Summer 2005

Summer 2005 Magazine

Editor’sInklings Two years ago, the word “blog” meant something to only a few.

Today, it’s just as common as the words “web site” or “journal” —and it means a combination of the two. I remember the six months that the word soared in popularity, hitting the headlines of national and local newspapers alike; it was the first six months of the Democratic primary, during which candidates played with the new technique of viral campaigning, or marketing themselves through thousands of loyal blogger communities.

Rapid cultural changes and the introduction of new trends, like keeping a blog, are only a few of the many ways in which the World Wide Web has affected our lives. With millions of new web sites per year posted from all over the world, the Internet is closely connected to the pulse of culture, those of specific nationalities and also of the quickly growing global culture. With the web’s influence on communication and design, it also has its own place in creating that beat. Because of this, I’m happy to announce that the Gannon magazine has joined the ranks of publications available on the web.

Although the web can sometimes feel like a chaotic place, the online Gannon magazine will have its focus with Gannon alumni, friends, faculty, and parents of current students. It will also hopefully reach other interested parties who might not have previously received our publication. The magazine is currently accessible from our online alumni community, our “What’s New @ Gannon” page (www.gannon.edu/path/whatsnew.asp), and also in your email box, but only if you would like it to be. We hope that you take this opportunity to share the magazine with friends and family who may live at a distance and might not get to see the printed copy that is delivered to your mailbox.

Posting the Gannon magazine online also gives you more choices as a reader. You can opt to receive your magazine in printed form, in electronic form, or both. If you are interested in receiving your magazine online, please write to me at carlson001@gannon.edu, and include whether or not you would still like to receive a printed copy as well. The online version will be available as a PDF that is identical to the printed copy, so you will not miss out on anything should you opt for one format over another. (PDF, or portable document format, is a read-only format that can be viewed through Adobe Reader, free software that can be downloaded from www.adobe.com if your computer doesn’t already have it.)

Posting the magazine online is not the only change that will be occurring in the Gannon magazine over the next year. In this issue, you will notice the addition of a Letters to the Editor section (page 4). This is a forum in which you, the reader, can publish your reactions to particular articles or activities at Gannon or offer suggestions for what you, as Gannon and Villa Maria alumni, would like to see included in the magazine. After all, it’s your magazine as members of the Gannon community. I look forward to seeing your responses, thoughts, and creativity.

Catherine Carlson, Editor carlson010@gannon.edu (814) 871-5817

Famous author and poet Nancy Willard visits campus.

12 Protecting Innocence Gannon alumni bring aid to abused children by creating a Children’s Advocacy Center.

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Features 6 Words: Making Our Imagination Take Flight

16 Maroon and Gold on the Green

Gannon alumni swing for fundraising.

Departments 2 18 19 20 22 29

NewsNotes AlumniFocus FacultyFocus SportsScan AlumNotes EndNotes

Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. President David R. Fabian ’63 Director of Public Affairs Catherine E. Carlson ’05M Publications Officer and Editor Christian Peterson ’06 Editorial Assistant On the Cover: Top Gannon student golfers Dave Patronik ’06 and Jamie Taylor ’06 practice during the summer break.

Contributors: Jana Hunt Julie Groenendaal ’98 Jeannie Kloecker Nick Pronko Renae Pryjmak ’06 Dan Teliski ’97 Paul DeSante, Ph.D. Photography: Ed Bernik Tim Rohrbach Design: Tungsten Creative Group

Photo right: Trees are in full bloom outside of Nash Library.

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A Season To Celebrate Recognizing The May 2005 commencement Catholic Leadership ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of many students, but it also marked the first four-year class to experience Gannon completely within Antoine M. Garibaldi’s, Ph.D., term as President. It was most certainly a season to celebrate.

The University awarded 871 degrees, of which 27 were associate’s degrees, 449 were bachelor’s degrees, 386 were master’s degrees, two were post-master’s certificates, and seven were doctoral degrees. Of the 871 graduates, 577 participated in the ceremony. The graduating class included international students from 12 countries: the Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, Gambia, Germany, India, Kuwait, Pakistan, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Reverend Edward A. Malloy, CSC, Ph.D., President of the University of Notre Dame, joined Gannon as the guest speaker for the University’s commencement.

During the ceremony, President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., recognized Malloy for his influence and success as a leader in Catholic higher education by presenting him with the Ut Diligatis Invicem Award, presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated a strong commitment to faith, who is a living example of the Judeo-Christian ideal of love at work, and who has contributed to the commission to realize the Kingdom of God on earth.

The Ut Diligatis Invicem award is inspired by the episcopal motto of Gannon’s founder, Archbishop John Mark Gannon; the title can be translated, “That you might love one another.”

During the ceremony, Philip R. Zimmerly (above) received the Gannon University Medal of Honor for his character, leadership, scholarship, and dedication to the University. Zimmerly was also among the four recipients of the Archbishop John Mark Gannon Award, which recognizes students for graduating with 4.0 grade point averages. The other three recipients were Adam J. Susmarski, Kimberly Jakiel, and Conor J. Mulcahy.

Three members of the Board of Trustees completed the first of their three-year term at the annual May Board Meeting— Daniel C. Carneval, D.O., ’51; Rev. Monsignior Andrew H. Karg ’59; and Urban J. LaRiccia ’59. The new president of the Student Government Association, Semaj Vanzant ’06, joined them as he began his one-year term in May.

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During the meeting, the Board also accepted four new members who will attend their first meeting in September—Barry T. Drew ’76; Tina M. Donikowski ’85; Mark J. Minnaugh ’81; and Mark L. Nelson, Ph.D., ’83. Faculty Senate President Mahesh C. Aggerwal, Ph.D., will also join the Board at the fall meeting for his one-year term.

Semaj Vanzant’06, Urban J. LaRiccia ’59, Daniel C. Carneval, D.O., ’51, and Rev. Monsignior Andrew H. Karg ’59 (pictured from left to right) all attended the annual May Board Meeting.

Taylor Joins University as Provost Keith Taylor, Ph.D., P.T., previously Dean of Health and Human Services at Daemen College in Amherst, New York, has joined the University as its new provost and vice president for academic affairs. While at Daemen, Taylor had served in capacities such as assistant to the vice president for academic affairs for instructional technology and liberal learning, a professor of physical therapy, chairman of the physical therapy department, and coordinator of the graduate physical therapy program’s orthopedic track. He had been with Daeman College since he began as an instructor in physical therapy in 1991.

After a long search process by a University-wide selection committee, President Antoine Garibaldi, Ph.D., and the rest of the community welcomed Taylor to the University. “Dr. Taylor has served as a professor and administrator for the last 16 years and has been very active in his academic discipline. Even more, his understanding of Gannon’s mission and its Catholic traditions will resonate well with students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” Garibaldi commented. Professor of English Philip Kelly, D.A., had filled the position on an interim basis for the academic year before Taylor arrived.

In St. Peter’s Square

by Libby Robenstine ’06 The air of Rome was thick with sweat and anticipation as we squeezed together to get a closer look at our new Papa.

The Opening Mass of the Conclave inside St. Peter’s Basilica the day before had been exciting without a doubt, but also peaceful, because we trusted in God’s will. Thousands of Catholics had gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pray for the cardinals, knowing that the election of the pope was not their personal choice, but God’s choice shining through them. As John Paul once said, “The universal Church, spiritually united with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, should persevere with one heart in prayer; thus the election of the new Pope will not be something unconnected with the People of God and concerning the College of electors alone, but will be in a certain sense an act of the whole Church.”1 As the cardinals had left the basilica to enter the Sistine Chapel, we all stood, cheering them on with our clapping (an Italian form of respect) and our prayers.

On April 19th, the crowd consisted not only of the faithful core group of pilgrims determined to stay in St. Peter’s Square until the election occurred, but also everyone in Rome that had heard the bells and wanted to see firsthand who was going to be the next great world leader. College classes were cut short, business meetings were cancelled, playgrounds were emptied, busses were packed full, and roads were blocked off, as everyone ran to fill the square. As the elected was announced, murmurs went through the crowd as the realization hit of who had become the Romans’ new bishop and the Catholic Church’s new Pope. Papa Benedetto XVI gave us a message of hope and faith and his first papal blessing, and by the time he had gone back inside St. Peter’s, the Italian youth had formed their cheer for him. “Benedetto!” was screamed and shouted, chanted and sung for the rest of the night.

For English-speaking people, to think of the name Benedict is to remember bad things—Benedict Arnold, for instance—but in Italian, Benedetto is the word for “blessed.” Pope Benedict XVI received quite a bit of negative publicity upon his election by those quick to judge and who were frightened by the “conservative” Catholics. The Italians, however, were ready to welcome another foreigner as their bishop because he had proven to not be the cold untouchable German that he was once thought to be, but to have the charisma and warmth of a man filled with God. I relished the opportunity to experience this celebration in person, from both the American and Italian perspectives.

Gannon’s new provost, Keith Taylor, Ph.D., PT, (left) meets Deans Hamid Torab, Ph.D. (middle) and Timothy Downs, Ph.D. (right).

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John Paul II, Universi Dominici Gregis, 1996, Libreria Editrice Vaticana

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NewsNotes Letters to the Editor I enjoyed reading “A Celebration of Heritage” in your most recent magazine. The Roots of VMC Still Alive was interesting. Thank you for your paragraph on the first nursing program offering a BSN at VMC in 1953. I know Gannon is doing a good job in the nursing programs that are being offered.

We are fortunate to have these programs in our area.

I wish you all continued success.

Marilynn Krull ’57 VMC Your fine article about tradition is especially interesting to me. I am an Episcopalian and our religion is based on three elements. We compare these elements to a three-legged stool. The first is Scripture, then tradition, and finally reason.

Whereas reason adds new traditions to our systems, those new traditions must become effective by adoption and use. Very likely some very good traditions fall by the wayside through lack of recognition or initial interest.

Does Gannon have a course or courses about traditions—what they are, how did they come about, how do new ones come about? I believe traditions are important enough that we devote some energy and resources to defining and nurturing them.

Robert E. Alexander ’76M Dear Robert, Yes! We do have courses about tradition as part of our Core of Discovery requirements. Our Theology II Series includes classes such as Catholic Tradition, Protestant Tradition, and Christianity and World Religions (with an emphasis either on Western or Eastern Traditions).

We also host events such as International Night, which recognizes and celebrates traditions from around the world.

Like you, Gannon very much believes that tradition is worth discovering and nurturing. Thanks for writing!

Faculty and Staff News Six faculty members were approved for tenure during the May Board of Trustees’ Meeting: Gregory Andraso, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology; Rick Diz, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering; Kristine Legters, D.Sc., Associate Professor of Physical Therapy; Carolynn Masters, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Nursing; Edward Philips, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology; and Wook-Sung Yoo, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer and Information Sciences.

In addition, Gong Chen, Ph.D., of Mechanical Engineering received a promotion to full professor, and several faculty members were promoted to the rank of associate professor: Gregory Andraso, Ph.D., of Biology; Linda Fleming, Ph.D., of Counseling Psychology; Michelle Homan, Ph.D., of Environmental Sciences and Engineering; Edward Phillips, Ph.D., of Biology; Monica Pierri-Galvao, Ph.D., of Mathematics; Weslene Tallmadge, Ph.D., of Chemistry; and David Tobin, Ph.D., of Counseling Psychology.

Pamela Reynolds, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, recently was named a finalist for Campus Compact’s 2005 Thomas Ehrlich Faculty Award for Service-Learning. The Ehrlich Award is a national award given annually to a faculty member in recognition of exemplary leadership in advancing the civic learning of students.

Dr. Kristine Legters, Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, recently presented her research findings at the Ninth International Conference on Post-Polio Health and Ventilator-Assisted Living. Legters, a polio survivor herself, has experienced firsthand the importance of improving the quality of life for polio survivors.

Kristine Legters, D.Sc., demonstrates an exercise that helps those affected by poor balance.

Grants and Endowments The Charlotte Newcombe Foundation awarded the University $22,000 to continue the Newcombe Scholarships for Mature Women Students in the 2005-06 academic year.

The University has received grant funding from the foundation since 1998, and this year’s grant was increased by a $2,000 matching component, which challenges the University to find additional funding specifically for the Newcombe Scholarship. The grant recognizes returning women students of 25 years or older who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree, a second bachelor’s degree, or a post-baccalaureate certificate.

The Winner Foundation, founded by James Winner, awarded the University $50,000.

Winner, best-known as the inventor of the car safety device, The Club, was a guest speaker in the Executive on Campus series in February 1998 and also previously received an honorary degree from the University.

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Brian Fargo ’71 speaks at the Distinguished Alumni Dinner.

The University also received an endowment from an alumnus, Brian Fargo ’71.

Fargo donated a $20,000 scholarship to be awarded to students in the Dahlkemper School of Business who are returning to school after serving in the military.

NewsNotes

Knight Wins Awards The Managing Editor of

The Gannon Knight, Bobby Cherry ’06, and Editor-inChief Erin Leahy ’05 were awarded an honorable mention for spot news from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association’s 2005 Keystone Press Awards. The Gannon Knight also won first place from the American Scholastic Press Association, receiving a score of 940 out of a possible 1,000.

Tri Beta Recognizes Gannon Students

The national honors society Beta Beta Beta (or Tri Beta) selected the Gannon chapter, Theta Omega, as the Most Outstanding Chapter, recognizing the accomplishment with The Bertholf Award. Theta Omega has approximately 50 student members, and it was selected for the award over 325 campus chapters in the United States and Puerto Rico. “To be selected for the Bertholf Award is a tremendous honor and testament to how hard the students have worked,” said Steve Ropski, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, who serves as a district director for Tri Beta.

“Faculty also should be commended for encouraging students to engage in research and then working alongside them,” Ropski added.

Supporting AIDS Awareness The members of Alpha Psi Omega honorary the-

atre fraternity collaborated with the Erie County Department of Health to present RENT: In Concert in April. Rich Sargent ’05 directed the musical production, which was held in the University’s Club LaRiccia. The donations received from the performance benefited AIDS awareness in Erie County.

Student Awarded McGowan Scholarship Kory Flaherty ’06, business administration, from Plum, Pennsylvania, has been named a William G. McGowan Scholar and will receive an $18,000 tuition scholarship for the 2005-06 academic year.

The McGowan Scholarship program recognizes the business contributions of William McGowan, the founder of MCI Communications.

Flaherty was chosen for the scholarship by a three-person faculty committee from Gannon’s Dahlkemper School of Business Administration.

Bob Wallace (right) congratulates his advisee Kory Flaherty, this year’s McGowan Scholar.

Gannon Welcomes Back Alumnus as Head Coach The search for a new men’s basketball head coach began when Coach Jerry Slocum resigned on April 12 to accept the position of men’s basketball head coach at Youngstown State University. It ended shortly after when President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., announced on May 17 that alumnus and previous Assistant Coach John Reilly ’89M would fill the position.

Reilly, who served as Gannon’s men’s basketball assistant coach from 19871993, graduated from Gannon with a master’s degree in counseling psychology and continued on as assistant coach for two years after his graduation. He left Gannon when a position as a head coach became available to him at Brescia University, a Catholic university in Owensboro, Kentucky. While at Brescia, Reilly compiled a 232-145 record, and his team,

an NAIA Division I program, recorded five 20-win seasons and averaged 19.3 victories.

The Gannon community was excited over Reilly’s return and offered him a warm welcome. Garibaldi commented, “As an alumnus and former assistant coach here, Coach Reilly understands Gannon’s high standards of academic and athletic excellence for its student athletes and also its Catholic Mission. I am confident that he will maintain those traditions on and off the court.”

Reilly was also happy to return to his alma mater. “It is a tremendous honor to return to the institution where I received my master’s degree and began my coaching career,” Reilly said. He added, “Gannon is one of the premier NCAA Division II jobs in the country, and I am extremely excited about the opportunity to continue one of the best traditions in college basketball.”

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Words: Making Our Imagınatıon Take Flıght Literature’s greatness in our culture comes from its power to inspire us, to capture the human condition with words, and to serve as a gateway to our imagination. Whether it’s through the form of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or children’s literature, words have a way of helping our thoughts and imagination take flight.

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amous poet and author Nancy Willard, Ph.D., finds that the creative energy she uses to write comes from a realm much larger than the words on a page, though—a realm full of shoestrings and buttons with wings, caterpillars and cat whiskers, bottle caps and little hats made from pieces of the moon (or at least rocks that resemble it). Oftentimes before she writes, Willard creates her characters from household scraps and knickknacks that she finds wherever she goes, bringing the characters to life right before her eyes. Although the activity, to some, might seem childish, Willard’s work comes from a long history of professional creativity, marked by her doctorate in poetry, specialization in medieval literature, and professorship at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Willard is the author of 12 books of poetry, including the recently published In the Salt Marsh, as well as four books of stories and essays, two novels, and numerous

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children’s books. Her poetry collection Water Walker was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award, and one of her children’s books, A Visit to William Blake’s Inn, earned Willard a Newberry Medal. Her most recent books for young people are Cinderella’s Dress and The Tale of Paradise Lost.

Willard has also been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts in both fiction and poetry.

During a recent visit to Gannon’s campus, Willard shared her creativity with faculty, students, and students’ families as the guest speaker for the 28th Annual English Awards Night, an event organized by Associate Professor Berwyn Moore and hosted by the English Department.

Wisdom for Writing

In an afternoon seminar before the awards ceremony, students had the opportunity to meet and talk with Willard about creative writing, poetry, and writing as a career. “Time is the great teacher in writing,” Willard told the students. “I can usually hear the sounds of a poem before I know the words,” she Christian Peterson ’06 reads from the Totem, Gannon’s literary magazine, to Emily Conaway ’05 and Nancy Willard added; “I then have to weave the words after the awards ceremony. into a draft that no one ever sees. You have to have that first bad draft in order poetry—it’s a page turner that has to have to create something great, and you have to let it a rhythm to it.” Willard added, “There is sit for a while and when the time is right to revise, really no book written only for children; but you will.” The students, who had been working on there are books written only for adults. That writing and revising their poetry and short stories all is because certain texts presuppose adult semester, could appreciate the need to revise and the experience.” time that it often takes to do so.

Much of Willard’s inspiration comes from hey were also interested in how Willard had older literature that combines text with imsuccessfully authored both children’s and adult age to tell a story, literature—such as the literature, how she found inspiration, and how she Illuminated Manuscripts and William Blake’s first became published. work. “When I first saw the Illuminated Manuscripts, I was amazed that the images “I had never imagined writing a book of poetry that surrounded and made up the first letter for children,” Willard said, “until an editor mencould tell a whole story on their own,” Wiltioned it to me. I learned that a picture book is lard said. “That same mixing of text and im-

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age is what attracted me to Blake’s work,” she added.

In addition to the many creatures that she has created out of odds-and-ends, she also constructed a six-foot model of William Blake’s Inn while she was writing A Visit to William Blake’s Inn. The first version was created out of cardboard, but Willard’s cat one day leaped into the inn, causing it to tumble down.

After that, a friend of hers replicated Willard’s previous work, recreating the inn with wood.

The model of the inn currently resides in the rare book room at the University of Michigan’s library.

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s for finding a publisher, Willard commented that getting published often requires a bit of luck and knowing the right people. The first time she published was with an editor at her college during her undergraduate years; the editor had an idea for a collection of works and had asked Willard along with other students to submit writings for it. Once completed, the editor managed to circulate the books outside of the university, allowing the writers’ names to be seen in various places.

Publishing was a topic of conversation outside the seminar as well when Willard met with Megan Klass, a junior elementary/special education major who has drafted a children’s book titled Dreams, Day and Night as an assignment for her course in Children’s Literature. Dr. Sharon Crisman, Assistant Professor of Education, (who encourages many of her students to pursue publishing their assignments) had been encouraging Klass to market her manuscript. Criman commented, “Klass wrote a contemporary realistic story that had a great rhyme scheme, and because her story incorporated day-to-day activity, I really think that it would appeal to children.”

Klass was unable to attend the afternoon seminar with Willard because she was away from campus on practicum where she had been working for several weeks with a kindergarten class in Waterford, Pennsylvania.

Luckily, before the awards show and also the following morning, the two were able to meet so that Willard could share a few words of advice on working further with Klass’s manuscript.

Smiles came about when the two realized that they had the same three-ring binder (a unique transparent light blue binder decorated with clouds) in which they kept their notes and manuscripts. During the discussion, they were able to exchange their thoughts on the importance of encouraging children to read at a very young age, and also how to make the literature interesting for them. The exchange was particularly interesting as Willard comes from a literary background, whereas Klass comes from an education background.

“I was very thankful for the opportunity to meet Nancy Willard,” Klass said. “I had been looking for a publisher or an agent for my manuscript, but the only success I had experienced was with an agency that asked me to pay them money to read and work with the story. I knew it was a scam, and said ‘no thank you’,” Klass added. “The best way to get started,” Willard advised,” is to attend conferences and pay attention to what others are doing in the field of children’s literature. Conferences are a lot like trade shows, and they can help you meet agents who are more professional.”

Klass along with the students Willard worked with at the seminar appreciated the time to interact with Willard, and as a gift to her, the students involved with the seminar created a character of their own out of scraps of materials that they collected. The character, Leota Buttons, was a doll with curly hair, glasses, a hat, and a basket of stars and jellybeans. (The stars were portable Christmas lights that actually lit up.) Phil Zimmerly ’05 commented, “What I liked best about what Nancy Willard had to say was her emphasis on the rough draft stage of poetry.

Megan Klass ’06 (left) and Nancy Willard discuss Klass’ manuscript.

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She encouraged the writers in our Creative Writing class to allow ourselves to ‘make mistakes’ and to ‘be imperfect’ in the rough draft stage of our writing. By doing so, she said we would give ourselves the freedom to get the piece on paper and to work on it later. This was an interesting point not only about writing—but also about life. It seems that sometimes we have to make mistakes or take chances in order to accomplish something greater.” Zimmerly also wrote a poem about who Loeta was and read it for Willard during the seminar.

Landmark Awards Night

The English Awards Night celebrated the winners of the 2004-05 High School and University Writing Contests, a competition in which students could submit poetry and journalism pieces or in which students could be nominated for research writing pieces.

This year’s High School Poetry Contest surpassed records of previous years in the number of different locations from which submissions came. “We were very pleased to receive high school submissions from so many states this year,” Moore said; “Although most of the students who participated were from Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, we also received submissions from Michigan, Virginia, Mississippi, Maryland, and New Jersey.” Eliza Snelling from McDowell High School in Erie received first place for her poem “Rejected First Lines,” but she was the only participant from Pennsylvania to place. Second place was awarded to Allison Ehrich Bernstein of Norfolk Academy, Norfolk, Virginia; third place was awarded to Emily Cornish of School of the Arts, Rochester, New York, and also to Kate Guess of Shaker Heights High School, Shaker Heights, Ohio.

In the University Poetry Contest, both undergraduate and graduate students participated. On the undergraduate level, Gannon junior Christian Peterson won first place for his poem “Twelve Rows Before Winter.” Peterson is known on campus for his poetry and his animated readings, some of which he has put to music. Peterson, along

“…Ghosts of Loss, of Memory, and of the Ties that Bind” Berwyn Moore, Associate Professor of English, has recently had her book of poems Dissolution of Ghosts published

by Cherry Grove Collections. The book, which includes the poem that earned Moore a nomination for the Pushcart Prize, Glass, is a collection of Moore’s poetry, some of which has been published in other journals such as The Southern Review, Shenandoah, The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and Kansas Quarterly. In describing the collection, Cherry Grove comments, “The ghosts that haunt the elegant poems of Berwyn Moore are the ghosts of loss, of memory, and of ties that bind.

Dissolution of Ghosts enacts its title through the very act of lyric art that predominates in these poems.”

Moore works with students at Gannon as a professor of creative writing and as the faculty advisor for the Totem, Gannon’s award-winning literary magazine. In addition to success with her own poetry, Moore is favored by the students for her ability to both nurture and challenge them.

Many of her classes are workshop-driven, encouraging the students to share their work with each other and learn how to give professional and constructive feedback.

Moore also organizes several poetry readings a year with her students, which allows them to add the dynamic of performance to their work.

Dr. Thomas Ostrowski, Professor of Political Science and previous Dean of Humanities, Business, and Education, commented, “Berry Moore has a way of inspiring the students to achieve their potential in writing. She is a wonderful example of what a committed faculty member can do.”

Moore’s success as a professor and as a writer proves that her understanding of creative writing and the process that goes with it runs very deep. Her skill goes beyond her own writing and into inspiration and support for other writers.

Dissolution of Ghosts is available for purchase through Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble Online.

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with junior Danielle Petrozelle, also edited the 200405 Totem, Gannon’s renowned literary magazine. llison Cummings of Manchester, New Hampshire, who judged for the University Poetry Contest, commented, “It is rare to find a good poem about work, but Christian Peterson’s poem brings a day of physical work to vivid life, using all five senses.”

Peterson’s poem is set in a wooded area and brings to life a day of chopping wood—an activity that provides him with an extra income during the summer. Peterson attended the Chautauqua Writing Institute this summer with the support of the University.

Second place in the undergraduate category went to Petrozelle for her poem “More Roses than Emily,”

and third place went to freshman Christa Blose for “Silver Lining.” Peterson, along with junior Andrew Tanner and sophomore Allison Sico, was also recognized with an honorable mention award.

In the graduate category, Lora Zill was awarded first place for her poem, “Flight Simulator,” which portrays a falconer performing with his bird for an audience.

Honorable mentions were awarded to Thomas McCabe and Marisa Moks-Unger.

In addition to poetry, the evening also recognized graduate and undergraduate students for excellent work in research writing. The Peter C. Braeger Research Writing Contest requested nominations from Gannon faculty in order to recognize students for work they

The Totem Tradition The history of literary magazines produced by Gannon students runs back to 1948 when The Herald was produced for two academic years. The tradition of a literary magazine after that was sporadic. In 1963, the first and only Scutcheon was published, and it was followed by the Laureate, which was published from 1965-1973. The tradition of a literary magazine finally became settled in 1979 when the Phoenix was first published. None of its predecessors, however, match the accomplishments of today’s Totem, Gannon’s literary magazine that has won first-place in the American Scholastic Press Association’s annual magazine competition for nine straight years, the only years in which it has competed.

The Totem includes works of poetry, fiction, short stories, art, photography, and graphic design produced by members of the Gannon community. According to Berwyn Moore, Faculty Advisor for the Totem, the magazine is also completely student-produced. Students are responsible for soliciting submissions, organizing judges, designing layout, choosing cover artwork, and distributing the magazine. The majority of the work published in the Totem is created by Gannon students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and the magazine is printed by the Gannon University Press. Moore commented, “The Totem is a professionally handled magazine and something of which the students can be very proud.”

The name Totem was chosen by co-editors of the Phoenix, Laura (Wagner) Spayd ’92 and Michele (Wroblewski) Whitaker ’92, because they felt that the magazine was a strong representative of culture and art, much like a totem. As such, the last issue of the Phoenix was published in 1991, and in 1992, the tradition became the Totem.

This year’s co-editors were Christian Peterson ’06, English, and Danielle Petrozelle ’06, Occupational Therapy. Continuing the tradition of including a poem from the guest speaker at the English Awards Night, this year’s Totem includes Nancy Willard’s humorous but peaceful poem “Ladybugs.” The cover art, by Randy Stroup ’05, is titled “Hulking Out,” and it was digitally manipulated by Michael Bane, PC Technician.

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Peterson commented, “I really had a great time working with the Totem, and I learned so much—like how to use desktop publishing software and that, although a lot of people are writing some great stuff, there just isn’t enough room for everything.” Peterson was able to improve this year’s issue of the Totem by hiring Kate Healy as a sketch artist to fill up extra white space. Next year, Peterson mentioned that the staff hopes to include an interactive CD with the Totem. He said, “We think it would be really cool to have a place within the Totem to include students’ music, short films, or other interactive media.” And so the Totem tradition of quality as an artistic showcase will continue.

had done in their classes. On the graduate level, there was a tie for first place between Stephen Michael Cassell for his paper, “The Language of Social and Sexual Power in Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” and Emmett Lombard for his paper, “Gannon Research in a Web Wide World and the Jargon That Comes with It.” Second place went to Thomas McCabe for his paper, “Reading Strategies in Literary Theory: A Pilot Project on Disciplinary Discourse,” and third place went to physical therapy majors Tara Keister, Eugenie Poignard, Elizabeth Rupert, and Sarah Zerbe for their paper entitled, “A Comparison of The Convergent Validity of Imaging and Goniometric Assessment Techniques Used To Measure Tibial Torsion.” First place for the undergraduate category was awarded to Emily Conaway, and Jonathon Taccone received first place in the freshman category.

For journalism, Managing Editor of The Gannon Knight Bobby Cherry was awarded in the category of News; The Gannon Knight Editor-in-Chief Erin Leahy was awarded in the Feature category; Managing News Editor Sheena Stewart was awarded in the category of Op-Ed; and Arts and Leisure Editor Ben Speggen was awarded in the category of Reviews.

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o conclude the evening, Nancy Willard offered a half-hour reading of her poetry, most of which came from her latest book, In the Salt Marsh. After the ceremony and reading, Willard stayed to sign books that were available for sale at the event, including In The Salt Marsh, Water Walker, and A Visit to William Blake’s Inn. “English Awards Night is always a very successful event for us,” Moore commented. “Our audience this year was very warm and receptive, and Nancy’s reading was positively entertaining,” she added. Moore had met Willard at a conference the year before, and had worked diligently ever since to recruit Willard for the annual event. In the past, Moore had recruited other nationally and internationally renowned poets such as Donald Hall, Gwendolyn Brooks, Miller Williams, and Adam Zagajewski.

Although Willard was on campus for a very short time, she was able to positively inf luence many of those who met her, both through her never-ending creative energy and the personal warmth she offered to all. The visit was also a positive experience for her.

“I really enjoyed the afternoon seminar,” Willard commented about her visit. She added, “I got a feel for the culture of the campus while I was here, and I was able to tell that the students here are good to each other. They read and respect each other’s work, and I could tell that those who had done workshops with Berwyn Moore really had a good sense on how to offer helpful criticism.”

Students who attended the afternoon seminar and the awards ceremony presented Willard with Leota Buttons, a doll they had created for her.

Protecting

Innocence

The mythical hero figure—characterized by extraordinary powers, courage, strength, divine ancestry, and the sacrificing of self for the betterment of others—serves on earth as a gift from God in our favorite childhood stories. Although many mythical heroes have deep historical, literary, and anthropological roots, children read and watch them with wonderment through innocent and believing eyes. When a child is abused, though, the innocence he or she has that allows that sense of wonderment is torn away.

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he real life tragedy of child abuse is much more severe and has a much longer-lasting impact than the tales of Hercules and Achilles, and, unfortunately, heroes in this tale are much rarer. Several Gannon alumni have served as real-world heroes in the Erie area, working to give back as much as possible to children who had their childhood tainted by the acts of others. Just like mythical heroes, these alumni have sacrificed much of themselves in the fight against child abuse.

Stan Walkiewicz ’82, ’05M has been particularly influential in making a difference regarding this taboo issue. He began his career in criminal justice as a probation officer for Erie County, during which

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Alumni Michele Peterson ’96 (left) and Stan Walkiewicz ’82, ’05M both were influential in starting Erie County’s Children Advocacy Center.

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time he codeveloped the Intensive Supervision Program for Erie County Adult Probation. He began serving as a county detective not long after that under District Attorney William Cunningham, during which time he began investigating child abuse cases.

“Not many officers want to work child abuse cases, and I can’t blame them. It’s an intense—and heartbreaking— field in which to work. There were times when I had no control over what had already happened to a child, and that’s a tough position for an officer to be in, without control,” Walkiewicz explained. He found that others in his line of work were few and far between, and that the people with whom he networked were scattered throughout western Pennsylvania.

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he connections that he made, however, became useful when Erie began to develop a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). One Gannon alumna that Walkiewicz connected with, Christine (Kelly) Agnello ’91, ’05M, worked with the Rape Crisis Center and was able to travel to Harrisburg to represent Erie on the Northeast Region’s Children’s Alliance Board. Erie, at that time, did not have a CAC, but the closest CAC, in Lawrence County, served as an example for him and others working on the development. The connections they made in Harrisburg were crucial in forming the center for the Erie region.

Walkiewicz began preparing the grant application while working as a county detective under Cunningham, and he kept the dream alive and progressing during Joe Conti’s term as District Attorney. With Stan’s guidance and perseverance, the CAC became a reality for the Erie area on June 1, 2001, during Brad Foulk’s term as DA. Since its induction, the CAC has successfully grown into a nonprofit organization that augments the system for investigating reported cases of child abuse, and it also provides educational campaigns such as their recent Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Project. This three-year project began in 2001, when seven cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) were reported to the District Attorney’s office. The syndrome occurs when an infant or toddler is violently shaken for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute, causing strain on the child’s neck, head, and nervous system that can lead to severe permanent injuries, severe learning problems, or even fatality.

According to the CAC, there have been no reported cases since 2003, signifying success on the part of the project.

Although the CAC engages in many proactive efforts to prevent children from abuse, it also works closely with the Erie County Office of Children and Youth (ECOCY) and the District Attorney’s office to ensure that children who have suffered from abuse or molestation get the care that they need in a non-threatening environment. According to Walkiewicz, one of the main purposes of the Children’s Advocacy Center is to limit the number of times a child is interviewed by authorities. When a case is reported, all of the professionals who are involved with the case are brought in to witness a forensic interview with the affected child from behind a two-way mirror. In addition to streamlining the process for the sake of the child, this collaboration also engages people in conversation, allowing them to exchange perspectives.

“When children are interviewed, they are often very scared, and they might leave facts out, especially when they feel threatened or otherwise uncomfortable. Bringing in everyone involved simultaneously—police officers, social workers, doctors, lawyers, detectives—limits the number of times a child has to go through the stress of an interview process,” Walkiewicz said.

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uring the CAC’s first year, Walkiewicz served as the interim director for the center while continuing to work as a county detective. Unfortunately, just as mythical heroes often sacrificed themselves in battle, Stan had done so almost for too long. After one year of double-duty, his health forced him to retire. “The intensity of my career led to a complete distancing of myself, both at work and at home, and my physical health really became compromised. I realized that I couldn’t do any good if I wasn’t okay myself, so I retired from a career in criminal justice,” Walkiewicz said.

He added, “I am still very focused on having a positive impact on people, and I think I can do that through teaching.”

He returned to Gannon shortly after retiring to continue his education with the hopes of teaching in the criminal justice field. “I really would like to pass on what I’ve learned,” Walkiewicz said. He completed a master’s in public administration this past May. What he started while he was in the field, though, has continued on, and each step of the process in developing and implementing the Children’s Advocacy Center has helped abused children and their families get the assistance they need. Current Executive Director Judy Smith, Ph.D., commented, “Stan was really the guy who kept the idea of a center alive; he guided the initial opening of the center and he continues, during his retirement, to be very active on the Board of Directors.” Walkiewicz currently serves as the community representative and the treasurer of the Board. “Stan is very committed to kids and to the center,” Smith added.

Smith took over the position in 2002, and since then, with the support of the Erie community, the CAC has developed into a strong new agency that is able to help with child abuse cases.

“There have been so many people in the community working hard to make the center possible,” Walkiewicz said. Many of them are Gannon alumni.

One alumna, Michele (Agnello) Peterson ’96, serves as the CAC’s primary forensic interviewer.

Peterson has been working with the Children’s Advocacy Center long before its inception in 2001; she was a member of the task force that helped to form the CAC. “The challenge that the task force really faced,” Peterson said, “was bringing everyone in the community who was already working with child abuse cases together to work towards common goals. There were turf issues that had to be overcome, just as there are with any new organization joining a cause.”

The key to their success, though, according to Peterson, was the space that Hamot donated to them to use for the center. “Having an actual, physical space in which to work made a huge difference in getting the center off the ground,” Peterson said.

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lthough Peterson has been involved with the center for several years, she officially joined the CAC’s team in January of 2004. She is specially trained to interview the children using a neutral fact-finding approach, a way that avoids asking questions that are suggestive.

Her goal is to gather the most accurate account as possible from the child while limiting unnecessary stress for the interviewee. She has been trained as a forensic interviewer by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC), but she mostly uses the Corner House Method, a model of interviewing that comes from a child abuse center in Minnesota; all three models are nationally recognized.

Peterson, who graduated from Gannon with a BA in criminal justice, worked as a sexual assault consultant for six years at the Crime Victim Center. Her experience, though, has covered many aspects of the criminal justice field, from being on the streets to working in the courtroom. “My experience with internships from my time at Gannon really allowed me to see both ends of the spectrum,” Peterson said. She added, “My advisor Karen Weston, and really all of my classes, were very helpful in preparing me for a career in this field.”

Other Gannon alumni currently involved with the Children’s Advocacy Center on the Development Com-

Walkiewicz explained that the lobby of the CAC is filled with toys, books, and colorful pictures to help the children feel comfortable if a wait is required. mittee and the Board of Directors are Sally DiBacco ’64 VMC; Pete Sitter ’85; Robin Lahr Adams ’93M; Christine English ’79 (Honorary Member of the Board of Directors); Thomas Gable, Ph.D., ’72 (Honorary Member of the Board of Directors); Debra Liebel ’01M; Timothy McQuone’75, ’87M; and Susanne Porowski ’70 VMC. Fighting child abuse became a highly publicized issue in the 1980s, not long after the instatement of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act in 1974. Before this act, child abuse was a taboo issue and, therefore, often neglected. Walkiewicz commented, “If children who suffer from abuse aren’t able to deal with the issues, or even face them, the consequences are going to come out in their behavior later in life. Children need a support system and someone to advocate for them.” This is especially important for children who are abused or molested when they are still infants and toddlers, before they really have the capability for memory. “The youngest child I ever worked with was a two-week-old, and the case was one of molestation. The youngest physical abuse case I ever worked was for a three-week-old,” Walkiewicz said.

As child abuse issues continue to gain publicity and community support, hopefully this cycle can be broken.

The road ahead is not smooth, but it is now perhaps more cleared. The Gannon alumni and others who have worked to improve the quality of life for children have sacrificed themselves as real-world heroes in the fight against child abuse.

For more information on the Children’s Advocacy Center of Erie County, Inc., visit www.cacerie.org or call (814) 877-4020. To know more about starting or supporting a CAC in your area, visit the National Children’s Advocacy Center’s web site at www.nationalcac.org.

15

Maroon and

Gold on the Green

by Renae Pryjmak ’06

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A million dollar hole-in-one competition, gross skins, red balls, tee busters, water wings, and yes, even mulligans were part of the excitement this May when 218 Gannon alumni and friends gathered on the greens in Erie and Pittsburgh.

Two annual golf events have brought the alumni and community together for a day of sport over the years, and both events have become a wonderful success for the participants and Gannon students.

The oldest of the two events, The Annual Erie Scholarship Golf Tournament, celebrated its 18th anniversary this year with golfers teeing up for 18 holes at the Lake Shore Country Club. The tournament has become tremendously popular as it attracts alumni and community members alike, and over the years, 1,400 golfers have raised close to $300,000 in contributions to the University’s general scholarship fund. The event this year was sold out with more than 140 participants taking part in the competition.

Along with relaxing on the greens, the event has also continuously provided an opportunity to recognize special alumni and friends who have shown outstanding commitment to the University. Past honorees have included Melv Witherspoon ’68 and Jim Gehrlein; this year’s distinguished honorees were the Rutkowski family members.

Trustee John Paganie ’69 lines up a putt at the Erie Scholarship Golf Tournament.

In Pittsburgh, another 76 University alumni and friends had an opportunity to play a round for their alma mater at the Sewickley Heights Golf Club. This marked the 10th anniversary for the Pittsburgh Alumni Scholarship

Golf Outing and Dinner —10 years of golf that have produced close to $225,000 and benefited 27 Gannon students from the greater Pittsburgh area.

“The overall goal of the event is to establish an endowment that provides ongoing money for Pittsburgh students who wish to attend Gannon University,” said Don Carlson, former National Alumni Board president and current member of the Pittsburgh Scholarship Golf committee. Most of the recipients of this scholarship have been freshmen who have continued to receive funding from this endowment over their four-year college education. In addition, Carlson said that the annual event is an effort to involve Gannon alumni with the University’s interests and to bring former students and associates together.

These tournaments are the culmination of year-round meetings held by two planning committees. The current Erie committee chairperson is Joseph P. Kloecker and committee members are James E. Aquino; Richard A. Blakely, Esq., ’85; George J. Dusckas, Jr.; Irene A. Harrington; Joseph E. Kloecker ’74,’79M; John A. Lombardi ’87; John J. Mehler, Esq., ’82; John A. Monocello, Jr. ’73; David E. Pierce ’64; Thomas W. Reams; Jennifer L. Schade ’98, ’02M; Kerry J. Schwab; Christopher Sinnott, Esq. ’90; Amy L. Schmidt ’79; and Mel Witherspoon ’68.

The current Pittsburgh committee chairman is Peter J. Pearson ’84 and committee members are David M. Bates ’80; Donald M. Carlson ’73; George P. Gabriel, M.D. ’86; John J. Hadgkiss ’69, ’73M; Linda M. Hunley ’83; Joseph P. Karpinski, CPA, CFA, ’70; Scott M. Krall ’84; Moncel Logan-Deitz ’87; David P. McKelvey ’91; Joseph J. Molinero ’93; Rona Nesbit ’81; Rolf L. Patberg, Esq., ’89; Donn Patton, CPA, ’73; David M. Shantz ’90; T. Jeffrey Sweet; David M. Taylor ’69; and Joseph A. Vater, Jr., Esq., ’70.

If you would like to become part of a committee or to attend an outing in the 2006 season, call 1-877-GUAlums or visit www. gannonalumni.org.

Mark Minnaugh ’81 (left) takes a break from swinging with other golfers attending the Pittsburgh Alumni Scholarship Golf Outing.

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AlumniFocus Wanda Filer, M.D., ’83 In a world where medicine and law are often at odds, Wanda Filer, M.D., ’83 is trying to make a difference, not only for the patients to whom she offers care, but for other doctors and members of society; she does this using many of the things she learned while at Gannon. Currently, Filer spends about one-and-a-half days per week offering care to her patients and the rest of her week dedicating her time to public awareness about medical issues that our country faces, working towards changing legislation.

The highest position in public policy that she has held was the position of physician general of Pennsylvania, appointed

by Governor Tom Ridge. This was a new position to Pennsylvania when she took it. Filer said, “During that time, I learned a great deal about state government policy creation, and about myself and my goals. I realized truly how deep my passion was for good quality health care and for public health awareness.”

“So much of the work that I do has an impact on the people who control how I can give care.”

Although she only held this particular position for a year, Filer has worked in many ways to develop support for and communication between healthcare and legislation. She is known as a nationally renowned speaker and health consultant, and she works to influence legislative groups such as Women in Government (WIG). Recently, she attended a conference in Tucson, Arizona, for WIG where the group discussed ways to reduce heart disease in women.

At the very heart of her passion for working with health care issues is the desire to offer her patients the best care possible. “I really enjoy working with entire families and providing a continuity of care to all of my patients,” Filer said.

“We’re in the midst of a tremendous time of change, and so much of the work that I do has an impact on the people who control how I can give care,” she added.

Filer’s most prominent work right now, much of it through volunteering with the American Cancer Society, deals with legislative issues such as encouraging the state of Pennsylvania to allow insurance coverage for colon cancer screening and to create Clean Indoor Air legislation.

In addition to informing and working with legislators and politicians, Filer also works to inform the general public. In her hometown of York, Pennsylvania, she works as the Television Medical Consultant for channel WGAL-TV8, allowing her to broadcast views from her profession to anyone who watches. “Television broadcasting is the most public thing that I do,” Filer said; “Most of the public is familiar with me because of my TV personality.”

The Gannon community, however, sees her as an accomplished and dedicated alumna. In 1997, Filer was recognized as a Distinguished Alumna in the area of Health Sciences. “I loved the time that I spent at Gannon,” Filer said. “I was raised Protestant and was unaware of the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism; Gannon was really able to help me expand my horizons,” she added.

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She remembers, most vividly, taking Sacred Scriptures and Genetics during the same semester, a dichotomy that has positively affected her life and work ever since.

Filer said, “Gannon gave me a high-quality education that prepared me for the human, scientific, and political aspects of my career.”

Name Wanda Filer, M.D.

Organizations and Positions President of American Cancer Society of Pennsylvania Immediate Past President of the PA Academy of Family Physicians Legislative Action Committee, American Academy of Family Physicians Emerging Issues Workgroup, American Cancer Society (national) Advocacy and Public Policy Committee, American Cancer Society (national and chair of Pennsylvania branch) Founder of the Strategic Health Institute

Family Husband, Bob; and daughters, Becky and Katie.

Filer created the Strategic Health Institute as a firm for advocacy, education, and consultation on public health issues. For more information, visit www.drfiler.com.

FacultyFocus Gregory Andraso, Ph.D. Although the base for his academic career has been scientific, Gregory Andraso, Ph.D., has a deeply rooted belief in the values of a liberal studies education. He began his career at a small liberal arts school, where two of his biology professors had a strong influence on his decision to study the field of biology. Today, as he teaches his own students, he hopes to pass on the same inspiration, guidance, and support.

“I want my students to take away questions, professionalism, and humanism—a combination that is supported by Gannon’s identity as a Catholic, liberal arts university,” Andraso said. He believes that the maturation process that takes place at the college level is just as important, if not more so, than the content that students learn while studying. “Students at the college level learn to take on responsibility, react to peers and authority, and take pleasure in studying. If students work towards learning these aspects of life, the content comes naturally,” Andraso said.

To help students mature, Andraso works closely with them on their research projects, and he also includes them in his own research, specifically with his work on round goby, a species of fish that has recently become established in the Lake Erie ecosystem. Andraso researches the behavior of these fish, specifically in regards to their mating habits. Because they are an aggressive species, Andraso hopes that his research will provide insights into how their population can be regulated without negatively impacting native species.

Name Gregory Andraso, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biology (Associate Professor, effective August 2005) Director of Pre-Medical and Related Programs

Education Ph.D. in Biology from Indiana University BA in Biology with a minor in History from Hiram College

Organizations Board Member of the Pennsylvania Lake Erie Watershed Association (PLEWA) Member of the National Association of Advisors for Health Professions (NAAHP) Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society

“The biggest reward to me as professor is to work The round goby was transported from the Black Sea and Caspian Sea region to the Great Lakes via the ballast water in freighters, or the with undergraduates, water that freighters store in order to maintain a certain weight when they are not hauling cargo. This is not the first time that the Great watch them succeed, and Lakes’ ecosystem has changed by these means; zebra mussels were see them go on to graduate apparently transported to the Great Lakes in the same way. In this sense, both zebra mussels and round gobies are biological intruders or professional school.” to the Great Lakes’ ecosystem, and both created drastic change in the food chain and other aspects of the ecosystem when they first arrived. The practical goal of Andraso’s research involves collaborating with other researchers to develop traps designed to emulate attractive sounds produced by male gobies during courtship. These traps could be placed at junctions where the Great Lakes meet other bodies of water that are not yet home to the round goby.

Luckily, the research that Andraso conducts on a modest budget allows for student involvement. Students who have worked with Andraso have gone on to give paper presentations, win awards, and receive grant money to conduct further research on the round goby. “The biggest reward to me as professor is to work with undergraduates, watch them succeed, and see them go on to graduate or professional school,” Andraso said.

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by Dan Teliski, Gannon Sports Information Director Gannon’s spring sports’ athletes definitely made sure the 2004-05 academic year came to an end with a bang. Gannon athletics flourished in the spring as three of the University’s four teams posted winning records. One advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament while two narrowly missed the postseason.

Overall, this year, eight of the 14 intercollegiate athletic programs that accumulate wins and losses posted winning records, while two programs advanced to their respective NCAA Division II Tournaments (men’s basketball and softball) and two sent individual student-athletes to the NCAA post-season (men’s golf and wrestling).

Softball

The softball team arguably had the best season of any Gannon program in 2004-05. Fifthyear head coach Beth Pierce guided the Lady Knights to the NCAA Division II tournament for the second time in school history and first time since she arrived as head coach. The squad wasted no time in making history, recording its firstever NCAA victory with a 4-3 Joanna Fergus win over West Virginia Wesleyan in the first game of the Great Lakes Regional. Unfortunately, the Lady Knights were then eliminated with two consecutive losses to SIU Edwardsville (4-3) and Northwood (6-3). As a result, Gannon finished 33-18.

Prior to the NCAA Tournament, Gannon finished fourth in the GLIAC regular-season standings and third at the GLIAC postseason tournament.

Joanna Fergus captured most of the postseason attention.

The junior first baseman was named to the All-GLIAC first team, the Great Lakes Regional All-Tournament team, and the All-Great Lakes Region second team.

Junior Allison Gerger and sophomore Steph Christ were also named to the All-GLIAC first team. Junior Charity Sharp and sophomore Kristina Damis earned All-GLIAC honorable-mention accolades.

The best part of looking back on the 2005 season is that 2006 looks just as promising. The softball team had no seniors on its roster and returns every starter next year.

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J.T. Trowell

Men’s and Women’s Golf

Two Gannon golfers recently completed fabulous 2004-05 seasons with great finishes at nationally-recognized tournaments.

From the women’s team, Jamie Taylor, who was also recently recognized as a 2005 Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar, finished second in the women’s independent division at the 19th National Minority College Golf Championships at the PGA Golf Club in Port Lucie, Florida. The junior opened the championships with a 95 during the first round. She then posted a 91 during the second round before finishing the event with an 89 for a three-round total of 275.

Dave Patronik from the men’s team finished the season with a second place at the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Great Lakes Regional May 2-4 at St. Joseph Country Club in St. Joseph, Missouri, with scores of 73,74, and 74, for a three-round total of 221. Patronik was also named to the All-GLIAC second team and Academic All-District II first team following the conclusion of the 2004-05 season.

Women’s Lacrosse

It’s always tough to swallow rejection, especially when success is on the horizon. The Gannon women’s lacrosse team was one victory away from advancing to the NCAA Division II Final Four for the second time in school history and first time since the squad qualified for the inaugural Final Four in 2001.

Gannon won its last four regular-season matches and seven of its last eight, but still narrowly missed the postseason. The Lady Knights finished the 2005 campaign at 10-4, equaling the most victories in a season since the 2001 squad went 14-4. The squad finished with a ranking of third in the South region and sixth in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) national poll. Unfortunately, the NCAA only takes two programs from each region into the postseason.

The 2005 season, however, was also filled with accomplishments. Senior Mindy Richmond led the nation in goals per game (6.29) and points per game (6.64).

She set the school’s scoring record with 219 career goals and missed the all-time NCAA record by one goal.

Senior Lauren Bevington led all Division II in assists per game (3.86) for the third consecutive season. The surprise story came during the second half of the season in goal, where Kisa Bushyeager turned heads.

The junior walk-on started the last seven matches, posting a 6-1 record. She also led the nation in save percentage (.611).

AthleteFocus Richmond and sophomore Joanna Culkin were named to the IWLCA All-Region first team, while Bevington and sophomore Shannon Paganon landed on the second team.

The lacrosse team also recorded its 100th victory during the 2005 campaign. The program recorded the historic win with a 17-4 rout of regional foe Bloomsburg on March 6. The Lady Knights needed only two games into the program’s 10th season to achieve the milestone.

Baseball

Injuries and setbacks were common themes of the 2005 baseball season.

Gannon finished ninth in the GLIAC with a 6-39 record.

The Golden Knights lost numerous players due to injuries throughout the season, including No. 1 starter and All-GLIAC pitcher Josh Leslie after only three starts.

Senior centerfield Joe Daoust was named to the All-GLIAC second team after completing his final year of eligibility. He hit .365 with 12 runs and 10 RBIs. In addition, he produced a .417 slugging percentage and a .431 on-base percentage.

Dave Patronik ’06 has been playing golf since he first began walking, thanks to his father, who is an avid golfer.

Dave won his first tournament, a father-son event near his hometown, when he was four years old, and his golf successes have continued ever since.

Today, Dave is Gannon’s top male golfer with a 2004-05 season average of 74.0. He has also become one of the top amateur players in the Buffalo area, winning the title of Buffalo District Champion in 2004 and participating in The Porter Cups of 2002 and 2003, a tournament in which many future pro golfers compete. “My goal is to play in some professional tournaments over the next few years,” Dave said.

Partly because of his previous successes, and partly because of his love of the game, golf is much more than just a sport to Dave; it’s a way of life. During the summers, Dave works at a golf shop and spends much of his time on the course. While at Gannon, his time is divided among golf, school work, personal life, and other extracurricular activities. He decided to major in business management because he felt it would give him the background necessary to own his own golf shop and to teach golf professionally at a club, turning his lifetime hobby into a career.

Bo Corbett

Senior Frank Armeni and junior Matt Neiger received All-GLIAC honorable-mention accolades.

Women’s Water Polo

As was the story with women’s lacrosse, the women’s water polo team narrowly missed the postseason. Gannon finished the season with a 15-4 record after finishing third at the CWPA Western Division Championships.

Gannon earned the bronze trophy with a 6-3 victory over Washington & Jefferson. The Lady Knights dropped into the third-place match after a tight 11-7 loss to national powerhouse Michigan.

The squad tried to impress the postseason committee with 15 victories in its last 16 matches. During the stretch, fifth-year head coach Don Sherman led the team to the Division II Eastern Championship with an easy 13-4 victory over crosstown rival Mercyhurst. In the end, the Lady Knights were one spot away from the Collegiate Water Polo Association Championships.

Although golf is Dave’s life passion, he works hard at everything he does, building himself as a well-rounded and independent individual. He enjoys the sport of golf because it is an individual sport more than a team sport. He said, “In golf, if you don’t do well, you can’t blame anyone but yourself. And when you do accomplish something, you know for sure you were the one responsible for the success.” Of all of his successes, though, Dave is most proud of his ability to balance different aspects of his life and grow from them.

Other extracurricular activities with which Dave has been involved at Gannon are the Honors Program, Student Athletic Advisory Committee, the Campus Conservatives Club, the Psychology Club, and several honor societies.

21 Kat Bucceri

1959

1970

1963

1971

RICHARD P. HOGAN and Judy Biancosino Hogan celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last October.

WILLIAM R. ENGLE has been appointed as vice president for commercial lending at The National Bank of North East.

1964

ANN (CIACCHINI) CUZZOLA (VMC) retired from Mercyhurst Preparatory School where she worked as a guidance counselor since 1970.

1965

REV. MSGR. THOMAS J. MCSWEENEY is an analyst who did several spots with MSNBC on the condition of Pope John Paul II prior to his death.

ANTONETTA (MALPIEDI) KLEPS (VMC) recently joined the staff of Mercyhurst Preparatory School as a Spanish teacher.

JOHN F. O’MALLEY, JR. aka “Jack Malloy”, of York, Pennsylvania was Grand Marshall of this year’s annual York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. John is a news reporter, anchor, and talk show host at WSBA Radio.

1972

ADA L. LAWRENCE ‘72M was the Education Award recipient at Erie’s Bayfront NATO, Inc.’s Fourth Annual Community Leadership Awards Dinner. Ada is a founding member of the Bayfront NATO’s Martin Luther King Center.

ANDRE B. HEUER, D.MIN LICSW ‘75M recently organized the Healing through Story Conference held in Minneapolis, which was attended by over 300 physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, other mental and medical health practitioners, and storytellers from across the United States and Canada.

ROBERT MAZZA owner of Mazza Vineyards in North East, Pennsylvania, received top honors at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, winning the Governor’s Cup for the vineyard’s cream sherry. Mazza’s ice wine also won a gold medal at this year’s show.

1973

ARTHUR A. LANEVE, CPA joined Erie’s Evans Capital Management in 2002 and became a principal in the firm in 2004. He concentrates in the areas of personal financial planning and investment management.

1974

MARK J. MODLO an investment representative with the financial services firm Edward Jones, won the company’s Prospecting Award, which recognizes brokers for establishing more than 120 new accounts in a calendar year.

1975

GAIL A. SMITH a resident of Erie, is a member of the 27th Class of Knights and Ladies of St. Patrick.

JANICE (KALIVODA) TOTLEBEN ‘80M is a lecturer in MIS/Computer Science at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College.

1976

ANTHONY M. D’ALESSANDRO, M.D. was among the distinguished alumni honorees recognized

by Glassboro High School in New Jersey. Dr. D’Alessandro is Professor of Surgery, Director

Gannon Honors Distinguished Alumni On April 16, Gannon honored nine individuals as Distinguished Alumni for their service to their professions, their community, their faith, and their alma mater.

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Pictured seated left to right: Marie E. Knafelc, M.D., Ph.D., ’74, Biology; Timothy L. Conlan ’73, Monsignor Wilfrid J. Nash Principles of Christian Conduct Award; Tiffany R. (Pryor) Collins RNP ’99, Young Alumni Award. Standing: Gannon University President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.; John F. Denslinger ’70, Industrial Management; Ronald. J. Volpe, Ph.D., ’67, Business; Richard G. Orlando, M.D., F.A.C.S., ’76, Biology; Brian C. Fargo ’71, Business; Bradley J. Collins, M.D., ’99, Young Alumni Award; National Alumni Association President Russ Forquer ’71. Not pictured: James C. New ’74M, Master’s Degree Award.

AlumNotes of Multiorgan Transplantation, and Executive Director of the Organ Procurement Organization at the University of Wisconsin.

DAVID F. SMITH has joined Edward Jones as an investment representative in the Girard office.

1977

CARL M. CARLOTTI, ESQ. has been named president of the Erie County Bar Association.

RICHARD M. KIRKNER is a former reporter at The Phoenix and The Mercury who won nearly two dozen journalism awards as both a writer and editor. He is currently the editor of the Contemporary Surgery journal.

GARY C. LONCKI resigned from his position as editor of the Lake Shore Visitor in June 2004, after 18 years of service.

1979

MARY JO (KOZIOROWSKI) JUSTKA (VMC) is the principal of St. Andrew’s School in Erie.

MICHAEL J. NASCA has been named as the operations supervisor at HBK Sorce in Pennsylvania, an independent investment advisory firm.

JEFFREY M. SCALES volunteered with the PS111 5th grade class in the 15-week, inschool program Rosie’s Broadway Kids. The program was founded

by Rosie O’Donnell for New York City public school children.

AMY (SWANSON) SCHMIDT (VMC) is a professor of nutrition at Edinboro University and a dietitian/consultant at HealthSouth and GECAC. PAMELA (HORNAMAN) TRONETTI, D.O. is a physician at McClelland Family Practice of Saint Vincent Health Center.

1980

ROBERT D. ALLEN, PH.D. recently celebrated his 20th year at IBM, where for the past five years he has been the manager of lithography materials at the IBM Almaden Research Center in San Jose, California.

GERI A. CICCHETTI ‘98M is a member of the Erie Diocese’s 27th Class of Knights and Ladies of St. Patrick.

ROSALIA CIMINELLA is currently living in Rome, Italy.

ANN (UHRMACHER) CZERWINSKI has been promoted to educational services manager at WQLN Public Broadcasting of Northwest Pennsylvania.

SUSAN M. NEDZA, M.D., MBA, FACEP was awarded the Illinois College of Emergency Physicians (ICEP) 2005 Bill B. Smiley Award.

Susan is chief medical officer, Region V of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the Chicago office.

JOHN C. STEHR is a co-anchor with the NBC affiliate WTHR Eyewitness News team in Indianapolis. John began his broadcasting career at WJETAM radio and WJET-TV in Erie while he was attending Gannon.

1981

KEVIN P. ELWELL is a strategic account director at Progress Telecom in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Gannon University and Villa Maria College Homecoming/ Reunion Weekend: Oct. 7-9, 2005

In Good Company

By Russell J. Forquer ’71, President, Alumni Association Those people who recently attended Gannon’s annual Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner will agree that this event truly reinforces one’s pride in being associated with the University.

As President of the Alumni Association, I had the honor and privilege of calling the 2005 Distinguished Alumni to notify them of their selection as honorees. Each of those calls was met initially with humility, then gratitude and excitement. Beyond the biographies I had previously read, this was my first opportunity to “meet” the honorees and gain some personal insight into the remarkable people they are.

At the 2005 annual dinner, we recognized nine individuals who are making great strides in their careers, are involved in their communities, and are living out Gannon’s mission.

They included a CFO, a college president, three physicians, an executive vice president, a retired Navy captain, a retired CEO, and a registered nurse practitioner. They came back to Gannon from Ohio, Missouri, Rhode Island, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, and Illinois.

Not only is this annual event an opportunity for fellow alumni to reconnect with and congratulate the distinguished honorees, it is also an opportunity for Gannon students to meet those who serve as role models for them. This year, the National Alumni Board sponsored the attendance of students at the dinner. In addition to our Student Ambassadors, we enjoyed the company of 16 student leaders. Sophomore Anthony Makrinos—an active member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Student Government Association, and the Interfraternity Council— commented after the event, “The Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner was a great chance for me to meet alumni in my field of study and who were involved in the clubs and organizations in which I’m currently active. They went through many of the same things I’m going through now as a student, and today, they are very successful.”

This year’s nine honorees joined an illustrious group of Distinguished Alumni recognized in years past. I look forward to next year’s event and hope you can join me there. You can also participate in this celebration by nominating a fellow alumnus/alumna. The nomination form is available year-round at www.gannonalumni.org for easy submission.

As always, you can reach me at sales@forquer.com or (814) 453-3366, ext. 23 with any questions or comments.

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AlumNotes KAREN (STRATTON) HUME, LPM is the new admissions coordinator for both ForestView and The Suites, the assisted-living residence at Springhill in Erie.

PEARL M. JEFFRIES is the campus minister for Gannondale Home for Girls.

She is also a deacon at Greater Calvary Full Gospel Baptist Church in Erie.

1982

MARY A. ALBAUGH, M.D. recently received the Jack Wolford Award for Excellence in Psychiatry from the Western Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society.

KAREN M. ENGRO, ESQ. is the executive director for the Judicial Council of Pennsylvania of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

1983

CARRIE (NELSON) JELICKS has joined the staff of the tax consulting and litigation support department of Schaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Company in Erie.

1984

CATHERINE (CARPENTER) GILLESPIE earned a Doctorate in Health Science from NOVA Southeastern University.

Catherine is the associate program director of the Physician Assistant Program at Gannon University, and she is a practicing physician assistant with Dr. Grant Stephenson in Ripley, New York.

SHELLY M. LAWRENCE was honored for her outstanding service at the annual Michigan Works Banquet held in midDecember ’04. She also recently accepted a new position as the lead case manager for the Michigan Works Association’s Workforce Investment Act program in Midland County.

JAMES J. BETTS ‘82M recently began working as an assistant Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Boothbay, Maine. James is a retired elementary school teacher from Buffalo, New York.

SALLY (SUNSERI) SIEROTA, M.S.N. (VMC) THOMAS J. GIBLIN ‘82M has joined Great Lakes Home PAUL R. VENESKY is president of Wagner Giblin Healthcare Services as director has been named vice president Insurance Agency in Fairview, of quality and patient safety. of finance and chief financial Pennsylvania. officer for SPX Dock Products, a manufacturer of loading-dock equipment headquartered in the Dallas area. a son, Aiden Carlos, (June 22, 2004) to Michele Kradel Jones ’97 and her husband, a daughter, Annie Leona, Tim. (January 11, 2005) to

births Renee Letissier Boogren ’88 and her husband, Craig.

a daughter, Rachel Margaret (September 30, 2004) to Elizabeth (Rectenwald) Byerley 92, ’94M and her husband, David. a son, Shawn Thomas, (April 1, 2004) to Lisa Osche Franklin ’98 and her husband, Chip.

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a son, Brendan John, (January 18, 2005) to Rebecca A. (Singer) ’98 and Ryan J. Lynch, D.O., ’96 ’98M ’99M. a daughter, Sarah Grace, (August 13, 2004) to Beth Jennings Machine ’94 and her husband, Todd. a son, Liam, (August, 2004) to Julie Stazer Pikiewicz ’98 and her husband, Jay.

a son, David Charles, (March 8, 2005) to Paulette (Kovalcik) Grant ’86 and her husband, Peter.

a son, Colin Alexander, (November 24, 2003) to Alexis M. (Pompeo) ’90 ’92M and Kary J. Schroyer, D.O., ’93.

triplets, Marcus, Morgan, and Madison, (October 30, 2003) to Kim (Blaschke) Jones ’97 and her husband, Jeffery.

a daughter, Isabel Rose, (June 2004) to Heidi Sohl Torok ’93 and her husband, Jason.

Year award. Linda is a teacher at the Foothills School of Arts and Sciences in Boise.

DANTE C. PARRINI has been elected executive vice president and chief operating officer of Glatfelter, a global manufacturer of specialty papers and engineered products in York, Pennsylvania.

1987

BRIAN W. BOLASH, ESQ. was promoted to associate general counsel and assistant corporate secretary, law division, at Erie Insurance.

DAVID A. MCGARVEY II a physics instructor at Gannon University, began studies at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in the fall of 2004.

CHARLES L. VAUGHN, B.S.W., M.P.A., D.D. is the founder, president, and pastor of Hebrews 11:3 “Through Faith...” Evangelistic Ministries, Inc. in Anderson, Indiana.

1985

1988

RALPH J. PONTILLO returned to his former position as president of the Manufacturer’s Association of Northwest Pennsylvania after working as the executive director of NACE International in Houston.

JILL R. WILEY ‘88M has been appointed to a second one-year term on the board of examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

The Baldrige awards recognize companies for achievements in both quality and productivity.

Jill’s areas of expertise include education, leadership, team building, program solving, and performance improvement.

JOSEPH G. CACCHIONE, M.D. was named executive vice president of Saint Vincent Health System, the hospital’s second-highest administrator.

Joseph is one of Erie’s leading cardiologists.

1986

LINDA M. BUCZYNSKIANTHONY won the 2004-05 Idaho Elementary Art Educator of the

CATHLYN D. HAHN ‘88M is celebrating her 30th year as a professional credentialed art therapist with the American Art Therapy Association. She has taught at Mercyhurst since 1979.

DANIEL C. ZIMMERMAN has been appointed to the new position of market manager for metalworking at Eriez Magnetics.

Marketing for Freedom Captain John Yaros ’01 graduated from Gannon with a bachelor’s degree in advertising communications.

Little did he know that he would be using the skills that he had gained to communicate with civilians of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Yaros began his career in the military by joining ROTC during his first year at Gannon, but the real-life challenges began one year after graduation, when he traveled to Camp Doha, Kuwait, for training in preparation for war and when his company entered Iraq on March 20, 2003. “When young soldiers first engage in live combat, they grow up very quickly. It’s taking a step away from the superficial, material world into the real world where your life and the lives of those around you are on the line,”Yaros said.

The first battle that Yaros and the rest of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team experienced was at Nasriyah during late night hours, and it was followed by an unexpected counterattack at daybreak. As the Fire Support Officer, Yaros called direct and indirect fires on the attackers, successfully maneuvering the company so that no one was killed. The 2nd and 3rd Brigade combat teams then joined together in an effort to secure passage to Baghdad.

Yaros was later awarded a Bronze Star with Valor for his efforts and success at Nasriyah.

Once combat operations were complete,Yaros was appointed mayor of the company’s area of operations, a small slice of Abu Ghrayph. During this time, he was able to turn on

AlumNotes Yaros discusses his experiences with current ROTC students during his time serving in the Hometown Recruiter Position.

The position brings officers back to their place of commissioning in order to offer testimonials and encouragement to current ROTC students and to assist the recruiting officer in current projects.Yaros visited students at Gannon and the surrrounding area for two weeks. electricity, water, and limited telephone service. He said, “What I was most proud of during that time were the Iraqi people who helped me start the schools again, and just in general, learn about life there.”Yaros was able to use what he learned during this time, combined with his knowledge in advertising, to create direct marketing communications meant to help keep civilians safe.

“As an advertising major, I learned to think about my audience, what was important to them, and how to communicate my ideas to them effectively—skills that came in very handy when working with the Iraqi people. Also, the ROTC program at Gannon did an amazing job of preparing me for life challenges and leadership roles that come along with being in the military,”Yaros said. “In addition to my experience at Gannon in general, I really value what I learned in Dr. Robert Allshouse’s class about global issues and Anne O’Neil-Klemensic’s class about public relations. Both really helped me to prevent more fighting among civilians,” he added.

Yaros is currently back in the United States, but he travels often as the Assistant Operations Officer for the 741st Military Intelligence Battalion.

In the Islam culture, the left hand is seen as unclean.Yaros used this archetypal metaphor by placing the country of Iraq in the grip of Saddam Hussein’s left hand.The text reads, “Saddam is destroying your country. It is time for the people to rise up and demand freedom.” This is one of six pieces that Yaros created as messages to the Iraqi people.

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AlumNotes

1989

DANIEL R. VARO ‘89M is a partner/operations manager at Team Hardinger Transportation in Erie.

JAMES M. ROCCO was inducted into the Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame.

He is the boys basketball head coach at Penn Hills High School in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania.

1990

JUDY A. DUNKLE-STILKE, R.N. ‘90M has been named coordinator for the Ryan White Title III Program at Community Health Net in Erie.

JAMES R. FASHANO is a senior partner with Alliance Advisory Group, Inc. in Williamsville, NY. KIMBERLY (WASHOK) JONES has been named science and education director for the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy,

a nonprofit organization in Bluffton, South Carolina, protecting natural resources for the 20,000-acre residential and recreational community being built by Crescent Resources, LLC.

GEORGE KRAMER ‘97M is a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Erie.

He has earned the Ruby, Best Year Ever, MDRT and Pacemaker awards, and he holds the Chartered Life Underwriter(CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant(ChFC) designations.

DANIEL J. TEED has been named the director of asset management at HBK Sorce in Erie, an independent investment advisory firm.

1991

TIMOTHY J. LEDONNE has been appointed chief of staff for the State of Kentucky’s Finance and Administration Cabinet.

marriages Megan Rene Buckel ’00 married Demetrios T. Agrafiotis ’00 on July 25, 2004.

Tracy M. Backos, LPTA ’92 married Jeff Simerele on September 6, 2003.

Sharon Ann Bogacki ’97 ’03M ’03C married Stephen George Markley on July 17, 2004.

Jason F. Broad ’97 married Karla M. Daehnke.

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James L. Duncan, Jr. ’98 married Tracy D. Geci on October 16, 2004.

Kevin Patrick Elwell ’81 married Leslie Caroline Butler on December 31, 2004.

Karolina Medeksza, Pharm.D ’00 married Robert V. Glentzer, J.D. ’00 on August 28, 2004.

Meghan N. Heil ’00 married Brian Plaxe on July 31, 2004.

Pamela Hornaman Tronetti, D.O. ’79 married Edmund Kindle on December 3, 2004.

Jim Weber ’62 along with Ann Barnes presented President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., and Vice President for University Advancement Susan Black-Keim with plaques commemorating the Southern California Alumni Barbeque, an event hosted by Weber in April.

KIMBERLY (HEATH) THOMPSON, M.D. has joined the internal medicine practice of Freeman, Lamberton, Johns & Mingey in Erie.

and gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

LARRY W. THOMPSON, JR., M.D. has joined OB/GYN Associates of Erie. He is board-certified in obstetrics

KELSO BROPHY is in her first year of coaching the women’s softball program at Nazareth High School in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

John D. Huffman ’01 married Dawn Konkol on May 1, 2004.

Michelle L. Kline ’91 married William W. Breslin IV on October 19, 2004.

Christopher J. Masson ’00 married Brandi M. Henry on September 18, 2004.

Jeanette Marie Penquite ’02 married Jason Robert Bennett on June 26, 2004.

Jolene Marie Ricci ’04 married Andrew James Armstrong on August 14, 2004.

Amy Swanson Strayer ’79 married Troy Kent Schmidt on July 30, 2004.

1992

Carrie J. Tovey ’01M married Ron Leeds on June 4, 2004.

Theresa Ann Tssario ’00 married Christopher Conrad Cleaver on August 21, 2004.

Daniel Richard Varo ’89M married Susan Mary Garczynski on January 3, 2004.

Meaghan E. Washek ’02 married Brendan Nolan in May 2004.

Lawrence W. Wickens ’93 married Melissa M. Krupa on November 13, 2004.

Michelle H. Wooley ’99 married Joseph Kelly on August 14, 2004.

AlumNotes LAURIE (MACLEOD) SCHNEIDER has been promoted to director of outpatient business development for Hamot Health Foundation in Erie.

1993

SUSAN (SUROVIEC) GEORGE ‘93M has been named as director of marketing and customer development at WESPEN Audio Visual Co. in Hawthorn, Pennsylvania. She is also executive director of Helpmates Charitable Giving Foundation and president of the foundation’s board of directors.

MARK J. HOFFMAN ‘93M is the director of rehabilitation for the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, a branch of Elk Regional Health Center in St. Marys, Pennsylvania.

CANDACE D. BATTLES was the Humanitarian Award recipient at Erie’s Bayfront NATO, Inc.’s Fourth Annual Community Leadership Awards Dinner. Candace is a family therapist at Family Services of Northwestern PA.

1994

SAMUEL C. ASHBAUGH serves as the deputy budget director for the School District of Philadelphia.

LOREN P. HAUCK is Brenau University’s new volleyball coach. Loren also teaches chemistry and physics at Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia.

1995

BURKE M. SMITH ‘95M has joined the staff of Holy Family Memorial Hospital’s Rehab Plus Therapy and Sports Medicine as a physical therapist.

AMELIA MIRO A. JEYAPALAN, M.D. has joined Saint Vincent Surgical Services in Erie. She holds a Texas State Board of Medical Examiners License and a Pennsylvania State Board Medical License.

RANDALL V. PRISTELLO is a member of the Erie Diocese’s 27th Class of Knights and Ladies of St. Patrick.

DAVID D. TOFEL II is a personal financial advisor with American Express in Erie.

He was recognized with high marks in the American Express Financial Advisor’s annual client satisfaction survey, ranking in the top 30 percent of advisors.

GREGORY J. BAKER is the new director of youth ministry for the Erie Diocese.

1996

STEVEN R. WHEELER ‘96M a former police officer in Freeland, Pennsylvania, has been named deputy chief of the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

RYAN J. LYNCH, D.O. ‘98M ’99M graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2003 and is currently in his first year of neurology residency at Hamot Medical Center.

1997

KELLY (FEKETI) KALKHOF is a registered nurse in the cardiac telemetry department at Hamot Medical Center.

1998

JACQUELINE (BURKETT) BRITTON is the director of occupational therapy at Vision and Blindness Resources—Erie Center, where she is a reviewer.

JAMES L. DUNCAN, JR. is a laborer for Laborers Local 833 in New Brighton, Minnesota.

1999

JAMES B. BEIL, Ph.D. received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and recently started teaching chemistry at Lorain County Community College.

MICHELLE (WOOLEY) KELLY is a registered nurse at Odyssey Healthcare in Pittsburgh.

THOMAS S. SELLNER, D.O. earned his osteopathic degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Sellner will continue his education in the otolaryngology residence program at Millcreek Community Hospital.

2000

DEMETRIOS T. AGRAFIOTIS is an engineer at PPG Industries in New Martinsville, West Virginia.

MEGAN (BUCKEL) AGRAFIOTIS is an engineer at PPG Industries in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

JAMIE L. BROWN recently moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, after having worked in Franklin, Pennsylvania, for four years.

She is working as a paralegal for the Washington County Board of Education.

in memoriam Alumni

Cynthia Bull Bartlett, Esq. ’85 Timothy P. Blumish ’94 Billie J. Burnett ’56 Edward C. Christoph, USN (Ret) ’63 Eugene J. Cinti ’77 Joseph F. Coogan ’79 Jeanne (Costanzo) Cucuzza ’54VMC Victor G. Didelot ’45 Thomas E. Douglas, CPA ’61 Thomas J. Dudenhoefer ’69 Sister Anne Jane Dugan, SSJ ’60 Kathleen P. Gallagher ’50 Pia DiNicola Gigliotti ’36 Barbara Grzejka Greca ’70 Peter R. Gregan ’59 John F. Heintz ’49 Anne Lee Hettish ’43 James J. Hoffman ’49 Sister Imelda Johnson, S.A. ’74 Patricia A. Keller ’82 Joseph A. Krahe ’50 Dana Fallone Luckin ’84 Sister Rose A. McDonnell, SSJ ’39 Catherine McGrath ’33 VMC Marie Rizzuti McGrath ’33 VMC William D. Meehan, Sr. ’50 Debra Prez Monde, D.O. ’85 Rosemarie Kerstetter Morphy ’94 Richard R. Nash ’82 Elizabeth A. O’Hara ’77 Kenneth J. Obuszewski ’76 James D. Orford ’50 Edward Palattella, Esq. ’62 Matthew E. Pitzer ’99 James J. Rogers ’64 Rae Peterson Rogers ’93 James R. Ross ’55 Kenneth C. Schmitt, D.D.S. ’55 Robert R. Shutts ’50 Sue Carlburg Siverling ’72 Gerald A. Squeglia ’93 Jack K. Steffey ’50 Theresa Romeo Verga ’51 Addison D. Winston ’57 Donald V. Wood ’55

Friends

Rev. Msgr. Robert D. Goodill Victor Joseph Grumblatt

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AlumNotes THERESA (TSSARIO) CLEAVER is a second grade teacher at Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School in Erie.

KEVIN D. DUNLAVEY, D.M.D. graduated first in his class of 74 from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He is pursuing further training in orthodontics at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

WILLIAM E. FISHER is currently serving in Iraq as an active Army National Guard soldier. His regular full-time job is working in Emergency Medicine at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey.

CHRISTOPHER J. MASSON a captain in the U.S. Army, Transportation Corps, has served five years on active duty, including seven months in Iraq, and he is currently fulfilling an assignment in Oakdale, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.

2001

CARRIE (TOVEY) LEEDS ‘01M is a learning support teacher at Belle Valley Elementary School in Erie.

Experience Nostalgia Let the Alumni Directory connect you with the “good old days.”

The “good old days” are closer than you think. Soon you will be able to stop wondering about your old friends and find out what they’re doing now.

Gannon’s Alumni Directory, with personal, academic, and business information about our graduates, is in the final stages of editing and production. Ordered copies will be sent as soon as they are ready.

JEANETTE (PENQUITE) BENNETT is a post life supervisor at Covance Laboratories in Vienna, Virginia.

ROBERT I. CALLAHAN has joined Gannon University’s Office of Admissions as an enrollment advisor.

DANIEL CASILLO is a teacher with LancasterLebanon Intermediate Unit 13 in Pennsylvania.

JOHN D. HUFFMAN is a student at Logan College of Chiropractics in St. Louis and is a supervisor at Sam’s Club ANNE E. KEHRLI in Chesterfield, Missouri. is a physician assistant for Lakeview Urologic Surgeons in Erie.

2002 28

DAVID L. WRIGHT ‘02M is an Air Force Reserve Tech Sergeant currently serving on active duty as an intelligence analyst with the 910th Airlift Wing at the YoungstownWarren Air Reserve Station in Vienna, Ohio.

MEAGHAN (WASHEK) NOLAN is pursuing a pharmacy degree at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy.

RONEE L. YASHER works for the Archdiocese for the Military Services in Washington, D.C., and

also works part-time at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, as a Catholic Youth Ministry Coordinator.

She will be taking 11 students to World Youth Day this August in Cologne, Germany.

2003

BRIAN C. SHERMAN ‘03M has joined the marketing team at Corry Publishing in Erie.

KATHLEEN A. HUDSON recently joined the faculty at Mercyhurst Preparatory School in Erie as a social studies teacher.

DIANE (MICELI) LINDENBERGER is a CAD technician at Superior Home Services Inc. in Raleigh, North Carolina.

2004

JAY MOSER ‘04M has been hired as an assistant principal at Riverview Junior-

Senior High School in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.

JOLENE (RICCI) ARMSTRONG is a registered nurse at Saint Vincent Health Center in Erie.

MICHAEL B. MAXSON has reported for duty as an Army Specialist at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

MICHAEL C. NEELAND, BSW is conducting his postgraduate service with L’Arche Tahoma Hope in Tacoma, Washington.

JASON A. SMITH has been accepted to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM).

CAYLA P. VEACH is an assistant coach for women’s lacrosse at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina.

STEPHEN W. VUCCO is currently an insurance agent with Vucco-Dejanovic Insurance Services in Warren, Ohio.

EndNotes

Celebrating Four Years of Service and Success Sunday, May 7, was a very special day for the members of the graduating class of 2005 and also for me. This year’s Commencement ceremony not only recognized four years of intellectual, social, and spiritual growth and development of the graduates; they themselves represented the first graduating class whose four-year education here at Gannon coincided with my first four years as President.

The graduates and I began our four-year journey together on August 26, 2001, a 95-degree Sunday morning when I welcomed many of them personally as they moved into Finegan and Wehrle residence halls. Later that day—either at our Welcome Mass or when I addressed them and their parents, brothers and sisters, and other relatives at the afternoon Convocation in the Hammermill Center—little did they or I imagine that in less than three weeks, we would be reconvened in the Monsignor Addison Yehl Room, regardless of religious affiliation, praying together as a family after the tragedies of September 11. That was a watershed moment for the country and for the University, signifying a time of crisis in our culture and a time for us to join together.

Throughout the four years that have passed since then, I have seen the members of the Class of 2005 develop and succeed in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. I have seen them become active in campus ministry, and I have watched them assume important leadership roles across the campus. Although all of the graduates have accomplished much while at Gannon, there are a few whom I have come to know especially well due to the strong positive impression they have made on me, on the faculty and staff, on members of the Erie community, and, above all, on their fellow students.

Erin Miller, Mark Sandidge, and Conor Mulcahy distinguished themselves academically; Erin is working in a position directly related to her risk management major, Mark is a graduate student at Ohio State where he is studying

mathematics, and Conor is now attending Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Phil Zimmerly, Megan Hogan, Siddharth Gaddam, and Lindsay Stanley consistently excelled as role models for leadership in student government, academic and social organizations, and extra- and co-curricular activities.

Christina Linehan and Sarah Sunseri immersed themselves spiritually in Campus Ministry-sponsored activities locally, nationally, and internationally, while physical therapy graduate students Liz Rupert and Lisa Santomaggio provided their medical expertise and assistance to natives in Central America.

Geoff Husted, Mindy Richmond, and Darmel Whitfield were among a number of our student athletes who earned AllAmerican honors for their performance on the court or on the field as well as in the classroom.

Stephen Sambroak and graduate student DeAndre Caldwell displayed exemplary personal courage in different public ways.

Stephen’s studies were interrupted while he served a year in combat in Iraq as a sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserve, while DeAndre was cited for bravery by the city of Erie for stopping the carjacking of a mother and child and apprehending the felon.

Brandie Atkins, Rich Sargent, and Zack Flock showcased their wide range of artistic talents on the stages of the Schuster Theater and Erie Playhouse and at various campus events.

Needless to say, we are very proud of these students and all of the members of the Class of 2005 for the academic excellence they demonstrated, the thousands of community service hours they volunteered, and the superb campus leadership they provided throughout our four years together at Gannon. Given their intellectual, social, moral, and spiritual growth, I am confident that they will excel in their careers and communities as they continue their journey in life. It has been a pleasure knowing and working with them over the last four years.

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The Final Touch

Master’s of Business Administration graduates Shawnique Hamilton (left) and Robin Drastig move their tassels to the left at the end of May Commencement, officially signifying alumni status.