THE
collegiate
MAGAZINE OF ST. JOE’S
SPRING 2015
Preparing students for college with new online offerings. Engaging alumni for support and inspiration.
READ ABOUT SIGNUM FIDEI 2015 | CIRQUE DE LA SALLE | LEAP PROGRAM
SPRING 2015
A CONNECTED COMMUNITY. 1
MESSAGE from the PRESIDENT Think Spring! When sitting down to consider the message I wanted to share in this issue of The Collegiate, I couldn’t help but mutter – “think spring!” It is, or it soon will be, the spring season … a time of growth and new beginnings. For most of the country, and most certainly for all of us in Western New York, the cold temperatures and snowfall will soon be behind us (some of the larger piles of snow may take longer) and we will watch all that surrounds us begin to bloom.
At St. Joe’s, we delight not only in the warmer weather, but also in the growth and connectivity that we continue to see within our brotherhood, and the extended network of our community. Over the last few months, I have enjoyed reading countless stories about our alumni who are making huge strides in their respective fields. You’ll read about a few of them in the pages that follow … and it is genuinely heartwarming to see the reach of our community. From a New York State Court of Appeals judge to a young entrepreneur who’s taking the technology world by storm and will be spending several months with Facebook on the west coast … St. Joe’s is everywhere. We’re growing, connecting and wearing our Marauder pride, so that as our men become all they were destined to be, our community – past, present, and future – shares in the wealth of their accomplishments.
In order to continue to accomplish this important task of making and maintaining connections, offering support and example to our present students, it is increasingly important for us to meet our alumni where they are. And we’re doing that! In November, we traveled to Chicago for an alumni reception with dozens of graduates. We’ve just recently returned from a multi-city reception in California, where we reconnected with our alumni in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. This month, we’re heading to New York where we’ll spend an evening of fellowship while overlooking Times Square. Attendees will also meet our new VP of Institutional Advancement, Pat McNally, who is a 2001 graduate of St. Joe’s. During my many years at St. Joe’s, I have never been more proud of the talent that exists within our school community. We have the pleasure of seeing these young men enter as enthusiastic and hopeful seedlings and, over the next four years, grow and develop academic, social, athletic and artistic skills that will serve them so well after they leave St. Joe’s. It is wonderful to see so many of them become real gentlemen of integrity, so many years after St. Joe’s. They are successful in their careers, with their families, in their lives, and offer themselves in service to others.
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In closing, this is a time to delight in the growth that we’ve all made and will continue to make in the days ahead. More importantly though, is the connectivity that we enjoy and the ability we have to pick up the phone, send an email, or travel across the globe and find individuals who share in this brotherhood and in the mission of St. La Salle. SJ
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IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2
4-5 Signum Fidei 2015 6 Cirque de La Salle 7 Man of the Year
Fine Arts Wall of Honor
8 In the Spotlight:
Eugene M. Fahey ’69
9 Expanding Enrollment 10 LEAP Program 11 SJCI Robotics Team
Alumni Weekend 2015
12-13 Alumni News & Notes 14 Leaders of Tomorrow St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute
(716) 874-4024 www.sjci.com
President Robert T. Scott, AFSC
Live Jesus in Our Hearts … Forever!
Editor & Director of Marketing Communications Latrese Myers
Robert T. Scott, AFSC President
Photography James McCoy Contributing Writers Br. Joseph Wilkowski, FSC Alexander J. Eadie ’07 Peter Kennedy ’97
Alumnus Returns as VP of Institutional Advancement What brought you back to St. Joe’s?
Patrick D. McNally ’01 returned to 845 Kenmore Avenue in January as vice president of institutional advancement. “Patrick is a very intelligent and truly authentic young man. These traits, along with his genuine passion for St. Joe’s and its mission, will allow us to continue to build strong relationships within all constituent groups associated with St. Joe’s and raise critical funds for our school’s operations and tuition support programs,” said St. Joe’s President Robert T. Scott, AFSC.
Before returning to St. Joe’s, Pat was an associate at the prominent local law firm, Connors & Vilardo, LLP. Prior to joining Connors & Vilardo, he was director of legal outreach and voter education for President Obama’s re-election campaign in Florida and associate counsel for voting rights at the Democratic National Committee. Pat began his career as a staffer in the Washington office of Congressman Brian Higgins. He graduated cum laude in 2009 from Harvard Law School, and received his bachelor’s in English and history from Canisius College. While at St. Joe’s, Pat was elected student council president. He also received the Class of 1931 Senior of the Year Award and – as he puts it – recorded more personal fouls than points during a two-year basketball career.
I understand the tremendous impact that St. Joe’s had on my own life. Every opportunity that I’ve been given since leaving these hallways can be traced back to my time here. Returning to expand the opportunity of a St. Joe’s education just seemed like an opportunity I could not pass up. What has been your favorite part of being back so far?
That’s an easy one. Seeing the passion and work that the faculty and staff bring into the school every single day. Seeing the kids laughing together in the hallways. Seeing that the brotherhood is exactly the same today as it was during my time here. What’s different about St. Joe’s today versus when you were a student?
Honestly, I think we are more conscious about our mission. Our identity as a Lasallian school, and providing an excellent education to all qualified students, is at the forefront of everything we do. It’s that mission that brought me back to St. Joe’s, and it is what will continue to define us as a community of excellence that is accessible to kids from across Western New York.
What’s your Marauder Moment?
[A Marauder Moment is a special memory from your time at St. Joe’s. It could be something that inspired you, encouraged you, or just made you laugh.] My friends and I were actually the ones who brought the “I Believe We Will Win” chant to St. Joe’s. I’m thrilled that, 15 years later, our students are still bringing the pain with that cheer. There is simply nothing like the brotherhood that exists when the St. Joe’s community comes together for a common purpose – whether that’s a football game, the Food Basket, or the Spring Musical. I should add, however, that I do use less face paint in my current role than during my student days. What are your goals for your new position?
Both our school and our alumni have never been stronger. At the same time, the need for financial aid has never been greater. It’s my job to connect the scores of alumni and supporters who already love this place with the next generation of students who will feel the same way – as long as we keep a St. Joe’s education accessible. It’s an exciting time at St. Joe’s, and I’m optimistic for the future. SJ
Patrick D. McNally ’01 (middle) showing his school pride at the Canisius versus St. Joe’s football game.
SPRING 2015
MORE ABOUT PATRICK ...
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SIGNUM FIDEI 2015
Five inductees to receive the highest accolade at St. Joe’s The St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Alumni Association is pleased to announce that five outstanding men will be bestowed with the school’s most prestigious honor – induction into the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Signum Fidei Society. Signum Fidei (sign of faith) is the characteristic spirit of the Christian Brothers, that attitude of faith which expresses itself in love and zeal for the welfare of others. A member of the Signum Fidei Society is an alumnus of St. Joe’s who has distinguished himself in his professional career and community activities as an individual who shares in the Lasallian spirit characterized by “signum fidei.”
Meet the 2015 Signum Fidei Society class: John G. Berger Jr. ’84 Lawley Benefits Group
ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
John joined Lawley as a partner in August 2009. He is responsible for leading the financial, underwriting, and reporting unit. He also provides expertise in trending, funding, contribution and prescription drug carve out analyses. His career has included more than 20 years of experience in insurance, risk management, and employee benefits consulting. He founded CIC Benefits Group where he was an owner and partner responsible for managing strategic initiatives and client service. He also served as executive VP at Brown and Brown, chief operating officer at Niagara Insurance Group and former chief executive officer and president of East3, Ltd., a Richmond, VA technology group. John also served as senior VP of Marsh and McLennan. John holds volunteer positions on the board of directors and committees for various Western New York area organizations, including the St. Joe’s Advancement Committee. In 2014, John and his wife Suzanne served as the chair couple for the Lasallian “Bright Futures” Dinner and Auction. John holds a bachelor’s in finance from St. Bonaventure and an associate’s degree in risk management designation.
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Gary M. Crosby ’71 First Niagara Gary is President and CEO and on the Board of Directors of First Niagara. He had served as First Niagara’s interim President and CEO from March 2013 until December 2013. Prior to this, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative and Operating Officer since July 2009. In these roles, he championed First Niagara’s focus on operational excellence. Before joining First Niagara, Gary was a founding shareholder of ClientLogic Corporation, serving as chief financial and chief operating officer. During his tenure, the company grew from three to 3,000 employees, expanded internationally and received recognition for best-in-class customer service and innovation. He was also a partner with Seed Capital Partners, a venture capital firm, and has held senior financial leadership positions in the banking and manufacturing industries. Gary has been very active in community organizations and dedicated five years to completely revamping the operations and finances of the Buffalo Public Schools, the second largest school district in New York State. Gary graduated magna cum laude from Canisius College.
SAVE THE DATE
!
The 32nd Annual Signum Fidei Society Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 6 p.m. at the Brookfield Country Club, located at 5120 Shimerville Road, Clarence, New York. Tickets are $90.00 each or $900.00 for a table of 10. Visit www.sjci.com/signum-fidei-society to register and get your tickets today! To learn more, contact Alexander J. Eadie ’07, alumni relations coordinator, at 716.270.4142 or aeadie@sjci.com.
During his career, Dick served as the president of the Bank of New York Trust Company of Florida, president of AmeriFirst Florida Trust Company, and assistant vice president of M&T Bank. In 2001, Dick received the “Trust Banker of the Year” Award from the Florida Bankers Association. Now retired, Dick utilizes his more than 39 years of experience in trust administration and asset management to serve as a frequent lecturer on estate planning and trust topics. Active in his community, Dick is a trustee of the Center for Family Services Foundation of Palm Beach County. He is also involved with the International Association of Financial Planners and is past chairman of the board of trustees of the Florida Bankers Education Foundation. In 2001, he was inducted into the St. Joe’s Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the St. Joe’s Planned Giving Committee. Dick is a graduate of the American Management Association’s management course. He received his bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in 1963, and his JD from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1966.
David F. Mitchell ’80 NASA David began his career in 1984 with the Department of the Navy, testing solid rocket motor systems. In 1987, he joined NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Much of his early work focused on expendable launch vehicles, including the successful Delta launches of the Mars Surveyor and Mars Pathfinder missions. In 1997, he joined the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites Program (GOES), ultimately working as deputy program manager before being detailed to the Kennedy Space Center in 2005 to work on strategic planning initiatives. In 2006, he worked as a NASA
Congressional Fellow before returning to Goddard to become the deputy associate director of the Earth Science Projects Division while concurrently serving as project manager for a Mars scout proposal effort. With MAVEN’s (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evoluation) selection as the next Mars scout mission, David became project manager. MAVEN successfully launched on November 18, 2013 and reached Mars’ orbit on September 21, 2014. He currently heads the Planetary Science Projects Division at Goddard, which includes an asteroid sample mission that will launch in 2016. David has received numerous accolades and rewards throughout his career, including two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals for his work on GOES and MAVEN. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Buffalo, and a master’s degree in engineering administration from George Washington University.
Dr. Daniel J. Valaik ’79 Johns Hopkins University Daniel is a board certified orthopedic surgeon. He currently serves as an assistant professor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Orthopedic Surgery. His scope of practice includes jointpreserving surgeries of the hip and knee, as well as Total Joint Replacement surgery. Daniel graduated with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1983. He then served as a Navy SEAL for six years. He went to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences for his medical school training and was elected into the AOA Medical Honor Society. He completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency training at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. From there, he went on to complete his fellowship in Total Joint Replacement surgery at Johns Hopkins under the mentorship of world-renowned surgeon Dr. David S. Hungerford. Daniel rejoined the Johns Hopkins Orthopedic team after 26 years of Naval Service. His last position in the military was serving as the chief of the orthopedic service at Walter Reed and the National Naval Medical Center. During the last six years of his military service, Daniel cared for the wounded warriors from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. SJ SPRING 2015
Richard G. Jackson ’59 retired bank executive
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LASALLIAN GALA 2015
LASALLIAN GALA 2015 was the GREATEST SHOW this YEAR!
record crowd raises big bucks for future Marauders
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Under a magical canopy of circus-inspired lights and tenting, close to 645 guests reveled in Lasallian 2015’s atmosphere of fun-loving camaraderie, fine food, and fabulous feats of generosity on behalf of our students.
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Chair couple Dan ’78 & Mary Dirrigl and their committee transformed not only the building, but the hearts of all in attendance by highlighting the awesome abilities, talents, faith and service of our young men as a result of their opportunity to develop and flourish through a Lasallian education. The chair couple would like to thank all of our sponsors, donors, attendees, and volunteers for their “Generous Acts of Giving” to this year’s Lasallian. Final results are still being tallied, but it looks like a fantastic report is in the making! SJ
Mark your calendar for Lasallian 2016: Saturday, February 6, 2016 under the leadership of chair couple Mike ’86 & Amy Gilbert.
HONORING THE
MAN OF THE YEAR ... Daniel J. Dirrigl ’78
The St. Joe’s Alumni Association is proud to announce that the 2015 Man of the Year is Daniel J. Dirrigl ’78. Dan and his wife, Mary, are the past president couple of the Parents’ Guild. Their children are Daniel ’14, a freshman at Canisius College; Turner, class of 2017, an active student leader in Student Council, president of the Food Basket, and volunteer for the Alumni Association’s Breakfast with Santa; Margaret, a recent Canisius College graduate; and Claire, a student at Canisius College and alumna of the St. Joe’s Swing Choir. The Dirrigl family is wholly committed to St. Joe’s, and have led by example – especially for the last several years. As Parents’ Guild President, Dan was involved with the Finance Committee and Student Life Committee of the Board of Trustees. Given his experience as the chief financial officer for Keller Technologies, he was especially helpful as a member of the Finance Committee. Dan was also extremely active in his leadership of the Parents’ Guild itself, from presentations to the full Parent assembly, to presentations to incoming freshmen, and involvement in the annual Sports Night. Dan and Mary actively support the St. Joe’s cross-country and swim programs, of which their sons have been a part. Going even further, Dan and Mary continued their service to St. Joe’s by taking on the very important (and time consuming) job as this year’s Lasallian Auction chair couple. The 2015 auction, Cirque De La Salle, was held on February 7, and drew an all-time record sellout crowd. We Lasallians often speak of time, talent, and treasure when asking for support from our community. Dan has provided each of these in his relationship with St. Joe’s, and added a fourth, trust, in that he and his wife committed their two sons (and daughter) to the care of St. Joe’s. When taking each of these items into consideration, he certainly is placed amongst the highest in terms of his overall commitment to our school. The Man of the Year Award will be presented as part of the annual Father/Son Mass and Breakfast on Sunday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. All alumni, fathers and sons are invited to attend and share in this special event. There is no cost, but there is an offering for charities selected by the Alumni Association. For more information or to register online, visit the Alumni page at www.sjci.com. SJ
CELEBRATING FINE ARTS!
Fine Arts Wall of Honor recognizes alumni for artistic achievements
St. Joe’s has a long tradition of student achievement in the world of fine arts. Recognizing that these accomplishments have added to the cultural richness of the school, the
Fine Arts Wall of Honor was established in 2005 to pay tribute to those individuals who explored their artistic talents while at St. Joe’s. Nominees must have graduated no fewer than ten years ago. The Fine Arts Wall of Honor induction ceremony will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the John S. and Charlotte C. Cullen Center at St. Joe’s. For more information on this very special event, please contact Alexander J. Eadie ’07, alumni relations coordinator, at 716.270.4142 or aeadie@sjci.com. SJ
SPRING 2015
The St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Alumni Association, in conjunction with the Visual and Fine Arts Department, will honor the following individuals with induction into the St. Joe’s Fine Arts Wall of Honor: James R. Bilz ’74 Brian P. Castner ’95 Kevin D. Eichner ’86 Patricia Haberman, DDS Peter Kopera ’86
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in the
SPOTLIGHT
The road to serving in New York’s highest court was years in the making for Eugene M. Fahey ’69. St. Joe’s graduate Eugene M. Fahey ’69 was recently appointed Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals. It is New York’s highest court and one of the oldest courts in the United States. It required a formal selection process which culminated in the nomination by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The State Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate had to approve Judge Fahey’s nomination. As impressive as this achievement is, Judge Fahey will tell you that he is “truly humbled.” He considers the nomination to be one of the most rewarding moments of his life “… right after the adoption of my daughter, Ann, and marriage to my wife, Colleen.” As a thirteen-year-old, Judge Fahey met Robert F. Kennedy during his 1964 campaign for the U.S. Senate. The first political race he ever worked on was the Presidential campaign of George McGovern. Early mentors included Bill Price (whose sons Michael and Robert are both graduates of SJCI). Bill Price encouraged a young Gene Fahey to run for councilmember in the University District. He successfully ran and served on the Common Council for 13 years. In 1993, he ran for mayor and lost to Anthony Masiello, however, he credits that defeat with helping to guide his judicial career. “Having run for office 16 times and having lost twice, I learned that how you handle your defeats is more important than how you handle your success.” Former Mayor Masiello always helped throughout his judicial career. “It’s easy to handle the victories in life. The real growth comes from how you handle failure.” Later, Fahey ran successfully for Buffalo City Court Judge, State Supreme Court, and went on to be appointed a Justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department. But let’s go back to the days before Judge Fahey was practicing law or presiding over the court.
He was a young man with five brothers and sisters, living in South Buffalo. His brother, Patrick, is also a St. Joe’s graduate. His dad was a captain in the Buffalo Police Department and his mom an account clerk at the Board of Education. Judge Fahey’s parents emphasized the value of education and giving back to your community. He decided to attend St. Joe’s after listening to Brother Victor speak to his eighth grade class. The Brother outlined the values of St. Joe’s. Judge Fahey said that he instantly felt a “connection.” While at St. Joe’s, Judge Fahey took advantage of all that the school had to offer. He credits the school for “opening his mind” to all of the possibilities that he could explore. From fine arts to sports, he was involved in it all. “St. Joe’s, more than anything else, taught all of its students how to learn. Whether it was in the fundamentals of math or science or in the appreciation of great literature, St. Joe’s opened the door to an exciting intellectual life,” said Fahey. “St. Joe’s develops a well-rounded young man. There is a diversity and fairness to the place. The teachers at St. Joe’s always seemed to try to develop what was unique in each student.” Judge Fahey also spoke about the high standards at St. Joe’s, saying that “the standards aren’t used as a way to hold people back, but instead, as a way to lift you up.” When asked about his “Marauder Moment,” Judge Fahey laughed and said his favorite times were playing intramural sports with his friends and participating in school plays. Finally, when asked if he had any advice for our readers, Judge Fahey said, “Remember that your career aspirations are attainable. Take small steps, maintain positive relationships and remember that your skills with people matter as much as your grasp of technicalities … always remember that with a few wrong steps in life it could’ve been you standing before the judge. There, but for the grace of God, goes any one of us.” One final note: prior to the State Senate vote, Judge Fahey was nominated by Senator Tim M. Kennedy ’94, and seconded by Senator Robert G. Ortt ’97, both graduates of SJCI. SJ
ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
“A few wrong steps in life, and it could’ve been you standing before the judge. ”
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EXPANDING
THE FOOTPRINT OF ST. JOE’S Transportation Initiatives Increase Enrollment & Reach
Two transportation initiatives, the Lockport Bus and Southtowns Express, have allowed St. Joe’s to meet and exceed enrollment goals all while expanding the reach of Lasallian education in Western New York. The Lockport Bus, started in Fall 2006, provides school bus services to students in the Lockport City School District and surrounding areas. New York State education law stipulates that school districts do not have to provide school bus transportation to students residing more than 15 miles away from a school they choose to attend. In response to the demand for Catholic, college-preparatory education in Eastern Niagara County, St. Joe’s began this service and has experienced a
significant increase in applicants and registered students from that area. Currently, 23 students take advantage of the Lockport Bus daily. The bus serves students in the Lockport, Newfane, Royalton-Hartland and Wilson school districts. “When making the decision about what high school to attend, transportation played a huge role. I knew that St. Joe’s was where I wanted to go, but I didn’t want to burden my parents with trying to figure out how I would get there everyday,” said Garrett Baugher, class of 2016. “The Lockport Bus is a comfortable and convenient option that gave my parents peace of mind, and allowed me to attend St. Joe’s. The bus is also great because it allows me to catch
up with friends who I may not see very often during the school day.” In Fall 2012, St. Joe’s debuted the Southtowns Express. It serves students in Orchard Park, West Seneca, East Aurora, Elma and points south. Currently, an executive van uses Nativity of Our Lord School in Orchard Park as a central pick-up and drop-off point. This new initiative has already paid dividends, as St. Joe’s is beginning to experience an upturn in applicants and registered students from the Southtowns. St. Joe’s will continue to explore transportation initiatives that will allow more families to offer their sons a Lasallian education. SJ
Connecting you to 845 Kenmore Avenue ...
SPRING 2015
Learn more about the Lockport Bus service or Southtowns Express by contacting: Director of Admissions Peter Kennedy ’97 pkennedy@sjci.com or 716.874.4953 www.sjci.com
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ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
ONLINE COURSES EAP ST. JOE’S STUDENTS INTO COLLEGE LIFE
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Every day, college students across the globe use their computers, tablets and mobile devices to connect with professors, conduct research and perform various academic and social activities. But thanks to a new program created by a group of educators at St. Joe’s, our students now have that same opportunity and more ... Online courses are a convenience and perk that colleges and universities have offered for years, but which never really seemed possible for the high school environment. “As a college-preparatory school, it’s important that we offer our students every opportunity to experience what academics at the collegiate level will consist of,” said Steve Koniarczyk, educational technology integration specialist at St. Joe’s. At the beginning of the 2014-15 school year, St. Joe’s proved that online courses do indeed belong in the high school setting with the introduction of its Lasallian Educational Access Platform (LEAP). “We did our research and found that our students and teachers were excited to explore all of the possibilities that online courses offered,” added Koniarczyk. “Through collaboration and project-based learning, we would now have the chance to show our students a new teaching format that they will experience when they leave St. Joe’s. It’s been an exciting journey for all of us and so far the results have been tremendous.” The LEAP program started when St. Joe’s received the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation in January 2014. The grant provides the school with $25,000 every year for three years and is intended to extend our course offerings in the STEAM core academic areas. “The online courses force us to be more responsible for our own workload,” said Filippo Gentile, St. Joe’s class of 2015. “It’s also great to have the course lectures uploaded to the portal because we are able to review materials whenever we need to. Overall, it was a great experience and I look forward to taking online courses in college.” During the first semester of the school year, nearly 50 students from all grade levels took health and automotive classes online. Students met with the course instructor at the beginning of the year for a brief introduction. For the remainder of the course, email communication, learning management systems, document sharing and other online tools were used to provide that one-on-one engagement that is crucial to the learning experience. “So far, we’ve all really enjoyed the benefits, convenience and possibilities that online courses offer. The students needed some time initially to get adjusted, but once they figured
out the difference in the style of class (and teaching style) they really enjoyed it,” said Kyle Dluhy, technology instructor at St. Joe’s. Students who participated in the inaugural courses have been successful and the feedback is tremendous. In fact, 93% of students surveyed after taking the first semester courses said they have a “positive attitude toward online learning.” More impressively though, 79% of students reported that they feel better prepared for college online classes. The students are completing the course work on time and understand that collaboration and communication are key to their success. In 2012, St. Joe’s rolled out the One-toOne initiative, which gave every incoming freshman iPads. Without that program, some students might not have easy access to the technology they need to participate and be successful in the online courses, and thus the program would not be as successful as it has been so far. The future of LEAP has endless possibilities and the next phase is already underway. Last month, Mr. Koniarczyk traveled to California to present the program to the regional (national) Lasallian school administrators. If adopted, students who attend Lasallian schools will have an opportunity to take courses they never would have been able to before from teachers across the country. Teachers will also have an opportunity to collaborate, share ideas and ultimately receive continued professional development. “Based on our success, we see online courses as a huge opportunity for our broader school community. We have a real chance to course share and offer classes to students across the globe. There are so many benefits to that type of collaboration and we look forward to what the future holds,” said Koniarczyk. Through the LEAP progam, parents can also participate in forums to learn more about digital safety so that they are informed about today’s technologies and how they’re being integrated into the learning environment. SJ
Student-created diagram from the automotive course that St. Joe’s offered online this past semester.
Alumni serve as mentors for “Alumiboti” Robotics Team On February 17, 2015, St. Joe’s first entry in the FIRST® Robotics competition was completed. In the six weeks since this year’s game was announced in a NASA webcast, more than 25 students and several mentors designed, assembled and tested the robot. The SJCI robotics team, nicknamed the “Alumiboti,” are one of 44 teams entered in the Finger Lakes Regional at the Rochester Institute of Technology at the end of March. In all of Western New York, there are only five other high school teams involved in the FIRST® competition. Several alumni have stepped up to help mentor the students in response to the article in the Fall 2014 Collegiate. The head mentor and general coordinator of the construction project is Daniel E. Massing ’57. Assisting with the drawing and design group are Raymond C. Belter ’49 and Christopher P. Church ’85. The mechanical group was assisted and trained by Nicholas M. Eadie ’10. The electrical team was assisted and trained by Philip J. Schneider ’10. The software team coded with assistance and direction from Matthew S. Seier ’05 and Joseph A. Peacock ’12. The planning, design and training help offered by the SJCI The mentors and coach of the SJCI robotics team take a break from building. From left to right: Matt Seier ’05, Phil Schneider ’10, Joe Peacock ’12, Pat Jamealumni was invaluable in the success of SJCI’s first venture son, Nick Eadie ’10, Dan Massing ’57, Ray Belter ’49, Chris Church ’85, and St. into competitive robotics. SJ Joe’s chemistry teacher and coach Pat Wick.
St. Joe’s is pleased to announce that Alumni Weekend 2015 will be held June 12 to June 14. Classes celebrating reunions (1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010), as well as ALL St. Joe’s alumni are invited to participate.
The highly-anticipated Alumni Golf Tournament gets Alumni Weekend 2015 underway at 11 a.m. with lunch preceding a 12 p.m. shotgun start on Friday, June 12 at The Links at Ivy Ridge in Akron, NY. Presented by the St. Joe’s Alumni Association, proceeds from the event benefit the Alumni Endowment Fund. The cost to participate (which includes golf, cart, prizes, beer & pop, lunch and dinner) is $130 per person. Young Alumni (class of 2010 through class of 2015) can participate at a special rate of $100 per person. Alumni may also elect to take part in dinner only (following the round at 5 p.m.) for $50.
St. Joe’s alumni spend a beautiful afternoon sharing in camaraderie at the 2013 Alumni Weekend Golf Tournament.
On Saturday, June 13, St. Joe’s will host the annual Alumni Soccer Game at 11 a.m. at the Robert T. Scott, AFSC Athletic Field Complex. All participants receive a commemorative t-shirt, and after the game all are invited to Curry’s for lunch. Come Saturday evening, nine groups of St. Joe’s graduates will descend on various establishments throughout Western New York to celebrate individual class reunions. Finally, on Sunday, June 14, all St. Joe’s alumni are once again invited to participate in an All-Class Alumni Family Liturgy & Brunch, which will be held at the school at 10:30 a.m. There is no cost to attend. Contact Alexander J. Eadie ’07 at 716.270.4142 or aeadie@sjci.com to learn more about Alumni Weekend 2015. Registration will be open soon! SJ
SPRING 2015
ALUMNI WEEKEND 2015
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ALUMNI NEWS & notes
IN MEMORIAM Brian V. Ahern ’57 Paul F. Amrhein ’81 Edward M. Apen Jr. John J. Balthasar ’39 Kevin O. Beiter ’67 Bruce R. Boland ’51 Alfred C. Boyd Jr. ’47
ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
L. Matthew Duggan Jr. ’45 Colleen A. Eisenhardt Avery K. Ellis William L. Henel ’55 Francis J. Jann ’39 Loville N. Martlock ’55 Maureen G. O’Connor Catherine L. Reinhart Donald G. Reinhart ’43 Edward Ryan Jr. ’44 Timothy D. Ryan Donald V. Smith ’45 William J. Solop ’67 Robert J. Steffan ’69 Michael T. Sullivan Jr. Timothy J. Tepas ’63 Edward J. Thill ’73 Norman Verbanic Jr. ’76
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1960s Richard J. Herdlein, Ph.D. ’62 was honored by the College Student Personnel Association/ New York State and the American College Personnel Association with the 2014 “Distinguished Service to Higher Education Award.”
Herdlein is an associate professor of Higher Education at Buffalo State College. Paul B. Hurley Jr., PhD ’62, was named vice president of the Rotary Club of Buffalo. Eugene M. Fahey ’69 was nominated by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to serve on the Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court. Justice Fahey will join the high court 20 years after beginning his judicial career, where he has served as a Buffalo City Court Judge and a State Supreme Court Justice for Western New York. John D. Mecca ’69 was recently hired as a reviewer for Advanced Systems Technology and Management (AdSTM) Inc. AdSTM is a science and technology based engineering consulting firm, and Mecca is consulting on their work with the Federal Transit Administration. Dennis Ward ’69 was elected as a justice in the New York State Supreme Court. Ward most recently served as Erie County Elections Commissioner.
1970s Richard G. Schott ’70 has been named vice president for business affairs and treasurer of Daemen College. Jeffrey Forster ’71 was ordained on June 14, 2014 as a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Buffalo. He was assigned to St. Aloysius parish in Springville, NY and St. John the Baptist parish in West Valley, NY. Bishop Malone also appointed him as the Canonical Administrator for St. Aloysius
Regional School for his Ministry of Charity. Paul J. Kolkmeyer ’71 recently closed on five neighboring buildings in downtown Buffalo’s business district, which will be converted into residential, commercial, banquet and meeting space, including a hotel, as part of the city’s newest redevelopment project. Charles Maryan ’71 has a threeyear contract with Chevron Deepwater Drilling. For the next three months, he is also working for Petrobras on its Papa Terra TLP Project in 4,000 feet of water at the Campos Basin, off the coast of Brazil. Michael E. Wiles ’71 has been appointed as a federal bankruptcy court judge in New York City.
David F. Mitchell ’80 was promoted to deputy director of Flight Projects at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Mitchell was most recently the project manager for the Mars MAVEN mission, which successfully entered the orbit of Mars in 2014. Michael D. Andriatch ’81 was named vice president of development at the State University of New York College at Brockport. John H. Boutet ’81 was named the official archivist and curator of the AAA Buffalo Bisons baseball team. John also runs the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame and the Heritage Room at Coca-Cola Field.
1990s
Dennis R. Black ’74 was named president of the Board of Directors at Buffalo Prep School. Black serves as VP of University Life and Services at the University of Buffalo.
Michael A. Anderson ’93 was named to the 2014 Business First “40 under 40” List. Anderson is the area sales manager and first vice president at First Niagara Bank.
Michael J. Eadie ’74 has been named vice president for business affairs at Villa Maria College.
Timothy M. Kennedy ’94 was re-elected to the New York State Senate, serving the 63rd District.
Charles P. Cercone ’76 has been named dean of Indiana Tech Law School in Fort Wayne, IN. Most recently, Cercone was the dean of faculty at Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
1980s David M. Mangano ’80 was named to the board of directors of the Amherst Senior Citizens Foundation.
Richard R. Anderson, Jr. ’95 was named to the 2014 Business First “40 under 40” List. Anderson is an independent business consultant. He serves on the Board of Niagara Military Affairs Council and is a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve Honor Guard. Jordan D. Fadale ’96 was promoted from sales manager to external relationship manager at Evolution Dental Science.
Omar S. Fetouh ’96 was promoted to assistant news director at WBFO-FM 88.7. Fetouh will remain as the on-air host from noon to 2 p.m. during “Here and Now.” Robert G. Ortt ’97 was elected to the 62nd District seat of the New York State Senate. Ortt had previously served as mayor of the City of North Tonawanda. Myles M. Abbott ’99 was elected to the Canisius College Alumni Association Board of Directors. He will serve a three-year term, and continue to serve as senior manager at PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP.
2000s Patrick D. McNally ’01 was hired as the vice president of institutional advancement at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute.
David J. Lever ’03 was named a manager at Tronconi Segarra & Associates, a certified public accounting/business consulting firm. Frank J. and Paul P. Tripi ’03, owners of the Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs food truck, are expanding operations to a second food truck. It is due to hit the road in April 2015. Justin J. Wild ’03 was promoted to accounting manager at the firm Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP in Amherst, NY. Adam J. Pyse ’05 has been hired as an architect by Young + Wright Architectural in Buffalo, NY. Peter A. Davidow ’06 graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in May 2014 and is currently in the midst of a year-long residency in general dentistry at Erie County Medical Center.
2010s Patrick J. Hyzy ’10 was hired as a full-time musician and singer at Howl at the Moon Pittsburgh. Howl at the Moon is a high-energy music and dance club with locations across the country. Connor J. Rehbaum ’11, a senior guard on the Hobart College basketball team, became the 27th Statesman to reach the 1,000-point plateau, leading Hobart to a 70-63 conference win over Skidmore College on January 24, 2015. Joseph A. Peacock ’12 has been hired for a highly selective internship at Facebook. His role will be in managing the connections between the company’s engineering and business teams, and he will take part in weekly meetings with CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
marriages and engagements:
Michael E. Murphy ’14 was presented with a gold star, representing academic excellence, by Lt. Gen. John Rosa Jr., President of The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, for achieving a 3.75 grade point average for his first semester. Michael is on a four-year ROTC scholarship contracted with the United States Army. SJ
STAY CONNECTED. Share your professional, academic or personal updates and stay connected to alumni around the world! Contact Alumni Relations Coordinator Alexander J. Eadie ’07 at aeadie@sjci.com to be included in the next issue of The Collegiate!
births:
Patrick J. McPartland ’91 married Lisa Johnson on August 23, 2014. Patrick is the Donald J. Rudewicz ’89 and his wife, Cassandra, staff photographer for the WNY Catholic paper in the Diocese of Buffalo. welcomed twin baby boys, Ryan Thomas and Dylan Jacob on July 11, 2014. The family lives in Ryan M. Glaser ’01 married Molly DiBlasi on September 27, 2014. Ryan is an Cheektowaga, and Don is the General Manager accounting analyst for Erie County. of Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant at the Walden Galleria. Christopher W. Badura ’02 married Katherine Stahl on September 5, 2014. Christopher works at Travelers Insurance Company. Eric J. Koch, MD ’93 and his wife, Katie, recently Stephen P. Dowling ’03 was married on August 9, 2014 to Katherine Luce. Stephen is an accountant with the Erie County Comptroller’s office. Kevin M. Banas ’04 married Shannon Sprouse on September 6, 2014. Kevin is a senior consultant at Deloitte Consulting.
welcomed daughter Avery Elizabeth Koch. Eric was named president-elect of medical staff at Kenmore Mercy Hospital and fellow of the American College of Physicians. He is a partner with Buffalo-Niagara Hospitalists and also maintains an outpatient practice at R&B Medical Group in Williamsville, NY.
Robert D. Measer ’05 married Amanda Bucholz on December 27, 2014. Robert is a staff accountant at Transcat, Inc. in Rochester NY. Matthew L. Slovick ’05 married Jenna O’Malley on July 12, 2014. Matthew works as a financial planner in Buffalo, NY. James D. Glownia ’06 is now engaged to Emily Urbanski. Wesley P. Mabee ’06 is engaged to Cassie Burke.
The Alumni News & Notes section is a compilation of information reported to us. St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute is not responsible for its accuracy or content.
SPRING 2015
Dr. Adam P. Pendleton ’04 is now engaged to Dr. Kiera Schlansky. Adam is in his second year of residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Benjamin J. Davis PhD ’98 and his wife, Jessie, welcomed daughter Margaret June on June 4, 2014. Nicholas J. Terranova ’04 married Kayleigh Cassetta on October 18, 2014. Margaret June joins big brother, Nathaniel. She was Nicholas works for ITT Enidine in Orchard Park, NY. born on her great grandmother’s 99th birthday.
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the LEADERS OF TOMORROW come to ST. JOE’S TODAY! Throughout our 154-year history, St. Joe’s has prepared thousands of young men for lives of service and accomplishment. We welcome each student as unique and talented. We encourage them to nurture and develop their abilities, and also to share themselves in service to others. These lessons and qualities prove unequivocally that the “leaders of tomorrow” do in fact come to St. Joe’s today.
ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
Ken-Ton Sleepout
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Last month, a group of St. Joe’s students, faculty members, alumni and friends participated in the 28th Annual Jerry Starr Ken-Ton Schools’ Sleepout. As part of the event, attendees spent the night outside in boxes to better understand what life is like for homeless people. Nice job, Marauders!
Over the last six months, a number of our alumni have been featured in the media in recognition of the outstanding accomplishments that they are making in their community and respective industries. Below is a sampling of some of the headlines that have been written about our prestigious alumni. We encourage you to visit the various media outlet websites to read the complete stories. SJ
Your Support = Our Opportunity Every day at St. Joe’s, more than 800 students receive the finest educational opportunities – all offered in an atmosphere of brotherhood and Lasallian values. From receiving the best instruction in the classroom to the chance to continue their family legacy, pursue their passion in the arts, wrestle for state championships, and participate in innovative extracurricular activities that will prepare them for college, your support creates and sustains the opportunities that our students experience every day. The benefits of a St. Joe’s education are only possible because of the generous support of our many parents, alumni, and friends.
To make a gift to the Annual Fund – where 100% of every unrestricted dollar goes directly to tuition support – please use the return envelope provided in The Collegiate or go to www.sjci.com/annualfund today.
SPRING 2015
Currently, three out of four students receive some form of tuition support. Your support equals their opportunity.
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ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE A Community
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PARENTS: If The Collegiate is addressed to a son who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please clip the address label and return it with the correct address to: St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, Attn: The Collegiate, 845 Kenmore Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14223
OUR MISSION St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute (SJCI) is a Catholic, independent college-preparatory high school educating young men of diverse backgrounds in the tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle. Through a broad and balanced, human and Christian edu cation, SJCI guides the development of each student's unique talents, fostering a commitment to academic excellence, service and leadership in the global community.
ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE MARAUDERS?
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These alumni are celebrating their 50th reunion this year! E. Dean Daigler ’65 Eugene M. O’ Neill ’65 James Pleger ’65 If you have information that can help us get in touch with them, please contact Alexander J. Eadie ’07 at aeadie@sjci.com or 716.270.4142.