WINTER 2014
Moravian
Pride
I N M O R AV I A N
DICKINSON FAMILY LEGACY
ALUMNA BOAT BUILDER
‘FOLLOWING IN RUSSELL’S FOOTSTEPS’
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A View of the Priscilla Payne Hurd Campus from Hotel Bethlehem’s Rooftop MORAVIAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE
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Prelude Joseph Shosh ‘88 Calls 2014 ‘Extraordinary Year’ for Moravian’s Teacher Education
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President’s Letter Bryon Grigsby ’90 Reflects on ‘Pride in Moravian’ Theme
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‘Following in Russell’s Footsteps’ Grigsby Sparks Alumni-Student Mentorship with Russell E. Morgan Jr. ’65
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Out & About Greyhound Sports
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Alumni News
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Class Notes
A Moravian Legacy Todd ’87 and Joan ’86 Dickinson Let Their Son, Evan ’16, Find His Own Path to Campus
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Restored Fully
Emily Shonk Schoelzel ’01 Brings Boats Back to Life Through Meticulous Restoration
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The Moravian Effect: Bob Thear ’98 Two Jobs & Coaching Position Keep Alumnus On the Move
Moravian College Magazine : Tommy Kopetskie, editor; Mark J. Fleming, sports editor; Christie Jacobsen ’00, web manager; Susan Overath Woolley, director of publications; Michael P. Wilson, director of public relations and marketing. Photography: John Kish IV, Tommy Kopetskie. Alumni relations: Patricia Murray Hanna ’82, assistant director; Barbara Parry, administrative assistant. Copyright 2014 by Moravian College. Photographs and artwork copyright by their respective creators or by Moravian College. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reused or republished in any form without express written permission. Cover: Phoebe Stone ’14 and Russell E. Morgan Jr. ’65 discuss Morgan’s experience in the Peace Corps during a late fall afternoon in the HUB’s Pavilion. Photo by John Kish IV.
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MORAVIAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE
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prelude
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Stories from the Moravian community
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Joseph Shosh ’88, chair of the College’s Education Department, says he’s experienced “a feeling of belonging” at Moravian dating WINTER 2014 back to his campus visits as a youngster with his uncle.
Putting Prepared Teachers into Action Professor Calls 2014 ‘Extraordinary Year’ for Moravian’s Teacher Education By Joseph Shosh ’88 As a proud alumnus, I’m a Hound to the core, so I can’t help sharing with you what the data consistently reveal to me. Moravian College is simply the best choice a prospective student can make if he or she is interested in becoming a teacher. What makes Moravian’s teacher education program second to none? Well, for starters, all Moravian certification candidates complete a full major in an academic discipline in addition to meeting all pedagogical certification requirements. Simply put, teachers can’t teach what they don’t know well or without what Lee Shulman calls “pedagogical content knowledge.” Our graduates know their content exceptionally well and develop a rich repertoire of research-based pedagogical strategies. Secondly, you don’t learn to be an effective public school teacher without actually teaching real kids in real K-12 classrooms regularly, in tandem with meaningful coursework, and under superb mentorship. Our candidates begin their fieldwork in freshman year and continue to take on more responsibility in public school classrooms through a developmentally appropriate sequence of experiences, culminating in the student teaching internship. I’m not being boastful – OK, maybe just a little – when I say 2014 is going to be an extraordinary year for teacher education at Moravian. We are graduating our first early childhood and middle-level certification candidates in May. In addition, three of our alumni (Kevin Horn ’10, Nathan Snyder ’09 and Ali Tannous ’05, ’10) will be featured in the first east coast American Study Day sponsored by the European-based Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN). Moravian faculty and their fellow CARN institutional partners, including
Cambridge University, Utrecht University and the University of Waikato, will pose the question, “What Happens to Action Research after the Master’s Degree?” on Thursday, May 22. During the Study Day, attendees will tour three American secondary schools – NYC iSchool in New York City, Warren Hills Regional High School in rural New Jersey, and Liberty High School in Bethlehem – where Moravian alumni have used action research to transform teaching and learning for adolescents. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that Moravian has always taught me to think deeply, to reflect on my professional practice, and perhaps, most importantly, to take action to better our world. Last year, I had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from sister institutions throughout the Western Hemisphere and around the world to form the new Action Research Network of the Americas (ARNA). ARNA members are committed to promoting research by and for practitioners such as teachers, nurses and small businesses. ARNA’s 2014 conference, scheduled May 23-24 at Moravian, will bring internationally renowned scholars of practitioner inquiry, including leading researchers on mathematics education, to campus to explore this theme of “Enacting Our Beliefs: The So-What of Action Research.” * This is my personal invitation to you to join our Education Department students and faculty for our exciting spring 2014 events. Wherever you may be, continue to follow in the footsteps of our Moravian forebears John Amos Comenius and Benigna von Zinzendorf by thinking deeply, reflecting upon your practice, and taking new action to bring a better world into existence. W
LEFT: A few years ago, Shosh (third
from left) represented the United States at the United Nations of Action Research plenary session. RIGHT: In 2013, seven students, faculty members and alumni, including Shosh, participated in the third International Conference on Value and Virtue in Practitioner Inquiry in York, England.
Joseph M. Shosh ’88, Ph.D., a summa cum laude graduate of Moravian College, earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from New York University. In addition he serves as treasurer of the ARNA and is a member of the Collaborative Action Research International Advisory Committee. He is co-editor of the Palgrave International Handbook of Action Research (Macmillan, 2015) and past recipient of the National Council of Teachers of English Paul and Kate Farmer English Journal Writing Award, the James N. Moffett Award for Classroom Research, and Cornell University’s Merrill Scholar Teaching Award.
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* To learn more, visit www.arnaconnect.org, or type the keywords “Moravian action research” into YouTube.
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fromthePRESIDENT Dear Moravian Community,
I am always amazed by the success of our alumni. Moravian transforms students and prepares them for satisfying lives and wonderful careers. It is why so many of our alums continue to give back and continue to make us stronger, because they realize that someone did it for them when they were at Moravian and that their education keeps on providing a solid return on investment. We are all Moravian Proud, and in this issue, we focus on Russell Morgan Jr. ’65 who is helping to lead our students toward the Peace Corps. In the 21st century, we need to provide students with a strong global understanding. Moravian already boasts 11 Fulbright scholars in the past 14 years! With Russell’s help, we will be able to further extend the opportunities for Moravian students to live and work internationally. We are also very proud of our nursing program, which celebrated a 15-year anniversary and has started a new accelerated Bachelor of Science program in nursing for those people interested in switching careers. You will also find alumni truly making a difference in the world. From Bob Thear ’98, who coaches and mentors high school cross country students, to Professor Joseph Shosh ’88, who brings so much energy and love to his education students at Moravian. You can also read about Emily Shonk Shoelzel ’01, who put her liberal arts degree and entrepreneurial spirit to creative use by starting a canoe building company in New England.
President Grigsby with Moravian’s No. 1 Greyhound, Mo
Many alums have long histories with Moravian. The Dickinson family, for instance, started at Moravian when Joan ’86 and Todd ’87 met and fell in love. Their love for Moravian continues as their son, Evan ’16, is now an active member on our campus. Finally, I recently had the honor of recognizing one of our own who has made significant contributions in time and resources to Moravian, Plum Gee ’43. I met Plum on a recent trip to Florida and was able to honor her as the first alumna or alumnus to join with the Priscilla Payne Hurd Society, recognizing her extraordinary generosity to the College. Spending time with Plum was truly a highlight of the trip. Join me in being proud of Moravian. We are strong, and we are helping to change the world. Our alumni are generous with time and resources, and they truly understand that they are paying it forward as someone did for them. It is an honor to serve. Bryon L. Grigsby ’90 President
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Out&About
Inauguration Schedule Friday, April 11 6 p.m. Hall of Presidents Rededication
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Moravian Plans Inauguration of President Bryon L. Grigsby ’90 Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary will celebrate the installation of Bryon L. Grigsby ’90 as the 16th president of Moravian College on Saturday, April 12, in Archibald Johnston Hall on the institution’s Main Street Campus. The 2:30 p.m. ceremony is part of a weekend of events intended to introduce the new president to the College’s constituents – both in the greater Lehigh Valley region, as well as among higher education institutions in the nation – and recognize the achievements of America’s sixth-oldest college. The Inaugural celebration kicks off on Friday, April 11, and will include a truly unique event titled, “The Moravian Presidency, 1969-2014: Challenges of Higher Education,” as past Moravian presidents discuss 45 years of leadership. The discussion, moderated by student trustee Trevor Glanville ’14, will feature Herman E. Collier Jr., Roger H. Martin and Christopher M. Thomforde. For a full listing of Inaugural festivities, see the accompanying schedule. The Inaugural installation ceremony and associated events are co-chaired by Moravian College and Theological Seminary Trustee Andy Hart ’90, and his wife, Eli Shute Hart ’91, who were selected by President Grigsby and the Moravian College Joint Board of Trustees. “The change in leadership at the president level of the institution is one of the most significant and important transitions a college makes and it gives us tremendous pride to see our classmate and friend prove himself to be the right person to lead Moravian College into the future,” said Andy Hart. “As alumni, there is no better time to recommit ourselves to supporting Moravian College and Bryon as it continues to perform the worthy mission of preparing students for leadership in the world today and into the future.”
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“The Moravian Presidency, 19692014: Challenges of Higher Education,” Past Moravian presidents discuss 45 years of leadership; Moderated by Trevor Glanville ’14
Saturday, April 12 9 a.m. “Hounds Around the Grounds,” a Campus Volunteer Event
11:30 a.m. Inaugural Lunch
2:30 p.m. Installation Ceremony (Academic Procession begins at 2 p.m.)
7:30 p.m. “Past, Present, Future: Moravian Traditions,” Inaugural Jazz Concert; Reception to follow
Sunday, April 13 10 a.m. Worship Service, Bahnson Center; Reception to follow For more information, visit www.moravian.edu/inauguration, or contact the Inaugural Office at 610-861-1467.
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Out&About
MoCoTwitter I actually go to the coolest college on the planet! People in the bell tower! #vespers #moravian @llisabee on Twitter, Dec. 7
Calling All Writers! The Moravian College Writing Conference will be held from Friday, June 6, through Sunday, June 8, on the beautiful Priscilla Payne Hurd Campus. With a focus on community, craft and inspiration, the conference will provide participants with opportunities to work with accomplished faculty – established and emerging writers and publishing professionals – through workshops, craft talks, readings and more. Highlighting the conference will be readings and talks by keynoters Laurie Halse Anderson and Ursula Hegi. Anderson is a New York Timesbestselling author who writes for kids of all ages. She has earned numerous American Library Association awards, and two of her books, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists. She is also the mother of Stephanie Anderson ’07, and an enthusiastic fan and supporter of Moravian College. Hegi has published 12 books, including her Burgdorf Cycle of novels, which begins with Stones from the River – one of Oprah Winfrey’s earliest picks for her famous Book Club, in 1997 – and continues with Floating in My Mother’s Palm, The Vision of Emma Blau, and now Children and Fire. Besides opportunities to meet and learn from these accomplished keynoters, the conference will provide workshops in poetry, fiction, young adult/teen fiction, humor writing and spiritual memoir; panel discussions titled “From Blog to Book” and “Writing Moravians;” a conversation on publishing with two New York literary agents; and sessions on writing family stories, poetry and songwriting, yoga for writers, and more. The conference will welcome writers of all genres and at all career stages. Mark your calendars now, and plan to join us to energize your writing, work with experienced faculty, and make those connections with other writers that all writers need. To learn more, visit www.moravian.edu/writersconference.
Laurie Halse Anderson
Ursula Hegi
Bookshelf W Nicole Tabor, assistant professor of English, can trace her fascination with categorization back to her childhood, a time she spent literally growing up in a library. Her new book, Gender, Genre, and the Myth of Human Singularity, highlights three significant modernist literary works, discussing the diverse ways these texts were “lawbreakers.” In literary works, the law of genre – generic boundaries determined by institutions and conventions of art and literature – reacts to threats of impurity. Tabor’s book, published by Peter Lang International Academic Publishers, explores in detail James Joyce’s Ulysses, Virginia Woolf’s Between the Acts and Gertrude Stein’s Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights, which cast away timehonored gender and genre laws, thus challenging the discourses of power.
W In the first American publication on the German modernist painter Paula ModersohnBecker in more than two decades, Diane Radycki’s new book is part biography, reception history and visual analysis of the artist’s life and work. Radycki, associate professor of art and director of the Payne Gallery, titled her work Paula Modersohn-Becker: The First Modern Woman Artist (Yale University Press, 2013). She examines the artist’s compelling biography: her professional struggles; her personal anguish, including her irresolution about motherhood; and her friendships with the poet Rainer Maria Rilke and the sculptor Clara Rilke-Westhoff. Tragically, her life and art were cut short at age 31, following complications from childbirth.
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Memorial Concert Celebrates ‘All-Steinway School’ Status
International Steinway pianist Jeffrey Biegel, a musician Moravian College’s Sean O’Boyle called “the finest pianist of his generation,” was a fitting selection to perform at the inaugural Betty Aierstock Moore Memorial Concert Jan. 24 in honor of the College’s attainment of “All-Steinway School” status. The concert, presented in partnership with Jacobs Music, Philadelphia, formally celebrated Moravian with the presentation of an All-Steinway School plaque (inset). In July 2013, Moravian received a gift from the late Betty Louise Aierstock Moore ’45 that secured the acquisition of an additional 10 Steinway & Sons pianos, achieving the College’s designation as an All-Steinway School.
Winterfest Lives Up to Name
Traying, anyone? Ben Coleman, associate professor of computer science, sleds with his daughter, Sharon, at Winterfest.
It seems only fitting that on the College’s inaugural Winterfest event Jan. 25, snow blanketed the Lehigh Valley area for much of the afternoon. The free, family-friendly event for College and Seminary students, faculty and staff hosted a multitude of fun activities, including the transformation of PPHAC’s patio into a skating rink. Inside the HUB, attendees could refuel themselves with food and goodies, showcase their artist talents with activities hosted by the College’s Art Department, or relax with a movie. There was even lunch tray sledding down the hill behind the HUB. The College’s Facebook page has photographic proof of President Bryon Grigsby ’90 hitting the slope with a tray. “It really felt like the College community came together against the beautiful backdrop of the falling snow to have some fun,” said Ann Claussen, director of the HUB and event management. WINTER 2014
Generous Alumna Donor Gifts Moravian ‘World-Class’ Sculpture Renowned sculptor Karl Stirner has spent his artistic career bringing new life to metal, transforming discarded materials from Bethlehem Steel, shipwrecks and his favorite scrapyard into works of art. Thanks to the generous gift of alumna Joann M. Trotsky ’64, who recently donated an untitled Stirner sculpture to her alma mater, students can now take in the beauty and complexity of artist’s work first-hand. Joann M. Trotsky ’64, an admirer of sculptor Karl Stirner, acquired this two-foot-tall sculpture after multiple visits to Stirner’s Easton studio.
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Role Reversal
As Moravian’s All-MacBook Pro, iPad Campus Becomes a Reality, Professors Take Role as Students
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In December, Moravian College took another large step toward becoming an All-MacBook Pro, iPad campus, hosting an Apple-certified training session on campus. The Dec. 11 session came on the heels of the distribution of MacBook Pros and iPads – nearly 140 pieces of Apple equipment total – to all full-time faculty members. According to Scott Hughes, chief information officer, the College hosted an Apple “Drop In Session,” where Apple Certified Trainers taught faculty “MacBook Essentials 101 and 102.” After evaluating the faculty’s collective aptitude with Apple products and features in the fall, the College determined that 75 percent of the faculty were “newbies” to the Apple platform, said Hughes. The Dec. 11 instruction was the first of nine sessions of MacBook Essentials 101, preparing faculty for more in-depth, subject-specific instruction during the spring 2014 semester. “These sessions are about bringing the faculty up to a certain standard because for the faculty workshops in May, when we will conduct the curriculum-specific training, we will
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get into some pretty heavy duty stuff,” Hughes said. Counting full-time faculty and early adopters, Moravian distributed nearly 250 MacBook Pros and iPads in the fall. While Hughes said he doesn’t have an accurate read on the faculty’s level of excitement for the new products, there was visible enthusiasm from faculty members during the Dec. 6 distribution of Apple products. He added, “The faculty response goes from absolute sheer terror to irrational exuberance,” depending on how familiar an individual is with Apple products. Kristin Baxter, assistant professor of art, explained her feelings are definitely the latter. “I’m excited about learning ways to use the iPad in my classroom because I think there are many ways to use technology to improve connectivity among students and the world!” she said, noting she’s been a MacBook user for several years. “My students are future art educators so this is deeply important. I also really want to learn more about ways to make images on iPads, tour museums using apps, and share lesson ideas.”
“I’ve been using Macs for years in the theatre for production, but never in the classroom. A whole world of possibilities is opening up.” – Christopher Shorr, Assistant Professor of Theater Arts “I am really excited to be doing this as a WHOLE faculty – I think that this is key. Now, when I find ways of using technology that work in a class, I anticipate that other faculty members may be more interested in discussing its potential uses since they (and their future students!) are working with the same equipment.” – Shari Uldrich Dunham, Associate Professor of Chemistry “As a longtime Mac user (since 1985!), I’ll appreciate the enhanced support for and training in this technology, as well as ongoing discussion about the best, most reflective ways we can put it to use in our individual classrooms.”– Theresa Dougal, Professor of English “For me, one of the most important aspects of the promising, complex and expanding opportunities for use of technology in the learning environment is that it requires both us and our students to reflect on and reinvigorate our approaches to learning.” – John Black, Associate Professor of English
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a Caring
By Matt Morgan
Meredith Wertheim Brehm ’09 Found Confidence, Guidance as Moravian Nursing Student
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n paper, Meredith Wertheim Brehm ’09 works with about four pediatric patients each day during her 12-hour shift on the ninth floor of New York University Langone Medical Center. In reality, her schedule is far more complex than that. It’s not just the sick children who need care, Brehm says, it’s often the brother, sister, and mother and father who require the most attention. The children themselves tend to take their illnesses in stride. They come in as blank slates and don’t have stigmas attached to words like cancer. Instead, it’s the family who needs support. As a nurse, Brehm is there to fill in the gaps of the doctor’s diagnosis, and it’s an undertaking she does well. She offers depth and compassion to a situation that can seem devoid of both. She relates to the children. She translates for the adults. It’s a challenging dance she loves, and one she learns more about every day. “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse. This is the only job I saw myself doing,” Brehm says. “If I were to choose any other career, I think I would really miss the bedside. I wouldn’t be challenged as much.” Brehm’s path to New York City started almost six years ago when Moravian Professor Janet A. Sipple encouraged her to apply for an externship with the NYU Langone Medical Center the summer before her senior year. She was hesitant at first, but little did she know, Sipple had plans for Brehm’s career and knew this was the right step. Fortunately for Brehm, she listened. Not only did she land the externship, but she was also set on a path that would change her career. Her performance during the externship turned into a full-time position and, after graduation, she immediately started working in pediatrics at one of the region’s best facilities. In addition to Sipple’s direction, Brehm credits fellow alumna Margaret L. McClure ’61, then chief nursing officer at NYU Langone Medical Center, for “having an instrumental influence on my nursing career.” After Sipple introduced Brehm and McClure at a campus nursing event in 2007, McClure helped secure the externship in New York.
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Meredith Wertheim Brehm ’09 makes a concerted effort to make her patients feel at home at the hospital, incorporating toys and games into their treatments. (Photo courtesy of Brehm)
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“I felt so strong coming out [of Moravian] and it really paid off as a new nurse. I felt confident.” – Meredith Wertheim Brehm ’09 “I am grateful to both of these women,” she says. Working with children who have cancer is filled with highs and lows, but Brehm’s temperament is a great fit for the work. From her days as a teenage babysitter, Brehm has always bonded with children. She understands the way they think and can explain complicated treatments to them in terms they understand. Brehm says it’s important to create a home environment for the young patients at the hospital as quickly as possible. She incorporates toys and games into treatment. She sets a positive tone when she enters the room and challenges the patient and family to match it. “I think she’s always had a fondness for kids, and she understands a lot of what they’re going through,” husband Matt Brehm ’07 explains. “She really puts herself in that place and really makes their needs very important. I think a lot of people don’t really listen to children. She really listens to them.” Though she loves the diverse clientele and challenge of
working in a big city, Meredith Brehm is thankful for her time in Bethlehem. She says the individual attention she got at Moravian prepared her in a way many of her colleagues who went to bigger, more recognizable schools weren’t. “They just didn’t have the skills I had,” Brehm says. “I felt so strong coming out and it really paid off as a new nurse. I felt confident.” Brehm isn’t done with her professional growth either. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree at NYU to become a nurse practitioner. (McClure, who now serves on faculty at NYU, wrote her a letter of recommendation.) Brehm thinks back to her conversation with Sipple and says her professor’s insight made her current reality possible. “I think it was that career path, which I didn’t even realize I was forming, that was able to guide me professionally,” Brehm says. “Of course, I had to encourage myself to do this, but my Moravian professors really focused on landing me a job professionally and also encouraging me to go back to school, which I appreciate.” W
New Accelerated Nursing Program Fills Workforce Need Beginning in fall 2014, the Moravian College Nursing Department will introduce a new, 16-month-long accelerated bachelor’s degree program in nursing for students who have previously earned bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing majors. This new program will fill a “definite niche” in the job market, according to Kerry Cheever, professor and Nursing Department chair. “There is a nursing shortage,” Cheever explains. “Health policy experts predict that this shortage will persist and may
be worse in the coming decades.” With healthcare serving as the No. 1 employer in the Lehigh Valley region, “we know that there is a market for this type of program,” she concludes. The accelerated program will feature the same depth and breadth of nursing classroom, laboratory and clinical coursework that students benefit from in the department’s traditional pre-licensure baccalaureate program. The expected learning outcomes for graduates of this program are the same as for the traditional prelicensure B.S. program. According to recent studies, similar accelerated nursing programs have been widely successful, a trend Cheever expects to continue at Moravian. “We pride ourselves on really being a premier department, and we want to be sure that any program that we launch we will do it very well,” she says. “It’s important to us, and we want our prospective students to know that.” This fall marks the 15th anniversary of the College’s Nursing Department.
Kerry Cheever addresses an audience at the first of two winter open house events for the College’s new, 16-month accelerated BS program in nursing for college graduates.
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moravianMentorInG
‘Following in Russell’s Footsteps’
By Tommy Kopetskie
President Grigsby Sparks Conversation Leading to Alumni-Student Mentoring with Russell E. Morgan Jr. ’65
Phoebe Stone ’14 believes Russell E. Morgan Jr. ’65 ‘embodies what it means to serve in the Peace Corps and help others.’
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‘Moravian College, with its strong background in addressing humanitarian needs so every person can reach their potential, is a great incubator for developing future Peace Corps volunteers.’
A chance conversation with President Grigsby led Stephanie Castlen ’15 to consider the Peace Corps, an organization Russell E. Morgan Jr. ’65 has been involved with since his own service assignment in the late 1960s.
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his perfectly Moravian story begins not on campus, for that would be too obvious, but rather over breakfast fare at Johnny’s Bagels on Bethlehem’s Main Street. As Stephanie Castlen ’15 enjoyed a Labor Day Weekend brunch with her visiting father, Tom, and brother, Michael, unbeknown to her another fellow Greyhound sat nearby. As the trio discussed a myriad of topics, such as area colleges – a topic sparked by the memorabilia on the eatery’s walls – the other patron approached the family’s table. It was new President Bryon Grigsby ’90. At that time, Grigsby was just a few weeks into his first semester back on campus, a fresh face amongst the other fresh faces in the class of 2017 settling into the College community. So new was Grigsby that Castlen admits she didn’t recognize him at first. “I didn’t know who it was at the time,” she laughs. “But President Grigsby came up and asked if I was a prospective student.” Castlen politely corrected him, explaining she was already a Moravian junior. The new president smiled, exchanged pleasantries and pulled up a seat. The foursome then discussed “general things,” including Castlen’s major
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and post-graduation plans. While Stephanie recalls that her brother playfully “grilled me on what I was going to do with my life,” President Grigsby was more helpful, detailing the many available avenues to her. Since Castlen had enjoyed a semester abroad in Gambia, West Africa, in spring 2013, Grigsby recommended investigating a Fulbright scholarship, graduate schools overseas and the Peace Corps, all paths successfully taken by Moravian graduates. If she was interested in talking with alumni, “I just needed to email him and let him know,” Castlen recalls Grigsby saying. Two months – and a few exchanged emails – later, Castlen sat down in the HUB with Russell E. Morgan Jr. ’65, a former Peace Corps volunteer (1966-69), who taught biology, chemistry and physics to high school students in Kenya. That afternoon Morgan also met with Phoebe Stone ’14, another undergraduate interested in the Peace Corps. “Yeah, my dad was really impressed that the College’s president would come and sit down with us,” Castlen recalls. “Before that he never really understood how personable everyone at Moravian was.” WINTER 2014
Even as an undergraduate, Russell Morgan (right) had an interest in the goings-on in Washington, D.C. In the fall of 1964, during a Moravian College public policy class field trip to the nation’s capital, Morgan met with Bobby Kennedy, the former New York Senator and U.S. Attorney General. (Photo courtesy of Morgan)
Common Interest in the Common Good Sitting in the HUB, across from Castlen and later Stone, Morgan could see the similarities between them and himself as an undergraduate. Their interests in the Peace Corps were rooted in their desire to help others, much like his were. Morgan also felt that in some areas the current undergraduates were far more knowledgeable than he was at their age. Their understanding of the current world far exceeded that of his younger self, he says, noting Stone’s interest in human trafficking and human rights issues. “I don’t even know if I was aware of some of those issues as a college student,” he reasons. The Moravian undergraduates also sought Morgan’s advice regarding security in foreign countries, especially for females volunteers. Additionally, Castlen and Stone expressed concerns about how a multi-year commitment overseas might affect their professional careers once back home. Morgan was impressed with their line of questioning. “I think they were looking at the Peace Corps as something they wanted to incorporate into their career, which I think is really important,” he explains. “If you have an interest in global affairs, this would be two years on the ground, with real practical experience of how life really is, and how you would react to it.” Morgan is an example of his own advice. After his service in Kenya, he embarked on a nearly five-decade career in both domestic and global public health policy and management issues. For 13 years he was president/CEO of the National Council for International Health, and in 2011, he retired after 15 years as president/CEO of the Setting Priorities in Retirement Years (SPRY) Foundation in Washington, D.C. All the while, he remained connected with the Peace Corps, serving in a variety of leadership positions, including chair of the board of directors for the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA)/ Encore International Service Corps. His participation has included getting involved on Capitol Hill in hopes of increasing the Peace Corps budget to reach its goal of placing 10,000 volunteers in the field. Castlen admits she initially didn’t understand how involved Morgan is in the Peace Corps. “At first, I thought he was a recruiter from our area, but in fact he lives in Washington – and he really is actively involved with the Peace Corps as a returned volunteer,” she explained. “He couldn’t have been more friendly, making jokes and really getting to know me. “It was very relaxed, and you could tell he was very sincere when he said I could call with any questions.” WINTER 2014
What It Means to Serve Morgan’s devotion to the Peace Corps didn’t end when he left Kenya some five decades ago. “It has been a lifelong trip for me, and it continues to be,” he explains. The opportunity to share his experience is why he jumped at the chance to connect with students at his alma mater. In fact, he hopes to continue mentoring Moravian students, promoting international and domestic service. Stone believes Morgan “embodies what it means to serve in the Peace Corps and help others.” “I was amazed by the care and compassion he exudes,” she adds, noting how their conversation detailed the organization’s many resources, opportunities and even its application process. In fact, she is currently applying “with strong hopes of being accepted and following in Russell’s footsteps.” Likewise, Castlen explains, “I definitely see the Peace Corps in my future. Meeting with Russell convinced me even more to follow that path.” Morgan called his Peace Corps assignment a pivotal moment in his life, the start of his own path. “Moravian did a great job of preparing me, but it wasn’t until I went into the Peace Corps that I was really pushed out into the world entirely on my own to see what I could accomplish,” he explains. “So when I hear a young person say they are interested in exploring the Peace Corps, I’m ready to jump in. “It’s great to see young people who are trying to make a difference in the world and take a chance,” he concludes. “Moravian College, with its strong background in addressing humanitarian needs so every person can reach their potential, is a great incubator for developing future Peace Corps volunteers. My feeling is students will be greatly rewarded for following this life work.” W MORAVIAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE
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The Dickinson Family: A Moravian Legacy Todd ’87 and Joan ’86 Dickinson Let Their Son, Evan ’16, Find His Own Path to Campus By Tommy Kopetskie
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pon seeing his old room again in Hassler Hall, Todd Dickinson ’87 admits it wasn’t as spacious as he once remembered – not that a dorm room seems abundantly large at any stage of your life. In the midst of a campus tour with his son, Evan ’16, two years ago, Todd just happened to visit the very room he called home as a resident assistant nearly three decades earlier. Nostalgia hit him like a bucket of water. “It was very strange, almost freaky,” the elder Dickinson laughs. “Talk about nostalgic. It definitely seems a lot smaller now than when I lived there.” In the mid-1980s, by the time he was holed up in Hassler, Todd had already met and fallen for Evan’s mother, Joan ’86 Kiefer Dickinson. Brought together by a history class taught by Professor Daniel Gilbert, Todd pursued Joan and shortly thereafter they became a couple. While the Dickinsons found love on campus, as well as an education that propelled them to successful careers in banking and business, their family legacy at Moravian grew – not because of pressure, but because of space. How much? About a golf course’s worth.
executive for Abbott Laboratories. “The first thing that comes to mind about Moravian is the intimate connection students have with their professors. They really guide young students, helping them build their future.” Joan, who grew up right off campus in Bethlehem, found her Moravian experience equally inspiring, thanks in part to an excellent accounting program and its faculty, led by Professor John Gehman. “He really presented me with a lot of opportunities, seeking out internships for me at banks,” she recalls of Gehman. “He sought me out for these positions, and really saw the potential in me. I don’t think I would have had that at other colleges.” Following their graduations, Joan and Todd married and settled in Bethlehem until relocating to the Harrisburg/Carlisle area in 1993. They remained active in the College, whether it was attending alumni or sporting events or Joan’s role as treasurer of the Alumni Board. One year, Joan chaired the College’s Antiques Show, organizing 80 volunteers and nearly 50 vendors for the multiday event in Johnston Hall. “It was an absolutely huge undertaking, and she
‘Over the years, Joan and Todd have been some of the College’s most dedicated and supportive alumni. They are true Greyhounds.’ – Bertie Knisely ’69 Evan, who grew up in Carlisle, was a golfer seeking a team when he applied to colleges. “Definitely the opportunity to play golf had a big part in my decision,” he says. “My parents never really pushed me to attend Moravian, but coming back for Homecoming events and sporting events did. Seeing Moravian in those atmospheres led me to consider the school.” Much like his son, Todd was drawn from Mountaintop to Moravian because of athletics, but his passion was football, not golf. While the opportunity to strap on the pads put Moravian on his short list, the connection he felt with coaches Ed Little and Doug Pollard pushed the Greyhounds over the goal line. “They came to the house to meet with my parents, and you could just tell that the coaches were genuine people,” Todd recalls. “They had a real interest in the people they were recruiting.” Alas, a year later Todd’s shoulder gave out for the last time, ending his playing career. After that, he focused on immersing himself on campus, serving as a tour guide, and participating in the Business Club and dorm council. “My experience at Moravian was everything that I hoped it would be,” explains Todd, now an account
was outstanding pulling the event together. She really saved it,” says Bertie Knisely ’69, director of leadership giving. “Over the years, Joan and Todd have been some of the College’s most dedicated and supportive alumni. They are true Greyhounds.” In recent years, the Dickinsons’ connection to their alma mater has remained strong as both have served on the College’s Leadership Council, which advises the Board of Trustees in ways to help fulfill the institution’s mission. Just this fall, Joan, now senior vice president for Mid Penn Bank, returned to partake in a panel discussion hosted by the Department of Economics and Business. Additionally, Todd can often be found trailing Evan during Moravian’s golf matches. The couple sees Evan, an accounting major like his mother, enjoying the same benefits – small class sizes, active social life, and engaged professors – they encountered three decades before. “You could always tell there was a family atmosphere at Moravian,” Todd says. “After deciding to come here, I’m really glad I did because that’s exactly what I received. I believe Evan is experiencing that same thing.” W
TOP: The Dickinson family – Evan ’16 (from left), Joan ’86, Claire and Todd ’87 – have stay connected with their alma mater and the city of Bethlehem through the years, which helped led Evan to Moravian. FAR LEFT: Like his parents before him, Evan Dickinson has immersed himself into campus. “I choose Moravian because the Lehigh Valley
is a place where I can find internships and gain career experiences. Between joining Greek life and the golf team, I have gotten so much out of my time here,” he says.
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Fully Restored By Matt Morgan
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Emily Shonk Schoelzel ’01 and her husband have made a career of bringing boats back to life through meticulous restoration.
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mily Shonk Schoelzel ’01 is never quite sure what she’s dealing with until she sees a boat in person. Pictures and descriptions tell part of the story, but until she gets the vessel into her workshop and can see it up close, any plan for restoration is just an educated estimation. This is the moment when Emily excels. She and her husband, Dylan, who co-own Salmon Falls Canoe in Shelburne, Mass., can quickly spot the crackled interior varnish that no longer keeps water out, identify the broken rib from a drop years ago, or envision how the exterior will look when it’s been repainted. One project quickly becomes dozens of intricate tasks to be completed over the next six months, each slowly breathing life back into a family heirloom. “There are some builders whose work you’ll see and they’ve done the repairs and that’s good enough. But for us, it’s not,” Emily says. “Essentially, we want the boat to leave not only as a highly functioning boat, but also a piece of art.” Building and restoring custom boats and canoes isn’t exactly what Emily envisioned for herself when she graduated with a fine arts degree from Moravian College, but the satisfaction she gets out of the process is more than she could have imagined. She’s carved out more than a career with her education, but also a fulfilling lifestyle. Emily and Dylan went into business together 13 years ago without Emily ever having restored a boat. Luckily, Dylan knew the business and had a partner who was open to learning new skills. Using her background in the arts, Emily learned the craft quickly, and Salmon Falls Canoe has flourished as a result. It is one of the few businesses of its kind, building new custom wooden boats and restoring old ones for customers nationwide. The business takes on about 16 projects at a time and currently has a two-year wait for new clients. All told, the Schoelzels have built and repaired more than 300 canoes and wooden boats together in the old post-and-beam barn behind their home that serves as their shop. Emily says her Moravian education helps her every day.
Tasks like mixing paints and matching types of woods sound straightforward, but doing it properly takes an artistic eye, which she honed in Bethlehem. “You’re asked to really study things,” Emily says of her time at Moravian. “You become attuned to the idea that something can look right or not look right.” Longtime friend Lauren Nicholas ’01 says Emily is unique as an artist in that she has always been open to exploring new mediums. “Whether she’s painting, producing graphic design work, or building a website, she’s just a true artist and thinks creatively,” Lauren explains. “Her success in restoration doesn’t surprise me at all, but it amazes me at the same time.” Emily believes her job is a perfect example of the benefits of a liberal arts degree. Each boat has its own set of problems, each requiring a nuanced solution. It’s not enough to determine that a rib needs replacing. Emily has to identify what type of wood was used, what coloring it had, and what type of construction method was used. Creating a workflow that allows for these types of repairs on 16 boats efficiently – grouping similar projects, not wasting time waiting for varnish to dry, etc. – is her biggest challenge and one way Moravian prepared her to run her own business. “You become an expert in approaching a problem and looking at it from different angles,” Emily reasons. “You can take in information and figure out where it belongs. That is key for my job.” As for family, the couple’s 8-year-old son, Bronson, and 4-year-old daughter, Evelyn, are well on their way to becoming canoeists themselves. When Emily is not rolling up her sleeves in the canoe shop with Dylan, she has the pleasure of working as the assistant director at Keewaydin Camp, a wilderness canoe-tripping camp for kids in northern Ontario. It is on the waters on Lake Temagami that her children are learning the values of paddling a wood canvas canoe. W
Emily Shonk Schoelzel ‘01 (pictured above) and her husband build wood-canvas canoes from scratch and repair small wooden boats and canoes. They run Salmon Falls Canoe in an old post-and-beam barn behind their Massachusetts home. (Photos courtesy of Schoelzel)
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The Moravian Effect: Bob Thear ’98
Still Keeping A
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Brisk Pace
By Matt Morgan
Two Jobs & a Coaching Position Keep Alumnus On the Move
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ooking back, Bob Thear ’98 can laugh at the situation, but it wasn’t exactly funny at the time. As an auditor, he’d walk into someone’s office ready to help with their financial situation, and their demeanor would instantly change. Suddenly, they’d tense up. Their answers would become closely guarded. They were worried he was going to get them in trouble. “Nobody really liked to see me,” Bob laughs. “I felt like it was pulling teeth. I’d have a short conversation with them, but eventually they’d say, ‘Oh, that wasn’t that bad.’ I don’t know what they were expecting. I wasn’t out there to get them.” These experiences made Thear realize this wasn’t what he wanted out of his career. He knew he wasn’t the bad guy, but he couldn’t help feeling that way. Plus, working in a larger company, he felt like he couldn’t see the results of his efforts. In his search for a more fulfilling job opportunity, Thear looked to his peers. One of his close friends had gotten in on the ground level of a small business and enjoyed the work. As one of just a handful of employees in the company, their long hours and dedication made an impact on whether the business succeeded or failed. “It kind of just re-lit the fire in me,” Bob says. When Thear was at Moravian College, accounting professor John D. Rossi III told him and his classmates to get their Certified Public Accounting license as soon as they graduated. This would give them
the flexibility they needed to rise in the corporate environment or go into business for themselves. Thear listened to Rossi and thought perhaps now was the time to take advantage of that flexibility. With his CPA, Thear quit his job as an auditor and started an accounting business in Bethlehem. He did taxes and bookkeeping for friends and other small business owners like himself. That was three years ago and his business is still going strong. “I can’t believe it’s been that long already,” Bob explains. “It’s fantastic. I really like working for myself. I like the fact that if I put a lot of extra work, time and effort into it, it does directly benefit me.” Thear offers personal service to his clients that they don’t get from larger companies. He walks clients through each of their options and shows them how each choice will affect the end result. “Ultimately, I’ll leave the decision up to them so it’s a little more personal and they get a little more information,” Bob says. “I’ve asked them for their opinion.” Longtime friend Patrick Egan ’97 says Thear has the perfect disposition for a small business owner. “He’s a very positive person. I think he relates well to people,” Egan says. “That’s a great personality to have.” Thear’s success with his accounting business encouraged him to open another small business venture. He recently purchased a bread delivery route where he schedules orders and delivers bread to area businesses. The work is invigorating. “My day has never gone so fast,” he says. “It’s always one store to the next, putting bread on the shelf and taking it off.” Perhaps the best part of owning two small businesses is that Thear has the freedom to explore another passion: coaching. Bob was a member of the Moravian track and cross country teams as an undergraduate, and his flexible schedule allows him to coach cross country at his former high school, Bethlehem’s Freedom High. His coaching results speak for themselves. In his first two years as coach, Bob’s teams have won two conference championships. While the wins are nice, Thear truly enjoys the work with young people. Looking at his weekly schedule, Thear can’t help but chuckle. He stays busy, but it’s not an uncommon trait for Moravian graduates, he says. The College challenges its students to become self-starters. “Moravian gives you the tools to be successful, but it’s ultimately up to you, your ambition, and what you want to do in your career,” Bob explains. “The College prepares you to do whatever you want and strive to be whatever you want to be.” W
Bob Thear ’98, a former member of the cross country and track teams, helped lead Moravian to six Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) titles, including four straight in cross country. In 1995, he was the MAC champion in the steeplechase and also earned All-MAC honors in cross country.
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greyhoundsports
FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE SPORTS NEWS, VISIT WWW.MORAVIANSPORTS.COM.
LEFT: Members of the 1995 softball team gather together during the induction evening. BELOW: Raymond Reimer ’89 (from left), Donna Pollard, Dianne Shefski Harper ’90 (Herbstman Award), Emily Shertzer ’02 and Ron Berta ’68 pose before the 2013 Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
2013 Hall of Fame Class Inducted Ron Berta ’68, Raymond Reimer ’89, Emily Shertzer ’02 and the late Doug Pollard made up the class of 2013 that was inducted into the Moravian College Athletic Hall of Fame Nov. 8. The 1995 Greyhound softball team, which posted a 31-10 record and was the first team to win a conference champion, was also inducted. Two current Hall of Fame members – Tanya Thear Hood ’95 and Amy Croll Souders ’97 – were part of the 1995 squad. In addition to the new class of Hall of Fame inductees, Dianne Shefski Harper ’90, a four-year letterwinner on the women’s basketball team, was presented with the Robert M. Herbstman Award. The award honors a Moravian graduate who exemplifies the qualities of leadership, teamwork and selflessness.
Spirk Notches 500th Career Win Moravian College head women’s basketball coach Mary Beth Spirk has celebrated a number of memorable victories during her 27year career in Bethlehem, and she added to her list of accomplishments this season. On Jan. 15, the Greyhounds defeated Drew University 58-44 in a Landmark Conference road game to give Spirk her 500th career win, making the veteran coach just the 21st women’s coach in NCAA Division III history to reach the milestone. Her record at the time of the victory was an impressive 500-223. “It’s a little overwhelming,” Spirk said. “All day I was a little uptight, and I didn’t know why because I’ve coached over 700 games. Most of all, I feel really proud of the program and seeing my assistants who have come through the program celebrate with me.” Spirk makes Moravian just the seventh school in Division III to have two 500-win coaches on staff. Head softball coach John Byrne currently stands at 646 career wins.
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Rules to coaching a 3-OT Thriller On Nov. 13, a mass email from longtime men’s basketball coach Jim Walker hit my inbox with the words “Guest Coach” in the subject line. Before I even opened the message, I was ready to sign up. Hand me a whistle, a clipboard and a cushioned seat with proper back support and let’s hit the court. But two months later, I was teetering on the edge of regret. My heart, and emotions, could barely take any more. Fifty-five minutes of basketball action, spread over nearly two-and-a-half hours, had me flabbergasted. As anyone in the stands of Johnston Hall that afternoon can likely agree, the Greyhound’s three-overtime thriller against Goucher College Jan. 11 was electrifying — and exhausting and excruciating. Just the second three-overtime game in the program’s history, it had everything: suspense, twisted ankles, heartache, clutch three-pointers, non-clutch free throws, etc. The only thing missing was a victory, as Moravian fell 91-90. In a past life, I was a newspaper reporter, and I wrote my fair share of articles about crushing losses. Guess what? Nobody enjoys reading them. It dredges up disappointing memories. But here I am anyway, to share my advice to a future guest coach who partakes in a 140-minute marathon game. No one will mistake my words of having the profoundness of, say, UCLA’s famed coach John Wooden, but it helped me endure an afternoon on the bench. It could do the same for you. First rule of guest coaching, understand your place in the pecking order. A few minutes before tip-off, I asked assistant coach Pete Hamilton a very pointed question: “What have other guest coaches done wrong?” I wasn’t concerned so much about being helpful, I just really didn’t want to embarrass myself. Hamilton’s advice was spot on. He instructed me politely, saying, “Don’t tell us who to play, and don’t get a technical foul.” Done and done. I can blend into the background with the best of them – see me at any school dance ever. Rule No. 2 is make sure to get a good seat. The fifth seat from the scorer’s table was my chair. It was my safe zone, and after every timeout I made a beeline to it like the team would get assessed a foul if I wasn’t the first person sitting down. On assistant coach Jeremy Walker’s advice, I sat close to the action, and I’m glad I did. It provided a great vantage point.
By Tommy Kopetskie Sitting shoulder to shoulder with Hamilton and fellow coach B.J. Dugan, I came to realize there is so much more to a game than what I see. After any one possession, they could tell you how each player reacted. I saw nothing but blurriness. The game truly moved slower for them. That is to say I’m not too old to learn a new lesson, which leads me to Rule No. 3. Once a game reaches overtime, always towel down your seat following a timeout. Suffice it to say, sweat happens. As it became clear that Moravian would either enjoy an encouraging victory, or a gut-punching defeat, I started to panic about delivering my post-game remarks. I was told I would likely, like all coaches, address the team afterward. As we walked to the locker room after the loss, I got nervous. Standing before the defeated Greyhounds, each coach went through their talking points: defense, free-throw shooting, etc. Just then, it appeared I was forgotten and the team would be dismissed without having to listen to me blabber about “fighting the good fight.” Alas, coach Jim Walker saw me and asked me to step forward. I can’t remember what I said, something about the game just being a chapter, not the full story. Maybe my words had a point, I don’t really recall, but I’m glad I got to experience that afternoon with the team. Guest coaching was lot like my own playing days: gone by too fast, with fleeting moments of unbridled joy. I will remember that Gatorade bottles don’t fill themselves, so be prepared to help out. I will remember guard Kenny Gula knocking down his first shot, and feeling immense pride. I, of course, “helped” Kenny during a shooting drill the day before. By “helped,” I mean I passed him the ball and got out of his way without injuring him. And I will remember watching my three-year-old son, moments after Izel Dickerson nailed an overtime three-pointer, clap his hands excitedly – eager to join those cheering around him, yet with no understanding of why they were celebrating. He’ll learn. Win or lose, we cheer for the Greyhounds.
Here’s an inside look in the men’s basketball team’s huddle during their Jan. 11 home game against Goucher College. Tommy Kopetskie, the College’s alumni magazine editor, served as the game’s ‘guest coach’ under head coach Jim Walker (pictured, center).
Signed,
“Coach” Kopetskie
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alumninews
TO REACH ALUMNI RELATIONS: 610-861-1366 OR WWW.MORAVIAN.EDU/ALUMNI.
Achievement and Dedication Recognized at Awards Ceremony Moravian College’s 13th Annual Alumni Awards ceremony, held Dec. 14 in Peter Hall, honored seven alumni and three current students for their exceptional achievements and dedication to the College. The ceremony recognized a number of prestigious alumni, including the late Roy Goshorn ’58, who was posthumously awarded with Moravian’s Medallion of Merit. Anthony Morelli ’59 and Joseph P. Castellano ’60 accepted the award on behalf of Goshorn. Full biographies of the Moravian honorees are available at www.moravian.edu/alumniawards. Additionally, the Alumni Fellow Awards for academic excellence and service to the College and community were presented to three students: Katie O’Rourke ’14, Hilary J. Reis ’14 and Melissa Walters ’14.
Roy Goshorn ’58 1
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Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 Alumni Association Awards. To nominate an alumna or alumnus, visit www.moravian.edu/alumni and click on ‘Alumni Recognition.’ Or call the Alumni Relations office at 610-861-1366 for a paper form. Nominations will be accepted until April 30.
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1 Emerging Leader Award Recipient Dylan S. Stroup ’10 (right), with presenter Michael J. Santos ’11 2 Young Alumni Achievement Award Casey J. Hoffman, Ph.D. ’06 3 Honorary Alumni Award Recipients John and Mary Ann Williams (center), with presenter, Robert J. Schoenen Jr., and Alumni Association President, Kelly McLean Rindock ’03 4 Benigna Education Award Recipient Denise M. Torma, Ed.D. ’77 5 Comenius Alumni Award Recipient James M. Stevens ’73 (center), with his presenter, Dennis Shingledecker ’71, and wife, Linda Joseph Stevens ’73 6 Haupert Humanitarian Award Recipient Russell E. Morgan Jr., Dr. P.H. ’65, with his daughter and presenter, Emily Morgan
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Recent Happenings Grigsby Introduced to D.C. Greyhounds On Nov. 9, Board of Trustee Deborah Oplinger McKinnon ’73 (pictured, right) and Russell McKinnon hosted a Washington, D.C., area reception to welcome President Bryon Grigsby ’90 and to introduce the Washington D.C. regional campaign. Forty-three alumni and friends attended the reception at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va. The D.C. regional campaign is the first of The Campaign for Moravian’s regional campaigns.
Donors Recognized at Pre-Vespers Receptions In early December, hundreds of Moravian alumni and friends attended various prevespers donor recognition receptions before enjoying vespers services together. Among those attending the Comenius Society donor receptions were (from left) Robert Gratz ’75, director of leadership giving, and Placido “Pat” A.’78 and Sandra Corpora.
SAVE THE DATES!
For details or registration, contact 610-861-1366 or www.moravian.edu/alumni.
March 22
Lifelong Learning Symposium: Health & Wellness
March 29
May 10
Commencement and Reception for Legacy Graduates
Philadelphia Regional Campaign Kickoff
May 16 & 17
April 26
Founder’s Day & Alumni Weekend
‘A Night of Stars: Celebrating Moravian’ – ArtsQuest, Bethlehem
May 5
*Classes celebrating reunions during Alumni Weekend are: Class of 1964, Class of 1959, Class of 1954, Class of 1949. All other classes will celebrate their Reunions Oct. 17-18, 2014, during Homecoming.
Moravian College Golf Classic
‘Through her endless generosity, Plum Gee has given Moravian College and its students opportunitiesto achieve greatness. Her alma mater will forever be indebted to her.’ – President Grigsby ’90
Plum Gee’s Lifetime of Generosity Recognized On Jan. 9, President Bryon Grigsby formally recognized Genevieve “Plum” Riordan Gee ’43, a Moravian life-trustee, as the first alumna or alumnus to join the Priscilla Payne Hurd Society, which recognizes individuals who have been extraordinarily generous to the College. When he visited Plum near her home in Florida, President Grigsby presented her with the Hurd Society crystal recognition piece for the exceptional generosity of Plum and her late husband, Ed, who regretfully passed away in September. WINTER 2014
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classnotes
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CLASS NOTE SUBMISSIONS, VISIT WWW.MORAVIAN.EDU/CLASSNOTES.
Kocher’42 Leaves Her Mark In late October, Virginia Paulson Kocher ’42, mother of Bryan S. Kocher, Ph.D. ‘70 and grandmother of Charlene Kocher ’04, dropped by Steel Field to see her engraved brick on the Blue & Grey Patio.
1949
Norma Boldt Wynne; nbwynne@aol.com
MORAVIAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE publishes all class notes that we receive. We reserve the right to edit for space or style. Some information may appear only online at www.moravian.edu/classnotes. All class correspondents with an email address are listed within the notes. Some correspondents without email access are listed on page 32. If your class year is not shown or does not list a named correspondent either here or online, email your information to alumrel@moravian.edu or mail to Pat Hanna, Alumni Relations Office, Moravian College, 1200 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONS: April 1 for the spring 2014 issue. August 1 for the fall 2014 issue.
PHOTO POLICY FOR CLASSNOTES: • Please send us your image as a jpg file
at 300 dpi. • We publish one photo per wedding or birth. • We welcome photos of gatherings of alumni
and will publish as many as space permits.
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Clararose Bosek Clymer writes that she is now living in Florida. Her husband passed away in 2010 and her daughter recently moved to Florida. Posie says she is blessed with good health for being 85 years old. She would love to hear from the ladies of the 1940s. To commemorate the 69th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in January, Ivan Backer spoke about his personal experience on the Kindertransport prior to the showings of the documentary Nicky’s Family in New Haven, Conn. The documentary tells the nearly forgotten story of Nicholas Winton, an Englishman who organized the rescue of 669 Czech and Slovak children just before the outbreak of World War II. Backer’s mother boarded him on a train in Prague bound for London in May 1939 along with nearly 700 other children.
1954
Helen Desh Woodbridge; 3574 Browning Lane; Bethlehem, PA 18017; casw1@verizon.net Among the classmates attending our 59th reunion on Founder’s Day, held on May 17, 2013, were Shirley Beck Dutt, Lauretta Dikon Adams, Sister Millicent Drake, and your class correspondent.
Kathy Thomforde welcomed us at the Payne Gallery where the day’s events began with a reception. Knowing our college’s colors, Kathy noticed I was without my purple and gold sash while she adjusted my two college pins. During the reception, I chatted with Rita and Bob Adams who live in Allentown since moving from Bath, and previously New Jersey, where Bob was a teacher and principal. Their email address is: rradams@pts.net. Bob has had several surgeries and uses a cane, and Rita has recovered from an edema attack she experienced before leaving last year’s luncheon. Cas and I also enjoyed lunch with them in Clewell Dining Hall along with Sister Millicent Drake. Earlier she read the scripture passage during the Lovefeast which included a talk by Kathy Thomforde who received a framed memento of four Moravian scenes. Since then Lois Lutz Geehr wrote me regarding her noted absence on May 17. She and Fred, with assistance from their children, moved into a retirement community, Spring House Estates, in Lower Gwynedd, Pa. They are adjusting, but regret being unable to attend Founder’s Day; however, she has in mind our 60th Reunion next Founder’s Day. In the spring issue of the Moravian Alumni Magazine are the names of classmates Mary Jeane Moser Romer and Elizabeth Kuss Erney listed among those in memoriam. I welcome any information about Mary. Betty Kuss Erney made the trip from Texas twice for our 40th and 45th reunions and kept corresponding until a few years ago. Her ‘dink’ was on display in 2004 among other alum memorabilia. Those who knew her at Moravian feel the loss of classmate Dorothy Ruyak, who passed in August. At MCW, she was a business major, “little girl with red hair, and efficiency plus,” active in theatre and class sports, YWCA, the Belfry, was on the Dean’s List and worked at the Chamber of Commerce. From 1958-1962 she was alumnae director at Moravian. She received a master’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University. She then moved to Maryland. In 1979, she was in her seventh year as career counselor at Goucher College, Baltimore, Md. Later she was employed as subscription account manager for Williams and Wilkins, a publication firm in Baltimore’s Camden Yards, home of the Orioles baseball team, from which she retired on Dec.
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30, 1997. Semi-retired, she returned to work there two days a week while continuing her activities in Baltimore League of Women Voters, the council in her Lutheran church, maintaining friendships with her two sisters, Connie and Betty, and with Moravian and PSU. She attended MCW’s 30th, 45th, 50th, 52nd, and 55th Reunions. Her letters told of yearly highlights. She enjoyed the Inner Harbor, the theatre and performances in dinner theatre productions.
1958
Daneen Jones Phelps; phelps_dani@yahoo.com I attended Alumni Weekend last May with some classmates from the class of 1958. I asked them to provide updates on their lives, and this is what they said: For Norman Prochnau, 2012 and 2013 were years of anniversaries. He celebrated his 50th ordination anniversary and 50th seminary reunion in 2012. He also completed 50 years, six months of ministry in the Moravian Church on Dec. 31, 2012. He and Maria celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 13. The first church, Palmyra Moravian in Cinnaminson, N.J., celebrated its 150th anniversary in May; his first year as pastor there was its 100th anniversary. Although Norm is retired, he continues to sing in the Central Moravian Church Choir, the Moravian United Chorale, and the Tuesday Singers with Dick and Monica Schantz. He and Maria also enjoy visiting their two sons and their families. They have three grandsons and one granddaughter. Sy Hirsch plays tennis twice a week and has had a newsletter on the Internet since 1999. It’s called Syman Says and you can subscribe by emailing SYMANSAYS@rcn.com. Al Apple spent 30 years in the computer industry in sales and marketing management before transitioning into a 20-year career in the investment business. He and Pat recently sold their residence of nearly 40 years and moved into a senior adult community in North Wales, Pa. Al spends his spare time with grandchildren, following the Phillies, and attending cultural events and traveling with Pat.
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Births
Amelia Colette LaCaruba
Regina LaCaruba ’05 and her husband, Stephen Galgocy, welcomed their new daughter, Amelia Colette, on July 7, 2013. Michelle Lala Clark ’05, Regina’s college roommate, is now a proud auntie. Charlie Jost ’91 and his wife, Sheri, welcomed a daughter, Skyley Rose, on Nov. 1, 2013.
Kate Strucek Massa ’06 and husband, Chris, are the proud parents to identical twin daughters, Anna Lynn and Emma Marie. The girls were born on Aug. 9, 2013. Ashley Heckman Dallas ’06 and her husband, Chris, welcomed their first child, a son, Tanner Christopher, on June 30, 2013. Jessica Shupp Hess ’07, a daughter, Georgia Anne – May 24, 2013 Mindy Muffley Tkach ’07, a daughter, Charlotte Joyce – Aug. 8, 2013
Mark Price ’96, a son, Lucas Claude – April 2, 2013
Claudia Acevedo Santiago ’08 and Zachary Santiago ’09 welcomed their second daughter, Ellie Viktoria, on July 4, 2013. Ellie has an older sister, Ava Nikole, who is three years old.
John ’04 and Kim Gillespie Panikiewsky ’04 welcomed their second daughter, Everley Tyler, on Oct. 2, 2013. Everley’s big sister, Paisley Quinn, is three years old.
Katherine Parys Michaud ’08 and her husband, Stephen, are celebrating the birth of their first child, Hunter Stephen, born on Oct. 13, 2013.
Andrew R. Park ’04 and his wife, Amanda, are the proud parents of Benjamin Richard, born on Oct. 29, 2013.
Rachel Andes Bodtmann ’08 and her husband, Matt, welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Shelby Jean, on Oct. 29, 2013.
Julie Moyer Edwards ’95, a daughter, Annalise Marie – June 12, 2013
Dick and Jane Adams Gottwald have moved back to Bethlehem after enjoying living in Maryland. Jane says that they are enjoying the proximity to college programs, events and concerts, which showcase talented students. Jerry Keyock was part of the Alumni Weekend committee, but he couldn’t attend himself because he and his family were going to Bermuda by way of the largest cruise ship of the Norwegian line, Breakaway. They were celebrating their son’s 50th birthday. Jack Finelli made a surprise appearance at the weekend. He and Elaine had celebrated their 50th anniversary by taking a cruise to Hawaii
earlier in the year and had emailed to say they would not be in attendance. I was then pleasantly surprised to see Jack on Saturday. He and Elaine are enjoying the good life in Florida. They do get back home to see their family a couple of times a year. I have retired (for a second time) and am enjoying playing a lot of golf. I’m still trying to figure out what I’ll do when the weather turns colder, but I’m sure I’ll find something to do. I do bowl in the winter, but that’s only once a week. I have eight grandchildren, one great grandchild and one on the way, and they keep me pretty busy.
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classnotes
1960
He had not. She sent him three tickets to the l997 homecoming game. Barry sent this letter to highlight a side of Joe and Sue Paterno that few people see.
Jim Houser writes that he had a very enjoyable visit from Bertie Francis Knisely ’69, director of leadership giving at Moravian. Bertie informed him about the changes to some of the structures about campus and the potential remodeling of a chemistry lab in honor of Dr. Stuart Kulp. I am hoping to identify Moravian graduates in the upstate South Carolina area for a possible get together in the future.
At the Gus Rampone ’59 Memorial Golf Outing, our class was well represented. My foursome was composed of Barry Gaal, Joe Castellano, Ken Sepe and myself. Jim McCrudden was also a participant. The outing is sponsored by the OGO Fraternity and has raised thousands of dollars since its inception for the Moravian Scholarship Fund. President Bryon Grigsby, our new president, was in attendance along with several of the College’s staff. The mayor (an OGO brother) of Bethlehem was also in attendance and playing. Since the golf outing, which was held in September, Joe Castellano has undergone surgery to repair some issues with his heart. We all wish Joe, who is recovering nicely, a complete and speedy return to form.
James Houser; jjhmd0831@yahoo.com or Peter French; drplfrench@aol.com
1961
Sam Maczko; sfmaczko@yahoo.com
Tom Christianson was again raising money and awareness for the funding of cancer treatment and research. He was in training for a 65-mile bicycle ride in Austin, Texas, for the Livestrong Challenge. Tom is very concerned that the Federal Government has drastically reduced funding for cancer treatment and research. This funding cutback has energized Tom to increase his efforts to raise money for this cause. He has been bicycle riding and raising money since 2007, when he was diagnosed and treated for intraocular melanoma at the age of 67. Tom is now 73 and training to again ride at least 65 miles through the rolling hills of Texas. Chuck Merkel is residing in Cocoa Beach, Fla., and recently moved into a new residence in that area. Chuck enjoys the town and swims every day. He recently spoke to Sandy Evansen, who also lives in Florida. She is the wife of our late classmate Rod Evansen. Unfortunately, Rod passed away three years ago after 45 years of marriage and six grandchildren. Rod was Chuck’s roommate for two years. Chuck was also in contact with Roy Foltan, who resides in New Hampshire in a 100-year-old house. Roy and his wife are doing well. Both are retired and have a condo in Florida. Barry Gaal sent a very nice letter about his son Michael’s 1996 induction into the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame. It was the first class ever inducted into the newly formed Hall of Fame. Michael is an avid Penn State fan and, as fate would have it, Joe and Sue Paterno attended. When coach Paterno found out that Michael was a Penn State fan, he volunteered to personally induct Michael. This was a highlight of Michael’s life. Sue Paterno asked Michael if he had ever been to a Penn state football game.
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I recently saw some pictures on Facebook of Bruce Robertson’s ironwork and blacksmithing skills. The pictures were of several tables with handmade iron legs. They looked very professionally done and were attractive. Bruce spends most of his time on Marco Island, Fla., but regularly visits Pennsylvania.
1965
Robert Houser; bobhouser1@atmc.net In case you missed it, our classmate, Russell Morgan, received the Haupert Humanitarian Award on Dec. 14 at the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony. Our congratulations go out to Russ.
1966
David Berg; dgberg@erols.com Jane Siegfried Gerencher writes that on Nov. 23 she received a silver medal award from Readers’ Favorite for her children’s Christmas book, Santa’s Sugar. This was the 10th award the book has received since its release in June 2012. For more information about her and the book, visit www.santassugar.com.
1968 Jill Stefko; ravenfirephd@yahoo.com Gale Lester Butler says anyone visiting Fort Lauderdale, Fla., or retiring there should come say hello! She says that Joe Ewart is doing just that.
1969
Tim Tedesco; tatsrr@aol.com Rick Subber writes that 2014 will be great for Barb and Rick. They plan to move to Massachusetts in the spring to be close to their son and three grandchildren. Jeannie Taccarino Guaraldo writes, while snowed in, about her trip this past summer to Europe. Jeannie spent a month visiting Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Switzerland and the south of France. Jeannie, who enjoys visiting Italy every chance she gets, had a wonderful time visiting friends and family. Jeannie writes that life in Chicago has been a real education. She is amazed at the level of questionable politics and has become more political – writing letters, making phone calls, becoming an election judge and more. Jeannie and Connie Stirling Hodson ’68 are looking forward to seeing Linda Evans Shotkus and Dana Burt Donaldson in Chicago this spring. They say it will be really great to get together as the ladies always have a good time. Art Sheninger writes that Jean’s ’71 mom passed away, as well as his sister, Marn. They will both be missed. Jean and Art’s son, Bob, will marry his girlfriend, Lauren, on April 12 in Houston, Texas. Their son Eric, a principal of New Milford High School, continues to travel all over the county speaking about the use of technology in schools. Eric was featured on the cover of USA Magazine Sunday edition. In September, Jean and Art enjoyed a trip with friends to Scotland and Ireland. Bertie Francis Knisely notes that our 45th Reunion is coming up. The class of 1969 will celebrate its 45th during Homecoming 2014, set for Oct. 17-18. Please note that this is in place of our class’ traditional spring reunion we have had in the past. Bertie is recruiting committee members. If you are interested in helping to plan the event, email her at bertiek@moravian.edu. And finally I write that our son, Roger, and his wife, Martha, are expecting a baby girl in March. They live in New York City. Roger just became a director at Credit Suisse and Martha is dean of students at The Buckley School. Janet Evans Tedesco ’72 and I recently attended a jazz performance given by Grover Kemble ’70 and his band ZA-ZU-ZAZ in Boonton, N.J. If you get a chance, it would be worth your while to see Grover in concert.
WINTER 2014
I recently reconnected with Neil K. Stocker, one of my old roommates, who lives in New York City. He is a wine consultant, band and record producer, DJ, stand-up comedian, and president of the House of Living Music. You can reach him at: www.independentpalate.com or www. djwindowpane.com
spider veins. Excel V light treatment cuts the treatment time in half by combining what he used to do with two devices, putting two wavelengths of light into one machine. There is also less discomfort with this new technique. Women can get better results with fewer sessions and less discomfort.
1971
1972
John Madison; moravianalum@aol.com Swanee Ballman has just published her eighth novel, entitled The Prodigal’s Brother. In the spring her historical fiction, Claudia and Pilate was released. Swanee is now pursuing scriptwriting and she has just received a scholarship to Hollywood’s Screenwriting University. David Vasily, M.D., was recently featured on Philadelphia’s ABC Action News for a new patented device that he developed to erase
Terrell McMann; mcmann1@enter.net Jennifer Cartwright says that she and her husband have finally retired. She taught special education in three states for the last 37 years. Jennifer and her husband have moved back to New Hampshire and bought a small farm in a small rural community. Jennifer is substituting and working as a part-time guidance counselor at a one-room school. She would love to hear what her classmates are doing.
1973
Dennis Jones; djones@lkqcorp.com or Priscilla Barres Schueck; Priscilla@volunteerlv.org Saul Finkle, Holly Pook Sachdev, Lynne Polishook Overk, John Egerton, Paul Shelly and Barb Schwarz Egerton all gathered at the home of Martha Cox-Popichak for a reunion after the Homecoming activities on campus Oct. 5.
1975
Susan Bacci Adams; sba402@aol.com Several of us from the class of 1975 recently got together at Nancy Martin Lasher’s house in Stockholm, N.J. As usual, it was great to catch up with dear friends.
Christina Grimm ’09 and Keith DeShields ’09 were married on Oct. 26, 2013. Attendants included Jenna Famularo Sokolowski ’09, Kayla Borger Dancho ’10, Blair Maginnis ’09 and Robert Shaffer ’09. Melissa Hroncich ’00 married Stephen Comandatore on Aug. 2, 2013, at St. Matthews Church in Ridgefield, N.J. The reception was held at Seasons in Washington Township, N.J. Kate Groome D’Ambrosio ’00 served as a bridesmaid. Matt Brehm & Meredith Wertheim Brehm With their big Moravian “family” in attendance, and former President Christopher M. Thomforde officiating, Meredith Wertheim Brehm ’09 and Matt Brehm ’07 were married in May 2013. Pictured (front, from left) are Lindsay Yeakel ’09, Kerry McKinley ’11, Meredith and Matthew Brehm, Allison Story ’10, Cassidy Thomas ’09, (middle, sitting) Meghan Kitzhoffer ’08, former President Thomforde, (back) Cristina Tumasz Houston ’09, Diana Boutros Seitz ’09, Jenna Byorek ’09, Brad Domitrovitsch ‘05, Kris Foulk ’08, Dave Berger ’08, Tom Carroll ’07, Dan Stansbury ’07, Mike Clemente ’07, Joe Bobadilla ’07, Maura Acox ’11 and MaryKate Kelly ’09.
The wedding ceremony of Mike Gill ’01 and Kylene Hyduke brought together several members of the Moravian College family on Sept. 21, 2013. Pictured (from left) are Andrew Hyduke ’91 (father of the bride), Robert Brill (faculty member in the College’s Psychology Department), Tom Mondschein (CIT administrator), Dustin Levy ’01, Allison Harteveld Levy ’00, Gill, Christina Mondschein ’02, Joseph Pochron ’01 and Chris Ferrone ’03. The wedding was held at The Club at Morgan Hill in Easton.
Nina Patton ’11 married Scott Semerod on May 25. Jessica Rosato ’11 was a bridesmaid. Kelly Gallagher ’09, Leon Edelman ’09, Warner Jones ’11, Jessica Moran ’11, Shannon Murray ’11 and Michelle Nutz ’12 were all in attendance. Rena Sinerco ’08 and Kyle Hummel ’08 were married in Bethlehem on Oct. 13, 2013.
Mike Gill & Kylene Hyduke
Sarah Soden ’99 and Rick Armstrong – Oct. 27, 2013
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classnotes Coming Up Roses Nancy’s daughter, Caryelle, recently got engaged to Tom Pace. They are living and working in South Jersey. No wedding date has been set, but Caryelle is thinking of having a destination wedding. Nancy’s son, Jason, works for Audi V.W. Nancy herself has just become a teacher coach for science in third and fourth grades. She splits her time among seven schools in the Orange, N.J., school district. Good luck, Nancy! Scott and Laura Likman Schell are now grandparents. Their daughter, Ashley, had a baby in October. Ashley and her husband, Brian, are living and working in Chicago. Scott and Laura’s son, Blake, is engaged to Jen DeLuca and they are planning a May 31, 2014, wedding in Charlotte, N.C., where they both live and work. Scott is still running Schell’s and the Ranch House in Leesport. Make sure to stop in and say hello. Laura works the cash register several days a week and also tutors students using the Orton Gillingham method. Carl and Debbi Lewis Zvanut are enjoying their retirement. Besides having a basket business – Debbi teaches basket weaving – they enjoy traveling and recently took a cruise of the Mediterranean. They also do local volunteer work. Larry and Cindy Lewis Hart have moved to South Carolina where Larry is an investment advisor and Cindy is enjoying retirement after working as a guidance counselor in the Pen Argyl and Nazareth Area school districts for nearly 20 years. Bill ’73 and Colleen ’74 Senters Witmer have moved to their dream house in North Carolina. They are living on a championship golf course at Rock Barn Golf & Spa. Although semi-retired, they enjoy playing golf and tennis and would welcome visitors. Al and I are helping our daughter, Jaqui, plan her March 22, 2014, wedding to Charlie Dallaria. Jaqui is an accountant working for a nonprofit in Manhattan, N.Y., and Charlie works on Staten Island, N.Y. He vows to make us grandparents soon after their wedding! Our daughter, Melanie, is doing interior design work for an architect in Westfield, N.J., but manages to do a lot from home, so she is available to look after our menagerie. Al is currently working on Coney Island, N.Y., helping to reclaim the beach after Hurricane Sandy. I still teach kindergarten in the same school I’ve been at for 20 years now – hard to believe – and am looking forward to retiring in 2015.
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Charles ‘Chuck’ Gugliuzza ’92 and his wife, Emilia, participated in the 125th New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. They were two of 16 riders on the pictured Kiwanis float. Chuck is governor-elect for Kiwanis International’s Florida District, which serves more than 270 clubs and 9,000 Kiwanians. Emilia is also active in Kiwanis. ‘It was a ride of a lifetime, although I was not sure I could continue to wave much longer!’ Chuck laughed. Billed as part of ‘America’s New Year Celebration,’ the parade features flower-covered floats, marching bands and equestrians, and precedes the Rose Bowl college football game.
Happy birthday to everyone in the class of 1975 who is turning 60 this year! I hope to see lots of familiar faces at our next big Reunion in 2015.
1982
Lori Vargo Heffner; laheffner@verizon.net Vanessa Schukis celebrated her 25th anniversary as a singer and choir member of the Old North Church in Boston, Mass., on Nov. 10, with a concert at the church. Donations received at the concert benefited the Wounded Warrior Project and the Old North Church. Emil Giordano celebrated his retention campaign for Northampton County judge in September. At a special Oct. 12 ceremony in Orlando, Fla., Barbara Crothers Kremenski, D.O., received the College of American Pathologists Public Service Award. A U.S. Marine Corps colonel, Barbara is the program director of the National Capital Consortium’s anatomic and clinical pathology residency program. She is also the medical director of cytopathology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., the initial domestic treatment and recovery site for most overseas causalities among U.S. military personnel.
1990
Mary Beth Sierzega Afflerbach; afflerbachmb@yahoo.com
Dear Moravian College class of 1990: 2014 promises to be a very exciting time for Moravian. Just short of 25 years from our graduation date, one of our own classmates, Bryon Grigsby, is being inaugurated as the 16th president in the 270-year history of Moravian College. It gives me tremendous pride that one of our classmates has proven himself to be the right person to lead Moravian into its bright future. I invite you to join me in congratulating Bryon on this great achievement. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on campus in the near future. – Andy Hart, co-chair, Inaugural installation ceremony and associated festivities
1991
Melissa dePamphilis Jarman; mdepamph@yahoo.com or Christine A. Palermo-Wallach; capw516@aol.com David Zinczenko, health and wellness editor at ABC News, has a new book to help people make better food choices called Eat It to Beat It!
1992
John S. Nunnemacher; moravian92@me.com or Michael Q. Roth; mqr@moravian.edu Claudio V. Cerullo, Ph.D., was the 2013 recipient of the Philadelphia 76ers’ “Heroes Among Us” Award. The award is presented to one recipient each year within the Philadelphia area who has made a positive impact upon children and adults
WINTER 2014
HOUNDS RETURN HOME Home is where the heat – we mean, heart – is! Sweltering temperatures couldn’t keep Moravian alumni away during 2013 Homecoming Weekend Oct. 4 and 5. Nearly 1,500 alumni and friends returned to campus to take in a series of events, including a “Tailgate Party,” Meet and Greet with the President, a Moravian Lifelong Learning Experience highlighting new classroom technology and, of course, the football game against Ursinus College. Additionally, individual class years gathered to celebrate their reunions. Here is a sneak peak of some of the action. For more photos, visit www.moravian.edu/alumniphotos.
1
2
3
1 During Homecoming Weekend, classmates from Moravian’s class of 1968 came together to reminisce and enjoy one another’s company. Among those in attendance were (from left) Judy Henry Jackson ’68, Connie Stirling Hodson ’68 and Peggy Bartholomew Melchior ’68, who chaired the class of 1968 reunion planning committee. 2 George Betz ’70 (left) and Hugh Gratz ’70, former Moravian football co-captains, take a close look at a commemorative coin, recognizing 100 years of intercollegiate football, flipped at their 1969 match-up against Wilkes College. Gratz presented the coin to his teammate at the Blue & Grey Pavilion during Homecoming Weekend. 3 As part of the Moravian Classroom Experience activity, Stephen U. Dunham (right), associate professor of chemistry, introduced Moravian alumni and their families to the new technology enhancing the learning experience in the College’s classrooms.
What Homecoming would be complete without parade? Thank goodness we don’t have to ask that question!
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classnotes
Rick Pletz, who most recently served as the regional director of operations and CEO at LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh, has been named the new chief executive officer of Acuity Specialty Hospital Ohio Valley.
Inside Look at SI
1997
Tiffany Shenman; Tiffshen2@aol.com Carla Thomas Lindenmuth is now working as a librarian at Rodale in Emmaus.
1998
Jennie Joshi; Jenniejoshi@hotmail.com Bob Thear, Freedom High School’s cross country coach, was named The Express-Times’ Cross Country Coach of the Year. In September, a group of Moravian students visited the Sports Illustrated editorial offices in the Time & Life Building, located in New York City. The visit was arranged by Eric Marquard ’86 (center, blue shirt), deputy art director at Sports Illustrated. That same afternoon, Kraig Correll ’90, V.P. investment management at Barclay’s Wealth, facilitated a tour of the Stock Exchange for another group of undergraduates. Later that evening, both groups attended the College’s professional networking event at the Union League Club, a private social club that dates back to the Civil War. The event was hosted by F. James Hutchinson ’69, and featured remarks from President Bryon Grigsby ’90.
within their community. Claudio is the founder and president of Teach Anti-Bullying. He received this honor at a special ceremony on Nov. 20, 2013, at the Wells Fargo Center during the Sixers’ game against the Toronto Raptors.
1994
Denise Bradley; denise.bradley@tevausa.com Amy Fouracre, Ph.D., is the new assistant principal for Chester Elementary, Littleville Elementary and Gateway Regional Middle schools, which are a part of the Gateway Regional School District. Ann Marie Schlottman recently published an article, titled Making Changes, in the October 2013 issue of Diabetes Forecast, a monthly national magazine from the American Diabetes Association. The article highlights Ann Marie’s own personal diabetes journey. Jennifer Episcopio, M.D., joined OB-Gyn Associates and the medical staff of WilkesBarre General Hospital as an obstetrician and gynecologist.
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1995
Edward Roach recently published his book, The Wright Company: From Invention to Industry, with Ohio University Press. The book examines the history of the rather unsuccessful company Wilbur and Orville Wright established in 1909 to sell their airplanes commercially. The book is available at the OU Press website (ohioswallow. com) and on Amazon.com.
1996
Deb Yuengling Ferhat; jdferhat@comcast.net Mary Kate Turowski Andris started a new position with the Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast as a philanthropy director. In her role, she will be responsible for raising more than $800,000 each year for the council. Additionally, Mary Kate was featured in the December issue of Tidewater Women Magazine, one of three women highlighted in the “Culture of Giving” article as individuals dedicated to giving back. Mary Kate and her husband, Kevin ’94, reside in Chesapeake, Va., with their two children, Ryan (9) and Mark (6).
1999
Christina Fulton; cfulton1124@yahoo.com Laura Gordon accepted the call to serve as pastor of Advent Moravian Church in Bethlehem. She was ordained a deacon in the Moravian Church on June 2, 2013, at Edgeboro Moravian Church in Bethlehem by Bishop J. Christian Giesler. She began her service at Advent on June 3.
2002
Brienne Wilson Rodriguez; briennewilson@gmail.com Evan Weller, Phillipsburg (N.J.) High School’s head soccer coach, was named the 2013 ExpressTimes Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.
2003
Regina Lacombe Laine; pjfairy@aol.com Bill Trub recently accepted an appointment in the English Department at Kean University’s new campus in China. He now lives in Wenzhou on the East China Sea and teaches ESL, composition and literature to Chinese college freshmen.
WINTER 2014
2004
Sarah Naumes is attending York University in Toronto where she is a Ph.D. candidate in political science.
Sarah Freed Lewis has accepted a position as research and data director with the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation.
Sheena Bawden Jones is working at St. Luke’s Anderson Campus MS2 as a registered nurse and recently accepted a position to teach clinical at St. Luke’s School of Nursing.
2005
Jay DeStefano is happy to announce his engagement to Lauren Pochron ’08. A November 2014 wedding is planned. Jay works as a senior accountant at Crestron Electronics in Rockleigh, N.J. Lauren is a billing administrator for KM Media Group in Clifton, N.J.
Jessica Naugle; jln13@comcast.net
Regina LaCaruba; regina.lacaruba@gmail.com Heather McGarvie Corey, a former art education major and member of the cross country team, returned to campus Oct. 23 for a reception associated with Feminine Motion: An Exhibition of Work by Heather Corey, which was held in the H. Paty Eiffe Gallery of the HUB.
2006
Lauren Bahnatka Bachner; mrsbachner@gmail.com Courtney Werner has been appointed Hope College’s director of college writing. Courtney tells us that she is building Hope’s writing program from the ground up. “It’s taking a lot of time, but it is well worth it!” she says.
2008
Jessica Ebert, who works at the Rechner Law Office in Honesdale, was recently sworn in as a member of the Wayne County Bar Association at the Wayne County Courthouse.
2010
Kelly Schneider; kellytschneider@gmail.com Beresford “Ozzie” Brown has been hired by Stevens Institute of Technology as their new head assistant coach for men’s and women’s track and field. Patricia Eck is engaged to Ryan Melhem. A wedding date is set for June 7, 2014.
Elizabeth Paly is returning to Central Catholic High School in Allentown as a co-head coach for the Vikettes’ softball team.
2011
Katie Kizina is engaged to Eric David Frusciante, with a September 2014 wedding planned. Katie is pursuing her master’s degree in public health. She is currently working for the Treatment Research Institute, located in Philadelphia, as a project coordinator.
Rachel Kleiner received a master’s degree in archaeology and ancient Israel studies from Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv, Israel. She plans to seek employment through the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Geoffrey Roche was recently promoted and now serves as director, community and government relations, for Pocono Health System. In his new role he will also oversee the planning department. Additionally, Geoffrey was named to the Pocono Record’s “40 Under 40” special report.
2009
Cassidy Thomas; CassidyThomas@alumni.moravian.edu
WINTER 2014
Rachel Kleiner; Kleiner.rachel@gmail.com
Cassandra Cleveland has been named to the Pocono Record’s “40 Under 40” special report. Amie Ballo and Nicholas Guerriero ’12 were recently engaged. An October 2014 wedding is planned. Benjamin Does recently accepted a position as a health educator at Weller Health Education Center located in Easton. Kaitlyn Dymond is engaged to Andrew Hoppes.
Katherine Kercher is now working as a research assistant in the lab of Brian Wigdahl in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Drexel University College of Medicine. Her research focuses on the immunopathogenesis and neuropathogenesis of HIV-1, specifically assessing the genetic variation of HIV-1, how drugs of abuse affect disease progression, especially in the brain, and how co-infection with HCV affects disease progression.
2012
Ali Zucal; ali.zucali@gmail.com Carolyn Latkovich is pursuing a M.S.Ed. in special education with an autism concentration from Monmouth University. She teaches fourth grade at Cedar Hill Elementary in Basking Ridge, N.J. Katherine Morash is pursuing her master’s degree in international education from la Universidad de Alcala de Henares, Instituto Franklin, a Teach and Learn program outside of Madrid, Spain. She also interns at the Aquinas American School in Pozuelo de Alarcon, also outside of Madrid. Steven Feldman has been awarded the William J. Yankee scholarship from the American Polygraph Association. Steven is a project manager at the National Council for Science and the Environment in Washington, D.C. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree, full time, at the Institute of World Politics, also in Washington. Lindsay Henkelman is pursuing a Master of Social Work at University of Alaska Anchorage. She currently has a practicum placement at Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium where she travels to rural villages working on domestic violence prevention and suicide prevention and intervention. On Halloween 2013, Kristi Beisecker started a 60-day graphic design contract position at Minuteman Press New England in Enfield, Conn. Brittany Keller moved from Philadelphia to Atlanta in September and is working for Norfolk Southern as a management trainee in the network and service department, with a focus on unit trains, which are trains that carry one commodity. She left a position teaching calculus in Philadelphia in order to begin the position at Norfolk Southern. Since moving to Atlanta, Brittany has been traveling extensively.
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classnotes
2013
Michael O’Gorman; mw.ogorman@gmail.com or Emmy Usera; marchingbandland@gmail.com Margaret DeOliveira has started medical school at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
Michael O’Gorman started teaching fourthgrade reading and social studies through Teach for America in Washington, D.C. He has also started a joint M.Ed. program through Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University. Brittany Garzillo is now reporting for the new PBS39 local show Focus. A former intern at the station, Brittany won a College Production Award at the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards for her documentary, Three Students, Three Expressions of Art at Moravian College.
Kyle Stackhouse is a management trainee for Enterprise Rent-A-Car at their Easton location. He works with two other young alumni, Alysia Garr ’11 and Ryan Hartzell ’12. Shannen Mohr and Jennifer Smith have joined ParenteBeard as staff accountants. Carissa Serino has started her own small business with her business partner, Seth Lippincott. Traveling Friends Transit, an animal rescue transport service, will save animals from high kill shelters and bring them to fosters, rescuers and adopters.
In Memoriam ‘May the Souls of the Faithful Departed Rest in Peace.’ Elizabeth Dotter Wallace Schlenker ’35 • Sept. 29, 2013 Marjorie Bramwell Martin ’40 • Nov. 10, 2013 Ruth Schantz Fortino ’42 • Sept. 24, 2013 Dr. Henry Segatti ’45 • Dec. 11, 2013 Robert Rights ’46 • Sept. 5, 2013 George Stubbs ’49 • Sept. 2, 2013 Rt. Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Freeman ’52 • Dec. 4, 2013 Dorothy Ruyak ’54 • Aug. 21, 2013 Donald Hunsinger ’58 • Aug. 22, 2013 Andrew Rexroth ’58 • Oct. 5, 2013
Merritt C. Pearson ’58 • Nov. 20, 2013
Richard P. Harvey ’74 • Dec. 25, 2012
Edward Albertson ’60 • Nov. 6, 2013
Nancy Jones Harney ’74 • Nov. 14, 2013
Patricia Thornton Snyder ’60 • Nov. 18, 2013
Martha Bruch ’77 • Nov. 10, 2013
Anthony Henits ’61 • Dec. 12, 2013
Natalie Visentin ’80 • Sept. 19, 2013
LaMar Leiser ’64 • Oct. 25, 2013
Barbara Martin Stout, MPC ’87 • Nov. 9, 2013
Joseph Arcadipane ’65 • Aug. 12, 2013
Jane Swauger Scrudato ’88 • Sept. 23, 2013
Virginia Krohn Tresolini Gress ’67 • Oct. 7, 2013
Zackie Rufe Due ’93 • Oct. 28, 2013
Pamela Demetrales ’69 • Oct. 20, 2013
Sharon Williams ’95 • Oct. 13, 2013
Thomas Groff ’71 • Sept. 12, 2013
Mary Ann Mittnacht ’97 • Oct. 3, 2013
Michael Bedics Sr. ’73 • Oct. 7, 2013
Esther Burkhart • Wife of Lloyd Burkhart, former Moravian employee
Richard Sokolsky ’73 • June 14, 2013
Additional Class Correspondents 1943 • Margaret L. Albright, 129 N. 11th St., Allentown, PA 18102 June Bright Reese, 801 N. Wahneta St., Apt. 203, Allentown, PA 18109 1945 • Jane Smith Ebelhare, PO Box 360 Masonville, CO 80541; jabelhare@aol.com 1946 • Ada Zellner Flower, 834 Hilltop Road; Oyster Bay, NY 11771; bromzel@aol.com 1947 • Margaret Loveless Browne, pegbrownenj@medleas.com George Kirkpatrick, 11250 Caravel Circle, No. 308; Fort Myers, FL 33908-5236 1952 • Mary T. Pongracz, 321 W. Fourth St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 1955 • Helen Varady Keyser, 2038 Kemmerer Street; Bethlehem, PA 18017 1957 • Pearl Stein, steinpearl18@gmail.com
1959 • Kathy Werst Detwiler, kathydetwiler@comcast.net 1962 • Merr Trumbore, Lomer07@yahoo.com Emma Demuth Williams, eldw@ptd.net 1963 • Bill Leicht, 16819 N. 59th Place; Scottsdale, AZ 85254; wcleicht07@gmail.com 1964 • Kathleen Cavanaugh, Katcav1@gmail.com 1967 • Kathie Broczkowski Klein, kathieklein45@aol.com 1974 • Cyndee Andreas Grifo, cyndeegrifo@mac.com 1977 • John Fauerbach, johnfauerbach@yahoo.com 1978 • Dawn Allen, Dawnallen726@gmail.com 1980 • Molly Donaldson Brown, unsinkable@fast.net 1981 • Craig “Kegger” Bartlett, cbavfco@comcast.net
For Comenius Center Alumni Notes
1983 • Karen Skoyles, skoyles@lakesnet.net 1984 • Diane Sciabica Mandry, mandryds@gmail.org 1985 • Lynn Muschlitz LaBarre, labarre@ptd.net 1986 • James & Lynda Farrell Swartz, jfswartz@kingspry.com 1987 • Diane Hvizdak Taylor, dianektaylor@hotmail.com 1988 • Dianne Pelaggi Irr, Diannefp@gmail.com 1989 • Kerri Selland Pepoy, kerripepoy@yahoo.com 2000 • Faithann Cheslock Barron, LaybugFVC@aol.com Lisa Hahn-Egan, Lisahahn13@hotmail.com 2001 • Courtney Parrella, sunshine92779@msn.com 2007 • Laura Sahlender Boyer, laurasahlender@gmail.com
Dee Lohman, lohmand@eastonsd.org or Sherron Quinn, Shquinn222@yahoo.com
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MORAVIAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
1200 Main Street Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
PAID
Lehigh Valley, Pa. Permit No. 521
THE MORAVIAN EFFECT Bob Thear ’98 is one of thousands of Moravian alumni who followed the passions they discovered at Moravian and today are leaders in their field. Bob Thear ’98 Small Business Owner, High School Cross Country Coach