SOURCE OF
INSPIRATION P. 16 A STORYBOOK ENDING P. 12 CLASSMATES AND NEIGHBORS
P. 21
2 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
CONTENTS
6
12
NEW ERA AT JCU
Michael D. Johnson, Ph.D. Named 25th President
16
DR. A.J. CIANFLOCCO ’72 Adds to John Carroll’s championship tradition
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
Students find insight, connections in thriving JCU programs
CONTENTS
21
CLASSMATES AND NEIGHBORS Freshmen Benefit From New Living-Learning Communities
4
Welcome to Onward
21 Classmates and Neighbors
29 Births and Adoptions
5
Letter from the President
24 Alumni Journal Introduction
30 Alumni Journal
6
New Era at JCU
25 Alumni Calendar
37 Founder’s Day 2018
8
Around the Quad
26 Alumni Photos
38 In Memoriam
28 Anniversaries, Engagements, and Weddings
39 Carroll Couple: Steve ’90 and Mary Beth ’91 Tirpak
12 A Storybook Ending 16 Source of Inspiration
John Carroll University
Alumni Magazine | 3
ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2018
Dear members of the John Carroll community,
INTERIM PRESIDENT Jeanne Colleran, Ph.D. ’76
On behalf of the entire magazine staff, WELCOME TO ONWARD: The new John Carroll University Alumni Magazine!
VICE PRESIDENT FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Natalie Mazanowski VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT Doreen Knapp Riley EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS David Vitatoe ’00
We’ll produce two printed issues annually, which will be delivered in February and September. You will also receive four digital Onward newsletters via email throughout the year. We want the focus to be on you, the audience. We listened to your feedback and have increased feature stories and added more engaging photography.
INTEGRATED MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Dale Armbruster ’14, ’17G Abigayle Jones Scott Taylor Pam Zangara PHOTOGRAPHERS Todd Biss Jacob Chabowski Gary Kozminski Rob Wetzler
As the University evolves and grows, Onward will showcase the successes of our alumni, faculty, staff, and students. The class columns are now abbreviated in print, but exist in a longer format and unedited on the new alumni communications portal at go.jcu.edu/onward. We look forward to honoring the traditions of the past, while looking to the future. As we begin a new era, Onward will be there as your guide. We hope you enjoy this issue, and we welcome your feedback.
CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Bess Kramer, MFA Cleveland Edits MAGAZINE ADVISORY COUNCIL Rev. Martin Connell, S.J. Margaret Farrar, Ph.D. Terri Lewandowski ’78 Mark McCarthy, Ph.D. Alan Miciak, Ph.D. ONWARD, is co-produced by Integrated Marketing and Communications and University Advancement, and printed by DUKE Print & Mail Solutions.
johncarrollu
johncarrollu
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VISIT THE NEW HOME FOR ONWARD go.jcu.edu/onward • Access digital issues of the magazine • Read archived digital newsletters • Stay up to date with full class columns
4 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
You will notice some substantial changes to this publication. For the first time in 20 years, the magazine has received a facelift. It was our goal to create a dynamic and engaging magazine that reinforces and contributes to the pride we have in our alumni, faculty, staff, students, and the entire John Carroll community.
Onward on, Dale Armbruster ’14, ’17G Natalie Mazanowski Doreen Riley David Vitatoe ’00
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
LETTER FROM THE INTERIM
PRESIDENT Jeanne Colleran, Ph.D. ’76
Dear members of the John Carroll University community, It has been an honor to serve as interim president for the University that I love. John Carroll has been my home for over 30 years, and the past year has only reinforced what I know in my heart: this community is remarkable. Indeed, for me, the easiest part of my service has been speaking with alumni, donors, and friends about the extraordinary spirit of the University community. The stories I know are myriad, but let me share one fact: in my eight years as dean, provost, and interim president, I have never made a phone call to someone in the University where the person on the other end did not already know the student. Whether the call was an academic issue, a financial issue, or a personal issue; whether it was a point of praise or a request for help: every call I have ever made was answered by someone who already knew that student and stood ready to assist. This community lives by one standard above all: the responsibility we have to the students who come to us to nurture their talents and expand their possibilities. We guide them to a path where leadership is always intertwined with service, and we call them to a consistent ethic of generosity and mutuality. We hold each other to this ideal, and we help each other achieve it. This is John Carroll University’s mission. Its essential principles, rooted in Catholic, Jesuit values, sustain our work and ramify it. Now, through the generosity of Tom and Mary Lewis, we have artwork that celebrates our identity. Around campus we have installed a series of beautiful and informative panels about our Ignatian heritage. I invite you to come and view them: they elucidate Jesuit education as a quest for knowledge, rooted in faith, that leads to wisdom and justice. I want to welcome Dr. Michael Johnson to John Carroll University as its 25th President and to wish him every success and happiness as he takes office on June 1, 2018. I know he will find in our community a receptivity to new ideas, an eagerness to enlarge John Carroll’s future, and an unparalleled commitment to our students. With gratitude and prayers for blessings on John Carroll University, Jeanne Colleran, Ph.D. ’76 Interim President John Carroll University
John Carroll University
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J O H N
C A R R O L L
U N I V E R S I T Y
Names its 25th President Michael D. Johnson, Ph.D. Michael D. Johnson, Ph.D., was unanimously elected by the John Carroll University Board of Directors as the institution’s 25th president on December 6, 2017. Dr. Johnson will join John Carroll on June 1, 2018, with an appointment that runs through 2023. Dr. Johnson currently serves as Provost of Babson College, the top-ranked school for entrepreneurship in the United States, where he is also a Professor of Marketing.
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The passion that the students, faculty, staff, and alumni have for John Carroll is inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this community.
John Carroll University
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AROUND THE QUAD
Around the ACADEMICS Students in John Carroll University’s entrepreneurship program now have a place to explore innovative ideas in a creative environment. Thanks to a $300,000 grant this fall from Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the Creativity and Entrepreneurship Classroom opened in JCU’s Grasselli Library and Breen Learning Center. The 1,540 square foot classroom functions as a creative space, with movable furniture to accommodate small group discussions and larger group analysis and presentations. State of the art technology allows students to share their feedback and thoughts with the class. The classroom is another milestone for the entrepreneurship program, which enrolled 300 students in 15 classes during the fall 2017 semester. Any John Carroll undergraduate student, regardless of major, is eligible to pursue the entrepreneurship minor.
John Carroll launched a new graduate program in the College of Arts and Sciences this December. 8 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
Educational Leadership, led by Lisa Shoaf, Ph.D., provides three options for study for working professionals: Master of Arts, a Certificate of Assessment and Accountability, and Principal Licensure. The first cohort will begin classes in fall 2018. The flexible hybrid program can be completed in two years. The certificate program supports knowledge and skills in assessing program efficacy, allowing students to develop a strong understanding of data analysis and data-based decision making. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the first cohort is full.
ALUMNI Jake Beiting ’06 earned a World Series ring in November as a member of the Houston Astros organization. The former physical education major serves as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the organization, which clinched its first World Series championship by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. Throughout the season, Beiting provides Astros players with weight-training, conditioning, and nutrition assistance. He previously worked with the Cleveland Indians (200812). As a student-athlete, Beiting was a letterwinner for JCU football and track & field. He joins JCU alumni who won championships with the New England Patriots (NFL) and Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) in the last 18 months. Bill Peters was recognized by the City of Cleveland on December 12 for his contributions to the Northeast Ohio community. Peters celebrated his 35th anniversary as host of “Metal on Metal” on WJCU 88.7 FM,
which makes it the longest running metal show in radio history. Between entertaining fans during Friday night shows, Peters is active in the community. Every year, his Cleveland Metal Holiday Food Drive collects food and donations for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and Friends of the Cleveland Kennel animal rescue group. In nine years, Peters and company have collected 36,954 lbs. (18.5 tons) of food and $35,516.57 in cash donations. His radio show can be heard on WJCU 88.7 FM and on wjcu.org on Friday nights. Dave Lucas ’02 was named Ohio’s poet laureate by Gov. John Kasich on January 5. Lucas, the second person to ever hold the role, began a twoyear term in January. Lucas hopes to use the position to help Ohioans use poetry in their lives. “I am grateful, humbled, and eager for the opportunity to serve as the Poet Laureate of the State of Ohio, and to celebrate poetry wherever we may find it—in books, on stage, and on
screens; and in the metaphors that help us to understand our world and each other,” Lucas said. His first multimedia project will involve people from diverse backgrounds and places sharing their poetry opinions. John Carroll University was well represented in the NFL playoffs in 2018. Alumni serve in various capacities for the Buffalo Bills (Chris Costanzo ’99 and Joe Micca ’10), Atlanta Falcons (Jesse Ackerman ’02), Jacksonville Jaguars (David Caldwell ’96 and Chris Polian ’93), and New England Patriots (Nick Caserio ’98, Josh McDaniels ’98, David Ziegler ’01, Jerry Schuplinski ’99, Nick Caley ’06, Frank Ross ’10, and D.J. Debick ’13). Those working for the Bills contributed to the team’s first playoff appearance since 1999, while Caldwell and Polian were the architects of a Jaguars team that qualified for the first time since 2007.
John Carroll University
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AROUND THE QUAD
STUDENT Jaymes Poling ’19 served in Afghanistan for 36 months over three tours of duty as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. In November, the United States Army veteran debuted a live theatrical music experience that detailed the life of a soldier. The Highland Heights-based show, “Modern Warrior: An Autobiographical Music Drama of a Combat Veteran’s Journey,” was designed as an exploration of psychological issues, reintegration, and the ways in which a soldier can grow personally and in the community. Poling, a Warren, Ohio native, narrated the program with the musical accompaniment of Dominick Farinacci, the former Global Ambassador to Jazz at Lincoln Center.
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FACULTY Alan Miciak, Ph.D., dean of the John M. and Mary Jo Boler School of Business, authored a piece in October that was featured in Connections, a monthly publication of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU). Dr. Miciak’s article, “The Importance of Business Education in the Jesuit Tradition,” shared the Boler vision for challenging students to live inspired. “If you are mechanically inclined, you may know that large gears are designed for speed and small gears for strength,” Miciak wrote. “Boler is powered by our Ignatian heart, liberal arts foundation, and amazing alumni who helped to define Cleveland as a 20th century industrial powerhouse and who are now redefining leadership in the 21st century.”
James Watling, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biology and the Coburn Professor of Environmental Science, had work published in the journal Nature. Dr. Watling was part of an international team of researchers who described how many of the world’s species are literally living on the edge. As humans alter living environments around the world, Dr. Watling and his colleagues describe how 85% of species included in their study live in small, isolated patches near boundaries with cities, roads, and farmland. The paper concluded that these findings present a pervasive aspect of human influence on the natural world. Zeki Saritoprak, Ph.D., announced the publication of his new book, Islamic Spirituality: Theology and Practice for the Modern World. His book explores the inner dimensions of Islam, and examines the writings of important historical figures within the faith. Published through Bloomsbury Publishing, Saritoprak’s book hit stores on November 30.
AROUND THE QUAD
ATHLETICS During Homecoming and Family Weekend, John Carroll University inducted five individuals and one team into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The 2017 induction class was honored at an October 27 induction ceremony, and included Luke Adkins ’04 (Baseball), Shayla Bell Moriarty ’06 (Women’s Basketball), Bryan Fialkowski ’01 (Football), Phil Mansell ’04 (Men’s Soccer), and Eric Richmond ’02 (Men’s Swimming). In addition, the 200304 men’s basketball team was inducted. The team won a program record 27 games en route to the NCAA Tournament semifinal round. In total, 30 players, coaches, and support staff were inducted as members of the team.
Former John Carroll and NFL standout London Fletcher ’98 was honored at the football game against the University of Mount Union on November 11. The University retired his #3 jersey during a halftime ceremony that also recognized the anniversary of the 1997 football team, the first to win an NCAA playoff game. Fletcher, a CBS Sports analyst, finished his senior year with a school record 202 tackles and was named the 1997 Football Gazette Division III Linebacker of the Year. Fletcher was a four-time Pro Bowl selection in his NFL career, and was the leading tackler for the Super Bowl XXXIV champion St. Louis Rams.
The fall teams at John Carroll experienced success on and off the field, placing 29 student-athletes on the 2017 Academic All-OAC list. John Carroll had at least one representative from all six OAC fall sports. Ross Martin ’18 had the highest male GPA. The Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, native earned a 3.99 as a history and secondary education double major. Women’s soccer player Antonia Piazza ’20 led all female student-athletes. The Fairview, Pennsylvania, standout recorded a 4.0 in business.
John Carroll University
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A
storyb
Dr. A.J. Cianflocco ’72 adds to John Carroll’s championship tradition
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book
ENDING Staff Reports
John Carroll University
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FEATURE
As confetti fell in Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on June 19, 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers were celebrating the first championship in franchise history. While players and coaches rejoiced, Dr. A.J. Cianflocco ’72, a team physician, was desperately negotiating with an arena security guard. Cianflocco had spent much of the final quarter in the locker room with the rest of the medical staff. Now, his all-access pass was not earning him passage back on the court. “I told the guard — this is my last game, I’m retiring,” Cianflocco remembers. “I have to be out there.” Thanks to an Oakland police officer who wandered by, and who recognized him from team practices, he made it past the guard and onto the podium for the historic moment. Three days later, Cianflocco stood on the back of a flatbed as the team motorcade drove through downtown Cleveland. When the truck turned onto E. 9th Street, he was stunned by the sheer number of people. “My wife told (then) general manager David Griffin that the team threw me one legendary retirement party,” Cianflocco recalls. It was a storybook ending to a career that began four decades earlier in University Heights, that saw him interact with hundreds of studentathletes at John Carroll, and which culminated with success with Cleveland’s professional teams. THE JOURNEY BEGINS Once he visited John Carroll, he knew it was home. “I fell in love,” Cianflocco remembers. Even though he was drawn to history in high school, he remained committed to the medical track. John Carroll’s biology and pre-med programs were the perfect fit.
Cianflocco felt that his academic training in University Heights was primarily informed by the Jesuits and professors closest to him. Two key relationships were with Rev. Casey Bukala, S.J., ’54, ’55G and Rev. William Bichl, S.J., “I had Fr. Bichl in the classroom, and Fr. Bukala on the floor down the hallway in Murphy Hall,” Cianflocco says. “Those relationships were important to my success in and out of the classroom.” Following his graduation, Cianflocco attended the Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina. Cianflocco worked at Cleveland Clinic for one year in internal medicine, then returned to Wake Forest for his residency in pathology from 1977 to 1981. Because most of his friends lived in Cleveland, it felt natural for him to return to Northeast Ohio. After seven years of residency, Cianflocco took over sports medicine care at John Carroll in the summer of 1988. He was drawn home to University Heights by the opportunity to support student-athletes. “Athletes at John Carroll don’t come here to just play sports,” he says. “It is a thrill to see them grow on the field and in the classroom. That’s when I really became involved in sports medicine. That patient interaction made a big difference.” “My specialty in sports medicine took off in the late 1980s when the field really started to develop,” Cianflocco says. He was part of the group of doctors who started primary sports care medicine at Cleveland Clinic. Cianflocco proved himself at the college level with John Carroll before being “called up” to the professional ranks. CALLED UP TO THE PROS In the 1980s and 1990s, Cianflocco began to work with the Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians. During the 1999-2000 NBA season, Cianflocco worked exclusively for the Cavaliers, along with his private practice during the day. He recalls the struggles of the first time that the Cavaliers played in the NBA Finals in 2007 against the San Antonio Spurs. “Nobody—players or coaches— had been there before, so it was a learning experience,” he says. “We wanted to get back so badly.” In 2011, Cianflocco was named the director of primary care sports medicine at Cleveland Clinic Center for Sports Health. He also served as the director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program at Cleveland Clinic. By 2015, after the return of LeBron James to the Cavaliers, the organization was prepared for another playoff run. “When we lost to the Golden State Warriors, we had players and coaches with experience, but we weren’t healthy,” Cianflocco
14 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
FEATURE
says. “It was disappointing, but it made the choice to come back for one more year even easier. I’m not sure I was quite ready.” Fastforward one year, and Cianflocco and the medical staff were in the locker room minutes before Game 7 was complete. “Five-to-eight minutes before it ended, they had both locker rooms ready,” he remembers. “Plastic covered every surface, the goggles were out, crates of the worst champagne you’ve ever had were wheeled in. It felt so real.” He and the staff briefly returned to the floor to check on LeBron after the forward crumpled to the floor with less than two minutes to go. Cianflocco, along with work partner George Sibel ’90, were then able to celebrate on the floor as they had achieved their goal of adding to John Carroll’s championship legacy. REMEMBERING HIS ROOTS Throughout his travels and career, he never forgot his roots at John Carroll. Cianflocco and his wife often sent back religious icons for Fr. Bukala and others, including a painting of a 17th century Jesuit hospital to hang at Schell House. Cianflocco spends his time between Cleveland and Charleston, South Carolina. He is back in the classroom, rekindling his love of history through a joint program with College of Charleston and The Citadel. Cianflocco spent May 2017 in China as part of his program. He was one of a group of 10 who spent time exploring China, experiencing the culture and attending lectures. “You couldn’t ask for anything better,” he says. “I kept a diary the whole time. That experience was incredible.” Between adventures across the country and around the world, Cianflocco has taken time to reflect on his journey. “I always tell people that I’d rather have an NCAA championship ring from John Carroll than one from the pros,” he says. “I loved my time working at JCU with Don McPhillips (head athletic trainer). If you don’t have a great friend in your athletic trainer that you respect and trust, it is hard to enjoy it. Watching my athletes grow was why I stayed,” Cianflocco says. “To see where they all are now is the biggest reward.” The book on his career closed with an NBA championship ring and parade, and a lasting impact on his alma mater. “It was important to be able to do that for our institution,” Cianflocco says. “We were able to extend the name of John Carroll in the sports and medical world throughout our careers, continuing that championship tradition on and off the field.”
JOHN CARROLL’S
NBA CHAMPIONS
Dr. Alfred Cianflocco ’72 — Team Physician
George Sibel ’90 — Physical Therapist
Rebecca Reid ’14
— Guest Experience Event Coordinator John Carroll University
Alumni Magazine | 15
SOURCE of
INSPIRATION STUDENTS FIND INSIGHT, CONNECTIONS IN THRIVING JCU PROGRAMS
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Staff Reports
As John Carroll looks to the future, the University has invested resources in academic programs that prospective and current students are seeking. JCU is preparing students to face the future head-on through high-demand programs in pre-health, sports studies and exercise science, and communications.
John Carroll University
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COVER STORY
SPORTS STUDIES GIVES STUDENTS NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
NEW PROFESSORS HELP STUDENTS LEARN THE ART OF MARKETING
As she sat in Donahue Auditorium in mid-September, among a crowd of her peers in JCU’s Mike Cleary Program in Sports Studies, Jess Cook ’18 heard encouraging words from NCAA executive Oliver Luck: the world of sports would benefit from the perspectives and involvement of more women.
Enrollment and investment in the Tim Russert Department of Communication & Theatre has allowed the department to recently add faculty members, who are exciting students with their teaching styles.
Cook appreciated the emphasis on female involvement. She was one of the first women to enroll in the program. “When I started, I would say there were maybe five girls, at most, in my classes,” Cook says. “Now, I would say it’s an almost even male-to-female ratio.” She entered the program intent on becoming an athletic director, but now she is considering work in sports marketing, too. These careers excite students, but are also competitive, as Bryan Beigie, a professor in the department, often reminds his students.
There are a million jobs in sports. But the problem is there are two million people who want them — and our job is to empower our students to rise to the top of that competition.
JCU students are finding their way into coveted positions, in part because of the University’s network of support. “John Carroll alumni are helpful to students, connecting them with people in the industry that they wish to pursue, because at some point another alum helped them,” Beigie says. The sports studies program is experiencing growth overall. Cook notices how much class registration has changed since her first year in the program. The major steadily grew from the first class to one of the most popular offerings for new students. Such growth has allowed the program to add faculty members like Brooke Turner, Ph.D., an assistant professor with a background in coaching volleyball. The program’s success was part of the impetus for the new advisory council, too. The group is comprised of people who have been personally enriched by Cleary, the program’s namesake and visionary who led the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics from 1965 to 2011. The 12-person roster includes Oliver Luck; Gene Smith, the athletic director at The Ohio State University; and Kevin Anderson, the athletic director at the University of Maryland. The council exists to lend expertise to the program and its students, as Luck did with his campus visit. 18 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
In Christina DeVoss’ course on branding, students are working on a semester-long project with the Center for Career Services to revamp the department’s identity. DeVoss’ students met with CCS staff to understand their goals and then with JCU students to record their impressions of the department. The end result was a presentation of suggested brand guidelines for CCS. For Katie O’Connell ’19, the project showed how much work goes into a brand’s identity, and how much of it is based on an organization’s aspirations. “The vision component is something I’ve been very interested in,” O’Connell says. “Incorporating who you want to be into your brand is just as important as identifying who you are.” In Managing New Media, students say they benefit from the background and personality of their professor, Sejung Park, Ph.D. The new addition to the Russert faculty guides students in the course through measuring and directing the success of a company’s social media presence. They look at the ways hashtags, keywords, and influencers shape the success of social media posts and campaigns. Park is uniquely qualified to help, given her wherewithal in data analytics, which she is successfully translating— even to her most math-wary students. “She brought that math foundation that we all thought we wanted to steer away from,” says Megan Stechler ’18. Marketing students may feel stretched by so much math, but they gain skills of increasing importance in their career field.
GRAND PLANS FOR ENTREPRENEURS Students in the Edward M. Muldoon Center for Entrepreneurship have lately been seeing a lot of change—new courses, a new facility, and a new leader. The program enrolled more than 300 students in its 15 courses for the fall semester, and unveiled the Burton D. Morgan Creativity and Entrepreneurship Classroom. The facility, inside the Grasselli Library and Breen Learning Center, fosters creativity through movable furniture and technology, so groups of all sizes can collaborate and imagine well. Such rampant growth in the program allowed it to hire Dr. Doan Winkel, the John J. Kahl Sr., Chair in Entrepreneurship, who became director of the Muldoon Center after serving in a similar capacity at Illinois State University. Winkel has received national recognition as a speaker and author, focusing on entrepreneurship education. He is a founder of several
organizations, including Legacy Out Loud, a group that helps young women recognize and develop their entrepreneurial talents by finding their mission and receiving mentorship. Winkel wants to use that emphasis— fostering female creativity—to better JCU’s entrepreneurship program and Northeast Ohio. “We will work to provide support to historically underrepresented students to help them become successful and fully engaged in their educational experiences at John Carroll University and in the Cleveland community,” he says. These ideas are just small components of a broader ethos for Winkel, who wants to build a world-class program focused on enabling women entrepreneurial leaders. He wants to form an advisory council comprised of female entrepreneurs and then use their connections to form a mentorship program and an angel investment network. It is all part of a plan to help young women start, grow, and lead the businesses of the future.
John Carroll University
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COVER STORY
COMMITTEE HELPS PRE-HEALTH STUDENTS FIND THEIR PATH Students in JCU’s Pre-Health Professions Program have options, thanks to its Health Professions Advisory Committee. This group is comprised of volunteer faculty and staff from departments throughout the university—biology, psychology, English, and more—who meet with students and explain how their education intersects with other disciplines and can earn them a position in a variety of graduate programs and work fields. “These interviews help students reflect on their career choice, highlight potential areas of weakness in their preparation, develop interview skills, and evaluate the growth and potential of each student,” says Kathy Lee, Ph.D., the assistant dean of health programs at JCU. Students apply to meet with the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) and, once accepted, meet with the program’s director as well as two or three
20 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
faculty members in relevant fields. The goal, according to Lee, is to make sure students are set for success in their professional school applications and interviews. While the HPAC meetings may challenge students’ plans and preparation, it is all part of what Lee calls a “rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum.” She says that faculty and staff on HPAC encourage students to be “civic-minded” and to discern a career path of service to others. That emphasis—service to others—is evident in many of these successful JCU initiatives, from the advisory council in the sports studies program to the model of education for entrepreneurship students from the inner city. The rising programs at JCU embrace diversity and empowerment and the power of networking—all strengthened by the servant-leader focus of the Jesuit tradition.
C LASSM ATES and NEIGHBORS Freshmen Benefit From New Living-Learning Communities Staff Reports
Do you remember your first day on campus? Once the cheap dorm furniture was assembled and parents had waved goodbye, you were left to wander your hall and meet other new inhabitants making sense of apartment-esque living, and of college itself. Exuberantly or bashfully, you smiled and you traded the questions: “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?” “What are you studying?” (article continued)
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FEATURE
There’s no harm in predictable introductions or in living with people whose replies to the final query differ from your own. But a new residence life model at JCU brings together students around a theme of shared answers and common purpose. Campion Hall now has floors for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines and JCU’s three signature scholarship programs: Arrupe, Honors, and Leadership. For residents, it’s nice to live in a place where relationships have a natural starting point. From the third floor of Campion, a STEM resident, Jared Fishburn ’21, of Parma, Ohio, talks with his resident assistant (RA), Rome Ogeto ’20, of Nairobi, Kenya, about the dynamic: “We already know what major we’re in,” says Fishburn, “So it removes that awkward ice-breaker.” Having one assured commonality might not seem significant, but Ogeto agrees it makes a difference. He says the biggest challenge RAs face is creating a sense of community, especially when students—with their diverse cultural and family histories—have different expectations for residence life. This difference can lead to some rough starts. “Being on the STEM floor, I never had any of that,” Ogeto says. “I’ve never had to even introduce anyone, because they already have shared interests.”
JCU affirms the “learning” in living-learning Living-learning communities are common at colleges and universities, and JCU has used this model in the past. But this era of living-learning is different, according to Lisa Brown Cornelius, director of Residence Life. “What distinguishes the current living-learning communities is the collaborative nature of the initiatives and the connection to students’ academic pursuits,” she says.
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The genesis of the program came when University leaders applied for a national grant to help STEM students. Living-learning communities were one way they planned to use grant funds to benefit and retain students in those majors. JCU did not win the national grant, but University officials were so commited to the vision of the living-learning concept that they made the move anyway. Rebecca Drenovsky, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Biology, and Amy Wainwright, outreach and student engagement librarian, worked with Brown Cornelius and Residence Life staff to create communities where students connect their academic and residential experiences. “Our hope is that students will benefit from the interactions with their peers and the ability to engage in conversations about their interests outside of class,” Brown Cornelius says.
You know where to find us! On Ogeto’s floor, it’s clear that the vision for these new communities has come true. Residents engage in group chats over text message that cover light-hearted and social topics, but also academic matters. A student can write that he needs help with chemistry homework, and a neighbor texts that he can stop by for pointers. For Ogeto, this proximity is one of the luxuries of livinglearning life. The previous year, he would walk to the library or Dolan Hall to get together with people in his major, computer science. Now, peer tutoring is only a few steps away. “We’re one big group committed to helping each other succeed,” he says. “Last year, I would’ve had to seek out help, and might not have found it. Now, help is just one knock away.”
FEATURE
Fishburn believes students on his floor benefit academically from the constant communication. It’s one of the factors that led him to request a spot in Campion. “I thought it would be a good way to meet other people in my major and get help on things,” he says. In the Campion lounge, a study session comes together. This is a common occurrence for biology students in the living-learning program. First-year students in the building regularly invite upperclassmen biology majors to their lounge for study sessions. Even faculty members benefit from the unified identity of the students in Campion. Faculty members in STEM disciplines have stopped by for meet-and-greet sessions, knowing that so many of their students live under the same roof. One biology professor reached out recently with an idea for an informal event. Would students want to come along for lunch and a lecture at a nearby university? For students who attended, it became a highlight of the semester.
What’s next for living-learning at JCU? Brown Cornelius is energized by the success of the livinglearning communities. “Providing new opportunities to support students in their academic pursuits is always exciting,” she says, adding that her office’s goal is to create space for students to be both academic learners and community members. The current themes—STEM students; Arrupe, Honors, and Leadership scholarship recipients—were chosen through dialogue between the Residence Life staff and faculty colleagues. After the living-learning program’s pilot year, Residence Life is discussing making living-learning concepts available to students beyond their freshman year. “As we assess the programs we will determine if students want a similar experience beyond their first year and explore what may be feasible,” Brown Cornelius says. Amelia El-Mahdy ’21, of Strongsville, Ohio, lives on women’s STEM floor and says discussions among current residents have already turned toward committing to future years. “We’ve really enjoyed the dynamic of the floor,” she says. For Fishburn, whether or not the program extends beyond first-year students, it made his transition to college easier. The process of meeting new people in college was something he thought he would find difficult. Now, he has not only new friends but people particularly suited to help him academically and, someday, professionally. “This made it so much easier in talking with people, making new friends and then making further connections.” As the day came to a close, Fishburn and Ogeto walked past decorated doorways, many of them open to visitors. “So I had a question about...,” could be heard as they paused to chat with their floormates-turned study buddies.
Living-Learning Communities
at a GLANCE Program launched in Fall 2017
Students enter one of two themes: STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) studies or Arrupe, Honors, and Leadership Campion Hall houses the program as well as traditional Residence Life floors Interested students apply using the Housing Application and Agreement
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THE CARROLL ARCHIVES
the CARROLL ARCHIVES Groundbreaking ceremony for the current
John Carroll campus on April 19, 1931. Attendees included Monsignor Joseph Smith, Bishop of Cleveland Joseph Schrembs, Fr. Benedict Rodman, S.J., and John Bernet.
24 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
CALENDAR
alumni
Save the date
FEB 25
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Spurs & Pregame Social
APR 19
National Founders’ Day Events
JUNE 8
Campus Reunion Weekend 2018
MAR 6
Naples John Carroll Reception
APR 19
New Orleans Alumni Travel Program
JULY 30
Scotland Alumni Travel Program
MAR 7
Cleveland Women’s Mentoring & Networking Event
MAY 18
Cleveland Alumni Awards Dinner
SEPT 25
Pittsburgh Disney’s Aladdin at the Benedum Center
MAR 14
Cleveland Alumni & Friends Social
MAY 19
Cleveland Disney’s Aladdin at Playhouse Square
MAR 29
Seattle Indians vs. Mariners
MAY 20
Campus Commencement
APR 14
Cleveland Mass and Dinner in Little Italy
MAY 24
Cleveland Alumni & Friends Social
To attend these events or find other ways to connect with your fellow alumni, visit go.jcu.edu/alumni
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EVENTS
ALUMNI
26 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
PHOTOS
EVENTS
1 JCU alumni traveled to Italy in October, exploring from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast as part of the Alumni Travel Program.
2 Members of Circle K reunited over Homecoming and Family Weekend, celebrating their legacy of service at the University.
3 Alumni from the Chicago Chapter gathered for Breakfast with Santa on December 10.
4 JCU retired the jersey number of NFL legend London Fletcher ’98, who appeared at a halftime ceremony on November 11 against Mount Union.
Alumni of the 1997 football team were honored on November 11 for the 20th anniversary of their historic season.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
WEDDINGS
ENGAGEMENTS and ANNIVERSARIES
1
2 5
3 6
4 7
8
1 Anna Barnes ’12 was engaged to Dave Olinger on June 15, 2017. 2 Judy and Shawn Doolin ’61 celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary at their grandson’swedding. 3 Katelyn (Katie) Keresman ’09 and John (Rudy) Rudell ’08 became engaged on June 22, 2017 while taking a walk on JCU’s campus. 4 Jenna (Baldarelli) ‘07 and Greg Peltz were married in July 2016 with many alumni in attendance. 28 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
9 5 Megan Teter ’09 with fiancé Bryan Pastron. 6 Katie Hiznay ’12, ’15G and Steve Yonto ’07 were engaged on September 20. 7 Erin Sarantou ’14 and Mark Beechuk ’12 were married on August 19.
10 8 Ty McTigue ’14 and Chelsea Gerken ’14 became engaged in Central Park in spring 2017. 9 John Carroll alumni celebrated at the wedding of David Brill ’15 in Texas in August.
10 Family gathered to celebrate the wedding of Mary (Weinandy) Repka ’15. Attendees included Tom Weinandy ’11, John Weinandy ’12, Sam Weinandy ’17, James Weinandy ’19, and Mary Scherer ’20.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1 Denise (White) Warrick ’05 and her husband Stephen welcomed their second daughter, Charlotte Michelle Warrick, in June.
2 Mary Muffly ’05 welcomed her second daughter, Evelyn Marie Muffly. The Mufflys are living in Pittsburgh, where Mary works as Vice President and Client Advocate at Willis Towers Watson.
3 Dana and Phil 4 E.J. and Dena (Provenzale) Schneeberger ’06 O’Neill ’06 welcomed their welcomed son, Nolan second daughter, Julia Dee James on September 27. O’Neill, on August 23, 2017. Julia is receiving lots of love from her big sister Anna.
BIRTHS and ADOPTIONS
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Alumni Magazine | 29
JOURNAL
the ALUMNI JOURNAL 1940 James Schlecht ’40 turned 99 years old on May 28, 2017. He wears a pacemaker and has a stationary bike that he rides three times weekly, going roughly three miles per day. Robert Trivison ’42 turned 95 on Dec. 12, 2017. He and his wife Susan have a home on the ocean next to Moonlight Beach, a well known surfing spot in Encitas, California.
1953 Bob Kaminski is now living in Fort Myers, Florida, and suffered no damage from hurricane season. Dick and Mary Sullivan were forced to evacuate their home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but did not lose their home. Roger Sargent remained in his 17th floor condo in Aventura, Florida, and safely rode out the storm. Pat and Mariwin Cullinan have moved to an assisted living complex in Olathe, Kansas. We are saddened to hear that Jack Ziegler’s wife, Mary Ann, died on June 15, 2017 after prolonged health issues.
30 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
Norm Perney and Gene Wetzel have indicated they will be coming to the class’ 65th reunion.
1954 Mike Faul is now General Sales Manager for a weight reduction product called CLA Safflower Oil. Pete, Dom La Galbo, Bill Bloomstine, and Bob Ensigne gathered to celebrate the life of Gene Burns.
1955 In catching up with classmates, Paul Raglow has nine children and 33 grandchildren. John Barranco is recovering steadily from triple bypass surgery and back surgery. He enjoys his four children and nine grandchildren.
1956 Congratulations to Otto Santos, who welcomed a greatgranddaughter. Jim Knechtges is planning on celebrating with the class at the annual spring lunch, tentatively scheduled for March 14, 2018. The 1956 class representative is looking for someone to take on his responsibilities in the near future. Email journal@jcu.edu for more information.
Visit go.jcu.edu/onward for full columns.
1957
1960
For three-and-a-half years, cancer survivor Pat Keenan continues responding to treatments and playing golf three times each week at Bear Lakes CC in West Palm Beach.
Dave Marr passed away in the summer of 2017. He is remembered by classmates as a fun person who left his friends with countless cherished memories.
We learned that on May 5, 2017, Joseph Francis Cunningham died at his home in Solana Beach, California after a long illness. He tried hundreds of civil cases to verdict and negotiated thousands of resolutions during a rewarding career that spanned fifty years. Our scholarship fund, established in 1997, has helped 178 seniors through the fiscal year ending May 31, 2017. Our endowed amount as of May 31, 2017 was $608,204.00. Our class can be proud of the impact being made and serving as an example to other classes following our lead.
1959 Rick and Mary Jo Dodson (pictured, right) traveled to Tanzania in August. They flew into Kilimanjaro and spent the next 14 days in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks.
Joe Klemons, Jim Mason, Jerry Rachfal, and Gerald Schweickert met for lunch in the summer. Dr. Schweickert is recovering from knee surgery, and was able to host his annual Homecoming tailgate in October. Tim Strader is proud to announce that his grandson is a walk-on football player at Boston College.
1961 Ray Buchanan and Sandy Harris were married in late 2016 in Fairport, New York. Together, their new family is composed of seven children and 10 grandchildren.
Gerry Burns is a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus. He has been participating in Operation Hope by requesting cash donations for those with developmental disabilities at numerous retail locations in the Florence, South Carolina area. Last year over $20,000 was raised by his brother Knights. Judy and Shawn Doolin celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary at their grandson’s wedding. The new Mr. and Mrs. Doolin were happy to share their day with the older bride and groom. Those 56 years have produced six children, 15 grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren. Gene Kramer, provided some assistance to Dr. Tom Bier of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Studies of Cleveland State University in the writing of his new book, Housing
JOURNAL
Dynamics in Northeast Ohio: Setting the Stage for Resurgence. The Class of ’61 Scholarship Fund is now just shy of $200,000 - Dick Murray and Gerry O’Connell, cochairmen of the scholarship committee, are attempting to reach the milestone of $250,000. To date, 15 students have received scholarships thanks to the generosity of our class.
1963 Pete and Kathy Mykytyn visited Roccagorga, Italy last May, and were treated to an afternoon at Il Molino di Grace, owned by classmate Frank Grace (Pg. 35). The class of 1963 is celebrating its 55th reunion in June. Contact Pete Mykytyn at mykytyn@business. siu.edu to share your Reunion 2018 plans.
1964 Tom Leahy concluded a “golfer’s dream tour” of Ireland this summer, playing seven rounds in seven days: Ballybunion, Old Head, Doonbeg, Waterville, Lahinch, Tralee, and Killarney. Geri and Jack Froehlich, Lyn and Gordon Priemer, and Mary and Tom Leahy will embark on the Viking Romantic Danube Cruise in 2018; beginning in Nurnberg, Germany, they’ll make several stops including
Vienna, Austria, and ending in Budapest, Hungary. Dick Koenig is staying busy in retirement, lending his considerable aviation talents to the Commemorative Air Force, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and showing historical aircraft at airshows primarily in the United States and Canada. Dick has also been active in transporting and escorting veterans to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
1965 Dennis McSeveney received the MidSouth Sociological Association’s Distinguished Career Award at the association’s 2015 annual meeting. This award is presented for exemplary achievements in Sociology, for contributions to the discipline and to the MSSA. John Murray and his wife Ann report that their youngest son, Ian, married Mei Li on October 3 in San Francisco. Ian is a Materials Science Engineer for Humin (a tech start-up in San Francisco), and Mei is a newly minted lawyer at the Connolly Law Firm in Palo Alto. Kip Zegers published a new book in December, including his collected poems about schools. Entitled The Pond in Room 318, it is available from Dos
Madres Press or on Amazon. John Tarpey wrote from Northwest Memorial Hospital in Chicago after having been diagnosed with multiple myeloma days before the class reunion. He is now experiencing the best of modern medicine with chemotherapy, and an infusion of his own stem cells. Class representative Dick Conoboy traveled to Atlanta in October for a 50 year reunion with an Army roommate from the Infantry Officers Course and jump school. They took a two-day trip to Ft. Benning to wander about and reminisce. He also had the opportunity to reconnect with another Army officer, who was a fellow platoon leader in the 3rd Armored Division in Germany in 1966. Ray and Bev Karcher are enjoying living in Midway, Utah. In August, Ray and Bev celebrated their 50th anniversary.
1966 Multiple couples recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversaries: Frank and Eileen Nunney, Jim and Mimi Okeefe, and John and Micki Naylor. The Naylors celebrated by taking a cruise on the Danube. Tom Cerha retired from the United States Air Force after 30 years of service. The Class of 1966 will be hosting a golf outing for any interested golfers
on June 7-8, 2018. Contact Larry Henry for more information.
1967 There were 56 attendees at the 50th class reunion during the summer of 2017. A look back at classmates in The Carroll News on November 11, 1966: “Carroll’s rifle team will attempt to improve on its onewin, two-loss record when it visits Youngstown at 7:30 tonight. The Streaks recorded their first victory Friday with a 1250-1184 triumph over Case. Wayne Krupitzer paced Carroll and the meet with a high of 263, on prone-sittingstanding scores of 96, 84 and 83. Rounding out the Carroll results were John Doyle… Pete Bernardo…. Bob Dexter…. Tom Korins.”
1969 Howard W. Hanna III, chairman of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, was re-elected to the University Board of Directors.
1970 Frank Brady chaired the World Union of Jesuit Alumni Congress that was held in late June and early July at John Carroll. Frank reports that there were 670 registered delegates; 506 from the USA, 164 from abroad, with 31 countries being represented.
Circle K held a reunion at the JCU Homecoming weekend in October. They had Circle K alumni and wives from ’68 through the late 80’s together again. A banquet highlight was a presentation from Sister Katherine Feely about present day student service projects.
1972 Dr. Craig Roach has published a book, Simply Electrifying. J.P. Morgan selected Craig’s book as one of its “compelling reads,” calling it, an “elucidating lens on the world” and “a highly accessible narrative about electricity’s inventors and innovators, along with its challenges and possibilities for the future.” Anne Conway is a recently retired federal judge in Florida, who has been pulled back into “spot duty” handling FISA cases for the federal government. In recent years, she has been to Oman, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Mark Pacelli reported that fellow classmates gave over $800,000 as a 45th anniversary class gift to John Carroll, and that class contributions to the Tim Russert Meet the Press Fellowship totaled well over $100,000. Jim Mackey passed away in November. He will be remembered as an Alumni President, a JCU Alumni Medal winner, an active I Chi,
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Alumni Magazine | 31
JOURNAL
a rugby player and Student Union officer, an outstanding lawyer and family man, and for an ability to make anyone laugh.
1973 Alanna Fallon-Vachez and her husband Francois will in attendance at the 2018 reunion. Bob Larocca recently retired after 28 years at the State of Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. The class of 1973 remembers classmates Bill Burke and Tony Spadafora, who passed away in 2017.
1974 Annette Haile, the retired VP of IBM was re-elected to the University Board of Directors. Larry and Marie Meathe’s oldest daughter, Libby and her husband Ryan were blessed this past May with a beautiful daughter, Maeve. Larry attended the 10th Annual Palermo Golf Classic on Hilton Head at the estate of Frank Palermo. In attendance were: John Palermo, Charlie Carroll, Mike Nienstedt, Frank Palermo, Mike McShane, and Joe Virostek. Joe Tasse is the interim CEO of Centura Health in Longmont, Colorado. He wrapped up his assignment for Trinity Health System in Steubenville, Ohio and headed west. 32 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
Jeff Hokl became a grandfather for the first time. Camden Ray Hokl was born this past October in Indianapolis. Jeff designated Terry Dwyer as the surrogate uncle. Dwyer is now on the board of Global Prep Academy, a charter school in Indianapolis. David E. Robinson’s son, Keenan and his wife Kalyn were blessed with the birth of Roch Ignatius Robinson in August. Kathie and Kevin Smith’s daughter Kristen successfully completed the 2017 Middle East Championship Iron Man 70.3 race in Bahrain the last weekend in November.
1975 Marian McCahill Quirk had a reunion with Marianne Crotty. The two met in Beijing where Marian was visiting her son’s family and newest grandchild. Marianne was on a tour of China because her daughter wanted to see her birthplace.
1977 60 members of the class celebrated Reunion Weekend together on campus. The sons of JCU roommates Tom Englehart and Steve Billick are now living together in Chicago, where they enjoyed a Cavaliers championship in the summer of 2016.
Doug Hogan retired in January from First Energy Corporation as Director of External Affairs. After law school and teaching, he joined First Energy in 1987 and just completed a prosperous career. David Karman is a lawyer and the managing member of the 20 lawyer firm of Kaman and Cusimano with offices in Cleveland, Youngstown and Columbus. After the reunion Randy D’Amore and Dan Busta ’76 joined Tim Leddy in Colorado. The three made a trip into the mountains and crossed the Continental Divide.
1978 Greg Skoda is one of four classmates on JCU’s Board of Directors, with Mike Merriman, Terri Lewandowski, and Ara Bagdasarian. Laura and Jack Blackburn celebrated the September wedding of son Dan ’11 with classmates Dave Briggs, Brian Farrell, Joyce Blackburn, Phil Simon, Chris Parrilli, Tim Casey, Larry Wyrobek, Dan Weitzel and Tim Freeman. Rob Herald completed three years in Japan and now works for the American School in Dubai. In his visit last summer, he caught a Pirates game with John Baran and Mark McGinley and met
with Kevin Leonard in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Gerry Reilly is the president of the Jefferson County Civil War Round Table in Madison, Indiana where he serves as Eastern Regional Director of Historic Sites. Jim Walsh, Dana Albert, Ray Dalessandro, Tom Keir, Mark McGinley and Phil Simon golfed with AKPsi brothers hosted by Mike Keresman ’79 in September. Jim practices law in Columbia, Maryland, and is running for elected office Howard County (Maryland) Council in June 2018. Christine Schomisch Moravec, Ph.D. (B.A. ’78, M.S. ’84) received the George B. Davis Award for Service to the University at the Cleveland State Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony in October 2017.
1980 Shirley Novak is an attorney in Pittsburgh. She had a reunion in Cleveland with classmates this fall, and stayed with Chris Clauson’s family in University Heights. Kate Fitzgerald is the Education Director at West Virginia Public Broadcasting. She and her family stay active through disc golf.
1982 The class of 1982 dedicated a tree on campus in honor of Beth Durkin. Julie
Maloney Ruddy and Kevin Durkin were able to make this happen with the help of Chicago alums. Mark “Mac” McDonnell moved to North Carolina, joining Kevin “Doc” Daugherty’s company, Adventure Development. Daugherty, along with his father, has opened a Handel’s ice cream franchise in Pittsburgh.
1983 Deb Solyan, Sheila Nelson, Sheila Begane, Danny Reynolds and his wife Kristine, Sandran Ryan and her husband Mike O’Connor, Carrie Nelson, Jane (Broeren) Lambesis and her husband Peter were in Ireland to hear Peter’s band play a gig in Westport, Ireland at Matt Malloy’s. 112 family and friends attended. Ed Devney was a Production Manager on the November 19 broadcast of the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots in Mexico City. He will be in San Antonio heading up transportation for CBS Sports on the Final Four for the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament. Bill and Sue Donnelly ’84, along with Mettler-Toledo, donated $250,000 worth of precision science equipment to John Carroll’s Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
JOURNAL
Jane Lambesis was named to the University Board of Directors.
also as the bassist for Michael Stanley and the Resonators, among other projects.
1984
1988
For the past 11 years, Mark Cole has been curator of American paintings and sculptures at the Cleveland Museum of Art. In addition to his JCU degree, Marc has a Ph.D. from the University of Delaware and an M.A. in Art History and Museum Studies from Case Western Reserve.
Lisa Verszyla Cantalamessa, Jill (Gangidine) Frimel-Harvey, Michelle LoSchiavo, Dave Brickner, Karyn Sikaitis Brickner, and Sharon Byrnes got together for dinner over Homecoming weekend and relived old times at The Tavern Company.
For the past six years, Steve Anthony has been the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Division. Class representative Dennis Casey has been named to the John Carroll Alumni Board. He attended his first meeting before Homecoming Weekend.
1987 Greg Debeljak was named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Coach of the Year after leading his Case Western Reserve University football team to a 10-0 regular season record and 17 of his players were named to the allconference squad. Eric Sosinski was a visiting lecturer in the Boler School of Business. He was asked to speak to Boler students on the business of music and entertainment. Eric has made a career as a primary member of a Pink Floyd tribute band called “Wish You Were Here,” and
Congratulations to Ellen Maglicic Kramer for being elected to the BrecksvilleBroadview Heights school board. Jeffrey Paravano, managing partner of Baker Hostetler, was named to the University Board of Directors.
1989 Members of the class of 1989 gathered for a wedding last summer, including Joe O’Malley, Dan and Julie Weaver, Mike and Joanna Fanning, Jim and Mary Kay Kennedy, and Dan and Diane Soucie.
1991 Mike Case is the main anchor for the #1 rated NBC affiliate morning news show in Youngstown. Sam Siao Strathern ran in the “Christmas Story” annual 5K race downtown.
1993 Mic Lundon, his wife Hallie, and their two
daughters relocated from Pittsburgh to Naples, Florida. They safely endured Hurricane Irma in a room at the Ritz Carlton. Sarah (Rossate) Mallon and her family were affected by Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas. She, her husband, and two sons were all safely evacuated by boat Mary Lou (Sferra) Mlachak celebrated 10 years with Arbor Rehabilitation this year, where she serves as Manager of Rehabilitation Services at Concord Village Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center. Doug Ennis celebrates one year as the Chicago-based Vice President of Sales for ThousandEyes, a network intelligence platform.
1998 Ryan Huston, his wife Jah and their two daughters moved from Washington, D.C. to Vienna, Austria. Ryan works as a diplomat at the American Embassy. Kristina (Rus) Cullis got married to Benjamin Cullis on May 28, 2016 at St. Christopher in Rocky River. They honeymooned in Maui and Kauai and live in University Heights. Ben and Kristina had a little girl. Gabrielle Josephine Cullis, on March 12, 2017. Christy (Wilder) Cheal and her husband, Bill had their son William Wilder Cheal on April
28, 2017. She works at the Siegfried Group as a Resource Director. They live in Houston, Texas. Alison (Winters) Scolaro and her husband Nick ’01 live in Willoughby Hills with their four boys, two of whom are enthusiastic Cub Scouts. Recently they started helping local residents through their newly founded company, ServeU (www.ServeU.ws).
2005 Kimberly Tank pursued her love of photography and in 2013, she turned it into a business, Kimberly Tank Art & Photography. She’s received first place in the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) Inspired Gallery Event print competition. Her photo, “Make Splash,” is featured on page. below and took top prize in the Motion category. Denise (White) Warrick and her husband Stephen welcomed their second daughter, Charlotte Michelle Warrick, in June.
Mary Muffly welcomed her second daughter, Evelyn Marie Muffly. The Mufflys are living in Pittsburgh, where Mary works as a Vice President and Client Advocate at Willis Towers Watson.
2006 Gabriella Mileti was promoted to Program Director of Government Affairs and Community Outreach at the National Italian American Foundation in Washington, D.C. Dana and Phil Schneeberger welcomed son, Nolan James on September 27.
2007 Jeannine (Stiglitz) Marong and her husband welcomed Maren Elizabeth to their family on August 1, 2017, joining older brother Colton. Allison Calabro was recently engaged at Acadia National Park in Maine. Although he didn’t attend JCU, her fiance Kyle is a big fan of London Fletcher. The couple is currently planning their wedding which will take place on September 29, 2018 in Northern Virginia.
Kimberly Tank ’05 received first place in the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) Inspired Gallery Event print competition John Carroll University
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JOURNAL
Congratulations to Elizabeth and Kevin (’06) Barmann on the birth of their third daughter, Abigail Frances, on July 6, 2017. She was happily welcomed by her sisters Nora and Kate.
2009 In September 2017, Samantha Cocco started a new position at Case Western Reserve University in the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education. Megan Teter got engaged to Bryan Pastron on May 5, 2017. The two live in Lorain, Ohio. Megan works at SherwinWilliams as the National Fleet Dispatcher for Global Supply Chain and Bryan works at Cabinets To Go as a Design Specialist. Katelyn (Katie) Keresman and John (Rudy) Rudell ’08 became engaged on June 22, 2017 while taking a walk on JCU’s campus. They also closed on the purchase of their first home the very same day. They will marry in July 2018. E.J. and Dena (Provenzale) O’Neill welcomed their second daughter, Julia Dee O’Neill, on August 23, 2017. Julia is receiving lots of love from her big sister Anna. Katie (Saporito) Orlando has been keeping busy as a Daisy Scout leader, lunch and recess monitor, and taxi 34 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
service for her daughter Abbie who is active through her swim team and dance.
Katie (Skelly) and Nick Hallal welcomed their second son Thomas Hames on November 16, 2017.
2010
2012
Harriet and Zoran Miling welcomed their third baby Thalia Violetta Miling on October 28, 2017.
Ellen Holodnak married Andy Matlock in an autumn wedding at the Church of the Holy Angels in Chagrin Falls at the end of September. The reception was held at the Welshfield Inn in Burton, Ohio and was attended by many JCU alumni.
Amanda Paul and Matt Krajkowski were engaged. Ryan and Kate Lynch welcomed Lucy Joan Lynch, who weighed 8 lbs. and 13 oz.
2011 Meghan May and her fiancé recently moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, for his first job as a meteorologist. The couple will marry in Columbus, Ohio, on October 20, 2018. Tina O’Keefe is engaged to JP Graulty and the couple plans to marry in June 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Melissa (Love) and Jesse Hutchinson were married on September 9, 2017, in Charlotte, North Carolina. For the last three years, Michelle Nigro has been singing with a local Cleveland band – The Nate Jones Band. She is now pursuing her first solo EP project under her stage name, “Michelle Morgan.” Mary (Hummer) and Andy Merchant ’10 welcomed their daughter Evelyn on July 17, 2017.
Katie Hiznay (’12, ’15G) and Steve Yonto (’07) got engaged on September 20. They plan on getting married on August 25, 2018 at St. John Cantius in Tremont where they both live. Anna Barnes got engaged to Dave Olinger on June 15, 2017. While the couple currently resides in the greater NYC area, they’ll return to Cleveland for their wedding in September 2018. Anna currently works as a Brand Strategist at an ad agency. Michael Murray continues to work on his writing, working on a collection of short stories and personal essays, which will be titled, “Writing Naked.” The tentative release date will be July 2018 with plans to host readings/ signings in Portland, Oregon and hopefully at John Carroll. Michael also recently left Portland and took a job running a restaurant located in Yosemite, California.
2013
accounting consulting with CNM, LLP.
Robert Law and Darcy Egan plan to wed in April 2018 at St. Patrick’s Church in Cleveland, followed by a reception with family and friends in Lakewood.
Mike O’Grady left his position at the University of Maine and is now the head women’s ice hockey coach at Nichols College in Dudley, Maine.
In July 2017, John Coughlin began a four-year program at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine.
Maureen Ginley received her Master of Fine Arts in the Creative Writing Program at Cleveland State University. She is currently working as a content editor for Postali LLC in Columbus, Ohio.
Megan Carrig and Austin Boesch were engaged on July 30, 2017 in Erie, Pennsylvania. They are also planning to wed in Erie in the summer of 2019, but have not yet selected a date. Annaka Whitehouse began working for The Siegfried Group on June 27, 2017. She will be working out of the Cleveland office as a Senior Associate. Becca Magyar and Rich Waldo were married on October 7, 2017 in Orwell, Ohio. The two were engaged in December of 2016 in the Pocono Mountains and are looking forward to their new life together. Andy Martin proposed to his new fiancé, Christine Hackett on April 28, 2017 in Wilmington, North Carolina. They are planning a wedding in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 6, 2018.
2014 Mike Spettel moved out to Los Angeles in June for a position in
Danny Gonzalez recently started a new job at the NASA Safety Center. Erin Sarantou and Marc Beechuk ’12 were married on August 19. Rachael Dittmar and Alex Hurd ’15 became engaged this summer and the couple is planning a Fall 2018 wedding. Ty McTigue and Chelsea Gerken became engaged in Central Park in spring 2017. The two will get married in downtown Cleveland in December 2018. Ty is a strategic account manager for General Electric and Chelsea works in the Office of Alumni Relations at JCU and owns a sugar cookie bake shop.
2015 Khadar Soussou graduated with his M.B.A. from JCU, and proposed to his girlfriend under the Playhouse Square chandelier.
JOURNAL
Sabrina Rocco and Eleanor Axson both graduated from the University of Michigan School of Public Health this past spring. David Brill married Maggie Bain in The Woodlands, Texas, on August 5, surrounded by members of the class of 2015. Mary (Weinandy) Repka married United States Air Force office Greg Repka in September, and the couple will spend the next three years in Europe. Austin Gray is currently living in St. Louis, where he is a Senior Specialist for Global Mobility Services at MasterCard. Alexandra Freyvogel is now teaching social studies at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. Emily Grazia is now a realtor for Keller Williams Real Estate Services in Cleveland. Brittany Webb is currently an Enriched Mathematics Teacher at Woodbury Intermediate Elementary School in Shaker Heights.
2016 Mackenzie Davis is working as a Bid Coordinator on the Global Sales team for Alexander Mann Solutions. Frankie Caponi has worked for Cohen and Company for one year and has officially passed his CPA.
Stephen Alexander is working in Chicago at PwC doing M&A counseling. Emmy Jenkins moved to Pittsburgh upon graduation and is an Account Manager at an IT firm called Mastech Digital where she sells staffing and projects. After eight months Emmy was promoted to a managerial position. Renee Fregeau currently lives in Akron and is working for Elmcroft Senior Living where she is working in sales and marketing. She organizes events and works with admissions to move in new members of the assisted living community. Andrew Snyder works at Quicken Loans as a mortgage banker in downtown Cleveland at the Higbee building. Sydney Muggia is currently in her second year of Teach for America in Jacksonville, Florida, and she plans on teaching a third year.
2017 Sara Mattison, Feeroozeh Saghafi, Anthony Trocchio, and Sal Corrao will graduate from John Carroll in May with their Master’s of Business Administration degrees.
have relocated to Boston. Haley is currently teaching seventh grade science at Archbishop Williams High School. Shannon is currently enrolled at Boston College pursuing her Master’s in Higher Education while working in the Office of Residential Life. Catie Pauley has moved to San Diego and is working to get her Master’s Degree in International Relations at the University of San Diego. Cara Sutherland was just promoted to a Program Specialist at Brandmuscle here in Cleveland, but will be joining Catie this February, where she will work remotely. Both Morgan Sinder and Tara Daly have relocated to Orlando, Florida and are working for Disney. Tara is working in sales for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, while Morgan is working in Human Resources for Partner’s Federal Credit Union. Mackenzie Pautler also started her career as an Account Executive for Global Prairie in Washington, D.C.
Pete and Kathy Mykytyn traveled to Roccagorga, Italy last May, and visited classmate Frank Grace.
Katie (Saporito) Orlando ’09 has been keeping busy as a Daisy Scout leader, lunch and recess monitor, and taxi service for her daughter Abbie.
Mackenzie Pautler is now an Account Executive for Global Prairie.
Sara Martinko started a five-year doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Wright State University. Both Haley Kocisko and Shannon Poppe
Tara Daly is working in sales for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. John Carroll University
Alumni Magazine | 35
JOURNAL
CLASS REPRESENTATIVES We want to hear from you — tell us about your life since leaving John Carroll. Contact your class representative and share your stories and photos. If your representative post is open, email journal@jcu.edu and join the team! Robert Trivison, roberttrivison@cox.net
1986
Dan Dreiling, Dandreiling.cba@gmail.com
Don McDonald, journal@jcu.edu
1986
Karen Simpson, ksimpson@lavelleattys.com
1951
Don Ungar, donaungarsk@gmail.com
1987
Dennis Casey, Dcasey87@comcast.net
1952
Dorothy Poland, polandmomdot@aol.com
1988
Sharon Byrnes, Sharon.byrnes@ey.com
1953
Jim Myers, cealejim@gmail.com
1989
David Gassman, dgassmktvp@aol.com
1954
Peter Mahoney, peter007wowway.com
1990
Ann Margaret Lambo, amlambo@att.net
1955
Ray Rhode, rrhode@aol.com
1991
Mary Szablowski, Mary.szablowski@sothebysrealty.com
1956
Leo Duffy, leojcu1956@yahoo.com
1992
Anton Zuiker, zuiker@gmail.com
1957
Sal Felice, srfelice@att.net
1993
Donna Clifford, dcklein@cox.net
1958
John Clifford, johneclifford@prodigy.net
1994
Vacant
1942 1944-46
1959
Rick Dodson, dodson59@comcast.net
1995
Annie DePerro, anniedep31@gmail.com
1960
Jerry Schweickert, bjschweick@sbcglobal.net
1996
Genesis Brown, Orionbrown222@hotmail.com
1961
Jack Hearns, jhearns@sbcglobal.net
1997
Brian Sparks, bdsparks@meistermedia.com
1962
Vacant
1998
Mike Gildea, mgildea@braingainllc.com
1963
Pete Mykytyn, mykytyn@cba.siu.edu
1999
Christine Papesch, ChristinePapesch@yahoo.com
1964
Frank Kelley, fkelley@cba.siu.edu
2000
Lisa Foster Smith, lisasmith19@hotmail.com
1965
Dick Conoboy, riton@comcast.net
2000
Clare Taft, claretaft@hotmail.com
1966
Larry Henry, airlarr77@gmail.com
2001
Maureen DeMers Fariello, 2001jcu@gmail.com
1967
Terry Babic, wjcuterry@hotmail.com
2002
Kristen Muoio McVean, muoiok@hotmail.com
1968
Jeff Hawk, jjhawk68@comcast.net
2003
Lori Culliton, Lori.culliton@gmail.com
1969
Gerry Grim, grimgerard551@yahoo.com
2004
Nikki Spiezio Flores, nikkiflores.x@gmail.com
1970
Ted Heutsche, eaheutsche@aol.com
2005
Jennifer Tolhurst, jtolhurst04@gmail.com
1971
Tom & Rosemary Costello, tcostello@cumtd.com
2006
Christine Bohn, Cbohn06@jcu.edu
1972
John Marcus, john-marcus@verizon.net
2006
Roberta Muoio, rmuoio06@jcu.edu
1973
Bob Larocca, rockyhoople@roadrunner.com
2007
Lisa Iafelice, liafelice07@jcu.edu
1974
Dave Robinson, drobby_18@yahoo.com
2007
Brittany Bush, bbush07@jcu.edu
1975
Vacant
2008
Ann Awadalla, aawadalla08@gmail.com
1976
Diane Gaggin Collican, cools1120@gmail.com
2009
Lisa Urgan Pacconi, lugran09@jcu.edu
1977
Demaris LeBlanc, demaris@columbus.rr.com
2010
Meghan O'Keefe, megokeefe10@gmail.com
1978
Tim Freeman, tfreeman@jcu.edu
2011
Maura Jochum, mfjochum@gmail.com
1979
Nancy Agacinski, nagacinski@yahoo.com
2012
Emily Herfel, Eherfel12@jcu.edu
1980
Matt Holtz, mfh2885@sbcglobal.net
2013
Larry Napoli, LNapoli1990@gmail.com
1981
Bob Hill, soar1@aol.com
2014
Desiree Tercek, Dtercek14@jcu.edu
1982
Paul Hulseman, pjhulseman@aol.com
2015
Bri Lazarchik, blazarchik@gmail.com
1983
Mark Schroeder, briome@auctionbrio.com
2016
Madeline Sweeney, madelinegsweeney@gmail.com
1984
Don D'Amore, jcuclassof84@yahoo.com
2017
Christine Gaab, cgaab17@jcu.edu
1985
Diane Wendel, Dwendel@optonline.net
36 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
FOUNDERS DAY EVENTS April 19, 2018
April 19 is an important day in the history of John Carroll University. In 1886, Bishop Richard Gilmour and Fr. Henry Behrens, S.J., signed the formal agreement to establish a Jesuit college in Cleveland. Five months later, St. Ignatius College opened its doors for the first day of classes. 131 years later, John Carroll is still proudly educating in the Jesuit tradition. April 19 is a day to celebrate those memories, and toast to many more years for JCU.
Akron/Canton, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio Cleveland, Ohio Dayton, Ohio Buffalo, New York Chicago, Illinois Denver, Colorado Detroit, Michigan Nashville, Tennessee Rochester, New York San Diego, California Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Find an event near you John Carroll University
Alumni Magazine | 37
MEMORIAM
In Memoriam 1940s Robert Colopy ’44 Vincent Hagarman ’44
1950s David Connolly ’58 Joseph Cunningham ’57 James Dillhoefer ’53 Jay Dorsey ’55 John Downie ’55 Leo Duffy ’56 Robert Eckert ’56 Harry Fay ’51 John Ferrell ’50 Joseph Franchina ’54 Jack Gallagher ’53 Carmen Germano ’52 Gerald Grant ’59 Paul Jarchow ’56 Robert Laheta ’52 James Livingston ’51 Thomas Lynch ’50 James Martin ’53 John McNicholas ’58 Albert Misenko ’53 Frank Nugent ’51
Death notices as of December 12, 2017 Lavonne Padden ’52 James Pipino ’56 James Porter ’53 Richard Randall ’52 Edmund Schaub ’50 John Slattery ’56 Donald Stanic ’59
1960s Robert Andolsen ’62 John Foley ’60 Charles Hodges ’60 Judith Jay ’60 Nancy Murphy ’68 Richard Pachuta ’65 Michael Palko ’68 Michael Shean ’62 Charles Stanley ’68 Joseph Szasz ’63 Stephen Vargo ’61 Anthony Zunt ’64
Donald Gibbens ’73 Dennis Kelly ’74 James Mackey ’71 William McLaughlin ’74 Michael Seiler ’71 David Van Wassen ’75 Kenneth Wyneski ’72 Donna Zorge ’78
1980s Christin Alfieri ’86 Dorothy Fuchs ’80 Michael McCarthy ’80 Loretta Porter ’87 Marilyn Praznik ’84
1990s Renee Sabreen ’96
2000s Bradley Hodge ’03
1970s James M. Mackey ’71 Edward Ahern ’72 Lawrence Dulay ’74
James M. Mackey was honored by 34 classmates and brothers from IXY (pictured), after his passing on November 29, 2017.
38 | ONWARD • Spring 2018
CARROLL COUPLE
Carroll
COUPLE STEPHEN AND MARY BETH (MCNALLY) TIRPAK
by Lisa Bess Kramer, MFA
Stephen ’90 and Mary Beth (McNally) Tirpak, ’91 first met
in the era of big hair, 80’s rock, and John Hughes films. In 1985, the couple met and began a relationship that has spanned over three decades. Their relationship strengthened over a mutual love for John Carroll.
Where did you first meet? “During November of our senior years in high school, I was at Magnificat and Steve was at St. Ignatius,” said Mary Beth. “We had mutual friends and I worked as a cashier at Pick ’n Pay. Steve and his friend would come into the store and say hello. That fall, we formally met at a Halloween party and he drove me home. The next weekend, he asked me out on a date. We both had a mutual love for Irish music and he invited me to a concert at the Palace.”
What stands out most when looking back on your wedding proposal? Steve proposed to Mary Beth at Sawmill Creek Resort in the Lake Erie Islands in Huron. “Steve’s family had a summer home there,” recalls Mary Beth. “It was in May. We were sitting in the gazebo by the lake and Stephen got down on one knee and surprised me!” “The best thing was that she didn’t see it coming at all—and that she said yes,” Steve says.
Favorite Carroll memory? “So many—from Christmas Carroll Eve, to all the students out on the quad, midnight mass at Gesu. John Carpenter, the sociology professor, and Residence Life retreats. We had opportunities to meet and work for great people who helped to guide us,” Mary Beth says. “Many of us have remained lifelong friends.”
A moment at JCU that sticks out as inspiration? “We’ve always enjoyed doing service,” says Mary Beth. “It’s important to keep those values of serving people, looking out for others who might need help.” Steve recalls how the JCU students would give up their meal plan for one night a week, for a whole semester, or all year. “They’d go down to Tower City, set up tables, and serve the food,” he says. “I was also involved at the West Side Catholic Center, which supported [and continues to support] the Moriah House Women and Children’s Shelter. It’s very much a hands-on effort.”
Years of marriage Rocky River is home and they have four children—Maria ’19, Clare ’20, Mollie, and Stephen. Steve is a third-generation funeral director at Chambers Funeral Home. His grandfather opened it in the 1930s when he came to the United States from Ireland. Steve’s family has worked there for 50 years. Mary Beth teaches Kindergarten in Rocky River. Previously, she worked for the Diocese of Cleveland.
What does John Carroll mean to you? “So much of what happened at JCU also helped form who we are today, as a married couple,” said Mary Beth. “Coming to Carroll was like home,” Steve added.
John Carroll University
Alumni Magazine | 39
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carrollfund.jcu.edu 40 | ONWARD • Spring 2018