Niagara University Eagle Winter 2022

Niagara University

Niagara Welcomes

BRENNAN SCHOLARS page

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Gacioch Gift Vol. 37 issue 2

Career Pathways Creates

page 16

Vol. 37, issue 2

Inside this issue

The Niagara University Eagle is published by the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Please send correspondence to: Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09, Editor Niagara University, N.Y., 14109 716.286.8747 / lmcmahon@niagara.edu

FEATURES

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two make it to big leagues

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brennan scholars welcomed

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dr. duleep deosthale

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alum shares story of survival

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nu launches powering transformation

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plays key role in canonization

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leads international efforts

Dr. anthony dardano, ’63,

DEPARTMENTS Opening Remarks on the ridge news from the nest catching up

Founded by the Vincentian Community in 1856, Niagara University is a private liberal arts university with a strong, values-based Catholic tradition.

Its five academic divisions include the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Nursing, Education, and Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management.

The university also maintains an Academic Exploration Program that provides a learning community for students who are undecided about their major.

OPENING REMARKS

Dear Friends,

t has been an exciting few months at Niagara University. As we welcomed students to campus for our fall semester, including our first class of Brennan Scholars, we also moved forward on several initiatives that will prepare students to embrace and walk fully with confidence, clarity of direction, and a heightened sense of purpose into their future.

In September, we launched the most ambitious campaign in the school’s history: “Powering Transformation.” This campaign will elevate the university’s academic excellence and reputation and enrich the Niagara experience by fostering a culture that empowers our students to achieve their full academic, personal, social, and spiritual potential.

In addition to improving the on-campus experience for our students, we are also focused on increasing accessibility to the career pathways available to them through internships. Thanks to the generosity of William, ’61, ’07 (Hon.), and Nancy Gacioch and their investment in Niagara’s educational vision, students who previously were unable to participate in these crucial experiential opportunities will now be able to do so.

Rev. James J. Maher, C.M.

In the context of our Catholic and Vincentian mission, we are also committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment that prepares our graduates for careers and leadership in the changing global landscape. I am delighted that Dr. Duleep C. Deosthale will lead our efforts in that area. As our new vice president of international relations, he will guide us as we cultivate a diverse and international campus, create new opportunities for enrollment and exchange programs, and extend our footprint in strategic international regions.

We’ve entered a new academic year with exciting changes, and we are committed to continue to build a bright future together.

With every good wish,

Rev. James J. Maher, C.M. President

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ON THE RIDGE Niagara University Appoints Two to Board of Trustees Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz, vice president for Institutional Diversity and Equity at DePaul University, and Josh Stevens, founder, chief executive officer, and chairman of EmpowerMe Wellness, have been named to Niagara University’s Board of Trustees.

Dr. Ortiz has more than 30 years of higher education experience. Her work has focused on multiculturalism and diversity initiatives in several areas, including recruitment, retention, training, programming, climate issues and, in particular, raising awareness for Latino representation and advancement in all aspects of higher education. Prior to joining DePaul University in 2002, she was the director of Affirmative Action, Diversity and Employee Relations at Northern Illinois University.

Stevens is a mission-driven entrepreneur and leader with a passion for improving the lives of seniors. Prior to founding EmpowerMe Wellness, he developed, owned, operated, and acquired more than 40 senior housing communities across the Midwest and Southeast. This experience led him to found EmpowerMe, a fully integrated healthcare provider serving the senior living industry with onsite therapy, diagnostics, pharmacy, and primary care services.

Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz

Joshua Stevens

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Simon Gray Promoted to Associate Vice President for Athletics Simon Gray, who has served as Niagara University’s athletic director since 2014, has been appointed associate vice president for athletics.

Under his leadership, the Purple Eagles have achieved department records in both Graduation Success Rate (95%) and Academic Progress Rate, as well as a record-setting GPA among the collective student-athlete population. Student-athletes have also been successful in the field of competition. The Purple Eagles captured the 2022 MAAC women’s swimming and diving championship, as well as the highest Commissioner’s Cup ranking the university has achieved since the 2011-12 season.

A recognized leader within the athletics field, Gray is currently serving as chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Committee and recently completed a year as president of the I-AAA Athletics Directors Association.

Members of the NU Community Recognized for Leadership Several members of the Niagara University community have been recognized for their outstanding leadership in the Western New York community.

Among the honorees included on Buffalo Business First’s list of Power 200 Women, a group of local leaders whose talent and influence are fueling economic, social, and cultural growth throughout Western New York, were Dr. Debra Colley, NU’s executive vice president; Donna DeCarolis, a member of NU’s Board of Trustees and president of National Fuel; Connie Brown, a lecturer in the College of Education and president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Niagara; Catherine Collins, an adjunct professor at NU and a member of the New York State Board of Regents; and alumni Kimberley Minkel, ’88, executive director of the Niagara Frontier

Transportation Authority, Laurie Merletti, ’02, president of physician enterprise for Catholic Health, and Kathleen Neville, M.A.’15, a member of NU’s Board of Trustees and chair of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission.

In addition, three alumni were honored with Business First’s 2022 C-Level Executives Awards, which recognize the 20 most effective Western New York business leaders from some of the region’s largest companies and nonprofit organizations. Michael Cournyea, MBA’06, CEO of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University at Buffalo; David Kersten, ’83, CEO of OLV Charities; and John Sanderson, ’75, founder and chairman of Sanderson Wealth Management LLC, were among those recognized at the ceremony in October.

ON THE RIDGE Several Honored for Impacting the Lives of Others During Two Events As part of its celebration of Vincentian Heritage Week, Niagara University recognized the extraordinary contributions of five members of its community who have lived the mission of St. Vincent de Paul at its annual convocation, held in the Alumni Chapel on Sept. 28, 2022.

Angelo Morinello, NYS assemblyman; Robert Restaino, mayor of Niagara Falls; Blythe Merrill, executive vice president of the Oishei Foundation; Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University; Jeffrey Elder, Niagara County legislator; Rhonda Bivins-Talley, director of IMPACT; Anthony Vilardo, president of USA Niagara; and Stacy Menard, First Congregational Church board president; at the announcement of the creation of an Academic Innovation Hub in Niagara Falls.

Niagara University

Inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, Niagara University continues to build impactful collaborations that focus on mission and Furthers Its civic engagement. In August, the university furthered its commitment to the revitalization of the City of Niagara Falls when it to the Redevelopment announced its intent to create an academic innovation hub at the former First Congreof Niagara Falls gational Church in the city’s Bridge District.

The university will work with Empire State Development, the City of Niagara Falls, and other community partners to make the church one of many anchors of Niagara Falls’ North End, all serving to deliver vitality, growth, and needed support for the organizations and businesses already operating there.

Commitment

The university’s academic sector will play a critical role at the innovation hub. A faculty member will be appointed to serve as faculty-in-residence and work with students to engage with the community to determine its needs as they align with the university’s mission and the five pillars of the social determinates of health, including economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health care, and neighborhood and built environment.

On Dec. 6, more than 60 individuals attended the inaugural community lecture at the academic innovation hub. Guest speaker Laura Morgan Roberts, Ph.D., professor of practice at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and CEO and founder of the Alignment Quest Enterprise, discussed ways to create positive community transformation by affirming differences and investing in practices that harness the power of equity and inclusion rather than those that debate history, invoke stereotypes, air frustrations, and create confusion.

This year’s honorees were Denise Góñez-Santos, a highly respected educator and member of Niagara University’s Board of Trustees, who was conferred an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters; Carol Doyle-Jones, Ph.D., associate professor of education at Niagara University, who received the Vincentian Mission Award; Niagara alumnae Tracia McKissic, ’90, director of NU’s Teacher Education Field Experience program, who received the St. Louise de Marillac Award, and Theresa Schmidt, ’14, program director at Heart, Love and Soul, who received the Blessed Frédéric Ozanam Medal; and John P. Sauter, Ph.D., assistant dean for Academic Affairs in NU’s College of Arts and Sciences, who received the Caritas Medal. Special recognition was also given to two graduating Vincentian scholars, Andrew Passow and Katrina Belcastro, who received honor cords during the event.

At the 2022 President’s Dinner in November, NU honored Bishop Darius G. Pridgen, senior pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church and City of Buffalo Common Council president, who received the St. Vincent de Paul Award; the OSC Charitable Foundation and its founders, Heather and Jon M. Williams, who received the Legacy of Service Award; and the Rev. Joseph G. Hubbert, C.M., Niagara University chaplain, who received the President’s Medal.

Niagara Listed Among the “Best in the Northeast,” and Noted for Sustainability Niagara University’s outstanding academic experience, affordability, career services, and employability of its graduates keep it among the best schools in the Northeast, according to The Princeton Review. Niagara University is one of only two local colleges, and the only private university in the Buffalo-Niagara region, that the well-known education services company recommends in its “Best in the Northeast” section of its feature, “2023 Best Colleges: Region by Region.”

The Princeton Review also featured NU in its list of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges. Niagara’s “Green Rating” of 92 out of a possible 99 earned its place among the 455 colleges profiled in “The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2023 Edition.”

The Rev. Joseph G. Hubbert, C.M., university chaplain (left) and the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, at the 2022 President’s Dinner. Father Hubbert was honored with the President’s Medal at the event.

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ON THE RIDGE

Faculty Highlights Dr. Caitlin Riegel, assistant professor of education, presented her paper, “Developing Teachers Online: Challenges and Advantages to Virtual Education Courses,” at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education’s Interactive Conference in October.

In her presentation, Riegel shared the preliminary results of a study that analyzed the challenges and advantages of specific types of virtual courses (i.e., general education, pedagogical, content, and field experience courses) as outlined directly by education instructors from across the nation. These results can help guide the development of future virtual courses and maintain effective teacher preparation, she said.

Dr. Riegel also co-published a chapter in “A Retrospective of Teaching, Technology, and Teacher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” an eBook published in September 2022 by the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Her article, entitled “Weekly Teacher Encouragement: One Text Message at a Time,” discusses the encouragement teachers received through text messages provided during and after the pandemic. They found that weekly text messages may support and boost in-service and pre-service teachers’ mental health and confidence during times of stress.

Dr. Caitlin Riegel

Dr. Rolanda Ward, associate professor and endowed faculty director of NU’s Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission, is among the outstanding women who were honored by the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier for their significant contributions to the Niagara and Erie communities and their efforts to empower women, eliminate racism, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Dr. Ward received the Social Change Agent Award during the 2022 Niagara Awards: A Tribute to Women on Sept. 27, 2022.

Dr. Ward was recognized for her leadership with the Niagara Falls Health Equity Task Force, which has promoted social justice and the well-being of the Niagara Falls community during the coronavirus pandemic, and for her work on other pandemic-related task forces, including the Western New York COVID-19 Health Equity Advisory Hub, the Western New York COVID-19 Research Collaborative, and the Western New York Digital Equity Coalition. She has also worked to eliminate racism, disparities, and inequity through her roles as commissioner of the Employment and Workforce subgroup of the City of Niagara Falls Social Justice Commission and as co-chair of NU’s Identifying and Dismantling Racial Inequity Task Force, which was created to identify and map the experiences of BIPOC students, faculty, staff, and alumni across all sectors of the university.

In July, Dr. Ward was also appointed to the board of directors at MENTOR New York, an organization that advocates for quality mentoring opportunities and serves as a resource to help its partners start, manage, and improve their programs and initiatives.

Dr. Roland Ward

Dr. Shawn Daly, director of student global experience and professor of marketing and international business, traveled to Guyana in October to work with a family-owned agribusiness there as a volunteer with Farmer to Farmer, a USAID-funded program that supports farmers and agribusiness professionals in developing and transitional countries to promote sustainable improvements in food security and agricultural processing, production, and marketing.

Dr. Daly helped Nateram Ramnanan, owner of Original Juice, as he prepared to expand his business in Guyana. Dr. Daly originally intended to help build the brand by creating a new logo and modern labels for the wide array of fruit juices and wines Ramnanan, known as the “Juice Man,” produces. But he quickly discovered that there were other important issues that he could help address, including sales promotions to enable Original Juice to compete in the modern retail arena; packaging that would allow Original Juice to move beyond fresh and refrigerated juices to the on-the-shelf/long shelf-life category of juices; and exploring the option of eco-factory tourism. He also emphasized the importance of succession planning with Ramnanan, whose four children work with him.

During his visit, Dr. Daly met with dozens of Original Juice vendors and distributors and discussed opportunities for collaboration with other business owners in the local supply chain, including Luke’s Manufacturing, Jamal Distribution, and Iman Bacchus and Sons, one of the most successful private sector business enterprises in the history of Essequibo. He also was interviewed about the project on Essequibo Public Radio by the mayor of Anna Regina, the capital of the Pomeroon-Supenaam region of Guyana.

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Dr. Shawn Daly with Guyanese entrepreneur Nateram Ramnanan, the “Juice Man.”

ON THE RIDGE Knights of Columbus Visit Niagara University Niagara University welcomed two representatives from the Knights of Columbus to campus in October. Peter Sonski, director of the Knights of Columbus Museum, and Brian Caulfield, vice postulator for the cause for canonization of Blessed Michael McGivney, traveled from the Knight’s New Haven, Conn., international headquarters to Monteagle Ridge to learn more about how the Vincentians may have inspired Father McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. Father McGivney attended Our Lady of Angels Seminary from 1871-1872.

During their visit, the Rev. Joseph Hubbert, C.M., retired professor of church history, discussed the formation Father McGivney would have received at Our Lady of Angels (the forerunner of Niagara University) and how that experience might have impacted his priestly life and his efforts to organize the Irish and immigrant community in support of families. He noted that Servant of God Nelson Baker of the Diocese of Buffalo and Father McGivney attended the seminary at the same time. Father Hubbert also took the men on a tour of the campus and other local sights that Father McGivney would have known, including the Niagara gorge and Niagara Falls.

“Living in Light: The Art of Healing” Honors Survivors and Raises Awareness of Domestic Violence For the sixth year, the NU campus community and local agencies came together to display and view artwork reflecting the journeys, experiences, hopes, and dreams of the survivors of domestic violence who created them. “Living in Light: The Art of Healing,” was held on Oct. 5 at

The Rev. James Maher, Niagara University president, accepts a bronze image of Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, from Peter Sonski, director of the Knights of Columbus Museum (left), and Brian Caulfield, vice postulator for the cause for Father McGivney’s canonization.

Niagara University’s Castellani Art Museum in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and tied to the Red Flag Campaign, a national public awareness initiative designed to encourage college students to intervene when they see a warning sign (“red flag”) of partner violence.

The university partnered with several community agencies in organizing the event, including Pinnacle Community Services and the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier, which provided artwork created by the adult and child survivors of domestic violence participating in their programs.

Exhibits included “Dream Prints,” which featured printed collages that shared survivors’ hopes for their future; “Visions of Strength, Voices of Survivors” which paired courageous personal survivor narratives with black and white images; and decorated “Spirit Candles” that honored survivors’ inner spirit.

New this year was the “Nation to Nation Ribbon Skirt Exchange,” an exhibit of ribbon skirts created by members of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The exhibit, provided by the Seven Dancers Coalition, was created in 2021 as a way of showing unity and sisterhood for missing and murdered Indigenous women.

The “Nation to Nation Ribbon Skirt Exchange,” featured ribbon skirts created by members of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in 2021 as a way of showing unity and sisterhood for missing and murdered Indigenous women.

In addition to the artwork, the event featured the “Silent Witness Project,” a reconstruction of a national traveling memorial honoring individuals who were killed in acts of domestic violence. This year, the exhibit featured 24 black silhouettes, two more than in previous years, to represent the number of victims as of 2022. Each silhouette had the name and date of death of a Niagara County domestic violence victim. “The Clothesline Project,” a collection of T-shirts with messages to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence, was displayed outside the museum.

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ON THE RIDGE

Debra Baker

Castellani Art Museum Features Works by Contemporary Ukrainian Artist “We were immediately struck by the fact she is producing the work as war rages on around her,” said Ellen Owens, CAM director.

Combining imagery that is traditional to Ukrainian folk art, along with military icons and symbols, Logachova describes various international events, including the current conflict in Ukraine starting with the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution and continuing through 2022: “Each work is a documentary story told by means of ornament. War time is difficult … but we need to do something, to create new things—it’s our responsibility,” she said.

Logachova received wide recognition after the presentation of posters titled “ARtNUO—New Ukrainian Ornament,” at the 4th Block’s IX International Eco-Poster Triennale, for which she received the Grand Prix award of the festival.

Bella Logachova in Kharkiv with Boing 777, from the ARtNUO (New Ukrainian Ornament) Series, 2022, archival print. Courtesy of the artist and Sabine Kutt Photography.

In July, Niagara University’s Castellani Art Museum opened “Living Through War: Works from Kharkiv

by Bella Logachova,” an exhibit of 19 works by the Ukrainian artist and photographer. Each work gives unique insight into the perspective of an artist living through the violence and destruction of her homeland.

The exhibit is on display through June 11, 2023.

Sabine Kutt, a photographer, art curator, choreographer, and ballet master, co-curated the exhibit, and the Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center in Buffalo, N.Y., provided project support and lent traditional Ukrainian needlework for visual reference.

“The exhibition will also serve to shine a light on refugees, both Ukrainian and from other areas, who are repopulating Western New York, telling their stories through folk art,” Owens said.

The exhibit also offers an opportunity for visitors to support the Ukrainian people through donations to Dnipro’s Ukrainian Humanitarian and Medical Aid charity fund and by purchasing selected smaller prints of Logachova’s works to support the artist and the Ukrainian organizations she selects for donations.

First Commencement Ceremony for Institute for Career Advancement Graduates Held On Sept. 11, Niagara University welcomed 66 men and women from the Institute for Career Advancement to its alumni family during two separate commencement ceremonies at the Ateres Chana Malka Banquet Hall in Brooklyn, N.Y. The graduates earned master’s degrees in early childhood special education or advanced certificates in applied behavior analysis online through NU’s College of Education, thanks to a partnership established between NU and ICA. The ICA students, members of an Ultra Orthodox community, completed their courses via Zoom in classes that were separated by gender and offered during the evenings for men and on Sundays for women. In addition, adjustments to the academic calendar and to course content were made to align with the religious requirements of the community.

The graduates will now take teaching positions in schools, Head Start programs, and agencies within their own community.

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“This partnership helps us to further our Vincentian mission by preparing teachers and licensed behavior analysts to serve children with special needs,” said Dr. Chandra Foote, dean of the college.

The partnership, which began in February 2021 with a cohort of 41 students, was formalized in July 2022, when the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, and Yechiel Binet, founder and executive director of the Institute for Career Advancement, signed an agreement to create educational opportunities for members of the Ultra Orthodox community in Brooklyn, N.Y. More than 350 students are currently completing degrees through this agreement, which will add programs in professional accountancy and information security and digital forensics in 2023.

Two Purple Eagles Make it to the Big Leagues

By Shawn Gillen

For the first time in nearly a century, two Purple Eagles made their major league debuts in the same season, as Matt Brash (2017-19) and Wynton Bernard (200912) both made it to the big leagues during the 2022 Major League Baseball season.

On Sept. 28, 2021, Seattle selected Brash’s contract to the 40-man roster and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time, but he did not make an appearance. On April 2, 2022, the Mariners announced that Brash would be the team’s fifth starter in the rotation. He made his MLB debut on April 12 against the Chicago White Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out six over 5.1 innings of work.

Brash would later transition to the bullpen to aid the Mariners in their quest to end baseball’s longest post-season drought.

After 10 years in minor league baseball across five different MLB organizations, Bernard made his long-awaited debut on Aug. 12 in center field for the Colorado Rockies. He would go on to collect his first hit, stolen base, and run in the game.

Bernard’s promotion was a league-wide headline as a face-time call to his mother, Janet, quickly went viral on Twitter.

Brash had a phenomenal three-year career with the Purple Eagles. He was the 2019 MAAC Pitcher of the Year, the first-ever from Niagara.

That season, he set the NU and MAAC

ABOVE: Matt Brash (2017-19) made his MLB debut this past April as a Seattle Mariner. LEFT: Wynton Bernard (2009-12) plays center field for the Colorado Rockies, making his debut in August 2022.

Bernard had a phenomenal 2022 season with the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Rockies Triple-A affiliate, before being added to the major league roster. He was hitting .325 with 112 hits, including 17 home runs, 78 runs scored, 74 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases. Bernard ranked third in the Pacific Coast League in hits, runs scored, and RBIs, sixth in stolen bases, and eighth in batting average. single-season strikeouts record with 121 and was 10th in the country in strikeouts. His 2.43 ERA was the second-best in Niagara history in a single season.

Before being called up, Bernard had a MiLB career average of .286 with 825 hits, 50 home runs, 478 runs scored, 296 RBIs, and 220 stolen bases.

Selected by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Brash was traded to the Mariners in 2020. He was named the 2021 Jamie Moyer Minor League Pitcher of the Year and played for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers and the High-A Everett AqauSox during the 2021 season.

According to baseball-almanac.com, Niagara has had 18 Major League Baseball player alumni, with Brash and Bernard becoming the first since Rinty Monahan, who made his debut in 1953.

Playing 140 games, Bernard was a mainstay in the Niagara outfield during his time as a Purple Eagle. He batted .279 with 138 hits, 75 runs scored, 68 RBIs, and 72 stolen bases. He then began a successful, 10-year minor league career when the San Diego Padres drafted him in the 35th round of the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

“Niagara Athletics is incredibly proud of Wynton and Matt,” said Simon Gray, associate vice president for athletics. “Not only are they successful baseball players, but they are outstanding individuals. They represented our institution and athletics department with class and distinction during their time as Purple Eagles and, since leaving Monteagle Ridge, they have distinguished themselves as consummate professionals. Their accomplishments have raised the profile of Niagara baseball.”

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First Class of Brennan Scholars Arrives on Monteagle Ridge

Last fall, Niagara University alumnus Edward J. Brennan, ’78, a global business leader and humanitarian, and his wife, Deborah Brennan, gave a $5 million gift to enable talented, high-achieving students from under-resourced communities the opportunity to access the transformational education that Niagara University provides.

This fall, Niagara welcomed eight students as its first class of Lois Lyon Brennan Scholars. In addition to receiving financial support for tuition, room and board, and books for their four years at NU, these students will participate in high-impact practices, including study-abroad and community service, and complete a related capstone course as part of the program. These opportunities will elevate their engagement with the campus, enhance their leadership skills, and increase their global awareness, creating a path to both graduation and career success.

“These eight young women represent a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations,” said Michael Freedman, vice president for undergraduate enrollment and marketing. “We are incredibly grateful to the Brennan family for providing us with another way to fulfill Niagara University’s Vincentian commitment to access and affordability.”

Meet the Brennan Scholars HEIDI PAUTA Hometown: Syracuse, N.Y. Major: Nursing Career aspiration: Traveling nurse Quick facts: Heidi, an International Baccalaureate candidate, volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Meals on Wheels, and works as a home healthcare aid. She was one of the top 10 in her graduating class and served as first chair flute player in her school’s concert and marching bands.

What this scholarship means to me: This scholarship means that I can follow my dreams without having to worry about debt or how I’m going to pay for college. It makes me so thankful for people who have the means to help out students with ambition, and it gives me hope that I’ll be able to help out students in the same way in the future.

What I am hoping to do while at NU: I’m most looking forward to creating and finding my sense of identity at NU. Not only will it make me a better nurse, but I can find my passions and surround myself with like-minded people, where we can lift each other up.

JANASIA HAYWARD Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y. Major: Nursing Career aspiration: Psychiatric nurse practitioner Quick facts: Janasia is a member of the National Honor Society and was recognized with the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. She was a two-sport athlete at her high school and also participated in theatre and band.

What this scholarship means to me: This scholarship means so much to me simply because I can learn in an environment I feel comfortable in. Being one of the first members of my family to go to college, it means a lot that I am able to attend and live on campus.

What I am hoping to do while at NU: I am looking forward to the number of opportunities I will be able to partake in. There are so many things to do on this campus, such as clubs, networking, volunteering, or simply just hanging out with friends.

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LAUREN ERVOLINA Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y. Major: Mathematics Career aspiration: Math professor Quick facts: Lauren is a member of the National Honor Society and Students Against Destructive Decisions, co-president of International Club, a Presbyterian College Fellows Award recipient, and works at Brothers of Mercy nursing home.

What this scholarship means to me: This scholarship is synonymous with opportunity. I have always wanted to embrace the college experience, and the scholarship makes that possible. I can now pursue many interests and appreciate all the knowledge college has to offer.

This scholarship is also a symbol of trust. I’ve been trusted to utilize a marvelous school and its resources.

I know I can return the favor through hard work, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.

What I am looking forward to while at NU: I look forward to the courses the most! I have always loved learning, regardless of the subject. I have always wanted to know as much as possible, as well. The content I can absorb from lectures engenders empowerment and excitement. I enjoy being able to feel this way in an academic setting. Ultimately, I am excited to be a part of a classroom.

VIOLET PRINTUP Hometown: Lewiston, N.Y. Major: Communication and Media Studies Career aspiration: Indigenous journalist Quick facts: Violet is active in the Tuscarora Mentoring Program with elementary-aged students and recently attended the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

She also teaches ballet and tap dance.

What this scholarship means to me: I am thankful for this scholarship. It has given me the opportunity to be able to go to a school that’s suited for me, with the support to help me successfully graduate and not have to worry afterward about finances. The scholarship also gives me the ability to educate many about my culture and spread awareness about the issues Indigenous people face.

What I am hoping to do while at NU: I am looking forward to learning and expanding my knowledge here, along with being able to meet new people.

CRISTINA REINA-MARTINEZ Hometown: Syracuse, N.Y. Major: Computer and Information Sciences, minor in Spanish Career aspiration: Computer programmer Quick facts: Cristina is a four-time Young Writers Award winner and National Honor Society member and is a candidate for the New York State Seal of Biliteracy.

What this scholarship means to me: This scholarship means so much to me and my family. I no longer have to worry about college debt. It means that my parents won’t have to send me money even though they, themselves, are struggling financially. I can go to college and get my degree without the fear of having to live paycheck to paycheck like every Hispanic family in the United States.

This scholarship has gotten rid of such a heavy burden, and I will forever be grateful about having this amazing opportunity.

What I am hoping to do while at NU: I’m looking forward to learning more about my major and seeing what specific area of it I am most passionate about. I am also excited about joining more clubs, since that is a way to make even more friends and learn about how different they are from me.

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ALANNAH SOLOMON Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y. Major: Psychology Career aspiration: Children’s therapist Quick Facts: Alannah was her class salutatorian, served as president of the Spanish Club, and was a member of the National, Social Studies, and Spanish honor societies.

What this scholarship means to me: This scholarship means not having to worry about finances while I’m working hard at pursuing my career dreams. It means having the utmost privilege of attending a high-quality university and receiving high-quality education at no cost. This scholarship gives me access to amazing volunteer opportunities and a whole network of support from the fellow Brennan Scholars and from the faculty here at NU. With this scholarship, I can stay on top of my academics while also getting involved in the clubs and various other opportunities NU has to offer its students. I am beyond grateful that I was selected for this scholarship!

What I am hoping to do while at NU: I am most looking forward to taking courses specific to my psychology major. I have always found psychology interesting and relevant to everyday life. I’m excited to learn more topics about this field and hopefully become involved in research and study-abroad opportunities. To me, psychology is the best field to get into because there’s no better feeling than helping others be the best version of themselves. The field of psychology is so fascinating and, as a freshman, I am just getting started. I’m very excited to take other psychology courses here at NU. SEMIRA VINCENT Hometown: Niagara Falls, N.Y. Major: Academic Exploration Career aspiration: Still deciding Quick Facts: Semira sang in her school’s a cappella group and played forward on its basketball team, and volunteers at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy.

What this scholarship means to me: It means so much to me, because without this scholarship, I would have been stumped as to how I was going to handle student loans in the future.

I cried when I first heard the news because I realized I had been given an opportunity that would change my life forever.

What I am hoping to do while at NU: I’m looking forward to seeing more of the community, whether that be professors, students, etc. For me, personally, NU feels like a very tight-knit community; it’s its own little group of people who care and are interested in and eager to get to know you, just as you are them. I’ve already seen just a fraction of this unity, and I’m definitely exited for more!

TEOSHA WILLIAMS Hometown: Syracuse, N.Y. Major: Business Management Career aspiration: International entrepreneur Quick Facts: Teosha is involved in Feed the Children and Upward Bound, plays basketball, and is a QuestBridge Scholarship finalist.

What this scholarship means to me: The Brennan scholarship is an opportunity to fulfill my dreams and aspirations and to have determination to strive against any roadblocks that I may come across. This scholarship meant a lot to me because I did not think college was possible to do in my life. I will forever be grateful for this huge opportunity, and I hope my impact and volunteering in helping students with their academics in college will help others succeed, as well.

What I am most looking forward to while at NU: I am most looking forward to internships toward my business career, because I want to have experience in my career field and try to network with professionals early so I can learn as I progress within my four-year degree.

10 Niagara University

DR. DULEEP DEOSTHALE

Chosen to Lead Niagara’s International Efforts Niagara students. Ideally, every student should be able to study abroad, if they choose to do so, he said.

“Study abroad should not be a privilege, but more of a right,” he said. “It should be an integral part of the learning process at NU, and inclusive and accessible to all.

“Study abroad helps students to understand the diversity that makes up this world of ours,” he continued. “I want us to create opportunities for our students to head out and explore it, to take Niagara and Western New York to other parts of the world, and to bring what they have learned in other parts of the world back here.”

Duleep C. Deosthale, Ph.D., a recognized international educator and administrator with more than 25 years of experience in leadership, study abroad, student recruitment, and fundraising, has been appointed vice president of international relations at Niagara University.

“As a university, we have had good success in strengthening our international relations work over the past several years, and we are incredibly pleased to have Dr. Deosthale join the Niagara University community and take leadership of these critical initiatives in Lewiston, and at our campus in Vaughan, Ontario,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University.

“His experience in establishing programs abroad, strengthening international student enrollment, and enhancing a culture of internationalization on campus will be critical for Niagara’s continued success in cultivating a diverse and international environment.”

Dr. Deosthale comes to Niagara University from New York City, where he served as senior consultant at The Thinkubator and chair of the academic board at KEI Study Abroad. In addition to his work as a senior-level administrator, Dr. Deosthale has experience as a member of faculty at universities in the U.S., Germany, Italy, and Malaysia and as an entrepreneur who cofounded a successful Silicon Valley-funded startup, Admission Table.

“Understanding the continually changing international landscape, one of the key objectives of the university’s strategic plan is to provide students with a values-based learning environment designed to graduate global citizens,” continued Father Maher. “Dr. Deosthale’s experience will further allow Niagara to cultivate a diverse and international environment which focuses on campus climate, research, and curriculum that build partnerships, opportunities for enrollment and exchange, and strength in preparing global leaders.”

Dr. Deosthale is focusing on several areas as he works to implement best practices in comprehensive internationalization; develop action-oriented initiatives that infuse global perspectives throughout the university’s teaching, research, and service endeavors; and build campuswide partnerships that will be beneficial to all.

One area is expanding study-abroad opportunities for current and future

Dr. Deosthale also wants to make Niagara a destination for international students by growing the university’s reputation in diverse locations. Once they are here, he wants to ensure they are integrated more fully into the academic and social life of the campus. Niagara’s faculty-student ratio will help in that regard, he notes.

“We have the ability to create a community of diverse populations and thought processes that come together and share,” he said. “This will help Niagara to become a truly international university, both here and in Ontario.”

Comprehensive internationalization also recognizes higher education’s position within the global community. To that end, Dr. Deosthale is looking to establish partnerships with businesses and organizations in different parts of the world “to build the awareness that Niagara is here to connect with them for multiple purposes.”

A third focus is to be a resource for people in the Western New York region, especially refugee, migrant, and immigrant populations. He said that the Brennan Center for Language, Culture, and Leadership can have a role in this effort, which he sees as aligning with Niagara’s Catholic and Vincentian tradition.

“There should be a seamless connection between the institution and the community it is serving in all aspects,” he said. “We can be a resource for different kinds of knowledge empowerment.”

The success of these initiatives will not only grow the Niagara community quantifiably, Dr. Deosthale said, but will also help to create a different kind of community at Niagara: “truly international, universal, and one fitting with its tradition of helping the community.”

Dr. Deosthale holds a B.A./M.A. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. He also has an M.A. from Indiana State University, and a Ph.D. in Spanish literature from the University of California, Los Angeles. He received the 1992 University of Alabama at Birmingham “Teacher of the Year” award, and in 2016, he received the European Association for International Education President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to International Education.

He is also the recipient of the 2008 Timothy Rutenber Award for Outstanding Contribution to International Education from the U.S.-based Association of International Education Administrators, and received the “Innovator of the Year” from the national publication Campus Technology for the “iPod” technology in education abroad initiative.

EAGLE/WINTER 2022

11

Niagara Alum SHARES STORY OF SURVIVAL

By Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09

A

smuggled note, a college roommate, the steadfast efforts of family and friends both old and new, and his strong Catholic faith.

Without these, Sam Goodwin’s story might have ended differently. But Goodwin, ’12, a former student-athlete on Niagara University’s hockey team, was able to survive where so many others were not. Although it has taken him time to embrace his story, he now shares the events that took him from a globetrotting entrepreneur in Singapore, to a political prisoner in Syria, and finally, back home to St. Louis, Missouri.

Following graduation, Goodwin moved to Southeast Asia, where he co-founded a tech startup and an NGO. During his six years there, Goodwin, whose wanderlust had been cultivated at Niagara when he participated in a study-abroad program in Lille, France, traveled as much as he could. When he realized he had been to 120 of the 193 sovereign states recognized by the United Nations, he decided he wanted to be one of the approximately 100 people who had been to all of them.

12 Niagara University

“I didn’t know if I could do this, but I became committed to working to achieve something that I thought was extraordinary,” he said.

direction before I ran into a wall, and then I could turn around and pace four steps the other way.”

In the spring of 2019, he had traveled to 180 of 193 countries. His next destination was Syria. On May 25, 2019, with the permission of the U.S.-backed Kurdish authorities, he entered the northeast region of Syria and went to the town of Qamishli. Just two hours later, as he was walking to meet with his guide, a black pickup truck pulled up beside him and two armed men—men who were loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad—jumped out.

Accusing Goodwin of espionage, they took him, first by truck, then in the cargo hold of a Syrian military plane, to the basement of Branch 215, the notorious military detainment center run by the Military Intelligence Directorate. There, he would remain in solitary confinement, in a windowless cement cell, for the next 27 days.

With only a blanket for a bed and the instructions to stay silent unless knocking on the door for food (typically bread and boiled potatoes), water, or use of the toilet, Goodwin fought feelings of hopelessness and fear.

Although he was never physically harmed, he heard inmates in neighboring cells being tortured and couldn’t help but wonder when it would be his turn.

“I remember distinctly the dimensions of that cell,” he said. “I could pace four steps in one

As the days passed, he began to lose the energy to be afraid, he said, and found strength by leaning on perspectives he’d developed from his travels, like gratitude for the food and water he was being given; the mental toughness, critical thinking, and resiliency he developed as a competitive athlete; and on prayer.

“I feel very fortunate that my parents instilled faith in me, because I would have been in a completely different situation without that,”

Goodwin admits. “But I learned that I didn’t need a phone or permission from the guards to talk to God, and that’s how I did not lose hope.”

Goodwin spent nearly four weeks in the cell in Branch 215, tracking time by comparing the daylight he could see from the hole that served as his toilet with the times he was given his meals, and using that information to carve a calendar on the wall of his cell. While he was never tortured, he was subject to interrogations—while blindfolded and handcuffed, he was repeatedly asked why he was in Syria and threatened with being handed over to ISIS. On June 21, Goodwin was reassigned to a federal prison on the outskirts of Damascus called Adra, where he remained for the next 35 days.

The conditions in Adra were considerably better, and Goodwin was able to become friends with other inmates.

“We cooked, we shared food together, they taught me Arabic, I taught them English,” he said. “There was a prison basketball court, and I taught several of them how to play knockout.”

Goodwin was also put on trial four times during his imprisonment there. In all four sessions, he said, he was denied a lawyer and a translator, and he was accused of being a spy without any validating evidence. As the days passed, the “incredible cloud of uncertainty was becoming overwhelming,” he said.

But efforts to free him were well underway.

Back home in St. Louis, Goodwin’s parents began to worry when they didn’t hear from him after his arrival in Syria. He had always kept in touch with them throughout his travels, so when days went by without any communication from him, they knew something was wrong. They first reached out to the FBI field office in St. Louis and, over the next weeks, worked with the U.S. government, Russia intelligence, Middle East NGOs, and private sector security companies. They even sent a letter to Pope Francis. But because the United States has no diplomatic or economic ties with Syria, his parents were told there was little that could be done to negotiate his release.

Goodwin learned later that things began to change when his sister, Stephanie McCue,

reached out to her former college roommate, Stephanie Hajjar.

“It wasn’t strategic,” he said. “She was just calling a friend at a time when she desperately needed support.”

Hajjar was Lebanese, although McCue did not know it at the time. Goodwin explained that after his sister shared her family’s frustrations and concerns with her friend, Hajjar offered to help, but his sister said there was nothing she could do unless she knew President Assad.

“Then roommate Steph says, ‘Wait, let me call you back,’” Goodwin said.

It turned out that her uncle is good friends with Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, Lebanon’s top security official, who ultimately was able to mediate Goodwin’s release.

“I believe that, if in that moment, she would have decided to just call a different friend, I might not be here,” Goodwin said.

This moment was indescribably emotional, one that many people thought would never happen, but a breathtaking display of God answering prayers.

The family now had an important connection, but they still did not know if their son was alive. That’s when a hastily scribbled note that his new friends in Adra helped him smuggle outside the prison in a load of dirty laundry came into play. The note confirmed that Goodwin was alive and well and being held at Adra prison in Damascus. It also contained information about a salmon dish that he always ordered when he and his family dined at the Missouri Athletic Club as proof that the note was from him.

Goodwin’s friend sent the note to another friend via the laundry, and that friend called Goodwin’s father to read it to him. Because Goodwin’s parents had been warned that messages like these might be from scammers, they asked for a photo of the note. That photo, coupled with the personal information Goodwin had included, convinced them that the note was from their son.

“These men truly risked their lives to help save mine,” Goodwin said.

On July 26, 2019, Goodwin was released. He was taken to Beirut, Lebanon, where he was reunited with his parents in Gen. Ibrahim’s office. He learned of the efforts to free him and thanked Gen. Ibrahim for his critical role in his release.

“This moment was indescribably emotional, one that many people thought would never happen, but a breathtaking display of God answering prayers,” Goodwin said.

One of the first things he did after his release was go with his parents to the Lebanese town of Byblos, where they prayed together at St. Charbel Monastery. St. Charbel, a 19th century Maronite Catholic priest, monk, and hermit, is known for working miracles both during his life and after his death. Ironically, his feast day was July 24, the day before President Assad agreed to release Goodwin.

Despite everything that happened, Goodwin was determined to complete his personal journey to visit every country in the world. On Dec. 31, 2019, he achieved his goal when he celebrated New Year’s Eve watching fireworks with friends on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Today, Goodwin travels the world as a public speaker to share his experience and is a doctoral student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. He has been in touch with several of his former cellmates, including the one who helped him get his note to his family, and he has had time to reflect on, and accept, what happened to him in Syria.

“I think about it every day, but it comes into play a lot when I deal with challenges now,” he said. “What I’ve learned to be true is that we can’t always choose the exact path that we take in life, but we can always choose the way in which we walk it.”

EAGLE/WINTER 2022

13

THE CAMPAIGN FOR

NIAGARA

UNIVERSITY Powering Transformation Powering Transformation Will Elevate

THE POWER OF NIAGARA

Niagara University has announced the public launch of the largest and most impactful philanthropic campaign in its 166-year history.

“Powering Transformation: The Campaign for Niagara University,” seeks to raise $125 million by December 2023.

Aligned with the university’s strategic plan, “Powering Transformation” will provide the critical academic, capital, and programmatic resources Niagara students need, while elevating the university’s commitment to advancing social change through higher education.

“The success of this ambitious campaign will support our vision for the future,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “It will ensure that Niagara University continues to provide an outstanding living-learning environment grounded in service to develop mission-driven leaders who contribute in powerful ways to their communities and around the world.

“Our Catholic and Vincentian heritage calls us to go beyond the campus, as well, advocating for and facilitating social justice and fostering economic development with the community,” he continued. “This campaign will highlight the true potential of the power of Niagara.”

“Powering Transformation” will enable NU to not only compete in a changing academic environment, but also take the lead among its peers, while providing students with the confidence, clarity of direction, and a heightened sense of purpose to realize their full

14 Niagara University

potential. The campaign focuses on six priority areas: • Elevating academic excellence and reputation through student centered, collaborative, experiential, and integrative approaches to learning in preparation for 21st century careers.

• Cultivating a culture that fosters excellence in all our experiences, including development of the campus, support services, and technologies.

• Advancing impactful collaborations that focus on mission and civic engagement to benefit the Greater Niagara Region and Niagara University.

• Enhancing a diverse, inclusive, values-based learning environment designed to graduate global citizens and promote civil discourse.

•

Expanding Niagara University as the premier binational university within the Province of Ontario, Canada, through mission-based academic programs, improved branding, and the growth of our Ontario campus.

• Diversifying revenue generation and strengthening fiscal sustainability.

More than $103.5 million has been raised since the quiet phase of the campaign began June 1, 2016. This includes two $10 million gifts— the largest alumni gifts Niagara University has ever received—23 individual seven-figure commitments, and nearly 8,000 contributors giving $5,000 or less.

Niagara University was awarded a $1 million Higher Education Capital Matching Grant to kick-start upgrades and renovations to the Kiernan Center. The $11.5 million project was completed this fall.

Jeff and Mary Helen Holzschuh, both members of Niagara University’s Class of 1982, made a $10 million gift commitment to support the

Scan to view our campaign video:

university’s Trustee Scholarship Program for students in the Holzschuh College of Business Administration and the College of Nursing, as well as the men’s and women’s basketball programs.

“Niagara University is a special place for Mary Helen and me, and we are grateful for the experience of our Vincentian education,” said Holzschuh, who also serves as chair of the campaign. “We feel very fortunate to be able to share our experience and give back to support student scholarships for business and nursing students, as well as Purple Eagle student athletes.”

A $5 million gift from Niagara University alumnus Edward J. Brennan, ’78, and Deborah Brennan, established the Lois Lyon Brennan Scholars program to enable talented, high-achieving students from underresourced communities the opportunity to access the transformational education that Niagara University provides.

“Debbie and I are extremely pleased to build upon our mission of providing education to the underserved,” said Brennan. “The Lois Lyon Brennan scholarship program builds upon our commitment to helping the underserved. As an alumnus of Niagara University, I welcome the opportunity to bring our Vincentian values and inclusive excellence to high-achieving students who may not have this access to college and the engaging experience that leads to success.”

“As we have moved through the campaign, one thing has become abundantly clear: Our alumni and friends believe deeply in the Power of Niagara University,” said Jaclyn Rossi Drozd, ’08, M.S.Ed.’10, vice president of Institutional Advancement. “Their support is transformational as we make improvements to facilities, enrich the academic programs, and enhance the overall living-learning environment of our students.”

For more information about this historic campaign, visit www.niagara. edu/poweringtransformation.

WHY WE GIVE

By Brian,’68, and Kathleen (Cichy) Mylod, ’69 My husband, Brian, and I have had a lifelong relationship with Niagara. We met at NU and, because of NU, we created our own lifelong relationship. From the time we were undergrads on campus to present day, Niagara has been an important part of our lives. Back then, we were students of not only academics, but the experiences of life during our four years on Monteagle Ridge.

With the help of faculty, administration, and classmates, we learned lessons that have carried us well through the years.

The first year we were married, we agreed that setting aside a monthly amount of money was important so that we could give back in appreciation for what we received. It wasn’t much at all, but it was what we could afford. We have never not given over the course of these many years.

We walked out of Niagara with the skills for life’s challenges, friends who have remained in our lives to this day, and memories that have warmed our hearts over and over. We share a special bond with all other NU grads, even if we weren’t on campus at the same time. That’s what we got out of Niagara. We still consider ourselves part of the Niagara family. And family takes care of family.

Supporting “Powering Transformation,” Niagara University’s capital campaign, is important to us and, hopefully, to all alumni.

Our collective giving back ensures Niagara University’s existence for years to come. Many successful people give back to where or what they came from. But people do not have to be great successes to give present-day students an opportunity that was once given to us alumni. We do make a difference. Brian and I couldn’t be more proud and grateful to have had the Niagara experience – then and now.

EAGLE/WINTER 2022

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$3.5 Million Gift from William and Nancy Gacioch

Will Create Career Pathways for Students William, ’61, ’07 (Hon.), and Nancy Gacioch have made a commitment of $3.5 million to Niagara University. The gift was announced at the dedication of the Gacioch Center for Career & Professional Development and the Gacioch Circle on Oct. 14, 2022.

received at Niagara by serving his alma mater both with his time and his treasure. “Niagara University not only educates in the specialty courses you take for success, but it gives good quality character and guidance to its students, which is the most important in life,” he said.

“Bill and Nancy have been incredibly generous to Niagara University, and the announcement of today’s gift further demonstrates their continued commitment to Niagara,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “We are humbled not only by their continued philanthropy, but also their commitment to students who are forging career pathways through internships and professional experiences.”

Niagara University’s Office of Career Services, which recently moved to its new location in the university’s Academic Complex, works to facilitate internship opportunities for students across every program. These crucial experiences can help students confirm their career interests, set career goals, and develop networking connections, but do not always provide compensation.

“Students often must choose between working or taking an unpaid internship, and despite the potential career experience, they cannot afford the option of an unpaid internship,” continued Father Maher.

“The Gacioch gift will provide students with the opportunity to receive a stipend when they work in an unpaid internship, enabling them to take advantage of these transformative real-world experiences.”

In recognition of the gift, Niagara University has renamed the Office of Career Services the Gacioch Center for Career & Professional Development. In addition, to honor their lifetime of giving to Niagara University, the university dedicated the traffic circle in the middle of the campus as Gacioch Circle.

“We celebrate Mr. Gacioch, his personal experience at NU, and the impact his education has made on his life,” said Jaclyn Rossi Drozd, ’08, M.S.Ed.’10, vice president of Institutional Advancement. “The dedication of Gacioch Circle includes a permanent marker in a prominent location, recognizing the lifetime of support from the Gacioch family.”

Gacioch, who serves as chairman and CEO of National Property Management Associates, Inc., worked in Meade Hall to fund his education at Niagara. In 2012, a $2 million gift from Gacioch and his family facilitated the renovation of Meade Hall, the former residence of the university’s Vincentian priests and brothers, into the Gacioch Family Alumni and Admissions Center. In 1999, he also contributed $1 million toward the renovation of St. Vincent’s Hall (now known as Glynn Hall).

Gacioch previously served as a member of the university’s Board of Trustees and has often expressed his appreciation for the education he

16 Niagara University

William Gacioch, ’61, ’07 (Hon.), addresses attendees at the dedication of the Gacioch Center for Career & Professional Development and the Gacioch Circle on Oct. 14, 2022.

Niagara University presented Gacioch with an honorary degree in 2007 and the university’s prestigious Dunleavy Award in 2011. He and his wife, Nancy, were presented with the Father John J. Lynch Award in 2000, and the Gacioch family was honored with the St. Vincent de Paul Award at the Niagara University President’s Dinner in 2010.

NEWS FROM THE NEST Niagara University Alumni Tour to Italy Niagara University’s Office of Alumni Engagement is hosting a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the Tuscan countryside with exclusive access to ancient sites and gastronomical wonders March 10-18, 2023.

Trip highlights include: • Roman city tour, including the Bocca della Verita, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva • Tour of the Galleria Borghese • Exploring Trastevere • Travel to Castel Gandolfo, which is world-famous for the Papal Summer Residence and an opportunity to see the Palazzo Pontificio, the Apostolic Palace, the Pontifical Villas, the Giardino Barberini, and the San Tomoasso da Villanova church • Tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel • Visits to the Duomo and its Baptistry; the Accademia Museum, home to Michelangelo’s sculpture of David; and the Church of Santa Croce

The trip includes lodging accommodations, meals per the itinerary, guided tours, transportation for scheduled events, admissions to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled events as noted in itinerary, and all gratuities (except hotel cleaning staff). The cost per person is $3,499 (based on double occupancy—single room supplement $900).

For more information, visit www.miracolotours.com/italy-adventure, or contact Rocco Claps at 800-205-7413 x 706 or rclaps@miracolotours.com.

SAVE THE DATE! EAGLE/WINTER 2022

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NEWS FROM THE NEST

Who Was There...

The Office of Alumni Engagement and our chapters across the country host numerous events for alumni to reconnect and stay engaged with all that is happening on Monteagle Ridge.

Visit https://support.niagara.edu/event-list for a list of upcoming events.

Top Right: Mike Radell, ‘93; Jim Ebenhoch, ‘91; Jim Ford; Joe Shanahan, ‘79; and Tom Ford, ‘78, enjoyed rinkside seats in Rochester, N.Y., when the Niagara men’s hockey team defeated RIT 5-3 on Jan. 21, 2022.

Small Circle: Kathleen (Sullivan) Doerner, ‘81, and Audrey Dunn, ‘20, shared their NU experience with accepted students at a reception at The Country Club of Rochester on March 10, 2022.

Rectangle: Jennyfer (O’Sullivan) Myrick, ‘08; Emily York, ‘16; Emily Altier, ‘16; and Ashley Cornett, ‘08, cheered on the Niagara men’s hockey team as it took on Air Force Academy in Colorado on Jan. 15, 2022. Thanks to Ashley for sending us this photo!

Large Circle: More than 35 alumni, including Isaac De Los Santos, ‘15, Nicholas Solly, ‘14, and Emily Read, ‘14, set sail on the Buffalo Tiki Harbor Cruise on Aug. 16, 2022.

Bottom Right: Rosalie (Tyrell) Puccio, ‘68; Kathy (Quinlan) Cozens, ‘64; Jayne (Thompson) Savage, ‘64; Vi (Everson) Burkhard, ‘64; Peter Goodrich, ‘66; Fran (Stevralia) Crosby, ‘67; Diana (Bisordi) Goodrich, ‘67; and Brian Crosby, ‘67, were among the Purple Eagles from the classes of 1964 to 2014 who reconnected at the Island Beach Bar and Restaurant in Fort Pierce, Fla., on March 27, 2022.

18 Niagara University

Dr. Anthony Dardano, ’63, Plays Key Role in the Canonization of Father Titus Brandsma

By Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09

portunity to retract what he had written, Father Brandsma refused. He died by lethal injection on July 26, 1942. The nurse who administered the lethal injection, so moved by Father Brandsma’s last words to her, converted to Catholicism and attended his beatification in Rome.

After receiving permission from the Most Rev. Gerald M. Barbarito, bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Father Driscoll distributed prayer cards to his parishioners and those in neighboring parishes so that they could join him in praying for the intercession of Father Brandsma.

Despite his prognosis, Father Driscoll passed the three-year mark, and 10 years later, all traces of the melanoma were gone.

The fact that his doctors had no medical explanation for his healing and recovery prompted Father Driscoll to pursue the promotion of the Carmelite friar’s Cause to Sainthood. Along with Bishop Barbarito, Father Driscoll asked his good friend Dr. Dardano to participate in the investigation, a lengthy process that began in 2016.

Dr. Anthony Dardano, ‘63, with Father Michael Driscoll, 0. Carm, who was miraculously cured of metastatic malignant melanoma through the intercession of Blessed Father Titus Brandsma.

On July 27, 2022, St. Jude Parish in Boca Raton, Fla., celebrated the feast day of St. Titus Brandsma, a Carmelite priest who had been canonized just a few months earlier. One of the parishioners attending the Mass was Dr. Anthony N. Dardano, ‘63, who played a key role in the canonization of Saint Titus.

Dr. Dardano, a retired obstetrician-gynecologist originally from Utica, N.Y., was the lead medical investigator for the Vatican. He provided the medical testimony validating that Father Michael Driscoll, 0. Carm, former pastor of St. Jude Parish, was miraculously cured of metastatic malignant melanoma through the intercession of Blessed Father Titus Brandsma, the final step necessary to declare Father Brandsma a saint.

Father Driscoll had been diagnosed with advanced metastatic melanoma in 2004, which had spread from his scalp to his neck. There was no effective chemotherapy at the time, and doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was being treated, gave him a life expectancy, at best, of three years.

Father Driscoll was inspired by the heroic life of the fellow Carmelite, who was beatified in 1985, and decided that he would pray for Father Brandsma’s intercession for a cure.

Father Brandsma was a priest, educator, and journalist who was martyred at the Dachau concentration camp because of his public opposition against the anti-Jewish laws the Nazis were passing in Germany before World War II. Although he had been given an op-

Over the next several years, Dr. Dardano, along with Bishop Barbarito, his team, and the Very Rev. J. Mario Esposito, O. Carm., Carmelite provincial, led the painstaking theological and scientific investigations around Father Driscoll’s healing, interviewing medical professionals, parishioners, and other priests. On Dec. 12, 2017, their supporting evidence, documents, and testimonies—1,232 pages—were hand-delivered to the Vatican in Rome. There, the Congress of Theological Consultors reviewed the documents and, based on the evidence presented, agreed that the healing was miraculous. The cause was then submitted to the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation for Causes of the Saints for final study. On Nov. 9, 2021, they approved the canonization cause and forwarded their ruling to Holy Father Pope Francis.

Six months later, on May 15, 2022, Father Titus Brandsma was canonized at a Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Dr. Dardano, his wife, and his son, Dr. Anthony Dardano Jr., (a plastic surgeon who had operated on Father Driscoll attesting to the absence of any residual or recurring malignancy) attended the ceremony. Also present was Dr. Gregory Rudolph, the surgeon from Massachusetts General Hospital who did the original surgery on Father Driscoll in 2004, and his wife.

“It was impressive,” Dr. Dardano said of the ceremony. He noted that there were about 150,000 people in the square to witness the canonization of Father Brandsma and nine other individuals. The night before, a solemn Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls was celebrated by numerous Carmelite priests and bishops from the United States and Holland, Titus Brandsma’s homeland. Dr. Dardano’s testimony, as well as the numerous documents validating the cause for sainthood, were read and prepared for presentation to Pope Francis the next morning. “I feel honored and blessed to have participated in a process few will ever have the chance to do, let alone live to see it come to fruition,” Dr. Dardano said.

“I am humbled by the magnitude of my part in this process and the fact that my name and signature, along with Bishop Barbarito’s, are now part of the Vatican archives on numerous signed documents,” he continued.

“Even the rubber name stamp used below my signature is archived. I am truly blessed and privileged to have been an essential part of this. This experience will remain dear to me the rest of my life.”

EAGLE/WINTER 2022

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CATCHING UP Share Your News With Us!

Let us know what’s new with you: new jobs, new babies, marriages, etc. Send your updates to Lisa McMahon, editor, at lmcmahon@niagara.edu.

Digital photos should be taken at the camera’s highest quality setting and sent with a description and the names and class years of the people in it.

Due to the volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee publication of alumni notes or photos in the Eagle.

Charles Kenyon, B.S.’74, recently retired as senior vice president of human resources for Churchill Downs Inc., in Louisville, Ky., an industry-leading racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company.

Thomas Sacco, B.S.’75, chief happiness officer, CEO, and president of Iowa-based franchise Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream, has signed a master franchise agreement that will grow the brand across the Middle East and North Africa, with a goal of developing 50 to 75 Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream parlors in that region over the next 10 years.

Class Notes

1960s

Dr. Thomas M. Flood, B.S.’60, published “Type 1 Diabetes: Where We Were, Are, Will Be: A Candid Doctor-Patient Conversation.” He and his co-author, John Plunkett, a 53-year survivor of Type 1 diabetes, trace the evolution of the state of management from when Plunkett was diagnosed at age 15 until today. Dr. Flood is a retired physician with a specialty in diabetes. The book is available on Amazon.

Dr. Anthony Dardano, B.S.’63, attended the canonization of Carmelite Father Saint Titus Brandsma at the Vatican on May 15, 2022. Dr. Dardano served as the lead medical investigator and provided the medical testimony to the Vatican as part of the process to declare Father Brandsma a saint. See story on page 19.

Bernard McCann, B.A.’65, published a book entitled, “Visitors to My Street.” Set in the 1940s and 1950s in Lackawanna, N.Y., it is a nostalgic look back at the life of a boy growing up in the postwar era. The memoir details stories of loss, love, happiness, travel, games kids played, and the people who created the rhythm of daily life. The book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble online, and Kindle.

1970s

Nicholas Valenti, M.S.’72, received an Alumni Association Award from Auburn/Cayuga Community College in recognition of his community service with local veterans’ organizations. He is currently serving his 10th year as director of Vietnam Veterans of America’s New York State Central District, and assisted in bringing The Wall That Heals to Cayuga County and in the efforts to install the Cayuga County Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

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Thomas Sacco, B.S.’75, with two associates on a recent visit to Cairo, where he opened his first restaurant in the Roxy district of Heliopolis.

John Sanderson, BBA’75, was honored as one of the 20 most effective Western New York business leaders by Buffalo Business First at its 2022 C-Level Executives Awards ceremony in October.

He is founder and chairman of Sanderson Wealth Management LLC. Laurena Cullen, B.S.’78, was selected as Eastern Niagara Hospital’s Nurse of Distinction nominee for 2022. She has been a member of the nursing staff in Lockport, N.Y., for over 39 years. She currently serves on the 2 North medical/surgical unit and previously worked in the maternity and intensive care units. She also served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps at West Point, followed by reserve duty at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, retiring after 26 years as a lieutenant colonel.

Lana Pasek, B.S.’79, BSN’82, received a Nightingale Award from the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses to support her research into cognitive fatigue in people with MS. Lana, a nurse practitioner and Ph.D. student in the University at Buffalo’s School of Nursing, is hoping to gain a clearer understanding of how fatigue affects MS patients’ quality of life, with the goal of identifying disease progression sooner and developing optimized interventions to restore usual function.

1980s

Ed Reilly, B.A.’80, former WKBW 7 News photojournalist and reporter, was one of 12 inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in September. He began his career at WKBW as an intern and was hired after graduation as a freelance photographer in Niagara County before becoming a photojournalist at the station. Reilly transitioned from photographer to multi-media journalist in 2009. He has received awards for his work from the Associated Press and the National Press Photographers Association, among others. After 40 years at WKBW, Reilly retired in January 2021.

David Kersten, B.A.’83, was honored as one of the 20 most effective Western New York business leaders by Buffalo Business First at its 2022 C-Level Executives Awards ceremony in October.

He is CEO of OLV Charities in Lackawanna, N.Y. He was also named the Earle Hannel Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Western New York chapter of the Association of FundraisNiagara University alumni reunited for the 2022 Hacker Cup golf outing on Oct. 2, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. Attendees included 11 members of the Purple Eagle Golf Society: Back row, from left, Jim Sharkey, ’81; Cliff Sharkey, ’74; Jim Bowe, ’74; Bob Wylie, ’74; Jeff Dann, ’74; Bob Hoffman, ’74; and Bill Janowski, ’74. Front row, from left, Kevin Gilman, ’75; Tom Barbieri, ’73; Tom Mimnaugh, ’76; and Bob Dann,’85.

CATCHING UP ing Professionals at its National Philanthropy Day award ceremony in November.

Dr. Camellus Ezeugwu, B.S.’85, was presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who in recognition of his leadership in the fields of cardiology and higher education. Dr. Ezeugwu is the president and director of Just Heart Cardiovascular Group Inc., a full-service cardiovascular and primary care practice in Baltimore, Md., and an assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Maryalice Demler, B.A.’86, anchor/reporter at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, N.Y., won a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Journalism, one of the most prestigious in news, for her report, “Defunding the Mayor.” Murrow Awards, named in honor of the television news pioneer, recognize local and national news stories that demonstrate excellence, exemplify the importance and impact of journalism as a service to the community, and uphold the Radio Television Digital News Association’s Code of Ethics.

Maryalice also serves on NU’s Board of Trustees.

Vincent Feranda, B.A.’87, is senior director of customer experience for Pink Energy, an energy efficiency and solar energy company. He previously worked in business sales at Verizon Wireless for more than 25 years.

Michael Knight, B.A.’87, received the 2022 Isaac Hecht Law Client Protection Award in recognition of his 32-year record of public service to the New York Lawyers’ Fund and the National Client Protection Organization, Inc., in September. The national award is given annually by the NCPO to recognize demonstrated excellence in the field of law client protection.

Michael has served as executive director and counsel of the New York Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection since 2018. He also currently serves on NCPO’s Outreach Committee and Speakers’ Bureau.

Christine Fiore, B.A.’88, M.A.’90, obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in October 2021.

Patrick Riviere, BFA’88, was awarded a Shawna Foundation Grant for his documentary short film, “Artists at the Edge.” In addition, his inaugural documentary short film, “Just a Broadway Baby: Mary Ellen Ashley,” won Best Picture at The Oregon Documentary Film Festival, and Best Documentary Short at The Chain NYC Film Festival, The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, and The Upstate New York Film Festival in Buffalo.

The film was named a semi-finalist for Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, which is one of the few Academy Award-eligible festivals.

Mary (Connolly) Schneiter, B.S.’89, is director of international communications for the Office for Global Engagement at the University of Rochester.

1990s Fred Heuer, ’77, caught up with Vinnie Russo, ’68, in Cooperstown, N.Y., in September. The two are pictured in front of Vinnie’s souvenir shop, Mickey’s Place. The store has been serving the historic village with unique baseball favorites for more than 30 years.

Dr. Maureen (Forrester) Finney, B.S.’91, has been named provost at Nazareth College in Pittsford, N.Y. She previously served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Hilbert College.

Michael Harrington, B.A.’91, has been selected to Philadelphia Business Journal’s Best of the Bar list, featuring top lawyers in the Greater Philadelphia region. A partner with Fox Rothschild LLP, he was recognized in the corporate category for spearheading a team that served as merger and acquisition counsel to Alliance Pharma, Inc., and its founder, Dr. Feng Li, in its sale to Ampersand Capital Partners.

Nicole Sandford, BBA’92, was named as one of the Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Connecticut for 2022 by the Healthcare Technology Report. She is president and CEO of Aspira Women’s Health, a company dedicated to globally transforming women’s health, starting with ovarian cancer, and improving survival and life through innovative health solutions. Before joining Aspira, Nicole was the Global Board Services leader for Ellig Group, where she advised multiple Fortune 500 companies. Prior to that, she spent more than 27 years with Deloitte, launching and leading all aspects of operations for multiple businesses.

Tyrone Dowling, M.S.Ed.’93, was appointed director of education and secretary of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. He previously was superintendent of education with the Wellington Catholic District School Board.

David Parsons, B.S.’94, participated in a mission trip to Haiti in the summer of 2022 with S.I.G.N. (Serving in God’s Name), a nonprofit organization he co-founded shortly after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. In partnership with Priceless Grace Ministries, the S.I.G.N. group treated more than 300 patients at four mobile clinics.

David, who also serves as president of its board, coordinates medical missions to Haiti up to two times per year.

Gemma Fournier, B.S.’95, was named president of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, the certifying agency for surgical technologists in the US. She is surgical technology program coordinator and professor at Niagara County Community College.

Elizabeth Laskie-Gonzalez, BFA’95, is senior director of TODAY Operations/NBC News.

Joseph O’Shea, B.S.’95, has been promoted to the position of vice president of client delivery at Broadleaf Results, a leading provider of talent acquisition and workforce management services.

He joined Broadleaf in 2006 and most recently served as senior director of organizational and supplier development. In his new role, Joseph will oversee Broadleaf ’s US and India operations and

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CATCHING UP

2000

Jeffrey Barnett, BBA’00, has accepted a new role as chief financial officer with Buffalo Fuel Corp. based in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Traci (Wagner) Barnett, B.S.’00, has been promoted to senior manager of technical applications scientists at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Grand Island, N.Y. Her teams support the chemicals and plastics divisions in North America and Europe.

Dennis LaLonde Jr., B.A.’00, opened Kokoro Psychology, PLLC, a clinical psychology practice in Buffalo, N.Y. Sarah Lanzo, B.A.’00, was named city clerk of Lockport, N.Y. Previously, she served as director at Independent Living in Niagara County, and was an adjunct professor at Niagara University for more than six years before that.

Wendy Stevens Haralson, ‘94, with her daughter (and new alumna!) Michelina Haralson, ‘22, during graduation week, May 2022.

lead the company’s newly created Recruitment Development Program.

John Ruffolo, BBA’95, has been promoted to the position of chief financial officer at Horizon Corporations. He joined Horizon as controller in 2005 and previously held positions as corporate director of finance and vice president of finance for the organization.

Mica (Martinez) Alexander, B.A.’96, an executive, consultant, entrepreneur, and author, is the CEO and founder of Tokyo Escapes, a custom tour company. She recently published her first book, “My Year Without Him,” which chronicles the life of a military wife.

Carrie White, B.S.’96, was named chief of police for the Forney Police Department in Texas. She previously served as assistant chief of police for the North Richland Hills Police Department.

Dr. Dorothy Urschel, M.S.’97, has been named president and CEO of the Albany Med Health System’s Columbia Memorial Health, effective Jan. 1, 2023. In this role, Dr. Urschel will oversee the 192-bed hospital in Hudson and more than 40 primary and specialty care centers. She has years of experience in clinical practice and administrative leadership in multiple organizations and has also held academic positions at the University at Buffalo and Daemen University in Amherst, N.Y.

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Suzanne (Olney) Dailey, B.A.’01, launched a podcast, “Teach Happier” in December 2020. In January 2023, a book based on the podcast, “Teach Happier This School Year: 40 Weeks of Inspiration & Reflection,” will be published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Suzanne is an instructional coach in Pennsylvania’s Central Bucks School District.

Jennifer Hibit, B.A.’01, is director of human resources at the Erie County Water Authority. She previously served as chief of staff for Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

Amber (Zito) Ash, B.A.’03, a social worker at Hospice of the Western Reserve and co-chair of its Trauma Informed Care Committee, was invited to be a guest columnist for Cleveland.com. Her article, entitled “Finding a pathway to healing after trauma,” focused on the collective traumatic experience of COVID-19 and ways to promote hope and healing.

Anthony Barone, B.A.’03, was named principal of Patuxent High School in Lusby, Md. He previously served as principal at Patuxent Appeal Campus and assistant principal at Calvert Career and Technology Academy. He also served as a dean of students and taught mathematics at Patuxent High School for 10 years.

Amie Hendrix, BFA’03, was named city manager of Geneva, N.Y. She previously served as the Tompkins County deputy county administrator.

Michael Kwiatkowski, B.A.’03, M.S.Ed.’05, was recognized as a Citizen of the Year by the Grand Island, N.Y., Chamber of Commerce. He received the Service to Youth Sports Award for his work with the local school systems and within the community, including Canisius High School’s summer and bowling programs and Grand Island Little League.

Mary Elizabeth Smith, M.S.Ed.’03, is director of children’s programs at the Francis Center in Niagara Falls, N.Y. She has been an educator with public and private schools for 24 years. She will be responsible for supervising daily operations of the center’s children’s programs and building and maintaining relationships with the Niagara Falls School District and other community partners.

Susan Hibbard, M.S.Ed.’05, has been chosen to participate in the Learning Analytics in STEM Education Research (LASER) Institute’s 20222023 program, founded by the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation and funded by the National Science Foundation. LASER’S goal is to help researchers understand and improve STEM learning through the use of new sources of data and application of analytical approaches such as machine learning, text mining, and social network analysis.

Capt. David Bialas, B.A.’06, was recognized at the annual Shield Awards presented by the Knights of Columbus for his service to the community. Capt. Bialas is a nine-year member of the Union, N.J., Emergency Medical Unit. He became lieutenant in July 2018 and was promoted to captain in January 2022.

Michael Cournyea, MBA’06, was honored as one of the 20 most effective Western New York business leaders by Buffalo Business First at its 2022 C-Level Executives Awards ceremony in October.

He is CEO of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University at Buffalo.

Dr. Staci Forgey, B.S.’06, professor of biology at Tidewater Community College, was honored by the faculty senate in August 2022 with the Faculty Special Achievement Award for her innovative teaching and dedication to student development.

J. Kolbe Sheridan, B.S.’06, was named CEO at the Hutchinson Clinic in Kansas. He has been involved in hospital administration for 13 years, most recently serving as CEO at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

CATCHING UP Julie (Kwasniak) Vogt, B.S.’06, is talent acquisition strategy manager, corporate staff and tech community at Corning, Inc., one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science.

Angela Keppel, B.A.’07, was awarded the Owen B. Augspurger Award from the Buffalo History Museum in October. The award is presented to an individual for outstanding service to the cause of local history. Angela’s history site, buffalostreets. com, looks at local history through the lens of how the streets were named.

David Cirincione, B.S.’09, has been appointed dual general manager at Le Méridien and AC Hotel Denver Downtown. He has 13 years of management experience, including successfully overseeing operations of multimillion-dollar, top-tier hotels across the US. Katy (Cotton) Hobbs, B.S.’09, is membership and marketing director at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. She previously held positions as director of event services and sales manager for the Niagara Falls Convention Center.

2010s

Maj. George Carpenter, B.S.’10, was inducted into the Alumni Wall and Hall of Fame at Morgantown High School in West Virginia in October.

He was recognized for his career in the US Marine Corps, where he serves as a pilot and flew the MV22B Osprey on combat deployments to Afghanistan and rescue missions in Libya.

Alexis (Lyon) Layo, BBA’11, has been promoted to tax supervisor in the Syracuse, N.Y., office of Dannible & McKee, LLP, a certified public accounting and consulting firm.

She joined the firm in 2013 and specializes in the architectural/ engineering and healthcare industries, along with high-net-worth individuals. She earned her MBA in accounting from Le Moyne College.

David Siracuse, B.A.’13, was named one of the 2022 Albany 40 Under 40, a list of the area’s rising stars who have become a driving force in an array of important policy areas and professions. He is government relations policy director at the lobbying firm Bolton-St. Johns.

Mark Stamer, BBA’13, has been promoted to senior manager at Dopkins & Company, LLP, a full-service certified public accounting and consulting firm in Buffalo, N.Y.

Dan Heim, MBA’14, started a new job as a mortgage banker at the Federal Savings Bank in Chicago.

Jaclyn Caruana, B.S.’10, MBA’11, founded EPIC Barcelona, a company that helps students prepare for English language validation exams and university entrance exams. It has now expanded throughout the country as EPIC Spain.

Jeff Perla, B.S.’14, MBA’15, is one of six cast members on “The One That Got Away,” a reality dating series on Amazon’s streaming and rental platform Prime Video.

Jenna McDonnell, B.A.’10, is a partner at Bennett Schechter Arcuri & Will LLP in Buffalo, N.Y.

Brittany Pompi, B.A.’14, is an engagement systems coordinator in the advancement and external affairs office at Syracuse University.

Mary Kate Metzger, B.S.’10, M.S.Ed.’12, is senior academic advisor for University at Buffalo’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. She began her Ph.D. in higher education at UB in 2021.

Justine (Mejak) Palkowski, B.A.’10, is content marketing manager at 43North, an accelerator program founded by Empire State Development and the State of New York.

Andrew Whiteside, B.S.’15, joined the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens as a scout.

He previously served as assistant coach of the United States Hockey League’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

Rachel Sanger, B.A.’16, recently opened Sanger Chiropractic in Wheatfield, N.Y. She is a 2022 graduate of D’Youville University’s chiropractic program.

Kate Bell, B.S.’17, is product manager for Canadian credit cards TSYS at TD Bank.

Danielle Grenier, B.A.’06, has always been an athlete—she was a Purple Eagle during her undergraduate studies at NU and captained the women’s tennis team in her senior year. She’s been building her outdoor resume since her graduation through adventure travel, which has taken her to some soaring heights—she participated in a charity challenge summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise funds for the UN organization Right to Play, realized her dream to explore the Himalayas when she made the two-week-long trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, and trekked through ancient Inca ruins to reach Machu Picchu, Peru. Once touching down, she changed her hiking boots for running shoes as she prepped and ran the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 6 on behalf of New York City’s largest nonprofit, New York Cares.

Lauren Edbauer, BBA’17, MBA’18, has been promoted to senior associate at Dopkins & Company, LLP, a full-service certified public accounting and consulting firm in Buffalo, N.Y.

Heather Smith, B.S.’17, M.S.’19, has been named manager of donor and scholarship engagement in the Office of Institutional Advancement at Niagara University. She previously served as executive director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation.

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CATCHING UP Niagara University Wins Annual Little Three Golf Tourney

works as a licensed renal social worker at Fresenius Medical Care.

Dylan Makowski, B.S.’16, M.S.’17, married Bridget Cauley, B.A.’18, on April 23, 2022.

Michael Spence, B.S.’19, is a real estate agent with 716 Realty Group in Buffalo, N.Y.

2020s

Caroline Miller, M.S.Ed.’20, has been named assistant principal at Newfane Middle School.

She previously was an English teacher in the Oakfield-Alabama, N.Y., Central School District, teaching students from seventh through 12th grades.

Walker Sommer, B.S.’21, M.S.’22, was signed as a forward for the ECHL Hockey League’s Wichita Thunder for its 2022-23 season.

Dylan Okun, B.S.’22, is a technology development program associate at Optum, a leading information and technology-enabled health services business.

Niagara University won the 71st annual Little Three Scholarship Golf Tournament, the oldest continuous intercollegiate alumni golf tournament in the nation.

The friendly competition between Niagara, Canisius, and St. Bonaventure has been held since 1951.

Steve Kopf, ’09, M.S.Ed.’13; Joe Dante, ’06; JJ Napoli, ’18, MBA’19 (pictured above), and Kyle Brion, ’06, were awarded the tournament’s Dr. Vincent P. Marino Trophy with a scramble score of 58, beating Canisius’ score of 61 and St. Bonaventure’s 68.

Marriages / Anniversaries

Tabitha Paton, M.S.Ed.’17, married Richard Bradley on July 16, 2022.

Christopher Dillon, B.A.’19, married Alexandra Lacey, B.A.’19, M.S.Ed.’21, on May 29, 2022.

Richard, B.A.’70, and Margaret (Buttner) Eckstein, B.S.’72, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 5, 2022.

Sixty-eight golfers from the three schools attended this year’s event, which was held on June 27 at River Oaks Golf Club, Grand Island, N.Y. Since 2016, proceeds from the tournament have gone to support the golf programs at each school.

Nicolaus VanCleave, BBA’18, MBA’21, M.S.’21, has been promoted to senior associate at Dopkins & Company, LLP, a full-service certified public accounting and consulting firm in Buffalo, N.Y. Elizabeth Faxlanger, BBA’19, B.S.’19, MBA’20, was promoted to senior accountant at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP. She joined the firm in October 2020.

Julianne Reese, B.S.’19, earned her MSW from the University at Buffalo in 2021. She lives in Ohio and

24 Niagara University

Kyle Nielsen, B.A.’19, married Veronica Kessler, B.S.’19, on Sept. 3, 2022.

Marre Violante, B.A.’06, married Alexander Benoit on May 14, 2022.

CATCHING UP Births /Adoptions

In Memoriam

Courtney (Minarik) Fletcher, B.S.’01, and her husband, Samuel, welcomed their second son, Henry Fletcher, on March 1, 2022.

Robert C. Stevens Jr., BBA’49, passed away on May 11, 2022. Bob was president and owner of Stevens Insurance Agency in Lewiston, N.Y., until his retirement in 1993.

Jon Sifer, B.S.’01, and his wife, Rachael, welcomed a daughter, Holly Joeanne Sifer, on March 25, 2022.

Costello Enshrined in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Dr. Elizabeth Falsetti DiChiara, B.S.’50, M.S.Ed.’73, passed away on May 21, 2022.

She was a registered nurse before becoming a Niagara Falls Public School nurse-teacher, a certified nurse practitioner, and a nursing professor. She served as nursing department chair at Niagara University, retiring in 1993.

Our condolences to her daughter, Elizabeth DiChiara-Murphy, M.S.Ed.’76.

Norman Martel, BBA’50, passed away on April 29, 2022. He had a long career in sales.

Andrew Chesebro, B.S.’07, and his wife, Maggie, welcomed a daughter, Emma Suzanne Chesebro, on May 31, 2022.

Dorothy (Hughes) McMahon, B.S.’50, passed away on June 20, 2022. During her long nursing career, she taught at the schools of nursing at Massachusetts General Hospital, Deaconess Hospital, and Catherine Labouré/ Carney Hospital.

Paul J. Rhoney, B.A.’50, passed away on May 25, 2022. He worked for the family business, Rhoney Funeral Home.

William A. Brady, M.A.’51, passed away on Jan. 26, 2022.

Juliano, B.A.’09, and Kristin (Kill) Pagliero, B.S.’10, welcomed their second son, Nico Pagliero, on July 29, 2022.

Eric, BBA’09, MBA’10, and Amanda (Summers) Reeners, B.S.’10, welcomed a son, Bennett Martin Reeners, on March 31, 2022.

Raymond J. Broderick, B.S.’52, passed away on Oct. 19, 2022.

Col. Richard M. Rodney, B.A.’52, passed away on April 29, 2022. He had a nearly 34-year career in the US Army and retired as a colonel in 1985. He spent the next 10 years with the PA Emergency Management Agency.

Weldon J. Sturdevant, B.S.’53, passed away on Sept. 19, 2022. He had a 30-year career with Travelers Insurance Company.

Patricia (Caffrey) Comerford, B.S.’54, passed away on Dec. 7, 2021. She was a teacher in the Niagara Falls School District until her retirement in 2003.Our condolences to her husband, James Comerford, B.A.’55; and to her son, Dr. James Comerford, B.S.’80.

Sara (Chambers) Trapasso, B.S.’11, and her husband, Paul, welcomed a daughter, Annabelle Leota Trapasso, on April 5, 2022. She joins big brother Sullivan.

Thomas S. Lennon, ’54, passed away on May 16, 2022. He worked in the management consulting and trade association fields, taught at several schools and universities, and served as vice president of Manhattan College in New York for 18 years.

Larry Costello, ’54, was one of the 13 members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2022 enshrined during festivities in Springfield, Mass., Sept. 9-10, 2022.

Costello, who was honored posthumously, played for the Purple Eagles from 1950-54. He finished his NU career as the then-all-time leading scorer with 1,275 points in 85 games played. Costello helped the 1952-53 and 1953-54 NU teams to National Invitation Tournament berths, and he was a two-time NIT All-Star Team selection.

Costello was then just the second NU player to go to the NBA when he was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Warriors. He played two seasons with the Warriors before playing 11 years with the Syracuse Nationals, playing five seasons in Syracuse and six seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Costello was a six-time NBA All-Star (1958-62, 1965) and was part of the 1967 World Champion Philadelphia 76ers team. Known as the last two-handed set shooter, he led the NBA in free throw percentage in both 1963 (.881) and 1965 (.877).

After retiring from playing in 1968, Costello was named the first head coach of the expansion Milwaukee Bucks in 1968-69. The Bucks won the NBA title in 1971 in his third season with the team.

Costello coached in the NBA for 10 seasons between the Bucks and the Chicago Bulls and finished with a career record of 430-300. He returned to coaching as the head coach at Utica College from 1980-87.

Costello, whose number 69 was retired by Niagara, is a member of the Niagara University Athletics Hall of Fame, the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame, the Greater Buffalo Hall of Fame, and the New York State Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2001 after a battle with cancer.

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CATCHING UP Sally (Barron) McKinnon, BBA’55, passed away on Sept. 28, 2022. She worked for many years as an administrative assistant at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. Mary (Carr) Nowack, B.S.’56, passed away on May 21, 2022. She was a nurse at St. Joseph’s Villa, Rochester, N.Y. Edward M. O’Keefe, B.A.’56, passed away on Aug. 3, 2022. He was a junior high school teacher before taking administrative and faculty positions at Niagara University and Niagara County Community College. Upon his retirement in 1996, he returned to school to become a myofascial trigger point therapist and practiced for 21 years.

Beverley L. Tucker, B.A.’56, passed away on Sept. 1, 2022. She was a registered nurse and, for more than 25 years, was a professor of nursing at Niagara University, retiring in 1989.

Harold Grainger, B.S.’57, passed away on Feb. 15, 2022. Hal retired from the military in February 1983 after 26 years of service and then entered the private sector, starting his own successful business and eventually working in real estate.

Robert C. Wallin, B.S.’57, passed away on Feb. 5, 2022. Bob taught English at Clarence Junior High School for 35 years before retiring.

Lt. Col. John D. Connolly, B.A.’58, passed away on Sept. 11, 2022. He had a 20-year career in the US Army before he pursued a second career as managing director of a government defense contracting firm.

Martha (McNulty) Cuddy, M.S.Ed.’58, passed away on June 21, 2022. She was a teacher for many years, finishing her career teaching English as a Second Language at OnondagaCortland-Madison BOCES. Hon. Jerome C. Gorski, B.A.’58, passed away on Sept. 17, 2022. He served two terms as a State Supreme Court Justice before retiring in 2012. He was also a former member of the Niagara University Board of Advisers and received NU’s Founders Award in 2004.

Stanley G. Horab, B.A.’58, passed away on June 20, 2022. He taught in the Wilson Central and Niagara Falls City school districts and was active in Niagara Falls governmental programs.

Our condolences to his son, John Horab, B.S.’87; and to his daughter-in-law, Saima (Worgren) Horab, B.A.’88.

26 Niagara University

Robert J. Kinsella, M.S.Ed.’58, passed away on Oct. 30, 2022. He was the principal of Minoa Elementary School in Minoa, N.Y. Tadeus J. Kozminski, BBA’59, passed away on Jan. 30, 2022. He taught in the Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda, N.Y., public school systems.

Robert W. McMahon, B.S.’59, passed away on Nov. 12, 2021. He served in the Army Infantry and retired as a major with two tours in Vietnam, and a tour in Korea on the DMZ. After his military service, he continued working 15 years with the government before retiring.

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Robert S. Miller, B.S.’59, passed away on April 20, 2022. He had a 22-year career with Continental Can Company.

John DeMare, B.S.’60, passed away on Jan. 19, 2022. He had a career in computer programming that spanned more than 40 years.

Our condolences to his daughter, Michelle (DeMare) Fuoco, B.S.’88, son-in-law, Brian Fuoco, B.S.’88, and nephew, Daniel DeMare, B.A.’90.

Barbara M. Petrosino, B.S.’60, passed away on Oct. 10, 2022. She began her nursing career working at VA hospitals before transitioning to nursing education, teaching at Niagara University, the University of Texas at El Paso, and the University of Texas at Austin.

Rev. “Harold” Paul Ruddy, OSFS, B.S.’60, passed away on June 13, 2022. His ministerial work was focused in three areas: education, parish ministry, and as a sacramental minister in various parishes and at the Oblate residence at Camp de Sales in Brooklyn, Mich.

Herbert A. Wickenden, B.A.’60, passed away on Dec. 11, 2021. Herb was employed in the Syracuse City School District, where he taught social studies and advanced placement European history until his retirement in 1996.

Eugene J. Asklar, B.A.’61, M.S.Ed.’66, passed away on Nov. 5, 2022. He was an English teacher with the Niagara Falls Board of Education for over 32 years, retiring in 1992. Our condolences to his son, John Asklar, B.A.’85, M.S.Ed.’95; to his daughter, Susan (Asklar) Bilquin, B.S.’90; and to his daughter-in-law, Christina (Dupree) Asklar, M.S.Ed.’97.

Harold C. Mumford, BBA’62, passed away on July 14, 2022.

We take care of the details, so you can enjoy your special event!

• Celebrate a reunion • Inspire and motivate employees with a corporate event or holiday party • Create unforgettable celebrations: bridal and baby showers, gender reveals, graduations, birthdays, retirements, baptisms, First Communion parties • Plan a grand affair or intimate gathering: wedding reception, rehearsal dinner, anniversaries, engagement parties • Host association conferences, trade shows, conventions Niagara University has event venues to accommodate groups of 10 to 200 guests.

We also offer overnight packages from June 15–July 31 for organizations needing ample space.

Center for Conferences & Events 5795 Lewiston Rd. Niagara University, NY 14109 (716) 286-8709 Email: sstrzalkowski@niagara.edu Twitter: @meet_at_NU

www.niagara.edu/cce/

CATCHING UP

Legacy family Michael Keem, ’72 (center), with his daughters, Erin Keem Tryka, ’00, and Chelsey Keem Smith, ’96. The caption in the summer 2022 issue misnamed Chelsey—our apologies.

Tom H. Osborn, B.S.’62, passed away on Jan. 17, 2022. He worked in banking, payroll processing, and as a food broker.

James A. Pitts, BBA’62, passed away on Oct. 19, 2022. Jim was the former chief investment officer, CFO and treasurer of the Boston Foundation, and also served as the executive vice president and CFO of Clean Harbors, Inc., as well as the CFO of Bain and Company.

Frank Tedesco, B.A.’62, passed away on Aug. 14, 2022. He owned and operated Universal Insulation and Frontier Metal Buildings for 40 years until his retirement in 2020.

served as director of automated services and development staff at the Office of the Federal Register.

Our condolences to Kenneth Evers, B.A.’68, on the death of his wife, Kathleen, who passed away on June 6, 2022.

George E. Kugler Sr., B.S.’65, passed away on Sept. 4, 2022. He was the owner of Wm. Kugler & Bro., Inc. Joseph Muldowney, BBA’65, passed away on June 27, 2022. He had a lifelong career as a certified public accountant.

Barbara (Bakula) Dobrasz, M.S.Ed.’69, passed away on May 7, 2022. She taught throughout the Niagara Falls City School District for 37 years. Our condolences to her husband, Robert Dobrasz, B.S.’80, M.A.’74, and to her son, Stanley Dobrasz, B.S.’91, M.S.Ed.’06.

Francis X. Carnese Jr., B.A.’66, passed away on July 9, 2022. He was an educator and administrator in the Brentwood, N.Y., school district for more than 30 years, the majority of that time at East Junior High School.

Stephen Koss Jr., ’69, passed away on Aug. 31, 2022. He was employed by Saunders and Ryder Truck Leasing as leasing agent and manager and most recently worked for Securitas.

Irene U. Carpenter, B.S.’66, passed away on May 19, 2022. She had a 55-year career as a nurse.

Our condolences to Maria (de Rosa) Wolcott, B.S.’69, on the death of her husband; and to Heather (Wolcott) Hoffman, B.A.’07, M.S.Ed.’11, on the death of her father, Bill Wolcott, who passed away on Sept. 11, 2022.

Bill was an adjunct professor at Niagara University and moderator for the NU student newspaper, the Niagara Index.

Our condolences to Robert Daino, B.S.’66, on the death of his wife, Judith, who passed away on May 28, 2022.

Joseph A. Mancuso, B.A.’66, passed away on June 11, 2022.

Rev. Robert F. Schramm, OSFS, B.A.’66, passed away on June 28, 2022. He served in a variety of ministerial placements, including as an educator, pastoral minister, pastor, prison chaplain, liturgist, retreat director, and chaplain at the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Joseph G. Terrizzi, ’62, passed away on Oct. 2, 2022. He worked for many years as a district attorney with New York state, had a private law practice, and was the Town of Boston prosecutor.

Robert Thomas, B.S.’66, passed away on July 13, 2022. Bob held several management and executive positions at Salt River Project, where he retired after 32 years. Our condolences to his sisters, Mary (Thomas) O’Connell, B.A.’63, and Virginia (Thomas) Chiasera, B.S.’76; and to his brother-in-law, James Chiasera, B.A.’76.

Charles E. Wright Sr., BBA’62, passed away on May 14, 2022. He owned and operated Wright Tax Service and was employed by Moore Business Forms as a systems analyst.

James V. Thornton, B.S.’66, passed away on April 20, 2022. He spent most of his career as a self-employed computer consultant, working for a wide variety of Syracuse, N.Y., businesses.

James Fleming Sr., B.S.’63, passed away on Nov. 2, 2022. He worked in sales and marketing.

John P. Traverse, B.S.’67, passed away on Jan. 5, 2022. He had a long career as a director of athletics and then as a school administrator in upstate New York schools.

Robert E. Jordan Jr., B.A.’65, passed away on May 30, 2021. He worked as a tax preparer and

David J. Cregan, B.A.’70, M.S.Ed.’74, passed away on Aug. 19, 2022. He worked in education and insurance, retiring in 2008 as a guidance counselor at Hornell High School.

Our condolences to his wife, Kathleen (Sermak) Cregan, B.A.’72, M.S.Ed.’74.

Douglas B. Evert, B.A.’70, passed away on Jan. 28, 2022. He taught health/PE in the Niagara Falls City School District for 30 years.

Albert H. Stockwell, B.A.’70, passed away on Sept. 22, 2022. He was a procurement manager for several chemical and engineering companies prior to his retirement in 2000.

Margaret Campbell-Kotler, B.S.’71, passed away on Jan. 20, 2022. She worked for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services for 30 years. She then served as manager of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center’s Office of Education before becoming the national program manager for Caregiver Education and Training at the Department of Veterans Affairs until her retirement in 2016. She was honored by Niagara’s College of Nursing for her contributions to nursing and community health.

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CATCHING UP Master Sgt. Paul J. Drebitko, B.A.’71, passed away on June 13, 2022. He was a career soldier who served from 1973 to 1993.

national, and Avon, retiring in 2014. Our condolences to his wife, Suzanne (Wilson) Howard, B.S.’74.

Kerry (Carton) McGreevy, B.S.’71, passed away on Oct. 5, 2022. She was a nurse at Sloan Kettering in Manhattan and Yale University Hospital before returning to the Jersey Shore and working in various nursing homes and as a visiting nurse.

John F. Jowdy, M.S.Ed.’73, passed away on Oct. 30, 2022. He was a math teacher at Niagara Falls High School and an interior decorator for Sears department store.

Paul M. Morganti, B.S.’72, passed away on Sept. 17, 2022. He was recreation director at the New York State School for the Deaf, then became the finishing supervisor at Harden Furniture.

Col. Gerald C. Osborne, M.S.Ed.’72, passed away on Oct. 15, 2022. After retiring from the Army in 1988, he taught in the JROTC department at D.H. Conley High School in Greenville, N.C., for 16 years.

Kathleen (Reilly) Powderly, B.S.’72, passed away on Nov. 24, 2021. She was associate professor and director of the John Conley Division of Medical Ethics and Humanities at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Deanne (Verreault) Siegel, M.A.Ed.’72, passed away on March 19, 2021. She was a French teacher at various Western New York schools, including Bishop Neumann High School in Williamsville, N.Y. Our condolences to her sons, Tristan Siegel, B.A.’87, and Brendan Siegel, B.A.’90.

Mary (Goodall) Smith, B.A.’72, passed away on Nov. 6, 2022. She was a case worker with Niagara County Department of Social Services for 35 years. Our condolences to her brother, John Goodall, BBA’70; to her sister, Barbara (Goodall) Scinta, B.A.’75; and to her aunt, Suzanne (Hoshal) Dokey, B.A.’74.

Edward Cecula, B.S.’73, passed away on Aug. 2, 2022.

Patricia Ericksen, B.S.’73, passed away on Sept. 25, 2022. She was a public school math teacher.

Thomas E. Howard, B.S.’73, passed away on March 3, 2022. He worked as a database administrator for General Foods, Atre Inter-

28 Niagara University

Paul R. Neville, B.S.’73, passed away on April 7, 2022.

Jerry Lee, B.A.’74, passed away on July 24, 2022. He was a sportswriter and administrator at the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com for over 43 years.

Edward L. Paduano, M.S.Ed.’74, passed away on Dec. 20, 2021. He was an elementary education teacher with the Niagara Falls Board of Education for more than 30 years.

Wayne R. Scott, M.S.Ed.’74, passed away on Oct. 11, 2021. He was a teacher and vice principal for the Peel Board of Education in Ontario, Canada.

Bruce M. Webb, B.S.’74, passed away on May 23, 2022.

after a 31-year career as a special education teacher with the Niagara Falls Board of Education. Our condolences to his wife, Joan (Dwyer) Gaetano, M.S.Ed.’76.

James F. Krulisky, B.A.’76, passed away on Sept. 30, 2022. He was founder and president of Axia Medical Solutions in Carlsbad, Calif.

Randy S. Batchen, B.S.’77, passed away on July 8, 2022. He held multiple positions with Northwest/Delta Airline until his retirement in 2020.

Crystal Boling-Barton, B.A.’77, M.S.Ed.’78, M.S.Ed.’81, passed away on June 14, 2022.

She was principal at McKinley High School in Buffalo, N.Y., for 35 years.

Our condolences to Edward Brennan, B.S.’78, on the death of his son, Marshall, who passed away on Aug. 17, 2022.

Mark S. Vagnozzi, B.S.’78, passed away on April 5, 2022. He owned Marc Business Forms.

Charles G. Minnicks, B.S.’79, passed away on Jan. 26, 2022. He had a long career at Westinghouse.

Carmen M. Cipolla, B.A.’75, passed away on April 25, 2022. He worked for 37 years in cable television, retiring after serving as director of operations for Adelphia and Time Warner Cable in Buffalo.

Jennifer (Nalbone) Ross, M.S.Ed.’79, passed away on March 4, 2022. She was an educator with the Niagara-Wheatfield School District for 36 years.

Gary M. Rimlinger, M.S.Ed.’75, passed away on Nov. 1, 2022. He worked for more than 20 years in the aerospace engineering department at Goodyear Aerospace, in Akron, Ohio, retiring as vice president of engineering.

Francis X. Thomas, B.S.’79, passed away on Oct. 21, 2022. He was a registered respiratory therapist, center manager, and district manager at Lincare. Our condolences to his wife, Eleanor (O’Hern) Thomas, B.S.’79.

Kathleen (Murphy) Corneliess, B.S.’76, passed away on May 19, 2022. She was a pediatric nurse practitioner, most recently working in pediatric cancer clinical trials at NYU/Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y.

John W. LaChapelle, B.S.’80, passed away on July 25, 2022. He worked for Chrysler Financial for many years and later ended his career working for Albany County.

Thomas G. Ferrara, B.S.’76, passed away on Oct. 20, 2022. He founded Future Value Associates, a financial consulting group, in 1987.

Dominic E. Gaetano, M.S.Ed.’76, passed away on Oct. 18, 2022. He retired in 2001

Richard B. Peters, B.S.’80, passed away on July 23, 2021.

John D. Tierney II, B.S.’80, passed away on Nov. 3, 2021. He spent the majority of his career with Tolkan Oil and Gas and finished his career at Ram Energy as a senior operations engineer.

CATCHING UP Marion Marcinowski Flanagan, M.S.Ed.’81, passed away on June 23, 2022. She taught second grade in the Niagara Falls City School District for more than 25 years.

Terence M. Bolan, B.S.’87, passed away on Oct. 18, 2022. He worked as a transportation specialist for Cobblestone Arts Center in Farmington, N.Y.

Steven R. Troxell, B.A.’95, M.S.Ed.’96, passed away on Aug. 1, 2022. He was a social studies teacher in the City of Lockport School District for 20 years.

Our condolences to Irene Forgensi Hammons, B.A.’81, on the death of her mother, Delfina Forgensi, who passed away on Aug. 22, 2021.

Dora (Bifano) Prantera-Poshni, B.S.’87, passed away on Aug. 10, 2022. She worked as an RN for Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, VNA of Lockport and, most recently, the Mississauga Halton CCAS.

Patricia M. Raymond, M.S.Ed.’96, passed away on March 31, 2022. She was a science teacher at LaSalle Senior High School in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Gerald J. Kukowski, B.S.’81, passed away on Feb. 21, 2022.

Bonnie O’Neill-Siegel, BBA’82, passed away on Sept. 28, 2022. She worked at Johnson & Johnson for 26 years, where she was vice president of information technology.

Donald S. Sommer, B.S.’83, passed away on Jan. 15, 2022. He was co-founder of 4Sites Associates, a company that performed consulting and project management throughout the country.

Joseph G. Bodensteiner, B.S.’84, passed away on June 29, 2022. His career as an attorney and federal criminal investigator with the US government spanned three decades and three agencies: the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the US Treasury Department, and the Peace Corps. Our condolences to his wife, Maureen (O’Malley) Bodensteiner, B.S.’85.

Anne Marie Seegebarth, B.S.’84, passed away on June 15, 2022. She had a 30-year career in the Army in both military and civilian roles, culminating as a manpower analyst in the Directorate of Resource Management.

Our condolences to Michele Simmons Smith, B.S.’85, on the deaths of her sister, Nicole Simmons, who passed away on Jan. 9, 2022; and of her mother, Joan Simmons, who passed away on Aug. 25, 2022.

Frank J. Carey, B.A.’86, passed away on Sept.

6, 2022. He retired from Daemen College, where he served as the director of the RIC and Library Services. Our condolences to his brother, John Carey, M.S.Ed.’00; and to his nephew, Joshua Carey, B.S.’14.

Sister Ronald Marie Hax, M.S.Ed.’86, passed away on Sept. 11, 2022. She taught at numerous schools in New York state.

Our condolences to Robert Przybyszewski Jr., B.A.’87, on the death of his father, Robert Przybyszewski, who passed away on Sept. 22, 2022. He was a professor in Niagara’s College of Education for more than 25 years.

Our condolences to Tristan Siegel, B.A.’87, and to Brendan Siegel, B.A.’90, on the death of their father, Steven L. Siegel, who passed away on Oct. 26, 2021. He taught in the math department at Niagara University from 1964 to 2011 and was a former chair of the department.

Karen V. Haseley, B.A.’88, passed away on March 29, 2022. She worked as a nurse, in marketing, and for Teletech and Gray Line Tours throughout the course of her career.

Kent R. Switala, B.A.’88, passed away on Oct. 17, 2022. He had a 20-year career in law enforcement with the Orange County, N.Y., Sheriff’s Department.

John T. Bristol, B.A.’92, M.S.Ed.’93, passed away on Feb. 14, 2022. He was employed at the Capitol Building as an accountant and tour guide until his retirement in 2014.

Jennifer Clark-Catroppa, B.A.’92, passed away on Nov. 2, 2022.

Bill Barry, B.S.’93, passed away on June 14, 2022. He worked for Lumen Technology. Our condolences to his wife, Patricia (Troiano) Barry, B.S.’88; to his brother, John Barry, B.S.’81; and to his nephew, Brian Barry, B.A.’20.

Gregory C. Hudson, BBA’97, passed away on May 29, 2022. He worked in information technology and administration for Jefferson County, N.Y. Our condolences to his wife, Melanie (Kilgore) Hudson, B.A.’95.

Christopher M. Romney, M.S.Ed.’97, passed away on April 8, 2022. He is a former Orleans Niagara BOCES teacher.

Stepheni M. Sapka, ’97, passed away on June 19, 2022. She worked for Verizon. Our condolences to her sister, Christena Sapka Reiser, B.A.’95, and to her brother-in-law, Peter Reiser, B.S.’95.

Charles H. Stradley, B.S.’01, passed away on March 9, 2022. He retired from the military after 20 years and then continued to serve the US government for another 20 years in quality assurance.

David M. Palumbo, M.S.Ed.’02, passed away on July 19, 2022. He was the owner and operator of the Spiral Scratch record store in Buffalo, N.Y. Joshua LaSpada, B.S.’14, passed away on April 29, 2022. He worked at Travelers Insurance and was a statistics stringer for the Buffalo Bisons. Our condolences to his wife, Brenna (Gilbert) LaSpada, B.S.’15.

Emily G. Theilmann, B.A.’15, passed away on May 16, 2022.

Lauren E. DiBartolomeo, B.S.’19, passed away on Dec. 22, 2021.

Mark F. Doldan, B.S.’95, passed away on Oct. 16, 2022. Our condolences to his mother, Kathleen (Crowell) Doldan, B.S.’70; and to his brothers, Kevin Doldan, BBA’96, and Michael Doldan, B.S.’97.

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Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Niagara University, N.Y. Permit No.1 Office of Institutional Advancement P.O. Box 2008 Niagara University, N.Y., 14109

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

ALUMNI Alumni Weekend 2023 June 2-4

Come back to campus June 2-4, 2023, to relive your NU memories and make new ones with your classmates at Alumni Weekend! Our third June Alumni Weekend will honor our alumni who graduated in class years ending in 3’s and 8’s, but all alumni are welcome back to join the fun!

A room block at the Doubletree

by Hilton in Niagara Falls has been reserved. Call 716.524.3333 to make your reservation. Please specify that you are a Niagara University alum.

For more information, visit: www.niagara.edu/alumniweekend/