Winter 2009

Winter 2 0 0 9

More Than a Day at the Beach Students Help Community for G.I.V.E. Day

the magazine

Editor’sInklings Volume XXII, Issue 1 • Winter 2009 Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. President Karla Mullenax Wludyga Director of Public Relations and Communications Audrey E. Starr Publications Officer and Editor a d v is ory com m ittee

Kimberly Cavanagh Britt Dyer Daehnke ’98, ’05M Cathy Fresch Frank Garland Mary Carol Gensheimer Ron Kerman Jeannie Kloecker Catherine Oakley ’05M Rick Prokop, Ph.D. Nicholas Pronko Rev. George Strohmeyer Steven Ropski, Ph.D. ’78 Richard Sukitsch contributors

Paul J. DeSante, Ph.D. Colleen Dixon Cathy Fresch Jana Hunt James A. Scozzie, Ph.D. ’65 Alex Sibley Dan Teliski ’97 photography

Ed Bernik Rick Klein ’84 Tim Rohrbach d es ig n

Tungsten Creative Group Gannon Magazine is published three times annually (Winter, Spring and Summer) by the Office of Public Relations and Communications at Gannon University. It is mailed free to alumni, friends of the University, graduate students, parents of undergraduate students and college presidents across the country.

Contributions: Gannon Magazine welcomes letters to the editor, class notes information, comments and suggestions. Please send class notes information to Jana Hunt, coordinator of gifts and records, at hunt001@gannon.edu.

All other information should be sent to Audrey Starr, editor, at starr007@gannon.edu or the University’s mailing address as seen below.

Gannon University 109 University Square Erie, Pennsylvania 16541 (814) 871-7000

Whether welcoming new faculty and staff to campus, dedicating new academic buildings or congratulating Winter graduates, transformations have been abundant at Gannon University so far this year. As Greek philosopher Heraclitus put it, “The only constant is change.”

Since the summer, the inaugural dean of the new College of Engineering and Business has been selected (p. 3), more than $780,000 in grant funding has been awarded (p. 4) and Gannon service hours topped 72,000 (p. 3). Even in the Communications Office, changes have occurred: I married in May and adjusted to a new surname, while we welcomed a new Director of Public Relations and Communications, Karla Mullenax Wludyga. She replaced Jennifer Mailey Greevy ’95, ’05M, who relocated to Pittsburgh and now serves as Executive Director of Development for the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business & College of Business Administration at the University of Pittsburgh.

As the 2007-08 Academic Year ended and the 2008-09 Year began, we honored several retiring faculty—like longtime Economics Professor and Honors Program Director Rev. Robert Susa (p. 14)—and greeted new ones, such as Sister Kathleen Dietz, F.S.O., a new resident of Erie as part of The Spiritual Family “The Work” and now a member of Gannon’s Theology Department (p. 12). While 335 students received diplomas during Winter Commencement, administrators discovered new ways of involving prospective students and reconnecting with alumni (p. 10).

Change can represent new growth and progress. In September, the University celebrated its newest academic building with the official blessing and dedication of the Robert H. Morosky Academic Center (p. 2). In October, the grand opening of the Erie Technology Incubator at Gannon University was held (p. 7). Both buildings underwent extensive renovations during the past year to offer students an enhanced educational atmosphere with state-of-the-art technology.

December saw another significant milestone, the conclusion of the University’s most successful comprehensive campaign, The Power To Transform, which—thanks to the generosity of Trustees, alumni, faculty, staff and other friends of Gannon—surpassed its goal of $30 million and raised $31.5 million. Although the Campaign is complete, funds raised will continue to help support student scholarships, faculty research and improvements to campus facilities (p. 8).

Even Gannon Magazine is undergoing a metamorphosis, with an updated design to be unveiled with the Spring issue. Although its outward appearance may change, Gannon Magazine will continue to highlight many aspects of Gannon that are familiar: supportive faculty, committed students and active alumni.

In fact, some of Gannon’s great successes among all of these changes are things that have stayed consistent. For the 13th year in a row, the student-produced literary magazine, Totem, received a first-place award (p. 5), and for the fifth consecutive year, Gannon was ranked as a “Top Tier” university by U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” (p. 2). While Gannon University is a dynamic, evolving institution, its spirit of inclusiveness, commitment to scholarship and celebration of faith remains strong.

Audrey E. Starr, Editor starr007@gannon.edu (814) 871-5817

8 The Power to Succeed

Overwhelming generosity helped make The Power To Transform Gannon’s most successful comprehensive campaign in University history.

10 GU Meets YouTube

Gannon connects with students, alumni and friends of the University through online social networking.

12 The Right Impression

contents

Features

Gannon is home to many diverse and dynamic faculty, such as Sister Kathleen Dietz of The Spiritual Family “The Work.”

14 With Honors

Longtime faculty member and Honors Program Director Rev. Robert Susa retires and reflects on his time at Gannon.

Departments 2 16 17 18 20 29

NewsNotes AlumniFocus FacultyFocus SportsScan AlumNotes EndNotes

On the Cover: Student residents of Wehrle Hall help clean up Presque Isle during G.I.V.E. Day. Photo Right: Friendship Green is blanketed by an early

winter snow.

More Than 300 Degrees Awarded During Winter Commencement

Gannon Again Named a “Best Value”

President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. conferred 335 degrees during Gannon University’s Winter Commencement ceremony, held Dec. 14 in the Hammermill Center.

Of these, six were awarded associate degrees, 62 received bachelor’s degrees, 260 were recognized with master’s degrees and seven earned doctoral degrees.

“These rankings are a tribute to the high quality and dedication of Gannon’s students, faculty, staff and alumni,” said President Garibaldi.

Very Rev. Ronald D. Witherup, S.S., S.T.L., Rev.Witherup gives the keynote address. Ph.D. served as keynote speaker. On July 11, Fr. Witherup was elected the 26th Superior General of the Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice. Fr. Witherup now resides at the Sulpicians’ headquarters in Paris, France. A native of nearby Franklin, Pa., he was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Erie in 1976 and attended Gannon from 1968-70 while he resided at St. Mark’s Seminary.

Fr. Witherup’s extensive list of accomplishments includes numerous academic and professional positions, and he is the author of 11 books and more than 80 articles on scripture.

Gannon is ranked in the “Top Tier” in its region for the fifth consecutive year and is listed as a “Best Value” for the fourth consecutive year in the 2009 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges.”

Overall, Gannon is ranked 40th out of 171 schools in the northern region of the “Best Universities—Master’s” category, which is five places higher than last year’s rankings in the “America’s Best Colleges” guide.

For the fourth consecutive year, Gannon also ranked as a “Best Value” in the guide’s “Great Schools, Great Prices” category. Only 15 of the 171 schools were selected as “Best Value” universities; of the 15, Gannon was tied for second place at 83 percent in terms of the percentage of students receiving grants based on financial need. In addition, Gannon was ranked the fourth lowest for tuition costs among those schools in terms of a student’s average tuition cost after receiving grants based on need.

Morosky Academic Center Dedicated

Most Rev. Donald W. Trautman, S.T.D., S.S.L., Bishop of Erie and chairperson of the University’s Board of Trustees, blessed Gannon’s newest academic building, the Robert H. Morosky Academic Center, during a special ceremony held Sept. 26.

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Morosky, a member of Gannon’s class of 1963 and a Trustee, attended the ceremony with his family. In 2007, President Garibaldi announced that the building and a forthcoming third college—the new Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences—would be named in honor of Morosky, Gannon’s most generous donor, following his second major gift to the University.

Student Government Association President Nicolette Critelli (second from left) helps Mrs. Dianne Morosky (center) prepare to cut the ribbon during the Morosky Academic Center Blessing and Dedication Ceremony. Also pictured are President Garibaldi (far left), Mr. Morosky (second from right) and Bishop Trautman.

Gannon Welcomes Kenyan Visitors

Three visitors from Lamu, Kenya toured Gannon on Oct. 15 as part of a cultural exchange with the Erie Art Museum. Gannon has partnered with the museum on an exhibit called “Kanga & Kitenge: Cloth and Culture in East Africa.” The exhibit is free to all Gannon students, faculty and staff who present a Gannon ID now through April 5. While on campus, the Kenyan visitors toured Old Main, the Erie Technology Incubator and the Morosky Academic Center. They later said their tour of Gannon was one of their favorite activities in Erie.

Kenyan visitors (L to R): Maryam Miji, third grade teacher; Omar Famau, businessman and former mayor of Lamu; and Mbarak Abdallah, curator of the Lamu Museum, met with President Garibaldi.

Gannon Performs Record Number of Service Hours Gannon students, faculty and staff set a new University benchmark for community service and volunteerism during the 2007-08 Academic Year. In serving more than 230 agencies and organizations locally, regionally and nationally, the Gannon community performed 72,553 hours of community service. The hours represent a nearly 24 percent increase from the 2006-07 Academic Year.

“Our students should be commended for the many and creative ways they’ve worked very hard to become more involved in the community,” said Gretchen Fairley, director of the Office of Service-Learning.

She credits the increase to a greater emphasis, University wide, on service.

A commitment to serving Students help with litter pick-up during G.I.V.E. Day. others is apparent at Gannon throughout the year. Some service events have experienced an increase in involvement—such as G.I.V.E. (Gannon’s Invitation to Volunteer Everywhere) Day, which saw participation rise from over 500 students in 2006 to more than 700 students in 2008. Other events, such as the Golden Harvest Food Drive in October, broke contribution records. Students, faculty and staff helped collect 7,161 pounds of non-perishable food and over $450 in donations to benefit Erie’s Second Harvest Food Bank.

New Dean of College of Engineering and Business Named Dr. Melanie Hatch began her tenure as the inaugural dean for the new College of Engineering and Business with the start of the 200809 Academic Year.

Dr. Hatch came to Gannon from the Indiana Institute of Technology, where she served as the dean of the College of Business. She holds degrees in mathematics and management science and has extensive experience as an operations research analyst in the defense industry.

“Her blend of expertise in engineering and management is a perfect fit for the new College,” said Dr. Keith Taylor, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Dr. Hatch brings to Gannon her enthusiasm, creativity and a breadth of experience that will be essential to leading the faculty toward the realization of our plans for the future and to supporting student learning. She is excited about leading the College and helping them create a new identity.”

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NewsNotes

University Awarded $780,000+ in Grant Funding Gannon received more than $780,000 in grants in recent months, funding that benefits several different programs and departments to enhance the University’s educational atmosphere.

National Science Foundation Awards $600K Grant

Grant Helps Patient Simulation Center

For the first time, Gannon was awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation in the amount of $600,000.

The five-year grant, “Scholars of Excellence in Engineering and Computer Science,” will provide scholarship support for both undergraduate and graduate students in these fields.

“These funds are particularly important in light of the fact that nearly two-thirds of our students in those academic disciplines have a significant financial need,” President Garibaldi said. Scholarships will be awarded starting in the 2009-10 Academic Year.

In March 2008, Gannon unveiled plans to create a state-ofthe-art, 5,800 square foot Patient Simulation Center training facility for students in the health professions and sciences.

In August, the University received a grant that will allow it to make the Center even more high-tech. The grant, for $68,780 from the Dr. and Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Charitable Trust of Oil City, Pa., will fund the creation of a Pediatric Simulation Theater within the Patient Simulation Center to help students receive training related to infant trauma. The Simulation Center is located on the courtyard level of the new Robert H. Morosky Academic Center and is expected to open this year.

Grants Encourage Future Nurses Two grants from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation will benefit the Villa Maria School of Nursing.

The Graduate Nursing Education Grant, in the amount of $31,000 for the 2008-09 Academic Year, helps fund graduate nursing students who are pursuing an education to teach.

The Dr. Edna B. McKenzie Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students was also received in the amount of $10,310. It is intended to encourage additional students to earn a degree in nursing, but target those students who may come from a background unfavorable to pursuing such an education.

In addition, Gannon was the recipient of a $25,000 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield that will benefit the nursing program and its focus on community-based care.

Grant Aids in Keeping the P.R.O.M.I.S.E. Gannon received some important assistance in its efforts to correct students’ perceptions about alcohol and unsafe behaviors. The University was awarded an $11,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for the 2008-09 Academic Year, which it is using to continue last year’s Social Norms Marketing Campaign. The campaign highlights the consequences of underage and high-risk drinking and emphasizes personal responsibility by encouraging students to take the P.R.O.M.I.S.E. (Promoting Responsible Ongoing Management in Social Environments) Pledge to make healthy and respectful decisions.

Grant to Benefit Mature Women Students

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Gannon was one of only 28 colleges and universities to receive a $35,000 grant from the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation, allowing the University to continue offering Newcombe Scholarships for Mature Women Students during the 2008-09 Academic Year. Since 1998, the Newcombe Foundation has awarded Gannon a total of $232,000 in grants, benefiting more than 85 mature women students at Gannon. The current grant represents an increase of $5,000 over the foundation’s award given last year. The majority of the grant is being used for direct scholarship aid, while $5,000 is designated as a challenge to continue to build the Newcombe Endowed Scholarship Fund at Gannon. The Newcombe Foundation will match, up to $5,000, any funds that Gannon raises through May.

Tom Wilfrid (right), executive director of the Newcombe Foundation, and his wife, Diane, met with President Garibaldi during a visit to campus in October.

NewsNotes

Gannon Partners with MBA Gannon and the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) in Erie have formed a strategic partnership whereby the Association’s members can enroll in Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) classes through Gannon onsite at the MBA. Members of the Association, as well as their employees, will be able to take the classes at a special, reduced tuition rate. In the interest of convenience for these unique students, classes will be offered on Saturdays at the MBA Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street.

For more information, contact Dr. Scott E. Miller, C.P.A., Esq. ’93, associate director of the Dahlkemper School of Business, at (814) 871-7397 or the Office of Graduate Admissions at (814) 871-7474.

Gannon Athletics has a new home on the Web at www.gannonsports.com!

Check the site often for the latest news and multimedia from your favorite Golden Knight teams.

University Hosts Distinguished Lecturers Gannon faculty, staff and students—as well as the greater Erie community—have had several opportunities to hear a variety of guest lecturers speak on campus so far this year. Filmmaker Mike Shiley visited campus in September to discuss his 90-minute documentary, “Inside Iraq: The Untold Stories,” which chronicled the U.S.’s ongoing struggle to stabilize Iraq following the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, which Shiley described as a “behind the scenes” perspective.

In October, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist H.G. “Buzz” Bissinger visited campus for a lecture and book-signing event. Bissinger is the author of Friday Night Lights, a book about the impact of high school football on small-town life, which has sold approximately two million copies and has been made into a feature film and television series.

Nationally-known academician and political pundit Dr. Terry Madonna came to campus on Nov. 10 as part of the 36th annual Chautauqua at Gannon Lecture Series. Dr. Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., discussed “Campaign 2008 in Review and What Lies Ahead.” Madonna is a renowned Pennsylvania pollster, news commentator and columnist.

Student Publications Excel The student-produced literary art magazine, Totem, recently won its 13th consecutive first-place award in the American Scholastic Press Association’s annual magazine competition. Totem, which features poetry, short stories, prose, artwork and photography submitted by Gannon students, faculty and staff, also earned a special merit designation.

Entries to the competition were judged in five areas: content coverage, organization, design, presentation and creativity. Totem earned 955 out of a possible 1,000 points and received perfect scores in presentation and creativity. Junior English majors Sara Hopson and Nicole Kasiorek served

as co-editors for the 2008 edition and were advised by Berwyn Moore, associate professor of English.

Another student publication, The Gannon Knight newspaper, is now available both in print and online. The staff launched an online format at www.gannonknight.com beginning with the first issue of the 2008-09 Academic Year. The project has been in progress for almost a year, with former editor-in-chief Kelly Fennessy ’08 proposing the idea during her tenure. The Web site currently features articles and photos found in the print publication of The Knight and is updated on Wednesday afternoons.

“Moving the paper online reflects the transitions of major newspapers across the country and exposes journalism students to a skill necessary in today’s job market,” said senior English major Kristen Rajczak, current editor-in-chief.

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NewsNotes Faculty Continue Tradition of Scholarship More than 40 faculty were honored in November at the University’s annual Faculty Scholarship Celebration, and many faculty members have been engaged in scholarship and research this year.

Karen Lumia, assistant professor in the Villa Maria School of Nursing, was chosen for Alpha Tau Delta’s National Advisor of the Year Award. Gannon’s campus chapter, Alpha Kappa, nominated Lumia. Alpha Tau Delta is a national fraternity for professional nurses.

In October, Dr. Carolynn Masters, R.N., C.A.R.N., dean of the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, was appointed to the Board of Trustees for Hamot Medical Center in Erie.

Dr. Michael Messina, associate professor of marketing and director of the Marketing Program, was recognized with a Best Paper Award at the 2008 Marketing Management Association Conference in Chicago. Messina also served as a track chair and session chair at the conference and was elected to serve a three-year term on the board of directors for the Marketing Management Association.

Dr. Stephen Frezza (L), associate professor of software engineering and chair of the Computer and Information Science Department, is honored for scholastic achievement

by President Garibaldi during the annual Faculty Scholarship Celebration.

Villa Maria School of Nursing instructor Carol Amann, R.N., M.S.N. ’88VMC, ’05M, gave the presentation,“Nursing Advocacy and Involvement in Health Policy,” at the 2008 National Gerontological Nursing Association Convention.

Dr. James Miller, C.P.A. ’71, ’96M, director of the Accounting Program, received the Best Paper Award for one of his presentations,“The Development of the Miller Ratio (MR): A Tool to Detect for the Possibility of Earnings Management (EM),” at the International Business and Economic Research Conference.The presentation was referred to as the world premier of the Miller Ratio because it marked the first time it was shared since Miller defended his dissertation.

Berwyn Moore, associate professor of English, had one of her poems nationally recognized with publication on the American Kimberly Cavanagh, M.P.A.S., PA-C, assistant professor and Life in Poetry Web site, which provides newspapers and online publications with a free, weekly column featuring contemporary clinical coordinator of the Physician Assistant Program, had a case study on Chiari I Malformations published in the October American poems. In addition to being listed on the site, Moore’s issue of ADVANCE for Physician Assistants. Her interview was poem was also published in the thousands of newspapers that subscribe to American Life in Poetry. also part of a webcast on the journal’s Web site.

Dr. Elisa Konieczko ’84, associate professor of biology and director of the Pre-Pharmacy and Biotechnology programs, was appointed to serve a second three-year term on the Education Committee of the American Society for Cell Biology.

Dr. Jiangxia (Renee) Liu, assistant professor of accounting, received the KPMG Best Paper Award at the American Accounting Association’s annual meeting. She co-authored the paper, “The Gender Pay Gap in the Boardroom: Are Women Executives Underpaid?” with faculty members from three other universities.

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Dr. Dawna Mughal, associate professor, director of the Dietetics Program and director of the Medical Technology Program, was chosen by the Pennsylvania Dietetic Association for its Outstanding Dietician Award. She also presented a paper on obesity at the 13th World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Studies of Intellectual Disabilities held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Dr. Michele Roth-Kauffman, J.D., PA-C, professor and chair of the Physician Assistant Program, was recently featured on XM Satellite Radio’s “ReachMD” program, Clinician’s Roundtable. In three separate interviews, she discussed malpractice insurance coverage options for physician assistants, employment agreements and prescription writing authority for PAs.

NewsNotes Dr. Ellen Walsh, assistant professor of history, was the recipient of the 2008 Eduardo Lozano Memorial Dissertation Prize from the University of Pittsburgh.

Academic advisor Michelle Wiley gave a presentation at the annual conference of the National Academic Advising Association in October. Her presentation focused on how Gannon implemented a needs assessment inventory for all freshmen and how other Gannon departments used the data to help enhance students’ first-year experiences.

Gannon Sponsors “Discover Our Times” Gannon professors are making weekly appearances in local high school classrooms through “Discover Our Times,” a partnership between the University, WJET-TV, Erie TimesNews, “Newspapers in Education” and Parade magazine.

Inspired by topics that are predetermined by the “Newspapers in Education” program, Gannon faculty with expertise in the week’s featured topic visit a classroom and engage students in critical thinking. The finished product becomes a one-minute television promotion that runs several times throughout the week on WJET. New topics and professors are featured every week. This partnership is a high-profile demonstration of Gannon’s commitment to education and community involvement.You can view all of the “Discover Our Times” segments at http://yourerie.com/content/dot.

President Garibaldi Honored with Fellowship, Publication President Garibaldi was recently selected as a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). In establishing this new program, AERA’s goal is to honor outstanding leaders in education and those who have made exceptional scientific and scholarly contributions.

“It is an honor to have my scholarly and professional contributions over the last 30 years recognized by AERA,” he said.

“Educational research has always been an important part of my career.”

President Garibaldi is also a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and has served on the boards and committees of more than a dozen higher education organizations. In addition to this honor, President Garibaldi had an article, “The Educational Status of African-American Males in the 21st Century,” published in a recent issue of The Sphinx, the magazine of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

ETI Officially Opens

Gannon hosted a grand opening ceremony on Oct. 3 for its Erie Technology Incubator (ETI).

The facility is designed to nurture early-stage and start-up advanced technology businesses and entrepreneurs by providing key mentoring and support services. Several small businesses have already taken up residency.

The ETI, located in the former Boys and Girls Club of Erie on West 8th Street, underwent $5.3 million in renovations in 2008 to transform the 33,000-square-foot building, which now includes up to two dozen individual business spaces, a high-tech conference room and a rooftop networking area.

Present for the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the new ETI were (L to R): State Rep. Flo Fabrizio; Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio ’81; State Sen. Jane Earll; Regina Smith on behalf of U.S. Rep. Phil English; President Garibaldi; Phil Scrimenti ’70, ’74M on behalf of Gov. Ed Rendell and Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott ’88.

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Campaign Update

Campaign Update

The Power To Succeed Random House Dictionary defines success as “the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.” With more than $31.5 million total raised from more than 12,000 donors since its 2001 launch, Gannon University’s The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign—which officially concluded on Dec. 31—certainly fits this definition, and it can be deemed a success on many levels.

The generous spirit of members of the Board, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the University helped make this Campaign the most successful one in Gannon’s history. Funds raised will help many areas of the University, including Gannon’s endowment and Annual Fund, facility renovations, student scholarships, faculty research and other operational expenses.

Trustees and alumni have been actively involved in The Power To Transform Campaign since its inception: they gave a total of $21.7 million, representing 69 percent of all donors.

William C. Springer ’63, a member of the Campaign Steering Committee and Gannon’s Board of Trustees, was especially impressed by the amount of support the Campaign received.

“The most significant impression the Campaign left with me was the breadth and depth of support from all who contributed and worked on the Campaign. A number of people did excellent work putting the Campaign together and then executing it, and a larger number of people gave their financial support to Gannon,” he said.

While many alumni contributed financially to The Power To Transform, the Campaign also allowed them to reconnect with classmates and remember the possibilities at Gannon.

“My story is a perfect example,” said Thomas F. Power Jr. ’63, also a Steering Committee member and current Trustee. “When the Campaign was formulated, I had been absent from the University for many years, but became involved with the Campaign and renewed friendships. The commitment to Gannon was infectious, and we wanted to encourage pride in the University and all that it is accomplishing.”

Like Springer and Power, many Gannon and Villa Maria alumni have positive memories of their time on campus, and ensuring that both current and prospective

President Garibaldi welcomes guests during a 2006 Campaign event.

students have the same opportunity was a significant component of The Power To Transform.

“When I entered the business world, I was able to compete with Harvard graduates.

Gannon was a major factor in my success, and I’m sure that story is in every alumnus,” Campaign Steering Committee members Power said. “With (L to R) Joseph T. Messina, Esq. ’63,William C. the Campaign, Springer ’63 and Thomas F. Power Jr. ’63 during we asked donors the Campaign Kickoff Celebration in 2006. to continue that success for current and prospective students. It’s not giving them a gift, but a chance.”

As Springer put it, “The underlying feeling is that Gannon did something very positive in our lives, and we would like to enable the students who follow to have a similar opportunity.”

Campaign Update

Nicholas Kaiser, a junior from Conneautville, Pa. majoring in mathematics, appreciates the support of others as a recipient of the James Freeman Endowed Memorial Scholarship.

“The scholarship is truly a blessing; it helps me to afford a quality college education at Gannon and will help me in the future by decreasing the amount of money that I owe to lenders. I am very thankful for the generosity of Gannon to help support its students,” Kaiser said.

Some measure success in dollar amounts, while others see it reflected in physical growth or an admirable reputation. For Gannon, the lasting achievements of The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign can be measured in all of these ways, and the results are seen each day across campus.

“The Campaign was successful because of the tremendous level of participation, but it is really a success for the students,” said Power. “Scholarships, renovations, building purchases—they benefit from it all, and it is a direct result of our giving back.”

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GU meets

You Tube If you want to become a fan of Gannon University or watch this year’s homecoming parade, all you have to do is click. By utilizing online social networking and multimedia sites such as Facebook and YouTube, Gannon is now able to reach an even wider audience without ever leaving Erie.

“It started with thinking of new ways to involve both current and prospective students. You want to engage students where they live, and they live on the computer,” said Ron Kerman, executive director of University Marketing, whose office has been instrumental in crafting Gannon’s online presence.

Kerman said he first began thinking of using online networking sites to promote Gannon after his daughter began using Facebook.com to research potential colleges. The site connects individuals through a variety of social networks— such as school, hometown or employer—and members can communicate with one another, post pictures and join groups based on common interests.

“A student created a space to talk to those interested in the school, and all of a sudden, my daughter is telling me there were 50 people she had met online. She felt more comfortable visiting campus, and she felt as if she had established relationships already,” Kerman explained.

These connections don’t stop when students arrive on campus, said Daniel Morelli, a freshman class representative for Gannon’s Student Government Association. He uses sites like Facebook to interact with fellow classmates and keep up with current University events.

“I am part of several Gannon groups, and I use them to network with other students and faculty and to meet new people and staff members,” Morelli said. “Sites like Facebook are a great way for Gannon to get the word out, and it’s beneficial to the entire University community.”

Gannon’s official Facebook page—which already boasts more than 600 fans—includes photos, videos, news articles and links to useful sites, such as Admissions, Athletics and The Gannon Knight and can be accessed by a direct link on Gannon’s home page. E-Marketing Coordinator Zachary Flock ’05, who joined the Gannon staff in this newly created position this fall, noted that using modern technology emphasizes the University’s commitment to progress and positive growth.

“At Gannon, we pride ourselves in maintaining up-to-date programs, facilities and resources. Likewise, being on the cutting edge of technology reinforces the idea that Gannon is looking toward the future,” he said. “Ten years ago, you were cutting edge if you had a Web site. Today, everybody has a Web site, but Web sites are often cold and impersonal.

Facebook allows for personal connections, because a prospective student can find current students and alumni, message them and start a dialogue.”

Like Gannon’s Facebook page, the video Web site YouTube.com has proved useful in spreading the

University’s message and providing worldwide visitors with current news and events.

“We’re using it to share experiences and establish relationships with students, alumni and all types of visitors who might not know about Gannon or all of the events happening here,” said Webmaster Michael Gorski.

At www.youtube.com/gannontube, viewers can watch interviews with faculty, staff and students or see clips from recent campus events, such as community service efforts and guest speakers. The site even allows users to post comments or share the videos with others.

“Video sometimes takes a back seat to the Internet, but it’s still a very viable tool, and YouTube is just a new vehicle for that,” Kerman said. “We feel the best people to tell Gannon’s story are the students and professors themselves, speaking in their own voice. I think people are getting a very balanced view and a very sincere view of the University this way.”

As Flock put it, “The possibilities that result from social networking are endless. Some parents will find it’s a great way to stay in touch with their children and become a part of Gannon’s extended family, while alumni can reconnect and stay involved with the University. They’re all a part of our community, and we want to keep them all in the loop.”

Although Gannon has thousands of alumni and friends residing all across the globe, returning to campus can be as simple as turning on your computer, thanks to these and other Web sites; most recently, Gannon formed a group on LinkedIn.com, a networking site for professionals. Visit www.gannon.edu and enjoy all the possibilities the site—and the University—have to offer.

GU in the Blogosphere

Want to meet a Gannon student, but can’t make the trip to Erie just yet? Log on to www.gannon.edu/theatre and click on the “I Am” banner (located on the right) to learn about Nicole Dohoda, a sophomore theatre and communication arts major who just launched a blog about her life on campus. Check back regularly as Nicole posts updates about classes, performing at the Schuster Theatre and much more.

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The Right

Impression According to popular sociology theory, it can take less than four minutes to form a first impression. For Sister Kathleen Dietz, F.S.O., her initial thoughts of Gannon University can be summed up in one word: enthusiasm.

“The first thing I noticed was the enthusiasm for Gannon; it is very noticeable among the faculty and the staff who work here. There is a good kind of pride in the school, and everyone is always working to make themselves better so that the school can be better,” she said.

It was this enthusiastic spirit that helped lead Sister Kathleen and Sister Josephine Vuodi, F.S.O.—members of the religious community, The Spiritual Family “The Work”—to Erie in mid-June. The two reside in a Gannon house at 608 Walnut St., which they have named Julia House after the foundress of their community. Sister Kathleen teaches Theology courses as one of the University’s newest faculty members, while Sister Josephine serves as a pastoral associate at St. George Parish in Erie.

“The Work,” which was founded in 1938 by Mother Julia Verhaeghe and was approved in 2001 by Pope John Paul II as a “Family of Consecrated Life of Pontifical Right,” has a presence in several European countries but only recently began establishing residences in the United States. Erie is the second; two other sisters are located in New York City.

Their name is taken largely from John 6:29: “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one whom he has sent.”

Sister Kathleen became interested in Erie after talking with Rev. Nicholas Rouch, S.T.D. ’83, Vicar for Education for the Diocese of Erie, whom she met while studying in Rome.

“Fr. Rouch invited us to come to Erie and take a look, and we were quite impressed with it and impressed with the Bishop. It’s been amazing how welcoming and enthusiastic everyone has been,” she explained.

Sister Kathleen Dietz helps students understand Sacred Scriptures.

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Gannon is one of eight Diocesan colleges and universities in the United States, and this unique educational atmosphere provides an excellent opportunity for religious communities like “The Work” to serve in a variety of ways.

“They have been so well-received,” Fr. Rouch said. “People are delighted, and even honored, that the community accepted the invitation to come to Erie, Gannon and St. George Parish. For my part, it’s been one of the most meaningful projects I’ve been privileged to work on.”

As a Catholic university, all Gannon students are surrounded by a strong faith community and enroll in at least two Theology courses, an aspect that especially interested Sister Kathleen.

to their faculty appointments. As a member of “The Work,” Sister Kathleen uses her faith to reach out to students both inside and outside the classroom.

“I think there is a big benefit in beginning with a course like Sacred Scriptures with the freshmen. It can be a good basis for their future and for their future studies,” she said. “It allows them to learn a little bit more about their faith for themselves, first of all, but second of all, so they have a sense of what to do with their faith when they go out into the world.”

“I try and hope that I can be there for the students if the necessity arises outside of class, that they get to see a religious sister who not only teaches them something but who also is there for them in another way if they need it,” she said, noting that some students have come to her to discuss their own spirituality. “I’m hoping also for students who come to Gannon with no faith background at all, that maybe thoughts are awakened and that they find themselves challenged to think about the meaning of life.”

Fr. Rouch agreed, noting that members of religious communities or Diocesan priests can serve as role models for students.

“While our lay professors are tremendous examples of the many and varied ways that the Christian vocation can be lived in the world, our vowed and ordained professors give a unique witness to the students. Without saying anything, the religious and ordained propose a strong argument to the students that there’s more to life than secular pursuits and worldly ambition,” he explained.

Many Gannon faculty contribute personal and professional experiences to their teaching; several professors in the Physician Assistant Program, for example, continue to practice clinically in addition

“My hope is that students will come away knowing Christ better and having an openness for Him, so they have something to hold on to.”

—Sister Kathleen

With dynamic faculty such as Sister Kathleen who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to their classrooms, Gannon students graduate with truly lasting impressions of their college education.

Students like (L to R) Austin Wilson, Lindsey Elnikar and Nate Yeager benefit from Gannon’s dynamic faculty.

With Honors:

Rev. Robert P. Susa

Over the past five decades, as new buildings were constructed and academic programs were expanded, one constant remained on Gannon University’s campus: students could always count on Rev. Robert P. Susa to remind them that “You are responsible for your own learning.”

Fr. Susa retired at the end of the 2007-08 Academic Year, but not before leaving an indelible impression on generations of students. Assigned to Gannon as a priest in 1961 immediately following his ordination for the Erie Diocese, he served as an instructor in the Economics Department, then as an assistant and an associate professor, before twice serving as department chairman.

Another of Fr. Susa’s signature statements, his definition of economics—the study of the allocation of scarce resources that are capable of alternative application among different and competing ends and of the determination of the level of income, employment and the rate of growth—has remained in the minds of many Gannon students.

“I suspect most of the people who had him in class could still give the definition for economics. When they come back for alumni events, the first thing I hear them say to Fr. Susa is, ‘I still know the definition!’ and they start to repeat it,” said longtime friend Sister Catherine Manning ’66VMC, ’71M,Vice-Chancellor for the Diocese of Erie.

By being an active member of campus himself, Fr. Susa modeled his commitment to lifelong learning. Over the years, he served as University ombudsman, president of the Faculty Senate, director of the Liberal Studies Committee, interim vice president for Academic Affairs, director of Faculty Mentoring and dean of the Priest’s Council. He was also chaplain for Finegan Hall for 30 years and served as advisor to the Sheik fraternity. An avid runner, he incorporated health and wellness into student lessons to support a well-rounded life.

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“I always encouraged them to expect the most and work for it, challenge themselves and challenge their teachers.

I wanted them to get involved in whatever was going on at the University,” he said. “There’s a personal touch that students get at Gannon, as well as a challenge. We challenge them, but we don’t leave them hanging.”

While always eager to discuss economics—“I enjoyed it because economics is current and challenging,” he said— Fr. Susa also played a primary role in the formation of Gannon’s Honors Program in 1987.

“The Honors Program is important because it provides challenging classes for motivated and talented students, and it was very well-received,” he explained. “Having small classes keeps students on their toes, since they are expected to be prepared to participate in classroom discussions.”

During his tenure as Honors Program director, Fr. Susa mentored more than 1,000 students and saw the program grow from its humble beginnings in a small room to its current location in Palumbo Academic Center. The Honors Center now boasts two seminar rooms, a study room, computer work stations and a lounge area, in addition to office space.

“The Honors Center allowed me to be in closer contact with the students and help guide them along the way. It helped create a more close-knit community, since the students have a space to come together both for academics and for friendship,” he said.

Ian McGinnity ’07 formed a close bond with Fr. Susa during his four years at Gannon. An active member of the Honors Program, he served as a class representative, vice chair and chairperson of the program’s Student Advisory Board.

“Fr. Susa allowed students to truly run the program and served as a guide. He always advocated for his students and wanted individuals in Honors to develop holistically and become empowered students in leadership roles,” McGinnity said.

For his service to Gannon, Fr. Susa has received several honors. In 1991, he was honored by the University’s Student Government Association with its Excellence in Teaching Award. Most recently, Fr. Susa was recognized with Gannon’s Distinguished Faculty Award as well as the Archbishop Gannon Medal of Distinction, which recognizes individuals who have been instrumental in promoting the cause of Catholic higher education.

“In honoring Fr. Susa, we recognize a colleague who has been successful at sparking the consciences of young minds even while filling them with the kind of knowledge that has some staying power to it,” said Dr. Michael DeSanctis, current director of the Honors Program, during a special recognition ceremony. “The clear commitment he has made to the

1989

1991 2008

1976 University’s mission serves as a model to all of us, but especially to students, of what it means to make a difference in this world.”

As Honors Program director, Fr. Susa helped students find new endeavors and branch outside the usual. He began the tradition of awarding Honors graduates with medallions, initiated the student-produced Excalibur newsletter to inform the Gannon community of Honors happenings and encouraged students and alumni to participate in campus events like Homecoming.

“Fr. Susa remains one of the most student-centered individuals I have encountered at the university level, and as a graduate student studying student affairs in higher education, I look at his example to help guide me on my journey,” McGinnity said.

Whether witnessing change or effecting it, Fr. Susa’s tenure at Gannon was a learning experience for both students and the professor himself: “There was never a dull moment.”

A Lifetime of Learning

“The Honors Program greatly enriched my time at Gannon and gave me the opportunity to develop leadership, time management and communication skills which serve me well in graduate school,” said former Honors Program student Ian McGinnity ’07.

Gannon University’s Honors Program provides an exciting educational experience for academically talented and highly motivated students by challenging them to take an active role in their learning by growing intellectually, culturally and socially. The program features small class sizes, studentcentered program governance and a variety of social and cultural events. For more information or to apply to the Honors Program, contact Dr. Michael DeSanctis, program director, at desancti001@gannon.edu or (814) 871-7509.

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AlumniFocus

“Gannon prepared us well academically, and the SBDC gave us the foundation we needed to start a successful business.”

Names Aaron W. Hertel, MDT ’01, ’03M Michael R. Brown, CSCS ’00, ’03M

Professional Affiliations Hertel – MDT, McKenzie Method Brown – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Specialties Hertel – manual therapy techniques: joint mobilization, muscle energy techniques and patella-femoral pain program.

Brown – vestibular rehabilitation, aquatic therapy programs.

Aaron W. Hertel, MDT ’01, ’03M and Michael R. Brown, CSCS ’00, ’03M The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Gannon University is guided by several tenets, including professionalism, experiential learning and a patient-centered focus.

For alumni Aaron W. Hertel, MDT ’01, ’03M and Michael R. Brown, CSCS ’00, ’03M, these core values are apparent today in their physical therapy practice, Hertel and Brown Physical and Aquatic Therapy.

Despite attending both high school and college within two years of each other, the pair did not meet until both enrolled in Gannon’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

“Deciding to go into business together was actually a joke between the two of us in graduate school when we found out the other was also from Erie,” Brown said. “But then we worked on several class projects together and found that our personalities and work habits meshed well together and balanced one another.”

Although it opened only two years ago on Jan. 1, 2007, the practice has already experienced considerable growth. Last June, Hertel and Brown Physical Therapy was honored by Gannon’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as the New Start-up Business of the Year during the center’s 18th annual Small Business Awards luncheon. A few months later, in September, they purchased two former outpatient clinics, giving the practice three separate locations: Frontier Park, Sterrettania Road and Oliver Road.

“Since we’re both Erie natives, having the practice here makes it nice to be able to work with and treat one another’s friends and family. This has allowed us to develop the family-friendly environment that we strive to create,” Hertel said.

Remembering their time as students, Hertel and Brown remain connected to the University through their work. Several Gannon physical therapy students are placed at the practice for internships, and all three of Hertel and Brown’s full-time physical therapists are Gannon DPT graduates.

“The Gannon Physical Therapy Program prepared us well academically, and the University’s SBDC gave us the foundation we needed to start a successful business,” the pair said. “It is for these reasons that we feel we should help these programs and the Gannon community.”

Hertel said he has fond memories of playing for the Gannon football team as an undergraduate and remains appreciative of faculty members like Dr. Elisa Konieczko ’84, associate professor of biology, who helped him as a human gross anatomy teaching assistant. Brown also recalled fond memories of his professors, including physical therapy professor Dr. Kristine Legters, and reminisced about time spent with his fraternity brothers in Pi Kappa Alpha. Today, both men have recently married, and Hertel and his wife, Amanda, are expecting their first child.

As proud alumni and successful professionals, Hertel and Brown encourage students to invest in their futures through education and make a difference in their communities.

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“If we could offer current students some advice, we would like to tell them that by choosing the Gannon University Physical Therapy Program, they are making an excellent investment in their future careers, and they have chosen an industry that is essential to our aging culture and that will continue to grow.”

FacultyFocus

Weslene T. Tallmadge, Ph.D. by Colleen Dixon “The willingness to help and explain each step to you while never allowing you to fall behind,” is how senior biology/pre-medicine major Abby Bunstine describes Dr. Weslene Tallmadge’s ability to reach out to students and create a positive learning environment.

As an associate professor and chair of the Chemistry Department, Dr. Tallmadge embraces a love for teaching and the Gannon community.

“Joining the Chemistry Department has been the professional accomplishment of which I am most grateful, and I have many colleagues on this campus in many different departments who inspire me. For example, I have enjoyed working on several interdisciplinary projects with Dr. Michelle Homan from the Environmental Sciences Department.”

Dr. Tallmadge’s commitment to Gannon was recently recognized by the students themselves when she received the 2008 Excellence in Teaching Award from the University’s Student Government Association.

“Dr. Tallmadge is a wonderful resource for all Gannon students, especially those in the sciences. She is always available outside of class for extra help or just to talk. She goes above and beyond in her service to the student body,” said senior Nicolette Critelli, a physician assistant major and current SGA president.

Like many of Gannon’s dynamic faculty, Dr. Tallmadge is active in organizations outside of the University. She is a member of the local chapter of the American Chemical Society, holding the offices of secretary and chair elect. Currently, she is helping to plan a session on education at the central regional meeting of the American Chemical Society for May 2009.

Observing the principles of success, Dr. Tallmadge credits her family as having the greatest influence on her life.

“My parents had high expectations, were disciplined and hard-working and maintained an attitude toward me that I could do anything that I wanted,” she explained. “Likewise, I have been greatly influenced by my own children and my husband as well. Children and young adults have a unique and fresh view of life that has a way of giving it the right perspective, and my husband, Jack Tallmadge ’85, has always been so positive and encouraging.”

In her spare time, Dr. Tallmadge enjoys exercising, watching her children’s sporting events and school plays and skiing. Although described by students as an influential professor, Dr. Tallmadge believes that students ultimately hold the key to their future.

“If there were only one thing for students to take away from my class, it would be that each is responsible for the depth of his or her own learning. I am only a facilitator,” she said.

Dixon is a senior communication arts major and intern in the Communications office.

Name

Weslene T. Tallmadge, Ph.D.

Education

Dreyfus Post-doctoral Fellow, Bates College (1990-91) Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh (1990) B.A. in Chemistry from Washington & Jefferson College (1984)

Professional Affiliations & Honors American Chemical Society International Association of Great Lakes Research Sigma Xi Phi Lambda Upsilon Phi Beta Kappa Scholar in Education Award Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers Excellence in Teaching Award, Gannon University SGA

Recent Publications & Presentations

Environmental Education Teacher Workshop at Gannon University, presenter and co-organizer (2008) “Integrating Concepts Using Online Tutorials in a Freshman Chemistry Course,” with B.J. Chitester, at the 18th International Conference on College Teaching and Learning (April 2007) “Spatial Distributions and Profiles of PAHs on Exterior Window Surfaces in Erie, PA,” at the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry (Feb. 2007)

“I was fortunate to join the Chemistry Department at Gannon, and it has been the professional accomplishment of which I am most grateful.”

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by Dan Teliski ’97, Director of Athletic Media Relations

Gannon’s nine fall teams kicked off the University’s first season as a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), and the teams made a solid first impression. Three of the four teams that accumulated win-loss records and participated in PSAC competition produced better records than the year before, and 12 all-conference selections and four all-region honorees highlighted the fall campaign.

Women’s & Men’s Soccer The men’s soccer team concluded the regular season with a 10-6-1 overall record and 3-4-1 PSAC Western Division record. Piet Zweegers and Loek Masthoff landed spots on the All-PSAC first team.

Afrim Latifi Zweegers recorded two goals, three assists and seven points during his first season in a Gannon uniform; the Golden Knights were 3-0-1 in matches he recorded a point. Masthoff led a defense that allowed only 1.44 goals per match.

Afrim Latifi, Gannon’s leading scorer this season with 13 goals and 29 points, ranked third among PSAC players in points per match (1.93), fourth in goals per match (0.87) and fourth in game-winning goals (4). He was 19th among all NCAA Division II players in points per match and 21st in goals per match.

The women’s soccer program recorded the second-highest single-season win total in school history and dominated the PSAC Western Division post-season awards, claiming all three major honors. Head coach Colin Petersen ’01 was named PSAC Western Division Coach of the Year, while Courtney Rowan was selected Athlete of the Year and Amanda Sharbaugh was tabbed Freshman of the Year.

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The squad finished 11-6-2 overall and 9-3-2 in conference play, winning the PSAC Western Division regularseason title. The 11 victories equaled the second-highest total in school history—falling one shy of the school record—and the team reached double digits in victories for the first time since 1999.

Rowan ranked second among PSAC players in assists per match (0.50), 12th in points per match (1.39) and 17th in goals per match (0.44). The senior midfielder was also named to the Daktronics All-Atlantic Region first team and is Gannon’s all-time assist leader (23). Sharbaugh tied Gannon’s single-season scoring record with 15 goals and ranked second among PSAC players in goals per match (0.88). Her 35 points equaled the second-highest single-season total in school history, just two points shy of the school record.

Volleyball The Gannon volleyball team narrowly missed a .500 season with a 13-14 record (a seven-game improvement from 2007) and increased its conference victory total by two. Senior outside hitter Ashley Tubbs was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II first team and led Gannon in kills (296) and digs (198) while ranking second in aces (34).

Her 3.12 kills per game average ranked sixth among PSAC players. She reached double digits in kills 19 times and in digs nine times and recorded nine double-doubles (kills/digs).

Cross Country Both Gannon cross country teams concluded their seasons by qualifying for the post-season, ending the season with top-20 finishes at the NCAA Division II East Regional. The women’s team finished 12th out of 25 teams while the men’s squad placed 20th out of 25 squads. Brittany Zaborowski was Gannon’s top female runner, finishing 34th with a time of 23 minutes, 33 seconds, Brittany Zaborowski while Andy Hellmann was Gannon’s top male runner, placing 93rd with a time of 36 minutes, 38 seconds.

Men’s Water Polo The men’s water polo team completed its season with an 11-10 record, marking the program’s second consecutive winning season and fifth straight under head coach Don Sherman. Gannon finished second in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Southern Division-West Region

AthleteFocus with a 6-2 conference mark. The Golden Knights finished second at the Division II Eastern Championships and placed seventh two weeks later at the CWPA Southern Division Championships. This season represented the final year for senior Richie DiLoreto, Gannon’s third-leading scorer in 2008 with 26 goals. He added 10 assists, 36 steals, 17 earned kickouts and seven field saves, finishing among Gannon’s all-time top 15 in goals (96) and assists (32).

Golf The women’s golf team posted top-three finishes in three of five events during the fall season, placing third out of seven teams at the 2008 PSAC Championships. Jess Slonaker was Gannon’s top golfer, placing eighth with a two-day score of 162. The senior shot rounds of 79 and 83. The men’s golf team recorded four top-five finishes in six events and placed fifth out of seven teams at the PSAC Championships. Drew Deimel was Gannon’s top golfer, placing 14th with a two-day score of 157. The sophomore shot rounds of 79 and 78.

Football The Golden Knights concluded the 2008 season with a 4-7 record, a three-win improvement from last season and the team’s most victories in a season since 2004. Jeremy Ditzler, Sam Geldmaker and Chris Murphy all earned spots on the All-PSAC Western Division first team. Ditzler had the best season by a placekicker in school history, converting a school-record 15 field goals, surpassing the previous record by five.

Geldmaker started every game at offensive tackle for the Golden Knights and was part of a line that paved the way for the PSAC’s third-ranked red-zone offense, scoring 84.8 percent of the time inside the 20-yard line. Murphy was one of the leaders on a defensive line that ranked third among PSAC schools in rushing defense (119.2). The senior defensive lineman was Gannon’s thirdleading tackler with 53 stops (15 solo, 38 assisted). He also recorded 7.5 tackles for a loss (34 yards), 3.5 sacks (22 yards) and two pass break-ups.

by Alex Sibley The motto “saving the best for last” is one that senior football player Matt Ward took to the next level in his final season.

Ward ended his stellar career with the Knights by leading the team with 78 total tackles, 17.5 of which were for a loss. The defensive end was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) player of the week after his 12-tackle performance against Clarion University; he was also named to the AllPSAC team, while earning a spot on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II Second Team.

“I have never really gotten any accolades like that; it definitely means a lot,” Ward said. “It was all about strength and conditioning. I’ve progressively put more time into my game since I’ve been here.”

Throughout his four-year stint with the Knights, Ward played in at least eight games in every season, during which he accumulated 173 total tackles and 13 career sacks. But aside from the defensive aspects of the game, teammate and fellow senior Dave Conway will most remember Ward for his leadership.

“He’s a vocal leader and the players listen to him. He shows good leadership on the field, and his teammates know if they have a problem, they can go to him,” Conway said.

Gannon defensive coordinator Brad Rzyczycki has had the opportunity to coach Ward for only two years, but said that’s all the time he needed to know that Ward is going to be successful no matter what he does.

“Matt, more than anyone, has been a leader since I’ve been here,” Rzyczycki said. “Matt’s a smart kid. He’s well beyond his years from a maturity standpoint; he’s helped all the younger kids mature from a player standpoint.”

The Brockport, N.Y., native is also achieving great things in the classroom, where he has a cumulative 3.43 gradepoint average. He is majoring in education with hopes of becoming a history teacher upon graduation.

“He will be successful in whatever he does,” Conway said. “He’s the kind of person who, no matter what he gets involved in, is going to be successful.”

Sibley is a sophomore journalism communications major and assistant sports editor at The Gannon Knight.

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alumcal 2009 Alumni Lunchtime Lecture Series

The former Alumni LunchN-Learn Series, now known as the Alumni Lunchtime Lecture Series, returned for the Spring 2009 semester with a new name, fresh line-up and some new reservation procedures.

Feb. 19: Pearl Jeffries ’81, discussing Erie Social Service Agencies for Youth.

March 19: Women’s Leadership Panel April 16: Don Benczkowski ’82 presents, “Becoming Green: Responsibility, Challenge or Does it Just Make Sense (Cents)? What You Can Do To Help.”

Alumni Event

March 8: Alumni family day at Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park in Erie.

1950s

PAUL G. LARSEN ’55 resides in Port Charlotte, Fla., with his wife, Marian. Paul was controller at Gannon University from 1955-60, when he left to become the controller at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio.

After seven years, he became the assistant controller at the University of Miami, where he remained until his retirement in 1984.

1960s

GIACOMO “JACK” A. DIDONATO ’62 received the 2008 Columbianism Award from the Columbiana (Ohio) County chapter of the Knights of Columbus.

LARRY W. WELDON ’67 attended the Plato’s Closet annual conference in Las Vegas, which marked the company’s 10th anniversary. Larry owns the Plato’s Closet retail store in Erie.

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JAMES A. SCHAFFNER, C.P.A., C.V.A. ’68 was awarded the Certified in Financial Forensics credential

Alumni Pre-game Basketball Receptions Join the Alumni Association for a pre-game reception in the ’Mill before the women and men’s basketball teams take on these local rivals.

Feb. 18: vs. Edinboro University Feb. 26: vs. Mercyhurst College

Regional Events April 17, 2009 Independence, Ohio

April 25, 2009 Pittsburgh, Pa.

May 16, 2009 Buffalo, N.Y.

For more information or to register for any events, contact Tracy Stolz at stolz005@gannon.edu or 1-877-GU-Alums, ext. 1.Visit the online alumni community at www.gannonalumni.org for additional updates.

by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

FRANK C. SCOZZIE ’68, ’72M retired from the Erie School District after four decades, beginning as a special education teacher and retiring as assistant to the superintendent.

1970s

WILLIAM G. GLECOS, D.D.S. ’70, ’86M announced his candidacy for the position of president-elect of the American Dental Association.

Dr. Glecos has been in private practice in Erie since 1977.

JOHN R. HORNAMAN ’70 was re-elected to a second term as Pa. State Representative for the 3rd District.

WILLIAM F. MCCARTHY III ’70, ’76M received Mercyhurst College’s 2008 James V. Kinnane Criminal Justice Award. William is the chief executive officer of Stairways Behavioral Health in Erie.

GIANNI DEVINCENT-HAYES, PH.D. ’71VMC co-authored her 17th book, The History of Wicomico County.

LT. GEN. JAMES M. DUBIK, USA (RET.) ’71 retired from the U.S. Army after 37 years of service.

Most recently, he was the commander of the MultiNational Security Transition Command in Iraq.

DAVID E. ZUERN ’71 was named chief executive officer and vice chairman of the board of directors for Freedom Bank in Florida.

ROBERT P. BARKER ’72 was promoted to executive vice president and operating officer for Parker Hannifin Corp. and will continue to serve as president of Parker’s Aerospace Group.

THOMAS J. GAMBLE, PH.D. ’72 will continue to serve as president of Mercyhurst College through 2012, as the board of trustees voted to extend his contract.

JAMES E. GEHRLEIN ’72 joined the staff of Decision Associates in North East, Pa. as an executive consultant, assisting clients with succession planning.

RICHARD W. BRZUZ ’73, ’82M retired from the Shriners Hospital for Children – Erie after 22 years as CEO/ administrator.

JAMES G. SCHNEIDER ’73 received the 2008 Distinguished Service Award for Leader of the Year from the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Senior Services.

James is the executive director of Springhill Senior Living Community in Erie.

DONALD MCALEER, PSY.D. ’74 received the Karl F. Heiser Presidential Award for Advocacy from the American Psychological Association.

KATHERINE “KITTY” L. CAMPBELL ’75VMC was awarded Life Membership in the Auxiliary to the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, the highest award given by the association.

Kitty is a certification coordinator for the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council in Herndon,Va.

JOHN W. ALBERSTADT JR., ESQ. ’76 received an excellence award in recognition of his more than 20 years of service to low-income individuals in need of civil legal services.

DAVID W. GRZELAK ’76M was appointed as non-executive director of Boart Longyear Limited. David is chairman and CEO of Komatsu America Corp.

DONALD L. HEALD, PH.D. ’76 was promoted to vice president and global head of Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacology at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development in Exton, Pa. STEPHEN BOLARIS ’77M joined FSSI, a producer of statements, invoices and other direct mail, as vice president of sales and marketing.

SISTER JANET M. GOETZ, O.S.B. ’77VMC, ’88M was appointed vocation minister of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie.

N. ROBERT UTECHT ’77M was added to the Olean (N.Y.) High School Athletic Wall of Fame for football and baseball.

Robert is the chief financial officer and CEO for a division of Sara Lee. CHARLES F. NIEDERRITER, PH.D. ’78 was named director of the Nobel Conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minn., where he is a professor in the Department of Physics.

MARY (ROPELEWSKI) SPERR ’79 is marketing director for Lu Engineers, a Rochester, N.Y.based civil and environmental engineering firm.

1980s

MARK L. WETZEL ’80 is the executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer for DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc., a real estate investment trust.

DEBRA (SKURCENSKI) THOMPSON ’81VMC, ’90M presented educational workshops at the Annual Conference & Membership Meeting of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations and at a seminar sponsored by the Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations. Debra is president of Erie-based Strategy Solutions.

GARY J. WINSCHEL ’81 was promoted to senior vice president and regional sales manager for PNC Investments.

WILLIAM J. DOAN, PH.D. ’82 was named associate dean for administration, research and graduate studies in the College of Arts and Architecture at The Pennsylvania State University in University Park.

ELIZABETH W. KIDD, C.P.A. ’82, ’06M became a certified management accountant and was elected treasurer of the Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Elizabeth is director of financial services at St. Benedict Education Center in Erie.

PHILIP J. PACSI ’82 was selected Marketer of the Year by Brandweek magazine.

Philip is the vice president of North American Consumer Tire Marketing for Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC. MATTHEW J. SMITH ’82 was re-elected to a second fouryear term as Mohave County (Ariz.) Attorney.

MARGARET (CHURCH) BOYD, C.N.M. ’83VMC, ’94M is a certified midwife (one of only three in the Erie area), practicing with the Lake Erie Women’s Center.

JAMES W. MARTIN, C.F.R.E. ’83 was elected to the United Way of Erie County’s board of directors and was recognized

by Edinboro University of Pennsylvania as the 2008 Outstanding Business Community Leader. Jim is the community affairs director at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

GARY D. VESHECCO ’83 was named senior vice president, division officer and deputy general counsel for Law and Government Affairs at Erie Insurance.

MITTIE M. DRAGOSLJVICH, M.D. ’84 joined Skaggs Cancer Center in Branson, Mo. as a radiation oncologist.

ERIC KLANN, PH.D. ’84 joined the faculty at New York University as a professor at the Center for Neural Science.

STEPHEN A. BALCZON ’83 is a route salesman with Schwebel’s.

Grad Represents University

Alumnus Christopher Wodarczyk ’76 (middle) represented Gannon and President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. during the recent inauguration of Dr. Helen C. Sobehart (right) as the sixth president of Cardinal Stritch University in October. The event also featured another Gannon graduate: Joseph A. Sobehart ’69 (left), Dr. Sobehart’s husband.

Social Networking: What It Means for Alumni Over the past several years, we have focused on developing the online alumni community as a tool for alumni to stay connected to each other and to the University. The Alumni Services staff has worked with alumni and University representatives to start an alumni Web site, get early user feedback and develop a redesign to provide a user-friendly site that can be navigated easily by all members of the alumni community, even a grad like me from the Class of ’65.Visit www.gannonalumni.org to see the site’s new design, which launched Jan. 1.

As our alumni site has evolved, so too has the understanding and use of social networking. Networking Web sites have proliferated, with now familiar names like Plaxo, LinkedIn, MySpace and Facebook. The University is closely following this new technology frontier, as you can read about on p. 10.

Why has this phenomenon taken hold? The networks afford an opportunity for individuals to connect with professional contacts and leverage these contacts to connect to others. These networks then become a great source for job candidates, employment leads, prospective clients, deals, investors, etc. We have also learned that no one networking site does it all, which is why we are invited into (and will likely join) several.

What does this mean for us as alumni? It means we have one more set of trusted connections to access when we are looking for new career opportunities, trying to find ways to grow our business or hoping to catch up with old friends from our college days. We can use the Gannon alumni Web site as a link not only into the Gannon community but beyond.

In addition, the main Gannon Web site (www.gannon. edu) is a great way to get news about the University and sign up for upcoming events; the site can also be a link to the Career Services office for help finding a new job, crafting a résumé or posting available positions and internships. We can even contribute to the Annual Fund online.

But have you used the site to reunite with old classmates and friends, network with peers and talk to alumni established in their field? How about setting up a blog or using the message boards? As with any social network, we can create special affinity groups and invite others to join, share photos and announce both business and personal news.

As our use of social networking grows, our online alumni community can only benefit, as it is one more way to use a trusted friend to expand our links into the world around us.

President, National Alumni Association

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AlumNotes Gannon Honors Donors, Alumni with Special Events Gannon inducted several new members into the Universitas Society on Sept. 26. Made up of individuals and couples who have donated $100,000 or more to the University over their lifetime, the Society honors those who have set an example of commitment and generosity. Recent inductees include Rev. Msgr. Robert L. Brugger, Atty.

Charles W. Deaner ’48, Thomas C. Guelcher ’62, ’76M, R. Joseph Luckey ’55, Donald J. Pfingstler, Mary K. Quinn ’64, Kirk W. Steeler ’73 and Robert Tidmore.

Five alumni were honored during Gannon’s annual Distinguished Alumni Dinner held Oct. 10. The Dinner is one of the signature events of Gannon’s Alumni Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.

Honorees were: R. Joseph Luckey ’55 (Msgr.

Wilfrid J. Nash Principles of Christian Conduct Award), Benny C. Askew Jr., Ph.D. ’83 (Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences), Valerie A. Kokor ’80 (College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences); Michael J.E. Walsh ’97 (Young Alumni Award) and John N. Heckman ’82, ’84M (College of Engineering and Business).

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In addition, longtime Gannon faculty member, program director and department chair Rev. Robert Susa was recognized, along with three others, during Gannon’s 21st annual Scholarship Celebration. The event, held Oct. 18, honored Rev. Susa as well as philanthropist James E. Winner Jr. and alumni C. Christopher Cooney ’63 and Brian Jackman ’63. All received the Archbishop Gannon Medal of Distinction. Scholarship Celebration recognizes the personal leadership, academic quality and scholarship support of Catholic Higher Education.

1—President Garibaldi with Gannon Student Ambassadors at the Universitas Society Dinner.

2—President Garibaldi presents honoree Charles W. Deaner ’48 (seen here with his wife, Susan) with a Universitas Society plaque.

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3—Student Government Association president Nicolette Critelli, a senior physician assistant major, addresses the crowd during Scholarship Celebration.

4—Erie Bishop Most Rev. Donald W. Trautman, S.T.D., S.S.L. with Scholarship Celebration honorees Rev. Robert Susa, C. Christopher Cooney ’63, Brian Jackman ’63 and President Garibaldi.

5—President Garibaldi (left) and Dana Fallon, Esq. ’91, Alumni Association vice president (right), congratulate alumnus Benny C. Askew Jr., Ph.D. ’83 for being one of five Distinguished Alumni.

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6—Joe Luckey ’55 was one of five individuals honored at the University’s annual Distinguished Alumni Dinner as part of 2008 Alumni Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.

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AlumNotes PETER J. PEARSON ’84 was named president of the Student Transportation of America (STA) Education Foundation. Peter is currently chief operating officer for STA’s Central Region and is one of the Foundation’s founding trustees.

JOSEPH G. CACCHIONE, M.D. ’85 presented at the annual meeting of the national Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Dr. Cacchione is a cardiologist and executive vice president of Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie.

KIMBERLY (MORMUR) MORITZ ’85 is assistant superintendent for the Gowanda (N.Y.) Central School District.

KIM (KOLLATZ) DOCTER ’86VMC has been nominated for reelection to the board of directors for the Northwestern (Pa.) Rural Electric Co-operative Association Inc. Kim is the part-time office manager for KDL Industries, is in her second term as the Rockdale

births

a son, Connor Jack (born Aug. 4, 2008) to Dana M. Accordino Dubeau ’01. a daughter, Carlie Elaine (born March 26, 2008) to LeeAnne Jones Barker ’03 and her husband, Jason.

Darcie F. Bell ’07M recently welcomed a child.

Dawn Hess Bressler ’06M, ’07C and her husband recently welcomed a new baby. a son, Luke Matthew (born June 16, 2008) to Capt.

Matthew P. Bruno, USAF ’95 and his wife, Sarah. Luke joins twin brothers Mark and Sean, born March 6, 2007. a son, Casey James (born June 6, 2008) to Julia (Dembinski) ’94 and David W. Burton ’93. Casey joins older brother Andrew, born May 8, 2003. a daughter, Charla Elizabeth (born May 1, 2008) to Sarah (Spinale) Campbell ’03, ’04M and her husband, Tim. a son, Brady Edwin (born May 29, 2008) to Bert A. Copple Jr. ’01 and his wife,

Township Tax Collector and is a substitute teacher for the Penncrest School District.

MARK W. GUY, M.D. ’86 DANIEL L. HOLT, M.D. ’86 J. TODD WAHRENBERGER, M.D. ’86 founded The North Side Christian Health Center in Pittsburgh, which has doubled in size since its opening 13 years ago.

ROBERT J. LEGATO JR. ’86 was appointed vice president of integrated supply chain for Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC. DOUGLAS E. ROHDE ’86 was promoted to the status of Fellow in the Toxicology Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

THOMAS W. BRENNAN ’87 was promoted to divisional assistant vice president and continues to serve as a trust market officer for Northwest Savings Bank.

Stephanie. Brady joins older brother Noah, who is two years old. a daughter, Abigail Grace (born Feb. 17, 2008) to Gregory J. Czzowitz ’92 and his wife, Shannon. a daughter, Sara Marie (born March 14, 2008) to Christine (Schraeder) ’00, ’01M and Brian R. Daeschner ’99, ’03M. a son, Anderson John (born Nov. 20, 2007) to Patrick J. Fabian ’99 and his wife, Jill. twins, Carter William and Madeline Emma (born Feb. 12, 2007) to Gina (Battistoni) ’99 and Brian C. Fries ’99. a son, Alexander Paul (born June 11, 2008) to Torri Fair Gambacorta, D.C. ’00 and her husband, Michael. a son, Gavin Thomas (born June 12, 2008) to Krisi (Hay) Gindlesperger ’03 and her husband, Mike. a daughter, Leah Catherine (born Sept. 23, 2008) to Jennifer (Schroeck) ’99 and Stephen J. Habursky ’97, ’01M. Leah joins older siblings Lauren, Nathan and Noah.

Alumnus Honored in D.C.

Erie native and Gannon alumnus Robert F. Ruyak ’71 was recognized by Legal Times in its 30th anniversary issue as one of its “90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years.” Legal Times held an awards dinner to honor and recognize lawyers who, over the past 30 years, have had the greatest impact on Washington’s legal community.

Ruyak is the managing partner and CEO at Howrey LLP, an international law firm in Washington, D.C. Ruyak, a member of Gannon’s Board of Trustees, was honored as one of Gannon’s Distinguished Alumni in 2002 and gave the keynote address during the University’s 2007 Winter Commencement ceremony, when he was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

a son, Braden Drew (born Nov. 21, 2007) to Shelly Hollen Innis ’93 and her husband, Darren. a son, Joshua Walter (born July 1, 2008) to Elizabeth Akers Janning ’98 and her husband, Jason. a daughter, Sydney Violet (born Oct. 24, 2007) to Patricia L. Matto, D.O. ’93. a daughter, Maura Grace (born June 5, 2008) to Mary DiVito Meade, PA-C ’86 and her husband, Daniel. a daughter, Bailey Christine (born May 20, 2008) to Allison Bourke Morrison ’99 and her husband, Brian.

Andrew R. Passinger ’05M and his wife recently welcomed a new baby. a son, Evan William (born July 4, 2008) to Meghan Heil Plaxe ’00 and her husband, Brian. a daughter, Calli Kiran (born Feb. 21, 2008) to Rosemarie (Mankosky), C.P.A. ’93 and Kiran K. Rajasenan, M.D. ’93. a son, Mitchell John (born April 13, 2008) to Lisa Liebendorfer Ryan, MPT ’00, ’02M and her husband,

Matthew. Mitchell joins older brother Joshua Matthew, who is two years old. a daughter, Lucianna Grace (born April 2008) to Carrie (Green) ’99 and Kyle C. Stott ’99. Lucianna joins older brother Ethan, who is two and a half years old.

Todd R. Surloff, M.S., C.Ed. ’96 and his wife recently welcomed a new baby. a son, Jack Patrick (born Sept. 28, 2008) to Scott A. Swartzfager ’92 and his wife, Barbara. a son, Jack Walter (born Aug. 29, 2008) to Christie E. Twentier ’00 and her husband, Nick Longenbach. a son, Aaron Matthew (born Oct. 22, 2008) to Susan L. (Miller) ’04 and Roger F. Vandervort ’02. a son, Nial Forrest (born April 26, 2008) to Stephanie Forrest Yavuzturk ’94 and her husband, Cy. a daughter, Riley Frances (born Oct. 26, 2007) to Deena (Blue) Zielinski ’95.

Riley joins older sisters Gracie (7) and Andie (4).

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AlumNotes JOHN A. LOMBARDI, C.P.A., C.F.E., C.I.R.A. ’87 was admitted as a principal with Hill, Barth & King LLC. CAROL (HEALD) AMANN, R.N. ’88VMC, ’05M is a full-time instructor with the Villa Maria School of Nursing at Gannon University.

GEORGE N. BAN JR. ’88VMC was promoted from lieutenant to fire chief for Butler Twp., Pa., where he has served as a firefighter for 17 years.

BRIAN F. DALTON ’88, ’93M was appointed senior vice president for enrollment management at Mercer University in Georgia.

SARAH (COHEN) KAVENEY, M.S.N., R.N. ’88, ’04M was named director of nursing at The Regional Cancer Center in Erie.

in Cambridge Springs, Pa. He is on the medical staff at Millcreek Community Hospital in Erie and maintains an office in Edinboro, Pa.

LT. COL. JAMES M. GUELCHER, ESQ. ’88 was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and assigned as an administrative law attorney with the Office of the Judge Advocate General, Army Pentagon.

LYN E. LORD ’88 is a sales executive at Hart, McConahy and Martz Inc. in Erie.

JAMES R. FASHANO ’90 was promoted to executive vice president for Alliance Advisory Group in New York.

JEFFREY A. WISNIEWSKI ’88 was elected president of the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association. Jeff is the assistant director of golf for Arcadian Shores Golf Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

JANUSZ KOWALEWSKI ’90M was promoted to vice general manager within the Seco/Warwick Group and transferred to Seco/Warwick Tianjin in China.

Alumni Return for Executive-on-Campus

The Gannon community welcomed two alumni back to campus as part of the annual Alumni Executive-onCampus Speaker Series. Christopher Snyder, CLU, ChFC ’81 served as the October speaker, while Mark Minnaugh ’81 spoke in November. Snyder is CEO of Spectrum Direct, a life insurance company, and received the President’s Award from Gannon’s Small Business Development Center. Minnaugh is CFO and executive vice president for grocery store chain Giant Eagle Inc. and also serves as a member of Gannon’s Board of Trustees.

CMDR. KEVIN M. MCGOWAN ’89 was promoted from executive officer to commanding officer of Patrol Squadron 10, or VP-10, based at the Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine.

KATHLEEN SHELLYAMORIELLO, L.C.S.W., M.S.S.A. ’89 had a second edition of her children’s book, My Personal Touch, printed to honor the 10th anniversary of her mother’s death. Kathleen and her nine-year-old son, James, also had one of their attachment building ideas included in Family Fun magazine.

JAMES F. STEVENSON ’89 was promoted to senior vice president of PNC Financial Services Group.

Christopher Snyder ’81

Mark Minnaugh ’81

1990s

RANDY J. EDWARDS, D.O. ’90 was named medical director for the Golden Living Center

Alumni Return for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend

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More than 400 people attended the various activities held on campus during Alumni Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, held Oct. 10-12. Landmark reunions for the Class of 1958 and 1983 were held, and affinity reunions included African-Americans, business majors, Class of 1998, commuter/non-traditional, Gannon football, The Gannon Knight newspaper, ROTC, Student Government Association and Villa Maria alumni.

SUZANNE M. O’CONNELL, PH.D., R.N. ’90M is assessment coordinator at St. Mary’s Home, Asbury Ridge Campus in Erie.

MICHAEL W. BISHOP, C.F.A. ’91 started his own investment advisory firm, Bishop & Company Investment Management LLC. He was also one of 30 investment advisors to participate in an advisor roundtable discussion at the Charles Schwab Impact Conference.

DIANNA (GOODMAN) GROSS ’91 is production manager for Jameson Publishing in Erie.

JAMES M. HOPKINS ’91 joined CFM Religion Publishing LLC in Cincinnati as vice president of Information Technology.

JEANNE A. STRINEY ’91M retired from Wattsburg (Pa.) Area Elementary School after 34 years of teaching.

JAMES C. RODDY ’92 attended the winter conference of the Retail Solutions Providers Association, where he moderated the feature session. James is president/ general manager of Jameson Publishing in Erie.

GRETCHEN A. BRODNICKI, J.D. ’93 was named dean for faculty and research integrity at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

DAVID W. DINGES ’93 was assigned to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where he is a surgical charge nurse.

The Fabulous Intruders, a popular student band during the 1960s, returned to campus for a special Homecoming performance.

NINA (SCHANCK) FERRARO ’93, ’97M was appointed clinical

marriages Nicole R. Abel ’05 married Matthew T. Wiefling ’05 on Jan. 12, 2008.

Stephen Anthony Balczon ’83 married Tracy Lynn Hawthorne on May 31, 2008.

Lindsey D. Callahan ’03 married Derrick Hoosic on Oct. 4, 2008.

Angela M. Canovali ’06 married Patrick Walsh on June 28, 2008.

Heidi M. Chew ’99M married Mark E. Osborne on June 7, 2008.

Donald A. Davey, D.D.S. ’47 and his wife, Gladys, recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

Steven Todd Flanders ’06M married Rebekah Ann Entwistle on June 23, 2007.

Corey P. Gray ’99 married Jennifer Navolio on June 8, 2007.

Aaron Wilhelm Hertel ’01, ’03M married Amanda Marie Barringer on Aug. 30, 2008.

Jessica Marie Hosterman ’08 married Michael Aaron Marino on Aug. 16, 2008.

LeeAnne Jones ’03 married Jason E. Barker on Sept. 29, 2007.

Audrey (Cline) Kanis ’58VMC and her husband, Donald, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 28, 2008.

Alex G. Knight ’02 married Sarah Baird on June 16, 2007.

Carolyn M. Lawrence ’06 married Matthew E. Karl ’06, ’07M on April 5, 2008.

Ashley Renee Lech ’04, ’05M married Christopher Michael House, D.O. ’03 on Sept. 15, 2007.

William F. Liebel Jr. ’59, ’75M and his wife, Susanne, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 1, 2008.

Lyn Elizabeth Lord ’88 married Glenn Robert Wolfe on March 29, 2008.

Jennifer A. Mailey ’95, ’05M married Fasy Greevy on July 18, 2008.

Andrew C. Martin ’78M married Carol Ann Decker on May 24, 2008.

Ashley D. McDougal ’02, ’02C, ’03M married William K. Baker in April 2008.

Kara A. Mehler ’98 married Gordon Bauer on Aug. 8, 2008.

James W. Metzler ’54 and his wife, Lois, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 7, 2008.

Natalie A. Nemeth ’03 married Robert Pudis, Jr. on July 19, 2008.

Stacy Nicole Pastva ’07M married Evan Elliott Lagace on June 28, 2008.

Amanda R. Retchloff ’05 married James T. Broderick on Sept. 29, 2007.

Linda Ann Ricci ’98, ’00M married Matthew Adam Koket on June 28, 2008.

James F. Roberts, D.D.S. ’55 and his wife, Rebecca, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 9, 2008.

Rita (Heintz) Rose ’55VMC and her husband, Cloyd, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 9, 2008.

Megan Joann Rudolph ’06 married Andrew David Klugh ’06, ’07M on June 14, 2008.

Holly Elizabeth Schlosser ’95 married Jon Michael Gasperi on March 1, 2007.

Angela M. Scott, Esq. ’96 married Robert P. McNair on Oct. 27, 2007.

Aleena Renee Shartle ’05 married Corey Anthony Kunz on Oct. 20, 2007.

Amy Kristen Szalkowski ’00 married Anthony Glover on Oct. 18, 2008.

Vanessa Louise WebbAlloway ’05C married Daniel James Postlewaite on April 4, 2008.

Alexandra Miriam Zalewski ’03 married Patrick Timothy Laughlin on Dec. 8, 2007.

AlumNotes coordinator of Mental Health and Behavioral Services at the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute and coordinates the Infant Toddler Early Intervention Services program.

SCOTT E. MILLER, C.P.A., D.B.A., ESQ. ’93 received a Doctor of Business Administration degree from Anderson University in Indiana. Dr. Miller is associate director of the Dahlkemper School of Business Administration and assistant professor of accounting at Gannon University.

SHANNON (DEMENIK) SWANSON, D.O. ’93, ’97M completed the Emergency Medicine Residency program at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie and is the new medical director at St. Joseph’s Emergency Department in Andover, Ohio.

JEAN (PASCARELLA) TRUMAN, PH.D. ’93M received a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She is coordinator of the ASN Program and assistant professor of nursing at the University of Pittsburgh – Bradford and is a nursing supervisor at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

KELLY (TRAPOLD) DORANCOTT, M.D., USAF ’94 is serving a tour on the USS Mercy, a Naval hospital ship.

MICHAEL C. DOWNING ’94M was named CEO of Community Health Services and other subsidiaries of Meadville (Pa.) Medical Center.

KEVIN M. TRAPP, M.D. ’94 joined the medical staff of St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, N.Y. as an orthopedic surgeon.

CAPT. MATTHEW P. BRUNO, USAF ’95 is currently stationed at Fort George G. Meade, Md. as a flight commander.

JENNIFER A. (MAILEY) GREEVY ’95, ’05M is executive director of development for the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business & College of Business Administration at the University of Pittsburgh.

JENNIFER (JACKULA) RZODKIEWICZ ’95 was promoted to team manager with Tastefully Simple, where she is an independent consultant.

RANDY J. KULESZA, PH.D. ’96 co-authored an article published in Brain Research.

Randy is an associate professor of anatomy and course director of anatomy and embryology at the Lake Erie School of Osteopathic Medicine.

RYAN J. LYNCH, D.O. ’96, ’98M, ’99M joined the medical staff of Neurology and Neuroscience Associates Inc. in Ohio.

PAM S. O’BRIEN ’96M was a panelist for a University of Pittsburgh Department of English discussion on internships in mass media and public relations. Pam is the associate director of the university’s Public and Professional Writing Program.

SISTER JINANE FARAH ’97M is quality manager at Notre Dame de la Paix hospital in Kobayath, North Lebanon.

SHELLEY (BORTZ) LIGASHESKY ’97 was crowned Mrs. Pennsylvania. Shelley is a news reporter and television anchor and is the public address announcer for the University of Pittsburgh women’s basketball.

MICHAEL R. WATTS, V.M.D. ’97 is the newest partner at Animal Ark/Animal Kingdom Pet Hospital Inc. in Erie.

KARA A. (MEHLER) BAUER ’98 is a program coordinator at St. Benedict Education Center in Erie.

KIMBERLY A. (WOODLE) FABRIZIO ’98M was named executive assistant to the president at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

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AlumNotes Local Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Celebrates 40 Years

The brothers of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, Theta Iota Chapter, held their 40th Reunion in Charleston, S.C. The Theta Iota Chapter was established at Gannon in 1968, and brothers from the founding period gathered for a weeklong reunion. Organizers located 39 of the original brothers, with 16 able to attend, including the chapter’s first three presidents: Robert Carroll ’69, George P. Smith ’72, ’85M and Roy Constable ’71.

TIMOTHY S. GLASSPOOL, ED.D. ’98 is the assistant to the superintendent for data analysis, curriculum, instruction and special programs for the New Kensington-Arnold (Pa.) School District.

LINDA (RICCI) KOKET ’98, ’00M is a guidance counselor with the North East (Pa.) School District.

BRADLEY A. KUCH ’98 was named the Surface and Air Transport Specialty Practitioner of the Year by the American Association for Respiratory Care.

AARON C. NOTARIANNI STEPHENS ’98 is the assistant director for The Arc of Frederick County in Maryland.

GREGORY S. VIRKLER ’98M is vice president of Web Search Strategy and Business Development for Reed Elsevier.

KRISTIN (KELLY) FRIEDLINE, M.S.N., R.N., C.R.N.A. ’99 is a nurse anesthetist at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond,Va. COREY P. GRAY ’99 is secretary/treasurer for Ellwood Safety Appliance Company in Ellwood City, Pa. AIMEE (MYERS) JAKUBIK ’99 has been promoted to assistant principal at Chancellor Elementary School in Spotsylvania County,Va.

Alumnus Captures Biology Trip to Yellowstone

When a Gannon biology class ventured to Yellowstone National Park last summer for study and research, alumnus Eric LaPrice ’94, ’97C had an opportunity to photograph the group. LaPrice is NEPA coordinator and HAZMAT/Safety Officer for the USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management in southwestern Colorado.

DAVID J. RECTENWALD ’99M was nominated for re-election to the board of directors for the Northwestern (Pa.) Rural Electric Co-operative Association Inc. David is an environmental scientist with the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

2000s

CHRISTOPHER D. MORRIS ’00 graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Master of Arts in Education/Administration and Supervision. Chris is a DAVID M. BARON ’99 special education teacher and is head football coach for the head football coach in rural Bolivar-Richburg (N.Y.) School Arizona.

District, and has received the Big 30 Coach of the Year and NATALIE NAPOLITANO ’00 the Section V Class D Coach of was featured in the August the Year awards. issue of AARC Times, the magazine of the American PATRICK J. FABIAN ’99 Association for Respiratory is an outpatient therapist with Care. Natalie is the pediatric the Family Counseling Center clinical manager for of Armstrong County in Respiratory Care Services at Kittanning, Pa. Inova Fairfax Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children in Falls Church,Va. DIANE L. WILSON ’98 is the troubleshooter for the local ABC affiliate in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C. area.

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Members of the Theta Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi at Gannon in 1968.

Photo provided by the Gannon Archives.

Dr. Steven Ropski ’78, professor of biology and director of the Science Program, conducts a field lecture on horsetail.

BRIAN S. ORRENMAA ’00 is principal at Fouse Elementary School in Westerville, Ohio.

FRANK A. PERRONE ’00M was promoted to engineering and program management director for TitanX Engine Cooling Inc. in Jamestown, N.Y. KENNETH A. WILLIAMS, ED.D. ’00 is the new principal at Mount Pleasant (Pa.) Area Junior-Senior High School.

David Gustafson ’71, ’73M, chair of the Biology Department, identifies plant life with graduate student Heidi Paul.

BERT A. COPPLE JR. ’01 received a Master of Arts in Theology from Liberty University in Lynchburg,Va. MELISSA L. DENGLER, N.D. ’01 is self-employed by Vitality Natural Health and Wellness Center as a naturopathic doctor.

She is an instructor of holistic nutrition at Hawthorn University and of massage therapy at TriState Business Institute in Erie.

AlumNotes

in memoriam

Alumni

Jo-Ann Gates Abel ’65VMC Donald J. Albertson ’47 John E. Aquino ’67 William R. Barraclough ’72 Jerome F. Billman ’50 John J. Brice Jr. ’61 Georgia Birdsong Brooks ’70 Linda Bahorich Bulluck ’81 Howard Cable ’60 Mary F. Calvano ’40VMC Frances Buttice Carroll ’34VMC Paul A. Chesney ’56 Mary Gledhill Chmielewski ’89VMC Robert J. Christenson ’52 Thomas W. Clark ’63 Janice Bastow Claypool ’93 James F. Considine, M.D. ’56 Kathy Talkish DeLeon-Soto ’73VMC Peter M. Delio ’65 Verna Chulick Desko ’73VMC, ’79M Peter M. Doherty ’68 John E. Dowling, C.P.A. ’54 Charles F. Drenz, USA (Ret.) ’53 Morgan R. Ewing, Ph.D. ’50 Andrew N. Figoli Jr. ’59 Sister Carol Fischer, S.S.J. ’68VMC Richard F. Fischer ’73 Joseph W. Flicker ’75

JUSTIN J. LEHMILLER ’01 received a Doctorate in Social Psychology from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. and is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.

BRANDON D. RANNEBARGER ’01 was named new head coach of the boys and girls swim teams at Flathead and Glacier high schools in Kalispell, Mont.

Sister Virginia Ann Gardner, S.S.J. ’53VMC Theodore C. Gaska Jr. ’48 Joseph V. Gdaniec ’53 Joseph S. Gervase ’49 James A. Gigliotti ’69, ’76M Richard M. Gudowski, Ph.D. ’68 Sister Mary A. Hart ’48VMC Richard B. Heldt ’48 Thomas C. Hilinski ’62 John A. Hillebrand ’74 Sister Joanne M. Huether, O.S.B. ’40VMC Anne McCabe Iverson ’53VMC Michael R. Keiser ’98 Bradley W. Kemerer ’03 Michael P. Kennedy ’81 Herbert King ’49 Louis J. Kobielski ’70 James G. Koc ’01M Mary Griffen Kruse ’44VMC Richard G. Lauderbaugh ’63 James B. Leary ’58 Loretta Wuenschel Loney ’54VMC James R. MacKrell ’52 Patricia A. Macioch ’95 Thomas S. Mattis ’67 Malcolm C. McCarthy ’71 Timothy J. McCormick ’57 Sister M. Lioba Meier ’44VMC Victor J. Michel ’67 Cara L. Milani ’92 Mary Kuntz Minns ’50VMC

WebMD’s professional services site, Medscape.com, in New York City.

MICHAEL S. NEUBAUER, C.P.A., C.V.A. ’02, ’04M was elected secretary of the Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants for the 2008-09 Fiscal Year. He was also recognized as one of the Institute’s “40 Under 40: Members to Watch for 200809.” Michael is a supervisor with McGill, Power, Bell & Associates LLP.

CHRISTOPHER H. WILLIAMS ’01 was promoted to manufacturing LAURA (KITCHEN) REVAK ’02 manager with FrenchCreek is vice president of Point Click Production Inc. in Franklin, Pa. Learn, an Erie-based company that offers professional ALEX G. KNIGHT ’02 development services. is a multi-media producer for

Raymond N. Mitchell ’73M Sister M. Corinne Moske, O.S.B. ’46VMC Robert J. Niederhofer ’72 Pearl F. Pabarue ’71M James C. Pace Sr. ’50 Sister Gertrude M. Peterson, S.S.J. ’56VMC John C. Peterson Sr. ’51 John L. Pett ’71 Thomas A. Pianka ’56 Stanley J. Popowski ’59 Helen G. Prynt ’60VMC Paul H. Quinn III ’68 Ralph E. Rabogliotti ’76 Regina Rao ’95 Karen E. Rathgeber ’03M Anton E. Rauch Jr. ’01 Walker J. Reaher Jr. ’50 John E. Rindosh ’49 John W. Roberts Sr. ’61 Vincent P. Rogers, M.D. ’64 John T. Rozelle ’75M G. Timothy Russell ’73, ’75M Raymond C. Rychel ’68 Thomas Samara Jr. ’57 Raymond K. Scheffer ’78M Karen Coronato Schlessinger ’64VMC William H. Schmitt ’70 Walter R. Schreiber Jr. ’72, ’83M Max W. Schroeder ’51 Russell E. Sheehan ’77 Marianne Amenta Sherrange ’49VMC

MARCIA L. WICKWIRE ’02, ’04M is a physical therapist with the Ashtabula County (Ohio) Medical Center.

SARAH (SPINALE) CAMPBELL ’03, ’04M is an occupational therapist in a skilled nursing facility.

KRISTEN M. DOMINICK ’03, ’04M is a physician assistant with Triad Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons in Greensboro, N.C. ERIC C. HERN, M.B.A. ’03M, ’04M joined UBS Financial Services Inc. as a financial advisor in the company’s Jamestown, N.Y. office.

John W. Spilko ’59 Henry F. Stolz ’49 Linda S. Strohmeyer ’98, ’02M Kathleen Teed ’77VMC James F. Tobin ’58 Stephen Toth Jr. ’48 Angela Cusick Tripodi ’71VMC Elizabeth Messmer Veith ’49VMC James A. Waltz ’69 Rosemary Hurley Weaver ’72M Frederick T. Welz ’48 Howard E. Wilson ’60 Robert A. Wilson ’48

Parents and Friends Raymond J. Acri Jr. Dennis Adamcheck Raymond F. Cicero Fr. Bonaventure Ciufoli Jesse N. Delach Very Rev. David Findlay,V.F. Eleanor Galbraith Roger Griswold Vincent J. Loscalzo Ken Merry R. Frank Morrison Georgiana F. Patterson Alfred Reisz David M. Sample George H. Schofield Jack Sloppy John A. Tirak Jr. Peter G.Volanakis MELISSA J. HICKS ’03 was honored as this year’s outstanding graduate teaching assistant by Southern Illinois University—Carbondale, where she is a doctoral student in sociology.

CHRISTOPHER M. HOUSE, D.O. ’03 received a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie.

He is a captain in the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he is a physician at Brooke Army Medical Center.

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AlumNotes NANCY L. KOWALEWSKI ’03M was promoted to office manager within the Seco/ Warwick Group and transferred to Seco/Warwick Tianjin in China.

ALEXANDRA (ZALEWSKI) LAUGHLIN ’03 is a paralegal with The McDonald Group LLP in Erie.

MARK MISLANOVICH ’03C, ’05 became a member of the University of Pittsburgh’s Law Review.

REV. JUSTIN P. PINO ’03 was keynote speaker at the Clearfield Heritage Foundation’s annual banquet.

Fr. Pino is the parochial vicar of Ss. Cosmas and Damian Church in Punxsutawney, Pa. NATALIE A. (NEMETH) PUDIS ’03 is assistant director of a daycare center.

MATTHEW RINK ’03 placed second in the Best News Writer category for Division II newspapers at the Ohio Press Society’s annual awards ceremony. Rink is a reporter for The Independent in Massillon, Ohio.

MARK T. SMITH II ’03 was promoted to manager of Northwest Savings Bank’s Liberty Street office in Erie.

JUSTIN R. BREWER ’04 was named assistant vice president for Marsh Inc. in Rochester, N.Y. ASHLEY R. (LECH) HOUSE ’04, ’05M is a physician assistant for the American Institute of Gastric Banding in San Antonio, Texas.

CPL. MATTHEW A. PALERMO, USMC ’04 returned home from Iraq, where he served with the 2nd Platoon of Delta Company, AA Battalion of the 2nd Marines, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. LAUREN R. PANDER ’04, ’07M is a physical therapist for Extendicare Rehabilitation in Columbus, Ohio.

SHANNON (DANLEY) POLETO ’04M started her own Internet marketing business at www. marketamerica.com/ shannonpoleto.

ERIN Q. SEKERAK ’04 is student programs coordinator

at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

the Rochester After School Academy.

JASON A. SMITH, D.O. ’04 received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is in residency at South Pointe Hospital in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

STEVEN T. FLANDERS ’06M is a calculus teacher at Woodland Hills High School in Pittsburgh

EMILY M. BOUCHER ’05 is an autistic support teacher at the Northwest (Pa.) TriCounty Intermediate Unit.

AMANDA R. (RETCHLOFF) BRODERICK ’05 is a radiological technologist at Saint Vincent Health Center.

STACY J. CAMINO ’05M, ’06C is assistant principal at Walnut Creek Middle School in Fairview, Pa. EMILY K. CASSANO ’05 is the new Youtheatre/ education director at the Erie Playhouse.

ALEENA R. (SHARTLE) KUNZ ’05 is a teacher at The Learning Village in Saxonburg, Pa. AMY (HADLEY) LYNDEN ’05M received the President’s Award for Excellence for Adjunct Faculty from Jamestown (N.Y.) Community College, where she teaches beginning and intermediate algebra.

VANESSA L. (WEBB-ALLOWAY) POSTLEWAITE ’05C is a school nurse at Robert Benjamin Wiley Community Charter School in Erie.

DAVID P. TWOMEY III ’05 is deputy chief for Digital Information Services in the Office of Public Affairs for the U.S. Federal Courts.

Alumni Cross Paths in Iraq

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It is truly a small world for two Gannon graduates, who met for the first time while both were on military deployments overseas.

Physical therapy alumni Capt. Ben Bower ’02, ’04M (left) and Capt. Dave Massing ’99, ’01M crossed paths during the Operational Medicine for Deployed Physical Therapists Conference while stationed in Baghdad, Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

KATIE E. FERNAAYS ’06 joined the Outreach Center at Rochester (N.Y.) School for the Deaf as coordinator of

JENNIFER S. GWIN ’06 joined Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. as an assistant coach of women’s basketball.

MEGAN M. KLASS ’06 is an administrator at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

NICOLE L. KUNZ ’06 completed her Master of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.

CHELSIE L. MCGREAL ’06 is a special education teacher for Wesley Spectrum Academy in Upper St. Clair, Pa. DEBRA K. PEFFER ’06M, ’03C was promoted to associate director of admissions for recruitment at the University of Michigan – Dearborn.

THOMAS M. STUMPF ’06 is employed by Vision Quest.

ANGELA (CANOVALI) WALSH ’06 is currently employed with Synergy Applications.

KRISTEN (MATLAK) GEHRLEIN ’07 joined Wells Fargo Financial as a credit manager.

STACY N. (PASTVA) LAGACE ’07M is an art teacher with the Girard (Pa.) School District.

ELIZABETH A. LAUGHLIN ’07 is a preschool teacher at Celebree Learning Center in Frederick, Md. KATHERINE M. JENKINS ’08 was appointed principal of Carson Middle School in North Allegheny, Pa.

Have you recently married, changed careers, published a book or had a child? If so, let us know! You can post information and see what your friends are up to on the alumni Web site at www.gannonalumni.org and you can send your information to Jana Hunt at hunt001@ gannon.edu or call (814) 871-7469.

EndNotes

Gannon Raises More Than $39 Million in Comprehensive Campaign and Remains a “Top Tier” and “Best Value” University As we begin a new year, Gannon is celebrating a great milestone.

The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign came to a close on Dec. 31, raising more than $1.5 million over its initial $30 million goal, and the goal was achieved more than four months early. This record-breaking Campaign could not have been realized without the dedication and generosity of Gannon’s Board of Trustees and alumni. The Trustees’ leadership gifts contributed more than $11.9 million, or nearly 40 percent, of the total commitments to the Campaign. Additionally, another approximately $8 million in government funds were raised, bringing the total fundraising amount over the last seven years to almost $40 million.

The funds raised for The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign will be used for three specific purposes: to increase the availability of student scholarships and to compete for more scholarly faculty; to renovate the Zurn Science Center’s laboratories in order to provide students with state-of-the-art facilities that will be comparable to the environments in which they will work or continue their studies after they graduate from Gannon; and to provide operating expenses through the Annual Fund.

If you contributed to The Power To Transform Comprehensive Campaign, I want you to know that your financial assistance is greatly appreciated and is already being used to support the education of Gannon students. More than 42 percent of Gannon students are first-generation college students; and, in these challenging economic times, your contributions assist the more than 90 percent of Gannon students who depend on financial aid and scholarships. Thank you for believing in these students and the holistic, Catholic education they receive at Gannon.

As families across the country ponder how they will pay for a college education, Gannon is poised to become a university of choice. For the fourth consecutive year, Gannon is ranked as a “Best Value” school by U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges 2009.” Only 15 of the 171 institutions in the northern region of the country achieved this distinction.

Among those institutions, Gannon was tied for second—at 83 percent—with respect to the percentage of students receiving grants based on financial need. In addition, Gannon was ranked the fourth lowest for tuition costs among those schools in terms of a student’s average tuition cost after receiving

grants based on need. Gannon also ranked as a “Top Tier” Master’s university (40th out of 171) for the fifth consecutive year.

These rankings strongly indicate that Gannon provides a quality education at an affordable price.

I hope that you will come back to campus, if you have not visited recently, so that you will see all of the exciting changes in Gannon’s facilities. As you have read in this issue of Gannon Magazine, the new Robert H. Morosky Academic Center and the Erie Technology Incubator are now open. Take a tour of these state-of-the-art facilities on your next visit, and also see the physical transformations underway at the Zurn Science Center and Beyer Hall. What may not be immediately evident is the change to Gannon’s academic structure with the addition of a third College. The three new Colleges are: the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences; the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; and the College of Engineering and Business, which welcomes a new dean. You can read about Dean Melanie Hatch, Ph.D., in the NewsNotes section (p. 3).

Even more changes are coming as Gannon’s recently initiated Campus Master Planning project strives to envision the University’s facilities over the next several years so that they will better meet the needs and expectations of the incoming freshmen of the future. New signage, living space and upgraded facilities are all possibilities. We will keep you updated on these physical changes in future editions of the Gannon Magazine and on Gannon’s Web site: www.gannon.edu.

Even though the Gannon campus has been transformed, the University continues to pass milestones and maintain its reputation for excellence. The total enrollment for Fall 2008, for example, was 4,197 students, which is the largest overall enrollment in 16 years. The student body included 624 freshmen, 88 transfer students and 1,373 graduate students; 264 of those graduate students were international students. Gannon University was also voted “Erie’s Choice 2008” for “Best University” in an Erie Times-News reader opinion poll. Those recognitions are positive testaments to the University’s strong commitment to being a community partner and preparing students to be leaders in their career, community and church. Without a doubt, more and more people truly “Believe in the possibilities at Gannon University.” Thank you for your continued support of the mission of Gannon University.

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