PRESIDENT’S LETTER In the early 1950’s when Sister Edwina Bogel began to dream about starting a college to serve initially the needs of the members of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph who were going to teach in Catholic School classrooms, and later lay women and men, she was focused on three foundational principles. First, according to her letters preserved in the archives at Hilbert College, her goal was that as a Catholic Franciscan college, graduates earning their degrees would serve in their communities to “the greater good of God”. Second, throughout her time as president, she was passionately committed to recruiting and graduating students who were first in their families to complete college and from low income families. Third, she worked tirelessly to keep the cost of a Hilbert education affordable. I think of her vision as a triple A education- Action-oriented (service), Accessible, and Affordable. These principles were supported and enhanced during the 32-year tenure of Sister Edmunette Paczesny when programs were developed to serve adult learners who were able to attend part-time, often in the evenings. In 1992, the College was approved by the State of New York to offer baccalaureate degrees which enhanced academic rigor while continuing to graduate students who were leading and serving in their communities. Over the last 60 years, faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to advance Sister Edwina’s vision to help students successfully earn their degrees at Hilbert College. When I have the privilege of meeting with families who are considering sending their son or daughter to Hilbert, I assure them that the faculty and staff will know their student’s name, they will attend classes that rarely are larger than 25 students, and that if they need extra assistance, it will be there for them. It has been all over the media that New York is the first state in the nation to offer free tuition to its residents. The Excelsior program goes into effect this fall for students attending SUNY or CUNY institutions. Students enrolled in private institutions may apply for the Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA) that provides up to $3000 in additional financial aid that must be matched by Hilbert. The fine print for both Excelsior and ETA requires students to enroll in and successfully complete 30 credits in a year and following graduation requires them to remain employed in New York for the number of years when they have received the tuition award. Clearly life has changed dramatically for all three higher education sectors in New York - SUNY, CUNY, and the over 100 private colleges. While we value that the Excelsior program shares two of Sister Edwina’s A’s --- Accessible and Affordable, I am confident that Hilbert’s unique environment, the caring faculty and staff, and the commitment to prepare graduates that are going to lead and serve in their communities, are not the outcomes students will necessarily achieve at SUNY or CUNY. Our most recent graduate survey indicates the 95.6% of our 2016 graduates were employed (or continuing their education) within 6 months of completing their degrees at Hilbert.—Action oriented! Every undergraduate completes a service learning course requirement, and our graduating classes average 40% first-generation students. The affordable A—is because of the loyal generous support of Hilbert’s alumni and special friends. Our Giving Day in March raised over $50,000 and our June 2017 golf tournament generated over $90,000 for student scholarships. In 2016-17 Hilbert College awarded over $4 million in institutional scholarship aid. Hilbert’s full-time tuition remains the lowest of all the fouryear private colleges and universities in Western New York. Thank you for your investment in Hilbert and as we celebrate the College’s 60th birthday, we take great pride in continuing to honor Sister Edwina’s AAAs.—Action-oriented, Accessible, and Affordable. Happy Birthday Hilbert! Sincerely,
Cynthia A. Zane, Ed.D.
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IN THIS ISSUE Around The Quad 4 News 6 Commencement 10 FSSJ Lasting Legacy 12 Legacy Wall Unveiled 14 Giving Day Exceeds Goal 16 Hawks Under 40 17 Hawk Dedication and Blessing 18 Wall of Success 20 Alumni News & Notes 22 Engagements, Weddings, and Births 22 Honors & Recognition 24 Hawks Nest 26 PUBLISHED BY Office of Institutional Advancement Hilbert College 5200 South Park Avenue Hamburg, NY 14075
56th COMMENCEMENT • 10
FSSJ LEGACY • 12
EDITOR Matt Heidt ASSISTANT EDITOR Matt Gorczyca CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ian M. Gattie ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL Cynthia Zane, Ed.D. Kristina Lantzky-Eaton, Ph.D. Michael Murrin Rick Pinkowski David Rhodes Kelly Smith Jim Sturm
INAUGURAL GIVING DAY • 16
ON THE COVER Original artwork by Ian M. Gattie ON THE WEB giving.hilbert.edu/alumni-hilbert-magazine Copyright © 2017 - Hilbert College All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
HAWKS NEST • 26
SUMMER 2017 • 3
AROUND THE QUAD
4 • HILBERT COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE EDITION - PART 2
The Hilbert College Board of Trustees appointed five new members to fill vacant positions. The new Alumni Board President, John Hulbert, is also an honorary board member.
Peg Adams Managing Director - Chapman Associates
Laurie Boreanaz-Carra '81 Senior Deputy CounselIndependent Health
Phil Perna President & CEO - Supermarket Management
Steven Vanuga Regional Vice President Adjusters International/ Basloe, Levin & Cuccaro
Lamont Williams Executive Director, Buffalo Region -- Hillside WorkScholarship Connection
John Hulbert Alumni Board President Honorary Trustee SUMMER 2017 • 5
AROUND THE QUAD NEW HIRES Hilbert Names Lantzky-Eaton Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs After a national search, Kristina M. Lantzky-Eaton, Ph.D. was named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hilbert College, President Cynthia Zane announced. Lantzky-Eaton served as the Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hilbert in 2016-17. She is the first woman to serve in the chief academic officer role at Hilbert in over 20 years. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs is responsible for providing academic leadership, enriching the sense of college community, embracing 21st century teaching and learning, and raising the frequency of high-impact learning practices. “I am confident that Dr. Lantzky-Eaton has the experience, vision, wisdom, and leadership skills to work collaboratively with constituencies across this campus to advance our academic areas and student life offices,” Zane said. “Her accomplishments in the interim role have verified my confidence in her ability to succeed in the permanent role.” “The Board has appreciated the accomplishments that the faculty, in partnership with Dr. Lantzky-Eaton, have achieved this year,” said Edward Gelia, Jr., Chair of the Hilbert College Board of Trustees. “We look forward to working with her as she continues to advance the College's commitment to student success by enhancing academic excellence.” “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to serve as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs to help advance the academic and student life priorities for the entire campus community,” Lantzky-Eaton said. “I look forward to the continued collaboration with the talented faculty, students, and staff at Hilbert to build on our progress and support our academic excellence.”
Hilbert Welcomes New Directors & Assoc. Director Hilbert College named Brian Filjones as new Associate Director of Admissions, Katelyn Letizia as new Registrar, and Elizabeth Simons as Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations. Brian Filjones most recently served as the Associate Director at Medaille College and has over eight years of higher education admissions experience. Filjones completed his bachelor’s degree in sociology from SUNY Fredonia and his master’s degree in student personnel administration from Buffalo State College. He is returning to Hilbert, as he served as graduate intern with the college’s Office of Student Finance in 2007. He resides in Hamburg with his family. Katelyn Letizia most recently served as a Registration Advisor in the Registrar’s Office at Daemen College. She has nearly five years of higher education experience, including serving in different capacities at Niagara County Community College, Canisius College, and Medaille College, in addition to her time at Daemen. Letizia received her bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State and she completed her master’s degree in college student personnel administration from Canisius. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Rochester. Beth Simons most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer at Heritage Centers Foundation and has over 12 years of experience in foundation and corporate relations. While at the Heritage Centers, she was responsible for the successful execution of a $3 million capital campaign benefiting children with special needs. Over the course of her career, she has worked extensively with grant funders, corporate sponsors, special events and donor management. Simons completed her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Research from SUNY Fredonia.
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Kristina M. Lantzky-Eaton, Ph.D.
Brian Filjones
Katelyn Letizia
Elizabeth Simons
NEWS AND NOTES Unity With Our Community On January 20, Hilbert College students, faculty and staff participated in Unity with Our Community, a service day devoted to carrying on the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in our community. This day of service connected Hilbert with members of our surrounding community and the work Dr. King advocated for and to understand the impact and importance of taking action to promote equity, justice, respect, and compassion. As a way of living out the dream Dr. King dared to put forth into the world during his infamous “I have a Dream” speech, Hilbert College students, faculty, and staff served at four different sites with members of the greater Buffalo community.
CICU Scholarship Winner
Hilbert College student Emily Pawelski was selected as one of ten recipients of a 2017 Independent Sector Student Community Service Award and a $500 H.D. Paley Scholarship from the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU). She was honored during the 2017 CICU Annual Meeting Reception on March 6 in Albany, NY. Emily has served, for the past two summers, as a volunteer counselor at Camp Good Days & Special Times, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and families whose lives have been touched by cancer. Combined with her five years as a junior helper in her middle school and
high school years, Emily has been assisting this organization for seven years. Camp Good Days & Special Times is near and dear to Emily’s heart, as she lost her sister to cancer when she was very young. Emily is driven to give back to the community as much as she can to help others facing similar struggles as she and her family have.
BNSME Scholarship Winner Hilbert College graduate Erika Betz was awarded the Collegiate Sales and Marketing Scholarship from the Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives (BNSME) at their annual Awards Gala Dinner on March 6. Erika has excelled in the classroom and graduated this May with academic honors. She has also held a Sales Associate position at Valu Home Center and worked as a Human Resources Intern and Corporate Recruiter for Advance2000, Inc. and Logistic Dynamics. Erika has participated in Hilbert’s Leadership Scholarship program and was president of the Phi Beta Lambda Business and Accounting Association.
She founded Hilbert Helpers, which encourages and organizes volunteer opportunities at Hilbert and in the surrounding community.
HAWK Radio Flies Again HAWK Radio, Hilbert College’s web-based radio station, resumed broadcasting this January, equipped with a core of actively engaged students, new broadcasting software, and a new location in Hilbert’s Digital Media and Communication (DMAC) lab. The Hilbert College Community can once again find HAWK Radio broadcasting 24 hours-a-day at http:// hawkradio.hilbert.edu.
Military Friendly School Hilbert College has been designated a 2017 Military Friendly® School by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs®, STEM Jobs and Military Spouse. First published in 2009, Military Friendly® Schools is the most comprehensive, powerful resource for veterans today. Each year, the list of Military Friendly® Schools is provided to service members and their families, helping them select the best college, university, or trade school to receive the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career.
Hilbert President Cynthia Zane celebrated with Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, who received the Monika K. Hellwig Award from the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. The award is for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Intellectual Life and honors an individual who has significantly advanced Catholic intellectual life. (l. to r.): Thomas Flynn (Alvernia), Fr. Malachi Van Tassell (St. Francis (PA)), Cynthia Zane, Sr. Margaret Carney (St. Bonaventure, ret.), Br. Edward Coughlin (Siena), Fr. Joseph McShane (Fordham), Ken Gormley (Duquesne), and Mary Meehan (Alverno, ret.)
SUMMER 2017 • 7
AROUND THE QUAD AGAPE LATTE Agape Latte is a speaker series program that gives Hilbert College students an opportunity to engage in caffeinated conversations about the intersection between faith and real life. This past spring, Jim Sturm, Vice Provost for Leadership Development and Dean of Students, and Mary Ann Hobar, Associate Professor and Assistant Chair Forensic Science, shared stories about their own faith journey and invited students to reflect on their own life. Students enjoyed coffee, desserts, coffee-house style music, and heard unique stories about friendship, hope, struggle, forgiveness, faith, and relationships in an inviting, casual atmosphere. The speakers and students took photos with "Agapuccino" -- the Agape Latte cappuccino bean mascot. For photos and videos from Jim's and Hoby's conversations, go to: www.hilbert.edu/agapelatte
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t s e p a d bu HILBERT GRADUATE STUDENTS TAKE THEIR STUDIES TO BUDAPEST In April, a group of Hilbert College Master of Public Administration students, led by professor Brian Poliner, traveled to Budapest, Hungary. The group met with representatives from various organizations and compared public policy on migration and immigration, which included discussions on poverty and minority groups; national education curriculum; criminal justice, gun and other constitutional rights; agriculture and sustainability; human trafficking and human rights; health care systems; terrorism; and national sovereignty. In photo, the group is on a balcony at the Hungarian Parliament Building overlooking the Danube River.
EASTER PARTY The Hilbert College Student Government Association hosted an Easter Party for kids in the Hafner Recreation Center on Sunday, April 9. Student clubs provided fun games, activities, and candy for all the kids. Free photos with the Easter Bunny were also provided.
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AROUND THE QUAD
HILBERT CELEBRATES CLASS OF 2017; CANDACE JOHNSON DELIVERS COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS Hilbert College celebrated its 56th annual commencement ceremony on May 13, where more than 230 graduates rejoiced in receiving their degrees. Commencement speaker Dr. Candace Johnson, President and CEO of Roswell Park Cancer Institute, urged the Class of 2017, “Keep your eyes on your goal. Focus on it and do not let anyone deter you from that." “There is nothing that substitutes for hard work,” Dr. Johnson continued. “When you impress people with how hard you work they will open doors for you.”
into the search for a new faculty member. Wylegala has practiced law in New York State for over 30 years, the majority of those years as a federal attorney for the Western District of New York (WDNY). She is an outgoing member of the Hilbert College Board of Trustees, 2006-17. Wylegala served as the Hilbert College Board Chair in 201315. Wylegala served as Chairperson of the Hilbert Board of Trustees at a crucial time in the College’s history including the awarding of the first graduate degrees in the College’s history and the implementation of a new strategic plan, Vision 2017.
Hilbert President Cynthia Zane, Ed.D. and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Edward Gelia, Jr., presented the Hilbert College Medal to William H. Greene III and Gretchen L. Wylegala. The Hilbert College Medal is presented to those who embody Franciscan values, demonstrate excellence in their profession or career, and excellence in community service. Greene is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of W.H. Greene & Associates, Inc., a national insurance wholesale/managing general agent (MGA) operation located in East Aurora, N.Y. In 2015, Greene approached Hilbert with the concept of developing an academic program in the area of Risk Management. He collaborated with faculty and academic leadership to establish an Advisory Board, provide feedback on a proposed curriculum, and gave input
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(L to R) Edward Gelia, Jr., William H. Greene III, Dr. Candace Johnson, Dr. Cynthia Zane, and Gretchen L. Wylegala
Zane also presented an honorary doctorate of humane letters to Dr. Johnson. President Zane conferred master’s degrees, in addition to four- and two- year degrees to graduates in the Class of 2017. Top student awards that were presented at Hilbert’s 56th commencement include: • Lambert and Margaret Graham Award for a fulltime returning adult student who has earned the highest cumulative quality point average. Presented to Nawfal Mabrouk • Kimberly Bruch Raczkowski Memorial Alumni Association Award for a graduate who reflects the spirit of Hilbert and its mission, and possesses strong leadership skills and demonstrates loyalty and dedication to others. Presented to Dalton Reynolds
Dalton Reynolds
Nawfal Mabrouk
Brenden Deady
Erika Betz
• Sister Mary Edwina Bogel Award to an outstanding female graduate in recognition of her character, intellectual achievement and devoted service to fellow students and the college. Presented to Erika Betz • John Kissel Man of the Year Award to an outstanding male student in recognition of his character, intellectual progress, organizational ability, and participation in activities and programs. Presented to Brenden Deady
Molly Devine
Janae' Brown
SUMMER 2017 • 11
FEATURE STORY
FSSJ LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY AT HILBERT In the nascent days of what was to become Hilbert College, there was no campus center, no bookstore, not even dedicated classroom or library space. “In that first class, we had no place, no room. We had rooms that we used for classrooms, but they were double use,” said Sister Helen Dirig, one of nine students in the first graduating class from what was known then as Immaculata College. “We were constructing at the time, so we couldn’t stay in the same place all the time. We had to move our classrooms from one room to another. And the library had to be moved every time we moved.” Founded on the principles of the Catholic faith and the Franciscan philosophy of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph (FSSJ), the Immaculata Teacher Training School opened its doors and began offering instruction to FSSJ sisters at the Motherhouse in Hamburg in 1957. The college was a continuation of the mission set forth by the congregation’s foundress, Mother Colette Hilbert, who had moved to the United States to teach the children of Polish immigrants. But from those humble beginnings, the college has blossomed into a four-year institution offering nearly 20 undergraduate majors and two master’s degrees. The 60-acre campus, adjacent to the original site, houses 14 buildings with state-of-the-art classrooms and
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apartment-style housing. Enrollment is now close to 1,000 annually, with more than 7,100 graduates since the first class earned their degrees in 1962. “That first group, we had only our own sisters teaching us,” Sister Helen said. “I’m proud I was one of the graduates.” Although the early days bear little physical resemblance to today’s Hilbert, the guiding spirit of the FSSJ sisterhood has remained. Over the past 60 years, the college has embraced and embodied the tradition of St. Francis, offering an exceptional educational experience informed and grounded in faith, service, respect, and compassion. And it continues to reflect the commitment and passion of more than 100 FSSJ who as students, faculty, administrators, trustees, and stewards have literally built and shaped the modern institution from the ground up. “I look at the staff and faculty at Hilbert as carrying on what we started, our mission of education,” said Sister Joyce Kubiniec, a 1969 graduate, who later served on the board of trustees. “I’ve seen its growth from being just an infant in education to all the new buildings, all the staff, and new people…it’s really a special place. I see the wonderful things that have happened, and I know it will continue into the future.” Any discussion of the influence of the sisters on Hilbert must necessarily include the two presidents who
Share your stories and memories online at hilbert.edu/celebrate60 led the college in the first half-century of its existence: Sister Mary Edwina Bogel and Sister Edmunette Paczesny. Sister Edwina first brought the vision of Hilbert to life. She drew up the college’s first constitution and was named its first president and dean. Over the next 16 years as president, she would oversee monumental changes that would chart the course for generations of future students. These would include changing the name of the institution; the admission of lay women and, later, men; hiring of lay teachers; new academic programs; and the ground-breaking and dedication of a new campus to accommodate exploding enrollments. “What really amazed me were the things that she managed to do,” said Sister Helen. “Besides all this other stuff she was doing, she was writing the biography of our foundress and collecting material for that. She was also teaching as well as being head of school.” “Sister Edwina laid the foundation for Hilbert, she broke the ground,” said Sister Bernadette Okulicz, a 1967 graduate who later worked in the library. “She was a woman of vision, of tremendous, insurmountable vision and faith.” “She was an extremely prayerful person,” said Sister Sharon Goodremote, a 1971 graduate who served as campus minister and trustee of the college. “She had a great deal of faith and a belief in an educational in-
stitution in the Southtowns for young people whose families have never gone to college before. “We really tried to focus on first-generation college students, and the changes that creates in a family and the challenges that creates for the students. I really appreciate that Hilbert has a wonderful program that really tries to focus on the new students and help them through the process of how you become a college student. And really trying to focus on what it means to be a good leader in our world. I think as a Franciscan college, we really try to create good leadership for our town, our cities, for our world.” When Sister Edwina retired in 1973, Sister Edmunette, who had served the college in various roles since its inception, was named President and led the college through more great change over the next 32 years. Building on the foundation built by Sister Edwina, Sister Edmunette’s lengthy tenure featured a continued emphasis on growing the physical campus and the student body. In 1992, the college moved from a twoyear associate degree-granting institution to a four-year bachelor’s degree college. It entered into partnerships with other educational institutions to offer graduate-level courses, established the Institute for Law and Justice – the only law and justice related body of its kind in Western New York – and developed an NCAA Division III athletics program. “Those were dynamic years of growth at that time,”
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FEATURE FSSJ LEGACY STORY said Sister Emily Therese Bloom, a former English professor and trustee. “Sister Edmunette pursued every area possible to, as the saying goes, put Hilbert College on the map. Sister Edmunette was very student-minded. Because of her, Hilbert College was moving in the direction of progress and growth. That she represented us well would really be an understatement.” “She’s a person that has really helped the faculty see the importance of each student,” said Sister Sharon. “That’s her gift to Hilbert.” “Sister Edwina had the vision and Sister Edmunette had the foresight for the future of Hilbert," said Sister Bernadette. “She was a woman who wore many hats at Hilbert: she was the registrar, she taught Spanish, she taught psychology, she taught ethics, she was the assistant to the president. I don’t think there was a hat she didn’t wear at Hilbert.” Beyond the presidency, dozens of sisters played a huge role in launching and perpetuating the college through the years. Serving in various roles – students, alumni, teachers, staff, trustees – they left their own legacy on
the college and its community. Among them: • Sister Tiburtia Gorecki, who founded and directed the Hilbert library for 28 years. “Sister Tiburtia was a wonderful person to be with,” said Sister Joyce. “We would have parties in the library with other sisters for feast days or for jubilees or birthdays. That was a wonderful experience.” “I was asked to stay at Hilbert to be the assistant to the librarian, Sister Tiburtia,” said Sister Bernadette. “It was through her inspiration that I became the librarian. She was the best teacher, the very best.” • Sister Claire Ann Torla, a professor of biology, who was known to take her students out into the pond to collect water samples. “She was a lover of nature,” said Sister Emily Therese. “At times you would see her outdoors with her students gathering information for experiments – on land
FSSJ LEGACY WALL UNVEILED Hilbert College held a commemorative ceremony on March 16 to honor the legacy of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph (FSSJ), the college’s founding congregation. Most Reverend Edward M. Grosz, Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo, was in attendance and offered the opening prayer for the ceremony. During the ceremony, Hilbert unveiled the FSSJ Legacy Wall, which honors the nearly 100 members of the FSSJ who have served at Hilbert College over its 60-year history.
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and in the pond. She had a hands-on, feet-in approach to her teaching.” • Sister Adrienne Rapnicki, a professor of sociology. “Sister Adrienne had a tremendous impact,” said Sister Sharon, who recalls Sister Adrienne going on a ridealong in a police car after helping to start the college’s criminal justice program. “She had a way with working with college students to be able to bring out the best in them and have a sense of humor with them, and just treat them as good people.” • Sister Joanette Rutkowski, the college’s longtime archivist. “I couldn’t help but be inspired by all the dedicated people of Hilbert,” said Sister Bernadette, who also credited Sister Sanctia Chotkowski, Sister Walburga (Sito), Sister Virgilia Toczylowski, Sister Alberta Surowiec, Sister Marvina (Kupiszewski), Sister Maureen Boyle, and Sister Simonette Bak, among others as playing crucial roles in the college’s history. “It was these sisters who
were really the frontrunners of the future of Hilbert.” As the college celebrates it’s 60th anniversary, much has changed. But the influence of the FSSJ sisters remains readily apparent. Their contributions led to the tremendous growth of Hilbert and have had an incalculable effect on the life of the institution and all those who have walked through its doors. “When I was campus minister, I heard from a lot of students how the teachers really cared about them and that they’re really part of their lives. That they’re patient with them, they help them, they challenge them, they see the good things about them,” said Sister Sharon. “They’re not just brought in to be a number.” “I can’t say enough good things about my years at Hilbert. It’s something I am very proud of,” said Sister Bernadette. “I think it’s the Franciscan spirit of the love of the church, love of the students, love of family. Put them all together, and that is Hilbert.”
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ALUMNI
GIVING DAY EXCEEDS GOAL Hilbert College’s first-ever Giving Day was held on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 and the 24-hour, online and telephone giving campaign amassed 319 donors and over $52,000 toward student scholarships. Hilbert, founded in 1957, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and March 1 was the 60th day of the year, which made for perfect timing of the inaugural event. The goal, derived from the date (3/01), of 301 donors was reached in the early evening and milestone incentive gifts were unlocked throughout the day. “I am so grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support for our inaugural giving day,” Hilbert President Cynthia Zane said. “I am thankful not only for all of those members of the Hilbert family that supported giving day, but also those who funded the incredibly successful milestone incentives.” “The Hilbert community was truly inspired and came together,” said Kelly Smith, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “This collaborative and inclusive
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event put a spotlight on giving at Hilbert and created a new sense of excitement around philanthropy. Together we all helped make the Hilbert experience possible for more students.” Incentive milestones Hilbert reached throughout the day included: • $1,000 gift from Laurie Boreanaz-Carra '81 when we reached 25% of our donor goal. • $1,957 gift funded by the Alumni Board of Directors when we reached 50% of our donor goal. • $5,000 gift from Chris O'Brien when we reached 75% of our donor goal. • $5,000 faculty and staff incentive grant from our generous donors: Mary Ann Hobar, Joan Crouse, Ed Qualey and Pat Heraty when reached a certain level of faculty and staff giving. • $10,000 gift funded by Leadership Circle Donors: Brad Hafner, Gretchen Wylegala and Stephen McCabe, Robert Drago, Nancy Dobson, and Patrick Backman when we reached our goal of 301 donors.
Hilbert's Hawks Under 40 list recognizes some of the college's most influential and impressive young graduates. These individuals have accomplished significant milestones in their professional careers as well as contributions to their community. They are exemplars of the Hilbert mission and the Franciscan values.
KYLE CAVALIERI '07 Major: Economic Crime Investigation, Computer Security Title: Chief Information Officer Employer: Avalon Document Services Community Involvement: St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, Jericho Road, Family Promise, Angel Action of Wyoming County and St. Matthias Church “Hilbert put me on a great career path by providing me access to cutting edge technology and access to leading practitioners in the field of computer security and investigations. Without this, I would not have been prepared or qualified to apply for jobs in this market.”
FALLYN CAVALIERI '06 Major: Financial Investigation, Computer Security Title: Attorney Employer: Goldberg Segalla Community Involvement: Board of Directors at the Little Girl Match Foundation, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy, Jericho Road, Family Promise, Angel Action of Wyoming County and St. Matthias Church “In my profession, I believe the most important value is integrity. It's easy to set yourself apart by maintaining your integrity at all costs, respecting every person you come across as an individual and having compassion for your neighbor.”
PATRICK THOMAS JOHNSON '99 Major: Business Administration Title: Quality Assurance Strategic Advisor and Sr. Auditor Employer: Seattle Public Utilities Community Involvement: Greater Bonney Lake Veterans Memorial, Seattle Public Utilities Veterans Group and Hire Heroes USA. “I immersed myself into the college experience. I felt a duty, responsibility as a recipient of the Leadership Scholarship, to embody the vision of the college. I wanted to be at the forefront of my own future, and honor Hilbert along the way.”
CHRISTOPHER FRUNZI '06 Major: Economic Crime Investigation Title: Police Officer Employer: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Community Involvement: Humanizing the Badge, The Free Hugs Project, CMPD Hope and Heal Charlotte “Everything about my time at Hilbert prepared me for my career. Having freedom and responsibilities in the classroom and on the basketball court showed me how to juggle several different tasks and showed me how to use my time wisely.”
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ALUMNI
HAWK DEDICATION AND BLESSING Through the support of the Student Government Association, Leadership Corps, and Hilbert Alumnus Ted VanDeusen ’90 and his wife, Mary, the bronze hawk statue adorns the entrance to Hafner Recreation Center. Mr. VanDeusen has maintained a lifelong relationship with Hilbert and his significant donation made the statue a reality. The hawk stands over six feet tall and has an equally impressive wingspan. “I know that having a hawk statue on campus has always been an aspiration of Ted’s,” Hilbert President Cynthia Zane said. “He worked with student groups and the Alumni Association to make this a reality, and to give the hawk statue a permanent place on campus and the perfect destination for students and alumni to show their Hilbert pride!”
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Thank You! Presenting Sponsor: West Herr Automotive Group CELEBRATE 60 SPONSOR Ann L. Swan
PLATINUM SPONSORS Goya Foods Great Lakes Salvatore's Italian Gardens
MAJOR SPONSORS Bond Schoeneck & King Dunn Tire Freed, Maxick CPAs, P.C. Gernatt Asphalt Products, Inc. M&T Charitable Foundation Rosina Food Products, Inc.
Support and inspire Hilbert students of today and the future with a gift in your will. To request more information about making a bequest, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 716-926-8791. SUMMER 2017 • 19
ALUMNI
WALL OF SUCCESS The Hilbert College Alumni Wall of Success honors alumni who have achieved success in their careers after graduating from Hilbert. This display, in Paczesny Hall, serves as a tribute to individuals who have distinguished themselves through their accomplishments and incorporate Hilbert's values both professionally and personally. Honored graduates serve as an inspiration to current and future Hilbert students by serving as positive representatives of the value of a Hilbert education.
JONATHAN T. RAJEWSKI '04 MAJOR: Economic Crime Investigation TITLE: Director and Principal Investigator EMPLOYER: Senator Patrick Leahy Center for Digital Investigation - Champlain College, Burlington, VT
AUTUMN LEE-JEFFRIES '07 MAJOR: Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice concentration in Domestic Violence TITLE: Training Coordinator EMPLOYER: Quest, Inc. - Tampa, FL
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DOUG SMITH '78 MAJOR: Business Administration TITLE: Vice President of Sales EMPLOYER: Labatt USA - Buffalo, NY
ROBIN G. WIATR '00 MAJOR: Criminal Justice TITLE: Explosives Detection K9 Police Officer EMPLOYER: Central Intelligence Agency - Langley, VA
ROBYN YOUNG '97 MAJOR: Business Administration TITLE: Chief Executive Officer EMPLOYER: Great Erie Federal Credit Union - Orchard Park, NY
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ALUMNI
ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Dear Hilbert Alumni and Friends, I am happy to be the newest President of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. This year has brought with it the special occasion of Hilbert College’s 60th anniversary, and there is much to celebrate! The Celebrate 60 initiative has been inspiring. The FSSJ Legacy event honoring the sisters who have built the foundation of Hilbert College and have given us the values and mission that define Hilbert was a great way to pay tribute to the pioneers of Hilbert. We also celebrated Hilbert with the first-ever Hilbert Giving Day. On March 1, 319 donors came together to raise over $52,000 for Hilbert students! The participation of every facet of the Hilbert community made this event a success and the current and future students will benefit from the generosity of alumni and friends who supported this day. As we look to the second half of 2017, I hope you will join us at events and initiatives that will continue to celebrate Hilbert. I hope you will all save the date for True Blue Weekend, which will take place on September 29 and 30 to culminate this year of celebration! As you read through this magazine, I hope you are left feeling proud of Hilbert College and the accomplishments of our students, alumni, faculty and staff. It is truly an honor to be part of this community and to lead our Alumni Board of Directors in a new era of connecting and engaging the entire alumni family with their home at Hilbert College. In closing, I would like to articulate my sincerest gratitude to the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Joseph, for their vision, dedication and wisdom that has allowed us all to be blessed by the institution that is Hilbert College. In Celebration of Hilbert College, Jonathan Hulbert '13
ENGAGEMENTS
Tori Felser ’12 said ‘yes’ to Matt Brown ’13 on January 11. The couple met at Hilbert and became engaged in front of St. Katherine’s where the couple first met. 22 • HILBERT COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE EDITION - PART 2
Kaitlyn Griffin ’16 said ‘yes’ to Justin Brusehaber in October. The couple plans on getting married September 2018.
WEDDINGS
Stephanie Agone ’12 married Anthony Russo on January 27 in Buffalo.
Krystyl Wachowski ’14 married David Sank on March 31 in Buffalo.
BIRTHS
Eileen (Henneberry) ’13 and husband Scott Burns welcomed baby Brody on February 10. Brody was 7 lbs. 15 ounces.
Michael Shriver II’11 and wife Jennifer welcomed baby Michael III on November 14. Michael was 7lbs. 9 ounces and 20 inches long.
John Kordrupel '06 and his wife Roseanna welcomed their first child, Michael John, on December 27, 2016. He weighed in at 5 lbs. 14 ounces and 20 inches long.
Colleen (Hanrahan) ’08 and husband Joe DeFilippis welcomed baby Joseph (Joey) John DeFilippis on September 8, 2016. Joey was 9 pounds and 21 inches long.
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ALUMNI
HONORS & RECOGNITION
1970’S Molly (Cline) Davis ’72 retired from the Texas Tech University Library. Edward V. Qualey ’74 retired from the NY State Police as a supervisor and Hilbert College assoc. professor, received a Hero Award for Lifetime Achievement from the 100 Club of Buffalo at the Buffalo Club on March 3, 2017.
1980’S Richard V. Qualey ’88 Senior Investigator NY State Police received a Service to Law Enforcement Award from the Erie County Law Enforcement Foundation on May 18, 2017. Rich is also an adjunct instructor in CJ at Hilbert.
1990’S Rachel McCabe Szalay ’96 has been named Vice President for Talent Acquisition at M&T Bank.
2000’S Lisa Dorman ’00 received the Bronze Award as a "Top Agent" at Realty USA. Joshua Jabcuga ’00 had a column published on the Blastoff Comics webpage: http://www.blastoffcomics. com/2017/01/medieval-dead-knighting-the-cult-classicarmy-of-darkness/ Mark A. Zanghi ’00 was the recipient of the "2016 Friend of Public Education" award from the Ohio School Boards Association-Central Region in September. The OSBA-Central Region encompasses over 100 public school districts in fourteen central Ohio counties. Zanghi also joined the Muskingum County Prosecutor's Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Civil Division in December.
Jenna Dulak ’08 is a current Ph.D. student at Niagara University pursuing her doctorate in Leadership and Policy. Pauline Kane '08 was recently promoted to Supervising Senior Accountant at Arcara Zucarelli Lenda & Associates CPAs, PC. Carrie Meyer '08 was featured in Buffalo Business First as a 2017 Health Care Champion. Kate Maragliano Dunlap ’09 celebrated her five-year anniversary at the John Glenn NASA Center in Akron, Ohio.
2010’S Michael Shriver ’11 was promoted to Vendor Business Manager at Ingram Micro. Stephanie (Smith) Coleman '12 earned her master's degree in Executive Leadership and Change from Daemen College in December. Scott Cvetkovski ’12 recently co-founded a new student success academy called SAFE (Students Achieving Future Excellence). Alicia Anthony (BS)’13 (MPA) ’15 was selected as the Elder Law and Estate Planning Pro Bono Research Assistant and is in her first year of law school at Roger Williams University. Emili Ripley ’13 is pursuing her master’s degree in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning at Boise State University. Ripley is currently a Regional Development Specialist for Frito Lay. Amber Bailey ’14 was recognized for her heroism by the Oneonta Common Council along with three other police officers for their swift and safe action in dealing with an armed individual.
John Kordrupel '06 accepted a position as Family Services Manager with Habitat for Humanity-Buffalo
Amy Czuhanich '14 has been hired by the Burlington Police Department, VT, as a Criminal ID Technician.
John Kordrupel ‘06 had a piece in the recently published Right Here, Right Now: The Buffalo Anthology: http://beltmag.com/the-buffalo-anthology/
Jennifer Deyoe '14 is Program Director of Community Habilitation at Learning Disabilities Association of WNY. She is also working on her Master of Social Work through University at Buffalo.
Karrie (Mietz) HusVar ’07 became a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and works as a Counselor at the Williamson County Adult Probation-Inpatient Rehab Center.
24 • HILBERT COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE EDITION - PART 2
Sam Wapshare '14 was recently hired at Citizen and Immigration Services in Buffalo, NY.
Jonathan Adamowich '15 was hired by Border Patrol/Customs and has accepted a position in Highgate Springs, Vermont. Matthew Goraj ’15 is pursuing a master’s degree in data analytics at Quinnipiac University. He is Direct-Marketing Coordinator at Seneca Gaming. Kaitlyn Murphy ’15 is a New-Business Sales Representative at Ingram Micro. Caitlin Queen ’15 is Executive Assistant at Blue Bridge Financial Corporation. Juliet Talarico ’15 joined Hilbert College’s Admissions team as an Admissions Counselor in September. Harlie Decker ’16 is a Certified Police Officer and was sworn in as a Special Agent in the GBI (Georgie Bureau of Investigation). She is the youngest sworn agent for the GBI. Kaitlyn Griffin '16 graduated with her Master's in Public Administration: Health Administration from Hilbert this May. She currently works at YourCare Health Plan as a Health Specialist. Megan Klosterman '16 was recently hired at the Army Corps of Engineers in Buffalo, NY. Jordan Kumro '16 was recently hired as a Sales Representative at Geico Insurance.
Kelly Mandell ’16 joined Brisbane Consulting Group as a Staff Analyst. She is expected to graduate in June with a MS in Forensic Accounting from Canisius College. She was also featured in Buffalo Business First’s People on the Move in March. Sarah Oryszak ’16 was inducted as a professional member into the 2017 National Fitness Hall of Fame. Megan Starner ’16 is now a Child Protective Service Worker with Erie County Department of Social Services. Kelly Stephenson ’16 was featured in Buffalo Business First’s People on the Move in March. She was promoted from director of finance to senior director of finance at The Service Collaborative of WNY, Inc. Kathleen Maras ‘17 has been hired as a Victim/Witness Coordinator in the Domestic Violence Unit at the Shelby County District Attorney General's Office in Memphis, TN. Shannon Rogers ‘17 was employed by HUB Enterprise and working in surveillance and investigations.
To share your news email alumnirelations@hilbert.edu
BPO at HILBERT ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Tickets go on sale September 1, 2017.
SUMMER • 25 For more information contact: Audry Weronski (716) 2017 926-8860
HAWK’S NEST
HILBERT ATHLETICS NEWS ANNUAL ATHLETIC AWARDS CEREMONY The Hilbert College Athletics Department proudly honored 2016-17 student-athletes at its annual Athletic Awards Reception. John Czarnecki, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, served as the evening's primary presenter and emcee. President Cynthia Zane began with a reflection and welcoming remarks. The evening culminated with the presentation of the McGrath Award winners and the inaugural Sal Buscaglia Coach of the Year award. Kelly Mergenhagen (East Aurora, NY/ Iroquois) and Daniel Pulaski (Orchard Park, NY/West Seneca West) were announced as the 2017 McGrath Award winners. This prestigious award is provided by Francis and Marie McGrath, two generous benefactors of Hilbert College. who stipulated the award be given to one male and one female graduating student-athlete who has demonstrated exemplary achievement both academically and athletically while at Hilbert College.
26 • HILBERT COLLEGE - COMMEMORATIVE EDITION - PART 2
Kelly Mergenhagen graduated with a degree in Forensic Science after four seasons on the cross country trails. Mergenhagen earned with a 3.94 grade point average while leading the women's cross country team to three AMCC Team Peak Performer awards during her tenure. Daniel Pulaski graduated after three solid seasons on the Hawks' soccer team. He earned a 3.94 grade point average as he graduated with a Criminal Justice degree. At the conclusion of the evening, the Athletics Department awarded Melissa Graham with the 2017 Sal Buscaglia Coach of the Year award. Graham led the women's basketball team to the program's first AMCC post-season appearance in eleven years and while she was in the final weeks of that season preparing for play-offs, she agreed to coach the women's lacrosse program which was suddenly without a head coach in early February. The Hawks lacrosse program made incredible strides on the field, finishing 4-10, setting a new program win record and played in the AMCC Showcase Title game.
The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) announced their Academic All-Conference members and Individual as well as Team Peak Performers. Eighty-nine Hilbert student-athletes were first-time or repeat Academic All-Conference members having earned a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or higher through the fall 2016 semester grade. Fifty-six Hawks joined the 2016-17 Individual Peak Performers listed earning a 3.5 cumulative grade point average. The award is named in honor of Hilbert's first women's basketball coach, Buscaglia went on to coach 39 years, amassing 712 wins, including 443 at the Division I level. He also earned 16 Coach of the Year awards, made 15 national tournament appearances, and captured 18 conference titles. Three Hilbert teams were honored by the league with the TEAM Peak Performer awards as their athletes attained the highest cumulative GPA amongst their peers in the AMCC league. The women's cross country team led all teams, regardless of sport, with a 3.714 GPA and the women's soccer team, as well as the men's lacrosse team grabbed the other two awards. Kelly Starchok, the department's NCAA Compliance and Student Services Coordinator, honored those student-athletes who achieved a perfect 4.0 either in the fall 2016 semester: sophomore Treyton delaCuesta, junior Kelsi Ebert, senior Adam Heftka, senior Nathaniel Hyman, sophomore Aurora Klawinski, senior Nawfal Mabrouk, senior Kelly Mergenhagen, junior Bridgett Moshier, senior Daniel Pulaski, graduate student Kylie Reinholz, freshman Corey Wellington and senior Adam Zawadzki. Starchok also shared the National Student-Athlete Honor Society members who were first presented for induction at the college-wide Honor Society Ceremony. The College honored 41 Chi Alpha Sigma New York Theta Chapter associates who carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or higher and who exhibit good moral character are considered for inclusion in their junior or senior year. Of the 41 announced, 23 first-year members were awarded a certificate and a medal of honor: senior Rebecca Bailey, junior Wade Bergum, junior Samantha Bugenhagen, junior Kelsi Ebert, junior Gabriel Esparza, junior Austin Good, junior Taylor Haug, junior Travis Hicks, senior Benjamin Knights, senior Nawfal Mabrouk, senior Tanner Makowski, junior Cameron McLeod, junior Bridgett Moshier, junior Caleb Nellis, junior Bradley Perrin, junior Nicole Plucinski, senior Daniel Pulaski, junior Victoria Santos, senior Matthew Simon, junior Victoria Siracuse, junior Grant Stockman, junior Nick Szabala and senior Ben Unverhau. For the individual team award winners, Czarnecki read a brief summary of each team's season before announcing the Most Improved, Most Valuable and Coaches Award recipients, who were greeted by their program's head coach.
TEAM INDIVIDUAL AWARDS Baseball – distributed by head coach Drew Fittry; Most Valuable: Ryan Bonafede; Most Improved: Michael Goodberry; Coaches Award: Michael Voveris Basketball, Men – distributed by head coach Rob deGrandpre; Most Valuable: Jalen Smith; Most Improved: Joe Braniecki; Coaches Award: Jonathan Jackson Basketball, Women – distributed by head coach Melissa Graham; Most Valuable: Kelsi Ebert; Most Improved: Ashley Repine; Coaches Award: Emily Speidel Cross Country, Men – distributed by head coach Nick Orlowski; Most Valuable: Adam Droz; Most Improved: Tristan Varco; Coaches Award: Odin Patanzo Cross Country, Women – distributed by head coach Nick Orlawski; Most Valuable: Kylie Reinholz; Most Improved: Samantha Bugenhagen; Coaches Award: Megan Lee Golf – distributed by John Czarnecki; Most Valuable: Jeff Morgan; Most Improved: Ryan Bongo; Coaches Award: Caleb Nellis Lacrosse, Men – distributed by head coach Rick Schunke; Most Valuable: Tyler Nicoloff; Most Improved: Austin Laine; Coaches Award: Ben Unverhau Lacrosse, Women – distributed by head coach Melissa Graham; Most Valuable: Emily Gawlak; Most Improved: Alayna DeFazio; Coaches Award: Jennifer Cheatom Soccer, Men – distributed by head coach Selim Talbi; Most Valuable: Daniel Pulaski; Most Improved: Nick Szabala; Coaches Award: Anthony Pellicano Soccer, Women – distributed by head coach Kelly Starchok; Most Valuable: Jennifer Colvin; Most Improved: Kayela Perkins; Coaches Award: Brooklynn Gormel Softball – distributed by head coach John Hall; Most Valuable: Rebecca Bailey; Most Improved: Jenna Castricone; Coaches Award: Brittany Cooley Volleyball, Men – distributed by head coach Chris Krueger; Most Valuable: Michael Podgorny; Most Improved: Kurtis Maloney; Coaches Award: Tanner Makowski Volleyball, Women – distributed by head coach Chris Krueger; Most Valuable: Morgan Ott; Most Improved: Ashley Repine; Coaches Award: Serena Tecl SUMMER 2017 • 27
HILBERTCOLLEGE
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hilbert.edu/trueblue
FRIDAY, SEPT. 29 DAY OF SERVICE [9 a.m. - 2 p.m.] Alumni, current students, faculty, and staff volunteer at different community sites around Buffalo SAN DAMIANO AWARDS AND RETIRED PROFESSORS CELEBRATION [5:30 p.m.] West Herr Atrium Awards ceremony will be followed by a celebration of recently retired professors
SATURDAY, SEPT. 30 MEN’S LACROSSE CHICKEN BBQ [12 - 3 p.m.] WOMEN’S SOCCER GAME [1 p.m.] MEN’S SOCCER GAME [3 p.m.]
ALUMNI EVENING | SATURDAY, SEPT. 30 BEER TENT [4:30 - 7:30 p.m.] DINNER IN THE QUAD [5-7 p.m.] COMEDY SHOW Campus Center [7:30 p.m.] OUTDOOR MOVIE IN THE QUAD [7:30 p.m.] FIREWORKS SHOW to CELEBRATE the culmination of Hilbert’s 60th Anniversary [9:00 p.m.]