KING’S
Powerful Reminders
Spring 2025 was filled with powerful reminders of who we were, are, and ever shall be as the community of King’s College as is this edition of our alumni magazine.
Rev. John J. Jenkins, C.S.C., former President of the University of Notre Dame delivered the address at our 75th Commencement ceremony to more than 400 new alumni. His very presence was a powerful reminder that King’s was founded in 1946 by Holy Cross priests and brothers from Notre Dame led by our first president, Rev. James Connerton, C.S.C.
Father Jenkins commented on the deep commitment of our administration, faculty, and staff to our shared Holy Cross mission and the common bonds that unite our two distinct institutions. He did note another source of connection was excellent football seasons with Notre Dame in a tight race for the national championship and King’s Monarchs the undefeated MAC champions.
I smile from ear to ear when King’s alumni refer to King’s as the Notre Dame of the East. I sense they are tapping into the spirit and mission of a Holy Cross education that binds our two institutions.
Ray Kane, a graduate of the Class of 1950, shared the stage with Father Jenkins. Seventy-five years earlier, Ray celebrated his graduation from King’s and subsequently received an honorary doctorate. Ray’s presence was a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of a King’s College education and the life-long affection it fosters. As he was acknowledged, two images were displayed above: the first of Ray in his Monarch football jersey from his gridiron days; the second was a live shot of Ray on stage, his arms raised and his face exuberant with pride and joy. I smile from ear to ear when King’s alumni share with me stories that resonate with Ray’s and the amazing impact of their King’s education on their professional, personal, and spiritual lives.
Days prior to Commencement, Fathers James Lackenmier, Thomas O’Hara, John Ryan, and I gathered to celebrate the College’s Inaugural Red and Gold Gala and to honor three outstanding members of our Board of Directors: Tom Smith, Tim Morris, and Brother Donald Stabrowski, C.S.C. The presence of four King’s College presidents, whose leadership has expanded more than 50 years of the College’s history, was a powerful reminder of the continuity of Holy Cross leadership and collaboration with lay colleagues over the course of our nearly eighty-year history. As the College evolves to meet the ever-changing demands, teaching students how to live remains at the heart of our mission. I smile from ear to ear when I speak to alumni whose experience here was marked by a great teacher, staff member, administrator, priest, or brother whose personal attention and mentoring helped transform their lives.
I began by stating that this alumni magazine is filled with powerful reminders of who we were, are, and ever shall be. In inviting you to read on and to be inspired, I give glory to God who was, is and ever shall be for all that God has done and will do as we live the noble mission entrusted to us.
KING’S
CREATIVE TEAM
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Gregory Morgan
Editor in Chief
Brandi George Davis ’12
Alumni Editor
Rachel Linso ‘16
Faculty Editor
Michael Little, Ph.D.
Athletics Editor
Bridget Walsh
Creative Director & Designer
Carol Simonovich Scholl
Faculty & Staff Contributors
Allison Cragle ’20
Brandi George Davis ’12
Kyra Fauerbach ’22
Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D.
Thomas Mackaman, Ph.D.
Kristen Martin
Rev. Brogan C. Ryan, C.S.C.
Sara Pokorny ’08
Will Skaggs
Bridget Walsh
Ellen Wolfe
Student Contributors
Anneliese Flynn Little ’27
Ryan Posey ’26
Alumni Contributors
Jordyn Bortz ’25
Noelle Boucher ’24
Tessa Deemer ’25
Angela Lopez ’14
Sasha Seiwell ’25
HOW TO REACH US
King’s Magazine is published by the Office of College Marketing and Communications for King’s College alumni and friends. We welcome your feedback and story suggestions by emailing alumni@kings.edu or calling (570) 208-5879.
Copyright 2025 by King’s College. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.
Reopening of
PREVIOUS PAGE: Commencement mass at St. Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception Church, Wilkes-Barre, 1950
ABOVE:
the D. Leonard Corgan Library after the Agnes Flood of 1972.
CONTRIBUTORS
Jordyn Bortz ’25 received a B.S. in Biology. She served as Class President, a member of the King’s Programming Board, an HCE Co-Leader, Orientation Leader, and the softball team manager. Originally from Bath, Pennsylvania, Jordyn is pursuing a career as either a Physician Assistant or Nurse and continuing her education at King’s in the M.S. in Healthcare Administration Program and serving as the Graduate Assistant for the Women’s Softball Team.
Rachel Linso ’16 is the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement. She earned her B.S.B.A. with a major in Marketing from King’s in 2016. During her time at King’s, she was also a part of the Softball team. Before joining the College in the summer of 2024, Rachel worked in the marketing field of various industries and continues to be involved in the NEPA community.
Sara Pokorny ’08 serves as an Assistant Director of Development in the Office of Institutional Advancement. She earned her B.A. in Communications with a minor in Marketing from King’s in 2008. Before joining the College in the summer of 2024, Sara worked in the marketing field of various industries.
Noelle Boucher ’24 is a Medical Studies/ Physician Assistant graduate. She participated in the 2024 Medical Mission Trip to Peru, where she experienced the Congregation’s diverse ministries in the impoverished neighborhood of Canto Grande while offering her medical training to treat patients at Brother André Clinic.
Anneliese F. B. Little ’27 is pursuing a degree in Communications with a minor in Theatre. She works as the Social Media Assistant for the College’s Office of College Marketing and Communications and manages several accounts across the College. She is a staff writer for The Crown, a writing tutor, and enjoys acting. With her passion for social media and acting, she hopes to one day work professionally in the film industry.
Rev. Brogan C. Ryan, C.S.C., is the Director of Campus Ministry and College Chaplain. Before starting this role in the summer of 2021, Father Brogan served in Residence Life at the University of Notre Dame. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, he was ordained a Holy Cross priest in April 2019.
Allison Cragle ’20 is the Administrative Assistant/SCO of Veteran Affairs for the Office of the Registrar. She earned her B.A. in Professional Writing with minors in Creative Writing and Criminal Justice from King’s in 2020. She also earned her M.S. in Publishing from Pace University in 2022.
Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., is the President of King’s College. He has served King’s for 35 years and in various roles in Campus Ministry, Academic Affairs, and Academic Success. Father Looney earned his B.A. from Stonehill College, a M.Div. from the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto, Ontario, and a Ph.D. in Theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Sasha Seiwell ’25 graduated with a double major in Professional Writing and Spanish. During her time at King’s, she worked as an intern for the College’s Office of College Marketing and Communications and the Scranton Chamber of Commerce. She served as the Assistant Editor for The Crown and a writing tutor. Her post-graduation plans are still very open and unknown, but she is hopeful and excited for where her writing may take her.
Brandi George Davis ’12 served as the Director of College Marketing and Communications from 2022-2025. She double majored in both Communications and Theatre at King’s and earned her M.A. in Communications from Marywood University. In addition to her work in higher education, she spent five years working in business development for a national architecture firm.
Angela Lopez ’14 earned her B.A. in Professional Writing and served as editor-inchief of the Regis. She currently works as the Quality Assurance Manager at an engineering consulting firm and lives in Houston, Texas.
Will Skaggs is the Public Relations and College Communications Manager. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2006 and his M.S. in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from NYU in 2015.
Tessa Deemer ’25 graduated with a degree in Marketing. During her time at King’s, she competed for the Women’s Ice Hockey team for four seasons and worked as an intern and student worker for the College’s Athletic Communications office. She currently serves as the Sports Editor for WRKC. Her postgraduation plans include a summer marketing internship with Turner Dairy Farms with the hopes of securing a full-time marketing role in the fall.
Thomas Mackaman, Ph.D., is a Professor of History and currently the John H.A. Whitman Distinguished Service Professor. As a scholar of American labor and immigration history, he has been involved in promoting the public history of anthracite mining in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Bridget Walsh is the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications. She earned her B.A. from DeSales University in 2019 and her M.S. from Canisius College in 2021 and has worked in the Sports Information Department at King’s since 2019.
Kyra Fauerbach ‘22 serves as an Assistant Director of Development in the Office of Institutional Advancement. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Marketing in 2022 and is currently completing her M.A. in Strategic Communications at King’s. She previously worked as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving and has enjoyed her time at the College since being a student.
Kristen Martin is the Associate Director of Development. She brings valuable experience from her previous roles in development at two other nonprofit organizations. Kristen holds a B.S. in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology from Colorado State UniversityPueblo. She is a Luzerne County native and lives here with her husband, their three sons, and their dog, Raya.
Ellen Wolfe serves as the Director of Stewardship and Communication in the Office of Institutional Advancement. She earned her B.A. in Communications with a minor in Political Science as well as her M.P.A. from Marist College. Before joining King’s in early 2025, Ellen worked in the fundraising field in both the higher education and healthcare industries.
A CONVERSATION WITH FOUR PRESIDENTS
By Brandi George Davis ’12, Director of College Marketing and Communications
Ina rare occasion, all four living presidents of King’s College were gathered for celebrations on campus in May 2025. Together, their tenure spans 45 years—more than half of the lifetime of the institution. During their leadership, King’s College has grown as a premier Catholic institution but much of its spirit and community remain the same from its founding in 1946.
As the College prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2026, and in recognition of this unique opportunity, the presidents took a moment to sit down together and discuss the challenges they each faced, their accomplishments, and hopes for the institution.
Their hour-long conversation was filmed in the College’s new Student Success Center and can be watched at kings.edu/fourpresidents or by scanning the QR code. ■
DREAMING AND ENVISIONING A NEW FUTURE
KING’S COLLEGE EMBARKS ON TWO IMPACTFUL NEW PLANS: A TEN-YEAR CAMPUS MASTER PLAN AND FIVE-YEAR INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN
By Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., President
OUR PRESENT DREAM AND VISION FOR KING’S IS THAT WE WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS A PREMIER CATHOLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION.
In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter proclaims the good news that, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, dreaming of and envisioning a new future was at hand. At King’s College, we find ourselves dreaming of and envisioning a new future, just as the early Holy Cross priests and brothers and their lay collaborators, inspired by God, did back in 1946.
When Peter at Pentecost proclaimed that a new vision was emerging, he quoted the prophet Joel to illustrate that the “new” must remain rooted in the past dreams and visions of a community, and at the same time, must embrace new realities and opportunities. And so it is with our present dreaming about and envisioning our future here at King’s. Our present dream and vision for King’s is that we will be recognized as a premier Catholic institution of higher education in the MidAtlantic region.
Father Connerton’s maxim that “King’s teaches its students not only how to make a living but how to live” remains the cornerstone of our every dream and vision for the future. It compels us to dream about the new academic programs that we need to offer to provide our graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to “make a living.” It compels us to dream about the opportunities students need to become great citizens and leaders who promote justice and the common good and so know “how to live” with meaning and purpose.
THE CAMPUS MASTER PLAN ENVISIONS THE TRANSFORMATION
OF OUR CAMPUS
TO
ADDRESS THE ACADEMIC, ATHLETIC, AND AESTHETIC NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND GUESTS.
In my service as president, I have been privileged to collaborate with board members, alumni, community partners, faculty, staff, and students as we have dreamed together about how we can remain anchored in our rich tradition and history and empower all the members of our community to reach new heights. Through that collaboration a new Campus Master Plan (2024 to 2034) and a new Strategic Plan, Anchored in Mission, Empowered for Excellence (2024 to 2029), emerged.
The Campus Master plan envisions the transformation of our campus to address the academic, athletic, and aesthetic needs of our students, faculty, staff, and guests. We have begun this transformation to enhance academic programs by the dedication of the Frank and Carolyn Kowalski Center for Advanced Healthcare Education that houses our new doctoral program in Occupational Therapy and our Nursing programs, and the opening of the Student Success Center at the Corgan Library, which gathers multiple offices that promote student academic excellence into a single location. Plans to reinvigorate the technological capabilities for instruction and research in the McGowan School of Business are also underway. These improvements will honor the spirit of Bill McGowan ’52, a King’s alumnus and technology disrupter, whose generosity established the School.
We will reinvigorate the athletic experience of our student athletes and fans through major improvements to the Betzler Athletic
Complex. The plan and further consultation call for the turfing of a second field to provide expanded practice and competitive opportunities for our student-athletes. It announces the expansion of the Dorish Field House to accommodate our increased roster of sports, provide spaces for team meetings, and provide equity for women’s and men’s teams. We will refresh our track, softball field, and press box, and provide enhanced viewing venues for those who support our athletic programs. As we provide dramatic improvements for Betzler to draw quality student-athletes to our campus, we will witness greater competitiveness on the field and raise our profile in NCAA competitions.
We will improve the aesthetics of the campus through a variety of projects, including providing more green space for intramural and co-curricular outdoor activities. We’ll build a “learning staircase” providing an outdoor venue for meetings and social gatherings, and we’ll enhance the spaces beneath Lane’s Lane with outdoor seating to complement Regina Court. And we will mark the perimeters of our campus with beautiful gateways and signage to highlight King’s and claim our campus footprint in the heart of the city. We’ll transform the former Chapel of Christ the King into a fine arts, performance, and welcome center.
The Strategic Plan incorporates these measures that will transform the “exterior” elements of our campus so that the noble work of the inner transformation of the mind and hearts of our students that
takes place every day on our campus will be brought to new heights. Learning takes place best in an environment where students feel cared for and respected. Great academic, co-curricular, and gathering spaces communicate to students, and to the faculty and staff who support them, that they are valued.
At King’s, we believe that enhanced spaces for study, play, and recreation provide the body, the framework, for the soul of the educational experience that we long to provide. Thus, our Strategic Plan calls us to foster an enhanced college community that will enable all members to flourish in their personal, professional, and public lives. Community is the soul of King’s College. The power of community at King’s College is readily perceived by our visitors and prospective students and their families. We are told, time and again, how welcoming and hospitable we are. We are told that our campus
has a unique feel to it, somewhat like a family. However, the reality of community at King’s College is so much more than a feeling of welcome and care. Our spirit is forged in a crucible of hard work and dedication by our administration, faculty, and staff.
If we believed that “community” here at King’s was simply a feeling, fostering it would hardly be a noble or measurable goal to pursue in a strategic plan. However, we believe that being a community is not something that is given, but something that is built. And so, our Strategic Plan has specific and measurable goals that focus on fostering community. We will demonstrate excellence in student learning outcomes by engaging our students in high impact practices that demand engaged mentorship both inside and outside the classroom. We will be more intentional in recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students. We will create opportunities for community building both within and beyond.
When Father Moreau founded the Congregation of Holy Cross in the middle of the 19th century, he envisioned men and women, clergy and lay, working together to engage in a mission that would provide a community in which young people would flourish. His dream and vision demanded academic excellence, creative pedagogy, engaged mentorship, co-curricular participation, and a collaborative spirit. Moreau’s vision both anchors us and compels us forward to ever greater excellence. ■
Anchored in Mission.
Empowered for Excellence.
This year, the College launched a new strategic plan, Anchored in Mission, Empowered for Excellence, that charts the course for our institution now through 2029. Six primary goals will push King’s into new levels of excellence for student engagement and success, high impact learning, and NCAA athletic competition while also enhancing our spiritual campus—in community and culture—and our physical campus—in renewed infrastructure and increased enrollment. Anchored in the College’s mission, this work impacts every dimension of collegiate life and positions us to be a premier Catholic college.
SCAN THE QR CODE TO READ THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
MODERN MIRACLES
HOW A SACRED RELIC FROM THE PAST CAN INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
By Will Skaggs, Public Relations and College Communications Manager
Whenyou first enter the new Frank and Carolyn Kowalski Center for Advanced Healthcare Education in Downtown Wilkes-Barre, it’s not the new labs or augmented reality devices you see. In fact, despite this being one of the newest state-of-the-art buildings in higher education, the very first thing that catches your eye is an old set of wooden crutches that once belonged to a child.
As stated in the King’s College vision statement, “King’s forms graduates who will champion the inherent dignity of every person and will mobilize their talents and professional skills to serve the common good.” While modest in appearance, these crutches serve as a powerful symbol for how that mission comes to life in this new facility.
continued
ABOVE: To this day, Brother André is celebrated by visitors of Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montréal who show their gratitude to God for the healing they receive by leaving behind personal notes and medical devices— such as crutches—that they no longer need.
FACING: Father Brogan assists Father Looney in blessing the interior of the Kowalski Center during the ribbon cutting ceremony on October 4, 2024, including the welcome area where a pair of crutches from Saint Joseph’s Oratory are now on display.
Relic Quest
The crutches originated from Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montréal, Quebec. This sacred site was founded in 1904 by André Bessette, a Holy Cross Brother who entered the Congregation in 1870 and was canonized in 2010, becoming the Congregation’s first saint.
While serving as a doorkeeper in one of the Congregation’s schools, Brother André spent much of his time praying to Saint Joseph alongside the sick and afflicted. As more and more people were restored to health after his prayer and intercession, it wasn’t long before he became known as the “Miracle Man of Montréal.”
Since then, millions of visitors have paid homage to Brother André at the Oratory, often leaving behind their canes, crutches, and wheelchairs with personal notes as gratitude to God for the healing they received.
As the Kowalski Center neared completion in the Summer of 2024, King’s College President Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D.,
invited health science faculty and members of Campus Ministry to come together and choose a symbol to commemorate the new facility.
“It was clear that our faculty are passionate about fostering a strong and diverse community brought together for the shared purpose of healing,” said Rev. Brogan C. Ryan, C.S.C., Director of Campus Ministry and College Chaplain. “So, we sought a different invitation to our mission, one that would resonate with both Catholic and nonCatholic students.”
That’s when Father Brogan thought about the Oratory. After all, King’s College was also founded by the priests and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross. A relic from the Oratory would represent both the Holy Cross mission and the triumph of a patient over their affliction, inspiring healthcare professionals from all walks of life.
The faculty were excited by the concept, so Father Looney reached out to the Oratory’s Rector to see if there was any chance a pair of crutches could be brought to campus.
Not only did the Rector personally welcome Father Looney to the Oratory, but he also gave him a tour of the grounds, including the archives where many of these relics were kept. There, Father Looney was presented with the crutches, which also came with the original note of gratitude that was left with them at the Oratory.
“When the College decided to enhance its health sciences curriculum by adding a doctoral program in occupational therapy, Saint André was for us in Holy Cross the saint to whom we ought to entrust this work of healing,” said Father Looney. “The crutches given in thanksgiving for a healing through André’s prayers are meant to remind our faculty and students that education itself is a powerful means of healing and fostering new life. When we seek to heal others, we recognize their inherent dignity and bring them back to share in the life of the community.”
continued
“NOW OUR FACULTY ARE HAPPY TO POINT OUT THAT SOME OF THE ADVANCED RESOURCES IN THIS BUILDING, AND THE WAY WE USE THEM, CANNOT BE FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE REGION.”
The New Frontier of Medical Education
Medical technology has come a long way since those crutches were last used. In fact, students at the Kowalski Center can now easily fabricate their own crutches using a 3D printer just down the hall.
That device is one of several features of the innOvaTions Lab, which serves as the facility’s creativity hub. Students can design and produce ergonomically designed tools, orthotics, pediatric therapeutic aids, and even fully functional wheelchairs.
The Kowalski Center also allows students to experience advanced integrated reality training using HoloLens headsets equipped with GigXR software, which is typically only accessible to medical school students. Interactive 3D models can be projected over manikins, cadavers, or a person’s body, allowing students to explore the tiniest details of muscular and skeletal systems. Students can also engage in simulated patient conversations to work on communication skills that are crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.
The facility also features a high-fidelity lab that mimics a hospital environment with realistic manikins so nursing, physician assistant, and other health science students can practice everything from
routine care to complex medical emergencies. Students even have access to new state-of-the-art group workstations that allow them to collaborate with their peers around the world in real time.
“As part of their senior-year Global Health course, our nursing students participate in a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project,” said Billie Burry, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Nursing.
“This year, they had the enriching opportunity to work together with nursing students from Africa, which helped them prepare for real-world clinical work and foster meaningful global connections at the same time.”
Even the facility’s new cadaver labs are integrated with multimedia technology, allowing faculty to display anatomy lessons on overhead monitors so multiple students do not have to crowd around one table.
Lastly, the facility hosts brand new pediatrics, physical rehabilitation, and daily living labs. These areas offer safe, interactive environments where students learn childhood development techniques and how to teach the elderly and people with disabilities essential daily living skills such as cooking, cleaning, and personal care.
“We used to say we have everything a larger school has, just in a smaller and more personalized environment,” said Christopher
Augmented reality software, advanced diagnostic equipment, and 3D printed medical devices are just some of the latest features available to health science students at King’s College through the Kowalski Center, helping them foster both the technical expertise and communication skills necessary to treat patients effectively.
O’Brien, Ph.D., Dean of Health Sciences. “Now our faculty are happy to point out that some of the advanced resources in this building, and the way we use them, cannot be found anywhere else in the region.”
Advanced in Practice, Sacred in Purpose
Even with its vast technological features, the principles of inherent dignity and the healing power of education symbolized by the crutches lie at the very heart of the Kowalski Center.
“When cadavers arrive, we gather the students together and have a prayer service thanking God that people are willing to donate their bodies to science and student development,” said Father Looney. “We want students to know that they’re working on a human being. And that reverence continues at the end of the year with another ceremony before the cadavers are returned to the families, this time with students reflecting on how grateful they were for that experience.”
The Kowalski Center spreads that mission to the College’s other academic disciplines as well. Education majors can develop learning activities for the pediatrics lab. Computer science students can program simulated patient scenarios for the HoloLens devices. Engineering students can even refine the 3D printers to develop advanced devices for more complex disabilities.
“Modern medical science to me is truly a miracle,” said O’Brien. “Not just the 3D printing, HoloLens, and high-fidelity equipment in the building, but also newer surgery techniques using robotics or advanced imaging devices that are no larger than a laptop. These are all miracles that we take for granted.”
That’s why he says the College’s health science faculty still teach students elemental basics like suturing a wound by hand or making a simple splint using basic materials.
But it’s also why he and the rest of the faculty emphasize that effective patient communications and being sensitive to their unique needs— mental, physical, and spiritual—is just as important as the medical science itself.
“For a client, the healing process is more than just the disability or ailment: it embodies who they are,” said Jennifer Dessoye, Ed.D., Chair of the Occupational Therapy Department. “In occupational therapy we focus on individualized treatment and understanding the whole person.”
Dessoye believes that the new labs offer a unique chance to further the College’s mission across multiple generations. For instance, the pediatrics lab helps students understand that the best way for children to work on their cognitive and motor skills is through play. The students also learn that regardless of background or disability, each child learns in a unique way, and strengths in one area can help them overcome weaknesses in another.
On the other end of the spectrum, the advanced daily living labs help students understand the importance of allowing the elderly to thrive in their own homes. According to Dessoye, there is extensive research indicating that helping people “age in place” where their memories and sense of independence reside can achieve better outcomes than an assisted living facility.
“People don’t get better unless it’s important to them,” said Dessoye. “And helping them live their best life—making them a partner in a goal they set for themselves—is the collective goal of everyone in our profession.” ■
KEEP SHOWING
HOW KING’S ALUMNUS DENIS KENNEDY JR. ’20 KEPT SHOWING UP AND LANDED HIMSELF IN THE BIG LEAGUES.
By Tessa Deemer ’25
UP
PREVIOUS PAGE: Another night on the job for Kennedy with Phillies MVP Bryce Harper up to bat.
ABOVE: Kennedy gets in on the action of a media day with the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, showing sometimes it can be work and play. RIGHT: The protective gear came out for the camera and Kennedy as he captured post-season celebrations inside the Philadelphia Phillies locker room.
FACING: An early morning photo shoot with the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts. Photos courtesy of Denis Kennedy.
FROM SIDELINE TO SIDELINE, MCCARTHY STADIUM TO LINCOLN FINANCIAL: THE SKY IS THE LIMIT WHEN IT COMES TO KENNEDY
The essence of King’s College teaches one “not only how to make a living, but how to live,” and esteemed alumnus Denis Kennedy Jr. ’20 has taken that all the way to the big leagues. From sideline to sideline, McCarthy Stadium to Lincoln Financial: the sky is the limit when it comes to Kennedy.
Kennedy always felt drawn to the flash of a camera. He recalls he had always been interested in photography, especially in high school—he’d film basketball and football games when he wasn’t playing— but never took it seriously.
Starting at King’s College in 2016, he set out as a marketing major and an offensive lineman for the Monarchs. After an average first season, he was hopeful for improvement but faced adversity, injuring his knee his sophomore season and repeating the same injury on the other knee the following year.
Searching for his next step, Kennedy purchased a camera and found his inspiration across the world during a study abroad trip in Ireland. While traveling, he began his photography journey shooting significant landmarks and his classmates on the trip.
“Studying abroad in Ireland changed everything for me,”Kennedy explains.
After the trip, Kennedy knew his days on the field were done, but his spark was reignited, and his academic journey was about to change. And a check-in call with then Head Football Coach Jeff Knarr gave Kennedy a new home base: Knarr appointed him as a Special Teams Coach so he could stay connected with the King’s Football culture.
Kennedy felt the support of the King’s community when he needed it most. In advising and the classroom, he felt he could look up to faculty members to instill confidence that he was learning from and being taught by some of the best.
“It’s the first time you’re being raised by someone other than your parents and local coaches,” he says. “You’re essentially trusting strangers to make you who you are.”
Kennedy felt that faculty like Dr. Amy Parsons and Mr. Mark Leffler were
reassuring in his new creative aspirations with photography and as a marketing student.
“There was never a hesitation or disbelief,” he says. “There was always that level of support and telling me about all the opportunities of who I should talk to.”
Kennedy also felt the love from others around him, including his parents, coaches, and athletic trainers, and he expresses his gratitude to not only his professors but the entire King’s family.
continued
IT’S 5 A.M., THE SUN IS LITERALLY COMING UP, AND I’M ON THE FIELD WITH THE EAGLES QUARTERBACK.
When COVID-19 hit, all of Kennedy’s plans for photographing spring sports were at a standstill. He started reaching out to athletic trainers in the area working with players one-on-one, and that started to gain momentum. Building his clientele from the ground up, the word spread fast that he was a skilled photographer who could capture action shots of workout sessions, whether on the field or in the weight room, lifestyle shoots, or anything at the request of the trainers.
“Those same trainers had elite athletes on the back end that they would bring me to, and I got to connect with some really great local athletes that led to me getting my foot in the door with the NFL,” he says.
He recalls his “pinch-me” moment, where everything started falling into place, as he started building his connections with athletes and organizations in the Philadelphia area in June 2021.
“I first got to do a workout with Jalen Hurts in the morning with him and his trainer,” he explains. “That was the first time that I was like ‘wow this is real.’ It’s 5 a.m., the sun is literally coming up, and I’m on the field with the Eagles quarterback. I had not even shot an NFL game yet or a professional sporting event.”
After graduation—and using his freelance work he’d shot of athletes and trainers — Kennedy booked a two-year contract with the NBA
BUILDING HIS CLIENTELE FROM THE GROUND UP, THE WORD SPREAD FAST THAT HE WAS A SKILLED PHOTOGRAPHER WHO COULD CAPTURE ACTION SHOTS OF WORKOUT SESSIONS.
as a photo editor in New Jersey. Kennedy kept showing up where and when he could, and he again found himself in the right place, earning his next spot as a photographer and videographer for three additional major league organizations; not only did he make it to the NFL, but he also now contributes his efforts to the NHL and MLB year-round.
Kennedy goes on to experience once-in-a-lifetime sporting events, including the 2022 World Series and the Super Bowl in both 2023 and 2025. Kennedy opens up about the trajectory of growing up in the Philadelphia area to his career now, emphasizing how his little kid dreams became full circle moments.
“When the Phillies were in the World Series, the first home game was my first big-time sporting event,” he says. “Being in Philadelphia as a Philadelphia sports fan and someone who grew up there, looking around that stadium, and being able to feel the way I did and get those wide-eyed moments from the beginning of my career would be cool to relive.”
With years of experience behind him, Kennedy has become familiar with the pressures of games with big stakes. His history in athletics and creative passion served as the fuel for his work. Huge events like the Super Bowl have become another day on the job, meaning that he knows exactly what he needs to do and can lock in under high pressure situations.
“I’m not taken aback as much in certain venues or situations,” Kennedy explains.
At his office in the NBA, Kennedy was surrounded by peers from major state universities. Even though King’s is a smaller institution, the principles and values instilled in students prove Monarchs are strong and competitive professionals.
Kennedy continues saying, “We’re a small group of people that are going to be in the same rooms as the people of Notre Dame, Penn State, and USC. It set me up to know that if I can survive the business program [at King’s] it would get me to the next level and put me in the same room as some of these people.”
Kennedy provides his best advice for fellow and future Monarchs that want to pursue the same path.
“I’m very competitive by nature,” Kennedy explains. “I think having that mentality has also helped because every time I got denied, I would take it personal.”
KENNEDY EMPHASIZES THAT MENTALITY EQUALS ACTUALITY AND TO MAKE YOUR BEST EFFORT TO TREAT EACH OPPORTUNITY AS YOUR SUPER BOWL, WHETHER YOU’RE SHOOTING THE WORLD SERIES OR A DELCO BEER LEAGUE SOFTBALL GAME.
FACING: If you look close enough, you’ll find Kennedy and his camera capturing the Philadelphia Phillies in one of their post-game celebrations. THIS PAGE: Two thumbs up for Kennedy in front of the jumbotron and among Eaglescolored confetti celebrating the Eagles’ Super Bowl 59 victory in New Orleans this past February. Photos courtesy of Denis Kennedy.
But with career growth and a mindset modeled after the King’s motto about learning to make a living and how to live a full life, Kennedy reveals his process for moving on and looking at the big picture.
“I would keep narrowing down on what I need to get better on,” he shares. “I wouldn’t hold it against the person who got the job, but I would keep adding to my repertoire of skills.”
Kennedy emphasizes that mentality equals actuality and to make your best effort to treat each opportunity as your Super Bowl, whether you’re shooting the World Series or a Delco beer league softball game.
At the end of the day, Kennedy advises that sports photography and videography is deeper than the zoom of a lens and much of that he learned at King’s. He built a business from scratch based on his strength in building connections to create authentic moments. Whether you are just starting out or an established professional, what matters most is the person behind the camera.
Anyone can just click a shutter, but, Kennedy remarks, “There are people that can do our jobs and do it for free, but being a good person and being yourself 100% of the time matters because people will remember that more than one great image you took at a hockey game.”
Kennedy firmly believes that in owning who you are, you have raised the bar above your competition.
“Nobody’s going to care how much better skilled you are than the others,” he says. “What matters is how much better of a person you are.” ■
Making the MAC Champions
THE MONARCHS’ ROAD TO THE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Written by Ryan Posey ’26, Edited by Anneliese Flynn Little ’27
With a commanding victory over Albright College on November 7, 2024, King’s College football officially won the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship for the first time in 22 years and for only the second time in the College’s history.
Before the season had even started, Delaware Valley was projected to take the MAC Conference championship for the eighth consecutive year, and King’s was projected to finish in second for the third year in a row. However, the Monarchs were seemingly in a strong position to disrupt the prediction.
In practice, the journey to winning wasn’t that simple. Despite anticipated success, King’s didn’t start the season as strongly as it had in the past two years. The Monarchs lost the first game of the season in the Mayor’s Cup to cross-town rival, Wilkes University. Such a loss wasn’t the season entrance the team had been hoping for and an early blow to morale. Even though the Cup was an out of conference game, it didn’t affect the in-conference record, but it did raise the stakes going into the first official game within the conference.
With high expectations, a win in the first home game against Misericordia University was necessary to rally team spirit. Luckily both the offense and defense got rolling in a 41-14 victory. This game served as a recovery from a difficult beginning, and the team moved on to win the first road game of the season against Alvernia.
Feeling strong, the Monarchs played Homecoming Weekend at the end of September against Widener University. King’s had not beaten Widener in more than 15 years, and this time, the game would be an absolute nail biter that came down to the final play. A turnover late in the fourth quarter gave Widener the ball with a chance for them to score the game winning touchdown. In the final moments, Jake Ruppert ’25 swatted a pass, and the Monarchs won 28-25 to remain undefeated in the conference.
“It felt amazing to come away with a win in this game, especially with it being homecoming weekend,” said Patrick Cooney ’26. continued
FACING: Kival Clarke ’28 is lifted in the air as King’s football celebrates a touchdown in the NCAA Division III Football Championships First Round win over Ursinus at McCarthy Stadium. Photo by Photography by D. Scherbenco.
BELOW: The team celebrates their first outright MAC title in program history with the championship banner after a dominating win over Albright in November. Photo by Alyssa Accordino ’25.
By now, the hopes of winning the MAC were a reality, but the toughest games of the schedule were still ahead.
King’s went on to win their next two games in October. By now, the hopes of winning the MAC were a reality, but the toughest games of the schedule were still ahead. King’s was yet to face two of the top teams in the league: FDU-Florham and projected champions, Delaware Valley.
The away game at FDU-Florham was a back-and-forth battle, but the score at halftime was in the Monarchs’ favor. The second half continued the same, but with six minutes left to play, the Monarchs took the lead and then an interception in the end zone from Amir Gibson, which moved the Monarchs to 6-1 on the season and undefeated 6-0 in conference.
Finally, the Monarchs entered the biggest game of the season and one of the biggest in program history. King’s had not beaten the Delaware Valley Aggies since an overtime win in 2013 but would need in this match up. The Monarchs started the game strong to go up 14-0 before the half.
Delaware Valley started their come back with a touchdown and had the ball late in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie the game and send it to overtime. As the Aggies marched down to the one-yard line, and with seven seconds left on fourth down, the Monarchs’
defense stood tall. The Monarchs made a tackle in the backfield to seal the victory, a share of the MAC Championship, and an NCAA playoff berth.
“After the defense stopped them, everything became a blur, and I had a smile that I couldn’t wipe off my face,” said Morgan Chapman ’24.
The Monarchs weren’t done though. With a resounding 41-6 win over Albright College the following week, King’s College became the sole MAC Champions. The team was then able to close out the regular season undefeated in conference and a first round victory over Ursinus College in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
“It felt like everything we were working for finally fell into place at the right time,” said Marko Galetovic ’25. “All three sides of the ball were working at the highest level, and it allowed us to step up and win the close games that may have not gone our way in the past.”
It was a historic season for the Monarchs as the team racked up several awards. A total of twenty players received All-MAC honors with nine being first team, seven being second team, and four honorable mentions. Senior quarterback Russell Minor-Shaw ’24 was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year, and first-year head coach Mike Cebrosky was named Coach of the Year.
On February 15, 2025, a new banner was raised into the rafters of the McGrane Gymnasium to commemorate the team’s MAC Championship and will forever hang as a reminder of the hard work this team put in and all their accomplishments. ■
MONARCH MAYHEM 5 CONTINUING TO DRIVE COMPETITION AND SUPPORTING KING’S ATHLETICS
By Bridget Walsh, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications
Thefifth annual Monarch Mayhem crowdfunding campaign marked another successful year for the athletics initiative. Over the course of 32 hours from November 6, 2024, at noon through November 7 at 8 p.m., the King’s College Athletic Department in collaboration with Institutional Advancement raised $78,084.14.
For the second consecutive year, Monarch Mayhem was extended from 24 hours to 32 hours to allow for more fun and engagement among our student-athletes. The teams participated with videos and social media content to gain support from their friends, families, alumni, and the King’s community.
New this year, the Athletic Department and Institutional Advancement teams implemented the first ever “Pie-a-Coach” on the Scandlon Recreation Gymnasium lawn to help generate in-person excitement for the upcoming Mayhem. For just $5, anyone could pie a coach and help benefit that program. King’s Athletics went live on Instagram to showcase the event to those who could not attend in person, and it was a resounding success to get the campus involved and buzzing about the impending Campaign.
This year also featured a change in the tier system: three new tiers— Leo, Red, and Gold—are based on their past performances in the fundraiser to encourage more competition among teams with the
winners determined by the most total dollars generated rather than overall unique donors during the challenge.
Six teams won additional prizes on top of their totals from this year’s fundraiser. The Red Tier was won by Cheerleading with $4,268, while men’s and women’s Swimming took second with $3,435 raised. In the Gold Tier, Baseball claimed the top spot with $5,000, and men’s Volleyball placed second with $4,940 raised. The Leo Tier was topped again by Wrestling with $8,827, and men’s Lacrosse narrowly missed the first-place spot with $7,031 raised. For the third year in a row, Wrestling claimed the overall title as they raised the most over the 32-hour period.
Our coaches, staff, and, most importantly, the student-athletes will benefit from the generosity of others, helping create a top-notch athletic experience. Proceeds from this year’s Monarch Mayhem will help teams with specific needs such as travel and meals, updated gear and equipment, recruiting, and much more that helps enhance the student-athlete experience. ■
King’s Athletics Connects with Local Community to Celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day
By Bridget Walsh, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications
King’s College Athletics celebrated the 39th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Sunday, February 9, 2025, with its second annual free sports clinic for girl athletes led by several King’s teams.
Girls in kindergarten through 6th grade, alongside King’s student-athletes and coaches, participated in the one-day clinic that gives campers a chance to experience multiple sports and learn a new skill or technique.
The King’s event is one of many that take place across the country for NGWSD. Organized nationally by the Women’s Sports Foundation, the first installment was introduced in 1987 behind efforts from the nation’s capital to recognize and promote women’s sports by uniting premiere organizations and elite women athletes. Initially enacted to remember Flo Hyman, an Olympic volleyball player who was dedicated to enhancing the experience for women’s sports but passed in 1986 from Marfan’s Syndrome, NGWSD continues to advocate for equal access and opportunity by bringing national attention to the promise of young athletes, the progress of girls and women in sports, and the benefits that sports and fitness activities bring to their lives.
The Women’s Sports Foundation serves organizations in all 50 states and
Washington, D.C., and hosts more than 300 events that reach 200,000 girls and women annually. The foundation aims to inspire “girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power” and believes “the confidence, strength, and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and life.”
“Being involved in National Girls and Women in Sports Day was such a rewarding experience,” said Elena Andreyev, Assistant to the Athletic Director, Director of Field Hockey Operations, and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Advisor.
“Seeing their excitement and enthusiasm reminded me why events like this are so important. We can’t wait to continue supporting and empowering the next generation of athletes.”
Monarch athletics had 14 different women’s teams represented with each teaching skills and fundamentals of their sport. While some narrowed in on specific skills like putting in golf or passing in both volleyball and basketball, teams like track and field provided a range of their offerings like hurdles, throws, and jumps.
“It was such an amazing and fun opportunity to have such an awesome group of girls to show all the different sports there are to do,”
said Katey Shoemaker ’26, a member of both the field hockey and track and field programs and SAAC President.
In addition to the second annual clinic, the women’s basketball team hosted their Camper Appreciation and NGWSD game against Delaware Valley University in their conference battle on February 12. Anyone who attended the Monarchs’ summer camp or the NGWSD clinic was invited to join the pre-game warmups, starting line ups and introductions, cheer on the Monarchs during their game, and join the team for a pizza party at the conclusion of the contest. This year, King’s dominated the Aggies in a 93-49 victory in front of an electric home crowd with dozens of campers there to witness the great team effort.
Being able to not only showcase King’s athletics and our student-athletes to the local community but to also share their love of sport with young girls with aspirations of getting involved is an opportunity that our Monarchs greatly value and look forward to each year. The third year of this new event is highly anticipated and will look to grow and expand to allow for more time and fun for our campers. ■
A New Era for King’s College Track & Field
By Bridget Walsh, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications
Young programs often struggle early, searching for their standard of excellence and the groundwork to build from for years to come. Although the King’s College Track and Field program has only been a varsity program since 2015, a strong pursuit of greatness both academically and athletically has been instilled within it, especially under the direction of Head Coach Mike Kolinovsky ’00.
The Track and Field program first started as a club team in the winter of 1999 when they attended an indoor meet at Albright College as well as two outdoor meets that spring. The following year, the club expanded their events and, for several years, continued to attend more outdoor meets at institutions like DeSales University, Millersville University, Gettysburg College, Richard Stockton, West Chester University, and Widener University, many of which are still schools the varsity program visits to this date.
While King’s did not have a track complex yet, practices took place at nearby Kirby Park and the Wyoming Valley West High School track just a short trip off campus. Current King’s staff helped build the program into what it is today, with coaches like Ray Pryor ’94 aiding the throwers in 2001 and 2002 and Sean Cryan assisting the program until the spring of 2007. Even in the early years, many studentathletes met qualifying marks for the conference championship but could not compete due to the College’s limitations as a club sport.
These formative years helped pave the way for the inaugural varsity season in 2015 when the Monarchs set their early standards of success with athletes like Jill Korgeski ’19 who qualified for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships in the shot put and won the MAC indoor title. Alongside Korgeski, athletes like Marissa Durako ’17, Cayle Spencer ’19, and Tyler Maxwell ’18 notched numerous MAC titles, national qualifying marks, and AllAmerican honors.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the men’s program had three All-Americans and national qualifiers in Mitch Forgash ’22, Jackie Ni ’21, and Justin Le Cadre ’22 who paved the way for a new era. These athletes are among the respected group to hang around the fences at the Betzler Outdoor Track as MAC titles and NCAA qualifiers are etched in the history books and hung with honor for those to see,
especially at our annual Monarch Invitational and Monarch Open meets during the outdoor season.
“I do not take for granted all that we achieved in the first 10 years of this program,” added Kolinovksy. “Fourteen national qualifiers, six All-Americans, and 22 individual MAC Champions is no small feat. The student-athletes we have dream big. Their dreams came true because of everything they poured into this program.”
Fast forward to the current senior class that led the women’s program to top team finishes at both the indoor and outdoor MAC Championships in their last two appearances, including their latest third-place finish at the 2025 MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, 30 combined new program records across the two seasons, seven USTFCCCA All-Academic Team nods in track and field, and 12 USTFCCCA All-Academic Team recognitions in cross country, including the top women’s GPA in NCAA Division III at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
This year’s graduates like Andrew Novrocki, Owen Foytack, and Travis Lane for the men and Abigail Springer, Ava Butcher, Maddy Armitage, and Victoria Zultevicz for the women have brought home several medals, All-Region honors, and academic success across their specialties and made their mark on the College’s program.
“This group set a new standard,” Kolinovsky said. “Their hard work and dedication have been a backbone to the team’s overall performance. We could not have achieved all the success this year without them.”
The standard is set. The young talent returning next season have already begun their quest to greatness as athletes like Brandy Varner ’26, who became the program’s first NCAA Division III National Qualifier since 2022, Katey Shoemaker ’26, Jacob Mullery ’27, and Jordan Jones ’28 shatter records in their events, and the teams continue to thrive in the classroom. The immense growth of this program has only scratched the surface at the conference, regional, and national level, and they have set their sights on team and individual accolades. ■
ABOVE: Brand y Varner ’26 at Nationals this year. Photo courtesy of Stockton Photo, Inc.
A Source of Public Trust
How Cassidy Crawford ’25 is inspired to serve her community as she finishes the 3+3 Law Program through King’s College and Duquesne University
By Anneliese Flynn Little ’27
Mantras like, “Be the change you want to see.” and, “Be better than what came before you.” are more than clichés for aspiring lawyer and politician Cassidy Crawford ’25.
“I think a lot of the time, we look at politicians as the people that have the most power to make a change, and I think that I just want to be able to do that for other people,” Cassidy said.
Growing up hearing about political corruption and untrustworthy politicians motivated her to want to work in the interest of people from a young age. As the second oldest of 11 children, she emphasizes the role her siblings played in her calling.
“They’re my favorite thing in the entire world,” she said, citing them for her affinity toward taking care of others. To Crawford, being a politician is about more than enacting change, but being a source of trust for the public. continued
Crawford grew up in Wilkes-Barre and later Hunlock Creek, before going to school in Bear Creek and Shickshinny, and finally returning to Wilkes-Barre to attend King’s College in the fall of 2021.
She has a lot of love for the area as her childhood home, but Crawford has had a career plan, and she believes that a bigger city would offer her better chances to connect and network.
“I loved the region,” she mused, “I do think I wanted to go out and see what else is out there.”
This made the College’s 3+3 Pre-Law Program with Duquesne University a perfect fit for Crawford. The program was a big influence in her choosing King’s, a decision she is grateful for. She loved the tight-knit, supportive community, and believes strongly in taking advantage of the opportunities that King’s offered. Not only did these opportunities set her up for career and academic success, but she also built friendships and got to try out different activities. While here, especially in her first year, she said she tried everything possible, and made her friends join, too, including going to see the King’s improv group perform.
At any opportunity, Crawford was quick to say: Let’s do this
“My friends were like, ‘I do not want to go see that improv show.’ And they ended up loving it.” she said and added that after that initial push, they would go to every show.
Trying new things and being involved in one’s community is very important to Crawford. In her mind, you need only try something once to find a new interest or decide never to do it again.
While at King’s, she served as both president of Student Government Association and class president. She also worked as a Resident Assistant and a Holy Cross Experience CoLeader and was involved in the yearbook and Campus Activities. Through King’s, she was able to work as a summer intern in Washington D.C., where she hopes to one day live and work.
The accelerated pre-law program is rigorous, but Crawford demonstrated drive and passion that helped her succeed. She was also able to build strong connections with professors and faculty that would guide her and provide support. She explained that the advisor of the 3+3 program, Attorney Joseph Rish, was a
great professor and a big help in her decision to go to Duquesne. She also noted others that were very helpful in advising her, including Dr. Beth Admiraal, Chair of the Political Science Department, and Dr. Margarita Rose, Chair of the Economics Department.
When she received her offer from Duquesne, Crawford would once again say let’s do this It was a hard decision to leave her King’s community, but it was that same community that made her feel strong enough to go.
“That’s honestly been one of the best things,” she said, “Knowing that I have people at King’s that are rooting for me and cheering me on.”
The support and education she received has helped her readjust to the competitive law school environment. Her strong academic foundation helped her achieve grades she could be proud of in the first semester.
She says that, at Duquesne, her professors love to work with students with her background.
“They love when students come from a small liberal arts school because they teach you how to think critically, and they teach you how to question, and I do genuinely believe that that’s what King’s did for me.”
Crawford and Model UN partner Jake Forst in Germany as delegates of Montenegro and on a 2024 Winter SERVE trip in a national forest in Puerto Rico.
However, in the transition between such different schools, not only is the academic environment different, but the social culture is also very different. In addition, other than her summer internship in D.C., this was Crawford’s first big move by herself out of Wilkes-Barre.
“It’s definitely been a little bit more challenging,” she said. “Just the law school environment is very different from the undergraduate environment at King’s.”
The law school culture at Duquesne is more academically focused and competitive. Though she has integrated socially and academically, she says there are times when she misses her King’s community.
“I feel like I always have my nose in a book, and I’m not spending as much time with other people as I did at King’s.”
But she credits her tight-knit Monarch community with preparing her to build her new community at Duquesne.
“One thing about King’s that I appreciated was the emphasis on community,” she said.
She also loved how the College teaches students to keep an open mind about others’ struggles, and to always work in support of one another.
“I think that, specifically, Jasmine Giddings’ office did a fantastic job of teaching me how to listen to understand and just kind of understand that everyone’s coming from a different background, and it’s important to be compassionate and kind to everyone.”
The networking opportunities in big cities are also abundant, something she is excited about experiencing throughout her career.
“They are very good about that, especially with Pitt Law. We’ve had multiple networking events where you can meet students from other schools.”
And as much as she misses the life of Wilkes-Barre, and trying to “get creative with what to do,” she enjoys being immersed in the multitude of activity and culture that Pittsburgh offers.
Now settled into her life at Duquesne, Crawford’s high achievements haven’t slowed. When asked about what she is involved in, her spirit for community continues to be impressive.
“I’m involved in the Women’s Law Association, the First-Generation Law Student Society, and I’m a writer on the Juris Magazine, which is like a legal article that we have here.”
To Crawford, the ability to involve oneself are the greatest strengths anyone can get from their time at King’s. Her own passion for community and people is what drives her to be a trustworthy and reliable politician, and King’s prepared her to build that anywhere she goes. She would advise any first-year student, especially those in the 3+3 program, to try out as many opportunities as they can. Crawford returned to King’s in May to experience senior week and walk in the Spring Commencement ceremony. She was able to close out her undergraduate chapter, and one thing is for sure—with Crawford at the wheel, each chapter will be better than what came before. ■
Crawford on a Model UN trip taking a cultural tour in Germany.
A Great Escape
King’s College History students bring back to public memory
Wilkes-Barre’s fugitive slave case of 1853
By Thomas Mackaman, Ph.D., Chair of the History Department and John H. A. Whitman Distinguished Service Professor
Early in the morning of September 3, 1853, a dramatic scene unfolded just a few blocks from where King’s College campus is today: A fugitive slave, with spontaneous help from local townspeople, fought off federal marshals and escaped, ultimately to Canada. Even though the subsequent fugitive slave court case garnered the attention of a Supreme Court justice, and even though no less a figure than Frederick Douglass said Wilkes-Barre would live in “immortal splendor” because of the townspeople’s actions, there is little public memory of the incident.
King’s College history majors aim to rectify this matter and are now researching this fascinating case in an upper-level class. Our class goal is to secure a historical marker commemorating the runaway slave, William Thomas.
Thomas worked as a waiter at an establishment called the Phoenix Hotel, which was located at the corner of Market and River Streets, roughly the location occupied today by the LSEO building. Thomas had escaped a little less than one year earlier, on September 13, 1852, from his master Isham Keith, a wealthy plantation owner of Fauquier County, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.
In a cruel twist, the marshals who sought his arrest first allowed Thomas, who was unaware of their intentions, to serve them breakfast. Soon after finishing, a Virginian who had traveled with the posse identified Thomas as a fugitive slave. Immediately, the marshals attempted to seize the man, who was in his early-20s and, according to a runaway slave ad that appeared in Virginia newspapers a year earlier, “about six feet high.”
A violent struggle ensued, testified to by historical newspapers, court cases, and later reminiscences. Thomas broke free from the marshals, brandished a serving knife and fork, wounding a marshal in the process. The federal lawmen then attempted to tackle the fugitive, succeeding in placing on one of his two arms a manacle and chain— the very symbol of chattel slavery. Breaking free again, Thomas turned the unfastened half of the cuff and chain into a weapon, swinging it at his would-be captors. At this point, he ran out of the Phoenix Hotel and directly into the Susquehanna River. The posse followed, guns drawn.
At this point the accounts of Thomas’ flight vary. Some attest to a crowd of locals, including from among Wilkes-Barre’s free black population, emerging to interfere with the posse’s work. Others report Thomas yelling “you will never take me alive.” Some report that Thomas made his way up the river some distance, eventually crossing to the other side where local women dressed his injuries. Whatever their discrepancies, all the testimonies agree on one fact: Thomas managed to escape. He evidently made his way to Niagara, Canada, where he again plied his trade as a waiter.
All the historical evidence converges around what followed the escape: a fascinating legal case that tested the power of the recently passed Fugitive Slave Act and brought the attention of Supreme Court Justice Robert C. Grier.
At this point in our story, some historical context is necessary. Following the Mexican-American War, the United States had— through predatory means—acquired new territory, much of which was desired by the South for the expansion of slavery. The Fugitive Slave Act, among other laws, was established as part of a concession from the North, offered as an olive branch to the South so that California could be admitted to the Union as a free state rather than a slave state.
The Fugitive Slave Act would essentially require any citizen, including those in the North, to assist in capturing runaway slaves. While the South’s longstanding defense was that “state’s rights” preceded and trumped any effort by the federal government to reduce or abolish slavery, the Fugitive Slave Act gave enormous power to appointed federal agents to track down, apprehend, and deport alleged fugitive slaves regardless of state or local law. Although a compromise for the South to yield such power to the federal government, the Fugitive Slave Act helped them retain its grasp on slavery, especially in border states where slaves often escaped.
The Fugitive Slave Act took aim at the Underground Railroad, the informal system of safe houses, communities, and “conductor” guides that provided routes out of the South and to the North and ultimately to freedom in Canada, still part of the British Empire. One important route of the Underground Railroad passed through Wilkes-Barre from where fugitives continued on to Montrose and then Buffalo and finally Niagara—the very route that William Thomas used. Because of its secretive nature, it is impossible to say how many runaways may have passed through Wilkes-Barre, but, based on primary source evidence it seems probable that they numbered at least in the
A runaway slave advertisement from a Virginia newspaper seeking the apprehension and return of William Thomas.
dozens. The fugitives found support from Wilkes-Barre’s free black population, centered on the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the local abolitionist William Camp Gildersleeve, who risked life and limb in the cause of freedom.
Runaways could be arrested solely on a master’s affidavit, which could be secured from a southern court. Because the Fugitive Slave Act followed Southern custom in forbidding slaves from bearing witness against their masters, the accused had no legal right to testify in their own defense. In galling fashion, federal commissioners who ruled on the cases were given $10 for ruling in favor of the master, but only $5 if the ruling was handed down for the accused. Finally, the act required Northern citizens to assist in apprehensions when called upon by federal marshals, while imposing fines of up to $1,000—a princely sum in the 1850s—and jail terms of up to six months for those found guilty of assisting fugitives.
A HOUSE DIVIDED
History teaches us again and again (for those willing to learn the lesson!) that aggressive actions have unintended consequences. Designed to entrench slavery, the Fugitive Slave Act instead turned public opinion in the North against the “peculiar institution.” In several instances crowds of Northerners interfered with marshals executing their federal duties, allowing freed slaves to escape, including in Boston, Syracuse, Milwaukee, and, as we have seen, in our own Wilkes-Barre. Eight northern states went so far as to set up “personal liberty laws” expressly designed to weaken the Fugitive Slave Act.
In other cases, local law enforcement officials and magistrates attempted to intervene against federal marshals and bounty hunters. This was the case in Wilkes-Barre in 1853, where Gildersleeve appealed first to the sheriff and then to local magistrates that they take action against the slavecatchers. The federal marshals fled to Hazleton,
A map from 1891 suggesting the probable routes of the Underground Railroad, including the one that passed through Wilkes-Barre.
where they were briefly detained, and then on to Philadelphia. Not once, but twice, an order issued by a Wilkes-Barre magistrate resulted in the marshals’ arrest in Philadelphia. In both cases, habeas corpus cases came before pro-slavery judges, who ruled vociferously in favor of the federal over the local jurisdiction. One of these judgements was handed down by Justice Grier, who had been nominated to the high court by Andrew Jackson.
The resolution of the case was contradictory. While Thomas escaped and evidently lived out his days in freedom in Canada, the federal prerogative to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act was also upheld. Yet, in the end, Wilkes-Barre’s runaway slave case suggested, as President Lincoln later put it, that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” The country could not remain “half slave and half free,” he said. “It will become all one thing, or all the other.”
The foregoing account of Thomas’s escape and subsequent legal case is based on the work of students in an upper-level history course, though unanswered questions about William Thomas and the court cases that follow remain. With service-learning support from the Shoval Center for Community Engagement, and with the cooperation of the Luzerne County Historical Society, students at King’s College have committed to applying for a Pennsylvania Historical Marker to commemorate William Thomas, whose courage and dignity in the face of the cruelty of slavery continues to inspire.
Associate Supreme Court Justice Robert C. Grier, a Pennsylvanian who issued rulings that defended slavery.
Students are currently carrying out substantial primary source research in historical archives, including newspapers and manuscripts from the period, and preparing the many parts involved in application for a historical marker from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Simultaneously, students are at work on individual research projects on the slavery controversy in Pennsylvania, on topics ranging from figures like congressmen David Wilmot and Thaddeus Stevens, to the way Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was received in Luzerne County after it was issued on January 1, 1863. In both their individual work and their service-learning work, students are connecting regional history to larger historical questions revolving around “the irrepressible conflict.”
Most of all, we are all learning—students, professors, and we hope, the community—that history does not have to be merely academic. It has a very important role to play in public life and memory. ■
Living Our Mission Through Service, Community, and Holy Cross
King’s College celebrates another year of Holy Cross Day of Service
By Rev. Brogan C. Ryan, C.S.C., Director of Campus Ministry and College Chaplain
Itis more than a stroke of providence that John Mayday ’77 has been a primary collaborator for the entire 13-year history of the College’s Holy Cross Day of Service. Having come to King’s College after a career in the military, engaged with the community during his academic career, and continuing his commitment to the community in many ways since as an alumnus, Mayday lives the goals of this influential initiative.
In March of 2014, Bill Bolan, Ph.D., Director of the College’s Shoval Center for Community Engagement and Learning, received a letter from the Office of Community Engagement at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas—connected to King’s through the Brothers of Holy Cross—inviting our institution to participate in a national day of service. The idea was that one day each year would be dedicated to service that would express the Holy Cross commitment to mission and community engagement at the local level in solidarity with as many Holy Cross colleges, universities, schools, and parishes throughout the country as possible. King’s responded with an enthusiastic “Yes!” Now in its 14th year, King’s is the only Holy Cross institution, to the best of our knowledge, that has continued the celebration in this way annually.
Because the Holy Cross Day of Service typically falls at the end of the spring semester and near Earth Day, the primary projects have often taken on an environmental theme. The connection with Mayday has made these projects an important and natural fit and have made him one of the first and most consistent collaborators.
For the past 35 years, Mayday has been involved in the Riverfront Parks Committee, where he currently serves as the Executive Director. With a mind for community engagement, a love for King’s College, and a desire to get as many people connected to the Susquehanna River as possible, he has facilitated river clean ups, environmental education programs, and programming along the river for years.
When you participate in the river clean up, you first meet at the “King’s Portal” along River Street where Mayday gives a pep talk about how important the service work is for the river, the community, but also for the individual.
“The day of service has an impact on the river and the people who enjoy recreation around the river,” Mayday said. “It also gives an opportunity for a new generation to be a part of the work. That is where the true impact lies.”
This year, Holy Cross Day of Service fell on Arbor Day, so the event focused on planting new trees along the riverfront. Mayday considers these plantings as “leaving a legacy for the community and environment” and believes the day served as a vehicle for that legacy.
continued
John Mayday ’77 (top) speaks to volunteers gathered in Nesbitt Park before the tree planting project on Arbor Day. King’s College faculty, staff, students, and family (middle and bottom) planted six maple trees and river birches along the river—under the guidance of federal and state parks employees—that will support the native ecosystem for decades.
HOW WE SERVED
Over the last 13 years, King’s College has completed yearly projects for Holy Cross Day of Service that have supported our community and the environment.
2022
in the weeks leading up to the Day of Service and
Inauguration of Father Looney as 10th President
PROJECTS INCLUDED
River clean up
Iron-oxide tie-dying
Go Baby Go mini-build
United Way book collection
Crocheting Plyarn sleeping mats Park clean up
Food distribution
Hygiene kit collection and distribution
B’nai B’Rith painting project
River parks educational program with local elementary schools
Red Cross educational session with Sound the Alarm Project
Holy Cross Day of Service invites our students to be a part of this local community, make it their home, and have an impact on it.
ORGANIZATIONS AIDED
Wilkes-Barre City Parks Department
New Roots Recovery Center
Victims Resource Center
King’s College Community Garden
Riverfront Parks Committee
Wilkes-Barre Health Department
Kelly Gibbons ’11, Community Outreach and Social Justice Programs Coordinator at the Shoval Center, is the current principal organizer for the initiative and hopes it will continue to grow. Gibbons said that from her first involvement, she views Holy Cross Day of Service as a unique way for all members of the King’s community to actively engage in the mission.
“For students, faculty, staff, clubs, teams, community members, whether you have been actively involved in service or not, Holy Cross Day of Service invites everyone to live out what we say and to be impacted while making an impact,” Gibbons said.
Eric Grego ’14, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, agrees. He has been a participant in Holy Cross Day of Service since his undergraduate days. Now in his role recruiting future Monarchs, he loves being able to talk about Holy Cross Day of Service as a reflection of who we are and what we value as a King’s College community.
“Wilkes-Barre will be home for our students for at least four years,” said Grego. “Holy Cross Day of Service invites our students to be a part of this local community, make it their home, and have an impact on it.”
During that morning’s event, twenty King’s College students, faculty, and staff gathered in Nesbitt Park and planted six maple trees and river birches. The College’s Administration Building and Christ the King statue formed a symbolic backdrop—the perfect viewpoint to continually watch these saplings grow alongside the institution. ■
Beyond the Condition: Providing Care for the Whole Person
By Noelle Boucher ’24
Ihadthe privilege of experiencing a medical mission trip to Holy Cross ministries in Lima, Peru in June 2024. When I signed up for the trip, we had a scheduled meeting at the College about the culture shock that I would experience while visiting a foreign country. An advisor spoke about how we could potentially feel both positive and negative emotions when arriving and leaving another country. After hearing this, I truly believed that I would never be someone to have a “freak out” about being in a new country. I pride myself on being independent and adaptable. I am flexible and open to new experiences, or so I thought.
When we arrived late in Lima, I thought we flew into the wrong country. There were lights, streets, cars, and whole cities. The country was dramatically not what I was expecting. While the streets were not American by any means, the city was more established than what I thought. As we drove further into Lima, I saw people on the streets, eating dinner, getting haircuts, and hanging out.
On the first day, we went to the Brother André Clinic in a place called Canto Grande. We pulled up to a bustling street, stray dogs, and a gated clinic. Just outside the gate, there was a line of 50 people who were there to receive medical treatment from us.
When we opened the clinic, we had more than 200 people on the first day. There were very few translators and even less with medical knowledge. Seeing patients and explaining diseases requires simple, but concise education. It was a process that I rarely encountered. However, the people of Peru were unconditionally kind and grateful for what we could offer them. Most encounters with elderly patients usually ended with them saying something about how we are angels to them and blessed us for our service. Most of the time, I would offer a kind smile and a hug back.
The last day, a patient came in that we didn’t expect. It was a young man with a limp. He was clearly sick and very skinny. Both his left leg and left arm were atrophied—just skin and bone. He was covered in tattoos and disheveled with dirty clothes.
I was set to see him, for I was next in line to take a patient. One of the translators pulled me aside. She told me that based on his tattoos,
he could be a gang member who was involved in drug trafficking. She told me to be careful and to hide my valuable things from him. I accepted her warning and continued with my duty.
I greeted this man and started a conversation with him. He explained his chronic pain from a previous injury. He had me feel the bullet embedded in his skin and other gunshot wounds, which causes his severe muscle atrophy.
He told me that he moved from Columbia and does not have citizenship. He spoke about how without legal status, he has been without a job and healthcare for years. He told me that he sells pieces of candy on the street corner to be able to eat every night.
Hearing this story made me stop. I looked at him. I really looked. I did not see a gang member or a homeless man or even an immigrant. I saw a patient. Someone who, regardless of status, deserves love, attention, and sincerity. Given the severity of his symptoms, I offered to allocate some funds to help him see the clinic’s neurologist free of charge. Once I explained the process and educated him on the next steps, he kindly thanked me.
He then reached into his bag and grabbed my hand and placed four candies in my palm. He offered me his way of living right now, possibly forfeiting his dinner or a place to sleep to thank me. I wonder if that is the first kindness he received in a long time or the first time someone cared about his health. I think about this gentleman almost every day, whenever I see new patients. I see how his kindness is entirely the most profound understanding of humanity I can comprehend.
The culture shock I felt wasn’t about the differences that I saw in the Peruvian people versus life in America. Rather, I saw the similarities. I saw how that man lives in every single one of my patients, past and future ■
This essay tied for third place in the 2024 Holy Cross Missions Student Essay Contest, which invited students to reflect on a specific moment they felt a profound connection with a person they encountered at an international Holy Cross ministry and highlight the ways in which it prompted them to live more like Christ.
Noelle provides medical care to a patient during her mission trip to Peru last summer.
The Next Chapter
NEW RENOVATIONS—AND A STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER—
BRING THE CORGAN LIBRARY INTO THE 21ST CENTURY
By Sasha Seiwell ’25
Each new office will have glass doors and windows inside the library, making sure that students can easily identify the offices and the people inside.
Drapedover the entrance of our library were large gray tarps. Through the eyelets and the spaces between them students struggled to take a glimpse. The Great and Powerful Oz wasn’t hiding behind the curtain, just ladders and saws and frames of bearing walls. For the 2024-25 academic year, King’s students curiously walked past these tarps to the stairs and elevator as they solely used the D. Leonard Corgan Library’s basement and second floor—an inconvenience for sure, but the result was worth the wait.
The library plays a significant role in student life. It fosters friendships, bonding students together during some of the most demanding points in a semester. It can be a place where there’s stress and students struggling but also one where projects and finals are completed and students feel relief. For a year, the library was still a place available to students, but that space was limited as the entire first floor and some of the second floor were closed due to renovation for what is now the new Student Success Center and home of the offices of KC Pathways and Academic Advisement as well as the Academic Skills Center, the Tutoring Center, and the Writing Center.
Prior to renovations, these offices were separated not only by rooms but by buildings. The Office of KC Pathways, which offers several mentorship programs for first-generation and international students and those needing financial assistance, was located on North Franklin Street. Maura Modrovsky ’22, Director of KC Pathways, said their office enhances academic experiences with holistic support, including through advising, advocacy, awareness, celebration, immigration services, and programming.
“I know that students will enjoy the new space,” Modrovsky said. “And since it is centrally located and in the heart of campus, I anticipate participation numbers increasing.”
Students often have busy schedules—with classes, work, sports, and personal responsibilities—and it is difficult for them to take advantage of available resources. By co-locating these success services in one space, not only is access increased but time is also saved.
Melissa Ciocco ’02, Director of Academic Skills, said that the new Student Success Center will streamline student support. Academic Skills offers equal access to education and free peer tutoring; workshops to improve study skills, time management, and anxiety; note taking; and academic accommodations for students with disabilities. Most recently, Academic Skills occupied offices on the first floor of the Mulligan Sciences Center, across from the Office of Academic Advisement and the Writing Center further down the hall, and tutoring services located in Hafey-Marian Hall across campus.
Both Ciocco and Modrovsky said that the distance between the offices never negatively impacted the communication between faculty and staff, but students may not have known where the different offices were and would not have been as inclined to find the support they needed. Each new office will have glass doors and windows inside the library, making sure that students can easily identify the offices and the people inside.
“I think the Student Success Center being in this central location will also increase foot traffic to the other student success spaces, as well as the library,” Ciocco said. “The ability to walk students into an office right next door for continued support will be invaluable.”
The College’s success services have grown significantly in the past decade alongside both the College itself and the student body, and more resources and accommodations were essential.
“King’s used to be just one building when it first opened,” Modrovsky said. “As the numbers have grown, there has been a need for more buildings and services, and now having all of these offices in one location is a necessity.”
This is the first renovation the space has had since Hurricane Agnes in 1972, when the entirety of Wilkes-Barre was devastated by the flood. Since then, the Corgan Library had stayed true to the 1970s, with its brown paneled walls, brown and green carpet, and minor improvements throughout the years to accommodate the growth of the College.
It was clear that the interior was dated... or loved well. Adam Balcziunas, Director of the Library, noted the concept of updating the library has been around for a while with original plans to renovate the entire building.
“The idea of co-locating various student support services was part of the plan from the start,” Balcziunas said. “Planning was delayed due to several challenges, including the pandemic.”
Renovations included structural changes, such as new expanded windows at the front and sides of the building for more natural light and creative construction solutions for laying out library services alongside the five new office spaces. Carpeted floors were replaced with faux hardwood, glass walls and doors allow for even more natural light, while modern lighting fixtures add style. Additional study rooms (which had previously been limited to the second floor and basement), comfortable seating, and an area where students can purchase grab-and-go food and drinks make the first floor a more functional and active destination. And, of course, the College’s library
services had their own much needed make-over for both circulation and back-of-house operations.
The second floor of the library is now also under renovation. New carpeting, paint, lighting, and study rooms will be added. Like the first floor, large windows have been installed in the front and sides of the building.
“I will say that, over the years, we have cleared out little areas here and there to provide new study spaces for students,” said Balcziunas. “There is a small space in a corner of the court (lower) level where we got new, comfortable study pods and added several group study rooms. The popularity of that updated space—which was relatively small and modest—really made it clear how impactful it would be to renovate a whole floor of the building.”
Broghan Dowler ’26, a physics major and tutor is excited and optimistic about the Writing Center’s new location. One reason is that first-year students may not know the location of the Writing Center and many students are apprehensive in seeking help. Even though they learn about it on campus tours, by the time they actually attend college many of them can’t remember its location.
“I think the glass doors will be a great addition,” said Dowler. “You’ll see that there are tutors in there. Students will be working on their papers in the library anyway, so why not just bring it in [to the Writing Center] to get a second pair of eyes.”
Balcziunas said that most alumni who come back to visit the College and walk into the library are always surprised just how much the library hasn’t changed in decades. The library has been a time capsule, and although that’s been one of its most endearing qualities (providing a place for stressed King’s students to study) this renovation will clearly lead future Monarchs to academic and professional successes. ■
First floor card catalog in the D. Leonard Corgan Library, 1974.
PARTNERS IN LAW, PARTNERS IN LIFE
By Sara Pokorny ’08, Assistant Director of Development
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS TEN-YEAR HISTORY, the Rev. James Lackenmier, C.S.C., Award for Achievement and Leadership will be conferred to two honorees, Neil T. O’Donnell, Esq. ’84 and Catherine R. O’Donnell, Esq., attorneys and principals of O’Donnell Law Offices in Kingston, Pennsylvania.
Neil has dedicated his career to representing injury victims across the region since 1990. He’s a board-certified Civil Trial Specialist and past President of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. Cathy is a practicing attorney, former District Judge, and business manager at O’Donnell Law who currently serves as a Governor of the University of Pittsburgh Law Alumni Association.
The couple—who just celebrated 35 years of marriage in 2024—sat down with Sara Pokorny ’08, an Assistant Director of Development in Institutional Advancement, to talk about their journey together.
Sara Pokorny: Neil, you grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania and, Cathy, you grew up in Pittsburgh. How did you two meet?
Cathy: We met at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law on the first day. I sat in the wrong seat, and it ended up being right behind him. He turned and introduced himself, and that’s how it all began. We got to be very good friends that whole first year and we started dating during the second year of law school.
Neil, you attended King’s and majored in history and secondary education. How did that play into the bigger picture of your career?
Neil: I wanted to go to law school for a long time, but I added the education component at the suggestion of my dad. I could teach in case it didn’t work out for one reason or another. A lot of my brothers did that. My brother Tom (Class of 1980) went to King’s, and he has a Ph.D. in history. My brother Kevin (Class of 1984) went to King’s as well and he was a superintendent in two locations.
Your father was a professor at King’s. Did that influence your decision to go here?
Neil: Absolutely. He was a professor in an era with great professors like Frank Vacante, Joe Kurpis, Dr. Tom Arnold, Dr. Stevens, and Dr. Schleik. It was kind of a natural thing that I would go to King’s. The school had a strong history department and a good education department.
How did your careers begin?
Cathy: We started in Philadelphia. I worked for a very large firm with 400 lawyers in the personal tax department. It was a great training ground.
Neil: In law school, I worked with a workmen’s compensation insurance company adjusting claims, and I think that really gave me a perspective on the
Neil T. O’Donnell, Esq. ‘84 and Catherine R. O’Donnell, Esq., will be honored at the 10th annual presentation of the Rev. James Lackenmier, C.S.C., Award for Achievement and Leadership this October.
other side of the business. After school, I also worked at a large firm with some top shelf lawyers, learning so much that by the time we started our own practice we knew what we were doing.
What brought you both back to Northeastern Pennsylvania?
Cathy: From the first time I met Neil, his goal was to have his own office in his hometown. He really loves Wilkes-Barre and his roots here. I knew all along that was what his plans were. It’s such a great community. I can’t tell you how many times we have the luxury of meeting people that Neil went to grade or middle school or high school with.
Neil: Which Cathy gets an enormous kick out of.
Cathy: It’s such a wonderful gift!
Neil: We would get clients from Dodson Elementary School to Meyers High School to King’s College, people we’ve known all along the way. I think there’s something very rewarding about that.
How else has the local community helped you over the years?
Cathy: A lot of people who were attorneys at various points in their careers were very helpful in setting up the office and the basics of how things run. Both of us have tried to continue that mentorship in our work. We strive to be that peer lawyer. Competitiveness and being cutthroat is not part of our discipline.
Neil: We have a great community of lawyers in the region and across the Commonwealth who are not only high-quality legal professionals, but human beings.
What advice would you give someone looking to forge a legal career?
Neil: Marry somebody smarter than you and make them your business manager.
Cathy: We do have the gift of working together, and it’s truly the greatest blessing.
Neil: A great lawyer and a great friend of mine once told me, “Stay on the rollercoaster.” There’s ups and downs. There are times when cases work out your way and times when a verdict may not go your way but stay on the rollercoaster. Keep showing up.
Cathy: Be open to suggestions, be open to saying yes. Stay focused and know your strengths but also know your weaknesses. There’s also no substitute for hard work. Neil is the first one here in the morning and the last one to leave because of his dedication to his clients. All our lawyers are like that. Hard work is a major ingredient of whatever your dream might be.
You are both very active in the local community. Cathy, you serve on several boards including Dress for Success Luzerne County, Junior Leadership Northeast, and North Branch Land Trust. What draws you to volunteer work?
Cathy: I truly believe it’s our responsibility to do what we can in our community, as we’re all better when our community is successful. Not everyone has family support or mentors to guide them when they need help, they need a starting point. I learn so much from everyone that I have the blessing to work and volunteer with. Building bridges is something I strive to do in both the community and our profession.
Neil: I think all of that comes back to you. The more positivity we put out in the community, the more help we give, in some cosmic way, it all comes back and pays enormous dividends.
Any advice for current King’s College students?
Neil: I’m honored to be on the board of King’s College and to interact with great people like the Holy Cross Priests and Brothers and Father Looney. There’s so much that young people can learn from watching how those folks conduct themselves. Also, if we can ever help any students at King’s College, all they have to do is call.
Cathy: Absolutely. We love to have people ask questions about the profession, even shadow to see what it’s like being in a mediumsized office. Also, students should be excited. You’re at such a fabulous point in your life, at the precipice of many new adventures. Sometimes it really is just saying yes, taking that next step forward, and having confidence in yourself. ■
A Night of Red, Gold, and Generosity
INAUGURAL GALA RAISES MORE THAN $250,000 FOR MONARCHS
By Sara Pokorny ’08, Assistant Director of Development
THIS PREMIER EVENT— AND FIRST OF ITS KIND FOR THE COLLEGE— WAS A CELEBRATION NOT JUST OF THE COLLEGE’S STORIED
PAST, BUT ALSO OF ITS VIBRANT PRESENT AND PROMISING FUTURE.
The mission of King’s College was showcased and strengthened on the evening of May 10, 2025, when the inaugural Red & Gold Gala took place at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre. This premier event—and first of its kind for the College—was a celebration not just of the College’s storied past, but also of its vibrant present and promising future. King’s College alumni, faculty, students, and friends gathered for an unforgettable night of fun, community, and fundraising to support our Monarchs.
With more than $250,000 raised through generous donations, sponsorships, raffles, and a silent auction, the Gala was a resounding success. Proceeds benefited the KC Fund, a critical resource that ensures the continued growth and excellence of King’s and the education it provides. The fund empowers the College to enhance student success, support faculty achievement, and uphold its mission of transforming hearts and minds with zeal in communities near and far.
The Red & Gold Gala was co-chaired by Cassandra Coleman ’10 and Rev. Thomas J. O’Hara, C.S.C., Ph.D. ’71, both proud Monarchs with deep ties to the institution. The master of ceremonies was Jarrett Ferentino ’00, a prominent trial lawyer and partner at Pugliese, Finnegan, Shaffer & Ferentino, whose energy helped set the tone for the evening. Rev. Charles Kociolek, C.S.C., who has served King’s since 1981, offered the blessing before dinner, marking one of his final acts before transferring to his new ministry at St. Joseph Center in Valatie, New York.
A deep sense of King’s tradition and community radiated throughout the entire ballroom. Attendees were greeted by several cheerleaders and Leo the Lion as they joined the festivities, members of Cantores Christi Regis choir performed the College’s alma mater during the cocktail hour, and at each seat was a special edition issue of The Crown, which served as the evening’s program book.
A wide array of raffle and silent auction prizes were available, including exclusive King’s-branded items such as a bicycle and cornhole boards, tickets to major sporting events, gift baskets from local businesses, and more.
continued
Beyond the celebration and fundraising efforts, the Red & Gold Gala marked a historic moment for the College. All four presidents were present together. Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D.; Rev. John J. Ryan, C.S.C., Ph.D.; Rev. Thomas J. O’Hara, C.S.C., Ph.D.; and Rev. James Lackenmier, C.S.C., represent nearly 50 years of King’s history through their combined tenures. Their presence served as a powerful symbol of the College’s enduring legacy and its leadership’s shared commitment to education, service, and community.
In keeping with this spirit, three Presidential Awards were presented during the event, recognizing extraordinary contributions to the College and broader community.
King’s College remains a place where passion meets purpose, where generations come together in service and support of a greater good.
As the night’s honorees shared their heartfelt remarks and stories of their time at King’s, it became evident that the Red & Gold Gala was about far more than financial contributions: it was a powerful expression of unity, gratitude, and hope.
“At the Gala, the unique and powerful family spirit that makes King’s such an amazing institution was so evident,” said Father Looney. “Everyone, including the Presidential Award recipients and the one-hundred students, sponsored by alumni and friends, experienced the joy, excitement, and passion of being a member of the King’s family.”
The success of the Red & Gold Gala will ripple across campus in the months and years to come. From scholarships and academic support to faculty development and community outreach, the proceeds raised will empower the next generation of Monarchs to thrive—and to one day return and give back, just as those before them have.
As the evening wrapped up, one thing was clear: King’s College remains a place where passion meets purpose, where generations come together in service and support of a greater good. Thanks to the spirit and generosity on full display at the 2025 Red & Gold Gala, that legacy is brighter than ever. ■
2025 PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS RECIPIENTS
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD—
Thomas R. Smith ’77: A member of the King’s College Board of Directors since 1995 and Chairman since 2010, Smith was honored for his lifetime of service, leadership, and mentorship. A former executive at Campbell Soup Company and consultant for Mattel, Inc., he is deeply engaged with King’s students and initiatives, consistently demonstrating his commitment to the College’s mission and values. He is also the fifth recipient of the Rev. James Lackenmier, C.S.C., Award for Achievement and Leadership.
PHILANTHROPIC LEADERSHIP AWARD
Timothy J. Morris ’64:
Recognized for his exceptional generosity and tireless support of King’s, Morris has spent nearly 30 years on the Board of Directors and played a pivotal role in the success of the Send Us Forth Campaign, which exceeded its $50 million goal. A loyal benefactor and dedicated advocate for Catholic higher education, Morris was keynote speaker for the first McGowan School of Business Forum held in New York in October 2005 and was the inaugural recipient of the Lackenmier Award in 2014.
ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD McCarthy Tire Service:
Honored for its longstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to community values, McCarthy Tire Service was founded in 1926 by Joseph J. McCarthy in Wilkes-Barre and remains a family-owned business that now spans four generations. Under the leadership of King’s alumni John D. McCarthy Jr. ’86 and Kathleen McCarthy Lambert ’83, the company continues to thrive and give back, with deep ties to King’s College and the Wyoming Valley community.
WhenRaymond Kane stepped onto the King’s College campus for the first time, it was also the first time any students had done so. The World War II Navy veteran from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was part of the College’s inaugural class.
“I didn’t have any goals because most of us had not been through college,” he recalls. “So, it was absolutely unknown by most people what was going to happen, because there were not that many graduates on the streets. I didn’t know what was possible.”
That element of the unknown was present at the beginning of my King’s journey as well. Unlike Kane, King’s College wasn’t a mile and a half from my house—it was a twenty-four-hour drive from Texas to 133 North River Street. And although the College was 64 years old when I was a first-year student, I hadn’t even heard of it until halfway through my senior year of high school. But when I first came to campus, I didn’t truly know what was possible either.
Kane kept busy during his time at King’s, working two jobs while studying for his degree. He also found time to be the football team manager and play safety and third-string quarterback. After graduating with a bachelor’s in economics, Kane served with the Navy again during the Korean War before going to work for General Electric, where, he recalls, “they told me they had such good luck with other guys from King’s that they didn’t even look at my papers.”
That King’s luck and Kane’s skills led to a long and successful career, including twenty years with General Electric.
Like so many Monarch alumni, Kane’s graduation didn’t mean the end of his involvement with the College—in many ways, it was only the beginning. Along with the late Jim O’Hara ’58 and a few other alumni who resided in the area, Kane is a founding member of the King’s Washington Area Club (KWAC), one of the College’s most active alumni organizations.
“I have remained active and enjoy the events,” he says, including hosting King’s people in the D.C. area and helping arrange local alumni gatherings.
Over the years, Kane has also served on two King’s College capital campaign committees, sponsored an international student, and supported the Annual Fund, keeping the College close to his heart. In recognition of his generosity to and involvement with the College, he received the Robert J. Ell Award for Service to Alma Mater, named after his good friend, in 2000.
Kane highlights the staff at King’s as one of the best parts of the College and its impact on his career and his life.
“I think they brought in a sense that life was bigger than just Wilkes-Barre,” he said. “And so the result was that we got a broader look at life and how it was going to change from the faculty.”
Eleven years removed from my own time at King’s, I would have to agree. My courses and degree left me well prepared for my career to date—this Professional Writing major has spent all eleven of those years as an editor for two different companies, working on email campaigns, marketing materials, engineering reports, and a lot of other things in between. My experiences with professors and staff, however, opened my eyes to the kind of life I wanted to live and the kind of person I wanted to be. There was an element of individual attention, of care, beyond professorial duties, that made King’s one of the most influential times of my life. It wasn’t something I anticipated, but it was something I never took for granted, and I see the effects of that personal touch in myself to this day.
Ray Kane and I both came to King’s College not knowing what was possible but walked away with connections that profoundly shaped our futures. The world has changed since 1946, and seventy-five graduating classes after its founding, King’s College has evolved significantly too. Yet the most important things remain the same— the charm of a small campus, the generous spirit of the people who inhabit it, and the shared experience that unites all who have called King’s home. ■
Ray Kane ’50 remained connected with King’s College throughout his career. This year, he was recognized at the College’s Spring Commencement ceremony in honor of the 75th anniversary of the first graduating class.
WITH LONGSTANDING TRADITION, COMES LONGSTANDING— AND LOYAL—SUPPORT
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CHAIRMAN’S SOCIETY
By Ellen Wolfe, Director of Stewardship and Communication
We are proud to announce the launch of the Chairman’s Society, an honored and celebrated group of benefactors who have contributed $1 million or more to King’s College.
Members of the Chairman’s Society gathered for the first time on May 15, 2025, at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre. The evening started with very personal and informal remarks from this year’s Commencement Speaker, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., Ph.D., who spoke to the importance of Catholic higher education and expressed his admiration of King’s for standing firm in its mission.
“King’s is one of the institutions that does it right,” he said. “King’s focuses on not only teaching it’s students but shows them how to live scholarly lives of service and thoughtful leadership.”
Over dinner, Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., President of King’s College, shared highlights of the College’s recent construction projects and enhancements to academic programs and answered questions about the institution’s direction in its new strategic plan.
The intimate group of about 20 engaged in a rich dialogue about the College and its place in the world. The overriding sentiments were pride and the shared significance of investing in the College’s future. For these members, there is pride in what King’s provides for its students and the indelible mark it makes
FROM LEFT: Founding members of the Chairman’s Society Patrick J. O’Connor, Esq. ’64; Marie O’Connor; Timothy J. Morris ’64;Gertrude C. McGowan-Martin, Esq. ’92; and Kevin Martin ’09.
Founding member, Pat O’Connor and Father Looney, honored more than 30 members into the Chairman’s Society.
Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C., Ph.D, President Emiritus of the University of Notre Dame spoke to members of the Chairman’s Society about the importance of Catholic higher education and their role in the mission of King’s College.
on the lives of its graduates. Pride in the many ways King’s College serves its local and global communities and in knowing that the College will be here tomorrow—and for years to come.
But beyond their pride, the members of the Chairman’s Society discussed the importance of investment that bolsters and emboldens King’s to stay rooted in its traditions while simultaneously expanding the horizons of what’s possible for students.
Former member of the Board, and the impetus behind the Chairman’s Society, Atty. Patrick O’Connor ’64, spoke about his commitment to uphold the College’s fundamental tradition of supporting the education of those who may not be able to afford college.
“As you know, King’s was founded with the promise to educate the sons of coal miners,” O’Connor said. “It did that and much more. As a student at a local high school, I was blessed to have a scholarship to King’s at a time when I did not have the wherewithal to pay tuition. I will never forget their kindness to me.”
These overarching themes of pride and investment are what make King’s College and our students the focus of the Chairman’s Society. The magnitude of the Society’s combined investments fortifies the simple but powerful tradition of King’s to champion the inherent dignity of every person and mobilize their talents and professional skills to serve the common good. ■
Chairman’s Society
$5 Million+
Anonymous Alumnus
Eastern and United States Provinces of Priests and Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross
William G. McGowan ’52† and Sue Gin McGowan†
William G. McGowan Charitable Fund
Gertrude McGowan-Martin, Esq. ’92 and Kevin Martin ’09
Leo A. McGowan Jr. ’87 and Dr. Michele M. McGowan ’95
Charles E. Parente ’62† and Mary Parente†
$1 Million to $5 Million
Richard Abbas Alley, M.D.
Margaret H. Arthurs†
James T. Derwin ’64 and Jane H. Bachner
Rosa Betzler†
Ann Rhoda Chopick†
George J. Emershaw, Esq. ’62† and Virginia Emershaw†
George J. Esseff ’51† and Rosemary Esseff
Margaret Mary Fischer†
Geraldine Ruddy Hourigan†
Dr. Edward F. Kearney ’74 and Anne Marie Kearney
Frank X. Kowalski Jr. and Carolyn Kowalski
Carmen J. Maffei, Esq. ’56† and Dona Posatko Maffei
Michael D. Molewski, C.F.P. ’84 and Diane Molewski
Timothy J. Morris ’64
William G. Mulligan† and Eileen Mulligan
Patrick J. O’Connor, Esq. ’64 and Marie O’Connor
Edward W. Pilwallis ’62†
David Schankweiler ’81 and Donna Schankweiler
Bernard S. Shockloss ’50† and Margaret Shockloss†
Y. Judd Shoval and Susan W. Shoval
Thomas R. Smith ’77
Andrew J. Sordoni III ’67 and Susan Sordoni. M.D. Sordoni Foundation Inc.
Virginia Welles† (†) Deceased
TOGETHER WE THRIVE
FIVE YEARS LATER, REFLECTING ON GRADUATING DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
By Allison Cragle ’20, Administrative Assistant/SCO of Veteran Affairs
Graduating in 2020, amidst a global pandemic, was something I could have never seen coming. You hear about tragic events happening worldwide all the time, but you never think that they will happen in your backyard. I vividly remember sitting at my internship on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, watching the news in disbelief, wondering how we got here. I felt defeated because everything seemed to be falling apart and there was nothing I could do about it. At that time, I was so focused on what I was losing or missing out on. When you are in the thick of something, it is hard to see beyond the immediate pain. The feelings that I and probably many of my classmates were feeling at that time were valid, but now that some time has passed and I have gained more perspective, I can begin reflecting on the lessons I learned from graduating during a global pandemic.
First, the importance of community and surrounding yourself with people who lift you up in times of need. My classmates and I stayed connected through social media and other digital platforms, leaning on each other for support when it didn’t seem like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. There were many nights where my group of friends sat on Facetime for hours just to talk and catch up. Second, the resilience that the Class of 2020 showed while navigating a world that was constantly changing was nothing short of amazing. We were thrown into a virtual learning model and forced to adopt this model as our new normal. While this change was abrupt and particularly jarring, we embraced it and demonstrated that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from obstacles, but it’s also about adapting, innovating, and supporting one another. Success isn’t only defined by what you’ve done, but instead by the strength and perseverance demonstrated in the face of adversity.
SUCCESS ISN’T ONLY DEFINED BY WHAT YOU’VE DONE, BUT INSTEAD BY THE STRENGTH AND PERSEVERANCE DEMONSTRATED IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.
These lessons have extended beyond the classroom and our time at King’s into the additional degrees and jobs we acquired post-graduation. I didn’t know what my next chapter would look like after King’s. I had always pictured going to graduate school, but I had planned to work for a few years before pursuing my master’s degree. That plan quickly changed with the pandemic, and I decided there was no time like the present. Those last few months of online learning at King’s gave me the courage to continue my education through an online master’s program. The pandemic also expanded the job market and granted a lot of people new job opportunities through work-from-home positions. One of my fellow classmates, Courtney Allen ’20, works at home full-time for a travel agency. Allen said, “I think if I was just thrown into a work-from-home position with no prior experience, I would’ve been just as overwhelmed as I was when the shutdown began.” Allen credits her skills and ability to efficiently complete her daily work tasks to her experience finishing out her undergraduate career online.
The King’s College Class of 2020 faced the challenges of the pandemic head-on and emerged stronger than ever together. Now, as we are preparing to reunite for our five-year reunion at Homecoming this September, one thing remains true: No matter where life has taken us, we will adapt and always be Monarchs. ■
LEAVING A LEGACY
THE VISION OF ATTORNEY ROBERT J. NIEMIC, ESQ. ’72
By Kristen Martin, Associate Director of Development
WhenRobert J. Niemic graduated magna cum laude from King’s College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, he carried with him more than academic honors—he left with a deep sense of gratitude and purpose shaped by his time at King’s. That gratitude became a guiding force in his life.
Niemic’s journey took him to The George Washington University School of Business, and later to Georgetown University Law Center where he earned his law degree in 1985. But no matter how far his legal career took him, King’s College remained close to his heart. In 1988, he opened his Washington, D.C. apartment to fellow alumni, hosting a reception that rekindled connections and King’s spirit. Just two years later, he played a central role in organizing a testimonial dinner for beloved King’s professor Bill McGowan, drawing alumni together once again to honor a man who had made a profound impact on many lives—including his own. He even originated the idea of a Baltimore/D.C.-area alumni gathering in McGowan’s honor.
What made Niemic’s dedication even more remarkable was his quiet perseverance through personal challenges. As someone who experienced dyslexia, he had a deeply personal understanding of what it meant to overcome academic obstacles. His empathy led him to advocate for students with learning differences, making three special gifts to King’s College in support of resources for students with learning disabilities. His interest wasn’t only financial—he asked thoughtful questions, requested program details, and wanted to ensure the support was meaningful and sustainable.
In 1991, Niemic began a conversation that would ultimately define his legacy at King’s. He inquired about planned giving—financial arrangements made as part of individual’s estate. It was clear that he didn’t see giving as a transaction, but as a long-term investment in the mission and future of the College. His interests extended beyond scholarships to new buildings, academic support, and inclusive resources.
Beyond his professional accomplishments and generosity, Niemic lived a life filled with joy and curiosity. In his free time, he enjoyed biking through scenic trails, skiing down snow-covered slopes, surfing ocean waves, exploring the world through travel, and losing himself in music. These passions reflected his adventurous spirit and appreciation for the beauty of life—a spirit he carried into everything he did, including his commitment to King’s.
His life is a powerful reminder that planned giving is not about the size of the gift, but about the size of the heart behind it. His thoughtful planning ensured his values—academic excellence, inclusion, and community.
Planned giving isn’t just a way to give back—it’s a way to move forward. Through foresight, commitment, and heart, Bob Niemic left more than a legacy. He left a blueprint for impact. ■
THE 1946 SOCIETY
The 1946 Society recognizes donors who remember King’s College during their estate planning process. This society acknowledges donors who have included King’s in their will or estate plan and have let the College know of their intentions. The following individuals are the College’s most recent members:
The Honorable Daniel J. Balutis ’89
Richard R. Brown, Esq. ’77 and Marian A. Brown
David F. Borowski ’70 and Patricia Borowski
James T. Derwin ’64 and Jane Bachner
Kevin English ’85 and Kathryn A. English ’85
Rev. John T. Ford, C.S.C.†
Thomas M. Gehret ’77 and Sarah Gehret
George A. Germak ’58†
Andrew J. Klein, Ph.D. ’73
Barbara A. Landmann ’78
Michael J. Langan ’76 and Eva-Lynn A. Langan ’75
Kevin L. and Susan Lange
Dennis C. Lenahan ’76
Thomas J. Lukas, Ph.D. ’72
Carmen J. Maffei, Esq. ’56† and Dona Posatko Maffei
Robert J. Manfre ’76 and Mary Manfre
Thomas J. Matulewski, M.D. ’69 and Sandra Matulewski
Maria E. McNelis
Michael D. Molewski, C.F.P. ’84 and Diane Molewski
Eileen A. Moran, Ph.D. and James W. Parolski
John D. O’Brien ’64 and Gail O’Brien
Patrick J. O’Connor, Esq. ’64 and Marie O’Connor
Joseph Thomas Polinsky ’68
David M. Rojek ’71
Rev. John J. Ryan, C.S.C.
David A. Schankweiler ’81 and Donna Schankweiler
Mark S. Smith ’84
Thomas R. Smith ’77
Leonard J. Stec, CPA ’71
Lee Woodmansee ’68 and Barbara Woodmansee
† Posthumous recognition
Explore the full list and learn more about 1946 Society membership at legacytokings.org
Dream Big. Work Hard. Be Kind.
THOUGHTS ON MOVING FORWARD WITH COURAGE AND HEART FROM THIS YEAR’S STUDENT COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
By Jordyn Bortz ’25
As the Class of 2025 President, I was proud to represent my class at this year’s Spring Commencement ceremony and give the Salutation.
In looking back, it was important that I recognized that Commencement wasn’t just about individual achievement. It is about every person, every conversation, every act of kindness and encouragement that helped get us there. Because none of us arrived at that moment alone.
We got there because of the professors who challenged us, the staff who supported us, the friends who laughed and cried with us, and the families and mentors who believed in us—even when we struggled to believe in ourselves. Personally, I know I wouldn’t have been standing on that stage without the love, patience, and support of the incredible people who’ve lifted me up these past four years.
On May 16, 2025, we celebrated all of us.
Before going further in my speech, I asked my classmates to pause for a second. Before we’d have to rush into whatever comes next—grad school, jobs, travel, or the terrifying freedom of “figuring it out”—I asked all of us to just be there, in the moment. To seriously look around, turn to the person next to them and say, “you made it!”
Commencement is special. It’s a moment to look back on how far you’ve come and to look ahead at all that’s still to come, with excitement, hope, and maybe just a little bit of nerves, and that’s okay, too.
They say time flies when you’re having fun and wow, they weren’t kidding. It feels like just yesterday we were all masked up and socially distanced, wondering how long it would all last. But on that beautiful Friday afternoon, we were all together, in person, side by side; stronger, closer, and forever connected by everything we’d been through.
And when I think about what really brought us together—it wasn’t just the big moments. It was the little ones, too. The early mornings we barely made it to our 8 a.m.s. The late nights cramming for exams or last-minute submissions at 11:59 p.m. The spontaneous adventures to get food, the dorm room heart-to-hearts, the laughter over inside jokes that only made sense to us. Those moments, those tiny, ordinary, unforgettable moments, are what shaped us. Those are the memories we’ll carry forever.
Walt Disney once said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” And that’s a quote I’ve always loved, because it reminds me that no dream is too big, and no challenge is too great, if you’re willing to believe in yourself and put in the work.
Looking out at all my classmates that day—I knew this much was true: we are ready. Ready to face whatever comes next, to dream bigger, reach higher, and move forward with courage and heart. Because we’ve already proven we can overcome uncertainty—we’ve adapted, we’ve grown, we’ve struggled, and we came out stronger on the other side.
No matter what the Class of 2025 takes with them from their time at King’s, I hope they take this: a sense of belonging, a sense of pride, and the knowledge that we are prepared, and we can adapt.
King’s College has been more than just a school; it has been a home and a family. And no matter where life takes us from here, a part of King’s will always be with us.
As we step into this next chapter—into new jobs, new cities, new dreams—I hope we all carry with us the lessons we’ve learned, the friendships we’ve built, and the memories that connect us.
The future is waiting—and it’s ours for the taking. So, I hope we all dream big, work hard, and be kind. And never, ever forget how far you’ve come—or how much you’re capable of. ■
...we are ready. Ready to face whatever comes next, to dream bigger, reach higher, and move forward with COURAGE and HEART.
A New Way to Celebrate Homecoming & Reunion
By Rachel Linso ’16, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement
LastSeptember, King’s College hosted its most exciting Homecoming & Family Weekend yet—a newly combined celebration that brought together Homecoming, Reunions, and Family & Friends Weekend into one unforgettable experience. Monarchs of all ages returned to campus for three days of spirited tradition, joyful reunions, and new memories with classmates, faculty, and friends.
The weekend kicked off Friday morning with the Alumni Golf Tournament at Wilkes-Barre Golf Club, where teams competed for the Leo Cup. That evening, the College honored several outstanding graduates at the annual Alumni Awards presentation and reception in the McGowan School of Business, while current students and family enjoyed live music and food trucks at the Block Party in O’Connor Park.
Saturday’s events offered something for everyone—from a morning President’s Society gathering highlighting the new Kowalski Center for Advanced Healthcare Education and campus tours to a lively Homecoming Celebration and football game at the Betzler Athletic Complex. Guests enjoyed a cookout, music, face painting, yard games, and more, all while cheering on the Monarchs as they beat Widener University and kicked off their undefeated inconference streak. That evening, the celebration continued with several reunion events, including the 90s Monarch
Reunion for the Classes of 1994 and 1999, the Young Alumni Gathering at Senunas’ Bar and Grill, and the Golden Monarch Dinner, where the Class of 1974 was honored for their 50th reunion with a special evening hosted by President Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D.
The weekend concluded on a reflective note with Sunday’s Homecoming Mass in the Chapel of Christ the King where our Golden Monarchs received their milestone pins, followed by a light reception.
From athletic alumni matches and family-friendly bingo to moments of celebration and reconnection, the weekend captured the heart of the King’s College experience. We’re ready to build on this new tradition by welcoming everyone back to campus this September for another great year of community, celebration, and Monarch pride. ■
Save the Date! Leave Your Mark CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SENIOR CLASS GIFTS
By Kyra Fauerbach ’22, Assistant Director of Development
In 1985, two close friends and seniors at King’s College, Tom Burke and Charlie Kane, set out to leave a meaningful legacy in their final year on campus. Inspired by a philanthropic initiative they learned about at another college, they saw an opportunity to spark a similar spirit of giving at King’s. Their efforts led to the launch of the Senior Class Gift campaign—an idea rooted in community, gratitude, and a desire to make a lasting difference.
Forty years later, their idea has become a beloved tradition. Now known as the Leave Your Mark campaign, the Senior Class Gift encourages graduating students to support a project that benefits future Monarchs. Organized in partnership with the Student Government Association and the Students Today Alumni Tomorrow Club (formerly known as the Student Alumni Association), the campaign helps instill a lifelong commitment to philanthropy.
SEPTEMBER 26 – 28, 2025
Over the decades, the generosity of senior classes has enhanced the College’s campus in tangible ways. The first Senior Class Gift pledge from the Class of 1985 raised $15,430, which purchased the football scoreboard and Writing Center computers. Each year, classes have given anything from refinished floors in the gym to water bottle refill stations, but each leaves a visible imprint of collective giving.
Over the past year, Burke and Kane have worked with the Office of Institutional Advancement and current students to reflect on the campaign’s origins and share the lasting value of philanthropy. This spring, in celebration of the campaign’s 40th anniversary, the College welcomed the lifelong friends back to campus, reconnecting with familiar faces, engaging with student leaders, and reliving cherished memories from their time at King’s.
“[Our visit] certainly invigorated all the positive experiences we have in our King’s memories,” said Kane. “Congratulations on curating a much different assemblage of student leaders. I am sure they have bright futures.”
Their return marked a full-circle moment. It was a powerful reminder of how a single idea, sparked by friendship and purpose, can evolve into a legacy that shapes generations.
Here’s to 40 years of leaving a mark and to the students who continue to build on that legacy with pride, purpose, and Monarch spirit. ■
CLASS NOTES
80s
Alan Kent Stout ’89
Honored for Decades of Impact in Arts, Media, and Community Service
For more than three decades, Alan Stout ’89 has been a powerful voice and advocate for the arts, music, and culture of Northeastern Pennsylvania. This year, his extraordinary contributions are being recognized in a big way. In April 2025, Luzerne County officially proclaimed “Alan Stout Day,” and he will be inducted into the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame this October at the F.M. Kirby Center.
A Kingston native and 1989 graduate of King’s College, Stout currently serves as Executive Director of the Luzerne County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visit Luzerne County), a role he has held since 2021. Prior to that, he was a longtime features writer, columnist, and editor at The Times Leader, where he earned a Keystone Press Award for Excellence in Journalism and was voted Best Newspaper Columnist in Northeastern Pennsylvania seven times. His beloved music column, Music on the Menu, ran for 17 years and often spotlighted local talent, while also featuring interviews with more than 40 members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Stout’s passion for promoting the local music scene led him to create and support numerous high-impact events. He received the United Way’s Best Special Event Award for his work with Concert for a Cause, a Community Champion Award from The Luzerne Foundation, a Change-Maker Award from the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Steamtown Music Awards.
In 2022, Stout wrote, narrated, and produced Agnes, a critically acclaimed documentary about the 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes flood that devastated the Wyoming Valley. The film premiered to a sold-out crowd on the 50th anniversary of the event and further cemented his reputation as a dedicated storyteller of the region’s history and resilience.
Beyond his professional work, Stout continues to give back to the community. He serves on the Advisory Board for St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen, as well as several event steering committees including the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame, the Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Home Run Derby, and the Wilkes-Barre Cavalcade of Jazz. Through his ongoing radio show Music on the Menu (airing on 105 The River) and his podcast Next Stop: The Visit Luzerne County Podcast, he continues to highlight the people and stories that make the region vibrant.
Looking back on his journey, Stout credits King’s College with helping him discover his passion for writing.
“King’s was such an important part of my journey,” Stout said. “It was while I was at King’s that I realized I really loved to write. The late Dr. Hanlon, a brilliant history professor I truly admired, gave us a lot of writing assignments—eleven papers in one semester! Some classmates were overwhelmed, but I found that I loved it. I was doing well and even made the Dean’s List. That was a turning point for me, a moment when I discovered something inside myself I hadn’t realized was there.”
Stout’s deep connection to the College also runs through his family—his late mother, Mary Ann Chernesky, worked at King’s for 24 years, primarily in the Office of Student Affairs.
From celebrating local music to preserving community stories, Alan Stout’s legacy is one of passion, purpose, and a true love for Northeastern Pennsylvania. ■
60s
Pat O’Connor ’64, along with other graduates from the 1960s, have helped create the Chairman’s Society at King’s College.
Edward Moran ‘69, a literary historian, has written an article about the late King’s professor James Le Baron Boyle that appears in the July-August issue of the Gay & Lesbian Review. The article reveals how Dr. Boyle played a cameo role in the literary counterculture of the 50s and 60s through his friendships with William S. Burroughs, Richard Stern, and other figures.
90s
Michael G. Rushton ’90 recently published Relics of Anthracite in NEPA, Volume III, the final installment of his photo series documenting the region’s industrial history—much of it captured during his time at King’s. He will also release a new book this fall, Locomotives Through Northeastern PA, and plans to donate a copy of his latest volume to the King’s College Library.
Dr. James B. Post ’92 has been appointed Chief of Medicine at the West Palm Beach VA Health Care System. With more than 20 years of clinical leadership, he brings a wealth of experience in nephrology, medical education, and veteran care to his new role.
Dr. Stacey R. Hettes ’96, biology alumna and professor at Wofford College, will release her memoir Dispatches from the Couch in May 2025. The book explores her personal healing journey through therapy, offering scientific insight into the brain’s ability to recover and rewire.
00s
Maria Rose Teresa Zangardi ’04 has been named Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Officer at Universal Health Services, Inc. A seasoned HR executive, she will now lead HR strategy and operations across one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers. Zangardi began her career in admissions at King’s and brings decades of leadership experience to this new role.
10s
Kyle Garon ’14 received the prestigious Heart of Gold Award at the American Heart Association’s Lehigh Valley and Berks Heart Ball in February 2025. He was honored for his exceptional leadership, community service, and dedication to improving heart health. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate compassion, advocacy, and a strong commitment to wellness.
Emily Snyder ’14 was honored in December 2024 with one of the most prestigious awards in the teaching profession—the Milken Educator Award. Often referred to as the “Oscar of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Award is presented to just 45 outstanding educators across the United States each year. Snyder’s achievement is a shining example of the impact King’s College graduates are making in classrooms and communities nationwide.
Briannon “Bri” Yadrick, PA-C ’18, summa cum laude graduate of the King’s College Physician Assistant Studies program, has joined Crovetti Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Las Vegas. With
a strong background in orthopaedics and a patient-first philosophy, she brings exceptional clinical expertise and compassion to her new role.
20s
Paulette DeBella ’21 brought her long-held holiday story to life with the release of The Tiniest Angel’s Gift, her debut children’s book inspired by a simple Christmas moment in 1999. A former elementary educator from Hazleton, DeBella’s heartwarming tale reminds readers that even the smallest among us have a special gift to share.
Cyrena Spafford ’22 has been promoted to Director of Infant and Toddler Education at 58 Berkeley Street, part of Ellis Early Learning in Boston, where she’s known for her empathy-driven leadership and dedication to early childhood education. After graduating from King’s with a degree in Early Childhood Education, she helped develop a toddler curriculum through her
internship with Neighborhood Villages— an experience that led to her role at Ellis. Despite growing up with a learning disability, Spafford now advocates for children and educators with the same support that once empowered her.
Kelly Young ’23 was named to the NEPA Business Journal’s Top 20 Under 40 in recognition of her professional impact and community involvement. Just months after graduating, she was also invited to speak at the EMPOWER Women’s Leadership Conference, inspiring future female leaders across the region. With early career achievements already under her belt, Young continues to demonstrate the strength, leadership, and ambition that defines the next generation of King’s alumni.
Dr. Stacey R. Hettes ’96
Dr. James B. Post ’92
Maria Rose Teresa Zangardi ’04
Kyle Garon ’14
Emily Snyder ’14
Kelly Young ’23
Michael G. Rushton ’90
Cyrena Spafford ’22
CLASS NOTES
MONARCH MEETUPS AND ALUMNI EVENTS
Throughout the year, Monarchs across the country have come together to celebrate their shared King’s College connection. From spirited meetups and milestone reunions to casual mixers and community gatherings, each event is a testament to the lifelong bonds formed at King’s.
We invite you to stay part of the story! Use the QR code or visit alumni.kings.edu to explore upcoming events, update your information, and stay connected with the Monarch community wherever you are.
Alumni gather at the world-famous Blueberry Hill in University City in St. Louis. Submitted by Drew Klein ’73.
King’s alumni and friends at the Monarch Meet-Up at Backyard Ale House in Scranton, joined by Father Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D.
Alumni and friends at the Monarch Meet-Up at Franklin’s in Wilkes-Barre.
Philly-area alumni and friends gathered at Other Half Brewing—with a special visit from former King’s professor and graduate Mark R. Leffler ’75.
Alumni and friends at the Monarch Meet-Up at the Red Mill in Pittston.
Members of the Class of 1975–1976 reunited in North Myrtle Beach for their annual Leo Cup Tournament.
A proud Leo moment: Director of Undergraduate Recruitment Eric Grego ’14 reconnected with a fellow former Leo the Lion, Herb A. Schwarz ’77—proving that once you wear the suit, you’re always part of the pride!
Alumni and friends from across the Greater D.C. Area gathered at Proper 21.
Alumni and friends gathered at McGee’s Pub in New York City with Father Looney.
Texas alumni and friends gathered in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for a special evening with Father Looney.
Alumni and friends gathered at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como, New Jersey, for our annual Monarchs at the Shore event.
Alumni and friends at the Monarch Meet-Up at River Grille in Wilkes-Barre.
CLASS NOTES
Leo’s Love Story
Meghan (Brennan) ’99 and Gregory Wood ’01 are proud to share their Leo’s Love Story—one that began at King’s College and has flourished for more than two decades. The couple recently celebrated 20 years of marriage and now live in Cochranville, Pennsylvania, with their two sons.
King’s pride runs deep in the Wood family. Their son, Braeden Wood ’28, is now a first-year student at King’s and a member of the Monarch Football team, following in his father’s footsteps. Their younger son, Collin, is a high school sophomore.
From their college beginnings to a growing legacy at King’s, the Woods exemplify the lasting connections and family spirit that define the Monarch community. ■
MARRIAGES
Eileen (Hoskins) ’14 and Justin Gonzalez ’15 proudly celebrated their marriage on September 20, 2024, at The Belle of Blue Bell Country Club in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. The couple shared their special day surrounded by friends, family, and fellow Monarchs —including a memorable moment during the reception where they posed with a King’s College flag and a joyful group of alumni.
Rob Santopietro Jr. ’11 married his bride, Taylor, on December 29, 2024, in a beautiful celebration held in New Jersey. Rob Jr. is the son of Bob Santopietro Sr. ’79, continuing a proud King’s College tradition. Alumni pictured at the wedding include: Jeff Cort ’12, John Sanchez ’12, Father Ryan Glenn ’12, Rob Santopietro Jr. ’11 (kneeling), Joe Ferrara ’80, Bob Santopietro ’79, and Mike Peters ’79—a true display of King’s camaraderie across the decades. Congratulations to Rob and Taylor on their marriage, and cheers to a life filled with love, laughter, and Monarch pride!
Social Media HIGHLIGHTS
Dunkalatte 700
Dunkalatte samples, gift cards, and all the caffeine vibes at the Dunkin’ Donuts truck this morning!
Winter Break 1,129
Have a great winter break, Monarchs!
Goat Yoga 673
We love when the goats visit campus for yoga!
Kowalski Ribbon Cutting 762
King’s College hosted a dedication ceremony for the Frank and Carolyn Kowalski Center for Advanced Healthcare Education.
Fr. Looney & Pope 1,641
The King’s College community joins with the Church and the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis.
Orientation 793
Welcome to the newest Monarchs! HUGE thanks to our King’s students, faculty, and staff for making Summer Orientation a success!
Leo’s Birthday 920 Happy 77th Birthday to our beloved mascot, Leo the Lion!
Doctoral Graduates 919
Congratulations to the first doctoral graduates from King’s!
King’s alumna Lauren Chapple threw out the first pitch at the Phillies-Red Sox game on Monday night!
Philles First Pitch 942
IN MEMORIAM
Our prayers and condolences are extended to the families of the following alumni and friends who passed away recently.
Bernard S. Panzak ’55
John Bernard Strucko ’55
Joseph J. Toole ’56
Bernard “Bernie” Michael Mulhern ’57
Salvatore T. Grasso ’58
James T. O’Hara ’58
Charles “Chopper” Augustus Schuler ’58
John J. Elias ’59
Deacon William R. Kase ’59
Michael James Patrick Rushton ’59
John B. Burry Jr. ’60
Eugene M. Dougherty ’60
George “Bill” W. Lenhoff Jr. ’60
Joseph A. Subarton ‘60
Dennis Joseph Zeveney Jr., M.D. ’60
Alex Ace Brogna ’61
Patrick F. Roche ’61
Charles S. Insalaco ’62
John Joseph Jennings ’62
Andrew P. Marko ’62
Charles Patrick Pisano ’62
Richard J. Rutkowski ’62
George Edward Miller Sr. ’63
David S. Aberant ’64
Frank J. Grasso ’64
Michael Joseph Jacobs ’64
William Walter Ross ’64
Ronald Ternosky ’64
Joseph Robert Gibbons ’65
Matthias “Matt” Joseph Merges ’65
Thomas C. Reis ’65
Ronald “Ronnie” M. Socash ’65
John F. Touhey ’65
Vincent James Aita ’66
Stanley Albert Paulson Jr. ’66
James “Jim” J. Schroeder ’66
Francis “Frank” R. Sudol ’66
Michael A. Burke ’68
Charles E. Keightley ’68
Donald J. Smith ’68
Joseph J. Martinkovic, Jr. ’69
Robert C. Nilon ’69
Gerald Leonard Rodski ’69
Robert F. Zarrizski ’69
Robert A. Barron ’70
John A. Capotosti ’70
Charles Vincent Carroll ’70
Joseph J. Cunningham ’70
Everett J. Davis ’70
William Eugene Griffin Jr. ’70
William Patrick Kennedy ’70
Charles “Chuck” J. LaMarca ’70
John Modla ’70
Leonard B. Przywara ’70
Richard Joseph Ricardo ’71
Anthony J. Slavinski Jr. ’71
George A. Stofko ‘’71
Anthony V. Carozzoni ’72
Krista Chase ’72
Romaine Chritton ’72
Joseph F. DePugh Jr. ’72
Charles G. Dunn Jr. ’72
Peter Mansfield ’72
David J. Albosta ’73
Joseph W. Cheskiewicz ’73
Joseph R. Chmiel Jr. ’73
Daniel “Danny” J. Fedor ’73
Elizabeth Gobla ’73
David W. Radginski ’73
David William Steever ’73
Michael Cefalo ’74
Michael Joseph Clifford ’74
David Stanley Cybuck ’74
John Paul Davey ’74
Vincent “Beeb” J. Gross ’74
James P. Gallagher ’75
Joseph Charles Harris ’75
Thomas Pellegrini ’75
Eugene Riley ’75
John Joseph Rozycki ’75
Thomas J. Ruane ’75
Carl J. Shinko ’75
Bernard “Bernie” Mark Borowski ’76
Ingrid A. Callaghan ’76
Andrew B. Mattey ’76
Donald Rogers ’76
James R. Sheehan ’76
Francis “Tal” J. Talerico ’76
Thomas “Beansie” E. Culkin ’77
Duane E. Pinchak ’77
Edward J. Brush ’78
Sean A. Finan ’78
Stephen W. Mullen ’78
Thomas J. Regna Sr. ’78
Nancy Roberts ’78
Deborah M. Waznia ’78
Robert J. Lynady ’79
William M. Joseph, Jr. ’80
Barbara A. O’Day (Swiderski) ’80
Karen Terese LaGrasta ’81
Daniel Modrow ’83
Sandra Holena ’84
Kevin J. O’Donnell Sr. ’84
James F. Kaminski ’85
Patricia A. Marks ’86
Paul J. Reedy ’86
Kenneth L. Swisher ’86
Mary K. Ferrence ’89
William “Bill” S. Maglio ’89
Gregory W. Javer ’90
Timothy “Tim” Joseph Reap ’90
Bradley G. Patton ’91
Evan Ray Reese ’91
Mary Wazeter Mannhardt ’91
Barbara Ann Barnak Hanczyc ’92
Charles J. Chisarick ’92
Gary H. Davenport ’92
Paul Mark Granick ’92
James R. Watchilla ’92
Laralee “Lori” Ann Witkowski Riemensnyder ’93
Bridget Elaine McCarthy ’96
Laura Phillips Howell ’01
Harry R. Lyons ’02
Martin “Marty” Andrew Degnan ’03
Michael Dembinski ’03
John J. Schutz ’04
William Joseph Smith III ’06
Marie Victoria Katsock ’13
Krista Marie Vogue ’20
Faculty, Staff, Students, and Friends:
Margaret M. Aciukewicz
Mary Ellen Adams
Ryan Ayers
Antoinette Belles
Roger Michael Belles
Lorraine C. Borthwick
Alice Ann Brawley Hill
James C. Caparoni
Michael G. Carr
Rev. Eugene R. Carr
Barbara A. Chamberlain
Lisa A. Chernetsky
Edward G. Chernouskas
Virginia Yvonne Conway Grilz
John E. Coolbaugh
Helen Theresa Cooney
John “Jack” W. Cosgrove
Eugene S. Cosklo
Stephen A. Cozen
Deacon William Dervinis
Ann Marie DeVizia
Sophie M. Drost
Gary C. Druhl
Virginia “Ginger” Emershaw
Stella Evan Yatko
Mary Anne Fedrick
Msgr. William J. Feldcamp
Sidney Friedman
John Futoma Jr.
Kathryn “Kitty” M. Galante
Barbara Ann Gallagher Wren
Sylvia M. Goginsky Severnak
Margaret “Peggy” A. Griglock
Charles J. Grimes
Marion Holcomb
Joseph Intelicato
Eileen Bernadette Issing
Krystyna Janik
Frances Stella Jenkins
Loretta Joseph Punko
Mary Ann Kachinko
Nancy J. Kachurak
Eilene Kaska
Norbert S. Katarsky
Rev. E. Francis Kelly
Daniel Kish
Renate Annelies Koppelman
Stephen Koppelman
George J. Koptcho
Catherine Ann Kovel-Wojcik
Michael Kubasti
Jack Leary
Nancy Ann Marie Leighton
Robert J. Lisowski
Ann K. Litz
Elizabeth Lizak
Ann M. Llewellyn
Sheila Lloyd Waiter
Austin Looney
Thomas J. MacFarland, Jr.
Anna “Nancy” Magdalinski
Christine Marie Martin
Clare McCarthy Parkhurst
Patricia Ann McCormack
Daniel Patrick McCormick
Katherine “Kathy” Diane McGuire
Rev. Patrick J. McLaughlin
Lucille Morgan
Ruth Mary Morgan Corcoran
Anita Narcum Huda
Robert D. Natarelli
Krue Michael Olzinski
Edmund F. Paradis
Patricia Pegg
Nevio Caesar Pelleschi
Charles “Charlie” L. Perez, Sr.
Gerald “Jerry” Raymond Pronko
Timothy “Tim” Joseph Reap
Gerald Reedy
Mary (Kay) Ribando Tighe
Gerard “Gerry” A. Rish
Scott Frank Roberts
Lawrence “Larry” W. Rodeghiero
Louis Edward Ruckno
Mark C. Santayana
Deacon Frank J. Sehn
Rev. Joseph Anthony Sidera, C.S.C.
Dorothy “Duffy” Siegel Koons
Dorothy M. Slezak
Carol “Baba” Smith
Marie Solano
Joseph “Joe” M. Stochla
Barbara A. Strazdus
Gary Walter Sworen
Marilyn A. Taroli
Thomas W. Thackara
Msgr. William P. Ward
Florence C. Williams
Robert C. Williams, Sr.
Elizabeth Wozniak
James T. O’Hara ’58
James T. O’Hara ’58 died suddenly on January 2, 2025, in his beloved Washington, D.C. Jim was a passionate supporter of King’s College. After graduating from King’s, he received his law degree from Catholic University and eventually his master’s degree in taxation law from Georgetown University. He ultimately served for nearly forty years within Jones Day, a prestigious international law firm, rising to the rank of Senior Partner. He taught Tax Law at Georgetown and handled numerous high-profile cases. But he lived his commitment to Catholic Social Justice and would, even as a tax lawyer, frequent the U.S. Southern Border to represent asylum cases for women and children. His last trip to the border was just three weeks before his death.
As successful as he was, Jim never forgot his roots as a first-generation college student at King’s, born of a coal miner dad and a garment factory worker mom from Hazleton. He loved King’s as a student and became known as “Spider” as he led pep rallies in a raccoon coat. His devotion to his alma mater never wavered as he and other alumni formed KWAC (King’s Washington Alumni Club), one of the most successful King’s alumni clubs in the country. One project was to reach back to their alma mater and each year bring a busload of students to meet alumni working in Washington, D.C., attend workshops, stay with alumni overnight, and often attend a reception at Jones Day with the incredible balcony view overlooking the U.S. Capitol. Jim hoped these students would see possibilities in their lives as he did when he was a student. Jim and his wife, Katie, funded several scholarships for students in need. They also made a generous donation to name a conference room in the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center in honor of Jim’s parents.
Jim is survived by his devoted wife and partner, Katie, his children— Colleen, Michael, Brian, and their spouses and children—his sister Mary Patricia Prendergast, and his brother, Rev. Thomas J. O’Hara, C.S.C. ’71. His funeral mass was celebrated on January 11, 2025, at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. The celebrant and homilist was Father O’Hara, assisted by several Holy Cross priests from King’s, including President Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C. May this good man rest in peace.
Monarchs are forever loyal. Each year, many alumni, parents, and friends support current students by giving back to King’s College. These gifts provide immediate impact and provide the means for students to learn not only how to make a living, but also how to live.
Complimentary print copies of King’s Magazine are mailed to our most faithful donors as well as those who are new and contributed substantially this past year. If you haven’t already, please help make an impact on our students by making your gift today.