout Gannon University’s history, we’ve seized opportunities that elevate the promise of a Gannon education and provide transformational experiences for our students and the communities they serve.

Believe. Inspire. Transform. Gannon’s Next Century encompasses bold, visionary goals that will lead to incredible outcomes in the areas of academic excellence, student experience, campus enhancements, and the Gannon Fund. Ultimately, our centennial campaign will provide the resources we need to continue fully living out our mission of transforming students’ lives through highquality, affordable academic experiences.

Achieving forward movement in this mission means finding the individuals who themselves believe in and want to inspire and transform our students’ lives and their own.

Every contribution – no matter the size or form – drives us ever closer to achieving our goals and makes you a part of inspiring the next generations of students and leaders.

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

There are exciting things happening at Gannon University; we're on the move, and now is the time to get involved to make a change.

We invite you to embark on our next century of impact by making your gift today.

TO FIND OUT MORE, PLEASE CONTACT: Barbara Beuscher, CFRE, vice president for University Advancement 814-871-7468

beuscher001@gannon.edu

Join us at campaign.gannon.edu

Hiking the Appalachian trail One Gannon alum has logged 764 miles – so far – on a journey he calls ‘living with the sun’

A view from Shuckstack Fire Tower in the Great Smoky Mountains just before a storm set in.

T

he first hints of morning greeted Wesley Wohlford ’21 as he slung a 24-pound pack over his shoulders and began the day’s trek on the Appalachian Trail’s well-worn path. Like all other days, this one began around 6 a.m., a routine he described as “living with the sun.” With 2,190 miles of trail from Georgia to Maine to hike, early starts were essential.

Wohlford’s hike that morning took him through a section of North Georgia’s rugged mountains, a terrain marked with peaks of up to 4,461 feet and plunging to just 2,500 feet of elevation. Temperatures were often frigid in these mountains. For many hikers on the Appalachian Trail, it’s where their journeys really begin.

The Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, offering a daunting challenge to hikers

– like Wohlford – who attempt it. It takes the average person about 165 days to complete and, unsurprisingly, only a quarter of those who attempt the hike finish it.

Wohlford’s own journey on the trail began just two days after earning his environmental science degree from Gannon University in May 2021.

trail’s southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Ga. “The first four or five days I only hiked about 10 miles a day. That’s what we call ‘acclimation.’ You’re just trying to

“I remember we had just exited this wilderness area and came to a state route where my dad was picked up.

I’m just watching the car drive away and there’s no one else around. The only thing I could do is climb back up in the mountains by myself. I pitched my tent alone that night for the first time. It was a real gut check.”

On May 9, he gathered a few essentials – a set of hiking clothes, a set of wool clothes, an extra pair of socks, a travel stove, spoon, headlamp, water filter, basic first aid, food and a tent – and headed north from the

- Wesley Wohlford ’21 get your legs used to the movement. It was very cold,” Wohlford said. “You’re just shivering for the first mile trying to get warm.”

#GANNONFAMILY 23

APPALACHIAN TRAIL kATAHDIN, ME

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, VA A forested stream in Georgia, which Wesley Wohlford ’21 said runs along one of his favorite sections of the trail.

Wohlford’s father, Greg Wohlford, hiked with him the first few days before returning to work.

Seventy-eight miles into the journey, Wolhford reached his first milestone: the Georgia state line. From there, he headed into North Carolina and into Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountain National Park – a 71mile section of the trail known particularly for its variable weather patterns, elevation changes, and remote stretches.

“I remember we had just exited this wilderness area and came to a state route where my dad was picked up. I’m just watching the car drive away and there’s no one else around,” Wohlford said. “The only thing I could do is climb back up in the mountains by myself. I pitched my tent alone that night for the first time. It was a real “When I got into the Smokies it was gut check.” instantly back down to 40 degrees,” Wohlford said. “I didn’t really see Determined, Wohlford stepped into the sun for seven days. I’d wake up a routine of hiking an average of 14 and my hands were purple as I was miles a day. Near evening he’d pitch packing.

I shivered for about the first his tent or – if available – settle into mile until I could finally warm up.” one of the trail’s three-walled shelters.

Next would be to locate and filter water to be used for cooking, washing and drinking. He’d also hang his food in a tree away from bears and other animals.

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

As it is for many hikers, solitude was an inevitable part of the journey. For Wohlford, he said it was one of the biggest challenges.

springer mountain, GA

“I knew I needed to build friendships to last me however long I was going to be out there,” Wohlford said. His mid-May start had put him behind, and the trail was relatively vacant.

But Wohlford found a few hiking companions.

“We call it a ‘tramily,’ like a ‘trail family.’ We would hike together pretty consistently and then camp together at night,” Wohlford said.

Bolstered by the camaraderie, Wohlford pushed across the Smokies,

ascending the highest point along the entire trail: Clingman’s Dome at more than 6,600 feet. A one-day 20-miler pushed him into Virginia, a state that holds a daunting 530 miles of trail.

Wohlford described it as a “grind against the Virginia wilderness.”

“In Southern Virginia it’s super rocky,” Wohlford said. Even still, he said he enjoyed the state’s rocky overlooks that transitioned to rolling hills and pastoral scenes. “It was very welcome,” he said.

Wohlford said what kept him moving was the vision of reaching the north.

“The landscape shifts into this kind of mystical place,” he said. “That’s what drew me forward. There are huge mountains. You’re above the trees. It’s very climactic.”

He stopped – for now – in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. He had walked 764 miles in 67 days.

Wolhford said he plans to return to the Appalachian Trail in the spring.

If he can walk the remaining 1,426 miles early enough in the season, he could achieve honorable status as a “thru-hiker.”

Wohlford said he felt conflicted about leaving the trail, but the experience gave him a new career outlook. Until he returns to the trail, Wohlford will work with the American Conservation Experience to assist in building and maintaining trails and conducting habitat restoration projects in Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks.

“Hiking the AT gave me a new perspective on land conservation.

It really is an incredible privilege to have these protected lands in America,” Wolhford said. “The AT is just a dirt path mainly, but it can open up a whole new world for people.

They need these experiences, and we need to protect that.”

By Brianna Mariotti, marketing and content strategist

Wesley Wohlford’s ’21 journal that he kept during his hike. (Bottom Right) Wohlford hiking Blood Mountain, Ga. with his father, Greg Wohlford. #GANNONFAMILY 25

MORE THAN A

THERAPIST

Mazzarese Gannon student Adriana positive has seen for herself the apy impact occupational ther fact, has on quality of life. In behind it was the driving force e career her decision to enter th l therapy field as an occupationa rell Kane (Right) tie Ernst (Left) and Te Ka ion iat soc As py era dent Occupational Th professional.

Members of Ruskin’s Stu with a House member

When Adriana Mazzarese was young, her father was in a serious accident that required him to undergo occupational and physical therapy. She accompanied him often to these appointments, watching as her father regained independence with each session.

“It was inspiring to see,” Mazzarese said. “I thought it was so interesting how the OT used everyday activities to help my dad with his impairment.”

Mazzarese is now a second-year student in Gannon’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at the Ruskin campus, studying to become a professional in the same field that helped her father. Yet, Mazzarese knows that there are changes to be made for future therapists like her to provide the best professional care possible.

As vice president of Ruskin’s Student Occupational Therapy Association, or SOTA, she’s joined efforts to advocate for this change through improved legislation.

Breanna Flaherty, president of SOTA, is also engaged in these efforts.

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

(Middle).

“I ran for president because I wanted to be the change I wished to see,” Flaherty said. “Joining SOTA has opened my eyes to the world of possibilities in the profession of occupational therapy at both the national and state level.”

This November, members of SOTA traveled to Tallahassee, Fla. to participate in Hill Day. This three-day advocacy event is an opportunity for grassroots advocates to contact their legislators, engage with American Occupational Therapy Association staff, learn about legislative priorities and the congressional process, and hear from members of Congress.

“The purpose of (this year’s) Hill Day is to attempt to change the legislation of the scope of practice for occupational therapy for the first time in 20 years,” Flaherty said. “This was a really big deal, because as soonto-be occupational therapists, this change would affect how we go on to practice in the state of Florida.”

Maggie Rutkowski ’19, SOTA’s assembly of student delegates representative, said this year’s Hill Day focused on working with legislation in the House and Senate to

review the current scope of practice for occupational therapists in Florida and to advocate for mental health services to be included under the practice of occupational therapy.

Flaherty said the group was able to join Florida Occupational Therapy Association representatives and a lobbyist to advocate to senators and representatives for need of the proposed bill. They also networked with representatives and FOTA government affairs teams and attended a senate committee meeting to discuss current mental health services in Florida.

Dianna Lunsford, OTD MEd. OTRL CHT, associate professor and program director of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at Gannon, said student advocacy is important in understanding legislative decision-making processes.

. (Right) Student

a State Capitol building

in front of the Florid le) SOTA students stand

l Therapy Month. (Midd

National Occupationa

SOTA’s assembly of student delegates and State Liaison Emili Alexander are responsible for communicating about what is happening at the state and national level and coordinated Gannon students’ participation at this year’s Hill Day.

(Left) Students celebrate s legislators for Hill Day. ggie Rutkowski ’19 join Ma

“The primary focus of our advocacy is to uphold the rights of our clients, make sure clients can access services, and advocate for change for our clients in environments that don’t allow them to participate,” Lunsford said. “At the end of the day, what we’re really looking for is for our clients to be able to engage and participate in their desired and required occupations. It’s important for students to “Many people do not understand what understand what we need to do to be a “I'm very excited about my career. we do or how we do it. The newly part of the decision-making process or updated scope of practice clearly and ...I want to advocate for myself to to influence the process, and that’s what consciously describes what OT does become the best OT I can be for my Hill Day really did for the students.” and why it is beneficial,” Mazzarese patients, and these legislations can said.

Mazzarese said we should all be directly impact that.” advocating for things that directly The Student Occupational Therapy impact us.

– Adriana Mazzarese Association was launched at Gannon’s Ruskin campus six years ago to promote the “I’m very excited about my career. ...I want to advocate for profession of occupational therapy throughout the school myself to become the best OT I can be for my patients, and and community. The organization encourages support these legislations can directly impact that,” Mazzarese said. among classmates, positive interactions with faculty, and

By Brianna Mariotti, marketing and content strategist meaningful education and involvement in the surrounding community in a professional manner.

“When OT was first founded, we focused on treating mental health,” Mazzarese said. “Somewhere in our history we strayed from these foundations. We are now recognizing where we came from and advocating for our place in mental health.”

#GANNONFAMILY 27

DEFENDING THE How one goalkeeper is taking chances to achieve a dream.

Maximiliano Rocco began playing soccer when he was 12 years old, but preparing for life after soccer is what brought him to America from Argentina. After 23 years in Buenos Aires, Rocco had offers to play professionally in Italy and Australia.

Instead, he took a huge leap and moved to Miami, Fla. to play soccer at ASA College.

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GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

Thanks to the move, he’s able to pursue a degree that he felt was critical to securing his future.

“It’s the roll of the die,” Rocco said. “I know so many stories about players who fall out of professional play and struggle to work to earn their life. So having a backup plan is amazing. You never know what life will bring. So I wanted to have a plan A, a plan B, and a plan C, D and E.” When he arrived in the U.S., Rocco didn’t know a word of English and slept on a couch for six months as he learned the culture.

After two years at ASA College, Rocco transferred to Francis

Marion University in South Carolina and earned his bachelor’s degree in human resources and sport management. Thanks to the extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rocco investigated graduate school

opportunities, choosing Gannon University to play for Head Men’s Soccer Coach Billy Colton.

“I talked to a lot of schools, and they would talk about great facilities or other bonuses, but the only coach that spoke about the team was Billy,” Rocco said. “He saw what kind of person I am and if I was going to be a good fit. I felt it was right.”

Colton said he spoke to Rocco and really liked the person behind the player.

“With our backline being very young, we felt his experience could be a big benefit, and it has been,” Colton said. “He listens, he wants to learn, he always wants feedback, and he wants to know what he can do better.”

Now, Rocco is pursuing his graduate degree in strategic

communication from Gannon to prepare for a potential future in coaching if playing soccer professionally is not an option.

Facilitating relationships between the coaching staff and the players on the soccer pitch is something he feels is critical.

a lot of different teams and knows when to stop the joke and when to get the team into practice or game mode.”

Rocco practices mindfulness and gratefulness in the mornings and visualization at night before matches.

When he’s not on the pitch, he enjoys reading, fishing and spending time with his wife Andrea, whom he met in their now hometown in South Carolina.

“There are a lot of good coaches, but if they have an idea and don’t know how to connect to the player on the field, it’s going to be hard to succeed,” “I got my goals set, and Rocco said. “I picked strategic nothing's going to take communication to me down. ...That’s why learn how to help players reach their I always keep pushing full potential.”

Statistically, Rocco has been ranked among the leaders in the PSAC as well as all of Division II in goalkeeping metrics including save percentage and and pushing.”

It’s easy to see that goals-against-average - Maximiliano Rocco all season long. His Rocco practices what he preaches when steady performance is watching him during a soccer match. sure to aid the Golden Knights as they The goalkeeper position is one that prepare for what could be an exciting requires constant communication. postseason run.

His ability to relay information and “I got my goals set, and nothing's going encouragement to his teammates in to take me down,” Rocco said. “There both English and Spanish is a huge are thousands of people who have bonus, and his positive attitude is it even worse, so that’s why I always infectious. keep pushing and pushing.”

“I don’t know what it’s about half the time, but Max is always talking or joking with someone,” Colton said.

“He’s good to have in the locker room because he’s been in a lot of them with

By Bryan Kast, assistant director of athletics media relations

Maximiliano Rocco is a goalkeeper on Gannon's men's soccer team and a graduate strategic communication student.

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Office Space

e s a w c o h S

We put a call out for some of the greatest faculty and staff office spaces on Gannon University’s campuses and are delighted to share what we got. Each office space tells a story, holds unique stuff, or offers an overall cool or comforting vibe. View one of our favorites here and check out more in a digital exclusive.

MC Gensheimer

Co-director, School of Communication and the Arts MC Gensheimer’s office in the Center for Communication and the Arts showcases an array of artwork that is the result of her passion and talent for creating meaningful items out of everyday material. Restoring a rescued talking parrot is among her latest projects. Gensheimer’s office is a picture of the same creativity she applies in courses like the new minor in innovation and creativity, where students create art pieces as a model of turning creative thought into actionable innovation.

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REV. MSGR. THOMAS J. MCSWEENEY celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a Catholic priest. He is now retired after a long and illustrious career in education and television. McSweeney worked as the chair of the Department of Theatre and Communication Arts at Gannon University for nearly 25 years. He also worked as executive director of The Christophers, a national organization based in New York City. McSweeney finished his career as a pastor at Holy Trinity Church.

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F. JACK GOELLNER recently celebrated 50 years in business as president and co-founder of Jackson Advertising Inc. In addition, he also worked as president of the Gannon Golden Knight Booster Club – now Knight Nation – from 1997 to 2002 and is a proud member of Gannon’s Heritage Society.

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SISTER MARY MILLER VMC was featured in the City of Erie Government's #ErieWHM series, which features women who have made or are making a powerful impact across the

Gannon University Honors 2021 Distinguished Alumni Awardees The Gannon University Alumni Association is proud to recognize the five Distinguished Alumni honorees for 2021. For thirty years, the Distinguished Alumni Award has been presented to Gannon and Villa Maria college alumni in recognition of meaningful contributions in their professions, community and the university. It is the highest honor an alumnus can receive.

The 2021 Distinguished Alumni recipients include: • John A. (Jack) Walter ’69, retired vice president controller at General Dynamics Corp. (pictured front right) • Denise L. Kolivoski ’01, ’08M, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Erie County (pictured right) • David J. Gustafson ’71, ’73M, retired professor of biology at Gannon University (pictured left) • Landis E. Erwin ’12, director of development at Crossroads Foundation (pictured front left) • Lawrence B. Ryan ’56, president of Lawrence Ryan International (pictured center)

community and the nation. Miller has served the Erie community as director at Emmaus Ministries for 40 years.

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DIANE MARIE DUDZINSKI, PH.D., VMC was added to Marquis Who's Who, a collection of more than 1.6 million biographies of accomplished individuals from around the world.

Dudzinski built an impressive career as an educator with expertise in marine biology, microbiology, ecology and environmental science. She taught at several institutions, including Manhattan College, Santa Fe College, Mercyhurst College and Washington State Community College. She earned an American Society of Science Educators Fellowship from the NASA Ames Research Center. She was the first woman participant of the U.S.USSR Joint Oceanographic Expedition to the Bering Sea. Dudzinski received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Villa Maria College in 1986 and a 50year Heritage Society Medallion from Gannon in 2018.

MELVIN WITHERSPOON received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Northwestern Pennsylvania High School Sports Awards for his work in coaching and mentoring children in Spoon’s Summer Basketball League.

Witherspoon spearheads the league to provide opportunities for students in Erie and its surrounding areas to play organized recreational basketball every week in June and July. The league is in its 31st year.

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ROBERT W. MCGEE, PH.D. won six gold and two silver medals at the Taekwondo World Championship tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. in July of 2021.

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RICHARD E. GRIFFITH received the Louis J. Tullio Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2021 Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership's Celebration of Excellence. #GANNONFAMILY 31

STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR GANNON FAMILY View our events at gannonalumni.eventbrite.com DAVID T. ACANFORA was inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame. Acanfora played 14 seasons for the West Herr team in the Lake Shore Division of Suburban League after playing for St. Francis High School and Gannon University. He began his second stint as an umpire in 2013 and is still active.

JOSEPH P. KARPINSKI and his wife, Linda, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Sept. 26, 2021.

T T. SRINIVASARAGHAVAN ’77M retired as the managing director of Sundaram Finance after 38 years. He joined Sundaram Finance in 1983 and was a leader in the growth of the company’s net worth.

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CLAUDIA G. CHRISTY, CCRC, ACRPCP, FACRP, VMC is a member of The Association of Clinical Research Professionals’ Class of 2021 Fellows.

She has more than 40 years of clinical experience and has worked in an array of clinical trial roles during the last 25 years.

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PAMELA (HORNAMAN) TRONETTI, DO, AGSF is the medical director of Aging Services at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Fla. She developed a series of videos for caregivers called Alzheimer's SOS, which are available on Parrishmed.com, as well as a podcast featuring topics of interest to seniors.

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JOY A. (MEZZACAPO) NEMITZ VMC was named the new chief marketing officer of Intel 471, the premier provider of cybercrime intelligence for leading intelligence, security and fraud teams. Nemitz has

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KATHLEEN A. (BOHRER) MROCZKOWSKI VMC and her husband, Henry, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 27, 2021.

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RONALD D. MANILLA retired as tennis director at the University of Virginia Foundation-owned Boar's Head Sports Club on March 12, 2021.

Manilla worked as the tennis team captain at Gannon University and later as head coach. He started several programs including the Get Acquainted Tennis Club, an adult program that he ran for 33 years at Charlottesville High School. He also started the “Xperience” Special Olympics tennis tournament at the Boar’s Head. In 2013, the Professional Tennis Registry named him an International Master Pro, a distinction equivalent to a lifetime achievement award. He worked as the Special Olympics coach for Virginia in 2018 and was a national coach at the World Games in Abu Dhabi, Dubai.

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HARRY HAIRSTON III was the keynote speaker for Gannon University’s Erie commencement ceremony. He received a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris causa, for his work in journalism and in the community. Hairston recently retired after 17 years at NBC10 Philadelphia, where he worked as a senior investigative reporter.

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Gannon Alumni, Employees Honored with Erie’s 40 Under 40 Distinction Five Gannon alumni and employees were recognized as part of the Erie Reader’s annual 40 Under 40 list of young professionals who have stepped forward in their professions and causes to transform Erie to become more resilient and better than ever. This year’s honorees include: • Peter Agresti, director of pre-law and legal studies program at Gannon University 1

• Anne M. Styn, county detective and digital forensics examiner at the Erie County District Attorney’s Office 4

• Alivia Haibach, health equity coordinator at Erie County Department of Health 2

• Karin Wickwire ’13, nurse practitioner for Critical Care Medicine at UPMC Hamot 5

• Leroy Oglesby III, ’18M permanency supervisor at the Bair Foundation 3

spent more than two decades building and leading global marketing teams in highly competitive verticals, including information and cybersecurity technology, communications, health care and financial services. This latest position at Intel 471 marks her fifth role as a CMO.

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KATHLEEN B. (CAPPELLO) ELINSKI ’83AA marked her 30-year anniversary as a physical therapist in June 2021. Home health care has been Elinski’s primary focus for 25 of those years. She has worked with UPMC Home Healthcare-Kane Community Hospital since August 2019.

ANTHONY V. FULGENZIO ’10M was named vice president for Advancement at Mercyhurst University. In his new role, Fulgenzio will lead philanthropic initiatives and oversee key programs including major gifts, alumni and parent engagement, as well as planned giving. Previously, Fulgenzio was vice president for Advancement at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio.

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ANTHONY ANGELONE, ESQ. joined the Law Offices of Gery T. Nietupski LLC – now NietupskiAngelone LLC – as a partner.

The firm serves both individual and corporate clients. Angelone brings more than 25 years of experience as an attorney, primarily in government, personal injury and estate cases.

THERESA M. GAMBLE joined the Hagen History Center in Erie as director of library and archives. Gamble brings more than 30 years of experience in archival and records management and will focus on digitizing the documented history of Erie County for increased public access. Previously, she was the director of corporate compliance at Erie Insurance and has served as a volunteer on the collections committee of the Erie County Historical Society, as well as project manager and guide at the Hurry Hill Maple Museum.

KATHLEEN A. GETZ, PH.D., ’86M was named Mercyhurst University's 13th president. She began her tenure on July 12, 2021. Previously, she served as dean of the Sellinger School of Business

and Management at Loyola University Maryland and as the dean of the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago. She was named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women for 2018. Getz is the first woman to lead Mercyhurst in nearly 50 years.

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MARK J. KUHAR, ESQ. joined the Erie law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP as a partner.

Kuhar focused his entire career on labor and employment law and litigation.

He assists employers in establishing and maintaining employment policies, conducting workplace investigations, negotiating employment contracts and severance agreements, conducting engagement surveys, as well as training supervisors and other employees.

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PARRIS J. BAKER, PH.D., MSSA is a member of the Erie County Council's COVID-19 Impact & Economic Revitalization Committee, which was formed earlier in 2021. He is currently the director and assistant professor of the social work, mortuary science and gerontology programs at Gannon University.

REV. STEFAN P. STARZYNSKI of the Diocese of Arlington celebrated his 25th ordination jubilee. He received his priesthood ordination in May of 1996 and currently serves as chaplain at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

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TRACEY MCCANTS LEWIS, ESQ. is the first Black woman to serve as board chair of Downtown Pittsburgh's August Wilson African American Cultural Center. She has served on the board for the past six years and currently works as the deputy general counsel and director of Human Resources for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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LISA J. (MERZ) MASSARWEH ’94M was named senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Albany Medical Center Hospital. She previously served as executive director of performance and workforce strategy for Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. Her research and

marriage Brittany L. Trott ’12 married Kennedy Neely on Aug. 15, 2020.

births A daughter, Brinlee Olive (born May 20, 2021) to Brittany L. Trott ’12 and Kennedy Neely.

A son, Raiden Leon Mongell (born Feb. 18, 2021) to Theodore P. Mongell ’12 and Lia Stark.

A son, Ronan Andrew Cross (born March 12, 2021) to Jessica S. (Shirey) Cross ’14, ’15M and Shane Cross ’13.

A daughter, Liliana Bourke (born Jan. 26, 2021) to Jessica M. (Mazur) Bourke ’17, ’18M and Warrick Bourke ’17. expertise have been published in several journals. The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan/Hospitals’ Board of Directors presented her with the David M. Lawrence Patient Safety Award in 2010 and 2013.

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SHELLEY J. (BORTZ) LIGASHESKY was named one of 13 individuals in the 2021 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame induction class. A standout basketball player at Geibel Catholic High School in Connellsville, Pa., she was a three-time all-section selection, a WPIAL Class 2A All-Star, and the WPIAL Class 2A Player of the Year in 1992. She led the WPIAL in scoring her senior year, averaging more than 27 points per game. She played in the 1992 Roundball Classic and set a WPIAL Class A record with 35 points in the championship game. She remains Geibel's all-time leading scorer in basketball with 1,977 career points.

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BERT A. COPPLE, JR. is the owner of Trusted Care at Home Inc, which was named the No. 1 Healthcare in America in 2021 by Energage Top Workplaces.

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PAUL GRADL ’04M was named one of the Most Influential Personalities of Additive Manufacturing 2020 by 3D Printing News. He has worked as a senior propulsion engineer

at NASA for more than 16 years and was one of the lead researchers of the Rapid Analysis and Manufacturing Propulsion Technology project, which aims to incorporate additive manufacturing in the development of large rocket engines.

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M. ANDREW WHEELING, JR. ’05M, ’06C, ’08C was named principal at West Forest High School

in Tionesta, Pa. Previously, he worked as principal at Lucy Addison Middle School in Roanoke, Va. and as assistant principal at Virginia High School, Penncrest School District, and Titusville High School.

LT. COL. ASHLEY PHILBIN assumed leadership as the support operations officer with the 17th Sustainment Brigade on Feb. 19, 2021. She is the first woman to occupy this position within the unit. Philbin has more than 15 years of military service and is currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in strategic leadership from Pennsylvania State University.

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New Titles from your Gannon Family PUBLICATIONS

JESSICA M. (SMITH) MOYER ’96 Triumph Through the Tears: Finding Hope and Purpose Through Loss Independently Published AIMEE C. (VANIGLIA) KNAUFF, ND ’02 Beloved and Brain Cancer: Living Each Moment as if it Were Your Last Lael Publishing LLC RICHARD SARGENT ’05 Horror Movie Night Cookbook: Volume 1 Independently Published FRANCIS GARLAND Program director of journalism communication and Gannon Knight adviser Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena: Stories from the Igloo The History Press EMMETT LOMBARD ’05M, ’20PH.D. Outreach Librarian The Internationalization of the Academic Library Taylor & Francis 34

GANNON MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2021

MC GENSHEIMER Assistant professor of communication and the arts Erie Yacht Club Continuing the Proud Tradition 1995 - 2020 Outskirts Press Inc.

PODCASTS

GANNON UNIVERSITY DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM Tales from the Plinth We are physical therapy students at Gannon University in Erie, Pa. In this show, we interview physical therapists across regions and settings. They share their "tales from the plinth" as they talk about their journey as a physical therapist and provide words of wisdom for future physical therapists.

THE GANNON KNIGHT Under the Arch Get a sneak-peak of the stories to be covered in each weekly issue of the Gannon Knight, the university's student-produced weekly digital newspaper.

WESLEY KAREEM WHITESIDE, received the 2021 Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence for Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives. The award highlights faculty and staff who have enhanced the undergraduate experience or made invaluable contributions to advancing Syracuse University’s mission and goals. Whiteside is the associate director of diversity and recruitment in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

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TERRA YOUNGBLOOD ’07M was appointed the first chief marketing officer of Prime Capital Investment Advisors. Prior to joining PCIA, Youngblood worked as the director of Business Marketing for Broadridge Fi360 Solutions, where she spearheaded the firm’s content development, creative design, event administration and public relations.

JULIE M. BOYER ’07M, ’08C is the new principal of St. Mary’s Area Middle School. Previously, she worked as the assistant principal at South St. Mary’s Street Elementary School.

DONALD LARMON, DNP, CRNA ’07M, ’17DNP received the Didactic Instructor of the Year Award during the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology's 2021 Virtual Congress. The award was established in 1991 and is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to the education of

Susan M. Amendola ’86 Arthur C. Arkelian ’51 Charles H. Baumbach, Jr. ’63 Angelo P. Benson ’95 Emily K. Biancardi ’01M Vincent A. Boehm, Jr. ’73 Darlene A. (Kay) Brock ’73VMC Donald A. Brotherson ’63, ’72M Margaret (McGinnis) Burton ’59VMC William R. Carey ’61 Patrick J. Carroll III ’63 Lucille Christopher ’57VMC Frederick A. Ciccozzi ’73 Daniel E. Connolly ’56 Kimberly S. Cotton ’91 James M. Crishock ’77 Patricia (Burgess) Dacanay ’59VMC Dolores A. Dean ’67M Robert N. DeCecco ’50 Angelo P. Desanto ’56 Sister Ann E. Donohue, SSJ ’65 VMC John M. Dormann ’70 Daniel R. Dundon ’73, ’98M David A. Dymski ’58 Deacon John W. Eberlein ’61 Robert E. Evans, D.O. ’60 Martin F. Ferrara ’73 William A. Ferretti ’70 James R. Finnecy ’53 Sheila Fiscus ’97M

in memoriam

Alumni William J. Flaherty, Jr. ’65 Kathleen (Kintz) France ’66VMC William A. Gahan ’74 Lawrence J. Galla, D.O. ’53 Laurence D. Glenn, Jr. ’74 James C. Goldstein ’69 Mae Goodman ’88VMC Corinne A. Haglund ’76 Antoinette C. Harrison ’99 Nolene A. (Becker) Hassett ’80VMC William H. Heether, Jr. ’70 Rose M. (Scharrer) Herbstritt ’83, ’90M James F. Higgins ’01 Mary A. (Abramoski) Holl ’60VMC Betty A. (Miller) Humes ’92 Kenneth E. Jablonski ’65 Darryl Jamison ’78 Richard C. Kaminski ’72 Mary H. Kelly ’51VMC Joanne (Cardon) Kelly ’52VMC Sister Kathleen Kirsch, SSJ ’49VMC John M. Kirsch ’50 George J. Kline ’53 William D. Knight ’81 Michael A. Kokoska ’71 Madalyn M. (Crocker) Koscelnik ’94 Ronald J. Krotoszynski, Sr. ’66 Donald H. Kruszewski ’70

Robert A. Lachowski ’67 Warren A. Leone ’97, ’94 Harold J. Lewis ’67 Andrew L. Lutz ’82M Paul D. Mahoney, JD ’51 Paul A. Makarewicz ’86M Stanley Malinowski ’57 Andre G. Marchal ’68 John F. "Jack" McNamara ’56 COL Dennis D. McSweeney, USA (Ret.) ’64 Mary K. (Homan) Mehler ’49VMC James W. Metzler ’54 Mary P. Middendorf ’78VMC Willa J. (Ponce) Morton ’85 Bradley J. Nestor ’86 Mary K. (Graham) Nicholes ’70VMC Mary Ann (Lynch) Nickerson ’55VMC Keith A. Nielsen ’89VMC Donald J. Obuszewski ’70 Veronica J. O'Leary ’88 Wendy L. O'Malley ’00 Patricia A. (Narducci) Streuffert ’63VMC Theresa N. (Nix) Paluf ’72VMC Marjorie L. Peterson ’74VMC, ’96M COL David M. Pojmann, USA ’61 Teruko (Kamada) Proctor ’54VMC

Grace M. Reitinger ’94 Helen (Mangold) Rengert ’37VMC Edward J. Rohrbach ’59 John (Jack) J. Rose ’61 Wilbur C. Rosenthal, Jr. ’69, ’77M William R. Ruhling ’54 Annette (Felice) Schaal ’83 C. Louise Sellaro, D.B.A. ’79M Robert P. Shomo ’72 Ronald S. Sigmond ’61 Frank S. Sokol ’63 Sue A. (Fleming) Spiher ’68VMC Reno A. Strand ’56 Gerald M. Stuczynski ’77 Rosemary A. Stutz ’08M Robert E. Sutula ’76 Mark J. Swanseger ’72 Danette Y. (Rolewicz) Tihey ’78VMC Gerald P. Trambley ’63 Phillip C. Tridico ’89 Ronald V. Troglione ’69 Gerard T. Uht, Sr. ’53 Sister Andrea Weidle ’61VMC Bettie C. Whitworth ’01M Eugene T. Wisinski ’58 Leonard J. Wrobel ’69 Marc Yates ’16M Paul A. Young ’60 Mark A. Zywan ’72

Robert P. Frenzel Joan Harf Charles Hora, Jr., Ph.D. Philip Hordusky Patricia J. Howard Regina C. Italia Dr. John N. Kraus Mark J. Kubeja Joseph A. Leone Mary A. (Mahoney) Lichtenwalter William R. Mangus Debra Mattson Joseph B. McDonald

Robin McNaughton Bette J. Merritt Taylor N. Miller Marion J. Mistretta Donna T. Mottilla, D.B.A. Donald A. Mountjoy David A. Niedzielski, Sr. Katherine A. (Eichenlaub) Nuber Edward Onorato Joseph A. Peluso David C. Pettit William G. Plavcan Joseph Pohl, Jr. Rev. Daniel J. Prez

Richard L. Rectenwald Giuseppe Riolo Lewis Ross Joan (Felege) Rutkowski Paul Scarpino Rev. Paul A. Schill Jerome Shapiro Edward J. Sinnott Susan E. Smith Jeffrey Tebaldi Dennis Trapani Clifford D. Troyer Jacqueline Y. Vincent

Parents and Friends Leo J. Brugger, Jr. Daniel K. Burns Nancy (Benes) Campagne Sallie K. (Mooney) Carneval Chris A. Chambers David G. Chivers Anthony D. Ciotti Robert E. Clager, Jr. Muriel Dockstader Nancy Dougan John Dudas Andrew T. Dworek Charles W. Farrell Raymond Fomich

student registered nurse anesthetists in the classroom. Larmon is the program director at the UPMC Hamot School of Anesthesiology/Gannon University.

CARL L. ZIMMERMAN III is the new athletic director at Iroquois School District. Zimmerman is also a special education teacher at the high school.

STEVEN M. SRNKA is an attorney at Orton & Orton Attorneys at Law in North East, Pa. He focuses on family law, real estate law and regulatory compliance.

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NICHOLAS S. ORLANDO was promoted to development group manager at FeneTech Inc. and will serve as group manager for both the software development’s production and service teams. Orlando has been with Fenetech his entire career and previously worked as quality lead.

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BRAD HIGGINSON ’09M joined the Cumberland University football coaching staff as the linebacker’s coach.

He spent the past 12 seasons working at Manchester University in North Manchester, Ind. as an assistant football coach.

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SHANNA M. THOMPSON was named Earlham College's new head women's basketball coach, effective May 2021. Prior to joining Earlham, Thompson was an assistant coach and head junior varsity coach at Illinois College.

REV. ERIC J. DINGA was assigned to be the new pastor of Christ, Prince of Peace and St. Lawrence Parishes in Latrobe, Pa., effective June 24, 2021.

JULIE KLEBER RN, BMTCN was the keynote speaker at Gannon University’s Ruskin commencement ceremony on May 15, 2021. She was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris causa, during the ceremony.

Kleber is an oncology nurse at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a member of the Gannon National Alumni Board of Directors.

She is currently pursuing her master's in nursing leadership and healthcare systems from the University of Colorado.

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BENJAMEN GANGEWERE, D.O. was named the director of the Penn Highlands Psychiatry Residency Program. Gangewere joined Penn Highlands in 2019. Along with his time as a staff psychiatrist, he is also the associate medical director of Behavioral Health Services.

Gannon Launches Inspiration for the Next Generation Gannon University launched its Inspiration for the Next Generation Donor Recognition Society during a celebratory event on Sept. 24 as part of Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Inspiration for the Next Generation (formerly Circles of Distinction) honors individuals who set a precedent of commitment to Gannon University through philanthropic leadership. We’re grateful for the generosity of these leaders who step forward to strengthen the university and transform the lives of current and future students to come.

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GINA FULGENZIO ’15M joined the faculty in the physician assistant program at Gannon University. She is also a physician assistant in cardiology at UPMC Hamot in Erie.

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DANIEL J. SMITH ’15M will be the strength and conditioning coach for the Hudson Valley Renegades, High Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. This is Smith’s fifth season with the New York Yankees.

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RAY J. TITLER is a new officer with the Fairview Park Police Department. Titler has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology and is a recent graduate of the Cleveland Heights Police Academy.

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NICHOLAS M. RESTUCCIA is a recruiting associate at Spectrum Careers in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas. He received his master’s degree in accounting in 2018 from North Carolina State University.

RANDALL B. CLAPP, DMD joined Scott Pruckner, DMD and Chester "Chip" Zaleski, DMD as a full-time associate at Family Dentistry in Corry, Pa. STEPHANIE PECK, DO received a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from LECOM and will begin psychiatry residency training with LECOM/ Millcreek Community Hospital.

She would like to thank Gannon University’s biology professors, Gregory Andraso, Ph.D., Elisa Konieczko, Ph.D., and Steven Ropski, Ph.D., as well as mathematics professor, Michael Caulfield, Ph.D., for writing her letters of recommendation and helping her grow as a professional.

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RICHARD MAKOWSKI ’19M was named chief investment officer at Evident Financial LLC. In his new role, he will oversee research, selection of asset classes and investment funds, as well as investment decisions in client portfolios. In addition to serving as CIO, Makowski creates clients’ financial plans tailored specifically to their individual needs, preferences and risk tolerance.

KYLE J. JOSEPH was named one of MoldMaking Technology's 30 Under 30 Honors Program for 2021. The list highlights individuals who are making a difference in moldmaking, both in their company and in the moldmaking community while emphasizing leadership. Joseph is currently a design engineer and program manager at Accede Mold & Tool Co. Inc. in Rochester, NY. PATROLMAN ZACHERY BUELL ’19M was sworn into the city of Corry Police Department on May 4, 2021. He is also working on his doctoral degree in health and human performance through Concordia University of Chicago. He expects to graduate from the program in 2022.

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ALAFIAS J. SATCHER ’21M joined General Motors Co. as a software developer. He is thrilled to be a part of the driving force behind their bold vision to create a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.

BRAD J. KOVALESKI ’19PH.D. was appointed the director of student affairs at Penn State Brandywine. He previously worked as the director of student services and engagement at Penn State Scranton since January 2016.

21 Gannon Celebrates Homecoming & Family Weekend 2021

MITCHELL D. CASHMER was awarded the Joseph A. Williams Medical Scholarship by the Elk County Community Foundation.

The scholarship was established by Joseph A. Williams for local students in pursuit of a medical degree.

Cashmer was accepted into LECOM through Gannon’s LECOM 4+4 Early Acceptance Medicine program.

Nearly 500 Gannon and Villa Maria College alumni and current Gannon students, family and friends returned to campus for an exciting weekend of events during the university’s Homecoming and Family Weekend on Sept.

23-26.

The weekend combined the traditional events of Homecoming with unique festivities to create a fun and lively atmosphere. The classic pre-game tailgate featured three student bands in addition to Average Joe’s food truck, Kona Ice, a beer garden from Molly Brannigan’s Irish Pub and more. At game time, fans cheered on the Golden Knights as they pushed their way to victory over Clarion University of Pennsylvania at McConnell Family Stadium.

The traditional Villa Maria College Tea also welcomed alumnae to reminisce on their time spent at Villa Maria College while the 50th Reunion welcomed Gannon College and Villa Maria College classmates from 1970-71 together. Gannon alumni, family and friends celebrated their Catholic faith during the Alumni and Friends Mass in the newly renovated Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.

Mark your calendar for next year’s celebration, which is sure to be the biggest ever.

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109 University Square Erie, PA 16541-0001 gannon.edu/magazine

Giving Back to Gannon Gannon University offers a high-quality education that inspires transformational student experiences thanks to our donors.

Your gift – no matter the size – supports the greatest needs of our students through scholarships, financial aid, state-of-theart technology and facilities, library and academic resources, and students’ extracurricular experiences. Thank you for your commitment to Gannon University and for the support you offer to all of our students.

HOW CAN YOU INVEST IN OUR STUDENTS? One-Time Annual Gift Support Gannon’s greatest area of needs and emerging priorities or any specific program or area through the Gannon Fund.

Recurring Gift Your recurring gift provides a reliable source of support for Gannon. You can set your gift to automatically recur monthly, quarterly or yearly.

Planned Gift When you include Gannon University in your estate plan, your generosity creates a lasting legacy and provides a comprehensive, value-centered educational experience that is grounded in Catholic faith.

Financial Portfolio Give to Gannon through donor advised funds, stock transfers, charitable gift annuities, IRA required minimum distributions and real estate. Our Leadership Giving Team can help you make your gift through one of these areas.

In-Kind Gift Use gifts of personal property to support our students’ education.

Matching Gifts Double the impact of your gift. Contact your employer for more information.

Amazon Smile A simple and automatic way to support Gannon every time you shop. All you need to do is start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. The donation will be made at no extra cost to you after you select Gannon University as the charitable organization you wish to support.

TO DISCUSS YOUR GIFT, PLEASE CONTACT: Barbara Beuscher, CFRE, vice president for University Advancement 814-871-7468 www.gannon.edu/give https://gannonalumni.planmylegacy.org