Manhattan Magazine Fall 2011

M A N H AT TA N CO L L EG E fall 2 01 1

Remembering 9/11

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on campus Superior General visits campus, new dean of science, College welcomes math standout from Cambodia, Lasallian Look, news and lectures.

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sports New men’s basketball coach starts season on an energetic foot, plus news and recaps of the spring season.

editorial Kristen Cuppek, Editor Amanda Ferrarotto, Intern Molly Pekarik, Intern

18 Reflecting on 9/11 Ten years after 9/11, some alumni reflect on that day and how it affected them. The College remembers the anniversary with a series of campus events.

Contributors Julie Achilles Patrice Athanasidy Nancy Berrian-Dixon Annie Chambliss Joe Clifford Liz Connolly Stephen Dombroski Christian Heimall Daniel Marra Photographers Ben Asen Bleacher + Everard (cover) Joshua Cuppek Peter Finger Carolyn Fong Landon Nordeman Design Charles Hess, chess design

26 a Whirlwind of change Manhattan continues to grow in leaps and bounds, and this past year was no exception. Check out all of the enhancements and additions to campus.

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commencement The College celebrates recent grads at its Commencement ceremonies.

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development AECOM leaders to receive the De La Salle medal, the student commons campaign progresses and scholarships.

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alumni New alumni director takes the helm, Jasper Open, Reunion Weekend,

Published by the Office of Marketing and Communication Manhattan College Riverdale, NY 10471 Lydia Gray Executive Director, Marketing and Communication

alumnotes and Jasper profiles.

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obits In Memoriam, Brother Anthony Flynn, Vernon Dixon

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When in Riverdale, Do as the Lasallians Do The most influential leader in Lasallian Catholic education took a trip to the United States and made sure that Manhattan College was one of his destinations. On Nov. 9, the College was paid a pastoral visit by Superior General Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, FSC, leader of the largest Roman Catholic religious order of men devoted to the mission of education. This was just one stop on Br. Álvaro’s two-week tour of the District of Eastern North America, where he met with Brothers of the Christian Schools, along with Lasallian partners and students.

During his day trip to the College, Br. Álvaro attended Mass and met with President Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., and other administrators, as well as with the Lasallian Education Committee and the education depart-

ment. He also participated in a campus tour led by students and an information session provided by campus ministry and social action on the various outreach programs the College offers students to uphold the Lasallian tradition.

Br. Álvaro currently holds the highest office of the Christian Brothers, whose 6,000 Brothers and 100,000 associates teach nearly 1 million students in schools, colleges and universities in 82 countries worldwide. He was named Superior General of the Christian Brothers in 2000 and became the 26th leader of the order founded in the 17th century by St. John Baptist de La Salle, the patron saint of teachers. He was re-elected in 2007 for another seven years.

Research Expert Named Dean of Science

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he College’s science department looks positively charged now that Constantine E. Theodosiou, Ph.D., was named Manhattan College’s new dean of the school of science in July.

Theodosiou comes from Montclair State University, where he was vice provost for research, dean of the graduate school and professor of physics.

He also served as the associate dean for the natural sciences and mathematics in the college of arts and sciences; interim director of the Plant Science Research Center and the Lake Erie Research Center; acting chair of physics and astronomy; and director of graduate studies. During his time in academia, he has

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instructed more than 36 courses within the scientific field.

Noted for his expertise in research, Theodosiou was a Fulbright research scholar for the National Hellenic Research Foundation in Greece and has conducted research on many topics, including: atomic structure and spectroscopy, electronic and atomic collisions, quantum optics and multi-photon processes.

His work has been published in more than 70 journals and book articles during the past 20 years of his career.

Theodosiou graduated from the University of Chicago with a doctorate in atomic physics in 1976 and a master’s in physics in 1973. He completed a physics and mathematics diploma from the

National University of Greece.

“I am very excited at the opportunity to help Manhattan College excel in the teaching of its students and in preparing them for successful careers in a very demanding and challenging new century,” Theodosiou says.

“I am looking forward to being able to use my past experience to help the faculty enhance their teaching and scholarly performance, and further the College’s excellent reputation. Attracting talented students from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and involving them in academic research while at Manhattan College will be an important priority for the school of science.”

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colleges

In Two, We Trust

New Additions to the Board

William P. Hannon ’69, chief risk officer and business conduct officer for the Travelers Companies was recently named to Manhattan College’s board of trustees.

Hannon received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the College and worked at Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) for a year following his graduation. In 1970, he left the firm to serve in the U.S. Navy and returned to KPMG two years later.

Hannon dedicated more than 25 years to KPMG, where he was named a partner in 1981 and served as deputy managing partner for KPMG’s Financial

Services Practice and as a member of the SEC Reviewing Partners Committee.

In 1996, Hannon joined Travelers Insurance as chief financial officer and in 2000, joined parent company Citigroup as managing director and chief executive officer of Citigroup’s business services group and later as controller and chief accounting officer.

Hannon rejoined Travelers in 2005 and, in February 2007, was named executive vice president of enterprise risk management at the Travelers Companies.

An active alumnus, Hannon has served as a member of the Manhattan College

MAnhattan alumni always seem to find their way back home to the College.

Joseph Dillon ’62, former director of alumni relations and current president of the Alumni Society, has joined the College’s board of trustees. He will serve on the board as a representative of the Alumni Society during his three-year term.

In 1996, Dillon, corporate vice president, retired from Panasonic after 23 years.

Throughout his career, he held a variety of executive positions, including: general manager of the electronic components division, vice president of the audio/video systems division, president

of the Panasonic service division, and vice president of the information systems division.

A resident of Scotch Plains, N.J., Dillon currently sits on the finance council at St. Bartholomew Church in Scotch Plains and is a part of the Scotch Plains Parade Commission. He was also a member of the Scotch Plains Recreation Commission from 1973-1978.

Dillon received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Manhattan College in 1962 and his M.B.A. from Case Western University in 1967. He joined the College in 1997 as vice president of college

2012 Rocking the Rankings

Consulters Committee for the school of business. He is also a member of the board of directors for Concur Technologies and currently the treasurer for the National Academy Foundation.

advancement and later became director of alumni relations until his retirement 10 years later.

He has remained actively involved in many alumni events, including the Career Fair.

Manhattan College was recognized once again by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings of Best Colleges as being one of the leading institutions in the country.

Moving up two spots from last year, the College was ranked as the No. 15 regional university in the North. This is the fourth year in a row that Manhattan has placed in the top 20. In addition, the school of engineering was ranked No. 40 nationally among the Best in Undergraduate Engineering category.

The College also was named No. 12 among the best Northeastern Colleges in the United States by Payscale.com. The report demonstrated how the median salary of Manhattan College alumni nearly doubled from entry level to mid-career.

Rounding out the rankings, Manhattan was recently listed as one of the top 100 private universities in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Best Value in Private Colleges’ survey.

The survey analyzed factors such as a high four-year graduation rate, low average student debt at graduation, good student-to-faculty ratio, excellent on-campus resources and overall great value to create the rankings. The College placed first among New York colleges for lowest total cost and lowest average debt for students at graduation. It also ranked in the top 20 nationally for both of these categories.

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College Calculation: Math Wiz Makes Her Way from Cambodia

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magine traveling nearly 9,000 miles to attend college in a foreign country without family or friends by your side. This is exactly the adventure that Kimsy Tor, a freshman from Siemreap, Cambodia, embarked upon this fall.

After participating in a winter math course with Helene Tyler, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics and computer science at Manhattan College, at Cambodia’s Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) last year, Tor was encouraged by Tyler to apply to the College for admission as a freshman. Tyler was at RUPP teaching an intensive four-week master’s course in Ordinary Differential Equations as part of the Volunteer Visiting Lecturer Program. Among the fourth-year college students, Tyler met Tor, who was a recent high school graduate and a rising star in the field of math.

“When I first met Professor Tyler, she told me about Manhattan College, the small class size, professors, environment and New York City,” says Tor, explaining that a typical freshmen class at RUPP consisted of about 100 people. In late spring, Tor found out she received a generous full attendance package derived from several scholarships to attend Manhattan College, and her mind was made up to come to New York City.

Cambodia currently has only four resident citizens who hold doctorate degrees in mathematics, which is another key reason that education in the math field for Cambodians is crucial to the development of their country. With 35 percent of its people living below the poverty line and an adult population that is only 75 percent literate, Cambodia continues to experience economic and academic hardship resulting from the Khmer Rouge reign in the late 1970s.

As a result of Tor’s strong interest in

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Kimsy Tor, a freshman from Siemreap, Cambodia

the field of math and academic achievements, she might be the next Cambodian to make a difference in shaping the educational future of the country.

In fact, her goals include pursuing a doctorate degree in math and maybe eventually becoming a math professor.

“Of course, what first piqued my interest was Kimsy’s mathematical talent,” Tyler says. “It was her insatiable curiosity and charming personality, though, that made me commit to working on her behalf. Kimsy struck me as the sort of person who could emerge as an intellectual leader among her peers. But in order for that to happen, she would need the kind of education that her country cannot currently provide.”

When Tor, the fourth of six children, first arrived at Manhattan College in August, her parents accompanied her to help with the transition and also to do a little sightseeing of New York City. Thus far, the Statue of Liberty is Tor’s favorite tourist attraction. She is also enjoying residential life, a first-time experience for her after living with her sister in a rental house last year while at RUPP.

“I knew that the cultural adjustment would be very difficult for Kimsy, as would the separation from her family,” Tyler adds. “I also knew that our caring community of faculty, staff and students would do everything possible to help Kimsy to succeed.

During the first few weeks that Kimsy was here, my husband and I made sure that she had some authentic New York experiences, like bagels, pizza and a walk through Central Park. And when winter comes, we’ll make sure she gets a good pair of boots.”

Since the start of the fall semester, Tor has been learning how to balance a full course load with five classes, including calculus, Foundations for Higher Mathematics, computer science, English and Chinese. She is also thinking about a few other concentrations she might further pursue as a minor, such as expanding her knowledge of Chinese and computer science.

“I am so excited for the opportunity to be studying at Manhattan College, and I look forward to further exploring campus life and New York City,” Tor says.

LASALLIANLOOK

Lasallian All-Stars

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n addition to countless hours hitting the books, the College’s Lasallian Leaders logged more than 1,806 service hours during the 2010-2011 school year. And they’ll have some more help this academic year, as Manhattan awarded nine 2011 high school graduates dedicated to serving their community with Lasallian Leaders scholarships.

The scholarship program, which launched in 2005, was founded as a way to acknowledge prospective students who previously attended a Lasallian Catholic high school and are committed to community service and expanding service to the College community similar to the ideals of St. John Baptist de La Salle.

“Students who receive the Lasallian Leaders scholarship attempt to develop creative ways of integrating the mission with campus life programs,” says Brother Charles Barbush, FSC, program coordinator of the center for career development’s Mentor Program and the Lasallian Scholars program.

Recipients of the scholarship take an active role in maintaining Lasallian traditions and meeting monthly to collaborate on planning events on campus that raise awareness of the College’s heritage. The Lasallian Leaders also participate in various activities throughout the year, such as speaking at freshmen orientation, helping resident assistants, creating residence hall projects, and joining Relay for Life. In addition, they are required to complete 30 hours of service per semester to maintain their scholarships and are each involved in a service project through campus ministry and social action, Habitat for Humanity, the Methodist Home or Visitation Parish School.

Some of the Lasallian Leaders lend a hand at the Church of St. Francis Xavier’s welcome table in New York City in October.

Library Award Stocks the Stacks the International Society for Science and Religion selected Manhattan College as a recipient of its Library Award. As part of the award, the College will receive 250 books on topics relevant to the study of religion and science. The books, which initially will be on display after their arrival, will be available for student and faculty researchers.

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COURSE Spotlight

Urban America: Catholic Social Teaching (RELS 205) Learning about the role that religion plays in modern society may seem like a monotonous task for college students. Consequently, Manhattan decided to make the subject more interesting by sending students out into the community, so they can learn about Catholic Social Teaching while living it.

Course Description: Urban America: Catholic Social Teaching is an interdisciplinary course that focuses on understanding religion as an element of human experience in relation to contemporary issues, such as peace, social justice and urban problems. Students study the body of work known as the Catholic Social Teaching and then apply those principles to urban issues that they experience by participating in student-volunteer work at Bronx-based community organizations. The course is centered on service learning, which is an experiential form of education that helps students make the connections between what they experience and what they read in the classroom. Students work with organizations such as: Ethical Culture Society, Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, Bronx Works and POTS (Part of the Solution) Soup Kitchen.

Texts:

Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem

and America by Paul Tough

Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler

Introducing Catholic Social Thought by Joseph Milburn Thompson

Lectures: Thursdays, 2:30–4:20 p.m.

Professor: Lois Harr, director of campus ministry and social action and adjunct instructor of religious studies

About the Professor: A lifelong Bronx resident, Lois Harr has worked at Manhattan College for 14 years and currently serves as the director of the office of campus ministry and social action. She is the adviser for the on-campus clubs JustPeace and Lasallian Collegians. As for her work in outreach, Harr has participated in many Lasallian Social Justice Institute (LSJI) programs, co-developing and facilitating one program on homelessness in San Francisco. She is also a member of the newly established LSJI advisory committee for the region, as well as of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities peace and justice advisory committee.

Harr received her B.A. in political science from Fordham University and her M.A. in religious studies from St. Joseph’s Seminary. She earned her professional diploma in religious education from Fordham University.

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Making the Honor Roll the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) honored Manhattan College as a leader among institutions of higher education for its support of volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. The College was admitted to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in May for engaging its students, faculty and staff in meaningful service that achieves measurable results in the community.

The CNCS, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth.

Of that total, 511 were named to the Honor Roll. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to longterm campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service.

He’s So GQ

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MIchael Stevens ’12, a communication and English major, got to flaunt some serious style in the September issue of GQ magazine and appeared in the featured piece, “Project Upgrade→Goes To College.”

GQ chose six male students from colleges across the country and gave them a fashionable makeover that was sure to fit their future career aspirations. An aspiring writer, Stevens took the “prep” out of preparatory and proved that even after graduation, it is acceptable to wear creative patterns as a means of self-expression and still appear professional in the real world.

To see the story online, go to http://www.gq.com/style/ wear-it-now/201109/projectupgrade-college.

options for group exercise. But they

getting physical With lots of outlets for physical activity, MC Students have several especially lace up for these five intramural sports, listed by popularity based on participation.

1- Softball 2- Soccer 3- Volleyball 4- Basketball 5- Flag Football

love is in the trip Jaspers love their service-learning trips. The top five most popular L.O.V.E. (Lasallian Outreach Volunteer Experience) destinations are: 1- New Orleans 2- Kenya 3- Camp Reynal, Texas 4- Jamaica 5- Rwanda

PHOTOs BY Eric Ray Davidson

Representing at the Model UN More than 20 Manhattan College students attended the 2011 National Model United Nations (UN) conference from April 19-23 and participated in the global simulation with 2,500 other college students from 50 countries. The Jaspers represented both the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Plurinational State of Bolivia, and worked quickly to propose resolutions on a variety of issues, including drug trafficking, intellectual property rights, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, sovereignty over

natural resources, energy security, conventional weapons surplus stockpiles, and elimination of all forms of racial and indigenous discrimination.

The team walked away from the conference with Outstanding Position Papers and Distinguished Delegation awards, as well as with more knowledge of the UN and new skills in diplomacy and compromise.

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lecture circuit

Discussing the Liberal Arts Edge

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liberal arts education has come to represent a world of opportunities, as well as a new generation of global entrepreneurs, claimed Molly Esau Smith, Ph.D., in her lecture The Liberal Arts: Engaging the Global Community. The Manhattan College community has historically taken great pride in its liberal arts background, and with this lecture, it continued to showcase its commitment to academic diversity.

On Sept. 12, in newly renovated Hayden 100, Smith presented this lecture as part of the College’s Newman Lecture series.

The series, launched in 2010 to celebrate the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Birmingham, England, presided over by Pope Benedict XVI, aims to reaffirm the significance of liberal arts as the core of undergraduate education. Cardinal Newman’s book, The Idea of a University, stressed the central place of the liberal arts in the Catholic intellectual tradition, as well as education in the professions.

Smith exemplified this ideal during her lecture. She was born in Chennai, India, and educated at Madras Christian College, University of Madras and Auburn University. She has held faculty and administrative positions at Ithaca College, St. Louis University, University of Aberdeen, Seton Hall University and Wheaton College, and most recently served as president of Manhattanville College. A product of a global education, she discussed the advantages of the liberal arts in the business and education communities. “[The liberal arts] provide students not just with knowledge of the individual subjects, but with the mental agilities, skills, lifelong habits in learning, and wisdom that can enable them

to better acquire this knowledge and contribute meaningfully to society,” Smith said.

The United States has historically taken advantage of the skill set produced by liberal arts schools that help to create dynamic business leaders, she explained, but recently the liberal arts have come to take on a global focus. Smith expanded on how communities around the world have begun to develop their own liberal arts institutions and to send their students abroad to take advantage of the liberal arts in the United States and bring that knowledge back home with them.

Smith postulated that the liberal arts help to develop motivated business people and multidisciplinary academic authorities. The trend of liberal arts, though just recently spreading throughout the world, can create personal and intellectual connections across borders and affirm the importance of an education in our modern world.

Molly Esau Smith, Ph.D., discusses how a liberal arts education benefits the global community at the Newman Lecture.

An Interfaith Dialogue From a Woman’s Perspective AS part of the College’s tribute to 9/11, Manhattan’s newly expanded Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center (HGI) hosted a panel discussion, Hope and Healing Post 9/11: An Interfaith Dialogue From a Woman’s Perspective in September.

This discussion, calling on several different religious voices, aimed to expose the collective healing process after the terrorist attacks and to show how everyone was affected, not just a single group. It aimed to dispel religious tensions and serve as a guiding light into the future.

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The panel featured three highly qualified women: Elena Procario-Foley, Ph.D., Driscoll Professor of Jewish-Catholic Studies at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y.; Rori Picker Neiss, a student at Yeshivat Maharat, a pioneering institution training Orthodox Jewish women to be spiritual leaders and halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities; and Daisy Khan, executive director at the American Society for Muslim Advancement, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing an American Muslim identity and to building bridges between the Muslim community and

the general public through dialogues in faith, identity, culture and arts. The women took turns sharing personal anecdotes and connecting their communities and experiences with the global understanding of the attacks.

Moderated by Mehnaz Afridi, Ph.D., new director of HGI (to learn more about HGI and Afridi, see page 29), the conversation brought to life aspects of the attack and its previously unexplored aftermath.

Khan, for example, not only discussed the negative impact on the Muslim community from outside sources, the American populace

lecture circuit

Interpreting Medieval Texts A common misconception among those who examine historical texts is that because they were produced in the past, they are deemed factual accounts. Many forget that these documents were written by individuals of the time, who infused personal insight into their writing, which can alter the way that their works are interpreted and stray from fact to entertain the reader. Suzanne Yeager, Ph.D., assistant professor of English and medieval studies at Fordham University, discussed such interpretations found in certain medieval texts at the annual Costello Lecture in September.

Yeager presented Fictions of Espionage: Crusader Identities in Medieval Travel Texts, which discussed how crusading reflected the growth in medieval propaganda, shown in the writings of specific 14th century individuals.

Jennifer Edwards, Ph.D., assistant professor of history, welcomed Yeager to the stage and

described the lecturer’s experience and expertise in medieval studies, including her books Jerusalem in Medieval Narrative and Remembering the Crusades: Myth, Image, and Identity.

Yeager’s lecture discussed how the pilgrimage to Jerusalem inspired an entirely new textual genre dedicated to the Holy City.

In analyzing three medieval writers, Thomas Brygg, Thomas Swynmore and Brother Symon Semeonis, OFM, she compares each of their accounts of their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and notes the differences in tone, detail and focus on the places they traveled to during their crusades.

She conveyed the importance of understanding the political, religious and social influence that these medieval crusaders created through elaborating their narratives and embellishing their sources to produce popular works that would prosper in the medieval period. In fact, she noted that Swynburne received

as a whole and the global community but also revealed an internal conflict.

“I can now honestly say after my experiences last year [with attempting to build a Muslim community center downtown] that the war is not between religions; the war is between extremists of religions and the moderate people in these religions because the bulk of the communities are in the moderate,” she said, explaining how the small fractions of any religious population that is extremist have dictated all dialogues to date.

Niess, a high school student at the time

civic promotions after his exploratory mission was published.

While each text was important in analyzing the connection between the text and the writer’s pilgrimage, Yeager explained that the writing styles varied based on the individual preferences.

“Those who created written accounts of their travels portrayed themselves as quite serious about the enterprise,” she said.

“My talk today is part of a larger study, which explores the political and social work that pilgrim narratives performed on behalf of their narratives.”

In addition to the differences in writing style, Yeager noted that there were different textual receptions of the works based on the pilgrim’s aim and social status, as well as whether the accounts constituted merit in court and in government policy.

Yeager’s lecture taught the audience that many historical works regarding pilgrimages to the Holy Land were written

of the attacks, recalled another unexpected aspect in her Israeli teacher’s response to the news.

“We’re sitting [in school], in absolute fear, and the teacher stands up and continues the lesson,” she said. “And we all were horrified.

We said, ‘we just had a terrorist attack, how can you possibly keep teaching?’ And she said, ‘I come from Israel, this is what we do. You don’t let it stop you, you keep on teaching.’

And that’s what she did. I don’t remember a word of what she said that day.”

While members of her very own religious

according to the individual’s perception of the journey. She reminded the audience that there was always a person behind each historical account, and that it is important to acknowledge how differences in writing style, status and spiritual belief personally impacted his or her work.

The College hosts the Costello Lecture series every fall and invites a notable historian to discuss European history in memory of Brother Casimir Gabriel Costello, FSC, former dean of the College and chair of the history department. The series began when a generous donation was made by one of Br. Gabriel’s students, Roger Goebel, professor of law at Fordham University and director of the Center for European Union Law. Br. Gabriel believed that a liberal education should be given to all students and strived to uphold the core of the Lasallian tradition in his teachings, which is celebrated through the series.

community had dealt with terrorism on a regular basis, her American community had no such grasp of how to deal with it, which exposed a split in understanding.

The panel brought to life issues of community, healing and understanding that American society as a whole had to deal with, coupled with the knowledge that these women, each with their very different backgrounds, were parts of that American society.

It was a poignant reminder that we have all strived to heal post-9/11 together.

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sports

Masiello Courts Success for Manhattan Basketball

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teve Masiello has big plans for the men’s basketball program. After six years in training as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville under coach Rick Pitino, Masiello returns to the place where he was a key part of the Jaspers’ renaissance period, in which the storied 105-year-old program was built up to an arguably all-time high.

Masiello served as an assistant at Manhattan College from 2001-2005 and helped lead the program to three postseason appearances in four years, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament (2003 and 2004). Most notably, it was the last time the Jaspers earned an invite to the Big Dance.

During this incredible stretch, the Jaspers monopolized New York City sports media. Manhattan was not just a big name on the New York City college basketball map but also recognized nationally as a mid-major power.

Masiello’s goal is to revive these glory days and start a new chapter for Manhattan basketball. He is determined to bring the Jaspers back to the upper echelon of college basketball through hard work on all fronts.

“Anytime you can go to a place where you have experienced success firsthand, then you are already ahead of the game,” he says. “It gives you a blueprint of what worked before, and now it is time to duplicate it.”

The 34-year-old White Plains, N.Y., native was no stranger to success during his six-year tenure at Louisville, where he garnered recognition as one of the nation’s top assistant coaches. In his last three years on the Cardinals’ bench, Masiello managed Louisville’s game preparation and scouting responsibilities. During this stretch, Louisville amassed a 76-29 (.724) overall record and 39-15 (.722) mark in the Big East.

The Cards also captured the 2009 Big East Championship, entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed by winning 31 games and advanced to the Elite Eight.

Known as one of the nation’s most renowned recruiters, he signed four top 20 classes during his six seasons at Louisville. With a brilliant eye for talent, he knows the type of player who will bring Jasper basketball back to prominence.

Masiello attributes the College’s basketball program’s prosperous future to a strong and balanced coaching staff.

Instantly after accepting the position, he began assembling a team that possesses a blend of collegiate and professional experience, as well as one that has experienced success at Men’s basketball coach Steve Masiello

Photos by landon nordeman

all levels. The individuals who fit the bill were associate head coach Matt Grady, assistant coaches Scott Padgett and Rashon Burno, and coordinator of basketball operations Matt Wilson.

“They all have great pedigree, they all come from great basketball backgrounds, and they were all former players in some capacity,” Masiello emphasizes. “This staff has a great ability to relate to players today.

It is not what coaches know, but what we can get the kids to know.”

Grady comes with a plethora of experience from his time at colleges such as Louisville, University of Cincinnati and Murray State University. He most recently worked as the elite camp director with the Hoop Group. Grady coordinated many events annually for the Hoop Group, including the nation’s No. 1 exposure camp, along with top 100 showcases for more than 13 locations along the East Coast.

“Matt is one of the best basketball minds out there,” Masiello says. “He has learned from some of the top teachers in the game from his time in the Big East … He also has NCAA Tournament experience during his time at Murray State and Morehead State.”

Prior to the Hoop Group, Grady spent the 2009-2010 season at Morehead State University and helped guide the Eagles to 24 wins, the second most in school history. While there, he worked with 2011 NBA first round draft pick Kenneth Faried. Grady was also a member of Louisville’s staff in 2008-2009 and served as a special assistant to Pitino when the Big East Championship team advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.

Padgett enters his second season at Manhattan after coming to Riverdale in 20102011 with eight years of NBA playing experience. He reunites with Masiello for the first time since they were teammates at the University of Kentucky and were members of the 1998 NCAA National Championship team.

Padgett enjoyed a decorated collegiate career with the Wildcats from 1995-1999 and scored 1,252 points during his career, which ranks 32nd on Kentucky’s all-time list.

“Scott is one of the hardest workers I have been around,” Masiello says. “He is humble with a great basketball mind, and he knows how to win. Scott has won at every level − high school, college and in the NBA.”

Before joining the Manhattan men’s basketball program, Padgett spent the 2009-2010 season at his alma mater on head coach John Calipari’s staff. The Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, finished with a 35-3 overall record and ranked in the top five of both the Associated Press and ESPN polls.

Padgett, a first round draft pick by the Utah Jazz in 1999, recorded 1,142 points in

as an assistant at Towson University. Burno began his coaching career at the high school level as head coach at Marmion Academy in Chicago from 2007-2010, where he also served as an economics and physical education teacher.

Wilson comes from Louisville and was the assistant video coordinator last season.

He aided in the Cardinals’ scouting and coordinated the program’s film exchange.

He also served as a student manager at Loufour years with the Jazz. He spent the next isville from 2008-2010, where he earned his two seasons with the Houston Rockets and bachelor’s degree in sports administration. had stints with the New Jersey Nets and “Matt is responsible for everything from Memphis Grizzlies. film, team travel, practice planning, class Burno returns to the metropolitan area, schedule. He just does it all,” Masiello says. where he helped anchor back-to-back naWith all the logistical pieces in place, Mational championships for St. Anthony’s High siello believes the program is on an upward School in Jersey City under head coach Bob swing and it’s just a matter of time before Hurley in 1996 and 1997. He went on to a stellar collegiate career at DePaul University, the results follow.

“Now the only way to get there is through where the three-year team captain helped hard work and staying humble,” he says. guide the Blue Demons to consecutive postseason appearances, the 2000 National Invi- “We want our kids to be students first, to have a great reputation on campus, handle tation Tournament and 2001 NCAA Tournathemselves in a professional manner, whethment. Burno finished third in DePaul men’s er it is in the classroom or on the court, and basketball history with 201 steals. then winning will take care of itself.”

“Rashon was the catalyst point guard for Manhattan welcomes 10 letter-winners back-to-back national titles for arguably the back from last year and a blend of talented most prestigious program in high school newcomers who are expected to make an basketball,” Masiello says. “He goes on to impact for the Jaspers. Co-captains senior DePaul and is one of the toughest, scrappiKidani Brutus and junior George Beamon est players in Conference USA. His story is a provide veteran leadership to the program, success story.” after both coming off promising campaigns.

Burno entered the collegiate coaching “And one thing is for sure, Manhattan basranks in 2010-2011, when he reunited with ketball is back,” Masiello says. his former head college coach Pat Kennedy MANHATTAN.EDU N 11

sports

sportsshorts Jaspers Named All-Academic Team

by U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association The men’s and women’s track and field teams were recognized for their academic success by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) in 2011. The men’s squad was one of 90 programs named Division I All-Academic Men’s Track & Field Teams, while the women were one of 164 programs to earn Division I All-Academic Women’s Track & Field Team status.

Division I programs with a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or higher qualified for USTFCCCA All-Academic recognition. The women’s team produced a 3.38 grade point average, and the men’s team was the only program in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) to receive the honor with a 3.07 index.

In addition, freshman Malin Olsson was among 633 student-athletes named to the individual USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. Senior Jackie Hargrove was selected to the Capital One Academic All-District Team for the second time and also was nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year award (see sidebar). On the men’s side, seniors Albert Johnson III and Tobias Lundgren were also named to the Capital One Academic AllDistrict Team.

Manhattan Basketball Exhibit on Display in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., will recognize the men’s and women’s basketball programs as part of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) exhibit for the next three years. The Jaspers display will be featured at the Hall of Fame in conjunction with the MAAC Tournament’s move to the MassMutual Center through 2014.

The exhibit will have commemorative jerseys from basketball greats, such as Jack Powers ’58 and Sheila Tighe ’84, along with tributes to the various achievements and accolades of the programs. For more information, visit www.maacachusetts.com.

12 N fall 2011

JasperVision Powers MAAC.tv Broadband Platform JasperVision, the official Manhattan Athletics video platform, has joined five other Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) partners to power MAAC.tv, the conference’s new broadband network.

More than 400 live events from the six institutions will be broadcast live. In addition, it will feature select conference championship events and game highlights.

MAAC.tv serves to enhance the JasperVision package already offered by Manhattan. The conference package gives fans the ability to watch every home contest for their favorite team, as well as select road contests on the campuses of the other participating schools. Fans can choose their favorite school or sign up for the full conference package, which provides access to every event streamed on MAAC.tv. Those who’ve already signed up for JasperVision and would like to upgrade to the full conference package can contact NeuLion customer support at fansupport@neulion.com.

JasperVision and MAAC.tv packages are available in 12-month, four-month or onemonth subscriptions. Packages range from $5.95 to $69.95. Visit GoJaspers.com and click on the JasperVision link for more information.

the College Hosts World Police & Fire Games Tournament The World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) held a portion of their 2011 tournament at Manhattan College in September as eight teams competed in an Irish Rules Football Tournament. The tournament, held at Gaelic Park, featured members of the New York Police and Fire Departments, as well as teams representing police and firemen from Northern Ireland, Australia and other countries.

Both the NYPD and FDNY received medals in the tournament with the city’s finest taking the silver medal and New York’s bravest walking away with the bronze. The team from Northern Ireland won the tournament and defeated the NYPD in the finals.

The WPFG is an annual international competition that features teams representing

public heroes from across the country. The venue changes countries yearly and was held in New York to coincide with the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It is the second largest multisport event in the world next to the Summer Olympics.

New Faces in the Athletic Department Manhattan College named Jim Duffy head baseball coach. He takes over the Jaspers’ program that is coming off its second MAAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in the last six years. Duffy comes to Riverdale after six seasons as an assistant coach at Seton Hall, where he helped the Pirates win the Big East Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2011. A 1996 Seton Hall graduate, Duffy was a fouryear starter at first base for the Pirates. A three-time All-Big East selection, he also was named New Jersey College Player of the Year and earned All-America honors after finishing ninth in the nation with a .429 batting average in 1995. Duffy signed a free agent contract with the Houston Astros in 1997 and was an outfielder within the organization for four years before retiring in 2000.

Diane Haddeland takes over as head coach of the women’s lacrosse program.

Haddeland spent the previous three years as an assistant coach at Division III power Fairleigh Dickinson. A native of Mahopac, N.Y., Haddeland played four years at the College of New Jersey, where she helped the program advance to the NCAA Division III Final Four three times and win two National Championships (2005 and 2006).

Christian Heimall joins the sports information office as a graduate assistant who will serve as the multimedia coordinator, while also holding broadcasting responsibilities. Heimall comes to Riverdale after spending the summer as the radio play-by-play voice and media relations director for the Vermont Mountaineers of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He is a recent graduate of Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.

FUNFACTS

2

200

length in meters of the new Mondo track surface in Draddy Gymnasium

alumni that competed at the 2011 Track & Field World Championships: Aliann Pompey ’99 (Guyana) in the 400meter dash and Milan Jotanovic ’09 (Serbia) in the shot put

Manhattan College Athletics

Woman of the Year!

Jackie Hargrove ’11, a member of the women’s track and field team, was nominated by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award, which recognizes graduating female studentathletes for their achievements in service, leadership, athletics and academics.

Hargrove was selected as an alternate for the U.S. Fulbright Scholar Program for a program called Caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children: The Nyumbani Approach, which, had she ultimately been selected, would have allowed her to live and conduct research in Kenya for 10 months with the nonprofit Nyumbani organization. She previously spent two weeks in Kenya working in slums, volunteering in orphanages, visiting HIV/AIDS clinics and working with Catholic Relief Services on a trip sponsored by Manhattan’s L.O.V.E. program. In addition, she has volunteered with the Rwandan Education Assistance Project, which is focused on improving the infrastructure of a rural Rwandan secondary/primary school.

She graduated magna cum laude from Manhattan in May 2011 with a degree in psychology. In addition, she received the Broderick Medal for Psychology and Medal for Excellence in the Liberal Arts, as well as the Jasper Award, which goes to the senior student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA. A six-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection, Hargrove was also twice named to the Capital One Academic All-District Team.

On the track, where she served as a team captain, Hargrove helped the Jaspers win six conference championships (three indoors, three outdoors). As a senior, she was a member of the quartet that broke the school record in the 4x400meter relay.

2006

year of Manhattan’s last appearance in the NCAA Baseball Tournament before the 2011 season

20’9” 50.9

distance of the new three-point line in women’s basketball, which is the same distance the men have used since the 2008-09 season

points per game allowed by the women’s

basketball team in 2010-11, the third few-

14

est among all Division I institutions

3

years Walter Olsewski served as the Jaspers’ golf coach before retiring this summer straight years that the MAAC Basketball Championships will be held at the MassMutual Center near the Naismith

12

Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., starting in 2012

school record number of conference victories for the softball team in 2011

6

consecutive seasons with at least 30 wins for the baseball team, a streak that was extended in 2011

.909

the baseball team’s winning percentage in MAAC play during the 2011 season, which tied for the second-highest mark in conference history

Justin Jensen ’11

sports

Men’s Lacrosse Faced with the challenge of replacing nine starters from 2010, including First Team All-MAAC members James Synowiez ’10 and Steven Sternberg ’10, the 2011 men’s lacrosse campaign served as an opportunity to build from within and set sights for a bright future.

Under 14th-year coach Tim McIntee, the Jaspers gave glimpses of potential greatness in strong efforts against nationally ranked Rutgers, Johns Hopkins, Air Force, Villanova and Hofstra. Using these top contests to showcase Manhattan’s program, the matchups against the Scarlet Knights and Pride were featured on FIOS1-TV, while the road game against the Blue Jays appeared on ESPNU. In MAAC play, Manhattan started 2-0 with wins over VMI and Jacksonville but dropped four tight contests down the stretch, including an 8-7 loss to Marist in overtime, in narrowly missing a fourth-consecutive tournament appearance.

Offensively, the Jaspers were led by senior captain and team MVP Justin Jensen, who

totaled a team-high 20 goals and seven assists. The fourth-year attacker also led the squad in shots with 83 and added 32 ground balls. Adding to the mix, junior Brendan Rogers compiled 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists), while scoring a hat trick over the Keydets on March 26 and pacing all players with four two-assist efforts.

Emerging as three of the underclassmen to watch, sophomore Tyler Jarvis, redshirt freshman Brian McGrath and freshman Marcel Godino contributed 16, 13 and 10 goal seasons, respectively. Jarvis had a seasonhigh two hat tricks and finished second on the team with 58 shots, while McGrath had a team-high five points vs. VMI and a pair of three goal-efforts en route to a MAAC Rookie of the Week award on March 28. Godino chipped in with 10 goals, two assists and 15 ground balls.

Seniors Mike Pisciotta and Mike Brooks, and freshman Dan McGreevy served as the team’s key defenders through the campaign.

The trio combined for 91 ground balls and 53 caused turnovers in 46 games played. In the cage, freshman Rich Akapnitis had a breakout campaign for the Green and White and made 134 saves in 12 games. The goalkeeper was honored twice for his tremendous efforts between the pipes and picked up MAAC Rookie of the Week accolades on March 1 and MAAC Defensive Player of the Week on April 4.

Excelling in the classroom, seniors Jensen, Brooks, John Llewellyn, Brett Miranda, junior Steve Harvey, sophomores Jon Crean, Jason Davis and redshirt freshman Paul Moreau were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team.

Women’s Lacrosse Under the guidance of former head coach Victoria Latino ’08, the Jaspers implemented a revamped style of play for a squad with a blend of young talent.

Winners of two of its first three games, Manhattan seemed destined for a MAAC playoff birth, but injuries and tough matchups kept those ambitions on the backburner for 2011. However, the season was not without its highlights, including an impressive 9-8 victory at Sacred Heart on March 5, a dominating 19-8 triumph over Long Island on March 23 and a thrilling come-from-behind victory against Siena on April 8.

In a year filled with strong efforts on both sides of the field, Manhattan had seven players in double-figure scoring and picked up a handful of All-MAAC 14 N fall 2011

accolades on the defensive side.

Leading a balanced scoring attack, junior Chrissy Gutenbeger paced offensive players with 33 goals and six assists. On March 10, she became the seventh Jasper in program history to reach 100 career goals with her fifth tally against Central Connecticut State. The attacker added a six-goal effort against Long Island and scored three or more goals in five other contests.

Aiding the team with a strong finish to her collegiate career, senior Julia Lavelle finished second on the team with 19 goals.

She recorded two hat tricks and scored the game-winning goal against the Pioneers in Manhattan’s only road victory. Fellow senior captains Tara Convery and Phelicia VanOverbeke also had stellar final seasons, compil-

ing 21- and 18-point campaigns.

Convery did a bit of everything for the Jaspers: recording 15 goals, 19 ground balls and 22 draw controls. VanOverbeke also notched 15 goals on the season along with picking up 17 draw controls and causing four turnovers. Possibly the moment of the season came when she scored the go-ahead goal with 18 seconds remaining in the win

over Siena at Gaelic Park.

In the middle of the field, junior Elizabeth Dugan led all two-way players with 11 goals and 38 ground balls while garnering Second Team All-MAAC accolades. Junior Breana Leonard continued her fine defense with 24 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers, and freshman defensive midfielder Kelsey Rehain chipped in with 11 scores and seven assists. In the cage, sophomore Julia DiBernardo set career highs in wins (4) and saves (98). She also earned two MAAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades.

One of the top academic teams in the conference, seniors Ashley McHale, Kristen Brenner, Lavelle, VanOverbeke and junior BrieAnna Spatarella all earned All-MAAC Academic Team honors.

Phelicia VanOverbeke ’11

Matt Baney ’11

Men’s Golf Led by senior tri-captains Thomas Romano, Matt Baney and Louis Perry, and a cast of veteran players, the men’s golf team had an impressive 2010-2011 season on the green. Winners of four tournaments, including the St. Joseph’s Classic, Purchase College Invitational and Susquehanna Fall Invitational, two dual matches over Saint Peter’s and a pair of second place finishes (Penmen Invitational), the Jaspers proved they could hang with some of the best competition in the area during the fall and spring seasons.

Receiving contributions across the board, Romano, junior Robert Kehoe, sophomore Matt Creamer and freshmen Paul Toohey and Chris Calabro each led Manhattan to at least one victory with 18-hole scores averaging 75 in those wins.

In the Jaspers’ first victory of the campaign on Sept. 17, Creamer and Toohey each shot a 72 to pace all golfers. Facing off against the Peacocks for the first of four meetings one week later, the Green and White continued its torrid run behind Romano’s 68

and 75 totals from Baney and Calabro to help Manhattan prove triumphant.

Finishing the fall schedule on a high note, Creamer, Calabro and Kehoe shot scores of 75, 76 and 76, respectively, to put the Jaspers on top at the Assumption College Tri-Match on Oct. 9. In the spring, Manhattan continued its strong play with yet another win against MAAC rival Saint Peter’s on April 5 behind a sizzling 68 from Romano and final scores of 72 and 77 from Baney and Calabro.

In their last regular season tournament, the fiveman team of Calabro, junior Chris Critelli, Kehoe, Perry and Toohey combined for a 310 to finish second at the Susquehanna Spring Invitational. Improving on last year’s finish, Manhattan placed seventh at the 2011 MAAC Championship in Lake Buena Vista.

A tremendous year for achievements, Romano became the first Manhattan golfer to be ranked by Division I men’s golf when he received a placement of No. 109 nationally at the completion of the season.

Softball In 2011, a senior-laden Manhattan College softball squad set a school record with 12 MAAC victories, beat every other team in the league for the first time, and earned the No. 2 seed for the MAAC Tournament. It was Manhattan’s third-straight appearance in the MAAC Tournament and marked the first time that happened since the 1993-96 seasons.

Manhattan started MAAC play at Niagara and Canisius. After earning a split with the Purple Eagles, the Jaspers won the second game of the doubleheader at Canisius on senior Jaci Rahey’s three-run homer in the top of the seventh inning. It was just the second win all-time for the Jaspers over the Griffs in Buffalo, and the first since 1995.

The Jaspers then opened their conference home schedule against Siena. Manhattan dropped the first game of the twinbill but then went on to win its final seven MAAC contests at Gaelic Park. The day after playing Siena, they earned their first doubleheader sweep of the season when they knocked off Marist twice. The team won both games by identical 9-6 scores.

After improving to 7-3 in the MAAC with a doubleheader sweep of Rider, the Jaspers split a twinbill at first-place Fairfield and put

themselves in position to clinch a playoff spot on the final weekend. Senior Melissa Donnelly tossed a one-hit shutout in a 9-0 victory over Saint Peter’s on May 7, and senior Nicole Michel hit a thrilling two-run walk-off homer to give the Jaspers a 14-13 win in the second game of the doubleheader. Manhattan then wrapped up the regular season by taking two from defending MAAC champion Iona to secure second place.

Unfortunately, the season ended a week later when the team dropped a pair of 4-3 decisions to Marist and Iona at the MAAC Tournament.

The talented squad got major contributions from every player on the roster. Freshman Kate Bowen immediately stepped in as one of the Jaspers’ most reliable clutch hitters. She led the team with a .336 batting average and tied for the team lead with 25 RBIs. Bowen also posted a 3-1 record as a pitcher and hurled a three-hit shutout against Lafayette on March 20. Rahey hit .331 with a team-high seven home runs and 23 RBIs, while Donnelly and Michel tied for the team lead with 25 RBIs. In the circle, Donnelly tossed shutouts on back-to-back Saturdays (a 1-0 win over Rider Kristina Walraven ’11

and a one-hitter against Saint Peter’s). She boasted a team-best 2.90 ERA. Senior Erika Sullivan won a team-high 11 games, including a one-hit shutout against Iona on May 8, while senior Ashley Rampino led the Jaspers with 57 strikeouts.

Rahey and senior Kristina Walraven were selected to the All-MAAC First Team, while Donnelly and senior Monica Evangelista were named Second Team All-MAAC. In addition, 10 Jaspers earned places on the MAAC All-Academic Team.

sports

Outdoor Track The men’s and women’s track and field teams both finished second at the 2011 MAAC Outdoor Championships.

As always, several Jaspers turned in top performances at the MAAC Championships.

Juniors Colin Quirke and Roman Ewald shared Most Outstanding Performer for Field Events honors at the meet. Quirke set a new meet record in the discus throw and also won the shot put, while Ewald finished second in both of those events and won the hammer throw.

Junior Brian McGovern also claimed the outdoor MAAC title in the pole vault, while senior Tobias Lundgren was the conference champion in the 10,000 meters.

On the women’s side, freshman Malin Olsson repeated her indoor performance with victories in the long jump (with a meet record) and triple jump, and again won Most Outstanding Performer for Field Events honors.

Other outdoor conference champions for the women’s team included senior Megan Tice in the high jump, sophomore Melissa Yap in the pole vault, sophomore Cara Rostant in the

400 meters, and the quartet of Rostant, senior Jackie Hargrove, junior Heidy Palacios and sophomore Emmy Koskinen in the 4x400 relay.

Other highlights included Olsson winning the bronze medal in the women’s long jump Championship of America at the prestigious Penn Relays, and sophomore Andrea Nyback breaking the school record in the heptathlon at the Metropolitan Championships. Also at the Mets, the men’s squad took the team title.

At the IC4A Championships, Quirke captured fourth place in the shot put and a fifthplace finish in the discus. McGovern placed seventh in the pole vault, and sophomore Felix Siljeback-Larsen finished sixth in the decathlon. At the women’s ECAC Championships, Olsson took fifth in the long jump, Yap placed seventh in the pole vault, and Tice tied for eighth place in the high jump.

Both Olsson and Quirke qualified for the NCAA East Regional Championships at Indiana University in June. Despite entering the event seeded 33rd, Olsson finished 19th in the women’s long jump with a leap of 19 feet

8 inches. In the men’s discus, Quirke captured seventh place with a personal-best throw of 181 feet 3 inches. That performance qualified him for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake University. Quirke placed 15th at the National Championships to earn Second Team All-America status.

Colin Quirke ’12

Women’s Tennis The 2010-2011 women’s tennis season got off to a promising start. The Jaspers opened the season by winning all nine matches in a 7-0 victory over MAAC rival Rider, then topped Monmouth 5-2 the next day. After beating St. Francis (N.Y.) 6-1 on Sept. 23, Manhattan sat at 3-1.

However, that would prove to be the high-water mark of the season, as the Jaspers won one more dual match to finish the campaign with a 4-13 overall record.

Among the bright spots for the Lady Jaspers was the doubles tandem of junior Christina Ton and freshman Brianna Turano. The duo won five of its first six matches at No. 3 doubles and finished with a 7-6 record in the position. Toward the end of the season, Turano was paired with sophomore Lili Johnson, and they went 3-1 together.

Turano also had a successful debut season in singles action. She played at No. 6 singles for much of the season and posted a 5-4 record. Overall, Turano tallied a team-high seven singles victories, while occupying three different places in the lineup.

Johnson, Manhattan’s top player, started 15 matches at No. 1 singles. She recorded six singles victories, including five in straight sets. Johnson also notched seven doubles wins with four different partners.

Juniors Hilary Valenzuela and Ton, the team captains, provided veteran leadership, on the court and off. Both players appeared in all 17 dual matches, with Valenzuela seeing action at No. 2 singles 14 times. She also played in the No. 1 position twice, notching a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles in the victory over St. Francis. Ton, who started matches in four different singles positions, played at No. 3 doubles in every match and picked up eight doubles victories.

After the season, Ton was recognized for her work in the classroom with a selection to the MAAC All-Academic Team.

Hilary Valenzuela ’12

After defeating Siena at Waterfront Park in Trenton, N.J., 0n May 28, the baseball team celebrates its MAAC Championship title. The Jaspers then advanced to their first NCAA Tournament since 2006.

Baseball The baseball team delivered another landmark year in 2011 as the Jaspers won their second MAAC Championship, reached the 30-win plateau for the sixth straight year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in school history. Manhattan finished out the memorable campaign at the Gainesville Regional of the NCAA Tournament hosted by the University of Florida, where the Jaspers went head-to-head with the Gators and then Jacksonville with both games televised nationally on ESPNU. In 2011, Manhattan won 20 MAAC contests to finish with the highest conference win percentage in program history (.909).

The team tied for the second highest in the MAAC dating back to 1989, and it was the highest since the league restructured to a single division in 2000. Most notably, Manhattan won its third MAAC Regular Season Championship in the last four years.

During the 2011 regular season, the team held the longest active win streak in NCAA Division I and won 10 straight games from March 26 to April 10. The Jaspers were also nearly unbeatable at home, recording an 11-1 ledger at Van Cortlandt Park. At one point, Manhattan won 11 straight home contests dating back to 2010, which was tied for the fifth longest active home winning streak in the country. The team earned a key victory over Notre Dame in March with the help of senior Chad Salem, who earned MAAC Player of the Week honors for batting a perfect 5-for-5 against the Irish. Salem later became the program’s career home run and RBI leader. The Jaspers also picked up their seventh win over

a Big East opponent in the last four seasons later in the month, when they defeated Seton Hall 6-3 in South Orange, N.J. Sophomore John Soldinger was named MAAC Pitcher of the Week after recording the save against the Pirates and would later be named the 2011 MAAC Pitcher of the Year.

Senior outfielder Mark Onorati became Manhattan’s career hits leader on April 13 at Columbia to surpass former Jasper standout Kevin Nieto ’10 for the top spot. Onorati also moved to the top of the Jaspers’ career runs and career doubles list in 2011. The team won its 11th straight home contest on May 3 with an 8-0 rout of cross-Bronx rival Fordham. Senior first baseman Austin Sheffield and senior outfielder Mike McCann joined Onorati and Salem on the 12 member 200-hit list.

McCann, Onorati and Soldinger garnered First Team All-MAAC honors, while Salem, sophomores catcher Ramon Ortega, shortstop Nick Camastro and pitcher Eric Luksis were named to the Second Team. Former head coach Kevin Leighton, who earned his 200th career win in six seasons, was named MAAC Coach of the Year.

The Jaspers entered the MAAC Tournament as the No. 1 seed in what would prove to be a wild playoff. In the opening contest against Canisius, Soldinger delivered a complete game effort on the mound, which allowed Manhattan to earn a 3-2 dramatic walk-off win on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning.

They then moved on to face third-seeded Siena for the right to move on to the MAAC Championship Game. The Jaspers built a

5-2 lead after six innings before a five-run eighth put the Saints in front 7-5, setting up another unthinkable comeback. Onorati led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a double off the left field wall. He moved to third on a bunt and then Salem drew a walk.

With two outs, Sheffield sent a grounder toward third. However, the throw was short, and Sheffield collided with the Siena first baseman. The ball rolled into foul territory, and Salem hustled all the way from first to tally the game-winning run.

The Jaspers advanced to the MAAC Championship Game, where they met Siena again.

Freshman second baseman Yoandry Galan drove in two runs in the 5-1 victory. Junior pitcher and MAAC Tournament MVP Mike Giordano was masterful on the mound in the title bout. He allowed just one unearned run and three hits while notching a career high 13 strikeouts. Fittingly, Giordano’s final pitch in the complete game victory was a called third strike, as Manhattan advanced to its first NCAA Tournament since 2006.

MANHATTAN.EDU N 17

Reflecting on 9/11

M

anhattan College alumni have played a significant role in the history of the World Trade Center, from its first building to its ultimate destruction. After the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, their involvement became especially apparent to all who participated in the recovery and rebuilding efforts at Ground Zero. In fact, so many Jaspers participated in these efforts that their roles were prominently detailed in the best-selling book American Ground: Unbuilding the World Trade Center by William Langewiesche.

In it, he describes the cast of alumni who set out to recover the lost and clean up the damage.

“There were so many Manhattan College graduates at the Trade Center site that people referred to the work there as a school project, and someone posted an alumni sign-in sheet outside one of the kindergarten rooms at P.S. 89, which rapidly filled up,” Langewiesche writes.

The alumni featured below are just a few of the numerous Jaspers who contributed to the efforts at the site on that day and on the days thereafter. Here, they reflect on their memories of Sept. 11 and how that day has influenced them.

Elizabeth Butler ’95

B.S. Chemical Engineering Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Butler was at her office on the 22nd floor of a high-rise building, just north of City Hall, where she had an unobstructed view of the World Trade Center. After feeling the tremors from the impact of the first plane and then seeing the fireball resulting from the crash of the second plane, she and a co-worker immediately evacuated all of her colleagues from their workplace.

She recalls vividly the looks of recognition and realization on the faces of those she passed on her way home.

“Since my involvement included going into people’s homes in lower Manhattan to clean them and test the air, I was given a clear reminder that no matter how rich or poor we are, we were all connected and all shared this common story,” she says of how that day influenced her. “Although I’d always felt at home in New York City, even though I’m from New Jersey, being here for 9/11 and especially sharing the stories with the residents whose homes we worked in, fully cemented New York City as the place where my heart will always be. It also made me really grateful to work for an agency where I can spend every day working to try to make a difference in the lives of others.”

Peter Rinaldi ’71

B.S. Civil Engineering Engineering Program Manager, Port Authority of N.Y. & N.J., on 9/11, retired from the Port Authority in 2010 as Assistant Director of Engineering On Friday, Sept. 7, Rinaldi left his office on the 72nd floor of Tower One for a two-week vacation in the Outer Banks, N.C., where he was on Sept. 11. He watched in horror as the buildings collapsed on TV, knowing that many of his friends and colleagues were in those buildings, and was concerned about their safety.

“During my involvement on the site, in the aftermath of 9/11, I saw the worst that mankind — the terrorists — could do, but I also saw the best that mankind — the people responding — could do,” Rinaldi says. “Since my experience with 9/11, I no longer take life for granted and try to embrace every day.”

18 N FALL 2011

Michael Rappe ’80

B.S. Civil Engineering (’83 M.S. Civil Engineering) Deputy Chief, FDNY, on 9/11, now Principal Engineer and President of RF Engineers Rappe was home watching his 3-year-old daughter when a friend called to tell him to turn on the TV. He then dropped her off and rushed down to the command post, where he assisted the chief with conducting and coordinating search and rescue missions. He stayed there until early the next morning and continued to devote shifts to site.

“The spirit and determination of the firemen,” says Rappe, in recalling what stood out that day. “There was a sense of sacrifice to rescue other people. As I look back, I’m just so proud of the emergency workers, police and firefighters, who were solely concerned with saving as many people as possible. It’s a testament to the rescuers that it went as well as it did.”

He’s proud to have been a member of the committee that reviewed New York City building codes in the aftermath and of the resulting changes signed into law by the mayor in 2004.

Cecilia Figueroa ’01

B.S. Civil Engineering Engineer, Turner Construction Company At work, Figueroa was sitting at her desk in her office in World Trade Center Tower One. “I remember that in the midst of all of the chaos, people were stopping to help each other,” she says. “Even though they knew they were in danger, it was more important to stop and help another person in need then to run and try to save yourself.

Humanity was at its worst but also at its best on that day.”

Tom Olesczuk ’82

B.S. Civil Engineering Vice President, Tully Construction Co. Inc. Olesczuk had just concluded a quarterly review meeting with his CEO in their main office when he heard the news of the first plane crash. He spent the rest of the morning getting in touch with job site superintendents and foremen to ensure that all staff was accounted for and all job sites were in the process of portraits by carolyn fong

Inside the World Financial Center, Elizabeth Butler '95 gets a glimpse of the World Trade Center site.

Peter Rinaldi '71, on Church Street, observes the construction that is reflected in the Millenium Hilton behind him. Michael Rappe '80 takes in the progress from the Winter Garden, which overlooks the site.

MANHATTAN.EDU N xx

shutting down, particularly the West Side Highway – Route 9A project, which was right at the World Trade Center. In the early afternoon, he and his colleagues began mobilizing equipment and manpower to Ground Zero.

“The biggest influence that being involved in the recovery efforts had on me was seeing how fast and efficient things can get done when everyone works together,” he says. “The camaraderie and solidarity was pure. You could feel it as soon as you walked on site. Today, when a meeting is taking a turn for the worst, I remember this feeling and try to redirect emotions and remind the players that we are all here for the same end result.”

Thomas Scarangello ’79

B.S. Civil Engineering (’82 M.S. Civil Engineering) Managing Principal, Thornton Tomasetti, on 9/11, now Chairman and CEO Initially, Scarangello was at his youngest son’s first day of nursery school, but he was in the office conference room with the firm’s leadership when the towers fell. He watched, in shock, the attacks on TV and heard through the open window of his office on 19th Street and 6th Avenue, which had a direct view, the collapse of the towers.

“My involvement with the engineering and construction community gave me a new perspective — after 20 plus years into my career — on the wide range of skills, both technical and organizational, that we brought to bear in the aftermath that I had taken for granted up to that point,” he says. “Being a professional engineer had a new meaning for me from that day forward.”

William Cote ’84

B.S. Mechanical Engineering Chief Operating Officer, York Hunter Group of Companies, on 9/11, now Founder and President, Hudson Meridian Construction Group On Sept. 11, Cote was at a corporate meeting in midtown Manhattan.

He still vividly recalls, “The extent of the utter destruction and the unknown and overwhelming thoughts about the people trapped and killed.”

But that day had a profound effect on him, and his work at the site inspired him to change the direction of his career.

“Prior to 9/11, I had contemplated starting my own business,” he says. “My experiences working on the engineering and construction support of rescue and recovery and the subsequent final cleanup of the site gave me the confidence to move forward with the company I now own and manage.”

Kevin Crimmins ’89

B.A. History Sergeant, NYPD Crimmins was working on the Bronx Gang Squad, and his team was at the precinct processing the arrests and evidence for a search warrant that was executed earlier that morning. When he saw the second plane crash into the tower on TV, he switched on the police radio and could hear the distress in the voices of the officers working at the World Trade Center. His first reac20 N FALL 2011

tion was to call his wife, who worked on Wall Street and was OK. “My involvement in the recovery effort consisted of working at the site, Ground Zero, on two separate occasions,” he says.

“Most of my time, the first week after the attack and then a couple of days a week after that for several months, was spent at the morgue. It made me realize how precious life is and how quickly, without warning or justification, it can be taken away from us.”

This year, Crimmins was assigned to work at the site of the World Trade Center Memorial and was there from about 5 a.m. until after the last name was read.

William Seelig ’77

B.S. Civil Engineering Battalion Chief, Battalion 49, on 9/11, now Chief of the Special Operations Command Seelig was in Norfolk, Va., to attend a class for the Navy Reserves. Upon hearing about the attacks on the World Trade Center, he got into his car and drove home. When he arrived in New York City at about 4 p.m., he reported to a staging area at Shea Stadium, as instructed, but did not respond to the site until the following morning.

“My involvement in the recovery and rebuilding effort has made me very proud of the resilience and dedication of all FDNY members who gave so much to rebuild the FDNY in the years since 9/11 and also proud of all New Yorkers, as a whole, who have gone through the worst of times but have come back even stronger as a result of this tragedy,” he says.

Seelig was part of a group of FDNY members who participated in a memorial bike ride from Montauk, Long Island, to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., a total of 343 miles in honor of the 343 FDNY members who lost their lives on 9/11. The ride also raised almost $100,000, which will be donated to wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are in need of financial help.

Pablo Lopez ’86

B.S. Civil Engineering Senior Engineer, Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers, on 9/11, now Associate Across the Hudson River at the Hoboken Terminal, Lopez was working with divers doing a condition inspection of the terminal’s timber piling, a pilot of the terminal. He recalls hearing a huge thud that didn’t sound like anything that would have normally occurred. One of the divers informed them that the North Tower was on fire. He and the others ran to the edge of the terminal, where they could see that the North Tower was on fire, as well as the second plane hit the South tower, and then their subsequent collapse. He spent the day at the terminal, which was being used as a triage center and decontamination area for people coming over by ferry.

“The enormous height of the pile, and that there was no concrete at all, no concrete remnants, like it had vaporized where it had been crushed, just turned to dust,” he says, still incredulously, about what stands out in his memory. “It was all steel that you could see, steel beams, steel columns, twisted and intermingled.

It almost looked like a game of Jenga, where you have all of these mangled pieces, and if you pull the wrong one, it could crumble

Both on Church Street, Thomas Scarangello '79 and William Cote '84 can see the construction activity from the east side of the World Trade Center site.

With its fenced in border, Vesey Street offers Kevin Crimmins '89 a look at what's to come against the backdrop of what happened.

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paul carris, ten years later

Lawrence Sheehan ’81

B.A. Sociology Sergeant, NYPD, on 9/11, now retired Scheduled to work 5 p.m.-1 a.m., Sheehan dropped his daughter off for her second day of kindergarten and was reading the paper when he heard on the radio that a plane hit the North Tower. He drove into work at the 44th precinct, Detective Squad, in the Bronx in the afternoon. Later in the evening, Sheehan was assigned to Manhattan to set up a perimeter to close off the site to nonemergency personnel. He also worked at the Staten Island landfill several times in the days following the attacks, where debris was brought for further examination.

“What was remarkable was how the country rallied around and supported the victims and their families after 9/11,” he says.

Jack O’Hagan ’79

B.S. Physical Education Detective, 40th Detective Squad, on 9/11, now retired O’Hagan worked the night before and was helping his wife get the kids ready for school before resting for his next shift, when he received a call from one of his sisters-in-law asking if he had seen the news. He got ready for work and headed in early, anticipating a call for everyone to report to duty. When he arrived at the main detective headquarters in the Bronx, he tried to get information about his brother, Thomas O’Hagan, a lieutenant with FDNY, Engine 6, who worked close to the site. O’Hagan feared that if Thomas was working, his company would have been one of the first to arrive. He then left work to wait out the news with his family in Riverdale.

“It was just not a good feeling,” he says. “So I went back into work the next day and was able to get into the city to get my hands dirty and dig or whatever with the hope that there was a possibility people would be found alive, but tragically that wasn’t the case.”

Unfortunately, Thomas did not make it out of the North Tower.

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en years ago, Paul Carris ’77 could not have imagined himself as a man of God. In fact, the idea never even entered his mind when he was growing up. But a small, unselfish act – some would call it heroic – would eventually allow him to see how serving others played an important role in his life.

Carris’ spiritual journey was set into motion on Sept. 11, 2001. A “cradle to grave Catholic,” he did not hesitate to walk his ailing colleague, Judith Toppin, out of their Port Authority of New York & New Jersey offices after the terrorists struck One World Trade Center. Toppin’s health issues made getting to the street from the 71st floor a slow process, yet they made it to safety, and were among the last people to walk out of Tower One before its collapse.

Their life-changing experience led Toppin, now retired, to write “Angels Walk Among Us,” an essay that recounts their ordeal and in which she expresses her gratitude to Carris and others for helping her that day. But Carris did not see himself as an angel because, in the aftermath of what happened, he struggled with anger and rage.

“Probably about three months after 9/11, I started getting angry at things,” he says. “I wasn’t angry about the terrorists or anything like that – there was just this anger that was cropping up. Unfortunately, my family received the brunt of it.”

After hearing about his difficulties, Carris’ parish priest recommended him to a psychologist who was also a Franciscan priest. For many months, Carris dealt with his issues through therapy. Then he was invited to attend a Cursillo weekend, and suddenly everything began to fall into place.

A Cursillos de Cristiandad (a short course of Christianity) is led by lay members of the Church who encourage participants to examine their relationships with God by focusing on faith-based readings, prayers and workshops. While attending the retreat, he began to sense that his life was missing something.

“That’s where the anger came from,” he says. “Because I didn’t know what it was. And the Cursillo weekend made me realize that what I was missing was a real relationship with God. As my therapist put it, it brought

everything I was struggling with in my head down to my heart.”

Over time, community service projects and more spiritual retreats led Carris to transform his realization into ordination. A job change also helped. On 9/11, he was a project manager for the PATH (Port Authority TransHudson) smart card in the technology services department. In April 2007, Carris moved to the engineering department based in Newark, where he is now manager for engineering application systems.

Then in June, he was accepted into the Diaconate program, and after five years of preparation and four years of studying behind him, Carris became a deacon for the Archdiocese of Newark on May 21, 2011. Now, he feels his faith has become an integral part of who he is.

“My relationship with God has become so much more real and meaningful to me since 9/11,” Carris says. “Through both good times and difficult trials, I have learned that God is there through it all.”

Serving others began with Toppin, who attended Carris’ ordination with his family, and continues today.

“I tear up now when I read Judith’s essay because of where she quotes me as saying ‘I have her.’ I now realize that while I may have had her, God really had the both of us,” he says.

“Looking back, it becomes clear that what happened was a turning point in my life and answering God’s call to serve is only possible with Him at my side.”

DAVID BERGELAND

on you. Just the enormity of the collapse and the size of the steel and the way the steel was twisted and bent, it was just unbelievable.”

Indivisible with remembrance for all

CAROLYN FONG

S

tanding among 3,000 flags inscribed with the names of every 9/11 victim, you begin to feel the lives of those who died that day. They weren’t soldiers. They were ordinary citizens who represented the ideals for which this country stands. That is why John Michelotti ’73 thought it was important to petition the City of New York in order to pay them tribute.

His installation, called One Life ~ One Flag Field of Honor, ran from Sept. 8-12, in Battery Park in New York City. Michelotti and members of his volunteer organization, along with representatives from all the military branches, helped set up the flags in the Hope Garden.

Every American was affected by Sept. 11, 2001. And reactions to the events varied as much as the people of this country: some joined the military to fight terrorism, some assisted victims and their families, while others came up with creative ways to express their outrage, such as Michelotti.

He was at home in Connecticut when the first plane hit Tower One that morning.

“I was on the phone with someone I worked with, and she told me that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center,” he recalls. “I’m a small plane pilot so my first thought was, how could this happen?”

The month before, Michelotti underwent an emergency quadruple bypass, which gave him a new life perspective.

“It kind of rocks your world, and I guess maybe you become more sensitive to living,” he says. “So I was recuperating from that when 9/11 happened, and it inspired me to do something.”

What he did was sell his family business – a small manufacturing firm that designed and built machinery for the food and pharmaceutical industries – in order to design a flag inscribed with the names of the victims from the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the fallen airline flights.

“My wife, Ann Carroll, and I thought those who died should be remembered as individuals and not just numbers,” Michelotti explains. “And we thought they should be connected to an American symbol because they were Americans. That’s how we came up with the Flag of Honor.”

He and his wife also felt that the first responders who died as a result of aiding those in need, deserved to be recognized for their bravery.

Subsequently they created the Flag of Heroes, a second version that not only has the first responders’ names on it but also includes their ranks and accreditations.

Michelotti’s organization, the Flag of Honor/Flag of Heroes Project, is a for-profit corporation that is strictly voluntary. There are no salaries, and it is solely supported by flag sales. Because it is run out of his home, there is little overhead. However, he did invest his own money to get it off the ground and continues to do so, in order to offset some of the expenses that aren’t covered by sales.

Both of the silk-screened poly-cotton flags, which are 3 feet by 5 feet, are made in the United States by the country’s oldest flag manufacturer, Annin Flagmakers. In addition to producing those flags, Michelotti runs the nonprofit Flag of Giving project, which focuses on presenting each 9/11 victim’s family with a framed edition of the Flag of Honor or Flag of Heroes.

The simple idea of taking an old symbol and turning it into a powerful message has proven quite rewarding to Michelotti. During the past 10 years, his organization has sold or distributed more than 300,000 flags worldwide and participated in other memorial services, such as the one at Inwood Hill Park in northern Manhattan on the fifth anniversary of 9/11.

“I don’t consider America a geographical location because I think we all collectively create America. It’s an ideal,” Michelotti says. “And as terrible as 9/11 was, it changed my life.”

MANHATTAN.EDU N 23

W

gene McGrath ’63, retired chairman and chief here were you exactly this past Tuesday morning ? Most peo- executive officer for Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.; George J. Tamaro ple couldn’t definitively answer if ’59, former partner and current consultant for asked that question. But when asked, where Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers; and were you on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11, Richard Tomasetti ’63, founding principal 2001, 10 years ago? Despite the gap in time, and current consultant for Thornton-Tomaalmost everyone can give you a detailed recolsetti, shared their one-of-a-kind insight at the lection as to where they were the morning of the terror attacks against the United States. A Academic Convocation and discussed their roles in the reconstruction of the World Trade decade later, we remember.

Center site. Led by Francis Lombardi, former Twenty Manhattan College alumni lost chief engineer for the Port Authority of New their lives on Sept. 11, which made the attack York and New Jersey who also contributed to on the World Trade Center personal to the the planning of the event, the panelists gave College community. Dozens of alumni, from a firsthand account of the struggles that they a variety of different academic backgrounds, endured that day. volunteered that day and the days thereafter Lombardi said he was honored to return to reconstruct what had been a symbol of New and to be part of the panel discussion. He York City. The close relationship between the worked with the panelists as part of the powerCollege and the 9/11 attacks inspired Manhatful engineering response and was among the tan College to host the We Remember 9/11 first to arrive at Ground Zero.

Tenth Anniversary Tribute Sept. 7-11, a weekWhen reflecting on his role in assisting long series of campus events held to commemowith the aftermath, McGrath explained: rate the victims of the terrorist attacks.

“The destruction of the towers eventually The first event, held on Sept. 7 in Smith knocked out power in downtown Manhattan, Auditorium, was the Academic Convocation: and it was our job to restore that power. It 9/11 Past, Present and Future. The community had the opportunity to speak to four notable was not just a power issue; it was a symbolic issue. We wanted to show the world that New alumni, whose expertise in different areas of York is coming back, and we worked at that engineering and construction development until we succeeded.” was so substantial that they were immediTamaro worked, in part, on the original ately drawn to Ground Zero to aid in dealing 1968 construction of the World Trade Center with the aftermath. site and offered a brief description of the origiPanelists Michael Burton ’84, former execnal design of the seven structures and of lower utive deputy commissioner for the New York Manhattan, specifically the construction of City Department of Design & Construction and current senior vice president and national the slurry wall and the PATH system. On Sept.

11, Tamaro was one of the chief experts reoperations manager for the LiRo Group; Eu24 N FALL 2011

sponsible for making sure that the slurry wall held its ground, avoiding a flooding disaster that would have multiplied the damage in immeasurable ways.

Burton, at the time, was responsible for assessing the situation and figuring out how the engineers were to best contribute in the unbuilding of the towers. Amid the chaos, he saw hope in the dedication of volunteers and their willingness to help.

“One good thing that struck me was that while hundreds of thousands of people were leaving the city, there were thousands of people that were going in the opposite direction, into danger, risking their lives to help others,” he said.

Tomasetti emphasized that despite the chaos that surrounded the site, with efforts attempting to stabilize the structures, the top priority was to keep people safe. He continued to say that the academic and pragmatic education Manhattan College provided the panelists gave them insight to respond quickly and efficiently at such a time and minimized the destruction as much as possible.

“As distinguished as this panel is, we could have put together a half dozen or so panels featuring Manhattan College grads that played crucial roles in the aftermath,” President Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., noted. “As you can see from the list of more than 60 grads whose names appear on the posters you passed on entering the hall, the presence of Manhattan College alumni at the site was remarkable.”

“We are New York City,” remarked Tamaro, when summarizing the role that the College played in the reconstruction process.

ABOVE LEFT, ABOVE MIDDLE & NEXT PAGE: BLEACHER + EVERARD

We remember, the college looks back

Rudolph Giuliani ’65, former mayor of New York City, greets President Brennan O'Donnell before speaking to a packed chapel at the College's 9/11 Commemorative Ceremony.

With the College community fully absorbed, Eugene McGrath ’63, retired chairman and chief executive officer for Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.; Richard Tomasetti ’63, founding principal and current consultant for Thornton-Tomasetti ; and George J. Tamaro ’59, former partner and current consultant for Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers, discussed their roles in the reconstruction of the World Trade Center site at the Academic Convocation.

More than 2,000 flags graced the Quad to commemorate those who died on 9/11, including 20 larger flags to represent the alumni who perished on that day.

On Sept. 8, the College also presented 9/11/01 Ten Years Later: A Manhattan College Faculty Teach-In, where the community had the chance to hear unique perspectives on 9/11 as described by professors of different areas of study. The presenters consisted of: Tony Canale, M.S., adjunct instructor of civil and environmental engineering; Thomas Ferguson, Ph.D., associate professor of religious studies; Jeff Horn, Ph.D., professor and chair of the history department; and Carolyn Predmore, Ph.D., professor of marketing.

More than 2,000 members of the community then gathered in the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers on Sept. 9 for the 9/11 Commemorative Ceremony to remember the 20 fallen alumni who lost their lives on Sept.

11. The highly anticipated event began when O’Donnell welcomed featured speaker the Honorable Rudolph Giuliani ’65, former mayor of New York City and chairman and CEO of Giuliani Partners.

“The leadership of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and his role in uniting the city in its recovery efforts, is of course, legendary,” O’Donnell said. “His calm in the midst of the chaos, coupled with his passionate faith in the spirit of New Yorkers, made him ‘America’s mayor,’ and assured us that we could find a way forward.”

During his speech, Giuliani offered a heartfelt, personal account of what he experienced on 9/11.

Giuliani’s recollection remained optimistic despite his memories of the attacks, as he emphasized the outstanding bravery that the first responders had shown that day, which is something he will keep with him forever.

“I believe that Sept. 11 made us stronger as a city and stronger as a country. We faced a terrible act of evil, and we faced it with dignity, bravery and a respect for those who died,” added Giuliani. “We realized what we have in America is too precious to give up or give away. This is an extraordinary country, and Sept. 11 showed it.”

The commemorative ceremony incorporated multiple performances by the Manhattan College Singers, as well as a reading from The Guys, an off-Broadway play by Anne Nelson about a writer working with a fire captain to draft eulogies for firefighters on his team who perished at Ground Zero. The names of each of the fallen Manhattan College alumni were read aloud by two Air Force ROTC students, followed by a symbolic sounding of the bell in their honor. The event concluded with a performance of Amazing Grace by the Manhattan College Pipes and Drums.

On both Saturday, Sept. 10 and Sunday, Sept.

11, the College acknowledged a campus-wide service day, where students volunteered at Part of The Solution (POTS), a local soup kitchen in the Bronx. Three students also volunteered to paint a community-owned building’s roof.

While the We Remember 9/11 Tenth Anniversary Tribute series came to a close, the 9/11 exhibition at the Mary Alice and Tom O’Malley Library remained opened into November and recognized the fallen alumni in addition to the alumni who held leadership roles in the reconstruction process. The events of 9/11 will continue to stay with the College community well beyond the 10th anniversary week of commemoration.

In Memory of those Alumni Who Died on Sept. 11, 2001 Robert Baierwalter ’79 Michael Carroll ’84 Joseph Coppo ’75 Michael Duffy ’93 Kevin Frawley ’90 Richard Gabriel ’71 John Gallagher ’91 Salvatori Gitto ’78 Joseph Holland ’91 Lt. Joseph Leavey ’77 Michael J. Lyons ’93 Brian P. Magee ’73 Robert McCarthy ’90 Richard Morgan ’59 Dennis Moroney ’84 Timothy O’Sullivan ’64 James Quinn ’99 Robert Regan ’75 Antonio A. Rocha ’90 John Tobin ’76

MANHATTAN.EDU N 25

A Whirlwind of Change As many colleges can attest, the demands of higher education never cease to waiver or diminish.

To keep ahead or even apace with the ever-evolving student population and their needs for innovation coupled with community, colleges must expand, modernize and entice. This progress has been evident at Manhattan College ever since the first students walked through the doors of the College in 1853. But this year, especially, the College has taken improvements to a whole new level.

In the past year alone, there have been changes to degrees and academic programs, new branding and a website, renovated entrances and dining spaces, additional study abroad trips — even an added Quad-like area. The following pages showcase some of the major transformations that have happened around campus in what seems like just the past few months.

Living the Mission: the New Arches Program

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ships to develop and helps to bridge the gap or freshmen, the hardest even more so between professors and stupart of starting college is often the dents,” says Gabrielle Ochiogrosso, assistant uncertainty of leaving home for the director of residence life. first time, living with a stranger, and battling As the founder of the Lasallian Christian college-level courses. As a way to help with the Brothers and the patron saint of teachers, John transition, Manhattan College launched the Baptist de La Salle helped to transform educaArches learning and living program this year. tion in France during the 17th century, which The program provides students with the opportunity to reside and attend classes together, was achieved through the development of a sustainable community of teachers manifested in as well as participate in service-learning exthe Christian Brothers community. More than periences and cultural events.

300 years after the founding of the Christian “I decided to do the Arches in hopes that it Brothers, the desire for community among 21st would help me get better accustomed to not century students remains just as important. only living on the other side of the country This sense of community and a commitment but also getting comfortable at a new college to social justice are two key reasons the Arches without getting lost,” says Angelica Romero, a program was launched. Richard Satterlee, freshman from Oregon. “The Arches program Ph.D., vice president for student life and one of definitely helped me feel more comfortable the original spearheaders of the program, says, and ready to start college.”

“I find it’s really important that we’re making The program evolved as a new way to this attempt to engage them on this issue early expand a student’s four-year experience by on and what it means to live our mission.” increasing student interaction, academic and This fall, 108 new freshmen arrived on a social engagement. The Arches facilitates campus a week earlier than their fellow classstudent growth by fostering a community in mates as part of the inaugural Arches program which students are encouraged to participate to participate in a four-day orientation. The in activities, such as team building, attending orientation consisted of a welcome barbecue presentations by guest speakers and collabowith faculty and residential leaders; a full day rating on assignments. at a ropes course at Ally Pond doing initiatives “The Arches enables even closer relation26 N FALL 2011

and team building; a double-decker bus tour of Manhattan; visits to the Bronx Zoo, the Cloisters and the American Museum of Natural History; and a local scavenger hunt.

“They have adjusted well, and the first week was really helpful,” says Jordan Heath, a learning-living adviser in East Hill and a junior peace studies and communication major. “They are also more comfortable with each other and very eager to take part in campus events, student activities and get involved as freshmen.”

“Coming a week early for the Arches was definitely beneficial for us freshmen,” says Ryan Powers, a first-year student from Connecticut. “Not only were we able to explore the campus, we felt comfortable before the start of classes, and it made for an easy transition.

There is without a doubt a sense of community within our group.”

As part of the learning component, each student participated in either English 110 or Religion 110 during the fall semester with all of the courses being designed to offer a service and cultural component. For example, Margaret Toth, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, taught New York Stories, Film and Literature, and initiated bringing students to Serviam Gardens, a new green affordable housing development for low- and moderate-income seniors.

A WHIRLWIND OF CHANGE

Photos by landon nordeman

Daniel Collins, Ph.D., associate professor of English, discusses the best way to tackle the Picture the Homeless project with Arches students during hisclass in October. Adam Koehler, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, gathers in East Hill with his Arches students to talk about and analyze Nick Flynn’s book Another Bullshit Night in Suck City.

“The best part is that we walked into class on the first day and had an instant sense of community,” Toth says.

Toth’s English 110 class focused on telling New York stories through senior citizens from Serviam Gardens and writing profiles on their New York City experiences. The remainder of the semester was spent observing a series of films and learning to watch films critically.

“It was a good exercise to see life through their experiences and relate it to our generation,” says Daniel Castro III, a freshman from New Jersey.

Both Daniel Collins, Ph.D., associate professor of English and director for the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, and Adam Koehler, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, chose to focus on homelessness in their Arches English 110 classes as part of the service element. The semester started for both classes reading Another Bullshit Night in Suck City by Nick Flynn, which is about, as Koehler explains, “a young man who discovers his father living in a homeless shelter and goes back and forth between his father’s story of how he became homeless and his story of how he tried to help his father out of homelessness.”

Each student in Koehler’s class volunteered for 10 hours at the Concourse House

Shelter in the South Bronx, a temporary housing facility that offers an afterschool program for children. As a way to present and analyze the service, students wrote a narrative on the overall experience.

“We were looking at the different layers of homelessness, and the service part was to humanize it,” Koehler says. “It gives them access to their city in a way that was going to be meaningful and help provide service to those people who need it.”

Collins’ class focused on Picture the Homeless, a homeless advocacy organization in the Bronx, which uses community organizers’ skills to enable the homeless to advocate for themselves. Students selected an issue relating to homelessness, researched the topic, attended a Picture the Homeless meeting, conducted interviews and wrote a final paper.

The class also attended the play We Are Here, which is about family and was meant to tie into Nick Flynn’s book and the cultural aspect of the Arches program.

David Shefferman, Ph.D., assistant professor of religious studies, taught two sections of Religion 110 this semester and focused on teaching students firsthand about the role of religious ideas, institutions and communities in articulating and addressing social justice

issues related to labor.

“The students interviewed and observed religiously affiliated community organizers involved in Living Wage NYC, a long-running campaign in the city to secure for workers compensation (pay and benefits) commensurate with the realities of life in New York,” Shefferman explains.

Another section of Religion 110 was taught

by Andrew Skotnicki, Ph.D., chairperson and professor of religious studies, and his class read Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler, a book about a boy who takes in some orphans. To coincide with the book, his class visited the Martin de Porres home, a Lasallian educational community and residence in Queens, N.Y. Next semester, the Arches program will include three courses in Religion 110, two in English 110 and a psychology course. The College also is exploring other courses to add to next year’s program.

In addition to participating in service and cultural activities through their classes, Arches students attend a variety of events in their residence hall. Currently, all Arches students reside on the fifth and sixth floors of East Hill, and learning-living advisers plan five programs a semester, including social programs, educational, health and wellness MANHATTAN.EDU N 27

Arches students participate in a pizza night with learning-living advisers in the evening in the lounge on the fifth floor of East Hill. English 110 students in Koehler's class listen as he explains the upcoming visits to the Concourse House Shelter in October.

signs for Manhattan Madness to increase school spirit and went to the event together.”

“Getting to move in early and make friends a week before classes started was great, and it made the transition much easier,” says Rebecca Barry, a freshman from New Jersey. “I was less worried about making friends, since I

had made a few the first week and could focus on classes when they started.

“I would definitely recommend this program to next year’s freshmen class,” Barry adds. “I think it’s a great program to be involved with, and I couldn’t imagine college without it.”

Draddy Gymnasium Gets a Workout

D

raddy Gymnasium recently debuted a variety of renovations, including a new indoor track and flooring throughout the facility, as well as a newly designed basketball floor and video scoreboards. This is the largest improvement project since the building opened in 1978. Draddy Gym continues to serve the entire Manhattan College community and is the primary home to the NCAA Division I athletic teams and intramural program.

The main basketball floor in Draddy Gym incorporates the new athletic logos and word marks. Additionally, a new four-sided, centerhung scoreboard with a virtual message center will be complemented by two video displays

28 N FALL 2011

strategically positioned in each end zone to enhance fan experience. The LED video displays will be 8 feet tall by 12 feet wide and used to play highlight reels, instant replays and comprehensive statistical information.

As part of the overall enhancements, the weight room and fitness center were also recently renovated and feature top-of-the-line strength training and cardio equipment. The weight room and fitness center now houses Life Fitness equipment, and the brand new equipment includes a variety of free weights, dumb bells and Olympic lifting stations, as well as treadmills, elliptical machines and exercise bicycles.

Photos (above, both pages) by landon nordeman, (below) by Josh Cuppek

activities, service and cultural events. All of East Hill will also participate in Adopt-AFamily from a shelter, and residents will provide Christmas presents for the family.

“We do a lot of things together," Heath says.

“I organized a birthday party for all of the August and September birthdays, and we made

A WHIRLWIND OF CHANGE

Expanding the Scope of the Holocaust Center

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his past summer, the Holocaust Resource Center changed its name to the Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center (HGI) as a way to broaden its focus to promote a better understanding among Christians, Jews and Muslims through interfaith dialogue related to the College’s mission.

While remaining committed to its long-standing mission to educate the public about the Holocaust and genocide, Manhattan also hired Mehnaz M. Afridi, Ph.D., as the new director of HGI, to lead the Center and to help expand programming and education to the community.

Afridi, also an assistant professor of religious studies at the College, brings an impressive record of scholarly commitment to the study of the Holocaust and genocide and years of dedicated work in interfaith relations. She has taught at Antioch University, National University, American Intercontinental University and Loyola Marymount University, and received her doctorate in religious studies from the University of South Africa and her M.A. and B.A. from Syracuse University.

In addition to remaining dedicated to programming on the Holocaust, Afridi points out: “What is important in the expansion is doing a panel on Islam, inviting non-Jews to the center to present, and having a center that recognizes that there is a lot of anti-Semitism.

I want to talk to those people because how are they going to learn about this otherwise?

I think part of my mission here is to broaden where people are coming from.”

At the start of the fall semester, HGI opened a new resource space in room 315 of the Mary Alice and Tom O’Malley Library, which was created to host meetings and workshops, and for students to watch video recordings and browse the collection of books.

The first program under Afridi’s leadership, Hope & Healing Post 9/11: An Interfaith Dialogue From a Woman’s Perspective, brought together three distinguished women from different faiths for a panel discussion on their personal experiences on 9/11. The panel consisted of Daisy Khan, executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement; Rori Picker Neiss, a student at Yeshivat Maharat, a pioneering institution training Orthodox Jewish women to be spiritual leaders and halakhic (Jewish) legal authorities; and Elena

Gourmet Grub

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Procario-Foley, Ph.D., Driscoll Professor of Jewish-Catholic Studies at Iona College. (For more about this lecture, see page 8.)

The fourth annual Frederick M. Schweitzer Lecture also was held on Nov. 7 with featured speakers Peter Black, Ph.D., senior historian at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Rebecca Erbelding, archivist of the museum, who discussed Kristallnacht: The Diary of Robert Harlan and Preserving Jewish Experiences.

Caleb Merrill ’12, who is double majoring in international studies and government, presented his experience at Dachau, the first concentration camp, in front of a student panel on Nov. 14. Afridi’s Islam class also sponsored a student panel analyzing the misperceptions of Islam in the modern world as part of their final project.

Along with Pamela Chasek, Ph.D., associate professor of government and director of the international studies program, Afridi will host a film screening and discussion on The Lesson Plan: The Story of the Third Wave at the start of next semester. The film is about a history teacher who conducted an experiment in 1967 with his class of 15-year-olds, and it serves as a teaching tool to initiate conversation about uncomfortable topics of history, psychology, group behavior, gangs, bullying, intolerance and hate.

ourmet Dining LLC opened its doors to students this fall as the new dining service provider on campus. The company prides itself on providing healthy and environmentally friendly options for all and has wasted no time in updating the College’s facilities to enhance the dining experience.

Perhaps the largest change on campus from Gourmet Dining can be found in Café 1853, formally Plato’s Cave, which includes a text-to-pickup station, a Starbucks café and a restaurant with waiter service and comfortable seating.

Dante’s Den received renovations during the summer, too, and now features a createyour-own service area called Leaves & Grains, a salad and sandwich shop. It offers Hale and Hearty soup, brick oven New York-style pizza, Chipotle-style Tex Mex, a grill with the basic options, vegan and vegetarian specialties, Green Mountain, a fair-trade option, and Starbucks coffee. The Leo cafeteria development mirrors Dante’s Den and has a similar menu each day with an Italian Tratorria theme.

In addition, Locke’s Loft was completely revamped, and new menu options consist of the following stations: Health & You, exhibition (made to order), carving, brick oven pizza, vegan and vegetarian, and an allergy-friendly option. The faculty dining room also has the specialty stations, as well as the carvery and rotisserie options.

Gourmet Dining is in the planning stages to remodel Locke’s Loft next summer, as well as pursuing plans to revamp Dante’s Den. Another interesting component being considered as a larger-scale goal is the creation of a garden for use in dining hall meals. This past summer, 15 students participated in making a fruit, vegetable and herb garden next to Chrysostom Hall, as part of a sustainable commitment to the dining experience.

Learning From Namibia

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n May, eight Manhattan College education students departed for Windhoek, Namibia, for the opportunity to use their own skills and enhance the learning of children with limited resources and overcrowded classrooms.

Accompanied by four faculty members, the students volunteered at the Bernhard Nordkamp Centre (BNC), which, in addition to academic enrichment and support, also provides athletic, cultural, social and craft opportunities.

“I think this experience increased our students’ confidence because their level of knowledge about what to do and how to approach things was tremendous, and everyone else was depending on them, asking for advice, watching them and seeing how well they were able to manage a classroom,” says Karen Nicholson, Ph.D., associate professor of education and one of the faculty members who attended the trip.

William Merriman, Ph.D., dean and professor in the school of education, Peter McCarthy, Ph.D., assistant professor of special and elementary education, and Brother Augustine Nicoletti, FSC, Ed.D., associate professor of education and chair of the department, also went on the trip.

“I think our education students were exposed to children with great needs, and I think they felt motivated that while they were there, they would try to give these children something that was so needed,” Merriman says.

MaryBeth Gallagher, co-director of the Centre and a New York native, was put in contact with Manhattan College during a visit to the United States last year and met with the education department to further develop plans for this summer’s trip. The BNC is part of Catholic Aids Action and occupies premises in Katutura, owned by the Catholic Church in Namibia. The Centre is committed to helping children enroll in school and thrive in the classroom as a way to combat the effects of poverty.

In addition to working at the Centre, the students visited a Christian and a public school, which enabled them to see firsthand the different academic experiences that Namibian students have. The group also did some sightseeing and went to the Etosha National Park and to a desert environment.

“Teaching in Namibia was truly the experience of a lifetime,” says Laura Patavina ’11, who is pursuing her master’s at the College. “Each day I spent at the Centre, I grew as a learner, teacher, friend and compassionate human being. At the start of our journey, I only hoped that I had the teaching abilities and experiences to make just a small difference, if not to the lives of all 120 students at the BNC, to at least just one. I have confidence now that we all touched the minds and hearts of our students.”

“The students of the BNC are unlike any other children we’ve ever worked with,” adds Daniel Crawford ’11, who also is pursuing his master’s at the College. “They were genuinely engaged in each and every activity and wanted to learn, which reinforced our mission of the trip.”

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Doing Business in India

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hen faculty from the school of business started proposing course ideas for its new M.B.A. program in 2010, Grishma Shah, Ph.D., assistant professor of management and marketing in the school of business, suggested something different. As a component to the Doing Business in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) Economies course, Shah organized a summer trip for 10 graduate business students to gain a firsthand look at the rising Indian market.

Originally from India, Shah was able to use her business contacts and skills to arrange a full itinerary for students to visit a variety of local companies and factories. In addition, students attended onsite seminars with Indian business professionals, politicians, intellectuals and social activists to discuss contemporary issues and problems relating to the Indian economy and the business environment.

“It’s an eye-opening experience for Manhattan College students to go to a developing country and see what poverty is after driving through the slums of Delhi,” Shah says.

The trip began in Delhi, India, with a visit to the U.S. Embassy, where students heard about careers in the State Department and the current economic and political situation within India. On the second day, the students listened to presentations on Model Rural Youth Development Organization (MRYDO), a nonprofit organization that provides services to underdeveloped communities at the company’s main office in Prem Nagar.

“Getting the opportunity to see the inner workings of these groups provided me with insight as to how people from rural communities and villages are able to empower themselves and start their own business,” says Eduardo Baez ’12, discussing his visit to MRYDO. “The concept of inter-person lending is powerful, and its potential had far-reaching effects.”

“The combination of a cultural experience with insight into the business world was very powerful in terms of student development and understanding of these emerging markets,” says Salwa Ammar, Ph.D., dean of the school of business.

The remainder of the trip was spent touring and seeing other companies, including: Brenntag Ingredients, a distributor of industrial and specialty chemical ingredients; Quatrro BPO Solutions, a global business process outsourcing market share company; and Tata Consulting Services, a subsidiary of the Tata Group. The students also saw the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore.

A WHIRLWIND OF CHANGE

New Marketing Shows Promise

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anhattan continues to activate the Promise campaign, the College’s new marketing and promotional campaign, with the upcoming launch of a new website and various social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Linkedin). Earlier this year, the College unveiled a bold new official logo, three enhanced athletic logos, admissions marketing materials and a standards and usage guide, as part of a way to deliver clearer and sharper messaging about Manhattan.

“With the launch of the Promise campaign, the College is further integrating necessary messaging through new print, digital and radio advertising, and securing an official presence on social media platforms and through search engine markets,” says Lydia Gray, executive director of the newly named office of marketing and communication. “We are continually incorporating fresh news and multimedia content to the website to further improve the visitor experience. In addition, the office is working to implement and manage branding guidelines throughout the campus.”

The Promise campaign highlights key information about the history of the College and defines the distinctive values of a Manhattan education. It is the product of a yearlong process that involved extensive research and focus groups, and included current and prospective students, faculty, parents, alumni, donors, trustees, the Christian Brothers community and other stakeholders. The Promise campaign seeks to distinguish Manhattan as a premier Lasallian Catholic institution with

a special emphasis on its heritage.

“Our new strategic plan commits us to strive for a new level of excellence, and our marketing campaign will make a bold statement about that commitment to prospective students and the wider community,” says Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., president of Manhattan College. “The marketing initiative is intended to get people to sit up and take notice, and to inform them in a powerful way about what makes a Manhattan College education distinctive and valuable.”

The new official logo represents the College’s identity through three key elements encased in a traditional crest: the symbolic M representing the institutional name, the founding date 1853 positioned as the foundation, and the Lasallian Star of Faith (Signum Fidei), which symbolizes the five core principles set forth by St. John Baptist de La Salle.

Those principles are faith in the presence of God, respect for all people, commitment to quality education, an inclusive community, and concern for the poor and social justice.

The font and color selection are classic and true to the College’s heritage.

The traditional block M logo was refreshed, while still retaining a vintage look, which has been a mainstay throughout the athletic program’s rich history. Both a “Manhattan” and a “Jaspers” word mark were created to complement the block M logo. The new athletic logos are being used to carry the College’s brand in a variety of ways, most notably, through official apparel worn by more than 300 student-ath-

letes who represent Manhattan’s 19 Division I athletic teams in competition across the nation. In addition, a large selection of fan apparel created with marks from the new logo library is now available. The College’s new athletic logos will also be visible in promotional efforts throughout a range of multimedia platforms, including local and national television, Internet, mobile and social media.

Making a Grand Entrance As part of the College’s summer renovation projects, the main entrance to campus now offers a strong pedestrian link between the north campus and the Waldo parking lot in anticipation of the new student commons. Students, visitors and staff walking from Waldo or Leo Hall to main campus can cross the street and follow a straight path through the new entrance directly to the archways to the heart of campus.

A green space also opened at the beginning of the school year in place of the upper forecourt parking lot in front of Memorial Hall.

“The upper forecourt was transformed from a parking lot to an attractive green space, a kind of lower Quad that will help us to showcase the impressive architecture of Memorial Hall and can be a venue for quiet conversation or relaxation, informal gatherings and campus events,” says Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D. Another entrance to the College’s campus from Manhattan College Parkway, between Hayden Hall and the O’Malley Library, was remodeled with a new stairway consisting of stone treads, risers, walls and lighting.

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commencement

Class of 2011 Concludes College Chapter Fortified with astute advice from a renowned novelist, graduates celebrate their hard-earned degrees and set forth from the College to create new narratives.

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t has always been said that one person can change the world. Imagine what more than 700 can do. And when they are equipped with bachelor’s degrees from Manhattan College and steeped in a Lasallian Catholic tradition, there’s no limit to what they can accomplish.

On May 22, those 700 students were recognized and celebrated at the College’s Commencement ceremony. Students in more than 40 majors were awarded bachelor’s degrees from the schools of arts, science, engineering, education and business, and received their diplomas from President Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., on the stage in Draddy Gymnasium. Some also received special academic recognition three days earlier at the Spring Honors Convocation on May 19.

For its 169th Commencement ceremony, the College awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to William Kennedy, novelist, executive director of the New York State Writers Institute, and professor of English at the Univer-

32 N FALL 2011

sity of Albany. Kennedy has written a variety of critically acclaimed novels, including The Ink Truck, Billy Phelan’s Greatest Game, Very Old Bones, Roscoe and Ironweed, winner of the 1984 Pulitzer Prize, a PEN-Faulkner Award for Fiction, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and was chosen by the Modern Library as one of the best 100 novels of the 20th century.

During his address to the graduates, Kennedy discussed the role that creativity has played in his life, not only as a writer but also as a member of society, and urged the graduates to delve into their own creative processes, regardless of their different areas of study.

“I’m not talking only about writing here but about any inventive work,” explained Kennedy. “The creative process – making something out of nothing – is the great revelation of what’s down there in those mysterious depths of your mind, unbeknown to anyone, especially you.”

Kennedy’s belief in the creative process for social work inspired him to write his novels based on what he learned about the Spiritual Works of Mercy at the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, N.Y. After working for a time in the 1960s in the area of corporal mercy, he realized that he could take his passion for social work and utilize it best through his writing. Kennedy argues that writers should write to make the world better and set out to prove to the world that not only do the merciful exist but also that they have the potential to flourish, a Lasallian belief that stands at the foundation of the Manhattan College tradition.

The class of 2011 received additional words of wisdom from one of their own, Katherine Krauss, recipient of the 2011 Carty Valedictory Medal. Krauss told her fellow graduates to believe in themselves and to recognize their potential. She explained that as graduates, their education has left them with a strength derived from their Lasallian roots, their relationships and their faith, all of which have promoted personal growth throughout the past four years.

“Each of us graduates has been given both a gift and a power through our education,” she said. “We are called to use our knowledge as a means to make change and to make our own difference, whether large or small, in the world.”

O’Donnell concluded Commencement with a prayer for the graduates, so as they leave the Manhattan College community and enter a world that may seem difficult and unyielding, they may always have family and friends surrounding them, a passion for learning through their experiences in the world, the strength to uphold the Lasallian values of service and justice in their everyday lives, and the courage to accomplish whatever they are called to do in the future.

Above all else, O’Donnell said, “Know that wherever you go and whatever you do, that the love you’ve known here at Manhattan College will continue to make this place your heart’s home.”

Earlier that week, the Spring Honors Convocation celebrated Manhattan’s top 320 seniors who earned academic prestige by being inducted into the 33 honor societies at the College. The deans individually awarded 42 medals and prizes to students for specific achievements in their areas of study, and O’Donnell then presented eight medals of excellence to the recipients. The ceremony closed with the presentation of the Valedictory Medal and the Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal, which was awarded to Michael Borger.

After closing remarks from O’Donnell congratulating the honor students, all were invited to a celebratory reception held in Dante’s Den.

Novelist William Kennedy, with President Brennan O’Donnell, receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at Commencement.

Michael Borger ’11 is awarded the Gunn Alumni Medal at the Spring Honors Ceremony. Valedictorian Katherine Krauss ’11 urges fellow graduates to use their knowledge to make a difference in the world.

MANHATTAN.EDU N 33

commencement

Recognizing Life-Learners at the Spring Commencement Ceremony Master’s candidates and graduates from the adult degree completion program gather in Draddy Gymnasium to receive their degrees and deserved accolades.

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raddy Gymnasium was filled with pride as families, friends and faculty gathered to watch their Manhattan College students continue academic success as they received their degrees at the Spring Commencement ceremony. On Saturday, May 21, students were awarded advanced degrees from the schools of engineering and education, as well as bachelor’s degrees from the adult degree completion program.

At the ceremony, the College awarded an honorary Doctor of Engineering to George Tamaro ’59, partner at Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers for more than 25 years. A structural engineer, Tamaro has worked on a variety of projects in design and construction, most notably his work on slurry wall construction, in which he holds both U.S. and Canadian patents. He also played a key role in the World Trade Center reconstruction projects. In addition, he has written and co-written more than 75 works, including book chapters on foundation engineering, caissons and slurry wall construction, as well as articles for leading engineering and construction

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publications, journals and conference proceedings.

Tamaro gave personal insight into the role Manhattan College has played in his life, for which he is grateful every day, and stressed to the graduates that “the things that will matter most to you throughout your life are the things that matter about your days at Manhattan.”

In addition, during his response, Tamaro offered encouraging words to the graduates upon their Commencement.

“In a world that is beset with so much rapid change, so much disorder and so much uncertainty, you are very fortunate,” he explained.

“You have the knowledge, the values and the essentials. You are needed in this world.”

Patricia Dimino-Pao, who received her professional diploma in administration from the school of education, delivered the valedictory address. She expressed her appreciation for the dedication of Manhattan College’s faculty and the support her fellow graduates provided, as she balanced her classes, a full-time job and family.

Dimino-Pao offered advice to her classmates as they move forward in their careers.

“I want you to surround yourselves with people who are positive and uplifting,” she said. “Those are the kind of people who will encourage and support you. Keep them close. Remember positive energy and a good attitude will get you through the day and take you far. Lastly, treat others with respect and dignity.”

The graduates then received their diplomas from President Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., who congratulated the students and wished them the best of luck in their future endeavors and reminded them to keep Manhattan College close to them always. He encouraged graduates to be the voice that says to others, “Yes, you can!” as others have said to them during their time at the College.

The celebration continued as students processed out of the ceremony, and everyone joined the reception held on the Quadrangle.

PAST HONORED SPEAKERS • 2011: George J. Tamaro ’59, Partner, Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers • 2010: Nel Noddings, Ph.D., Lee L. Jacks Professor of Education, Emerita, Stanford University • 2009: Vincent J. DeSimone ’59, P.E., Founder and Chairman, DeSimone Consulting Engineers • 2008: George J. Magovern ’45, M.D., Professor of Surgery, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Drexel University School of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital • 2007: Francis J. Lombardi, P.E., Chief Engineer, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey • 2006: John M. Fahey Jr. ’73, President and CEO, National Geographic Society • 2005: Monika K. Hellwig, President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

Valedictorian Patricia Dimino-Pao ’11, who received her professional diploma from the school of education, speaks of the power of positivity. Renowned structural engineer George Tamaro ’59, with President Brennan O’Donnell, is awarded an honorary Doctor of Engineering. Tamaro also is hooded during the Spring Commencement ceremony.

MANHATTAN.EDU N 35

Development

Annual Dinner Honors AECOM Leaders

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John Dionisio Frederick Werner ’75

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ohn M. Dionisio, chief executive officer and chairman of AECOM, and Frederick W. Werner ’75, president of corporate development of AECOM, will be the 2012 recipients of the De La Salle medal at the College’s annual dinner on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City.

The De La Salle Medal Dinner honors executives and corporations that exemplify the principles of excellence, corporate leadership and service to society. Former honorees include: Anne Mulcahy, chairman, Xerox Corporation; Sy Sternberg, chairman and chief executive officer, New York Life Insurance Company; Rudolph Giuliani ’65, former mayor of the City of New York; Eugene McGrath ’63, former chairman and chief executive officer, Con Edison; and Bill Klesse, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Valero Energy Corporation.

Prior to his appointment as chief executive officer and president in 2005, Dionisio served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for AECOM. Earlier, he served as the chief executive officer and president of DMJM Harris, an AECOM legacy operating company.

Dionisio received his Master of Science in civil engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of New York and his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering at the City College of New York. In 2008, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is affiliated with the National Society of Professional Engineers and is the chair of the New York Building Congress (2012).

Before becoming president of corporate development in October of 2011, Werner served as executive vice president of business lines. He previously led AECOM’s U.S. Infrastructure Group and also served as chief executive officer of AECOM’s Ameri-

cas Transportation Group. Prior to joining AECOM, he was president of DMJM Harris.

Werner received his Master of Science in civil engineering from Rutgers University and his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Manhattan College. He is affiliated with the American Society of Civil Engineers, New York Association of Consulting Engineers and New York Building Congress. He is also co-chair of the Brazil-U.S. Business Council.

For more than 25 years, both Dionisio and Werner have earned industry-wide recognition for their work at AECOM and have worked on projects that include: the Second Avenue subway in New York; Tren Urbano transit rail system in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Southern California’s Metrolink commuter rail system; and the new World Trade Center PATH Terminal in Manhattan.

A Fortune 500 company, AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world’s built, natural and social environments. AECOM’s 45,000 employees serve clients in approximately 125 countries around the world.

Proceeds from the dinner provide discretionary resources for the College and are applied to a wide variety of needs. For more information about this event and how you or your company can participate, please call Kevin Brewer at (718) 862-7278 or e-mail kevin.brewer@manhattan.edu.

Alumni Fund Scholarships

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cholarships have long served as a bridge to make private colleges as affordable as public institutions. At Manhattan College, scholarships have existed almost as long as the College itself and assist the College with achieving its goals of helping students who might not be able to afford a quality education obtain one.

A look below, at just a sample of Manhattan students who re-

Anthony Gallo (The Donald R. Broderick Scholarship ’86) Anthony Gallo ’14 is a civil engineering major and currently one of five students who are recipients of the Broderick Scholarship, which was created 25 years ago in honor of alumnus Donald Broderick ’86. Broderick, who was tragically killed in an accident a few months after graduation, was also an Archbishop Stepinac High School alumnus. This scholarship, established by the Broderick Family, helps top students who have graduated from Stepinac and are attending Manhattan.

A commuter from Yonkers, N.Y., Gallo is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the New York Water Environmental Association. He has also participated in several internships.

“Receiving the scholarship is helping me to achieve my goals,” Gallo says. “It has opened so many doors for me, and I can’t say thank you enough to the Brodericks. The scholarship means a lot to me.”

ceive them, shows a rich history of people that are honored with named scholarships. Scholarships also can be tailored to meet particular student needs or the needs of the College.

“These students may not have been able to come to Manhattan, and the scholarships allow new Jaspers to make their mark in the world,” says Mary Ellen Malone, director of planned giving.

Maya Little (James Patterson Minority Scholarship) Maya Little ’12, who hails from Washington, D.C., is pursuing a major in communication. The recipient of the James Patterson Minority Scholarship, she believes the scholarship is the reason she has been able to pursue her college education at Manhattan. The scholarship, created by best-selling author and alumnus James Patterson ’69, was created to support minority students at the College.

“Money was a big issue,” she says. “When I was told about the scholarship, I was really excited and thankful at the same time. This gave me the opportunity to come to Manhattan College.”

A writer for The Quadrangle, Little is thrilled to be a part of the College’s communication department.

“I have learned how to report and write, but I am also able to dissect and look beyond the surface issue at hand,” she says.

Ryan Moeller (The Kevin Frawley ’90 Scholarship) A New York City native, Ryan Moeller ’15 is the recipient of the Kevin Frawley ’90 Scholarship, which was established in memory of Kevin Frawley, who died on 9/11. It supports students who attended a local Catholic high school and are commuting to the College.

Focusing on education with a concentration in history, Moeller is also interested in joining the Players as part of the production crew. He knew he wanted to come to Manhattan as a high school student at Sacred Heart because he liked the idea of continuing to be part of a close-knit family community.

“The first week I was here, the Quad was filled with flags for the 9/11 event,” Moeller says. “It made me feel very honored to be the Kevin Frawley recipient. Knowing now that I have a scholarship, it has really touched me.”

MANHATTAN.EDU N 39 37

development

Raymond W. Kelly ’63 Student Commons Campaign Meets Milestone

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t College events during the fall, President Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., enthusiastically reported that the College has received pledges and gifts totaling more than half of the fundraising goal for the proposed Raymond W. Kelly ’63 Student Commons.

“We’ve made great progress to date, but we also have a good deal of hard work ahead to meet our ambitious goal of a December 2012 groundbreaking,” he says. “I’m confident that we’ll get there.

This building will have a transformative effect on the quality of our campus experience for our students and our entire community.”

The student commons will be vital to the three core goals of the College’s new strategic plan: creating a learning environment that transcends traditional boundaries; creating the programmatic and physical infrastructure necessary to promote excellence in the integration of learning and living; and ensuring the core Catholic and Lasallian identity.

During the summer, the architects and engineers thoroughly

reviewed programmatic needs and progressed from design development to producing more detailed design drawings. The areas addressed included mechanical systems, lighting, equipment needs and finishes.

“Over the next several months, we will be developing the construction drawings necessary to put the project out for bid,” says Andrew Ryan, vice president for facilities.

Also in the months ahead, the College will accelerate its outreach to alumni and friends to make the urgent case for support of the new building. Campaign co-chair Kenneth Rathgeber ’70 believes that it will be critical for all alumni to participate in this campaign because the Manhattan College community is a strong but relatively small one.

“We are a small school that continues to set records,” he says.

“Manhattan College has changed dramatically in the last few decades. It will take the entire alumni body to support and keep our school moving forward.”

Introducing the Campaign Co-Chairs: The campaign co-chairs reflect upon the need for the student commons, why they committed to leading the project, and the importance of alumni support.

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EUGENE McGRATH ’63 Former Chairman and CEO, Con Edison

KENNETH RATHGEBER ’70 Senior Vice President, Fidelity Investments

FREDERIC SALERNO ’65 Former Vice Chairman and CFO, Verizon

“I sensed a certain new excitement at Manhattan that reminded me of how I felt in my freshman year, and I wanted to be part of that.

Today, we have an opportunity to help strengthen the College and impact the lives of future generations of students.”

“Twenty years ago, we were primarily considered a commuter school. Now we are predominantly residential.

We have not kept pace with the growing needs of our residential students for life experiences outside the classroom that will enhance their academic education.

The student commons will begin to address that.”

“Manhattan College has always been a leader in providing a strong value-based higher educational experience. It is an absolute necessity to have a place where our students can gather, bond and learn more about each other. The generosity of Manhattan alumni is second to none, and I’m sure they will once again step up to the plate and help us build this critical facility.”

Spaces and specs: A look at What’s inside The STUDENT COMMONS • • • • • • • •

Approximately 67,000 square feet; five floors Wireless lounge furnished for student study space and social engagement areas State-of-the-art wellness/fitness center Campus bookstore Café, new dining and catering areas Dedicated student activities space for clubs, organizations and student government Student life staff offices and multipurpose meeting rooms More than 6,500 square feet of convertible multipurpose meeting space with the flexibility to accommodate gatherings of various sizes • LEED certified, incorporating the latest in technology and innovation

An initial rendering of a floor inside of the new student commons, though the plans are still being finalized.

Banking on a New Fund Chair

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ohn Banks ’85, vice president for government relations at Con Edison, was recently named the College’s new annual fund chair. A longtime volunteer at Manhattan, Banks has been a member of the board of trustees since 2009.

Upon graduating with a B.A. in government, he went on to a career that would eventually lead him to be chief of staff to the speaker of the New York City Council. He started his current position in 2002.

A loyal and generous alumnus with a passion for his alma mater, he is eager to serve Manhattan College in this new capacity.

“I look forward to building on Bill’s success and working closely with the advancement team to bring the fund to an even higher level of participation and giving,” says Banks, referring to his annual fund chair predecessor Bill Chandler ’70 and his new goals.

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alumni

Jasper Leads Alumni

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homas McCarthy ’06 was named director of alumni relations at Manhattan College this past September.

As a five-year seasoned employee of the College’s advancement office and an alumnus, he will play a crucial role in leading alumni relations into a new era, including enhancing alumni communication, maintaining and building relationships with young and senior alumni members, and planning and organizing events.

McCarthy most recently served as assistant director for annual giving and focused on sustaining and recruiting prospects, while connecting and cultivating other alumni at a variety of College events. In addition, he served as assistant director of alumni relations for three years and alumni relations officer for one year. In both of these roles, McCarthy was instrumental in helping to facilitate new programs for alumni in the areas of arts, culture, athletics and

the College’s history and Lasallian heritage.

He also implemented more alumni integration on the Web with online registration and assisted with introducing the Manhattan Monthly e-newsletter.

After graduating from Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education in 2006, he initially worked as a teacher at a Catholic high school in Westchester County before returning to his roots at the College. McCarthy’s devotion to Catholic education and social-justice teaching and his commitment to Catholic higher education have also continued during the past three years with his attendance at the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies, a summer program that immerses attendees in the Lasallian educational heritage.

McCarthy also completed a master’s in general counseling in 2010 and is a pipe major and instructor for the Manhattan College Pipes and Drums.

Scoring an Ace at Jasper Open

(From left to right), Michael Passarella ’63, trustee and retired partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, William Bisset, vice president for enrollment management, James Patterson ’69 and Kenneth Rathgeber ’70, executive vice president & CCO at Fidelity Investments.

40 N FALL 2011

ALways a fun event for Manhattan golfers, this year’s Jasper Open was especially memorable when best-selling author James Patterson ’69 joined the foursomes and was the featured guest at the reception after the rounds.

Despite the rain, more than 120 alumni and College supporters participated in the 23rd annual golf tournament at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, N.Y., on Aug. 9. The popular event netted more than $110,000 in support of scholarships and athletics programs at the College.

New Leadership in Alumni Society On May 7, the Alumni Society elected Joe Dillon ’62 as president and Elizabeth Hickey ’99 as vice president, both for a three-year term. Aileen Farrelly ’95 will continue to serve as treasurer for two more years, and Damien Germino ’09 was elected as secretary for a two-year term. To get in touch with your elected officials, write to alumni@manhattan.edu.

(Clockwise) Dinner on the Quad brings all of the classes together, while earlier, the new commemorative marker for Manhattan Prep is unveiled. Reunion Weekend also features celebrations for the 60th, 50th, 40th and 25th class anniversaries and for young alums.

Reunion Reminiscing

T

he first weekend in June kicked off another Jasper Reunion Weekend with special celebrations for the silver and golden jubilarians and events for the 40th and 60th anniversary classes. More than 400 people returned to campus for the events, which began on Friday evening and concluded on Sunday.

This year, Manhattan College Prep was honored with a special blessing and the unveiling of a commemorative marker. Brother George Berrian, FSC, associate professor emeritus of education at Manhattan College and former director and principal of Manhattan Prep, led the event, which recognized its many years on campus. 2011 marked the 40th anniversary of the Prep closing its doors on campus.

Festivities began on Friday afternoon at Jasper’s Tavern for all reunion guests. In the evening, there were special dinner celebrations for the 40th and the 25th anniversary classes. President Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., presented each of the silver anniversary recipients with medals to commemorate the event.

“From the arrival of our first guests Friday afternoon to their

departure from campus Sunday morning, Reunion Weekend offered something for everyone looking to celebrate their shared time at Manhattan,” says Thomas McCarthy, director of alumni relations.

“The campus came alive as a meeting place for friends to reconnect and commemorate special anniversaries.”

Alumni celebrating their 50th anniversaries attended a special luncheon on Saturday in Dante’s Den. O’Donnell presented the class of 1961 with medals to mark the occasion.

On Saturday, alumni had a variety of events to fill their day, including a cabaret performance by the Players Cabaret, a wine tasting and Mass. The evening was capped off with a dinner on the Quad, as well as a dessert reception and dancing in Smith Auditorium.

The weekend concluded with a brunch for all classes on Sunday morning, as Jaspers planned their next get-together.

“Reunion Weekend 2011 brought together Jaspers young and old and reminded everyone why the College remains such a special place to all of us,” McCarthy says.

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ALUMNOTES 1951

John J. Duffy, WWII Veteran, will be attending the International Federation of Mountain Soldiers’ (IFMS) annual meeting in Garmisch, Germany. The IFMS, founded after WWII by two former combatants, a German soldier and a 10th Mountain Division veteran, is an organization that helps to encourage peace between nations.

Francis Maurer and his wife, Shirley, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on October 27 (plus four years of courtship).

1957

Joseph Gruspier has retired to Alabama, which he notes is first in the alphabet and last in taxes, after 32 years with the highway department of Cook County, Ill.

1958

Serphin R. Maltese, former New York state senator, was honored by LaGuardia Community College when it named an academic hall after him, in recognition of his advocacy for higher education and dedicated support of LaGuardia during his 40 years of public service.

1960

Richard Modafferi has had a very busy and successful running season, which finished in November. So far he has won two gold medals, three silver and one bronze.

Modafferi has participated in races such as the Make-a-Wish 5k run, the N.Y. State Senior Games 10k run and the Empire State Masters 10k run.

1962

Tom Muldoon has been named director of business development for the Philadelphia Big 5. The Philadelphia Big 5 is not a formal, traditional conference but an agreement between the five major Philadelphia area universities to play a round-robin series of games during their men’s basketball regular season.

John J. Healy was unanimously elected to

42 N FALL 2011

the American Society of Civil Engineers as a fellow. The fellow designation is one of the highest honors civil engineers can receive from their peers. Healey is currently serving as the chairman of the board of Applied Research Associates, an advanced technology firm active in the defense, transportation, environmental, health and energy fields.

1963

Henry Petroski, Ph.D., presented a public lecture on the campus of St. Ambrose University, Iowa, on lessons learned from the engineering of bridges and ocean liners. From Failure to Success to Failure in One Century; How History Can Help Engineering was held on Sept. 30. Petroski is the author of 15 books and many general-interest articles and essays for publications including The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

1964

Jeremiah Collins joined CNY Builders as director of marketing and business development. He has had more than 27 years of experience in the construction industry.

1965

Philip M. Mickulas has been named CEO of Family & Children’s Association after serving as interim president for 18 months.

The nonprofit is dedicated to protecting and strengthening Long Islanders in need.

In addition to working as the executive director of the Virginia Environmental Endowment, Gerald McCarthy has been honored by the city of Richmond, Va., for nine years of volunteer service on the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The mayor and city council presented him with a Resolution of Honor and Appreciation.

1966

Ron Lucas will serve the Shelter Island, N.Y., Senior Citizen Affairs Council as its new chairman.

1969

Intellegrated, an automated material handling solutions provider, announced the appointment of Greg Cronin as executive vice president. He previously served as the vice chairman and executive vice president for Quiet Logistics Inc. Dr. John Loase has released his ninth book, Statistics Made Easy, published by the Graduate Group at the University of Connecticut. Loase is using this text to teach a College Statistics course to economically disadvantaged high school students at Riverside High School in Yonkers, N.Y.

1970

Athletic director at Campbell High School (CHS) in New Hampshire, Dan Kiestlinger officially announced his retirement after 11 years of dedicated and productive service as a teacher, coach and mentor in the CHS community.

Steve Chapra has recently been elevated to the rank of fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. A self proclaimed “double Jasper,” having received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Manhattan College, Chapra is a professor in the civil and environmental engineering department at Tufts University.

1971

Sr. Mary Ann Pevas, OP, celebrates 50 years as a Racine County, Wis., Dominican sister. She has taught in Wisconsin and Michigan at both the high school and university levels, and is currently involved in ministering to people in the Middle East by teaching online and organizing study tours to Egypt.

Rotary International, the world’s oldest and largest service organization, presented Joseph Laureni with its highest individual award. Laureni received the Service Above Self Award for demonstrating exemplary humanitarian service with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary.

He has been an active Rotarian since 1984.

Congressman William Owens, Esq., of New York’s 23rd district spoke at Jefferson Community College’s 47th annual commencement in May. Patrick McCarthy has been elected to the board of trustees for the Foundation Center, the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. McCarthy is the president and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and has more than 26 years in the field of children’s well-being.

Shannon Pasterick is celebrating her 30th year of service to Elizabeth Seton High School and will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. She has been principal of the school since 1998, and previously served as a teacher in the religious studies department.

1973

On July 1, Dr. Edmund Giegerich joined New York Methodist Hospital as chief of endocrinology and vice chairman of medicine.

Giegerich, who specializes in diabetes care, has had Type 1 diabetes since he was 17, and

Congratulazioni, Signore Squeri

is, thus, devoted to treating the disease and educating the public about it.

Sr. Brenda Walsh, OP, celebrates 50 years as a Racine County, Wis., Dominican sister.

She helped create the Senior Companion Program, which assists elders in her community, co-founded the Health Care Network of Racine and directed Racine 2000 and Beyond to address issues critical to Racine County.

Robert Mulhall will take over as president of the Richmond County, N.Y., Bar Association. The association helps play a role in judge selection, handling grievances filed against attorneys, sponsoring educational, civic and social function, as well as working to assist those who cannot afford legal representation on Staten Island.

Dean John F. O’Brien of New England Law, Boston, has been elected chair of the Council of the American Bar Association’s Section on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the appointment of Dennis Fenton, Ph.D., to the Napo board of directors. Fenton has more than 30 years experience in the phar-

maceutical and biotechnology fields.

Paul Yarossi has been elected 20112012 chairman of the American Road and Transportation Builder’s Association. He has more than 40 years experience as a professional engineer and is the president of HNTB Holdings, Ltd.

The Columbus Citizens Foundation (CCF) honored Stephen Squeri ’81, group president of global services at American Express, at New York City’s Columbus Day Parade on Oct. 10. More than 1 million spectators lined up Fifth Avenue to watch the parade, which celebrates the spirit of exploration and courage that inspired Christopher Columbus’ 1492 expedition and the important contributions Italian-Americans have made to the United States.

At American Express, Squeri is responsible for overseeing global customer service, global technologies, global credit administration and global business services. The CCF chose to honor Squeri because of his dedication to the foundation and his philanthropic work. He is active at the College, including

serving on the De La Salle Dinner committee, and on the board of trustees of the Harlem Children’s Zone.

“Being selected as a business honoree by the Columbus Citizens Foundation and being honored at the gala and marching in the parade was a thrill for not only me but my family,” he says. “I will never forget the overwhelming feeling of pride that I had marching up Fifth Avenue with my daughters and dad as we celebrated our Italian heritage and culture. It was a time to reflect on my grandparents’ determination and courage in coming to America in pursuit of the American dream.”

He is pictured with his daughters, Marissa and Monica. His father, Joseph Squeri ’54, was in the passenger seat, too.

1974

William Quartuccio has joined the sales team at Coldwell Banker Frascatore Realty in Shelton, Conn. He has worked in the IT industry for more than 35 years as a systems analyst and software developer with IBM and AT&T Long Lines.

1975

John Reilly is executive director of Fordham Bedford’s housing project at West Farms, a renovation of 526 affordable apartments. It was used by New York City as the location to announce its 2011 New Housing Marketplace Plan numbers and to celebrate the start of the work there.

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1976

Northfield Bank in Woodbridge, N.J., has hired Joseph Mulrooney as chief risk officer. He is a member of the New Jersey Bankers Association’s enterprise risk management committee.

Dr. Edward Buch of Somerville has been welcomed to Somerset, N.J., Medical Center’s board of trustees. He is currently chief of the vascular laboratory at the medical center and has also served as chief of surgery and chief of vascular surgery. He maintains a private practice in Hillsborough and is a member of numerous general surgery and vascular societies.

1977

Stephen J. Gobbo has been sworn in as the chair of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly for 2011-2012. He has previously served as director of the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ Bureau of Commercial Services legal affairs division.

Michael Lynch has been appointed facilities director of Darien, Conn., schools. An active community member, he has previously served four terms as fire chief and three as fire department president, as well as served as a member of the Katonah-Lewisboro facilities planning committee, co-chair of the long-range facilities planning committee and town council representative.

1978

The Producers Group hired Vince Vitiello as executive vice president of the Producers Group East, where he will be based at the company’s new New York City office. Vitiello brings more than 25 years of experience to this position and has previously served as senior vice president of MetLife and executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Allianz of American and the National Life Group.

Thomas A. Reilly has been promoted to managing director at Jones Lang LaSalle.

An office leasing specialist, he played an 44 N FALL 2011

instrumental role as part of the team that launched Jones Lang LaSalle in New Jersey.

1979

Richard J. Poccia has been elected to lead the board of directors for Junior Achievement of New York. He has been a member of the board of directors since 1996 and succeeds Anré Williams, who had previously served as chairman since 2007.

Peter Zipf will be honored with the Dr. John L. Buzzi engineering award. As chief engineer and director of engineering at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Zipf is responsible for the design, structural integrity and construction of the Port Authority’s facilities.

responsibility for the North American sales and marketing team, which also encompasses coordination with HCP regions in the UK, France and Asia.

Robert N. D’Alessandro has been appointed fellow by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). D’Alessandro is director of process technology at Evonik Degussa Corporation and is active on AIChE’s Design Institute for Emergency Relief Systems.

Milo Riverso has been named president and chief executive of architectural, engineering and construction management firm STV Group, Inc., where he takes responsibility for the firm’s day-to-day operations.

1980

Joseph Walsh has been certified as a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a group for trial lawyers whose membership is limited to attorneys who have won million- and multimillion-dollar verdicts, awards and settlements. Walsh is currently chairman of Cohen and Wolf’s Personal Injury Group and a member of its Litigation Group.

Thomas E. Hoban has received the Timothy J. Coughran Outstanding Alumnus Award from St. Mary’s High School in Port Washington, N.Y. The award, presented in memory of Tim Coughlin, a classmate of Tom’s who was lost on Sept. 11, 2001, is given to an alumnus who exemplifies the true spirit of Christianity through dedication to St. Mary’s and service to others.

1981

Eric Kreuter has been appointed partner and is also forensic accounting specialist at New York-area accounting firm Marks Paneth & Shron LLP. He will help lead litigation and forensic work, as well as utilize his experience in management, commercial damages and human resources issues.

Al Lustrino has been appointed president of sales and marketing for North America by HCP Packaging USA. Lustrino will assume all

Scott’s Hope Scott Burton ’91 was known for his love and dedication to his family and his three sons, twins Matthew and Christopher, 7, and Danny, 4. Whether shown through lacrosse games, treasured ski trips or family hikes, Burton demonstrated the deep love he had for his children. His brother and fellow Jasper Michael Burton ’84 discovered that the Friday before Scott’s sudden passing on July 10, he had set up a college savings program for his children. In response to requests from friends, family and community on how they could help Burton’s family, Michael decided that the best way to honor his loving spirit was to help finish what he started by establishing a scholarship foundation, aptly named Scott’s Hope, to help provide Scott’s children with the bright future he envisioned for them. More information is available on the website at www. scottshope.com.

1982

Marianne Reilly was inducted into the St. Barnabas High School Hall of Fame. Reilly was recognized not only for her basketball prowess in high school but also for being a role model for young women. She is currently assistant athletic director for compliance and senior women’s administrator for the athletic department at Fordham University.

1986

Gary Andrechak has joined Document Security Systems (DSS), Inc. as manager of RFID business development. DSS is a leader in counterfeit prevention, product diversion and brand protection technologies.

Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals named John P. Butler its chief executive officer.

Butler has more than 20 years experience commercializing innovative therapies, most recently leading businesses that serve rare disease patient populations.

1989

MaryAnn McCarra-Fitzpatrick has several poems forthcoming in publications The Mom Egg, Clapboard House and Thick With Conviction.

1990

Cornel Lupu has joined Keane, a comprehensive provider of unclaimed property consulting, annual compliance reporting and communications solutions, as manager of its National Consulting and Advisory Services team. In this role, Lupu will help clients navigate complex unclaimed property audits, identify gaps in compliance and develop the latest best practices for his team.

1991

Richard C. Pettus has joined international law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP as a shareholder in the intellectual property and technology practice at its New York City office. Pettus previously was a partner at King & Spalding and served as deputy practice leader of its intellectual property practice,

as well as co-head of the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Medical Device Initiative.

1992

Ilse Scrynemakers received her Ph.D. in American Literature in 2009 from Fordham.

Brian Gatens has been named the superintendent of the Norwood, N.J., K-8 school district. He previously served as a principal for Harrington Park’s K-8 district.

1993

Denis J. Sullivan has joined Hiscock & Barclay, LLP as a partner. He focuses his practice on patent and trademark matters, with an emphasis on the litigation and resolution of infringement disputes and related claims in both federal district court and the International Trade Commission. Sullivan is a New York State licensed professional engineer.

1994

Brian R. Pollack joined the international law firm Chadbourne & Parke LLP as a counsel in the New York office. Focusing on patent portfolio strategy and intellectual property litigation, he also has significant experience in patent preparation, portfolio development, IP due diligence, product clearance and freedom to operate analyses.

Keith Seda has been named director of engineering for its Northeast region at Horizon Engineering Associates, LLP, a professional engineering firm specializing in commissioning, energy consulting and LEED services. In this capacity, he will manage and oversee four offices throughout New York.

1995

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI), formerly the Soap and Detergent Association, has promoted Kathleen Stanton to director of technical and regulatory affairs. She previously served as associate director of scientific affairs and joined ACI in 2002.

Ruben Roy has been appointed to head of U.S. semiconductor coverage for Mizuho Securities USA as the company expands its

Going the Distance While many athletes enter races to challenge themselves or achieve new personal records, there are some who also use these contests to raise funds or awareness for charities. Meg Murphy ’05, a school of education alumna, and Frances Clemente, an adjunct professor in physical education, had the latter in mind when they paired together as a relay team and participated in the Nautica New York City Triathlon on Aug. 7. They helped raise more than $19,000 dollars in the Olympic distance race for Wheels of Progress, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create permanent and accessible supportive housing and provide transformative environments, education and experiences for people living with a spinal cord injury or other physical disabilities.

U.S. Equity Research Team.

1996

Justin Phoenix has been named head coach of the women’s basketball team at Centenary College in New Jersey.

1999

After representing her native Guyana at the 2011 World Championships for track and field, Aliann Pompey started work as the Armory College Prep program’s director of educational development.

2004

Robert Crispell has announced his engagement to Nicole Drenga. He is employed as a systems engineer at Swiss Re. They have planned a November 2011 wedding.

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2005

James Reynolds has been named a financial advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services Inc., Plantsville section of Southington. He has previously served as an international equities trader at First New York Securities.

School of Tulsa, Okla. He is in his second year of Lasallian Volunteer service.

Emily G. Plante has announced her engagement to Samuel Burgess. She currently is employed by Alliance Relocation Services in Chicago.

2006

2010

Up-and-coming country music performer Nicole Frechette has been touring Europe with the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force. She will release her sophomore album in February 2012. Tour dates and more are available on her website www.nicolefrechette.com.

2007

Sean Hoffman has been selected for appointment to the Walden Village board by Walden, N.Y., Mayor Brian Maher.

John Felidi will be graduating from New York College of Podiatric Medicine this May and will begin his residency training at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

2008

Patrick D’Ambrosio and Patricia Hickey have announced their engagement. Both are graduates of the school of engineering.

Patricia obtained her master’s degree from Manhattan College, while Patrick received his from Princeton University. They are planning a July 2012 wedding.

Robert Barrows and Kara Agostino ’07 got engaged in September on a beach in Avalon, N.J., and are planning a 2012 wedding.

Michael Lawler was named political director of New York State’s Republican Party.

He joined the Republican State Committee in November 2009 and worked as a college student on John McCain’s presidential bid in 2008.

2009

John Dellipriscoli is working as the athletic director, seventh and eighth grade physical education teacher, lunch program coordinator, coach and support staff in the business and development office at the San Miguel

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Doug Nygard and Carolyn Hicks ’09 have announced their engagement. She is an analyst with Deutsche Bank in Manhattan, while he works as an assistant internal auditor with Mutual of America. They are planning a September 2012 wedding.

Maeve Carey has been promoted from administrative assistant to recruiter and office support at Fusco Personnel in Albany, N.Y. Sarah Lutz spent a year post-graduation in Spain. She has been accepted into AmeriCorps and will be working at the women’s center at Siena College upon her return to the United States.

On Oct. 5, Gregory Faith presented a lecture, The Integration of Hands-On Training into a Classroom Environment, at Con Edison, which demonstrates how Con Ed has brought various manufacturers’ factory classes into its classrooms.

2011

Matt Coyne joined the Wilton Villager newspaper as a staff reporter. He will cover town government and write weekly news features. Before joining the Villager, he had internship experiences at the New York Observer and Pennsylvania Independent.

Rosario J. DiGangi and Corbin L. Moyer have been commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force. DiGangi will serve as an airfield operations officer assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Mo., and Moyer will serve as a developmental electrical engineer at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

milestones BIRTHS Trey & Christine Herfindahl ’03, daughter, Alanna Gloriann, 1/26/11 MARRIAGES

1987 Rebecca D. Truelove & John G. O’Sullivan, 8/27/11

2002 Noelle A. Campbell & Matthew R. Coleman, 9/24/11

2003 Capt. Allison Anne Maimona & Capt.

Stephen Roy DeVito, 5/9/11

2006 Jessica Lynn Fani & Peter Bourghol, 7/2/11 Josephine Jennifer Manfredi & Fernando M. Di Fino, 3/5/11

2009 Jenna C. Thoele & Ryan D. McAuliffe, 6/17/11 Viviane Master & Sammy Puhalovic ’08, 8/26/10

IF YOU HAVE ANY NEWS TO SHARE, PLEASE SEND IT TO ALUMNNOTES@ MANHATTAN.EDU.

Correction: In the spring issue, alumnotes incorrectly reported that Harry Weber ’82, who recently ran for council in the borough of Ramsey, N.J., did not secure a position as councilman. We apologize for this error, as Weber was, indeed, elected to a three-year term as councilman, beginning January 2011.

Congratulations!

Poetry in Motion

PHOTO BY Lee Pellegrini/Boston College

H

e’s published 16 books and hundreds of essays, but it was his biography of the poet Hart Crane that Paul Mariani ’62 knew was different.

Mariani, who spent the last 11 years as the University Professor of English at Boston College, had his biography of Crane published in 1999 (W.W. Norton & Company) — the poet’s 100th birthday.

“I thought it would make a terrific film,” says Mariani, who taught English at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for 32 years, before heading to Boston College. “But making films means money, and Americans not only don’t seem interested for the most part in poetry, but not even in the lives of our poets.”

Then he got the call from actor James Franco.

The star of 127 Hours was fascinated by Mariani’s book — The Broken Tower: The Life of Hart Crane — and wanted to make it into a movie.

“When his agent, Miles Levy, called me to say James was interested in turning my biography of Crane into a film, I was at first skeptical that the project would ever get off the ground,” Mariani says. “But it did, and I did everything I could on my part to make it happen.”

Last spring, The Broken Tower premiered on the Boston College campus. In January, the film is scheduled to be released

by Focus Films.

“For me, the movie took some adjusting to, since one man’s vision, in a biography, is going to differ from another man’s take in film,” Mariani says. “But

Franco is nothing if he’s not a genius, and he caught something essential about this lonely, ultimately self-destructive poet.

“I’ve watched the film five times now and — if I listen carefully enough and pay the film the attention it demands and deserves — I keep seeing something new, both hopeful and, yes, tragic,” Mariani says.

Being the author of the biography, Mariani was called upon to answer questions about Hart and the 1920s, while Franco and his producer, Vince Jolivette, created the film. But the Jasper and New York native also got an opportunity to visit the set.

Last December, he received a call to head down to Brooklyn.

“Two young women dressed me in a suit of authentic clothes and heavy shoes from the 1920s, then grayed my hair and tossed it, glued a moustache to my upper lip, and took me down to Brooklyn Heights, where I stood on a New York stoop one freezing Saturday morning,” says Mariani, who ended up playing one of Crane’s friends, Alfred Stieglitz, in the film. “It was a blast. But my wife warned me not to give up my day job, and I haven’t.”

Mariani is still working his day job, a career he started almost immediately after leaving the College.

Following his graduation from Manhattan with a B.A. in English and world literature, Mariani went on to get his master’s at Colgate University, eventually teaching his first college classes there.

He did his doctoral studies in English and comparative litera-

Actor James Franco and Paul Mariani ’62, Ph.D., University Professor of English at Boston College, discuss The Broken Tower, a film starring and directed by Franco that is based on Mariani’s 1999 biography of American poet Hart Crane.

ture at Hunter College, teaching there, as well as at Lehman College and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His dissertation was on the poetry and poetics of Gerard Manley Hopkins with a fellowship from the Newman Center at Columbia College.

After moving to Montague, Mass., in 1968 with his wife, Eileen, and their three children, Mariani began working at Amherst, where he reworked his dissertation into a book, Gerard Manley Hopkins: A Life, which was published by Cornell University Press in 1970. Before he left Amherst to move to Boston College, he was made Distinguished University Professor of English.

In the meantime, while his academic career was flourishing, Mariani began writing more and more. It started with an 800-page biography of a poet, William Carlos Williams: A New World Naked (McGraw-Hill, 1981), which was reviewed on the front page of the Sunday New York Times Book Review. He went on to publish four more biographies — of John Berryman, Robert Lowell, Hart Crane and

Hopkins — and six poems.

Mariani is currently working on another biography of the poet Wallace Stevens.

He also is trying to complete his memoirs, based on his life growing up on East 51st Street in Manhattan in the 1940s.

And while he continues to focus on his books, his time on the big screen isn’t over just yet.

A few weeks ago, Franco called again. He wants to turn another one of Mariani’s biographies into a second featurelength film. This time it’s Dream Song: The life of John Berryman (William Morrow, 1990).

After all his success, the 16 books and hundreds of essays, reviews and poems he’s published, his awards — a Guggenheim Fellowship, two National Endowment for the Humanities and one National Endowment for the Arts fellowships — Mariani can trace his fascination of English and poets back to Riverdale.

“It was Manhattan College, which taught me a love of books, and — considering both my parents, who were smart but Depression-era kids — the school gave me the chance to move on and up,” Mariani says. “What I learned there, I have tried to pass on to several generations of college kids in my turn, as well as to keep alive and young by learning.”

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A

tan, and she helped to set the standard for t the age of 41, Lisa Daley ’93, a future athletes.” former Jasper track superstar, is Daley, a native Jamaican, moved to New still winning big on the track field.

York City at the age of 19 and began her colThis summer, she walked away with four lege and track career at Bronx Community gold medals at the World Masters Athletics College. In 1991, she transferred to ManChampionships, and also set a new Amerihattan College on the recommendation of can Masters record of 63.9 seconds in the Lesleigh Hogg ’70, her track coach at Bronx 400-meter hurdles — breaking her existing Community College, and competed in the record of 64.0 seconds.

200-meter, 300-meter and 400-meter dashes, When Daley, a public interest lawyer for and the 4x100-, 4x200- and 4x400-meter District County 37, New York City’s largest relays at Manhattan College. She graduated public employee union, is not in court or the with a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1993 and office, she travels to Columbia University’s went on to attend Touro Law School.

Baker Field three times a week to train with “As a college athlete, I learned how to the Central Park Track Club. She is currently preparing for the 2012 World Masters Athlet- balance my time, and that was something I learned at Manhattan College,” Daley says. ics Championships Indoor in Finland.

“I knew I needed to balance my grades and Commitment and passion are two of the manage my time in order to do both and do traits that she portrays in the courtroom well at both.” and on the track. Sometimes beginning her Once Daley completed the bar exam, day as early as 5 a.m. to get to the gym for her biweekly weight lifting session, she then she jumped back into an aggressive and competitive training schedule. She has comheads to lower Manhattan to represent city peted all over the world, including South employees in family court. On the days she Africa, Europe and Australia. Daley has also trains, Daley may not even walk in the door participated in the Penn Relays, Empire of her White Plains home until 10 p.m.

State Games, Colgate Games, and for the “Lisa has been an outstanding track and past year, has picked up hurdles as part of field athlete at the world veteran level for her training regimen. many years, and it has been a pleasure for “Lisa plans out everything she does, me to advise and work with her at this stage marks her progress, re-evaluates her of her career,” says Joe Ryan ’81, assistant progress and adjusts accordingly. She’s a women’s track coach at Manhattan College.

“She was my first female competitive 400-me- great example of what pursuing your goals leads to,” says Aliann Pompey ’99, a friend of ter runner that I had recruited to Manhat48 N FALL 2011

Daley’s and fellow runner. “Before the beginning of last season, Lisa told me she wanted to break the 400-meter hurdles record. She had a program, she had the coach, and she had the drive. She never wavered from that plan, she was just that focused. About a month after we spoke, I knew she’d break it.

It was just a matter of by how much.”

After breaking her own 400 record this summer and earning gold medals in the 200 and 400, and 4x100 and 4x400 relays, Daley explains that it is still possible to compete in the sport you love and maintain a full-time professional position.

“My training right now might not be as long as the practices I had in college, but you maximize that hour and a half as well with whatever the goals are that you set,” she says. “It is definitely something that I encourage, too, because I think it is having some type of balance in my life.”

Ryan is a witness to Daley’s dedication in achieving her goals, as he continued to coach her until 2010.

“The performances that she has put up over the years as a veteran would still be competitive at the collegiate level, and I do believe that is due to her high level of motivation and dedication as she has gotten older,” Ryan adds. “It is truly inspiring, and I do hold her up as a great example to our younger athletes at Manhattan College.”

PHOTO BY Ken Stone

On the Fast Track

Lisa Daley ’93 (bib #2950), in the final of the 400-meter dash, wins the event at the World Masters Athletics Championship in Sacramento this past July.

I

Neither Rain Nor Snow Can Stop Stroman

t’s been nearly 40 years since Ronald Stroman ’74 decided to switch majors.

The alumnus originally began his college career pursuing a psychology degree. But one conversation with his government professor, Jiri Horak, Ph.D., professor emeritus of government, changed Stroman’s path.

“I remember speaking with the chairman of the department, and we had a long conversation about what a major in government could offer,” the New Rochelle native recalls.

“He helped me see how government can be a tool that can shape, develop and move the country in a certain direction.”

Stroman’s new major propelled him into a career in government, and this past March, he was appointed the 20th deputy postmaster general (DPMG) of the United States Postal Service (USPS). It is the second-highest ranking postal position, and he serves on the Postal Service Board of Governors and on Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe’s Executive Leadership Team.

“I was surprised to get the call,” says Stroman of his hiring. “They called to see if I was interested, and then I went on the interview, but I always thought they were going to hire someone from inside the Postal Service.”

For the past two years, Stroman was staff director and senior policy advisor for the House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. While on that committee, Stroman looked at proposals that would change the USPS services and procedures.

“I was already pretty familiar with postal issues when I took the job,” he says.

According to Stroman, as DPMG, he works closely with the mailing industry to help strengthen relationships and identify opportunities to improve interactions with postal customers. He also has the lead role in working with Congress to restructure the prefunding of retiree health benefits, adjust delivery frequency, and gain greater flexibility in aligning the Postal Service processing, distribution and retail networks.

But it’s a job that Stroman knows comes with some challenges, as he has the opportunity to oversee the second largest employer in the United States. The Postal Service

has nearly 600,000 workers, behind only Wal-mart.

“I knew going in that the Postal Service was going to go through some major changes,” Stroman says. “But it’s an opportunity to change the process. It’s a major responsibility, and I’m looking forward to lending my expertise in this effort.”

It’s not just the amount of employees or challenges the Postal Service faces that has Stroman excited for his new position. It’s also the history behind the USPS that the Manhattan graduate relishes.

“This is the only government agency named in the Constitution,” he says. “The first postmaster was Ben Franklin. If you look at it from the founding of the Republic, you can see how important the post office has been historically.

“Just talking to people you can see how many people’s lives have been touched by the Postal Service, either by working there, receiving mail, through business relationships. It’s a huge responsibility, and I’m honored to be here.”

After graduating from the College, Stroman earned his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University Law Center in 1977.

From there, he spent the next 30 years in government, legislative affairs and leadership before becoming DPMG. From 1978 to 1984, he was an attorney with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He then moved into a position as counsel on the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. He also worked for the Committee on Government Operations and became a deputy minority staff director for the Government Reform and Oversight Committee.

In 1997, Stroman took a director’s position with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Then in 2001, he joined the General Accounting Office as managing director for the Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness, before returning to the House in 2009, where he served as staff director for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, prior to joining the Postal Service.

Who knows where Stroman would have wound up with a B.A. in psychology. But without those conversations with his Manhattan College professors and the class discussions, Stroman may not have been convinced to pursue a degree in government.

“I remember taking reading courses, and we would read the Wall Street Journal in class,” Stroman says. “We would talk about the role of government and its relationship with the private sector.

“I remember it as if it had just happened yesterday. Sitting in those classes, discussing government and political science, reading the Journal — that has had a very powerful impact on my career.”

MANHATTAN.EDU N 49

obits

INMEMORIAM

Manhattan College records with sorrow the deaths of the following alumni: 1937 Socrates G. Bagiackas, 7/3/11

1938 Edward J. Shaughnessy, 5/13/11

William E. Golde Jr., 8/30/11 Francis McGahan, 5/24/11 I. George Scarpulla, 9/24/11 Edward J. Sherman, 5/12/11 William F. Reilly, 9/1/11

1939

1950

Patrick J. Daly, 3/8/11 Dr. Anthony L. D’Andrea, 7/30/11

Joseph N. Ianuzzi, 7/25/11 Joseph C. Mangine, 10/5/11

1951

1940

John J. Burke, 7/6/10 Patrick J. Mulligan, 8/13/11 John J. Ponce, 8/13/11 Frank L. Prewoznik, 8/12/10 Thomas F. Tolan, 9/26/11

James E. Dougherty, 9/15/11

1942 Lorenzo Castiglione, 8/23/11 Frank J. Creegan, 9/23/11 William F. Lynch Jr., Esq., 7/7/11

1943 Charles F. Curran Jr., 9/17/11 John Fesko, 7/7/11 John D. Porcelli, 4/15/11

1944 Maurice J. Ahearn, 8/25/11

1945

1952 George B. Boyle, Esq., 8/14/11 Frank J. Croke Sr., 8/1/11 Br. Anthony Flynn, FSC, 6/7/11 Min Li Lee, 9/13/11 Frank E. LeGere, 6/5/11 Justin N. Tierney, 6/22/11 Angelo A. Vigorito, 11/7/10

1953

Roger J. Evans, 8/24/11 Donald A. Guidice, 6/4/11

1971

1957

1972

Henry F. Helmken, 4/12/11

1958 John A. Mullin, 3/24/11

1959 Br. Aloysius Myers, FSC, 5/12/11 Patrick J. O’Boyle, 4/20/11 John C. Whiteside, 4/28/11

1961

Genevieve R. Salazar, 6/10/11 Thomas J. Comerford, 9/26/11 Sr. Grace Marie Petraglia, OP, 8/26/11 Richard T. Prince, 4/29/11

1974 Sr. Mary T. Normile, OP, 4/25/11

1975 Edward M. Potoma, 7/31/11

Gerald C. McDonald, 7/16/10 Michael J. Thackaberry, 10/3/11

1976

1962

1979

Michael J. Quinlan, 8/16/11

1963 John R. Brady, 9/10/11 Robert V. Kelly, 5/14/11 Peter J. Lamberto, 8/17/11

1964 Joseph J. Fleischer, 9/20/11

1966

Winona M. Blackburn, 9/10/11 Peter E. Joseph, 6/25/11

1983 Barbara M. Galligan, 4/11/11 Bernadette M. Hart, 6/4/11

1984 James Branigan, 5/27/11

1985 Edward F. Devine, 12/18/10 Keith W. Furey, 6/30/11 Patrick N. O’Donnell, 6/17/11

Joseph L. Ceccarelli, 7/19/10 Carl A. Miller, 8/4/11 Edward P. Purcell, 6/7/11 Joseph N. Shatzle II, 6/4/11

Thomas P. Cahill, 7/17/11 Mark F. DeLuca, Esq., 6/7/11 John L. Kehoe, 9/10/11

1988

Richard T. Higgins, 7/19/10 Anthony R. Marasco, Esq., 8/17/11 Rev. William T. Murphy, 6/7/11

1954

1968

1991

1948

1955

Daniel M. Caprioni, 9/21/11 Matthew F. Dowd, 6/14/11

1946

Anthony P. McHugh, 7/6/11 Dr. Joseph M. O’Connor, 4/4/11

1949 Augustus W. Collins Jr., 4/9/11 50 N Fall 2011

Joseph M. Alexander, 4/20/11 Vernon J. Dixon, 4/23/11 J. Willard Doran, 8/31/11 Paul T. Corballis, 7/31/11 Kristo A. Gregory, 9/17/11 Joseph S. LaValle, 9/6/11

1956 George L. Daelemans, 4/10/10

1967

Nicholas G. Greco, 6/10/10 Charles J. Trubia, 8/31/11

1969 Sr. Jean M. Harvey, OP, 8/26/11

1970 Catherine H. McCabe, 8/23/11 Robert C. Parsons, 9/24/11

Margaret Baxter, 5/4/11 Scott J. Burton, 7/10/11

1996 Daniel M. Maune, 4/2/11

Brother Anthony Flynn, FSC BRother Anthony Flynn, FSC, who served as an associate professor of computer information systems at Manhattan College for more than 30 years, died on June 7, 2011. He was 84.

A New York native, Br. Anthony entered the juniorate for the Christian Brothers of De La Salle in 1941, joined the novitiate in 1944 and received the religious habit and name Brother Birillus Anthony in September of 1944. He pronounced perpetual vows in 1952.

Dedicating his entire career to teaching, Br. Anthony began teaching at St. Jerome’s School in 1948.

He also taught at St. John’s and St. Raymond’s in Manhattan; Christian Brothers Academy in Albany; St. Joseph’s in Buffalo; and Lincoln Hall in Lincolndale. In addition, he held a number of administrative positions beginning with prefect at Lincoln Hall. He served as assistant principal at La Salle Academy in Manhattan and assistant principal and principal at De La Salle in Detroit, before studying for his doctorate in computer sciences at Notre Dame University in the 1970s.

Br. Anthony returned to New York to serve as principal at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute for three years and then began his more than 30-year tenure at Manhattan College, before retiring in 2008. The computer information systems program at the College

grew under his guidance. He served as chair of the computer information systems department and was instrumental in the creation of the College’s first micro lab for the school of business. He was also its director from its inception in 1985 until his retirement.

“For Br. Anthony, it was not technology for the sake of technology — there had to be a business application,” says Walter Matystik, assistant provost for faculty research and computer systems, policy and planning. “Technology was a valuable tool, but there had to be an analytical mind knowing how to use and apply those tools to modern business issues.

Br. Anthony had both prowess with the hardware and software and that analytical mind.”

Brother Thomas Scanlan, FSC, former president of Manhattan College, spoke warmly about Br. Anthony’s ability to inspire students and devotion to teaching during his eulogy.

“He inspired a large number of Jaspers to pursue careers in computer-related positions,” he said. “Over the years, I met a great number who attributed their success to the quality of his teaching and, of course, to his most Lasallian ability of touching the hearts of his students.”

Br. Anthony is survived by his nieces and nephews.

Vernon Dixon VErnon Dixon ’54, Ph.D., former member of the Manhattan College board of trustees and its faculty, honorary degree recipient and alumnus, died on April 23, 2011. He was 78.

A star student and athlete, Dixon is known for setting two world records on medley teams during his track career at Manhattan.

He was inducted into the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. After earning his B.B.A. in accounting at Manhattan College, he went on to earn an M.S. in finance and banking from Columbia University, as well as an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University.

He taught at Manhattan as assistant professor of economics from 1957-1967, as well as Goddard College, and then spent most his of academic career at Haverford College as a member of the economics faculty. His teaching specialties included economic development of urban black communities, the mental health of black people and the emotional development of black children. During

his 35-year tenure at Haverford, he served as associate dean and acting dean, and chair of the department of economics before retiring in 2006 as professor.

Dixon had also served on the faculty at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Pennsylvania. He was resident scholar at the Fanon Mental Health Research and Development Center of the Drew Post-

graduate Medical Center and economic adviser to the president of the Drew Postgraduate Medical Center, as well as Black Scholar in Residence at Grinnell College.

In addition, he was the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the College’s Fall Honors Convocation in 1990.

Brother Francis Bowers, FSC, associate professor emeritus of English and former provost and dean of the school of arts, was coaching track at St. Augustine’s High School in Brooklyn when Dixon ran for Bishop Loughlin High School.

“He was an all-American kid,” Br. Francis says. “He seemed to be a perfect gentleman to me and an excellent student. The very fact that he was on the board tells us something.

Vernon was something special both academically and as an athlete, and so we should be proud of him.”

Dixon is survived by his wife, Claudia Lobke.

MANHATTAN.EDU N 51

peter Finger

pa r ting shot

4 N FALL 2010

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