Alumni Notes

On June 18, 2021, Hilbert alumna Cheri Leight ’06 was on hand at the North Park Theater in Buffalo for the premiere

screening of her Pan-American Film Division group film “Mother’s Day.” Cheering her on at the event were Hilbert’s Dr. Don Vincent, Chris Gallant

and Justin Sondel.

Film Synopsis: “Mother’s Day is an honest portrait of mental illness based on the lived experience of the project’s writer and director. It follows a son, in one, uninterrupted shot, as he learns of lifechanging decisions his mother has made and his realization that he is the only one who might be able to save her from a potentially deadly setback.”

Gregory J. Szarowicz, ’06, was appointed the Chief of Police in the Town of Evans . He has been with the Town of Evans Police Department since 2009 . Initially, as a Patrolman, Szarowicz protected the streets of Evans, its property and people . He and his wife Carlyn Halsey Szarowicz ’09. Reside in Derby .

Frank C. Castiglia

’12, eleven years after graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and completing his residency, has become a third generation Licensed Funeral Director for Castiglia Funeral Home, Inc . and Erie County Cremation Service . Frank is following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather . Frank and his father Charles have embarked on an extensive expansion and renovation at Castiglia Funeral Home, Inc ., located at 873 Abbott Road in South Buffalo, NY . Frank looks forward to continuing his family’s tradition of service to all those in the WNY community .

Rachel Kwiatkowski Liedkie ’13 and

Paul Liedkie ’13 welcomed their first child, daughter Eliza Claire, on May 30, 2021 . Paul received his MBA in Finance from Touro University Worldwide in 2020 .

Louis Petrucci ’15, and member of the Hilbert 2025 Advisory Council, was elected President of the Buffalo Public School Board of Education . Petrucci is a proud graduate of the Buffalo Public Schools and was sworn in as President of Board of Education on July 1, 2021 .

Petrucci earned his Master of Public Administration from Hilbert in 2015, when he received the St . Catherine Medal for student achievement – the highest honor given to graduate students at Hilbert . He was a member of Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, which exemplifies excellence in leadership, scholarship, faith, and service . He was selected the Dominique Thompson Memorial Alumnus of the Year in 2018 .

Petrucci works for the City of Buffalo, where he is presently serving as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Permit and Inspection Services . He has been active in a variety of groups and organizations . He is presently Co-Director of the Buffalo and Erie County Lead Safe Task Force and is the former Board President of Dog Ears Bookstore and Literary Arts Center . He has served on the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Advisory Board, the Erie County Parks Board, and was recently appointed to the Say Yes Operating Committee . He is also involved with the Buffalo Chapter of the American Society of Public Administrators .

Petrucci and his wife, Shannon, are the proud parents of four daughters . He attended Allegheny College where he earned degrees in Russian and International Studies .

William S. Young ’16 has joined the Batavia Police Department .

Tyler O’Neill ’18, “Phew, after nearly two decades of school, I am excited to announce that I will be joining M&T Bank this August as in-house counsel. I am excited to learn and grown in this role, and it is humbling to be starting my legal career in such a great position .” Tyler is a 2021 graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law .

Caleb Nellis ‘18 It is with great news that I share that I will begin my dreams on the road starting February 8th . I go into the academy and then after start my field training to becoming a road deputy for the county sheriffs where I live . I can’t thank enough for Hilbert and all the professors I have that taught me everything that I know and will be useful in the academy and when I get on the road!

Congratulations to our own Brandon Zicari ’20. He was recently hired by the Monroe County Crime Analysis Center as an analyst .

Angelia (Lia) Johnson, ’21, was recently hired by the Chautauqua County, NY’s Sheriff’s Office.

Congrats to Makenna Payton . The Hilbert College Class of 2021 graduate has been accepted to Graduate School at Canisius College in Higher Education and Student Affairs . She was also offered a position as a Hall Director at the college, which comes with many benefits. Makenna shared the news stating, “Hilbert has really helped me find my passion and make this all possible!” Makenna, an honors student at Hilbert, is very active on campus as a Student-Athlete, Peer Leader and Student Ambassador .