Mount Saint Mary College Magazine Summer 2016

Mount Saint Mary College

magazine Summer 2016

Celebrating the

Class of 2016 WWII veteran graduates Student service projects expand Staging ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

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Letter from the Acting President Dear Alumni, Students, Parents, and Friends of Mount Saint Mary College,

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Mount Saint Mary College Magazine Volume 38, No. 2 The Office of Marketing and Communications prepares this magazine for alumni, students, parents, and friends of the College.

EDITOR / ART DIRECTOR Dean DiMarzo MBA ’13

SENIOR WRITER Matt Frey ’05 MSEd ’10 PHOTOGRAPHER Lee Ferris CONTRIBUTORS Joan Gambeski Michelle Iacuessa ’94 Michael Doughty COPYEDITORS Brenda Krulik Janet Gianopoulos Mayde Pokorny MBA ’16 DESIGNER Sten Miller Perkins

CIRCULATION 9,000 ©2016

WEBSITE magazine.msmc.edu EMAIL magazine@msmc.edu

MOUNT SAINT MARY COLLEGE Newburgh, NY 12550 845-561-0800

ADMISSIONS 888-YES-MSMC (888-937-6762)

This April I was asked to serve Mount Saint Mary College as Acting President. It was both an honor and a wonderful opportunity. My experience of almost 20 years at the Mount, my familiarity with professors, administrators, trustees, students and their parents, and my administrative and managerial skills formed the basis of my ability to help guide our institution forward. I’ve been aided by a capable executive team who are each working hard in their roles to maintain a proper course for the College. Teamwork and support have helped me through this transition and I thank everyone for their unwavering dedication to the Mount.

As I sit at my desk in the Villa reflecting upon my new responsibilities, I can’t help but think of the similarities to the many challenging circumstances and curveballs that everyone experiences. Flexibility and the willingness to confront the unexpected head-on is also analogous to a student’s transformation through their years at the Mount as they, like all of us, move through the trials of their own evolving lives in a rapidly changing world.

This sentiment was keenly illustrated at Commencement this year by Dr. Timothy Flanagan, our keynote speaker and Honorary Degree recipient. He concluded that his own experience preparing to assist Ebola victims in Africa fell short compared to the challenges he found when he arrived there. He offered that in life’s game plan, there is no way one can be completely prepared for what they will encounter. But they must have the interest, motivation and the critical thinking skills to make it work. Later in the ceremony, Bradley Moody ’16, president of the Student Government Association, noted that “On the other side of fear or challenge is growth.”

Their message was clear: no matter what pitch you’re thrown, don’t be afraid to swing at the ball and use all that you have to be successful.

We teach our students to be broad thinkers and to be ready for any eventuality in their lives or professions. We encourage teamwork, faith, initiative and the value of social and community engagement. As teachers and administrators, we demonstrate this to our students by our own actions, dedication and example.

The camaraderie and spirit of our professors, administrators, trustees and students create an atmosphere that inspires us all. I’m thrilled to be part of advancing this ethos at the Mount and hope that each of you are as well.

Sincerely,

James M. Raimo

INSIDE

this issue 2 News briefs 26 Student give back 30 Athletics 34 Alumni profile 35 Alumni notes 40 Friends of the Mount 45 A look back 18 Commencement for the Class of 2016

5 Spring Weekend

7 Staging Shakespeare

9 Hands-on conservation

14 Jubilee celebration

15 Philosophy workshop

26 Relay for Life

Online Extras

MSMC Magazine online

You’ll find this issue, past issues, and links to additional content at msmc.edu/Magazine

30 Athletics roundup

40 Annual Tournament

Stay in touch at msmc.edu/Connect

News from the Mount

Mount Saint Mary College’s School of Business presented a varied panel of professionals to discuss “What Golf has Taught Me about Business: How Athletics Inform Business Strategy” on April 18. Left to right: Fr. Mark Vaillancourt, Brian Ledley, Karen May, and Louis Pastina.

Exploring parallels between golf and business

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ount students, faculty and staff discovered that lessons learned on the green can be applied to the business world.

“What Golf Has Taught Me About Business: How Athletics Inform Business Strategy” featured four local business leaders who have drawn inspiration and wisdom from golfing: n Brian Ledley, president and owner, Ledley Food Service, and director of food and beverage, Centennial Grille Room at Centennial Golf Club; n Karen May, vice president of finance, Bayer Health Care North America; n Louis Pastina, retired executive vice president of operations, NYSE/Euronext; board member and chairman of Oversight Committee, NYX Exchange; and founder, Global Markets Advisory Group; and n Fr. Mark Vaillancourt, president, principal, and golf team coach, Kennedy Catholic High School.

“The more you have that rounded game – the long game, the short game, coming out of the sand, staying out of the water – the better you’re going to be,” said May. “In business, having that breadth of experience and not just focusing on one thing has made a really big difference for my career.”

Ledley noted that he and his employees often load equipment onto a truck, set it up and feed their clients, then break it all down and head back to the office.

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Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Jack Pretak talks with Dylan Legg of the Mount’s golf team after the business panel presentation.

“There’s a lot of attention to detail that goes into that,” he said. “As with golf, the more we practice, the better we get. That philosophy has helped us survive for years.”

Pastina shared some simple but poignant advice: “In business, as in sports, your integrity means everything.”

Fr. Vaillancourt said, “If you’re golfing, just think about golf.” He added that the same focus can be applied to any task at hand, including helping a business to flourish.

The presentation was made possible by the Jack and Susan Pretak Endowment for the MSMC School of Business.

Road Scholars program celebrates two decades

Mount students, faculty, staff, and acting president James. M. Raimo (standing, front row, sixth from right) during the city clean up April 23.

Mount community helps clean up Newburgh On a sunny spring Saturday, more than 40 students, faculty and staff members from Mount Saint Mary College joined forces with the Newburgh community to clean up a three-mile stretch of the city.

“It was great to have a large turnout of students and employees of the college to help the city and our fellow residents to improve the quality of life for all,” said Mount acting president James M. Raimo, who was among the volunteers. “The Mount community has had a long history of service to the City of Newburgh and all of our neighbors. I am proud of everyone who gave their time.”

The clean-up effort was coordinated by Safe Harbors of the Hudson.

Left to right: Fr. Francis Amodio, O. Carm.; Rabbi Phillip Weintraub; Fr. Justin Cinnate; the Rev. John Borden Sr. ’89; and Imam Mohamed El-Filali.

Religious leaders discuss ‘living happy’ A panel of Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious leaders from the Hudson Valley discussed keys to living a happy and fulfilled life during a recent interactive presentation at the Mount.

Fr. Francis Amodio, O.Carm., campus chaplain and director of Campus Ministry, served as moderator.

According to Rabbi Weintraub, “Fulfillment for me personally is to have a mission in life, to know exactly where I come from, why I am here, and where my final destination is.”

Imam El-Filali added that consistently working to better oneself can be a source of great joy, even if the improvements are small. Little changes add up over time, he noted. The event was sponsored by Campus Ministry.

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he Road Scholar program, providing adult enrichment through sightseeing and learning, celebrated its 20th season at Mount Saint Mary College.

Formerly known as Elderhostel, the program was first hosted at the Mount in the summer of 1997. Since then, nearly 3,000 adults – hailing from all 50 states and beyond – have participated. This summer, the program welcomed 40 guests to the Mount campus, residing at Sakac Hall.

“Our guests attend various weekly sessions, each focusing on the rich experiences in the Hudson Valley,” explained George Burke ’84, Road Scholar coordinator and an instructor at the Mount’s Desmond Campus for Adult Enrichment.

The 2016 courses included “The Roosevelts: The Life and Legacy of Franklin and Eleanor.” Participants examined ideals and achievements of this “power couple” as well as influences of the area they called home.

Participants enjoyed presentations and field trips to the FDR Presidential Library and Museum; the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill; their beloved Hudson Valley home, Springwood; and FDR’s private retreat, Top Cottage.

Online Extras

MSMC Magazine online

You’ll find this issue, past issues and links to additional content at msmc.edu/Magazine

News, photos and videos Stay in touch by following us at msmc.edu/Connect

www.msmc.edu

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Kristen Berish presented her research on toxicology of suicide victims.

Students gather with Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler (center) at the “It’s On Us” launch.

Mount students present research, crack codes

Mount launches ‘It’s On Us’ campaign

pair of Mount students recently presented their research at the Fifth Annual Joint Conference of the Upstate Chapters of the American Statistical Association, held in Buffalo, N.Y. Joseph Ianniello, a biology/pre-veterinary major, and Kristen Berish, a math major, presented research they completed under the tutelage of Jennifer Bready, associate math professor and division chair.

Berish’s presentation was titled “Investigating Toxicology Results among Suicide Victims in Upstate New York” and Ianniello’s was on “The Patterns in Mortality and Obesity in Dutchess County, N.Y.” Bready praised the students’ work, adding that their presentations “were very well received.”

In addition, Bready gave a talk titled “The Statistics of Suicides” at the conference.

Earlier in the semester, six Mount students took part in Kryptos, a national competition hosted by Central Washington University that challenges students to decode, or cryptanalyze, hidden messages within a 96-hour period.

Mount chemistry major Ryan Seifts and math majors Katie Corry and Jonathan Garofalo were able to decipher all three messages, earning the tenth fastest time in the country. A second Mount team – biology major Heather Polgrean and math majors Cassandra Behre and Toni Navarro – successfully cracked two of the three ciphers.

ount Saint Mary College kicked off the “It’s On Us” campaign in Orange County, N.Y., with nearly 600 students taking the pledge to end sexual assault on college campuses.

Students were invited to sign the pledge during a basketball doubleheader featuring the college’s women’s and men’s teams.

Orange County, N.Y. was the first county in the United States to join The White House’s “It’s On Us” campaign, which is designed to raise awareness about sexual assault.

David Hoovler, Orange County District Attorney, attended the Mount event to show his support. Hoovler said he is proud to have taken the “It’s On Us” pledge himself.

Those who sign up pledge to recognize that non-consensual sex is assault; identify situations in which sexual assault may occur; intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given; and create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable.

On the Mount campus, the campaign was spearheaded

by Kelly Yough, dean of student affairs; and Michael O’Keefe, executive director of operations and risk management and Title IX coordinator.

“We are grateful for the amazing support of the ‘It’s On Us’ campaign,” said Yough. “I am proud of our students for taking this pledge.”

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Lecture examines pesticide threat

Tyrone Hayes, PhD, professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley, visited the Mount this spring to present “From Silent Spring to Silent Night: A Tale of Toads and Men.” Hayes discussed the effects of the herbicide atrazine on amphibian populations. According to his research, atrazine is an endocrine disrupter that chemically castrates and feminizes exposed male amphibians.

This may be a factor in declining amphibian populations, he added.

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Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

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Spring Weekend

Students, faculty and staff ushered in the warm weather with “Spring Weekend,” an annual on-campus celebration held near the end of the academic year.

Activities included the Knight Race (a campus-wide mathematics relay race), a poetry slam, sporting events, comedy shows, a block party, and a dance marathon fundraiser to benefit the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, N.Y.

www.msmc.edu

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Playwright Glenn Mas.

Alumni gather to celebrate longtime professor’s retirement

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aculty, staff, and more than 50 alumni gathered to celebrate the spectacular career of communication arts professor James Beard, which spanned more than three decades, and came to a close at the end of the Fall 2016 semester.

Sponsored by Arts and Letters and Alumni Affairs, the Images from productions of “I Hate Hamlet,” above, and “Working.” reception brought together alumni who graduated from 1980 through 2015 and who were involved in Mount theatrical productions, which Beard oversaw for many years.

“The Mount gave me a long and rewarding career in so many ways; however, it was during the long hours of rehearsal, building scenery and costumes, and focusing lights that I got to know our wonderful students so well,” explained Beard. “For a brief time, the cast and crew of a play become a team, a family. How magical it was to see all those ‘family members’ again.”

He added, “the evening was pure joy from start to finish, including [associate theatre professor] James Phillips’ delightful and witty production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’”

Beard also thanked Michelle Iacuessa ’94, director of alumni affairs, for “all she did to make it so memorable: delicious food, clever and elegant décor, thoughtful gifts, and a room overflowing with wonderful memories.”

As theatre director at the Mount, Beard directed more than 30 productions. He has also served as chair of the Division of Arts and Letters, chair of the Curriculum and Promotion and Tenure committees, and chair of the Faculty Senate.

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Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Award-winning playwright shares inspirations

Glenn Sevilla Mas, playwright, teacher, and nine-time winner of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature, recently presented “Finding My Way Home: Why I Write What I Write” at Mount Saint Mary College.

Mas, a fine arts instructor with the Ateneo de Manila University, a Jesuit complex based in Quezon City, Philippines, is known for crafting his plays in a casual, conversational tone.

Most of his works are in English and Kinaray-a (the native tongue of the Antique province). His plays usually feature family, romance, humor and faith.

Some of Mas’s earliest inspirations came from television shows he watched on his family’s 12-inch, black and white set, including the Filipino program “John and Marsha,” Filipino Basketball Association games, and “RonRon the Flower Angel,” a Japanese cartoon dubbed into English.

He also enjoyed reading humorous comics, watching Chinese martial arts films, and listening to the soundtrack to “The Sound of Music.”

“Because of my fascination for and exposure to these forms of entertainment, I grew up having big dreams for myself,” he said.

Mas’s plays have been published in “Tony,” the literary journal of St. Anthony’s College in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique; “SanAg,” the literary journal of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City; and “Ani,” the literary journal of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Staging Shakespeare’s colorful tale

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he Mount Saint Mary College theater group recently presented Shakespeare’s classic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Directed by associate professor James Phillips, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is considered one of The Bard’s best. Believed to have been written in the late 1500s, sometime between “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Merchant of Venice,” the play offers a humorous take on life, love and the human condition.

“It’s Shakespeare’s great look at almost every concoction of romantic relationships, from brand new, can’t keep their hands off of each other love, to love that’s been neglected and needs to be reinvigorated before they kill each other,” Phillips explained.

The 21-member cast is one of the largest in recent Mount history, and the players surpassed Phillips’s expectations.

“Shakespeare’s a good educational experience and the students have risen to the challenge,” he explained. “It’s a big, complicated, wonderful process and it shows the best of our students.

Any rehearsal process starts with a lot of ‘I’m not sure’ and ‘I don’t know.’ But that becomes ‘I can’ and ‘I will.’ That sort of development is really a joy to see. It’s the best part of my job.”

Shakespeare’s a good educational experience and the ‘students have risen to the challenge ’

James Phillips, associate professor of theatre

www.msmc.edu

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Students explore production systems

Students learned about starting and running a business from local entrepreneurs at Clemson Bros. Brewery, above, and Christopher Jacobs Winery, below.

Students focus on entrepreneurship at local winery, brewery

The thirst for knowledge recently brought Mount Saint Mary College students to the Christopher Jacobs Winery at Pennings Vineyards in Pine Bush, N.Y. and the Clemson Bros. Brewery in Middletown, N.Y. The students learned tricks of the trade from the entrepreneurs at both locations.

The trip was made possible by the college’s Career Center and the Student Business Association.

Students learn ups and downs of airport business

Four Mount students recently got an in-depth look at the airport business during the 2016 Airports Conference in Hershey, Pa. The conference provided leadership in planning and developing a regional airport system with consideration for economics, environmental compatibility, local property rights, and safeguarding of the public interest. “This conference enlightened students about many career options,” noted Moira Tolan,

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Mount business professor and graduate program coordinator. James P. Smith Jr., founder of Advance Testing Company, Inc. and a Mount patron, paid the travel expenses for the Mount group.

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Business students recently witnessed the production process firsthand at Advanced Coating Technologies (ACT) in Middletown, N.Y. ACT is a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney, an American aerospace manufacturer, and Chromalloy, an original equipment manufacturer for commercial airlines, militaries, and oil and gas companies. On site, they apply specialized thermal barrier coatings onto “hot section” parts of commercial and military aircraft engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney.

This trip was coordinated by Peter Gregory and John Yelle, MBA ’06, both visiting assistant professors of business. Yelle is also the finance and administration manager at ACT.

MBA capstone project awardees The Mount’s Master in Business Administration capstone projects provide real-life opportunities for graduate students to apply their conceptual and analytical skills to Mid-Hudson organizations.

In the fall, Maureen Aurigemma and Deidre Dennis collaborated on the winning project for the Cardinal Hayes Home for Children in Millbrook, N.Y., a not-for-profit agency providing residential care and treatment for developmentally disabled youth.

The spring awardees were Joan Gambeski, Mayde Pokorny, and Angela Wise. This group joined forces to benefit AgePlan, Inc. of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., a full-service firm providing effective solutions to help the aging population lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Hands-on conservation study

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ount science students recently aided the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with an eel-monitoring project in Newburgh’s Quassaick Creek.

Chemistry professor Lynn Maelia, associate biology professor Suparna Bhalla and their students have participated in this Hudson River Estuary Program for several years.

Three days per week, students headed to the creek and counted eels. The tiny, nearly transparent American eels are born in the ocean and migrate upstream to live, eventually returning to the ocean to spawn.

According to the DEC, the species is in decline and baseline studies of their populations are “crucial for management decisions.”

“Students often don’t see the connection between what they read in a book and the world around them,” Maelia explained.

“It’s important for them to see that what they are learning has real-life applications.”

To prepare a survey, nets are checked for approximately six weeks by DEC staff and volunteers including local college and high school students and teachers. Sampled streams run along the Hudson River from New York City to Albany.

Maelia says that interacting with scientists from the DEC shows her students that what they learn at the Mount “can be used in many ways that they may not have envisioned. It opens up new possibilities and expands their view of how they can use their love of science.”

Maelia and Bhalla have integrated the DEC program into the honors portion of their courses on chemical and biological principles. Additionally, students presented their findings to professors and classmates at the end of the semester.

Above, tiny, nearly transparent American eels are born in the ocean and head upstream to live in Newburgh’s Quassaick Creek and other local habitats.

Below, students at work in the creek with chemistry professor Lynn Maelia.

www.msmc.edu

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‘Teacher’s Bible’ offers educators faith, wisdom In “The Teacher’s Bible,” assistant education professor Victoria Caruana uses faith to guide educators through the Caruana rough patches.

In addition to the full text of the Holman Christian Standard Bible, “The Teacher’s Bible” contains 40 devotional readings, written by Caruana. This section, she says, can help teachers to grow in both their profession and their religion.

“These are really deep problems that we’re encouraging teachers to solve or address in their own lives by utilizing their faith,” explained Caruana. “Each devotional offers a resolution – not necessarily a solution – and ends with a prayer.”

Caruana examines student discipline and reward, dealing with disap-

Jane Gangi receives education award pointment, when to express joy or sorrow to students and more.

The devotionals, she says, are culled from her time teaching kindergarten through 12th grade in both special education and gifted education.

Caruana says B&H Publishing Group approached her about writing the devotionals for “The Teacher’s Bible” because they valued the insights in her previous publications. Over the course of her career, Caruana has written 100 education articles and 22 books, including the bestselling “Apples and Chalkdust.”

A deeper look at homeschooling Education professor Frances Spielhagen, co-editor of “Homeschooling in New View” (Second Edition), says the recently released book will help readers decide if homeschooling works for them.

Released by Information Age Publishing, the book contains 14 chapters covering various legal, philosophical and personal perspectives of homeschooling, as well as an afterword by Spielhagen titled “Back to the Future?

Homeschooling and the Evolution of Education.”

Containing views from a variety of educational professionals, “Homeschooling in New View” is neither pro- nor anti-homeschooling, Spielhagen explained, and was designed as a resource for interested readers.

According to Spielhagen, changes in the educational environment in the U.S. over the past decade have prompted growing numbers of parents

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to withdraw their children from public education.

However, homeschooling is “a huge commitment,” she explained.

Spielhagen Usually, one parent must take on the role of full-time educator, which means putting one’s own career on hold.

The book is co-edited by Spielhagen, Bruce S. Cooper of Fordham University and Carlo Ricci of Nipissing University.

“Bruce Cooper is the man who helped transform me from a high school teacher to an academic and rigorous researcher,” explained Spielhagen. “I really enjoyed working with my old mentor.”

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Jane Gangi, associate professor of education, was honored recently with the 2016 Educational Leadership Award from the MidHudson School Study Council.

The award ceremony, held at the Mount, drew a crowd of more than 200.

“I share the award with the Collaborative for Equity in Literacy Learning and the Division of Education at the Mount,” said Gangi. “My colleagues’ commitment and talent are inspiring.

I am proud to be part of such a remarkable team.”

She was nominated by Mount education professors Janine Bixler (division chair) and Dee Berlinghoff, for her leadership and expertise in children’s literature, culture and communication.

Gangi has been instrumental in leading the Mount’s work with Newburgh children, their parents and area teachers.

“We are extremely proud of Jane Gangi’s 2016 Educational Leadership Award,” said James M. Raimo, Mount Saint Mary College acting president. “She and her colleagues are all exceptional faculty members that produce many of the best teachers in New York State.”

Mount alumna Joan M. Carbone ’76 of Pine Bush Central School District also received an Educational Leadership Award, and alumna Carolyn Baker ’86 of Valley Central School District was honored with the Teaching Excellence Award.

Nearly 20 honored at 5th Annual Authors Recognition Luncheon

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he Mount Saint Mary College Faculty Library Committee celebrated the achievements of 19 faculty members who published nearly 30 articles and three books in 2015-16. Subjects ranged from a special edition of the Bible with devotions to inspire teachers, to articles on literacy, technology education and decisions made by expectant mothers.

The authors honored at this year’s event were Vicki Caruana, assistant professor of education; Stephen Cheskiewicz, assistant professor of information technology; Denise A. Garofalo, associate librarian for systems and catalog services; Dean Goldberg, associate professor of communication arts; Teresa V. Hurley, associate professor of nursing; Susan Schulmerich, assistant professor of nursing; Jeffrey Kahana, associate professor of history; Yasmine Kalkstein, assistant professor of psychology; Colleen P. Kirk, assistant professor of marketing; Amanda M. Maynard, associate professor of psychology; Vivian B. Milczarski, associate librarian for collection development; Rebecca R. Norman, assistant professor of education; Regina Pappalardo, assistant professor of media studies – journalism; Stephanie Pietros, assistant professor of English; Glenn Reynolds, associate professor of history; Priscilla L. Sagar, professor of nursing; Daniel Shea, professor of English; Frances R. Spielhagen, professor of education; and Roumen Vragov, assistant professor of business and information technology.

‘The Mikado’ at the Mount

The Mount Saint Mary College Choir captivated the local community with a free concert version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular “The Mikado” in April.

Durward Entrekin, of the Arts and Letters department, serves as director of the choir. He received a doctorate in musical arts from Yale School of Music and has served the Mount for nearly 20 years.

Longtime professor shares his poetry

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ccording to James Finn Cotter, the longest serving professor at Mount Saint Mary College, there’s a brand new life around the bend for readers who are willing to work for it.

Exploring topics ranging from family and friends to nature and the circle of life, Cotter presented poetry from his book “A New Life: Learning the Way of Omega” for members of the Mount and local community in April, which is Poetry Month.

His book “really makes readers work,” Cotter said, “because you have to read it and reread it until finally something happens to you, and you have a new life.

So it’s waiting for you: not just a bunch of poems, but a way of being.”

But not everything needs to be difficult to have meaning, he added. “Poems sometimes just come and take over; they write themselves.”

Cotter, who has taught English at the Mount for more than 50 years, is also the author of “Inscape: The Christology and Poetry of Gerald Manley Hopkins” and “Beginnings: The First Quarter Century of Mount Saint Mary College.”

The longtime resident of the City of Newburgh is a celebrated translator of Dante’s “Commedia,” a seasoned theater and arts reviewer, a Fulbright-Hays lecturer (he taught English in Algeria in 1970), recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities grant, and was president of the International Hopkins Association for 30 years.

Additionally, Cotter wrote the Mount’s alma mater in 1964, and raised three children: Anne, James and John.

Earlier in April, the Mount community experienced the power of the spoken word at a poetry recital by acclaimed author Eamon Grennan. The Dublin native’s Irish roots often inform his poetry, which at the reading included topics such as family, the Hudson Valley and travel.

The readings were sponsored by the Division of Arts and Letters and hosted by the Kaplan Family Library and Learning Center. www.msmc.edu

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Appointments

Charles Frank was elected Chair and Sr. Margaret Anderson, OP as Vice Chair of the Mount Saint Mary College Board of Trustees. They will Frank serve two-year terms.

Frank, an IBM executive and former Mayor of Walden, N.Y., has served on the Board since 2012. He also served as the Chair of the Board’s Finance Committee for the same period of time, and was elected as Vice Chair of the Board in 2014.

Sr. Anderson, a member of the College’s founding Order of the Dominican Sisters, has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2009 and as a member of the Presidential Search Committee.

Elaine O’Grady ’89, MBA ’08 has been appointed vice president for students. O’Grady, formerly dean of admissions, began O’Grady her career at the Mount after earning her bachelor’s degree in public relations. She and her husband, Andrew ’88, were married in the Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary 25 years ago this summer.

“I look forward to helping the students get to know the Mount the way I know it, and develop a real love for it as well,” said O’Grady.

Kathy Barton ’10, MBA ’13 is now director of advancement events.

Sandra Cefaloni-Henderson ’07, MSEd ’09 is now dean of campus life.

Brenda Krulik has been appointed director of public relations and communications.

Ashley Knox is now director of international programs.

John Lonczak has been appointed acting director of campus and community affairs.

John Mahon ’00 is now interim dean of admissions.

Kathleen McCoy ’88 is now director of campus events.

Natalie McKinstrie has been appointed director of annual giving.

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The founding members of the Mount’s new chapters of Gamma Nu Eta, left, and Chi Alpha Epsilon, below.

Mount adds two national honor societies Mount Saint Mary College recently welcomed its two newest honor societies: Gamma Nu Eta and Chi Alpha Epsilon.

Through the hard work of Stephen Cheskiewicz, assistant professor of information technology, and IT major Aaron Ricci ’16, the Mount began a chapter of Gamma Nu Eta, the National Information Technology Honor Society.

“Gamma Nu Eta is not only an organization meant to bestow honor upon its members, but also to foster scholarship, leadership, and community involvement,” Ricci explained.

Launched with seven members, “all the inductees are the students I feel are the most passionate about what they do,” explained Cheskiewicz, advisor to the club. “They’re people who enjoy the field and go out of their way to learn more about it. This is the perfect first group of inductees for the society.”

Also this year, eight Mount students were inducted into Chi Alpha Epsilon, the Mount’s 16th honor society.

The Chi Alpha Epsilon chapter on campus serves to highlight the academic achievements of students who have transcended their given economic and educational circumstances.

According to chapter advisors Alicia Mejías, assistant director of the Mount’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), and Vanessa Lawson, HEOP academic counselor, the chapter will bolster and foster an existing culture of academic excellence at the Mount, which will inspire others.

Teaching through theater Inspired by the notion that “One little scene alive is worth more than a whole play dead” (J.L. Styan), Nunnari has made live performance a centerpiece in her classroom for 25 years.

“I feel that students don’t really know Shakespeare until they have spoken it or seen it live,” she explained. “They directly experience the emotion of the lines as well as reactions from a live audience.”

With teachers, friends and family in attendance, her class recently

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

performed sonnets and scenes from The Bard’s plays, including Cinna the Poet from “Julius Caesar,” The English Lesson from “Henry V,” and The Three Witches from “Macbeth.” They also performed musical solos and speeches from “Hamlet,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Much Ado About Nothing.”

International collaboration blooms

Left to right: Jane Gangi, associate education professor; Kathryn Roberts, family literacy expert and keynote presenter; David Gallagher, associate education professor; Rebecca Norman, assistant education professor; and Janine Bixler, professor and chair of the Division of Education.

Literacy conference focuses on community engagement Mount Saint Mary College hosted the 23rd Annual Conference on Literacy, “Family and Community Engagement: Strategies for Success,” in April.

Sponsored by the Mount’s Collaborative for Equity in Literacy Learning (CELL), the event explored a variety of timely topics through more than a dozen presentations, including “Promoting Literacy in the Community: Literacy Alive Initiative” and “Literacy Strategies for Gifted Readers.”

Kathryn Roberts, a family literacy expert and keynote presenter, discussed fostering literacy in young children.

Roberts is a teacher, author, researcher, and assistant professor of reading, language, and literature at Wayne State University. A former kindergarten teacher, she currently teaches pre-service and graduate courses in literacy education. Her research interests include family literacy, visual literacy, and emergent literacy. Roberts is the lead author of the series “Engaging Families in Children’s Literacy Development,” the family literacy program that is currently free to all families with young children in Newburgh.

Stephen Cheskiewicz, assistant professor of information technology, says that his international research projects blossomed from Cheskiewicz a chance encounter thousands of miles away.

At a conference in Madrid, Spain, Cheskiewicz met computer science professor Miguel Colobran, who teaches at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) near Barcelona.

A collaboration between the two generated a pair of international studies.

Their research included information from thousands of students in both the United States and Spain.

There were many differences between the two populations, Cheskiewicz and Colobran discovered.

For example, when asked what the biggest online threats are, Spanish respondents were concerned mostly with social issues; many noted that they feared cyberbullying and online predators. Americans, however, were more concerned with identity and credit card theft.

Cheskiewicz says his international academic experience can be used to better inform students.

“The research you do here at the Mount can go way beyond the college,” he tells students. “It’s possible to collaborate with people in other cultures – and our students can do it too.”

Educators work to ‘Teach the Change’ Professors, students and nearly 20 alumni recently worked to raise the quality of the teaching profession through Teach the Change.

Teach the Change is a comprehensive initiative of the college’s Division of Education, coordinated in conjunction with the Center for Adolescent Research and Development, under the leadership of Mount education professor Frances Spielhagen.

The initiative has three major

focus areas: n Continuing to strengthen the teaching profession in the programs provided by the college. n Creating a pipeline of teacher candidates from area high schools, especially first-generation college students and those who may be underrepresented in the teaching profession. n Enhancing the current teaching force by providing teacher leadership training for area educators.

Dana McDonough, Mount alumna and 2016 New York State Teacher of the Year, spoke to a packed audience at a Teach the Change event at the Mount. www.msmc.edu

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Lecture spotlights origins of Guinness

Top, posing with the Mount’s Jubilee Quilt, are Laura Nicholls, quilt director and Desmond Campus instructor; Jeanne Conboy of the Catholic and Dominican Institute (CDI); Barbara Petruzzelli, director of the Kaplan Family Library and Learning Center; Charles Zola, CDI director and philosophy division chair; and James Raimo, Mount acting president. Bottom, Irene Nunnari, professor emerita; and Janet Zeman, executive director of the Career Center; work on the quilt with Laura Nicholls, quilt director and Desmond instructor.

Mount celebrates 800th Jubilee of Order of Preachers Members of the Mount Saint Mary College community – including faculty, staff, students, alumni and Dominican Sisters – joined forces to create a quilt commemorating the 800th Jubilee of the worldwide Order of Preachers (OP).

Inspired by the art of the Saint John’s Bible – the first handwritten and illuminated Bible produced in more than 500 years – the Jubilee Quilt celebrates the rich history and charisms of the Order, and honors the Mount’s connection.

Saint Dominic de Guzman established the first community of the Order of Preachers in the early 13th century.

Dominican Sisters founded Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y. in 1959, using as a guideline the four pillars of life in the spirit of Saint Dominic: study, prayer, service and community.

The Jubilee Quilt was created under the direction of Laura Nicholls, a Desmond Campus art instructor, certified calligrapher, and former art teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas College and Nanuet Public Schools.

The project was co-sponsored by the Catholic and Dominican Institute and the Saint John’s Bible Planning Team.

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Brewing Guinness beer was an attempt to improve public behavior, revealed Stephen Mansfield, author of “The Search for God and Guinness: A Biography of the Beer that Changed the World,” at a recent presentation.

Arthur Guinness started brewing beer as an alternative to unclean water in the mid-1700s. Around that time, the consumption of gin increased rapidly. This “Gin Craze,” noted Mansfield, was accompanied by societal issues such as rowdy public drunkenness and rampant alcoholism.

Many saw beer as a way to get their society back on track. Thus, “a wide variety of concerned Christians started brewing beer,” said Mansfield.

And Guinness was one of them.

As Guinness amassed more and more wealth, he began living by a simple-but-potent philosophy: “Make all you can. Save all you can. And give all you can to the glory of God.” The talk about God and Guinness was co-sponsored by the Mount’s Catholic and Dominican Institute (CDI) and the School of Business.

Other CDI-sponsored presentations this spring included “Science and Faith in Harmony: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God” by Anton M. Koekemoer, a Hubble astronomer with the Space Telescope Science Institute (a talk co-sponsored with the Natural Sciences division); and “The Artist as Preacher: Illumination in The Saint John’s Bible” by Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB, a Benedictine monk and priest of Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minn. (a talk co-sponsored with the divisions of Arts and Letters and Philosophy and Religious Studies).

Scholars from around the globe attend annual Mount workshop

Eighty scholars from as far away as Switzerland, England and Poland explored the wisdom of 13th century Dominican friar Thomas Aquinas at a recent workshop at Mount Saint Mary College.

The theme of the sixth annual Thomas Aquinas Philosophy Workshop was “Aquinas on Politics.” Participants explored Aquinas’ analysis of principles basic to political life: the common good, the human family, natural rights, and the nature of justice.

The scholars were welcomed by Charles Zola, director of the Catholic and Dominican Institute, philosophy division chair, and associate professor of philosophy at the Mount; and Fr. Thomas Joseph White, OP, director of the Thomistic Institute, Washington, D.C. In six years, the workshop has become “the preeminent event of its kind, drawing scholars from around

Mount hosts Seder meal

The Mount Community Seder meal in the Villa.

the globe,” Zola explained. “It inspires great debate, advances research, and fosters community among those individuals studying these topics. We are honored to play host to this academic event at Mount Saint Mary College.”

In addition to Fr. White, this year’s presenters included Fr. James Brent, OP, of the Catholic University of America; Edward Feser, of Pasadena City College; Michael Gorman, of The Catholic University of America; Steve Long of Ava Maria University in Florida; Fr. Dominic Legge, OP, of The Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C.; Angela Knobel of The Catholic University of America; and Michael Sherwin, OP, of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

The workshop was sponsored by the Mount’s Catholic and Dominican Institute, The Thomistic Institute of the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., and The Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture in Indiana.

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n anticipation of Passover, members of the Mount community gathered to observe a traditional Seder at the James Finn Cotter Library on campus.

Presiding at the Seder was Rabbi Daniel Polish, an adjunct professor of religious studies at the college. The evening was co-sponsored by the Mount’s Catholic and Dominican Institute (CDI) and Campus Ministry.

“Tonight’s celebration reflects our common commitment to the Judeo-Christian values upon which Mount Saint Mary College was founded,” said Charles Zola, director of CDI, associate professor of philosophy, and division chair.

Seder commemorates the liberation of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt and is a sacred tradition for Jewish people around the world. It also has special meaning for Christians. At such a meal – commonly known as The Last Supper – Jesus gave his disciples the commandment that they love one another, washed the feet of his followers as a sign of service, and shared the bread and wine as the sacrament of his Body and Blood. www.msmc.edu

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Hands-on science in New Zealand

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rom rescuing fish to clearing out non-indigenous plants, 10 Mount students recently enjoyed hands-on lessons in conservation – nearly 9,000 miles away from home.

Through a collaboration with the Mount’s Office of International Programs, assistant biology professor Douglas Robinson immersed the students in experiential learning during 24 days in New Zealand.

The course focused on conservation biology. According to Robinson,

while New Zealand exhibits some of humanity’s negative environmental impacts, it is also a good example of government and citizens banding together to preserve and recreate natural habitats.

“Some of the species that we learned about on the trip are in peril of going extinct, and the investment by the New Zealand government and people to save them is admirable,” Robinson said. “The students saw that it takes a village, everyone getting involved, to make a change.”

Biology major Nichole Lopez (left) and mathematics major Christina Antico plant a Totara tree in New Zealand.

ESL speakers share classroom challenges Three Mount Saint Mary College students, all who learned to speak English after coming to the United States, recently discussed their trials and triumphs in the American education system.

Speaking at “Writing Across Borders” were: n Suzan Al Nesheiwat, an Arabic speaker and nursing major; n Claudia Coroban, a Romanian speaker on the graduate education track; and n Kadiatou Sidibe ’13, a French speaker with a degree in human services.

Nesheiwat came to the U.S. from Jordan. “When I came here, I would speak to my teacher in Arabic,” she said. “But we worked hard and they helped me learn English.”

Coroban noted that her “biggest challenge with English was the spelling. With my first language, you write exactly how you hear a word.” She gave the word “berry” as an example: in Romanian, Coroban would have spelled it “beri.”

For Sidibe, her difficulties with the English language led to feelings of self-doubt. However, with some help from patient, caring teachers, she was able to overcome many of her challenges.

“You find out that you can learn, that you are not stupid,” she said. “And it is a good feeling.”

The event was sponsored by the college’s Writing Center.

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International students gain insights International students toured local Newburgh businesses, including Atlas Industries, an interior design and furniture manufacturing company.

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ore than 50 students from across the globe were immersed in U.S. business culture at Mount Saint Mary College this past winter.

When they completed their three weeks of courses, the ceremony was streamed online, allowing friends and family in their home countries to view the event live.

Through the International Business School – São Paulo and the Mount’s Office of International Programs, the Mount Saint Mary College School of Business hosted the scholars, who learned standard business practices in the U.S. In addition to regular classes, the students enjoyed panel discussions lead by local entrepreneurs and visited leading area businesses, including Hudson Beach Glass in

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Beacon, N.Y., and the Newburgh Brewing Company.

Hailing from 16 different countries, including Brazil, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, England, Poland, Spain and Australia, the scholars attended marketing, English and business courses on the college’s campus. According to Ashley Knox, director of international programs at the Mount, the courses helped prepare the students to be employed in the global market.

Aldo Brunhara of Brazil, institutional relations director for International Business School, was proud of the scholars’ accomplishments.

“They are outstanding students,” he said. “They learned lots about how to do business in America, globalization, project management, finance and strategic thinking.”

Safe Harbors of the Hudson’s Development Coordinator Jen D’Andrea interviews Gabriella Maher during the MSMC Career Center’s Mock Interview Week.

About 200 students and alumni attended the Mount’s Employment Fair.

Preparing the next young professionals

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Mount students worked with the Tax-Aide Foundation to help with tax preparation.

rom mock interviews with leading employers to panel discussions with distinguished alumni, the Mount’s Career Center prepares students for success in the workforce.

Employment Fair

The Mount community arrived equipped with résumés and dressed for success, as employers offered full-time positions, internships, and summer jobs during the 16th annual Employment Fair at the college. Approximately 200 Mount students and alumni spoke with some 60 employers from civic, corporate, and nonprofit organizations, including: Judelson, Giordano & Siegel, CPA, PC; Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corp.; Crystal Run Healthcare; and more.

The event was co-sponsored by Northwestern Mutual, Mediacom Communications Corporation, and Advance Testing Company, Inc.

Mock Interviews Nearly 100 students had the opportunity to hone their interviewing skills with employers from 30 leading businesses during the Career Center’s Mock Interview Week. Employers included Thomas D. Weddell, CPA,

managing partner at Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni, & Weddell, LLP; Terrie Goldstein, publisher at Hudson Valley Parent & Hudson Valley Life magazines; and Don Presutti, technical manager, Fox News.

Tax Help With income tax day looming, 16 accounting students provided free tax preparation for local low- and middle-income families. The program was a partnership between the AARP Tax-Aide Foundation, the Mid-Hudson CASH Coalition, and United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. The volunteers trained for at least 40 hours through classroom work, then passed an IRS certification exam. Kathleen O’Keefe, associate director of the Center, served on the Tax-Aide Planning Committee and monitored Mount volunteer success.

Professional Development About 80 students learned solid job

Students met potential employers at the Employment Fair.

search secrets and interview techniques during the Senior Professional Development Conference. The event was designed to help students market themselves to prospective employers and graduate schools. Topics included preparing for grad school, affording life after college, and crafting highquality résumés and cover letters. Michael Elliott, Executive Vice President – People at JetBlue, was the keynote speaker.

The Career Center also sponsored a host of panel discussions featuring distinguished Mount alumni in many fields, including natural sciences, English, communications, social sciences, and more. www.msmc.edu

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Acting President James Raimo greeted the crowd and congratulated the Mount’s newest graduates.

Celebrating the Class of 2016

53rd Annual Commencement Ceremonies 18

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

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ount Saint Mary College recognized 600 graduates at its 53rd annual Commencement Ceremony on May 21.

Of the 600 total graduates, the college awarded 135 master’s degrees and 465 bachelor’s degrees.

More than 150 students earned degrees in nursing and related fields, and another 150 earned degrees in business.

As a bagpipe skirl filled the air, James Finn Cotter, the college’s longest-serving professor, once again bore the ceremonial mace and led the long procession into a tent packed with families and friends of the graduates. It marked the 37th time Cotter has served as Master of Ceremonies at the Mount.

The graduating students hailed from 10 states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Alaska, California, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Washington and Wyoming.

The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Albert Gruner, of the Mount Saint Mary College Board of Trustees.

James Raimo, acting president of the college, congratulated the faculty, staff, parents and seniors on a job well done.

The graduating students then heard from commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient Timothy P. Flanigan, MD, professor of Medicine and Health Services, Policy and Practices in the Alpert Medical College at Brown University.

Dr. Flanigan earned his BA from Dartmouth College and his MD from Cornell University Medical College. He joined Dr. Charles Carpenter at Brown in 1991 to lead the HIV and AIDS medical program.

He recently spearheaded HIV care in the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

Dr. Flanigan also had the courage to respond to another severe public health emergency: Ebola. In 2014, he traveled to St. Joseph Catholic Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia to

combat the illness.

“As I think many of you know, the heart, the soul, and the key to good healthcare is nursing,” he said.

The audience erupted into cheers.

Joseph Borden, Student Academic Council president, announced to his fellow graduates that the same hard work and tenacity that got them through college will serve them well as they move on to the next chapters of their lives.

Bradley Moody, president of the Student Government Association, characterized the Class of 2016 as “prepared for the next journey life has in store.”

Moody also recognized the achievements of Alvin Mann, a 92-year-old World War II veteran and fellow graduate who received his bachelor’s degree in history.

“Alvin is an incredible example of overcoming obstacles and never, ever giving up,” said Moody.

As Mann stood to be recognized at Moody’s request, faculty, staff, graduates, and their friends and families filled the tent with applause.

The Faculty Award was presented to Peter Witkowsky, associate professor of English, and Amanda Maynard, associate professor of psychology, for their work with the college’s First-Year Experience (FYE) program. FYE welcomes first-year students and fosters success as they transition into the Mount community.

The Mount’s newest graduates are already experiencing success.

For example, Dharamhet Khangura accepted a technical position at EnviroTest Laboratories, Inc., a Newburgh-based company that specializes in chemical and biological environmental testing; and Amanda Pecorella began working at Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni & Weddell, LLP, a local accounting firm, on May 31 – less than two weeks after commencement.

When there’s a need, when there’s “a crisis…just go. Go and be present, even though you’re uncomfortable, even though you don’t know exactly what to say, even though you’re not perfectly prepared. Go with your smile and with your warmth and just be present. That makes all the difference.

”

Dr. Timothy P. Flanigan, MD 2016 Commencement Speaker

“Our stay at the Mount has no doubt been emotional at times and we have all had our fair share of ups and downs. But no matter the circumstance, we have remained resilient.

Our fight and our determination to succeed have prepared us for anything and everything that lies ahead. We will affect positive change. We will be each other’s keeper. And we will never forget [our] home away from home, Mount Saint Mary College.”

Joseph Borden

President, Student Academic Council

“Whether you joined the Student Government Association, a club, any of our athletic teams, Campus Ministry, the theater productions, Residence Life, an academic honor society, participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, studied abroad ... we quickly began to learn about ourselves and how each of us fit into this community.”

Bradley Moody

President, Student Government Association www.msmc.edu

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53rd Annual Commencement Ceremonies

More than 80 receive nursing pins, 20 earn white coats

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he day before commencement, more than 80 Mount graduates were proud to receive their nursing pins.

Fr. Francis Amodio, O.Carm., campus chaplain and director of Campus Ministry, blessed the pins, which were presented to the graduates by chosen family members and friends.

The pin displays the college seal and the motto, “doce me veritatem,” which translates as “teach me the truth.”

Professors Andrea Ackermann, Priscilla Sagar and Jill Sussman offered the graduates words of encouragement and advice for their careers.

“The new face of nursing practice includes global terrorism, Ebola, and the Zika virus,” said Sussman, the keynote speaker. “But not to worry: nurses thrive in adversity.”

Victoria Goldbach – recipient of the School of Nursing Leadership award and the American Nursing Association New York Future Nurse Leader award – credited the group’s professors with molding them into the nurses they are today.

Other award recipients included Alessandra Sicolo (General Excellence in Nursing); Sean D’Onofrio (School of Nursing Clinical Excellence); Stephanie Conover (Spirit of Nursing); and Maegen Reed (Perseverance).

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Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Ashley Kessler said she couldn’t have graduated without the support of her parents. “This pin is dedicated to my loving family, who never gave up on my dreams, and to my beautiful mother for passing her pin down another generation,” she said.

Concluding the ceremony, the newly-minted nurses recited “A Nurse’s Prayer” about dedicating one’s life to helping others.

The previous week, about 20 nurses completing the Master of Science degree were honored at a White Coat Ceremony, reflecting their transition to the professional nurse practitioner role.

According to Christine Berté, director of graduate nursing programs, Mount nurse practitioner graduates began as registered nurses and can now enter primary care practices, including family health and internal medicine, or practice in acute care settings such as hospital positions and urgent care/fast track health access points.

Kaye Saludares, recipient of the 2016 Sigma Award, offered her reflections on the college’s rigorous program. “We learned dedication, determination, resilience, and most important, we learned how to bring out the leader in us with professionalism and dignity,” she said.

WWII veteran graduates at 92

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lvin Mann knows that you’re never too old to learn something new. The 92-year-old World War II veteran is one of the Mount’s newest grads.

Mann recently decided to finish a degree he began a while ago in the state of Florida. A history major, he has lived through the time periods being studied in his classes, giving him a unique outlook from the rest of his classmates.

At first, Mann was worried he wouldn’t fit in. “After all, how

many ‘gray hairs’ are students, you know?” he said. “I remember walking into my first class and saying, ‘I’m not the teacher.’ ” However, it didn’t take long to discover how supportive the Mount community is, he said, including faculty, staff, and students.

One of his most inspiring classes was Religious Movements in America, taught by Sr. Cecilia Murray, OP. “Sr. Murray was absolutely amazing,” said Mann. “She taught

every religion you could think of [in that class]. She was just wonderful.”

Mann cited Computer Literacy as his most challenging class. “It’s not something I can’t do,” he noted, “but I’m not used to working online.” Even this challenge, though, led to unexpected joy.

Does he feel his time at the Mount has enriched his life? “Very much so,” he said. “I enjoy the interaction with the students. I really feel at home here,” he said.

Grad makes great strides after childhood injury

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or Hanna Sheppard, who suffered a debilitating spinal injury nearly a decade ago, striding across the stage at Mount Saint Mary College’s 53rd annual Commencement was as big an achievement as earning her degree.

About a year before attending the Mount, she relied on a wheelchair.

When she began taking classes at the college in 2012, Sheppard used a pair of crutches. On Saturday, May 21, she walked across the commencement stage unaided.

In 2008, Sheppard dove into her pool from the middle, expecting to coast along the slanted floor to the deep end. Instead she hit the concrete head-on and cracked her C5 vertebra in half. Sheppard’s younger brother rescued her and she was airlifted to the hospital.

Her right hand and much of her right leg remain paralyzed, but that didn’t stop the former Mount Sophomore Class President from attaining her goals – both physically and academically.

Sheppard says that learning to walk without crutches was a “conscious decision” during her time at the Mount.

“Eventually I moved from two crutches to one crutch, to a cane, to nothing,” she explained.

“It was physical, but it was also about confidence. I said, ‘You know what? I need to do this.’ And so it happened.”

Her time at the Mount, she said, has “prepared me for the real world.”

Sheppard hopes to earn a master’s in business administration in the future, having discovered a love of the field through her Mount courses.

Hanna Sheppard at Commencement

www.msmc.edu

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of the Class of 2016, “youMembers should be very proud of yourself and your classmates today...This is truly a great accomplishment. You are always welcome back.

”

James Raimo Acting President

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Congratulations

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Class of 2016!

www.msmc.edu

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GIVING BACK The Mount community at work The luminaria ceremony honors those who have passed away.

Four cancer survivors led the first lap of the Mount’s Relay for Life.

Mount Relay for Life

raises $34,000

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ount Saint Mary College’s seventh annual Relay for Life earned more than $34,000 for the American Cancer Society, thanks to the efforts of students, faculty, staff and volunteers from the community.

More than 400 members of 39 teams took turns walking laps from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to honor those who have or were lost to cancer and to raise money for a cure.

Survivors, including students, faculty and alumni, were guests of honor.

The Mount Relay Leadership Committee was led by psychology major Shannon Young, math major Christina Antico and sociology-criminology major Kathryn Ulicny.

At the opening ceremony, Mount senior Amanda Pecorella discussed losing her mother to cancer last year.

Though the loss was difficult for her, she said it also motivated her to excel in all aspects of her life. She and her team raised more than $5,000 for the Relay effort.

“Relay creates hope,” Pecorella said.

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“Tonight I celebrate and I invite you all to celebrate. And I grieve. Do both at the same time, because that’s ok.”

Relay participant and cancer survivor Diana Pernicano said that her battle against the illness began in fall 2013 when she found a lump in her neck during a hands-on lesson in a nursing class. She credits the Mount course with saving her life. Pernicano received treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma immediately, and is now cancer free.

Himali Pandya, assistant director of Student Activities, was pleased with the work of all the students who contributed to the program. “The Mount is lucky to have so many service-minded students,” she said. “I was very impressed with their ability to organize the event and their determination to raise as much as possible to fight cancer.”

The event was sponsored by the Colleges Against Cancer Club, the Student Activities Office, and the American Cancer Society.

The Mount’s Relay for Life has raised about $200,000 to fight cancer in the past seven years.

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Play ball! Young cancer survivor keeps pitching Six-year-old Joshua Winslow, a cancer survivor, threw the first pitch at a Mount Saint Mary College softball game in March. After beating the illness about three years ago, he remains cancer free.

Funding a cure one hat at a time

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n a recent Sunday morning, the James Finn Cotter Library at Mount Saint Mary College came alive with fairytales and princesses to cheer a little girl battling a big illness.

Five-year-old Georgia, a heart-transplant recipient who has been undergoing chemotherapy for Post-transplant Proliferative Disease, enjoyed a party thrown in her honor by the Mount’s chapter of Love Your Melon.

Love Your Melon is a nonprofit formed to fight childhood cancer. The organization began with the idea of putting a hat on every child battling cancer in America to cover hair loss, a common side effect of chemotherapy.

About half of the proceeds go to two cancer charities: Cure Search and The Pinky Swear Foundation.

The Mount’s 20-member Love Your Melon chapter sold about 300 hats and raised nearly $10,000 since its inception in January. Chapter president Kelsey O’Brien, who graduated in May, noted that the more the chapter raises, the more it can brighten the lives of young cancer patients through events like princess and superhero parties.

“You can change the world in a small way and it can have a big impact,” said O’Brien. “It’s about curing

Members of the Mount’s chapter of Love Your Melon threw a princess party in honor of five-year-old Georgia, currently undergoing chemotherapy sessions.

cancer, but in the meantime, it’s about making the lives of children with cancer easier.”

In only four short months, the Mount’s Love Your Melon chapter has partnered with other Mount groups to help improve the lives of youngsters afflicted with the illness.

Recently, the chapter was instrumental in welcoming six-year-old Joshua Winslow, a cancer survivor, to

the Mount to throw the first pitch at a softball game; inviting 17-year-old Sara of the SaraStrong Foundation as a guest performer in a Mount improv show; and working with the women’s lacrosse team and the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation to “adopt” a teenage cancer survivor as an honorary teammate.

Love Your Melon also had a formidable presence at the Mount’s recent Relay for Life.

Women’s lacrosse team honors cancer survivor, Friends of Jaclyn At a recent game, more than 200 fans of the Mount’s women’s lacrosse team cheered on the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ) and the Knights’ newest teammate, Brielle, a young cancer survivor who they adopted back in the fall.

The game served as an awareness and fundraiser event for the FOJ. The foundation, based in Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., helps improve the quality of life for children and teens battling cancer by pairing afflicted children, as well as their siblings, with local high school and college sports teams, campus clubs, and arts programs.

The Knights donned special teal jerseys with Brielle’s name and the FOJ logo.

“Knowing that I have a family like

this means the world to me and others who are battling cancer,” said Brielle.

“They cheered me on during my recovery, and knowing that I can call them any time is incredible.”

Brielle underwent chemotherapy to treat ovarian cancer during the fall.

In January 2016, her doctors gave her the “all clear” status, and she is now back to work on the lacrosse field at Yorktown High School, where she is a member of the junior varsity team.

“Brielle is an inspiration for us all to fight, do our best and keep moving forward,” said junior captain Amanda Clemens. “Seeing her on the sideline with the team reminded us of the greater purpose we serve as members of the lacrosse community.”

Brielle and two players from the Mount’s women’s lacrosse team. www.msmc.edu

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Michael Russo (foreground), and Roger May shuttle food and clothing donated for Newburgh Ministry.

Students, staff serve in the Lone Star State

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early a dozen members of the Mount community volunteered their spring break time to help build a home in Laredo, Texas with Habitat for Humanity.

Led by Roger May Jr., assistant director of campus ministry, and Himali Pandya, assistant director of student activities, the Mount group was tasked with installing windows and siding, as well as constructing interior walls.

“The students jumped right in and worked really hard,” explained May. “The night before, we discussed how we didn’t really know how to build anything, but by lunch the next day, they were on ladders and scaffolding, using nail guns. I was really impressed.”

The Mount group worked alongside the family who will own the home when it is completed, as well as with students from Elon University in North Carolina. The students lent their service to the project for several days, and spent their nights at a local church.

Christina Cerutti, president of the Mount’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity, helps build a house in Laredo, Texas.

“Everyone from Elon was great,” said Pandya. “At night we would do reflections together. Their enthusiasm encouraged us to succeed, and vice versa.”

Another important motivating factor, according to May, was the short length of time they had to complete the project.

“They told us at the beginning that we’re not going back to redo anything, so how you build it was how it stays,” he explained. “We made sure to do everything carefully and quickly to make the best of our time.”

According to Christina Cerutti, president of the Mount’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity, the trip made a lasting, positive impact on everyone in the Mount group. She added that the build was an excellent way to end her final semester with the club, which she has been a member of since her freshman year.

Mount students donate truckload of food, clothing to Newburgh Ministry The end of the semester brought an act of kindness from the students of Mount Saint Mary College, who filled a medium-sized trailer with food and clothing donations for the Newburgh Ministry charitable organization.

Through a program spearheaded

by Roger May, assistant director of Campus Ministry, and the college’s residence life directors, Mount students were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items and gentlyused clothing as they packed up for the semester.

May was pleased with the campaign’s results.

“I’m blown away by the students’ generosity,” he said. “They could have kept walking and taken everything to the dumpster in one shot. But they made it a point to stop by the donation center.”

May also thanked residence directors Colin Seifrit, Michael Russo and Jennifer Garton, as well as James Whittaker of Mount facilities, for their aid.

Prom Fest earns more than $600 for scholarship The Mount recently offered high school students the opportunity to find the perfect, affordable prom dress.

Held at Hudson Hall Auditorium in April, Prom Fest distributed some 60 gently used dresses that were donated by students, faculty, staff, local businesses, and area residents, at drop-off points at the Mount and throughout Orange County.

Prom Fest earned more than $600 for the St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be

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awarded to a current Mount student.

Prom Fest co-coordinator Brianne Thompson, leadership development coach at the Mount, praised students for their dedication to the project. “From sorting the dresses beforehand to helping out during the event, the students are blowing me away with how helpful they have been,” she explained.

Thompson also thanked St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital for their hand in making Prom Fest a success.

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Left to right: Mount students Nicholas Terzulli, Anahi Lima, and Makayla Caso sort donated prom dresses.

Community donates 1,600 books for Newburgh parents

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he Mount Saint Mary College community and other local organizations donated more than 1,600 children’s books to St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh, N.Y., to be distributed to area families in need.

Mount assistant psychology professor Yasmine Kalkstein spearheaded the “It Takes a Village” project, which gave children an at-home library and also educated parents about social and cognitive development of babies.

“In my work with St. Luke’s Birth Center, I discovered a high percentage of mothers delivering there are in need of support,” explained Kalkstein, adding, “Reading to your kids is one of the top predictors of academic success later.”

Kalkstein, Mount student volunteers, and Brownie Troop 316 met at the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County to pack the items for distribution.

The 200 tote bags each included eight books, baby care items, and information on child development, the importance of reading to youngsters, breastfeeding, postpartum depression and community resources for new mothers.

Kalkstein credits Mount nursing major Shantelle Lord, who served as

student coordinator, with much of the campaign’s success. She also thanked the Mount community for their support in the initiative.

“It Takes a Village” was supported

by Affinity Health Plan, MVP Health Care, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, United Way of Poughkeepsie, Staples of Central Valley, Adams Fairacre Farms, Price Chopper, Hannaford Supermarket, Rockland

Volunteers from Mount Saint Mary College, including assistant psychology professor Yasmine Kalkstein (center), were joined by Brownie Troop 316 to pack supplies.

Jewish Academy, Bishop Dunn Memorial School, Chabad of Orange County, Randone’s Pizzeria, Planet Pizza, and Bagel World.

Mount staff volunteer at veterans charity Mount Saint Mary College staff members recently volunteered at the Veterans Miracle Center in Albany, N.Y., where veterans, active-duty military personnel and their immediate families can receive necessities at no cost.

Sharon Seidule, the college’s West Point program coordinator and academic advisor for adult degree completion, along with Elizabeth Ebert, registrar specialist and veteran certifying official at the Mount, sorted and boxed donated goods in the center’s warehouse.

Seidule and Ebert are members of the Veterans Committee of the Hudson Valley Consortium for Higher Education, which brings together veterans services representatives from Hudson Valley colleges and universities to advocate for veterans’ education.

Military service runs in Seidule’s

More than 170 donate blood Seidule serving for veterans.

family. She is the daughter of a veteran, her husband is an active-duty Army officer teaching at West Point and her son is an Army officer stationed in Korea.

The service event also held a special place in Ebert’s heart as the wife of a veteran. “If I can make a difference in one person’s life by serving here on campus or as a volunteer for a few hours, then it is worth it,” she said.

Mount Saint Mary College students, staff and members of the local community recently gave the gift of life at the college’s blood drive, to the tune of 176 donations.

Along with medical professionals from the New York Blood Center, members of the college’s Nursing Student Union were among those assisting. “We could not do this without the help of our NSU officers, in particular president Victoria Goldbach,” said associate professor Ann Corcoran. www.msmc.edu

29

ATHLETICS

Knights

Roundup Men’s Basketball

The Knights opened the season by winning the consolation game in the Elmira College Tournament and rounded out the year with a Skyline Conference win at St. Joseph’s-L.I. Daniel Wolff and Gerard Nocera both averaged doublefigures in scoring, while freshman T.J. Patsalos was named Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week three times.

Women’s Basketball

The Knights improved their season win total by five and advanced to the semifinal round of the Skyline Conference Tournament. Kayla Cleare was named Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week three times and garnered Skyline Co-Rookie of the Year honors. After leading the team in scoring with 12.7 points per game, sophomore Jessica Rini made First Team All-Skyline Conference.

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Men’s Swimming

The Knights finished as runner-up at the Skyline Conference Championship meet and set three school records at the Metropolitan Championships.

Kyle Barber set a new Skyline Conference Championship meet record in the 1,000-yard freestyle and along with Christopher Sagan, Jake Schoenherr and Sam Watson made All-Skyline Conference selection.

Women’s Swimming

The Knights won their fifth straight Skyline Conference Championship, and saw Marissa Catania set two new Skyline records and Kyra McNamee set a new championship meet standard.

McNamee was named Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year and head coach Dan Drury picked up the league’s Coach of the Year Award. Seven Mount

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

swimmers were named All-Skyline Conference and the team went on to set five school records at the Metropolitan Championship meet.

Men’s Track and Field The Knights set five new school records during the 2015-16 indoor season, with Chris DelVecchio (5,000 meters), Jeffrey Hamrlicek (60-meter hurdles), Sean Farrell (pole vault), Peter Zecchin (shot put) and Peter Greco (weight). The outdoor season saw the Knights post eight new school records, including the 10,000-meter mark by DelVecchio, the 800-meter by Adam Al-Haraizeh and the hammer throw

by Greco in the season finale at Vassar.

The Knights completed the season ranked 10th in the Atlantic Region.

Women’s Track and Field

Softball

Women’s Lacrosse

The Knights set four new indoor school records during 2015-16, with Christine Brown posting a new mark in the 5,000-meter and freshman Michelle Gildea setting a new record in the 60-meter hurdles. Kristen Maddock reached a new height in the pole vault and joined Gildea, Angelia Cirigliano and Victoria Lasio on a new 4x200meter relay record. Gildea continued her strong rookie season outdoors with a new 100-meter hurdles record and teamed with Maddock, Cirigliano and Lasio for a new 4x100-meter relay record. The Knights ranked 10th in the Atlantic Region.

The Knights nailed a 16-2 Skyline Conference season, and their first conference crown since 2001 after a 9-0 win over Sage in the conference final. The Mount went on to compete in the NCAA Regional at Ithaca May 13-15. Jessica Mushel was named Skyline Conference Coach of the Year for the second straight season, and Cindy Connoly was tabbed the league Pitcher of the Year for the second straight time. Connoly was named First Team All-Conference with Shannon Sommer. Chelsea Dexter, Amanda Almodovar and Sabrina Gordek all made Second Team All-Conference.

The Mount closed spring with backto-back conference wins and saw Katie Gattoni and Claire Duffy named First Team All-Skyline Conference. Duffy earned her fourth straight First Team nod from the league and was named the conference Defensive Player of the Year. She finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in ground balls, draw controls and caused turnovers.

Gattoni scored five times in the season finale to equal the program’s all-time goal record of 170.

Baseball

Mount Saint Mary College had the best start in program history, winning its first seven contests, including the program’s first ever shutout in the season opener. The Knights closed the year with a program best 10 wins, including six on home turf, Kaplan Field. Sophomore Dylan De Meo had a big year, setting a new program record with 85 points on his way to being made the program’s first ever First Team All-Skyline Conference selection. De Meo was named the league’s Player of the Week three times, while Tristan Earle earned a weekly award and Brodie Nuzzi picked up a Rookie of the Week nod.

Mount Saint Mary College qualified for the Skyline Conference Championship Tournament and saw senior Matt Cahill named Second Team All-Skyline Conference for the second straight season. Cahill boasted a .333 average in 39 games played. Blake Keenan led the Mount with 25 runs scored and 31 walks, while Rob Peccerillo drove in a team-high 19 runs. James McCleary finished with a 2.84 earned run average, while the rotation was anchored by Kevin Duffy who won five games and totaled team-highs in innings pitched (61.0) and strikeouts (49).

Men’s Lacrosse

Men’s Tennis

The Knights made their sixth straight appearance in the Skyline Conference Championship, finishing the season 11-4 overall and 6-1 against league rivals. Junior Matt Anastasi was named First Team All-Skyline Conference and league Player of the Week three times after finishing the year 10-3 in singles matches, including nine wins at top lineup position. Freshman Chris McGorty was a Second Team AllLeague selection, was named conference Rookie of the Week three times in 2016, and finished with a team-best 12 singles wins. Senior Nate Dimmie closed his career with a Second Team All-Skyline Conference nod after going 9-4 in singles matches.

www.msmc.edu

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Jessica Mushel, Skyline Conference Coach of the Year

Cindy Connoly, Skyline Pitcher of the Year

Mount claims 2016 Skyline Conference Softball Championship

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T

he Mount Saint Mary College softball team completed its quest for a Skyline Conference Championship this Spring and moved into the 2016 NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

The team was led by head coach Jessica Mushel, who was named the Skyline Conference’s Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.

The Knights, who claimed their first conference crown

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

since 2001, lost their bid for the NCAA championship after the third game.

This successful year in athletics helped the Mount Athletics Department come in fourth in the annual Skyline Conference Presidents Cup Standings. The Knights were anchored by conference championships from women’s swimming and softball during the 2015-16 academic year.

Athletes honored at softball banquet

T

he Athletics Department honored its student-athletes at the annual Awards Ceremony on May 5. Listed from left to right are the Department’s honorees: Dylan De Meo – Male Athlete of the Year, Cindy Connoly – Female Athlete of the Year and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Claire Duffy – Female Senior of the Year, Amanda Clemens – Female Knight of the Year, Sam Watson, Male Knight of the Year, Michael Blaauboer – Male Rookie of the Year, Michael Ennis – Male Senior of the Year, Kayla Cleare – Female Rookie of the Year, and Athletic Director Dan Twomey. (Not pictured: Blake Keenan – Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year)

Student-athletes, coaches lend helping hands at Special Olympics As part of the Knights in the Community initiative, the Mount’s Athletics Department volunteered at the Special Olympics Winter Games at Holiday Mountain in Monticello, N.Y. Seventy-four Mount studentathletes and coaches volunteered at several events, including Alpine Skiing, Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing. The Knights helped with registration, the Fan Station, announcements, scorekeeping, escorting athletes, and handing out medals at the podium.

Head women’s soccer coach BreLynn Nasypany, who supervises the Mount Saint Mary College StudentAthlete Advisory Committee, was impressed with the Mount turnout and the effort each of the volunteers put forth.

Said Nasypany, “I am thankful to the Special Olympics organization for

allowing us to be a part of the Winter Special Olympics Games and for giving our student-athletes the opportunity to demonstrate their citizenship and leadership throughout the day. It is my hope that the lives of our studentathletes were enhanced through this mutual learning experience with the Special Olympics athletes.” www.msmc.edu

33

ALUMNI PROFILE

Alumnus uses nursing skills for Astros

F

or Mount graduate Paul Davis, BSN, going to work is literally a day at the park. Specifically, Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, where thousands of baseball fans regularly gather to watch the Houston Astros play ball.

Davis works full-time as nurse manager for First Med Inc., sole medical provider for Major League Baseball team the Houston Astros, for nearly 20 years. He cares for the medical needs of anyone in the ballpark with a crew of two nurses and eight paramedics, staffing two emergency care offices and three remote mobile sites.

“It’s like having a small city of people and workers under one roof,” he explained. “There are very few nurses in the country that do this and I feel honored to have this position.”

He manages patient care for 20 to 70 people per game, including fans injured by baseballs smacked into the stands, as well as maladies such as blisters, sunstroke, cuts and burns.

He and his team have even treated heart attack victims and mothers going into labor. “We see it all,” he said.

The busy grad also works full-time as an operating room nurse at St. Joseph Medical Center in downtown Houston, and finds time to be a volunteer firefighter, a service he has been happy to provide for 16 years.

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Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Davis credits much of his success to the support from his Mount mentors.

“I will always be grateful for Elizabeth Glassman and her version of pharmacology which made sense to me,” he noted.

“I remember Ken Sherman who taught chemistry with a passion. And I am forever grateful to Marie Bibby for her great counsel.”

He added that 1988 classmate John Mechtel “kept me focused for four very difficult years.”

Graduation was a memorable moment for Davis.

“I remember the pinning ceremony and the confusion when they didn’t know what to do with the men in the program because we did not have [nursing] caps,” he explained.

“That was a major deal at the time. I also remember that my parents and grandmother came to my graduation. The picture of my grandmother with the tulips outside the Villa still hangs on my wall.”

For current nursing students, Davis offered some advice: “Forge your own path. Find out where you want to be and then do what you have to do to get there,” he said. “Enjoy your moment responsibly. I have made a career rescuing people or rebuilding people who make bad choices.”

Alumni Notes 1966

Jayne (Jarvis) Henninger has owned her employment agency, Remedy Staffing, for 24 years. Jayne’s daughter-in-law became her business partner 10 years ago and has been a great asset. Jayne’s son, George, decided to leave his pharmaceutical sales job and join their team. “We are all so thrilled because we are truly a family-owned business now. Look forward to visiting MSMC in September for our 50th reunion!”

1970

Maria Sasso has been appointed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County (80,000 student system) for a term of five years.

1971

Gerri (Walotsky) Cass bids farewell to her wonderful home of 33 years! It has so many memories that she holds dear. She is enjoying her new townhome, meeting some great neighbors, and trying to fit everything in a smaller house. Luckily, the homes are about three miles apart, so she gets to see her old neighbors, too!

1972

Mary Ellen (Scannell) Doherty and Beth ScannellDesch have written a second book, “Nurses After War: Reintegration Experiences After Serving in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.” The

1977

book, published by Springer Publications, New York, was released in July, 2016.

Kathleen (Morgan) Ehli and husband, Bill welcomed their fifth and sixth grandchildren, Conner and Leeann.

Kathleen’s retirement from teaching has given her time to take care of grandchildren and volunteer at their local museum, where she teaches third graders about going to school in Colonial times and fifth graders about making butter.

1973

Ken Sherman and his wife Sharon’s granddaughter, Samantha Evans, just celebrated her 16th birthday, on the same day Ken celebrated his 65th birthday!

1974

Caren (Catania) Heeney has been teaching in the Newburgh area for more than 30 years and always learning something new. Still loving it!! “My five beautiful grandchildren make me smile every day! They continue to teach me what’s important in life. So fortunate!”

1975

Linda (Bushek) Remolino retired from a 40-year career in New Jersey public schools.

During that time, she was a special education teacher, a school counselor and the director of school counseling services. Linda and her husband, Art, will now travel and spend time with their grandson, Brandon.

Nancy (Rust) Sutherland was class reunion chair, with the help of Suzanne (Auer) O’Rourke and Joan (Conway) Sternitzke, for Alumni and Family Weekend 2015.

The class of 1975 had 19 classmates return for the weekend: the largest turnout they’ve ever had! It was a fun-filled weekend with plenty of laughs and it was great renewing old friendships! Pictures can be viewed on Facebook, MSMC class reunion 75. Hope to see you in 2020!

1976

Joan (Brady) Carbone is proud to be superintendent of the Pine Bush School District and will be retiring in September 2016, after 40 years as a NYS teacher and administrator. Joan and her husband, Mike, will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with their two sons, daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. “I will always be grateful to MSMC for the outstanding education and lifelong friendships.”

Cathie (McCarthy) Cavanagh received the NYSUT 2016 Health Care Professional award. Cathie is the school nurse at PatchogueMedford High School on Long Island.

Patrice (Ford) Fogarty has moved to Amelia Island in northern Florida and enjoying retirement.

1979

Lisa (Caporaso) Dyke is an administrative/clinical hospital supervisor in a 25-bed Critical Access rural hospital in New Hampshire.

She is able to insure optimal standards for quality patient care and comfort, and also to perform in a clinical role, which has always been the greatest joy for her. She has three beautiful granddaughters and a new grandbaby due in November!

Maureen Ryan retired from Orange-Ulster BOCES as Special Education Administrator, and works as a consultant with her own business, Action Consulting. She will be presenting at a conference for Autism NI in Belfast, N. Ireland, on strategies for teaching children with autism.

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Alumni Notes 1980

Hilary (Hallas) Mitchell and Nancy (Nobile) Benson remain lifelong friends after four years as MSMC roommates. Nancy is case manager at Springfield Hospital, Vt., where she oversees activities related to inpatient case management. Hilary is director of employee health services at Pitney Bowes, Inc., Stamford, Conn. where she manages the 5-employee health clinics, the disability department, and EAP, and oversees the WC program.

1981

Mount marches in parade

Mount community members strode Fifth Avenue in the 2016 New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. The Mount marchers wore black slacks and shoes, and green parade sashes emblazoned with “Mount Saint Mary College.” This year’s participants commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising.

1982

Anne (Fitzgerald) Conway and members of the MSMC class of 1981 met in NYC for lunch in December 2015, then met up with members of their “Little Sister “ class of 1983.

Kathleen Killeen is aging gracefully in Bluffton/Hilton Head Island, S.C. She keeps busy with her grandchildren, and her home-based business, FLOWERS by KK, designing florals for weddings, birthdays, holidays and other special events. “Life is good, being educated, talented, happy and purposeful!”

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Janet (Lane) Walters is celebrating her 48th year as a published writer. She will soon publish her 45th electronic book. There are mysteries, romance from contemporary to fantasy, YA fantasy books and a non-fiction award winner about writing fiction.

1983

Laurie (Iuzzini) Lawrence works as a gifted collaborative teacher, grades K-5, at Unity Grove Elementary in Locust Grove, Ga. She is also teaching two master’s level endorsement classes, which she helped co-write, for teachers seeking their gifted endorsement.

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Laurie lives in McDonough, Ga., with her husband, Dennis Lawrence ‘86, sons Michael and Andrew, and fabulous Australian Shepherd, cat, and grand-dog.

1987

Chris Gadbois and his wife retired near Fort Myers. Fla. in 2014. Chris spends his time volunteering at the local animal shelter and learning to play golf. They spend the month of July in the Hudson Valley where Chris grew up.

1990

Robin (Miller) Schaefer obtained her doctorate of nursing practice from Grand Canyon University in February 2016. She is the assistant vice president of Nursing Services at CarolinaEast Health System in New Bern, N.C.

1992

Michelle Thiele-Conklin has been teaching in the Port Jervis School district since graduation. She is married and has four children: Michael (16), Matthew (14), Mallory (11) and Mitchel (4). Her son, Michael, will follow in her footsteps and attend the Mount when he graduates in 2017!

Ira Hancock was interviewed

by Satellite Radio for being a Distinguished Professional.

His Study Skills article was published in a Strategic Learning Skills newsletter. In the three years after his mother’s death, she would be proud that he reunited with his Aspen Headmaster. In 2016 Bixby Headmaster John Suitor introduced him to two wonderful students named Eva & Alijah.

1997

Alisha Fuller graduated from Pace University’s first DNP cohort in 2011. She is President of the New York State Nurse Practitioner Association, clinical director at Tri-State Bariatrics, and works at Horizon Family Medical Group, is a hospitalist at Orange Regional Medical Center, and teaches at MSMC. She married Paul Ardizzone in 2011 and enjoys traveling.

1999

Frederick Leimer after more than 30 years of public service — including the United States Marine Corps, City of Newburgh Police Department, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and several public and academic libraries — retired to the beautiful gulf coast city of Venice, Fla.

Joseph Polvere after 15 years of teaching has been appointed vice principal of Selzer School in Dumont, N.J.

2001

Nathan Heltzel completed his doctoral dissertation on “Cell Phone Cyberbullying’s Impact on Victims’ Attendance, Academics, and Social and Personal Life In School: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study” and graduated from Liberty University with a Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.) in 2014. He is currently a school counselor at Briarcliff High School in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.

2002

2000

Ami Marshall transitioned to the role of academic nurse educator, with a full-time lecturer position in the nurse practitioner program at Yale University, as of January 2016.

Diane (Justiniano) Owens earlier this year suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome, an auto-immune condition that left her quadriplegic. She is

still recovering, but has committed to run three races this year, including a marathon to support the Children’s Tumor Foundation in honor of her 3-year-old son who has tumors on his back and brain.

To support Diane visit join.ctf.org/DianeOwens

really enjoy it and I am looking for partners to enjoy this lifetime opportunity.”

2010

2005

Brian Hernandez, after an eight-year career as an analyst at the NYC-based asset management firm, Blue Mountain Capital Management, gained admission into the NYU Stern School of Business full-time MBA program. “Mount Saint Mary College gave me the strong academic foundation that was integral to my current success,” he wrote.

Najiba (Jonigan) Meskadi is married and the mother of two girls. She has been working in human services and substitute teaching, and recently became a franchise owner of Market America. “I

Amanda Lasher had the opportunity to teach Developmental Psychology this spring, the most rewarding class that she has taught thus far. She had an amazing guest speaker, Noor Pinna, an International Licensed Mental Health Counselor, who gave a lecture about collective and individualist cultures and how they impact development throughout a lifespan.

Jessica McMahon received her CPA license in February 2016.

Send us your news!

Alumni notes are a wonderful way to let your classmates know about your professional and personal achievements.

Submit your news at msmc.edu/Notes

Stay in the loop

Have you joined the MSMC alumni group on Facebook or LinkedIn? Or tuned in to watch a livestream of the Knights in action? You can find a wealth of ways to stay connected by visiting msmc.edu/Connect

www.msmc.edu

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2012

Rediscover The Mount

David Brighina , MBA’14 is currently Chief Financial Officer of First Federal Savings of Middletown, a communityoriented bank, and is part of an amazing team. “The knowledge I acquired while attending the Mount for my master’s degree is used on a daily basis.”

David’s family has also grown; he and his wife now have two children, Jude and Ariel.

2013

SAVE THE DATE

Mount Saint Mary College

Alumni

Weekend September 24–25, 2016 Marisa Buczynski and Michael Wheeler live in Warwick, N.Y. with their Newfoundland puppy, Ruby.

Michael is a pest technician and Marisa recently graduated from Hofstra University with a dual Master’s in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling and works in the mental health field.

Births

2002

2005

2009

2014

Kenneth Fusco received his registered behavior technician certification and is currently working in Rockland BOCES with that title.

Angelena Zadrima has been attending pharmacy school at the University of Saint Joseph for the past year.

2015

Karen Neary is working as a registered nurse on an oncology unit at Westchester Medical Center, and writes, “I am lucky to have patients who have a great sense of humor.”

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Ursula (Tort) Callahan and husband, Kevin, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Vivian Rose Callahan. Vivian arrived March 7, 2016 at 9 pounds and 20 inches long. Ursula and Kevin are so excited for their little miracle!

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Matt (MSEd ‘10) and Sarah (Shepherd) Frey celebrated the birth of their son, Zachary David Frey, on April 29, 2016. He weighed 7 lbs., 12 ounces and was 20 inches long. Zack’s middle name honors Matt’s father, Eugene David Frey. Zack’s uncle is Ian Frey ‘02.

John Nicoletti and Corri (Tetler) Nicoletti ’10, MSEd’15 welcomed a baby girl, Hayley Catherine Nicoletti, on March 25, 2016. John and Corri celebrate three years of marriage this June.

Marriages

1998

Kelly Hildreth married Marc Davis on April 30, 2016.

Carrie Burns ’97 was matron of honor.

In Memoriam Arnold Bakal, spouse of Betty Bakal and father to Audiene (Bakal) Komondorea ’94 and Tracy Bakal, passed away January 15, 2016.

Susan (Meneely) Bivona ‘69 passed away February 26, 2016.

Ann (McPhillips) Boehm ’73 passed away January 19, 2016.

John B. DiPreta, father of Susan (DiPetra) Donnelly ‘83, passed away February 20, 2016.

Timothy Dempsey, former MSMC trustee and spouse of Patricia Dempsey ‘83, passed away March 17, 2016.

Rosalie Gessman, mother of Kathy (Gessman) Devine ’81, passed away April 28, 2016.

Steven Gleason ‘83 passed away August 22, 2015.

Regina Morgan, mother of Kathleen (Morgan) Ehli ’72, passed away in June 2015.

Janet Smalley, mother of Jennifer Smalley ’87, passed away March 8, 2016.

Thomas O’Keefe, father of Carol (O’Keefe) Brown ’94 and Colleen O’Keefe ’07, passed away February 1, 2016.

Jean DaSilva, mother of Julie (DaSilva) Soto ’05, passed away March 14, 2016.

Barbara (West) Greene ’86 passed away January 11, 2016.

Mildred E. Peters, mother of Patricia Peters ’74 and grandmother of Mollie Woodbury Orlowski ’10, passed away March 2, 2016.

Bruce McCauley, spouse of Janet (Seaman) McCauley ‘67, passed away January 31, 2016.

Edgar Rhoades, father of Nancy (Rhoades) Benfer ‘03, MSEd’13, passed away April 18, 2016.

Sister Anne Joachim Vari, OP ‘66, of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, passed away September 25, 2015.

Thomas Woodhull, spouse of Charlene (Romaine) Woodhull ’74, passed away February 11, 2016.

Alumni mentor the Mount’s pre-professionals

S

uccessful Mount graduates headed back to their alma mater to mentor a new generation of preprofessionals.

The Meet a Mentor Dinner, organized by the Alumni Affairs office, provided the college’s forward-thinking students valuable insight into the work world while engaging with a variety of Mount alumni.

Danny Dottin ’95, assistant principal at Balmville Elementary School, told students that they will “face hard days, but if the passion is there, you will persevere.”

Nikolai Marzouka, a sociology student, said that speaking with Kara Miller ’06, care manager at Rehabilitation Support Services, Inc., was a boon to his career preparation. “It’s been very informative,” he explained, “and I learned a lot about how to be a better professional.”

Margaret Treacy ’13, a marketing associate at Cornerstone Family Healthcare (formerly Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center), enjoyed teaching current Mount students her job search and networking tips. “It’s wonderful to see so many Mount alumni mentoring students,” she said. “It shows how successful the Mount has made its alumni and the college is going to continue to grow. Mount students will continue to succeed and become some of the strongest candidates for jobs out there.”

Keynote speaker Nick Preddice, CEO of The Affinity Group, LLC, offered active advice to the Mount students: “Whatever you dream, go for it,” he said. “Don’t give up.”

Top, left to right: Accounting majors Matthew D’Addario and Amanda Pecorella discuss career options with Mount trustee Ita M. Rahilly, CPA, AEP, a partner at Vanacore, DeBenedictus, DiGovanni and Weddell, Inc. Inset: Keynote speaker Nick Preddice, CEO of The Affinity Group, LLC, advised Mount students to keep a positive attitude and remain committed to their success.

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Golf and tennis tourneys raise nearly $120,000

M

ount Saint Mary College’s 38th Annual Invitational Golf and 5th Annual Invitational Tennis Tournament collected nearly $120,000 for the college on June 6.

The tournaments, held at the Powelton Club in Newburgh, N.Y., feted James W. Taylor, Jr. (golf honoree) and Nancy ’03, MSEd ’13, and Chuck Benfer (tennis honorees).

Taylor, a Newburgh native, founded Taylor Biomass Energy, LLC in 2005 as part of his family’s business commitment to waste reduction, recycling and reuse. He is an industry visionary with the practical contracting experience to manage projects of any complexity. Taylor was also honored with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the Mount in 2011.

Nancy and Chuck Benfer are lifelong residents of the Hudson Valley. Nancy has worked at Bishop Dunn Memorial School for 19 years, beginning as a kindergarten teaching assistant, and is now assistant principal. She graduated from the Mount with her undergraduate degree as well as a Master of Science in Education for Childhood/Special Education.

Chuck is the market president of iHeart Media (formerly Clear Channel) in Northern New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and the Hudson Valley. He is a two-time winner of Radio Inc. Magazine’s coveted Market Manager of the Year Award, as well as being honored with awards from the American Heart Association, The Alzheimer’s Association, and the March of Dimes.

About 300 friends of the college enjoyed the event.

Tournament honorees, left to right: James W. Taylor, Jr., Chuck Benfer, and Nancy Benfer, are joined by Mount acting president James Raimo.

Left to right: Committee chair and Mount trustee David Melby, committee member Joy Bento ’68, committee member and former trustee Susan Najork, Mount acting president Jim Raimo and former trustee Susan Maloney

Robert Armistead, president of Armistead Mechanical, Inc. and Mount trustee

Photo gallery View more photos online at msmc.edu/flickr

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Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Tennis honoree, Nancy Benfer ’03, MSEd ’13 and her son, Charles Benfer

FAMILY TRIBUTES

Cavanagh Family

T

he Cavanagh family has many ties to the Mount, including sisters Patricia Cavanagh ’74 and Colleen Cavanagh-Bendernagel ’77, their sister-in-law Cathleen McCarthy Cavanagh ’77 and her son and daughter-in-law, Mark Cavanagh ’06 and Jacqueline D’Amico Cavanagh ’05.

So when the matriarch of the Cavanagh clan lost her valiant fight with Alzheimer’s, the family of Margaret “Peggy” McLoughlin Cavanagh decided to create a living legacy in her honor. “Education was very important to my parents,” noted Patricia. “Their dream was to see their six children graduate from college. When money got tight in the early ’70s and my father didn’t think he could afford to pay for that dream, my mother said, ‘I will go back to work full-time!’ She was determined to help make their dream a reality, and was particularly interested in seeing her daughters reach their dreams of becoming a teacher and a nurse in a time when it was more

important for men to succeed academically. I really think my Mom was way ahead of her time.”

“I don’t know how she did it all,” Patricia continued. “She found that balance of family and work that so many women crave today. Through example, my parents taught us the importance of working together and by sacrifice and hard work, your dreams will come true.

They also instilled in us a responsibility to help others and I think that is why they were happy I wanted to go to Mount Saint Mary.”

“Our family and friends decided to make gifts in my mother’s memory to encourage other Mount students to realize their dreams. We were happy to provide scholarships in 2016 to Marissa Siegel and Jennifer Lombardi. My mother would have been thrilled.”

Colleen added, “Pat and I were delighted to meet Marissa, who will be such a positive presence in our nursing profession. Her mature and wonderful nature was a sweet connection to our Mom and the Mount. Pat and I have a sense of pride for all three.”

Joseph and Peggy Cavanagh with their children in 1994. Left to right: Brian, Colleen, Patricia, Michael, and (bottom row) Terrence and Kevin.

Top: Sisters Colleen CavanaghBendernagel ’77 and Patricia Cavanagh ’74 met scholarship recipient Marissa Siegel at the spring Scholars’ Brunch.

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Pretak Family

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son’s wish to honor his parents inspired Jack Pretak to make a special gift to the Mount and dedicate a second-floor reading room in the Dominican Center’s Kaplan Library in their memory.

“I wanted to remember my parents in a specific way. My mother died when I was a little boy. My father along with family, including my Uncle Casper (Knizeski), raised me,” said Jack, the founder of Pretak & Pagones Insurance Agency in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. “As a self-made businessman, I appreciate the importance of education as well as ethics and high standards in people’s lives. My wife, Susan, who earned her nursing degree at Pace University, and I value the quality education and practical experience, under the umbrella of Roman Catholic values, students receive at the Mount.” As a parent, Jack added, “When our daughter, Allison, played high school sports, we would come

Jack Pretak, right, and his late uncle, Casper Knizeski, share a moment by the plaque dedicated to Jack’s parents, Amelia and John Pretak.

Inset, Jack and Susan Pretak with author Stephen Mansfield .

to the Mount for her games and were impressed with the beauty of the campus and the students we met. Presently, by getting to know the extraordinary

Gedgard Family

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member of the first class to graduate from Mount Saint Mary College in 1964, Mary Jane Hughes Gedgard lived for three years in the Villa Madonna where she made friendships that lasted a lifetime. “Our freshman year, we lived off campus with a family on Mandigo Place. We would walk to campus and have lunch with the Dominican Sisters in the Motherhouse. By our sophomore year, the upper floor of the Villa had been converted to dormitory rooms.

Mary Jane and I were privileged to live in the “tower” room with windows on three sides. Great river views, but it was cold in the winter! The Villa was everything– classrooms, library, biology lab, dormitory,” said Mary Jane’s classmate, Mary Ann Kennedy Fitzpatrick ’64.

“By the time we graduated, Aquinas Hall was built and added a whole new dimension to the Mount,” she added.

“Mary Jane and I were not only roommates for the rest of our time at the Mount, we were lifelong friends,” said Mary Ann. William “Ray” Gedgard, Mary

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Dominican Sisters, administration, and faculty at the college, Susan and I share in their reciprocal feelings for our beloved Mount Saint Mary College. To contribute to the support of the college has brought us happiness, beyond our expectations, to be part of the Mount community.”

“Ray” Gedgard and Barbara Petruzzelli, Library Director, in the quiet reading alcove dedicated to Ray’s late wife, Mary Jane Hughes Gedgard ’64.

Jane’s husband, reflected, “Mary Jane loved the Mount. When we first began dating, Mary Jane suggested we take a ride up to Newburgh so that I could see the college. We visited regularly ever since, even in later years when her illness compromised her mobility.

Returning to the Mount and staying in touch with friends always brought her great joy. Celebrating her 50th Reunion was special, and included not only her classmates but three faculty members – Mr. James McEnery, Sr. Agnes Boyle

Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

(formerly Sr. Mary Charles), and Dr. James Cotter — as well.”

“After Mary Jane passed, I wanted to do something special to honor her.

She always loved children, and wanted to become a teacher. I thought it would be fitting to support her beloved Mount and future generations of teachers in her memory,” said Ray. “Mary Jane loved books and reading, so dedicating a quiet study space in the library in the Dominican Center seemed to be a perfect fit.”

Experts Share Tips for Estate Planning

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ould a trust serve you best?

How can life insurance be used for wealth replacement when gifting to loved ones and charities? What are the steps needed to ensure that your family and financial assets are protected? These topics were among those discussed with Mount alumni, faculty and friends during a special presentation held in the Dominican Center. “Financial & Estate Planning: What You Need to Know Today to Make Your Wishes Come True Tomorrow” featured financial planner Steve Bellon, CFBS, president

Steve Bellon, Nick Preddice, and Sarita Bhandarkar.

of Legacy Wealth Partners; Nick Preddice of The Affinity Group, LLC; and Sarita Bhandarkar, Esq., LL.M. Tax, of Catania, Mahon, Milligram and Rider, PLLC, who generously gave of their time and expertise to address the many considerations of estate planning.

For more information about financial considerations and how to include Mount Saint Mary College among your beneficiaries, contact Joan Gambeski, Director of Major Gifts at joan.gambeski@msmc.edu or 845-569-3218.

Mount Saint Mary Academy/High School Reunion Day 2016 Saturday, October 8 Mount Saint Mary College

Bourne Fund Supports Mount Students Wilbur Higgins and John Smith, trustees of the Anne F. Bourne Fund of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, recently presented awards and scholarships to Mount Saint Mary College students enrolled in the Mount’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). The fund provides additional support to HEOP’s outreach initiatives in the Newburgh community with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Newburgh Armory Unity Center’s literacy

programs, and Newburgh Free Academy.

The Mount students pictured with Smith and Higgins are members of HEOP and benefit from the Bourne’s leadership support. The Anne F. Bourne Award for Leadership and Service was presented to senior Justin Perez and the Anne F. Bourne Award for Academic Excellence was presented to senior Lisbel Tavarez. HEOP scholarship recipients were Aaron Jones and Adrian Willis.

Join Mount Saint Mary Academy/ High School graduates and friends from all classes, with special Reunions for the classes of 1936, 1941, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, and 1976.

Current members of the Mount Saint Mary Academy/High School Alumni Association will receive additional details by postal mail in August. For more information, contact Eileen McDonald Sassmann ’62 at 845-297-2405 or email Joan Gambeski, MSMA/HS liaison, at academyhs@msmc.edu

www.msmc.edu

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Students outgun faculty/staff in fifth tourney

Mount women’s lacrosse players helped out at the Hudson Valley SPCA.

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n the Fifth Annual Volleyball Showdown at the Mount, the Top Gun faculty/staff team was shot down by the Knight Strikers senior student team.

In a two-out-of-three competition, the teams only had to play twice. Top Gun crashed and burned on the first one; it wasn’t pretty. The second game also went to the Knight Strikers.

Having won last year’s friendly tournament, the Top Gun team’s egos may have written checks that their bodies couldn’t cash. But the Top Gun team is already looking forward to heading into the danger zone again next year against a new Knight Strikers senior team.

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2 1. Fr. Francis Amodio, O.Carm., chaplain and director of Campus Ministry, serves the ball in the Fifth Annual Volleyball Showdown.

2. Members of the Knight Strikers senior student team.

3. The Knight Strikers senior student team celebrates.

4. The Top Gun faculty/staff team

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Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016

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Looking back: The Class of 1964

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hile Mount Saint Mary College’s recent commencement saw 600 graduates receive diplomas, the Mount’s first commencement as a four-year liberal arts college graduated far fewer.

The Class of 1964 clocked in at 32 students. Longtime Mount English professor, James Finn Cotter, served as the master of ceremonies at that first commencement, a role he has continued to fill through present day.

One of the grads was Sr. Patricia “Pat” Sullivan, OP, professor of mathematics emerita. This Dominican Sister of Hope taught at the Mount for 41 years before retiring in 2014.

Another Class of 1964 alumna was Arlene Sosta.

Sosta was an inspiration to her niece, Dana McDonough ’91, MSEd ’00. Noting her aunt’s success, McDonough enrolled in the Mount as well, and was later named 2016 New York State Teacher of the Year for her dedication to her students and the profession.

The Mount welcomed its second president, Sr. Mary Francis McDonald, OP, in 1964. The college’s first president, Mother Leo Vincent, continued her service to the college as president of the Board of Trustees. That same year, Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, who would become the fifth president of Mount Saint Mary College, was ordained a priest.

Also in 1964, the Mount became the first Catholic college in New York State and the third in the country to establish a two-year program preparing students for general duty nursing. St. Luke’s Hospital nearby served as a major clinical facility.

Just one year prior, Aquinas Hall and Guzman Hall were dedicated with Cardinal Spellman officiating, and classes moved from the Villa to Aquinas Hall. Aquinas Hall and its addition, the Kaplan Family Mathematics, Science, and Technology Center, remains the college’s main academic building.

Mount Saint Mary College 330 Powell Avenue Newburgh, NY 12550

Save the Date AUGUST

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Eighth Annual Athletic Department Golf Outing

September

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Admissions Fall Open House Alumni & Family Weekend

December

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Mount Saint Mary College Seventh Annual Gala Reception

See more at msmc.edu/Events

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Mount Saint Mary College Magazine | SUMMER 2016