Niagara University Eagle Fall 2020

creating an

Equitable CAMPUS

COMMUNITY

8

A man of

FAITH,

family, community,

and Business page 6

Vol. 35 issue 2

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Vol. 35, issue 2

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 On the cover: Richard and Therese Chapdelaine. Inset photo: Identifying and Dismantling Racial Injustice Task Force member Lovell Lee, a junior education major, was a driving force behind the establishment of the Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom Retention Scholarship.

Inside this issue FEATURES

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A MAN OF BUSINESS, A MAN OF FAITH

7 8 10

PATHWAYS PROGRAM

11

FRIENDSHIPS FORGED

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DR. Marilynn Fleckenstein

13 14

GREG PAULUS’ CONTRACT EXTENDED

17 18

GIVING HOPE TO CANCER PATIENTS

Facilitates Real-World Experience

Creating an Equitable CAMPUS MEDICAL ETHICS

Examined Through Vincentian Lens

on Monteagle Ridge Cross Generations

Leaves Long-Lasting Legacy

A CHAMPION

FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

CLASS OF 1968 ADOPTS WW2 VETERAN

DEPARTMENTS

1 2 16 19

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 four academic divisions include the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, and Hospitality and Tourism Management.

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

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OPENING REMARKS

Dear Friends and Alumni,

I

hope this note finds you and your family safe and healthy.

In these challenging times, we are reminded what is most important in our lives. Thank you for all you have done to help ensure that our Vincentian mission continues here on Monteagle Ridge.

While these have been difficult days for everyone, I want you to know that I pray to the Lord that He will help us all find our way through these challenging times.

As you can imagine, life at our home on Monteagle Ridge has changed dramatically, but I am pleased to report that Niagara is open for the fall semester. Our team has worked diligently to provide our students with as normal an on-campus experience as possible, while going beyond all of the mandated precautions prescribed by the state and federal governments.

At a time when many of our students’ families are suffering economically, the generosity of many of our alumni and friends supporting our Purple Eagles Emergency Relief Fund has enabled Niagara to step up and offer a helping hand to ensure that many can continue their studies.

In this edition of the Eagle, we pay homage to two members of the Niagara family: alumnus Richard Chapdelaine and professor Marilynn Fleckenstein.

We are also proud to showcase David Whalen, a national expert on disability awareness training, whose work at the university has touched the lives of thousands across the region.

In addition, we are excited to highlight the many ways that Niagara is working to fulfill our mission of providing a quality education in the tradition of St. Vincent de Paul. As always, I thank you for your continued interest and support of our beloved university, and I look forward to the day when we can celebrate our achievements in person once again.

Rev. James J. Maher, C.M.

With every good wish,

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

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ON THE RIDGE NU Esports Club Begins Second Season of EGFC Competition

Niagara University’s Esports program began its second season in the Electronic Gaming Federation Collegiate League on Oct. 5.

Currently, 32 NCAA Division I institutions from the MAAC, the Big East, and others, including the University of Colorado, the College of William & Mary, Hofstra University, Wichita State University, and the University of Hawaii, compete in the league. Niagara is one of only a few of the 32 institutions that is fielding a team in all four of the EGFC featured title games: FIFA Soccer, Overwatch, Rocket League, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

“We are excited to be participating in EGFC again this academic year,” said Bill Newton, Esports administrative coordinator. “Our students are eager to compete against our MAAC

rivals as well as other institutions from around the country. This exposure helps our Esports program and the university as a whole spread our brand nationwide and beyond.”

Transformative Visions Presidential Speaker Series Launched

More than 50 Purple Eagles are members of the Esports Club, with about 30 of those students participating on one or more of the EGFC competitive teams. Because of social distancing limitations due to the coronavirus pandemic, the university’s Esports Lounge has been reconfigured to ensure the safety of the students who use it.

In addition, because of the nature of the sport, students can also compete and interact from their residence hall rooms or homes.

Four visionaries who have imagined and struggled to create a just future were the featured speakers during Niagara University’s newly established Transformative Visions presidential speaker series.

“One of the many benefits of Esports is there is an infrastructure that allows our students to connect with each other and Niagara University, whether students are meeting in the lounge or participating remotely,” Newton said. “I think that our students who are involved right now feel connected to each other and feel connected to Niagara. While our Esports program is still in its infancy, it’s a powerful and engaging experience that brings more and more of our students together.”

The EGFC season consists of weekly matches for each title and will run through mid-April 2021.

Speakers included Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of Howard University; Denis McDonough, former White House chief of staff under President Barack Obama and former White House deputy national security adviser; Dina Gilio-Whitaker, policy director and senior research associate at the Center for World Indigenous Studies, and lecturer of American Indian Studies at California State University San Marcos; and Soffiyah Elijah, executive director of the Alliance of Families of Justice and the first Black woman to serve as executive director of the Correctional Association of New York.

Niagara University Continues its Climb on U.S. News College Rankings Niagara University has again increased its rankings in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual survey of “America’s Best Colleges,” securing the number 23 position in “Best Regional Universities – North.” That’s nine spots up from last year’s ranking of 32, and a dramatic climb from the university’s 2013 standing of number 70. In addition to the overall ranking, Niagara is also recognized in the “Best Value,” “A+ Schools for B Students,” “Best Foreign Student Factor,” “Best Colleges for Veterans” and “Social Mobility,” categories.

Niagara University’s commitment to academic excellence and student outcomes—including its six-year graduation rate which, at 73%, improved 3 percentage points over last year—has led to its jump in the U.S. News rankings.

“We are pleased that the excellent quality of Niagara University’s academic programs, which offer high value and outstanding outcomes, continues to be praised by U.S. News & World Report and other ranking publications,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., NU president.

“Recognition such as this is testament to the critical work we are doing to provide a

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transformational, engaging education that leads to successful outcomes for our graduates, and demonstrates the importance of Niagara’s commitment to academic excellence and accessibility to higher education.”

Other areas in which Niagara was recognized include: Best Value – NU is once again among the regional institutions deemed a “Best Value,” a calculation that takes into account a school’s academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid. Niagara is ranked 7 out of the 73 schools listed in the category, which is especially remarkable in light of the fact that NU’s undergraduate students studying in Canada (BPS program) negatively impact the university’s ranking in this section.

A+ Schools for B Students – This list highlights schools that admit a good proportion of “non-A” students (based on SAT/ACT scores and class standing) and allow them to thrive at the university level.

Best Foreign Student Factor – Niagara is the only institution in the Buffalo-Niagara region listed in this ranking group.

Best Colleges for Veterans – Niagara University jumped seven spots to secure the number 11 position in this list, which recognizes institutions that participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members pay for their degrees.

Social Mobility – This ranking measures the graduation success of Pell Grant recipients and is based on Pell graduation rates, the proportion of students who receive Pell, and the comparison to graduation rates of non-Pell recipients.

In addition, NU was one of only two local colleges, and the only private university in the Buffalo-Niagara region, listed in The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Northeast” section of its feature, “2021 Best Colleges: Region by Region,” and was again named one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges in “The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2021 Edition.”

Niagara University

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ON THE RIDGE Niagara University Awarded a $300,000 Grant to Enhance Prevention Efforts Against Sexual Violence on Campus Niagara University has received a $300,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to strengthen its ongoing efforts to educate about and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on campus.

Through the three-year Grant to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking (DVDVSAS) on Campus, Niagara University will coordinate campus prevention and responses to DVDVSAS, with emphasis on strengthening and expanding its efforts beyond the mandated requirements of New York state’s “Enough is Enough” legislation.

Dr. Dana Radatz, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice, and Dr. Jennifer Beebe, associate professor of counseling/education, will oversee Niagara’s OVW campus program, which will elevate, expand, and institutionalize the work that Radatz and Beebe have been doing in recent years to advance universitywide education and awareness of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking programming. It will also leverage the university’s existing partnerships with local criminal justice and victim service agencies, including the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police.

“This award not only allows Dr. Beebe and I to advance the efforts we have made to date regarding violence prevention and education, but also provides us with a new opportunity to amplify a holistic approach that includes students, faculty, staff, and the broader community,” said Radatz.

“The OVW grant will provide Niagara University and our community partners with the opportunity to continue to create an environment that promotes and supports prevention and education efforts related to sexual assault and relationship violence,” Beebe added. “We hope to continue the Vincentian tradition and train students to become future leaders who will advocate for marginalized populations.”

Through the grant, a full-time project director will be hired to oversee training and educational campaigns for the campus community. Niagara’s OVW Campus Program will include the establishment of a coordinated

Pictured from left, Dr. Jennifer Beebe, associate professor of counseling/education; the Rev. James Maher, Niagara University president; Dr. Debra Colley, executive vice president; Dr. Dana Radatz, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice; and Michael Beam, interim director of the CAM, joined Pinnacle Community Services in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month by placing purple ribbons on the columns of the Castellani Art Museum on the NU campus. The ribbons were a way to show the university’s support for Pinnacle and to honor those who have been harmed by relationship violence.

community response team, which will assist and support the project director in informing, assessing, designing, and implementing Niagara’s prevention, education, and responses to DVDVSAS. “The Catholic and Vincentian mission of Niagara University calls on us to be the light for those who need our help,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University. “We are committed to fostering an educational environment that focuses on the dignity of every human being who comes on our campus, and this grant will enable us to strengthen the critical work that we are doing to enhance prevention of, awareness of, and response to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on campus.”

The OVW grants are awarded to help institutions of higher education implement comprehensive, coordinated responses to violent crimes on campus through partnerships with victim services providers and justice agencies.

Niagara First Responder Disability Awareness Training Program to Offer Domestic Violence Training Niagara University’s First Responder Disability Awareness Training program will develop and provide training on the intersection of domestic violence and disabilities as part of a new domestic violence program being established by Community Services for Every1. The program, funded by a three-year, $325,000 grant from the Department of Justice through the Office of Violence Against Women, is the first of its kind in the BuffaloNiagara region providing resources specifically tailored to assist individuals with disabilities. As part of its ongoing collaboration with Community Services for Every1 and the Family Justice Center, NU FRDAT will work with these organizations to integrate current curriculums to offer training for disability organizations, domestic violence agencies, and legal and law enforcement entities in Western New York to help them better assist

people diagnosed with intellectual/developmental disabilities who have experienced domestic violence.

This new program will expand NU FRDAT’s current offerings, which include customized training to law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and 911 telecommunicators, as well as training for emergency management personnel, both on site and in virtual formats. It was created in cooperation with all major first responder associations, councils and state offices, and designed to give first responders the knowledge necessary to best serve and respond to individuals with disabilities. Read more about NU FRDAT statewide project director, David Whalen, on page 14.

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ON THE RIDGE Niagara University’s Class of 2020 Celebrates an Unconventional Commencement “Pomp and Circumstance” and the Purple Eagle Battalion Color Guard began the ceremonies.

The national anthems of Canada and the United States were sung by theatre majors Sonia Angeli and Caroline Kolasny, respectively. The Rev. Aidan Rooney, C.M., vice president for mission integration, gave the invocation. And the ceremonial mace was prominently placed in front of colorful flags representing countries from around the world. But Niagara University’s 2020 undergraduate commencement, celebrating its 163rd graduating class, was unlike any other in its history.

On July 26, Niagara University administrators, board members, faculty, and students gave their remarks, advice, and congratulations from the Leary Theatre stage in the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre as the approximately 635 graduating seniors watched from their homes or other off-campus venues.

After remarks by the Rev. Craig Pridgen, senior pastor at True Bethel Baptist Church in Niagara Falls and a member of Niagara’s Board of Trustees, the students were instructed to put

Senior class president Audrey Dunn offers remarks to the Class of 2020 as administrators, faculty, and staff from Niagara University look on.

on their graduation hoods and to position their tassels on the right side of their mortarboards in preparation for the reading of names by the deans and directors of the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Hospitality and Tourism Management, the School of Nursing, and the Niagara University Opportunity Program. Once all the candidates were presented, the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, conferred the degrees and the students were able to move their tassels to the left.

Curator, educator, artist, and collector Gerald C. Mead received an honorary doctor of fine arts degree in appreciation and recognition of his support of the university and its Castellani Art Museum. In April, Meade donated 58 artworks

by 46 nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, many of whom are connected with Western New York, to the CAM. He also established the Gerald C. Mead Jr. Endowed Scholarship in Art History with Museum Studies, the first for that degree program, and is an inaugural member of the newly launched Castellani Art Museum Legacy Society, a planned giving society for the museum.

The university’s graduate commencement was held July 24, and on Oct. 6, Niagara University in Ontario awarded degrees to 145 graduates, the first class from its Vaughan location, during a virtual celebration of its 13th commencement.

In all, more than 1,000 students were welcomed as new Purple Eagle alumni during the ceremonies.

The Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Honored by the National Federation for Just Communities of WNY The Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University, was honored by the National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York (NFJC) at its 2020 Reimagined Virtual Citation Banquet on Oct. 20.

Father Maher was among four honorees recognized by the organization with its Citation Award, which is given to those who have distinguished themselves by the example they set in their respect for others; their advocation of humanitarian concerns; their contributions to the region’s cultural, civic, and business organizations; and their support of the NFJC mission.

Some of the attributes noted in Father Maher’s recognition include his ability as an inclusive and collaboration-minded leader, as well as his desire to rebuild the Niagara Falls, N.Y., community.

Pamela Jacobs-Vogt, emeritus member of the NFJC board of directors and member of the Niagara University Board of Trustees, introduced Father Maher for the award.

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“He came into the community and embraced the community, and is such a force for good in our community. I think one of the most impressive things is his work in Niagara Falls. He has a major goal with bringing Niagara Falls back,” she said, noting his particular support for Heart, Love and Soul, a Niagara Falls food pantry and dining room.

“As a Vincentian priest, I’ve tried to live my life with a deep connection to people who live in poverty and people on the margins of life,” Father Maher said. While at St. John’s University, his work in developing social service programming and research projects with St. John’s Bread & Life, the largest emergency food pantry program in Brooklyn, “showed how a university doesn’t need to function as an ivory tower, but can be deeply embedded into the community. You can create two-way traffic between a university and a community in need.”

During Father Maher’s tenure as president, the town and gown relationship between the

university and the region has been strengthened through programs such as the Niagara Global Tourism Institute’s TReC business incubator and the Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement’s work with the city’s South End Housing Initiative.

Father Maher also established the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity and Mission to advance the institution’s commitment to diversity and social justice. This summer, he served alongside nine other high-profile leaders selected by Niagara Falls mayor Robert Restaino on a social justice commission formed to address the issues of law enforcement, healthcare, education, housing, and employment.

“I think the university’s mission is really to engage our partners in the city and the region, the people of Niagara Falls,” Father Maher said. “Our mission is to move people forward out of poverty.

There’s no greater opportunity for a Vincentian university formed in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul than has been given to us at Niagara University, and I’m really privileged to be part of that and to lead the effort here.”

Niagara University

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ON THE RIDGE Five Honored for Outstanding Work in the Spirit of St. Vincent de Paul As part of its celebration of Vincentian Heritage Week, Niagara University recognized the extraordinary contributions of five individuals who have lived the mission of St. Vincent de Paul at its annual convocation, held simultaneously in the Alumni Chapel and livestreamed, on Sept. 30.

Heather C. McGhee, distinguished senior fellow of Demos, was honored for her strong commitment to bringing scholarship, passion, and innovative practice to eliminating racism and championing the rights of the marginalized with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Under her leadership, Demos moved its original idea for “debt-free college” into the center of the 2016 presidential debate; argued before the Supreme Court to protect voting rights in January 2018; helped win pro-voter reforms in five states over two years; provided expert testimony to Congressional committees, including a Supreme Court confirmation hearing in 2017; and led the research campaigns behind successful wage increases for low-paid workers on federal contracts, as well as at McDonalds, Walmart, and other chain retailers.

Andrè K. Ware, Niagara University Class of 2016, received the Rev. Thomas A. Judge, C.M. Award for his work in increasing civic and educational engagement among young people in marginalized communities. He works for the nonprofit “Global Kids,” where he teaches high school students about global issues, how those issues affect them, and ways they can organize to create positive change in their communities.

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper was recognized for its work in environmental justice and sustainability over the past 30 years with the St. Vincent de Paul Medal, which was accepted by Jill Jedlicka, executive director and waterkeeper. With a four-fold mission—to protect the water, to restore both the waterways and the surrounding ecosystems, to connect people to their waterways, and to inspire both economic activity along the waterways

Dr. Mark Gallo

Daniel McMann

and community engagement—it has served as the guardian of Western New York’s fresh water, which spans 1,440 square miles over five counties: Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Orleans, and Genesee.

Dr. Mark Gallo, NU professor of biology, received the Ozanam Medal in recognition of his work with the university’s environmental efforts. He serves as co-chair for both the master planning and the sustainability committees, has planted a large number of trees on campus, and applied for and received a grant from the Niagara River Greenway Commission to remove invasive species from the Witmer Road entrance forest.

Daniel McMann, NU facility planner, received the Vincentian Mission Award. He has helped to lead Niagara to a more sustainable future through his involvement with both the university’s master plan and its sustainability committees, and his many projects include the university’s annual Earth Day events, the evaluation of public space recycling and trash, the proposal for a renewable energy solar array on campus, and the continuing monitoring of its tree management plan.

CAM Folklorist Awarded Fellowship from the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center Edward Yong Jun Millar, curator of folk arts at the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University and adjunct professor in the art history with museum studies program, received an Archie Green Fellowship from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress to document and preserve the stories, experiences, knowledge, and traditions of workers involved with the Ransomville Speedway. His is one of only seven projects in 2020 to have been awarded this competitive annual national fellowship.

Edward Yong Jun Millar

Millar will interview drivers, mechanics, ticket sellers, facility workers, maintenance crews, track managers, pit crew members, concessionaires, and more over the next year. The interviews will be

available to the general public through the American Folklife Center’s Occupational Folklife Project web page and to researchers in person at the center.

The Archie Green Fellowships were established to honor the memory of Archie Green (1917-2009), a pioneering folklorist who championed the establishment of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress and devoted his life to documenting and preserving the traditions of American workers. The fellowship is intended to support new research in occupational folklife and to generate significant digital archival collections of interviews with contemporary American workers (audio recordings, photographs, videos, and fieldnotes), which will be preserved in the American Folklife Center archive and made available to researchers and the public. To date, the Archie Green Fellows have completed more than 1,000 substantive interviews that now enrich the AFC archive.

In addition to the materials being archived in the American Folklife Center, this fieldwork will also lead to a future exhibit at the Castellani Art Museum.

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By Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09

A MAN OF FAITH, Family, Community, and Business

R

Dick and Terry Chapdelaine with the Rev. James Maher, C.M., Niagara University president.

ichard F. Chapdelaine’s life reflected a distinctive set of values that are truly Catholic and Vincentian.

By his own admission, Chapdelaine was molded by the Vincentian community. He was fond of saying that the Vincentians filled the role of his second father, as his father died when he was just six years old.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1925, Chapdelaine attended St. John’s Preparatory School—a private, Roman Catholic high school founded by the Vincentian fathers—on a football scholarship.

There, he was inspired by the Vincentian tradition of service. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served a two-year tour of duty, during which he reached the rank of staff sergeant, flying as a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator in 35 combat missions in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He was honored with the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the American Campaign Medal, the European, African, the Middle East Campaign Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and the World War II Victory Medal for his service. Chapdelaine was the last surviving member of his B-24 bomber crew with the 466th Bomber Group, and a lifelong member of the 8th Airforce Association.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Corps, Chapdelaine enrolled at Niagara University in 1946 under the G.I. Bill. Shortly after his arrival, his mother passed away. One of the Vincentian fathers, the Rev. John B. Murray, C.M., a psychology professor at the time, purchased two airline tickets so that he and his roommate could fly home to attend her funeral.

Chapdelaine earned his B.S. in business in 1949 and went on to pursue a career in the securities industry. He founded two eminently successful bond-trading companies which bear his name: Chapdelaine & Co., a stock and securities brokerage firm in New York City that he later expanded into Chapdelaine Companies, which included providing broker services to the corporate and government bond markets in addition to the municipal bond market. His desire to assist others launch their own successful careers motivated him to hire students from both Niagara and St. John’s universities, giving them opportunities to hone their professional skills as employees of his company.

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Following the inspiration provided by the Vincentians, Chapdelaine’s commitment to service led him to work on behalf of others through a number of community and faith-based organizations. He and his wife, Therese, were lifelong members of the congregation of the Church of St. Mary in Manhasset, N.Y., where he was involved in many fundraising activities and church ministries. He served as a member of the advisory boards of Astoria Federal Savings and Saint Francis Hospital, on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, and on the investment committee of the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission. He was named a Knight of Malta and a Knight of the Holy Sepulcher of the Roman Catholic Church.

Both Niagara University and St. John’s have been direct beneficiaries of his generosity. In addition to serving on their boards of trustees and, ultimately, being named trustee emeritus at both institutions, he has supported a variety of initiatives, including installation of the sculpture “St. Vincent and Friends,” and of the shrine built to commemorate Our Lady of Angels Seminary (the institution upon which Niagara University was founded) on the Niagara campus. He also was a major donor for Vincentian residences at both Niagara and St. John’s.

Chapdelaine received numerous awards in recognition of both his outstanding career accomplishments and charitable service, including honorary degrees from Niagara and St. John’s. Niagara also honored him in 1989 with its Alumni Man of the Year Award, and a decade later

with its Dunleavy Award. That same year, he was named Man of the Year by Catholic Big Brothers.

In 2001, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Municipal Forum of NY, and in 2004, the Spirit of Service Award from St. John’s University. He and Therese were designated affiliates of the Congregation of the Mission for their lifelong support, a rare distinction bestowed on select members of the laity.

“The compassion Father Murray and the Vincentians showed (Dick) made an indelible mark on his soul, leading him to give his time, talent, and life treasure to the Vincentian community and our mission. In his own words, to prepare to ‘pay back’ the gift of God’s love,” said the Rev. James Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “Dick’s payback of God’s love was as wide and deep as the ocean. In their life together, he and Terry sought out ways to help the poor and vulnerable, as well as help priests, sisters, and brothers in their ministries. Although they would be too humble to admit it, that was their ministry.”

Richard F. Chapdelaine, whose life emulated the Catholic and Vincentian ideals he embraced, passed away at his home in Jupiter, Fla., on May 24, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Therese (“Terry”); his children, Deidre Brodt (James) and Peter Chapdelaine; five grandchildren, Michael (Marguerite), Richard, Christina, Kristin (Scott Nelson) and Josh Chapdelaine; and two great-grandchildren, Connor and Blake Brodt.

Niagara University

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Pathways Program

By Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09

Makes Gaining Real-World Experience Easier for Students

“

Offering a robust internship program with guaranteed internships will help our students to gain the skills they need to obtain meaningful employment after graduation.

“

Madeline Dallessandro

According to a 2019 student survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 57.5% of students who had an internship received a job offer within six months of graduation. The statistic underscores the crucial importance of internships, highimpact practices that develop career readiness skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, leadership, digital technology, teamwork and collaboration, and global/ intercultural fluency.

To facilitate these opportunities for a greater number of students, Niagara University’s Pathways Program is being enhanced to guarantee internships for participants and to provide stipends to students whose internships are unpaid.

“I have talked to thousands of students and parents over the past 15 years at campus open houses and campus day visits,” said Robert Murphy, executive vice president and dean of admissions, “and it has become very obvious to me that two of the most compelling issues a parent has on their mind about college when they visit are what will happen to their son or daughter after they graduate, and how will they develop professional clarity about what they want to do. Offering a robust internship program with guaranteed internships will help

our students to gain the skills they need to obtain meaningful employment after graduation. Making a stipend available will enable students who need to work during the summer to engage in internships whether they are paid or unpaid.”

Students in the Pathways Program are afforded a number of resources to help them establish and pursue their career goals, including resume and cover letter reviews, practice interviews, and opportunities to network with professionals in their field of interest. But perhaps the most valuable resource is the opportunity to gain clarity of direction through the completion of an internship. As participants in the Pathways Program, students will now be assured of the chance to gain relevant skills and experience in their chosen field before graduation through an internship or other professional experience.

The program is taking that opportunity one step further by offering a stipend to students whose internships are not paid. Beginning in the summer of 2021, qualified students may apply for a $1,500 stipend for an unpaid, credit-bearing internship. Juniors or seniors who are part of the Pathways Program and meet eligibility requirements may apply for one stipend during their undergraduate studies.

Current MBA student Madeline Dallessandro, B.S.’20, exemplifies the value of internships.

The Grand Island, N.Y., native secured an internship as a sales planning analyst with The Clorox Company’s Burt’s Bees Unit at a recruiting collaborative event sponsored by Niagara University’s Office of Career Services and the College of Business Administration.

Through her day-to-day responsibilities, which included assisting with project management and gathering and analyzing data to monitor business performance and key trends and to identify new opportunities, she gained skills and experience in working with category and cross-functional teams, and supporting sales input processes, the execution of business plans, and category reporting. At the end of her internship, she was offered a full-time position within the unit.

Career Services is also teaming up with the Office of Alumni Engagement and the College of Business Administration to launch a program in January intended to facilitate mentorship relationships between current students and alumni and friends.

Mentors will work with mentees to identify career and life goals by sharing experiences, offering encouragement, and providing an opportunity for the students to understand how business professionals have developed in their own careers.

Students and mentors will complete an initial mentorship questionnaire to identify the specific expectations for the arrangement.

Each person will also complete a preliminary “contract” that outlines how, when, where, and how often they will communicate.

To reinforce the real-word feel of the program, should a student decide to opt out of the program, he/she must do so through a well-written business communication to the mentor and the university’s mentorship coordinator.

Individuals interested in mentoring a Niagara University business student are invited to contact Maureen Rizzo, internship coordinator, at 716.286.8538 or mrizzo@niagara.edu.

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Creating an

EQUITABLE

CAMPUS Community

“Action is our entire task.”

–St. Vincent de Paul

These words guide Niagara University’s response to opportunities and challenges. In the summer of 2020, motivated by the social unrest and national dialogue that followed the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Elijah McClain, these words became the foundation for a task force established to identify, and subsequently formulate, comprehensive recommendations for change related to racial injustice for the campus community.

Led by Dr. Rolanda L. Ward, associate professor of social work and endowed faculty director of the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity and Mission, and Kara Oliver, director of strategic initiatives in the Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement, the Identifying and Dismantling Racial Injustice Task Force was charged by the Rev. James Maher, C.M., Niagara’s president, to ask critical questions about how Niagara University supports and nurtures BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and to suggest ways in which the university can leverage its resources to impact the surrounding community in essential social justice arenas, including criminal justice, education, and health.

“There is never a time for violence in our world, and we must seek peace while we walk with our brothers and sisters who suffer personal and systemic oppression and violence,” Father Maher said in announcing the formation of the task force. “The Niagara University community must demonstrate actions that enhance diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We must continually engage in purposeful ways to identify and dismantle seen and unseen systemic and institutionalized racism.”

“Here at Niagara University, we have accepted the call to identify places, spaces, policies, practices, and systems that are embedded into the fabric of Niagara University that cause harm to our Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color, and that do not promote a community that seeks racial justice,” Dr. Ward and Oliver said. “In order for justice to prevail, we must work to create better places, spaces, policies, practices, and systems that increase belonging and success for our BIPOC students, staff, faculty, and alumni.

Our work must be intentional. It must be deliberate. It must be consistent.

It must be institutionalized.”

Over the course of eight weeks, the members of the task force, which comprised 11 representatives from faculty, staff, executive leadership, and students, researched, evaluated, and crafted comprehensive recommendations that support the vision for a campus community that is anti-racist and embodies spaces of inclusivity, respect, and value of the

Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, and Identifying and Dismantling Racial Injustice Task Force members Kara Oliver, NU director of strategic initiatives, and junior Lovell Lee announce the university’s new Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom Retention Scholarship.

human person. On July 30, 2020, the task force presented Father Maher with its initial report and recommended actions, which he accepted in totality. Based on this report, work began to implement both the shortand long-term actions that are needed.

One of the first steps taken was the establishment of a scholarship to assist BIPOC students in their academic pursuits at Niagara University. The Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom Retention Scholarship will financially support students of color, specifically those who are not eligible for the university’s Niagara University Opportunity Program and who are not athletes, as they complete their degrees and establish and pursue their career goals.

The scholarship pays tribute to Hamer, a civil rights activist and co-founder and vice chair of the Freedom Democratic Party, and her commitment to advance civil and voting rights, according to Father Maher.

“It is a testament to Fannie Lou Hamer’s honorable work, as well as to the work of those who support the dismantling of racism in the United States,” he said. “As we move forward as a community in our understanding of how systemic racism has affected BIPOC people, it is imperative that we address the issues of access and equity for BIPOC students. It is our hope that the Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom Retention Scholarship will open doors for BIPOC students to realize their dreams of a college education and to support their success in college and their pathways to career opportunities.”

Task force member Lovell Lee, a junior education major, was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the scholarship. His personal story of pursuing an education reflects those whom the Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom Retention Scholarship intends to support.

After transferring to Niagara University, Lee, who is a triplet, knew that he needed to find sources of aid to finance his education. While he was able to find such opportunities, he became keenly aware that others in his position may not have these options. These students will end up accepting their lesser choice of institutions, or not attending college at all. His desire to give these students a greater chance to attend, and graduate from, institutions of higher education, led him to recommend the establishment of the Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom Retention Scholarship.

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to students who choose this minor, and to develop additional internship and community work opportunities for students in the program.

In addition to the review of the Africana/Black Studies minor, the College of Arts and Sciences has also created a new Inequality, Race, and Justice minor program of study, which will focus on the current issues in society, including racial injustice, and new ways to elevate those who have been marginalized.

• Constructing a new sector for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion headed by a vice president.

The current incarnation of the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work has had an outward appearance of separate functional units, so the recommendation of the task force is intended to align the many functions into the work of one sector, led by a vice president who reports to the president and has direct authority over its specific functions.

Members of the Niagara University community gathered on the stairs of the Castellani Art Museum on Oct. 23, 2020, to honor the Black lives lost in America and to raise awareness of current social issues. The #SayTheirNames candlelight vigil was hosted by the university’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and in alignment with the work of the university’s Identifying and Dismantling Racial Injustice Task Force, which was established by the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, to advance systemic change.

Through a review and restructuring of an existing endowed scholarship from the Vincentian Community, the Hamer scholarship is anticipated to begin to assist Niagara University students as early as the spring of 2021.

In addition to the funding provided by the Vincentian Community, Father Maher and the university’s Office of Institutional Advancement are actively soliciting donors to grow and support the scholarship.

Other task force recommendations and their corresponding actions include: • Creating opportunities for dialogue about BIPOC within the Niagara University community and the local community.

Three student-centered discussions, sponsored by the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equality, and Mission about race on the Niagara University campus took place throughout the fall semester, giving students a safe space to reflect on current issues and share their personal experiences.

In addition, the university launched its Transformative Visions presidential speaker series, which features conversations with visionaries who have imagined and struggled to create a just future. Presenters included Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of Howard University, who discussed unconscious bias; Denis McDonough, former White House chief of staff under President Barack Obama and former White House deputy national security advisor, who addressed politics, climate change, and foreign policy; Dina Gilio-Whitaker, (Colville Confederated Tribes), policy director and senior research associate at the Center for World Indigenous Studies and lecturer of American Indian Studies at California State University San Marcos, who shared her research on environmental justice and indigenous resistance; and Soffiyah Elijah, executive director of Alliance of Families for Justice, who spoke on criminal justice, policing, and prisons.

• Broadening students’ academic choices.

A review of the Africana/Black Studies minor, led by Dr. Christopher Lee, associate professor of political science, has begun, with the intent of expanding the number of courses (from all four university colleges) available

To that end, the roles and responsibilities of the proposed vice president position are being identified, and key measurements are being developed to evaluate its success.

In addition to the task force’s recommendations, the report also included a series of presidential initiatives, the first of which was an assessment of the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy, which is housed on the Niagara University campus.

“We have had a good working relationship with the law enforcement academy, but we felt it was important to do an assessment of its work in training education and how that matches the new police reforms from New York state,” said Father Maher. “We also want to see if there is an opportunity to shape the culture of the academy by aligning it with the university’s Vincentian mission.”

The assessment group is being led by the Rev. Craig Pridgen, a member of the Niagara University Board of Trustees, and includes Rev. Mark Sanders; attorney John Elmore; Shirley Hamilton, president of the Niagara Falls NAACP; Dr. David Taylor, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice at NU; and students Matthew MacKenzie and Aryana Anderson.

While not directly connected to the task force, the university is also engaging in a student-designed outdoor mural project to visually “tell the story” of the struggle for environmental and racial justice in the Niagara Falls region, paying special attention to Black and indigenous rights issues. Michael Beam, interim director and curator of exhibitions and special projects at the Castellani Art Museum; Tori Egleston, representative of the Social Justice Living Learning Community; and the Rev. Aidan Rooney, C.M., vice president for mission integration, are spearheading this effort.

These, and subsequent projects, are tangible evidence of the university’s commitment to create systems to support and nurture its BIPOC students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

“Together, we will walk with our brothers and sisters who suffer personal and systemic oppression and violence,” said Father Maher, “and we will build our collective strategy and action to contest racism and racial violence as we continue to strive for a campus community that is not only inclusive, but is anti-racist and embodies the true Catholic and Vincentian mission and spirit.”

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Medical Ethics

By Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09

Examined Through Vincentian Lens In the 1970s, the case of Karen Ann Quinlan brought the issue of medical ethics into the national spotlight when the parents of the 21-yearold woman, who was in a permanent vegetative state, requested she be removed from the ventilator that was keeping her alive. Today, due to advances in medical science and technology, healthcare professionals are increasingly facing new and challenging ethical dilemmas in providing care for their patients.

Students of all majors at Niagara University have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of these complex issues and challenges by participating in the Ethics in Medicine and Healthcare Program, offered through the university’s Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Ethics in Medicine and Healthcare. Those who complete the extracurricular academic program are recognized with a special distinction on their transcripts, an award certificate, and a pin.

“The Ethics in Medicine and Healthcare Program provides a very unique academic experience for NU students, one that goes beyond their traditional course work,” said Dr. James Delaney, professor of philosophy and endowed director of professional ethics. “One of the things that students in the program consistently say they value is its interdisciplinary nature. They are able to engage with experts from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds. This allows them to learn about the multitude of perspectives that are relevant for thinking about the ethical challenges involved in medicine and in promoting health and wellness more generally. While there are no easy answers to these challenges, we stress the importance of deepening an understanding and thinking critically about them. Helping our students to do this is really the biggest benefit of the program.”

Launched in spring of 2018, the Ostapenko Center was established through a gift from philanthropist Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko and is dedicated to investigating and fostering discussions about the ethical issues related to healthcare and medicine facing our local and global communities.

Students in the ethics program attend a minimum of five events organized by the center and complete a portfolio of written assignments. Over the past two years, offerings included a symposium on the impact of Christianity on the doctor-patient relationship; panel discussions on the role of hospital chaplains, the work of hospital ethics committees, ethical issues around medical mission trips, and the opioid crisis; and guest speakers who presented on the challenges of medical ethics

involved in patient safety and defining death, the steps necessary to move research into clinical practice, CRISPR gene-editing technology, and the New York State Reproductive Health Act of 2019.

Panel discussions seem to be the favorite of students, who enjoy hearing multiple perspectives on often controversial topics. Many noted that their preconceived ideas were changed as a result of hearing from experts in the various fields, or that they left the event with a more complete understanding of the implications of a particular issue.

“This program has helped me see that there are factors, not just biological ones, that affect healthcare and the health of individuals,” said Liz DiCarlo, a biology major who plans to go to graduate school for epidemiology. “The criminal justice system, environmental factors, socioeconomic status, and other (topics) which have been discussed in panels have opened my eyes to see that every situation is different and has many grey areas clouding it. Niagara University’s mission has helped me to face these issues by trying to look at a situation with empathy and an unbiased view.”

Aspiring veterinarian Alexandra Laubert was so inspired by the opioid panel that she began volunteering at Immaculata House, a residence for recovering addicts and one of the agencies represented on the panel, and Caroline Leitch noted that the knowledge she gained from the panelists enabled her to think more critically about the issues discussed.

care system, but it has also given me the extra knowledge that is going to be helpful in my future after graduation.”

Taking the course during the time of COVID-19 added a unique aspect to the program, as conversations about populations most affected by the virus and those most likely to receive treatment; allocation of resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and testing; frontline workers who put their lives at risk to continue both healthcare and the economy; and other ethical healthcare issues were highlighted in national media, giving students the opportunity to discuss them as they unfolded.

These real-time discussions, as well as those they participate in throughout their time in the program, give students unique insight that will be valuable both in their professional and in their personal lives.

“The program … embodies Niagara University’s Catholic and Vincentian mission, which provides a lens for addressing ethical issues in medicine and healthcare via following its core values of spirituality, knowledge, creativity, integrity, and compassion,” said Logan Slother, who plans to work as a medical scribe in preparation for future studies to become a physician’s assistant. “These values teach students how to approach such ethical issues from a position of compassion, understanding, humility, and patience. My Niagara education has made me a better person in a myriad of ways, thanks in no small part to the Ethics in Medicine and Healthcare Program.”

“Each provided me with a different perspective on various medical topics and new knowledge that I was able to carry out with me,” she said.

Approximately 100 students are currently enrolled in the program. While they are primarily biology and nursing students, the program also attracts “a nice cross-section of students with different backgrounds,” said Dr. Delaney.

Emma Simoneaux noted that the information she gained will help her to assist people as a social worker.

“Issues related to medicine and healthcare will come with the job,” she said, noting that the population she plans to serve, the homeless, often experiences poverty, mental and physical health issues, and substance abuse issues. “This program has helped me greatly not only learn how to help the populations face challenges within the health-

Dr. James Delaney, professor of philosophy and endowed director of professional ethics.

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By Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09

Friendships

Forged on Monteagle Ridge Cross Generations to Assist Current Students occur when pathogens from one patient migrate into a pillow and are transferred to the next person who uses that pillow. But with the emergence of the coronavirus, the Purdys realized that their pillows could also be a solution to protect caregivers, because the pillows prevent germs from aerosolizing when they are compressed, so they donated pillows to hospitals across the United States. Bob noted that he and his brother are especially pleased to know that many Niagara nurses, who are putting themselves at risk to treat patients with COVID-19, are some of the beneficiaries of their technology.

The White Plains, N.Y., natives, who attended Niagara on baseball scholarships, partnered to launch their first company, Medispec Inc., in 1982, after a few years in medical sales and manufacturing.

The brothers also began to explore other industries in which the pillow could be used.

“We were entrepreneurial, and we started to recognize that you just have to take the risk (to start a business), so that’s what we did,” Bob explained.

Their business model involved purchasing the rights to proprietary ideas and developing a use for them in the healthcare industry, always with a focus on improving safety for patients and their caregivers.

Their latest venture is Spry Therapeutics, a health and wellness technology company that the brothers launched in 2016. In addition to products including static air heel protection, nonpowered fluidized mattresses, and patient repositioning and neonatal fluidized positioners, the company introduced the Spry Pure Pillow, which uses medically validated, lab-tested, and hospital-approved filter technology for soft surfaces and hermetically sealed seams that completely secure the barrier.

When the brothers purchased the technology a few years ago, they thought it would be a solution to the hospital-acquired infections that

Their 40-year friendship with fellow Purple Eagle Anne Marie Powell Moebes, ’78, executive vice president of Well-Being Travel and a 30-year veteran of the travel industry, opened the door to bringing their filtered bedding to hotels, cruise ships, and spas. It also paved the way for the pillows to be used at their alma mater.

“I reached out to our dear friend Father Vince O’Malley, who was not only my theology professor at Niagara, but also concelebrated the sacrament of marriage with Father Lou Trotta for my husband and me almost 25 years ago!”

Moebes explained. “We have remained close, and I was calling to see how he was and began to discuss the idea. Father O’Malley thought it would be great for the dorms to help prevent COVID and to give students and parents peace of mind.”

Father O’Malley connected the brothers with Robert Morreale, Niagara’s chief financial and innovation officer. A partnership between Niagara and Spry Therapeutics was created, and Niagara became the first university in the country to provide Spry Pure Pillows to all its resident students.

ensure students feel safe,” said Bob. “As alumni, Bill and I are proud to be able to work with NU’s administration to ensure the safety and well-being of students.”

The brothers have enjoyed tremendous career success in the years since they have left Monteagle Ridge, but what has served them best, they say, are the relationships they made while at Niagara.

“Close friends are very important, and they should be cherished,” Bob said. “My wife (Monica Kearns, an NU nurse from the Class of 1978) and I, along with my brother, have all remained close friends with our group from NU. We’ve been as close as friends can be, and that all started at Niagara. We have lifelong friendships that we treasure.”

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NU has chosen to go above and beyond to ensure students feel safe,” said Bob Purdy. “As alumni, Bill and I are proud to be able to work with NU’s administration to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

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hen Bill, ’78, and Bob Purdy, ’79, purchased the national rights to a soft surface filtration technology that blocks viruses, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens from entering the core of pillows, mattresses, and more, they initially thought of ways hospitals could use it. But their Niagara University connections led to offering a clean-sleep solution to their alma mater, which is pioneering the use of Spry pillows in residence halls to ensure the health and safety of the students who live on campus during the coronavirus pandemic.

“NU has chosen to go above and beyond to

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Dr. Marilynn Fleckenstein Leaves Long-Lasting Legacy on Monteagle Ridge

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ords such as kind, encouraging, and intelligent come to mind when alumni speak of Dr. Marilynn P. Fleckenstein, Niagara University professor emeritus and founder of its Learn and Serve Niagara program, who passed away on April 9, 2020. Her passion for service learning and her love of philosophy and ethics has left a lasting legacy on Monteagle Ridge, where she influenced the lives of generations of students over a distinguished 51-year career as a professor of philosophy and administrator.

Born and raised in South Buffalo, N.Y., Dr. Fleckenstein joined the faculty in Niagara University’s philosophy department in 1966.

Over her tenure, she influenced the lives of countless Niagara University graduates, who remember her as someone who always made a point to get to know her students beyond the classroom and treated them with care and respect.

The Rev. Patrick Flanagan, C.M., ’87, remembers Dr. Fleckenstein as being “incredibly smart and

By Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09 passionately engaged” both in and out of the classroom. She instilled in him a lifelong curiosity in humanities, he said, and he “was privileged to take five classes with Dr. Fleckenstein, even though Niagara only required three.”

editor of the Journal of Business Ethics, chaired the national meeting of the American Catholic Philosophical Association in Buffalo in 1987, and presented papers at numerous conferences in the United States and around the world.

“After graduation, I was honored to serve with Marilynn on the International Vincentian Business Ethics Conference that continues to thrive today,” he said. “And, most importantly, Marilynn was one of those teachers in my life with whom I enjoyed a subsequent wonderful friendship. Her death, particularly in the midst of our global health horror, came too soon, and leaves me with great sadness, yet profound gratitude for the example, life, and love we shared.”

Dr. Fleckenstein modeled the service that she instilled in Niagara’s students. She was a volunteer and board member at St. Stephen’s Parish on Grand Island, the Grand Island School District, Stella Niagara Education Park, Zonta International, and the Western New York Better Business Bureau. She also assisted the efforts of the Diocesan Service Corps and Niagara County Habitat for Humanity.

During her tenure, Dr. Fleckenstein served as chair of the philosophy department, Niagara University Lay Teachers Association (NULTA) executive, and associate vice president for academic affairs. In 1994, she founded Learn and Serve Niagara, a program that provided valuable community service while affording Niagara students the opportunity for a rich and rewarding learning experience. She became nationally and internationally known for her work in this area, and presented more than 60 workshops on service-learning throughout the U.S., in the Philippines, and in Ireland. She was one of only a handful of people certified as an internal trainer for the Corporation for National Service, and institutions sought her advice as they established service-learning programs on their own campuses. She also served as director of the WNY Service-Learning Coalition.

Her work in the area of business ethics was also remarkable. As director and coordinator of the Business Ethics Project (collectively founded by De Paul, St. John’s, and Niagara universities), Dr. Fleckenstein organized several international conferences. She is co-author of the textbook “From the University to the Marketplace,” served as

Her work has been recognized numerous times at Niagara, where she was the recipient of the Award for Excellence in Teaching, the College of Arts and Sciences Award for Outstanding Service, and the Vincentian Mission Award. In 2011, the City of Buffalo and Erie County presented her with the Community Leader Award for Community Service and Volunteerism, and in 2014, the 20th anniversary of Learn and Serve Niagara, she was honored by the university for her tireless efforts to integrate service into its academic curricula.

“It’s a rare gift when a former professor becomes a friend,” said the Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M., ’85, who noted that he first met Dr. Fleckenstein when he was a freshman, planting trees at her Grand Island home in exchange for pizza. “I used to joke about this with her when negotiating faculty contracts many years later—she as NULTA president and I as Father Levesque’s (then president of Niagara University) representative. Marilynn knew how to get things done, whether inventing the service-learning office, leading the union, or seeing any number of projects through for the academic vice president. She loved NU and fought battles for NU, sometimes against its leadership when they were wrong. I can read existentialism and phenomenology today because of her class junior year, and discovered it was actually helpful when I read contemporary theology in seminary afterwards. Mostly, though, I just miss her laugh, her ‘I’ve-seen-it-all’ stories, and her constant readiness for the next project. When NU’s next history is written, she’s a key figure who deserves her due in it.”

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Niagara University athletics

extends greg paulus’ contract Simon Gray, Niagara University director of athletics, has announced the contract extension of Greg Paulus through the 2024-25 season.

“Greg’s passion for Niagara basketball can be felt daily,” Gray said. “He has made an immediate impact on our student-athletes, around our campus, and in the greater community. There is a lot of momentum in our basketball program, and we are excited about the future.”

Paulus’ accomplishments during his maiden voyage as a head coach were recognized by the college basketball industry as he was the recipient of the 2019-20 Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year Award, which is presented annually to the top first-year coach in NCAA Division I college basketball.

Paulus, who was named Niagara University men’s basketball head coach in November 2019, made the 201920 Purple Eagles one of the most competitive teams in the MAAC. The Purple Eagles surpassed preseason predictions with Paulus having the Purple Eagles contending near the top of the conference all season, while winning 10 games against conference opponents.

The Purple Eagles ranked statistically in the top-25 in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (10.6), fewest total turnovers (338), turnover margin (3.3), and 3-point field goal percentage (.372), while leading the MAAC in all four categories. Niagara had the best assist-to-turnover ratio (1.13) in the MAAC, as well. Under Paulus’ tutelage, sophomore Marcus Hammond had a career-season en route to being named to the All-MAAC First Team.

“It is a privilege to be the head men’s basketball coach at Niagara University,” Paulus said. “I am grateful for the continued commitment and support from Father Maher and Simon Gray. We will continue working to enrich the lives of our student-athletes on and off the court to make Niagara University, the community, and alumni proud.”

It was a record-setting 2019-20 academic campaign for the Purple Eagles, which started with the team earning a 3.4 GPA in the summer of 2019. The Purple Eagles followed with a then-record 3.18 GPA in the fall semester. The spring semester welcomed another record-setting GPA as the Purple Eagles posted a 3.42 GPA, with 11 student-athletes earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Eight Purple Eagles earned 2019-20 MAAC Academic Honor Roll accolades for having a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher.

Justin Roberts and Steven Levnaic garnered MAAC All-Academic Team honors at the end of the season.

The program was recognized for its outstanding academic year with the National Association of Basketball Coaches Team Academic Excellence Award. The award honors programs that had a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher for the 2019-20 season; the Purple Eagles finished with a 3.3 GPA. Paulus, who started at point guard for legendary basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke University from 2005-09, previously served on the coaching staff at George Washington, Louisville, Ohio State, and Navy.

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By Lisa McMahon, M.A.’09

David Whalen: A

For People with Disabilities A man of faith, of strong opinion, and of passion for those he serves, David Whalen has made disability advocacy his life’s work.

The predisposition to work with individuals in need was instilled during his childhood and teen years spent as a camper, and then a counselor, at the Diocese of Buffalo’s Camp Turner. He planned to work with children after completing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology at St. Bonaventure University, but a job opening as a program coordinator at Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara (now Intandem), a nonprofit agency dedicated to serving people with developmental disabilities, shifted this focus.

In his role, which expanded during his 17 years with the organization to culminate as vice president of program operations, Whalen established groundbreaking programs recognized statewide, including a fully operational greenhouse, an on-site nature trail, and a sensory integration room.

Eleven years into his tenure at OUN, his twins, David and Rachel, were born, 11 weeks premature. David was diagnosed with cerebral palsy two months later. Whalen says from that moment, he realized he was working to make a difference for others from the position of an employee, not an advocate. While being the parent of a son with a disability moved him closer to advocacy, he still approached his work from a parent’s

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perspective. As he began to study and to learn more about the discrimination and injustices faced by people with disabilities, he realized he needed to become more actively involved in advocating for their rights.

In 2004, he launched a business intended to do just that.

It was his sister, Kathleen, who first suggested that he consider starting disability awareness training. As a consultant for the New York Public Transit Association, she realized that her client would greatly benefit from learning more about how to serve individuals with disabilities, but found that no such training existed.

So Whalen used the experience he had gained as both a professional in the field and as a parent to develop his program. In addition to NYPTA, he began to offer his training to developmental disabilities service providers, educators, and public and school bus transportation services.

In 2007, he partnered with Dr. Tim Ireland, then chair of the Niagara University Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and a fellow Bonaventure alumnus, to apply for a mini grant to do 10 law enforcement trainings in Western New York. Three years later, the program, Niagara University First Responder Disability Awareness Training, received grant funding from the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, facilitating opportunities for Whalen, named statewide project director of the program, to present his training to more than 650 audiences across the country. While he focuses primarily on the first responder disciplines—firefighters, 911 operators/ dispatchers, emergency medical services, and law enforcement— and

In today’s climate, law enforcement is as challenged to respond to people with disabilities as they are to any other demographic.

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emergency management, he has also offered his customized training to human service providers; public, private, and school transportation; corporations and businesses; places of worship; and educators.

“Proper response to individuals with disabilities lacks in all facets of American life,” Whalen says. “My objective is to educate in how to proactively and accurately respond to the needs, wants, and desires of individuals with disabilities through sensitivity/educational training that provides tools, resources, and current information so the inhibitions and lack of knowledge can be addressed and relieved.”

That the program has existed and expanded is a testament both to the crucial need for this kind of education and to the quality of the training Whalen provides. He has made connections with some of the leading disability advocates and subject matter experts to enhance the program and expand both the way in which it is offered, which now includes online, featuring videos in which individuals with disabilities present the topic at hand; and the scope of the training, which looks at topics including domestic violence, homelessness, how disability comes to play in corrections, and self-advocacy. He also produced a video for Niagara University employees, and recently received a university grant to develop a universal design of learning for all Niagara University students.

within their municipality on disability matters.

Whalen was instrumental in starting the Diocese of Buffalo’s Disability Action Team, which was established to ensure that the Catholic churches in Western New York best serve their parishioners with disabilities. This initiative has expanded to other faith communities in the region. In 2009, he was commissioned by the Bishop of Buffalo to serve as disability advocate for Sts. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church Parish in his hometown of Williamsville, N.Y. To ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to enjoy restaurants and hotels in the Buffalo area, Whalen co-founded the Access Buffalo initiative, through which the accessibility of these businesses are evaluated and posted on the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau website. He is a consultant with KeyBank Center, the Erie County Fair, Batavia Downs, and the Town of Hamburg. He is also a certified ADA trainer and a Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified access and functional needs trainer.

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“In today’s climate, law enforcement is as challenged to respond to people with disabilities as they are to any other demographic,” Whalen says, “but the issue we go up against is that when they get training, it doesn’t include disability response.

We have developed a model for all first responders called the RIAIR model: recognize, identify, approach, interact, respond.” With this knowledge, Whalen says, first responders can have an accurate and appropriate response.

Through the years, as Whalen has developed his training, he has also strengthened his advocacy efforts. In 2007, he completed the Partner in Policymaking leadership and advocacy training program, which is designed to teach best practices and to impart the skills needed to influence public policy. The list of organizations with which he is or has been associated are numerous and include both local and national organizations, such as the Niagara County Behavioral Health and Justice Committee; the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disabilities; the National Association of ADA Coordinators; the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability; the Erie County Disability Advisory Board; the New York State Office of Emergency Management Human Services Committee; the New York State Independent Living Council Emergency Preparedness Committee; and the Town of Amherst’s Committee on Disabilities, for which he developed innovative Disability Education and Awareness for Municipalities to prepare advocates to work

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The first responder training he developed complements the crisis intervention training many law enforcement professionals have already completed, Whalen says.

Ultimately, my objective is to be able to help people with disabilities in many different facets, ensuring that their quality of life is equal and on par to able-bodied individuals.

Whalen was invited to the White House in 2011 to witness the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding between FEMA and the National Disability Rights Network. In 2014, he provided written testimony for a Senate hearing on “Law Enforcement Responses to Disabled Americans: Promising Approaches for Protecting Public Safety.”

All these efforts support Whalen’s assertion that “Everyone needs disability awareness training.”

“Every American family will have disability in their family. It’s a fact of American life,” he says, noting that 26% of the U.S. population has a disability. “It’s your family members. It’s going to be you someday.

When we think disability, we often think someone who uses a wheelchair or someone with an intellectual disability. But the disability spectrum is massive, and that’s one thing we need to understand.”

With that in mind, Whalen would like to see his training program available to everyone, and to facilitate research in the field, perhaps through a dedicated institute on the Niagara University campus. He is proud of the fact that the Councils on Developmental Disabilities in New York, Missouri, South Dakota, Arizona, Louisiana, and Nebraska financially support the program, and that he has worked with the Department of Justice and FEMA. But he is just as proud of helping others on a one-on-one basis.

“It’s nice to be able to help someone,” he says, noting that he recently worked with a member of the state assembly to assist a mom whose child had behavior challenges. “Ultimately, my objective is to be able to help people with disabilities in many different facets, ensuring that their quality of life is equal and on par to able-bodied individuals.

“My son is not the reason I do this,” he continued. “He motivates me, but he is not the sole reason. The reason I do this is to battle the discrimination and discrepancies that people with disabilities face every day.”

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NEWS FROM THE NEST Greetings Purple Eagles!

What a year it has been. Please know that Niagara University continues to pray for you and your families throughout these uncertain and trying times.

As I reflect on how the pandemic has challenged us all to think and work differently, I am grateful for the support of our Niagara family, and thank you for joining us on all we have accomplished this year. As an office that thrives on in-person events and meeting our Purple Eagles face-to-face, work has certainly been an adjustment since March! Our goal was, and always is, to keep the heartbeat of Niagara alive.

The word “Zoom” is now a constant in our vocabulary, with “NU Zoom-shirts” on a regular rotation.

Since March, we have had 32 virtual events with 800+ attendees. To name a few, we’ve seen Niagara’s athletic director, Simon Gray; had virtual happy hours with alumni from as far as Alaska; toured the Castellani Art Museum; learned more about wellness; and had campus tours on “Life as an NU student.” Our goal is to continue providing virtual events that are of interest to you, as alumni of Niagara University. So, if there is a topic you would like to see, or if you would like to present an event, please contact me directly and we can set it up. (Visit niagara.edu/virtualalumni for scheduled events.)

If you have not been made aware, the most significant event change was the postponement of Alumni Weekend, originally scheduled for October. We are excited to announce and host our first-ever June Alumni Weekend in honor of our alumni who graduated in classes ending in 0s, and 5s, as well as 1s and 6s. As the plans for Alumni Weekend come together—combining reunions from 2020 and 2021—and start to take shape, our team will stay in touch with you to ensure that we can make your return to campus special. For the latest information on the weekend, visit niagara.edu/alumniweekend.

Byrne Family Honored with Inaugural “Here’s to Old Niagara” Family Legacy Award A family whose outstanding dedication and support of Niagara University has spanned 75 years was honored with the inaugural “Here’s to Old Niagara” Family Legacy Award on Sept.

10, 2020, following the CNY Purple Eagles Golf Classic.

Again, my sincere thanks for all your support. I look forward to seeing you either virtually or in person in the future.

Go Niagara!

Jaclyn

Kathleen Byrne accepts the inaugural “Here’s to Old Niagara” Family Legacy Award from the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president.

Jaclyn Rossi, ‘08, M.S.Ed.’10, director of alumni relations, and Howard Morgan, ‘86, associate director, stewardship/ alumni engagement, in their Niagara University face masks. Get yours here: https://support.niagara.edu/mask

Niagara Family Alumni Legacy Scholarships This fall, Niagara awarded the first of its Alumni Legacy Scholarships, which were established to recognize generations of families who call NU their alma mater. Nearly 100 scholarships were awarded to qualified students whose parent, stepparent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, and/or sibling graduated from Niagara University.

Bates Legacy Family: Front row, from left: Susan (Bates) Lehman, ’94; Julie Bates, ’24; and Lauren Bates, ’20. Back row, from left: Dr. Jeff Bates, ’91; Dennis Bates, ’91; and Tracy (Fiegl) Bates, ’93.

Qualified legacy students receive a $1,000 per year scholarship, and those with top academic credentials are eligible for one of five $5,000 Legacy Scholarships. If more than one student from a legacy family enrolls and attends Niagara at the same time, the first student’s scholarship will be increased to $2,000. For more information on this scholarship, visit https:// www.niagara.edu/legacy-families/

Kathleen Beyer Byrne accepted the award from the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, on behalf of the 11 family members who have graduated from Niagara University, including her late husband, James Byrne, ’47, six of their seven sons, three of their grandchildren, and one of their grandchildren’s spouses. Both Jim and his son, Marty, have served as alumni association president, and the family established the James L. & Kathleen B. Byrne Niagara Scholarship Fund to honor and remember Jim. The CNY golf tournament raised more than $30,000 this year to benefit Niagara University’s basketball programs. Next year’s tournament is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2021.

Members of the CNY golf committee: Tom O’Connor, BBA’75; Andy Eassa, BBA’73; PJ Dolan, B.A.’66; Joe Kalil, ’07; Matt Jacob, B.S.’84; John Barsanti, BBA’73; Conor Young, B.S.’07; and Jack Burke, B.A.’72.

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almost at the same pace as the field itself has.”

In 1995, after earning his master’s degree, Dr. Ciesielski and Dr. Robert Fenstermaker, chair of the neurosurgery program at Roswell, established the institute’s neuro-oncology laboratory, where they focused their study on deadly brain tumors called gliomas. Over the next several years, during which Dr. Ciesielski earned a doctoral degree in immunology and joined Roswell’s faculty as assistant professor of neurosurgery, they developed technology that targets survivin, a protein found in cancer tumor cells, and stimulates immune responses to control tumor growth and recurrence. In 2012, they launched MimiVax to license this technology and take it from the lab into clinical trials.

Photo courtesy of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“At some point, you realize curing cancer cells in the laboratory only takes you so far,” Dr. Ciesielski said. “You look at (the

Giving Hope to Cancer Patients BY: Lisa

McMahon, M.A.’09

What if there was a shot that cured cancer?

technology) and work to realize its potential to be an effective therapeutic for patients in the clinic.”

If the technology co-developed by Dr. Michael Ciesielski, ’93, proves as effective as current clinical trials suggest, a vaccine to treat one of the most common and aggressive forms of primary brain cancer might be available in just a few years.

SurVaxM, the immunotherapeutic vaccine the two doctors developed, works like a flu shot, training the body’s own immune system to attack survivin on tumor cells. After the initial injection, patients get a booster shot every two weeks.

Dr. Ciesielski, who grew up in Niagara Falls, N.Y., just miles from what would become his alma mater, first became interested in the “hard sciences” in the laboratories at Niagara University, where hands-on cancer research was being performed in collaboration with Roswell Park Cancer Institute. After earning his bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, he enrolled in Roswell’s master’s degree program in physiology, where he began exploring ways to harness the immune system to attack cancer. It was a fairly new concept at the time, he noted.

“It seemed like something that could really become another type of therapy for cancer,” he said, “and I’ve been moving forward with that

Initial trials have been successful, Dr. Ciesielski said.

“The median survival for a brain tumor patient is only about 15 months,” he said, “and in our Phase 1 study, we saw a couple of patients who lived six to seven years. In our Phase 2 study, that’s ongoing, we have patients who are already four or five years out, and the tumor hasn’t reccurred in that time.

“That is absolutely amazing for us, and that’s really what gives us the drive to go forward,” he said.

The technology is set to begin Phase 3 trials, the “last hurdle,” Dr. Ciesielski said. The studies

will be open in 20 cancer centers across the country, as well as in China. If these trials prove as successful as the first two phases have been, he is hoping to receive FDA approval and make the vaccine available to treat brain tumor patients within the next several years. He notes that, because of the previous success, they have gotten notoriety for their work and are being approached by centers who want to be part of the studies.

Preparing for this final stage involves both the hands-on work of making the product for the trials, as well as the development aspects of finding funding and partners for the company.

“It’s something we’ve taken right out of the backyard of Western New York,” Dr. Ciesielski said. “We’ve brought it through early clinical trials, and now represents one of the most advanced clinical studies for glioblastoma, and one of the farthest developed studies at Roswell Park, too. We’re looking to accelerate it and actively try to find ways to partner with (the pharmaceutical industry) to help propel it to the next level and increase availability of the drug.”

Focusing on the big picture, at this point, is crucial to move the technology into the marketplace, but acknowledging the little victories can be just as important.

“You meet some of the patients, and then you see them four, five, six years later on, and there’s this incredible feeling that you’ve really helped this person, you’ve done something that’s changed their life, their family’s life,” Dr. Ciesielski said. “To see that happening right in front of you is really exciting and sometimes overwhelming.”

Beyond his clinical and classroom work, Dr. Ciesielski has co-authored more than 50 journal articles and numerous abstracts. He is an active member of the Society for Neuro-Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.

He was honored with a research scholar award from the American Cancer Society and holds 13 global patents, 12 of which are for the survivin technology.

He is also a husband, a father of three teenaged boys, and a football coach for Orchard Park Little Loop Football, which lets him “give back to the community a little bit and have some fun doing it at the same time,” he said.

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Class of 1968

Adopts WWII Veteran “

They have touched our family in ways we will never forget or be able to repay.

This is what Niagara University is.

“

W

hen Lou Pioli received his

associate’s degree from

Niagara University in May

2019, 77 years after his collegiate career was cut short by military service in World War II, it was a dream come true.

The Army veteran had always regretted not being able to finish his education at NU, said his daughter, Lou Ann Pioli. “He was in the ROTC program on a pre-dental tract when he was drafted into the Army during the second semester of his sophomore year. He begged the head of the draft board to allow him to at least finish out the semester, but was refused.”

What happened next is a true testament to the Power of Niagara and what it means to be a Purple Eagle.

The degree ceremony, which was held at St. Michael’s College in Burlington, Vt., received local and national media coverage. When Joe Moore, ’68, heard Lou’s story, he contacted classmate Craig “Dumpy” Sussillo with the idea of “adopting” Lou as an honorary member of their class. The idea was enthusiastically accepted.

“Dad was so touched ... and tickled,” said Lou Ann.

A certificate recognizing Lou as a member of the Class of 1968 and thanking him for his service to his country, school, community, and family, was the first of many care packages he would receive from his new friends.

“Dad received a box of nine large blocks of different Italian cheeses one day, and the next day an enormous box arrived with so much Niagara swag,” Lou Ann said.

Craig solicited donations from his classmates, who began sending cards, postcards, and Yankee team apparel to Lou. “They would FaceTime me and he would have a Yankee sweatsuit on and Yankee hat, slippers, and a Yankee quilt,” Craig said. “This doesn’t scratch the surface of what fun we had. The class responded every time I requested something for him.”

Although Lou was legally blind and confined to a wheelchair, he “traveled” with the class via a photo that Craig mounted on a stick and brought with him on Class of 1968 outings. A photo album commemorating Lou’s “trips” was yet another gift from the class.

On Jan. 4, 2020, when Lou celebrated his 100th birthday, some of his new classmates attended the party.

“We all anxiously awaited his 100th birthday celebration,” said Karyn Connolly. “I had the opportunity to attend, as did my classmate, Bill Murray, and his wife. Lou seemed to know who we were and why we wanted to be there. The love in the room was overwhelming!”

Lou Pioli passed away on June 14, 2020, but the memories created by the Class of 1968 live on through his daughter.

“Joe, Susan (Moore), Craig, and their classmates gave the best gift of all to Dad … the gift of their hearts,” she said. “They have touched our family in ways we will never forget or be able to repay. This is what Niagara University is. We are so grateful to Father Maher, Henrik (Borgstrom), Tim (Ireland), all the staff involved in making this happen, and, , of course, to our Class of 68 family and other Niagara alumni who reached out with cards and messages.”

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CATCHING UP Class Notes

1960s 1970s

Brian Crosby, B.A.’67, has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. He is managing partner of Gibson, McAskill & Crosby LLP.

Maureen Mooney Reid, B.A.’70, published her first novel, “Becoming Herself,” a story inspired by her grandmother’s experiences as a young Irish immigrant.

Dr. Michael Keem, B.S.’72, retired from the practice of veterinary medicine after 40 years. He practiced in Attica, N.Y., and later owned and practiced at Cheektowaga Veterinary Hospital; Amclare Veterinary Hospital in Williamsville, N.Y.; and the Aurora Pet Hospital in East Aurora, N.Y. Michael Callan, B.S.’75, completed his 40th year as an agent with State Farm Insurance.

Crystal Pierce, B.A.’75, is a procurement specialist with the American Indian Procurement Technical Assistance Center hosted by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.

Brian Hassett, B.A.’76, was chosen by Mayor John Cooper to lead the COVID-19 Response Fund in Nashville, Tenn. He is the president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Nashville.

1980s

through Aug. 7, 2020, at COGAP’s annual exhibit at the Salmagundi Club in in New York City. He received the juried award—the equivalent of “Best In Show”—for his acrylic painting “Rescue near Galveston.” The brightly-colored artwork depicts an Air Station Houston helicopter rescuing an oil tanker crewmember during a medical emergency and provides a look inside the helicopter during the event as it took place off the coast of Texas.

John Nolan, B.A.’81, was named president of Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen, N.J. He brings more than 35 years of professional business and fundraising experience to his role, and has worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations, including JFK Medical Center, the ALS Association, the Archdiocese of New York, and most recently, Catholic Extension.

Ken Domagalski, B.A.’82, has been appointed executive vice president of drug product operations at Alcami, a North Carolina-based contract development and manufacturing organization. He has more than 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry, 20 of which were with Teva Parenteral Medicines.

Richard Kaz, B.S.’83, was named first vice president for the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials. Richard is the business administrator/board secretary for the Northern Burlington County Regional School District, which serves the communities of Chesterfield, Mansfield, North Hanover, and Springfield Townships, along with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

John Ward, B.S.’80, has been named the winner of the 2020 George Gray Award for Artistic Excellence, the Coast Guard Art Program’s highest honor. John was selected for the award from among 22 artists whose 31 works were on display

Maria (Monahan) Canton, B.S.’85

Maria (Monahan) Caton, B.S.’85, has been promoted to senior vice president at Canandaigua National Bank & Trust. She previously served as manager of financial planning services and has been with the bank since 2014.

John Rurkowski, B.S.’85, was named CEO of Eliances-Tampa Bay. He also joined EXP Realty as broker associate and mentor.

Class of ’85 friends and classmates gathered on Saturday, Sept. 12, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to help Pat Swan, ’85, in his work with the annual fundraiser “Teeing off on Cancer” to support the Catie Hoch Foundation.

John Rovison, M.S.’86, retired from his position as vice president of research and development at PeroxyChem-Evonik in April 2020. In 2018, he was named to Who’s Who

Richard Kaz, B.S. ‘83

John Rurkowski, B.S. ‘85

(Marquis) Lifetime Achievement Award as featured executive. John and his wife reside in Sanborn. N.Y., and look forward to enjoying all those things put aside over the last several decades.

Laurie Pope-Greco, B.S.’88, opened a social club for senior citizens in East Amherst, N.Y. Mar-Bon Social Club (www.marbonsocialclub. com), named after her parents, Mary and Boniface, was founded to give seniors a place to go where they can connect with new friends. It is the first of its kind in Western New York.

Dr. Philip Sauvageau, B.S.’88, was named medical director of Complete Senior Care PACE, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

1990s

Jerry Dvonch, BBA’90, was named chief financial officer at Sonoma Pharmaceuticals.

He previously was controller and senior vice president of finance and accounting at SpineCenter Atlanta.

Laura Ann Brick, B.A.’92, received her executive MBA from the University of Notre Dame. She is an administrative vice president at M&T Bank, where she manages the technology teams supporting business banking and marketing.

David Bertram, B.A.’93, was named director of physical education, health, and athletics for the Mohonasen Central School District, Schenectady, N.Y. He previously served as athletic director at Cooperstown High School.

Tyrone Dowing, M.S.Ed.’93, was named superintendent of education for the Wellington Catholic District School Board, Guelph, Ontario.

He previously served as an elementary school principal in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board for more than 20 years.

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CATCHING UP Kyle Kelly, B.S.’93, was named CEO and managing partner at Cornerstone Employer Solutions, a full-service national professional employer organization and human resources outsourcing firm based out of St. Louis, Mo.

Jeremy Colby, B.A.’96

Jeremy Colby, B.A.’96, was selected as a member of 2020’s Legal Elite of Western New York by Business First and the Buffalo Law Journal. More than 500 local lawyers were nominated for the annual awards program. Jeremy is general counsel at Niagara University.

Christine Strenkoski Robinson, B.S.’96, is one of 55 leaders aged 40 and older selected to participate in Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class 39. The nine-month educational program, which takes a holistic view of the conditions and challenges facing Florida, includes programming on issues critical to Florida, refining welldeveloped leadership skills via sessions with leading experts, and relevant information on Florida’s history, demography, diversities, challenges, and opportunities.

JoAnna Roberto, B.A.’97, M.S.Ed.’00, was named director of education for the Grand Erie District School Board, Ontario. She comes to this position after having served eight years as superintendent of curriculum and student achievement at the District School Board of Niagara.

John Forcucci, M.S.’99, was elected to a three-year term on the Niagara Wheatfield School Board in June 2020. He retired from the Niagara Falls School District in 2016 after a 32-year career.

JoAnna Roberto, B.A.’97, M.S.Ed.’00

20

Robert Ingrasci, B.B.A.’08

Kari Heidemann, B.A.’99, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level of the highest quality. She is an instructor of human services at Genesee Community College and coordinates the program’s internships, advisory board, and scholarship opportunities, and advises the Human Services Student Club.

2000s

Alison Richards, B.A.’00, graduated from Western Colorado University in July 2020 with an MFA in creative writing with a focus in genre fiction. She is pursuing a secondary focus in screenwriting.

Laurie Merletti, B.S.’02, was named president of physician enterprise at Catholic Health. In this role, she will provide executive oversight of Trinity Medical WNY, as well as Catholic Health’s primary care centers and hospitalsponsored physician practices in Erie and Niagara counties. She previously served as vice president of physician integration and practice management for the health system.

Lori Wilder, M.S.Ed.’03, has been appointed director of education by the Bluewater, Ontario, District School Board, effective Oct. 1, 2020.

She previously served as superintendent of education within the organization.

Monica Van Husen, M.S.Ed.’04, was named teaching and learning facilitator for Stafford County Public Schools in Virginia.

Dr. Gary Damon Jr., B.A.’07, has written and published his first book, “Everyday Experiences to Improve Work and Life: Reflective Strategies from a Motivational Leader,” a self-help and motivational book for individuals in the workplace. He is president Dr. Gary Damon Jr., B.A.’07 and owner of Pressure Point Consulting, LLC, a leading boutique consulting firm that offers grant writing and workshops to assist with organizational, individual, and business development.

Robert Ingrasci, BBA’08, was named program coordinator for the Estate Analysts of

Western New York. In this role, he will work with committee members to plan educational events and meetings. Bob is a principal in the tax department of Lumsden & McCormick, LLP, in Buffalo, N.Y. Kaylin (Ranagan) Pereira, B.A.’08, M.S.Ed.’11, is assistant principal of St. Ann and St. Patrick Catholic Schools in Charlotte, N.C. Julie Cahill, B.A.’09, was recognized as one of the 2020 Upstate New York Rising Stars, a group that represents the top 2.5% of lawyers who are under 40 years old or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. Julie is an associate in Barclay Damon LLP’s Syracuse, N.Y., office.

Camillo Cipriano, M.S.Ed.’09, was named director of education for the Niagara Catholic District School Board, Ontario. He has 23 years of leadership and experience as a teacher and administrator in Catholic education, most recently serving as superintendent of education with the Halton Catholic District School Board.

Brad Lueck, B.S.’09, MBA’10, was named a 2019 “30 Under 35” honoree by tED Magazine. The award recognizes the industry’s young “rising stars”—electrical professionals who have the initiative, drive, integrity, and creativity to move the industry forward in the decades to come. Brad is director of operations for Wesco in Alberta, Canada.

2010s

Meghan Deanna (Smith) Kingsley, BFA’12, recently published “I Have a Degree in Acting ... Now What?” to help young performers learn how to make money from acting. She has starred in “Sharknado: Heart of Sharkness,” was a host on MTV’s “Ridiculousness,” and has a recurring role in a horror movie franchise.

Dr. Shanleigh Corrallo, B.A.’13, M.A.’14, joined Via Evaluation as evaluation project manager. She will focus on helping clients improve their outcomes, which in turn, will help to improve community outcomes.

Dr. Shanleigh Corrallo, B.A.’13, M.A.’14

Niagara University

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CATCHING UP Amanda Oldacre, B.S.’14, assistant professor of chemistry at St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y., recently had a paper, “Electrochemical proton-coupled electron transfer of an anthracenebased azo dye,” published in the journal RSC Advances.

Lauren Rutherford, B.S.’14, joined Employer Services Corp., Amherst, N.Y., as an HR business partner. Prior to joining ESC, Rutherford was part of the HR team for a large medical design and manufacturing company.

Emile Bazille, B.A.’18, was appointed male district leader in New York state’s 50th Assembly District.

Troy Snelgrove, B.S.’18, MBA’19, was promoted to HR business partner at Employer Services Corp., Amherst, N.Y. Morgan Baughman, B.A.’19, has been named the head girls basketball coach at Red Land High School, Lewisberry, Pa.

Charlotte Munday, B.S.’15, joined Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP, Newark, N.J., as a real estate attorney, focusing on litigation and property tax matters. She is a graduate of the Syracuse University College of Law.

Elisha Teibel, B.A.’16, was selected as one of 15 law students honored with a Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award by the Burton Awards. Teibel’s article, “Waste Size: The Skinny on the Environmental Costs of the Fashion Industry,” demonstrated her creativity, clarity, and true understanding and mastery of the law. She is an associate with Gibson, McAskill & Crosby, Buffalo, N.Y. Sydney (Doway) Fletcher, B.S.’17, is catering sales manager with Sodexo’s Centerplate at the TCF Center (formerly the Cobo Center) in Detroit, Mich.

Sarah Kojm, B.S.’13, married John Bowback on June 6, 2020.

Births/Adoptions Francesca Roberto, ’98, and her husband, Daniel Cota, welcomed a daughter, Artemis Grace, on Sept. 21, 2019.

Erin Patenaude, B.S.’15, is a tax associate at Fust Charles Chambers, LLP, Syracuse, N.Y. Julian Sharp, B.A.’16, was named a summer associate for the St. Louis-based law firm Lewis Rice. He was a member of the University of Arkansas’ traveling Transactional LawMeet Team, which won the 2020 competition, and is the managing editor of the Arkansas Law Review.

Sarah (Kojm) B.S.’13, and John Bowback.

Sarah (Wolcott) Nelson, B.S.’00, and her husband, Matthew Nelson, welcomed a son, Luke Tyler, on July 13, 2020.

Mikayla Black, BBA’19

Samantha Gugino, MBA’20

Mikayla Black, BBA’19, has joined Lumsden & McCormick, LLP, Buffalo, N.Y., as a tax staff accountant. She completed an internship at the firm in both tax and audit.

2020s

Samantha Gugino, MBA’20, joined Lumsden & McCormick, LLP, Buffalo, N.Y., as an audit staff accountant.

Marriages/Anniversaries Autumn Hammill, B.A.’06, married Paul Mandish on July 4, 2020.

Luke Tyler Nelson with his older siblings (from left) Nicholas, Kaitlyn, Kirsten, and Dominic.

Rebecca Jakubowski, MBA’07, and her husband, Paul Jakubowski, welcomed a daughter, Carly Ann, on Oct. 16, 2019.

Megan (Schlichting) Sullivan, B.A.’08, and her husband, Matthew Sullivan, welcomed a daughter, Anne Elizabeth, on March 29, 2020.

Anthony, B.S.’10, MBA’12, and Vanessa (Cipolla) Alaimo, BBA’10, MBA’11, welcomed a son, Alfonzo David, on Jan. 3, 2020.

Adam Penale, B.A.’17, joined Spectrum News Rochester as a digital content associate producer.

PJ and Kaylin (Ranagan) Pereira, B.A.’08, M.S.Ed.’11

Julian Sharp, B.A.’16

Elisha Teibel, B.A.’16

Kaylin Ranagan, B.A.’08, M.S.Ed.’11, married PJ Pereira on June 13, 2020.

Alfonzo David Alaimo

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CATCHING UP Kevin Zola, B.S.’10, MBA’11, and Samantha Schultz welcomed a daughter, Parker Zola, on March 4, 2020.

Christopher, B.S.’11, and Brenna (Miller) Baxter, B.S.’11, welcomed a son, Brogan Mac, on Jan. 14, 2020. Brogan joins big brother Leyden.

Dr. Tyler, B.S.’11, and Christina (Englert) Ferguson, B.S.’10, MBA,’11, welcomed twins Eloise and George, on May 16, 2020.

Louis J. Pioli, ’44, ’68 (honorary member, see page 18), passed away on June 14, 2020. He was a Prudential Insurance agent until his retirement, and also worked for many years at Ceo and Rutz Shoe Store in Seneca Falls, N.Y. Michael A. Impaglia, ’49, passed away on June 27, 2020. He had a dental practice in Fairmount, N.Y., and was a clinical instructor at Onondaga Community College, School of Dental Hygiene, and a member of the medical staff in the Department of Dental Surgery in the St. Joseph’s Hospital dental resident’s program. Our condolences to his grandson, Michael Impaglia III, B.A.’95.

Gerald E. Meade, BBA’50, passed away on May 4, 2020. He was a tax accountant with Haskins & Sells and comptroller for Superba Cravats, Inc., in Rochester.

Mary Ellen O’Leary, B.S.’50, passed away on April 29, 2020. She was a chemist with Occidental Chemical Corp. until her retirement.

Eloise and George Ferguson

Eileen (Roehrle) Bosworth, B.S.’14, and her husband, Blaine Bosworth, welcomed a son, Samuel Carter, summer 2020.

Henrietta (Nagy) Tamas-Szora, MBA’16, and her husband, Zsolt Tamas-Szora, welcomed a daughter, Maya, on Dec. 28, 2019.

Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Scanlan, B.A.’50, passed away on May 11, 2020. He served as pastor for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Niagara Falls, N.Y., for 21 years before retiring from active administrative duties.

Our condolences to Felix DiPofi, B.S.’51, on the death of his brother; to Daniel DiPofi, BBA ’85; David DiPofi, B.A.’90; and Philip DiPofi, MBA’96, on the death of their father; to Janet (Biondi) DiPofi, B.S.’85, on the death of her father-in-law; and to Ellen (DiPofi) Madesen, B.S.’12; on the death of her grandfather, John J. DiPofi, who passed away Sept. 18, 2020.

Norbert T. McCartin, B.A.’51, passed away on July 18, 2020. He worked for the family business, Frank P. McCartin Co., Inc., an electrical and plumbing industrial supply store in Lowell, Mass.

Samuel Carter

Maya Tamas-Szora

In Memoriam Don W. Kinney, ’42, passed away on May 14, 2020. He was ordained into the Order of the Congregation of the Mission in May 1947 and served in a variety of assignments, including as a missionary with the Vincentians in China, as a member of the English faculty at Niagara University, and as an Army chaplain. He was laicized in 1980.

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William J. Reilly, B.A.’52, M.A.Ed.’55, passed away on May 18, 2020. His career in education included positions as a social studies teacher, counselor, track coach, director of guidance, and district director of pupil services.

Msgr. William J. Flood, B.A.’53, passed away on June 13, 2020. He served as pastor at several parishes and was a teacher at Cathedral Prep Seminary in Brooklyn, N.Y. Richard A. Touma, B.S.’53, passed away on Dec. 14, 2019. He taught in elementary schools in the Niagara Falls, N.Y., school district. Our

condolences to his son, Andrew Touma, B.S.’90, M.S.Ed.’94, M.S.Ed.’98; to his daughter, Cathy (Touma) D’Angelo, ’99; to his daughter-in-law, Jocelyn (Supon) Touma, B.S.’02, M.S.Ed.’06; and to his granddaughter, Britini D’Angelo, BFA’19, B.A.’19.

Frederick E. Bacon Jr. B.A.’54, passed away Sept. 19, 2020. He had a career in banking, holding the title of senior vice president of treasury management at American National Bank in Jacksonville, Fla., when he retired.

Marie (Finley) Cozzo, BBA’54, passed away Oct. 3, 2020. She taught business in the Niagara Falls, N.Y., School District for 33 years.

Francis J. McManimon, B.S.’54, passed away on March 25, 2020. He served 20 years in the New Jersey State Legislature, in both the Senate and the Assembly, and as superintendent of parks and recreation in the Township of Hamilton, N.J., until his retirement in 1989.

Rev. Ralph J. Fraats, ’55, passed away on May 1, 2020. He was a longtime priest of the Diocese of Rochester, N.Y. Mary (O’Shea) Feeney, B.S.’56, passed away on May 22, 2020. She was a public health nurse with the Herkimer County Public Health

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Niagara University

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CATCHING UP Nursing Services, in Herkimer, N.Y., until her retirement in 1990.

Rita (Striegel) Burke, B.S.’57, passed away on March 22, 2020.

Rev. James P. Byrne, OSFS, B.A.’57, passed away on March 20, 2020. Fr. Byrne worked in parochial ministries in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the dioceses of Allentown, Pa.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Charlotte, N.C. John J. Holland Jr., B.S.’58, passed away on May 13, 2020. He spent his professional career with Xerox Corp., retiring as vice president of finance for Americas Operations.

Our condolences to Stanley Horab, B.A.’58, on the death of his wife; to John Horab, B.S.’87, on the death of his mother; and to Saima (Worgren) Horab, B.A.’88, on the death of her mother-in-law, Margaret Horab, who passed away on June 26, 2020.

Rev. Joseph P. Rush, B.A.’58, SOLA’62, M.S.’63, passed away on July 23, 2020. He was a retired pastor in the Diocese of Camden, N.J., and a high school teacher.

Dr. James E. Patti, B.S.’61, passed away on June 2, 2020. He was a dentist in private practice in Winston-Salem, S.C., until his retirement in 2003.

William J. Powers, B.S.’61, passed away Sept.

4, 2020. He was an insurance agent for Allstate before his retirement in 2003.

Katherine (Socha) Zeller, B.S.’61, passed away on June 14, 2020. She was a former registered nurse.

Thomas L. Brophy, B.S.’63, passed away on May 10, 2020. He worked in the family business, Brophy’s Shoes of Palmer Square, until it closed, then began working for the State of New Jersey’s unemployment division.

Our condolences to the Rev. John Gouldrick, CM., BBA’63, on the death of his brother, Ronald Gouldrick, who passed away Sept. 20, 2020.

Andrew A. O’Connell, B.A.’63, passed away on May 25, 2020. He was deputy assistant to the director of the U.S. Secret Service’s Office of Liaison and Public Affairs in Washington, D.C, before he retired in 1998, and then led an investigative group in the Government

Accounting Office for 11 years before retiring from government service a second time. Our condolences to his wife, Mary (Thomas) O’Connell, B.A.’63.

Stephen L. Listek, B.S.’67, passed away on July 28, 2020. He was a commercial banker and retired as senior vice president at Crocker/Wells Fargo National Bank.

David H. Selner, B.S.’64, passed away on March 8, 2020. He was manager of product development for the Mobile Foundation when he retired.

Our condolences to Karyn (Perlman) Connolly, B.A.’68, on the death of her husband; and to David Perlman, BFA’80, on the death of his brother-in-law, James Connolly, who passed away Sept. 28, 2020.

Phyllis (Foit) Crough, B.S.’65, passed away Sept. 26, 2020. She worked in med-surg at four hospitals in four states and later, as a public health nurse and school nurse for Columbus City Schools. Our condolences to her husband, John B. Crough, B.A.’65.

Paul J. Foley Jr., B.S.’65, passed away April 17, 2020. He worked at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for nearly 35 years, and served as the executive director of the Golf Course Builders Association (GCBAA) and its foundation in Lincoln, Neb., after he retired.

Donald P. Scott, B.A.’65, passed away on June 8, 2020. He owned the Velvet Pumpkin, a gift store with several locations in northern Virginia.

William F.X. Kane Sr., B.A.’66, passed away on May 10, 2020. He was a deacon at Holy Family Parish and director of prison ministry for the Archdiocese of Boston. Our condolences to his wife, Regina (Stack) Kane, B.S.’68.

Kathleen Polowy Kavanaugh, BBA’66, passed away in June 2020. She spent more than 50 years in the nursing profession, specializing initially in adolescent psychology, and later, in geriatric psychological issues. Our condolences to her husband, William Kavanaugh, BBA’66.

Ruth H. Donohue, M.S.Ed.’68, passed away on July 17, 2020. She had a long career as head counselor of nursing at Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke, Pa. Colleen (Tylec) Lewandowski, B.S.’68, passed away on May 7, 2020. She was a nurse at Medina Hospital, Medina, N.Y., for 44 years.

Donald A. Supon, B.S. ’68, passed away on March 1, 2020. He had a 30-year career as a physical education teacher in the Niagara Falls City School District. Our condolences to his daughter, Jocelyn (Supon) Touma, B.S.’02, M.S.Ed.’06, and to his son-in-law, Andrew Touma, B.S.’90, M.S.Ed.’94, M.S.Ed.’98.

Francis J. Kozlowski, B.S.’69, passed away on April 30, 2020. He was a science teacher in the Greater Amsterdam (N.Y.) School District.

Philip Tisi, B.A.’69, M.S.Ed.’71, passed away on April 7, 2020. He was a social studies teacher, department chair, and summer school principal at Suffern High School until his retirement in 2009. He also served in a variety of roles for the town of Ramapo, N.Y.

Jeanne Ann (Huntley) O’Connor, B.A.’66, passed away on May 17, 2020. She was a professor and law research librarian in the law school at Seton Hall University. Our condolences to her husband, John O’Connor, B.A.’65.

Jane (Wennerstrom) Finerson, B.S.’70, M.S.Ed.’80, passed away on March 26, 2020.

She was a nurse practitioner with the University of Arizona Health Network. Our condolences to her husband, David Finerson, B.A.’70, M.S.Ed.’72.

John A. Wojtowicz, M.A.’66, passed away on May 19, 2020. He was a senior research chemist the Olin Research Laboratory in New Haven, Conn., until his retirement in 1991.

Linda L. Dolzani, B.S.’71, passed away on May 26, 2020. She worked as a registered nurse at Buffalo General Hospital in the ICU until her retirement.

Peter W. Kenny, BBA’67, passed away Sept. 14, 2020. He practiced law in Monmouth County, N.J., for more than 50 years, serving as the prosecutor in both Red Bank and Tinton Falls, as well as the public defender for Asbury Park and Tinton Falls. Our condolences to his wife, Carole Uncher Kenny, B.S.’68.

Anne K. Luciani, M.S.Ed.’72, passed away on April 19, 2020. She was a librarian at Colonial Village Elementary School in the Niagara Wheatfield, N.Y., School District for over two decades prior to her retirement in 1995.

Rev. Robert J. Stone, C.M., B.A.’73, passed away on May 5, 2020. He served in the

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CATCHING UP Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., the Archdiocese of Mobile, and the dioceses of Brooklyn, Birmingham, and Charlotte. He also ministered at The Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia, the Mother Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg, Md., and as a member of the faculty at St. Vincent’s Seminary in Boynton Beach, Fla. James J. Cichy, B.A.’74, passed away on Aug. 12, 2020.

Our condolences to Joseph White, B.A.’74; Virginia White-Mahaffey, B.A.’80; and Veronica White, B.A.’81, on the death of their mother; and to Eileen (Dobias) White, B.A.’73, on the death of her mother-in-law, Veronica M. White, who passed away on April 25, 2020.

Richard B. Leroy, B.S.’81, passed away on May 31, 2020. He had a career in banking, including positions as a branch manager at M&T Bank in Perinton, N.Y., and business lending specialist at Reliant Community Credit Union in Sodus, N.Y. Our condolences to Karen (Siembida) Howard, BBA’84, on the death of her mother, Shirley Siembida, who passed away Aug. 11, 2020.

Our condolences to Teresa Niedda, B.A.’84, and Margaret Niedda, B.A.’85, on the death of their father, John Niedda, who passed away Sept. 24, 2020.

Our condolences to Sheila (D’Aloise) DiFrancesco, M.S.Ed ’75, Joel D’Aloise, B.S.’77, and Shelley D’Aloise, B.S.’95, on the death of their father, Nick D’Aloise, who passed away on March 16, 2020.

Kathleen L. Quaranta, ’84, passed away on July 1, 2020. She was employed for 31 years at Carbide Graphite, where she worked as a human resource specialist, prior to her retirement in 1993.

Edward A. Redmond, B.A.’76, passed away on Aug. 13, 2020. He was self-employed as a contractor and subcontracts consultant.

Our condolences to Mary Beth (Teoli) Corapi, B.S.’86, on the death of her mother, and to Steven Corapi, B.S.’86, on the death of his mother-in-law, Carol Anne Teoli, who passed away on Aug. 4, 2020.

Mark S. Whitt, B.A.’76, passed away on March 7, 2020. He spent the majority of his professional career employed as a tax assessor in New Jersey.

Janet (Fleishmann) Dimet, MBA’86, passed away on March 19, 2020.

Shirley Winters, M.S.Ed.’76, passed away on May 13, 2020. She taught business at Hamilton Regional School District for 28 years.

Janine (Meyer) Cross, B.S.’88, passed away on April 22, 2020. She was a nurse at Children’s Hospital in Buffalo N.Y.

Michael Britto, M.S.Ed.’77, passed away on July 10, 2020. He was a teacher/diagnostician in the Welland (Ontario) County Catholic School Board.

Mary A. Hvozda, B.S.’88, passed away on May 9, 2020. She was a registered nurse at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Deaconess Hospital, and Buffalo General Hospital.

Sgt. James S. McParland, B.A.’79, passed away on June 1, 2020. He had a 20-year career with the U.S. Air Force.

Our condolences to Margaret (Gasiuk) Park, B.S.’88, on the death of her father, Richard Gasiuk, who passed away on July 19, 2020.

Our condolences to the Rev. William Allegretto, B.A.’80, on the death of his father, Vito Allegretto, who passed away on Aug. 4, 2020.

Marcia (Hube) Townsend, M.S.Ed.’88, passed away on July 16, 2020. She was a French teacher and French club adviser.

Patricia (Mergler) Martin, B.S.’80, passed away on Aug. 7, 2020. She had a career in the medical field.

Our condolences to Paul Maxwell, B.S.’80, on the death of his father; and to Wanda (Buda) Maxwell, B.S.’79, on the death of her father-

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in-law, Everett Maxwell Jr., who passed away on July 6, 2020.

Sister Elizabeth Domin, B.A.’89, M.S.Ed.’02, passed away Oct. 10, 2020. She was principal of Sacred Heart Villa School in Lewiston, N.Y. Katherine Dutko, B.S.’89, passed away on April 22, 2020. She worked at Moore Business Forms and retired as manager of its Credit Service Department.

Our condolences to Michael Ackerman, BBA’91, M.S.Ed.’94, on the death of his wife, Patrice Ackerman, who passed away on Jan. 13, 2020.

James T. Lyons, B.S.’91, passed away on May 29, 2020. He worked for the Buffalo Board of Education.

Our condolences to Megan (Walker) Ruane, B.S.’93, on the death of her mother, Maureen Walker, who passed away on June 14, 2020.

Our condolences to Anne (Smith) Sauvageau, ’93, on the death of her husband; to Cynthia (Sauvageau) Rodenas, B.S.’81; Jay Sauvageau, B.S.’84, M.S.Ed.’87; Philip Sauvageau, B.S.’88; and Thomas Sauvageau, M.S.Ed.’97, on the death of their father; to Caroline (Szegda) Sauvageau, B.S.’85, M.S.Ed.’89; Sandra (Spillenaar) Sauvageau, B.S.’87, M.S.’00; and Marissa (Zahno) Sauvageau, M.S.Ed.’04, on the death of their father-in-law, Joseph Sauvageau, who passed away on June 25, 2020.

Tamara Tkaczuk, M.S.Ed.’94, passed away on June 1, 2020. She was a teacher in the Catholic School Board for 24 years.

Marcella Braun Livingston, B.S.’96, passed away on Aug. 21, 2020. She and her husband, Jim, co-owned AAA Alarm & Security, Inc., in Phoenix, Ariz.

Brian M. Kindzia, BBA’98, passed away on July 26, 2020. He worked as an accountant and financial analyst in Atlanta, Ga., before entering the seminary. He then returned to Western New York to work with religious orders and foundations.

Our condolences to Sarah (Lavey) Stodolka, B.A.’98, M.S.Ed.’03, on the death of her father; and to Andrew Stodolka, B.S.’00, on the death of his father-in-law, Keith A. Lavey, who passed away on Jan. 22, 2020.

Robert A. Burns, BA.’00, passed away on June 30, 2020.

Our condolences to Matthew Nevins, BBA’01; Michael Nevins, B.S.’02; Meredith Nevins, B.A.’10, M.S.Ed.’12; Meghan Nevins, B.S.’15; and Marissa Nevins, ’15, on the death of their father, John R. Nevins, who passed away June 18, 2020.

Our condolences to Amber (Zito) Ash, B.A.’03, on the death of her father, Andrew Zito, who passed away Oct. 6, 2020.

Niagara University

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William J. O’Connor, B.S.’04, passed away on April 27, 2020. He was a stockbroker and private banker in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Charlotte, N.C. Our condolences to Rhonda Hicks, B.S.’12, on the death of her mother, Judith Hicks, who passed away on June 14, 2020.

Dr. Dianna T. Derigo, B.A.’16, passed away on June 3, 2020.

Luke D. Ciminelli, B.A.’19, passed away on July 9, 2020.

ALUMNI

Dr. Marilynn Fleckenstein, professor emeritus at Niagara University, passed away on April 9, 2020. She retired in 2017 after a 51-year career as a professor of philosophy and administrator at NU. Our condolences to her son, Thomas Fleckenstein, B.A.’93.

(See page 12 for more about Dr. Fleckenstein’s NU legacy.)

Donald D. Shrimpton passed away on Aug. 23, 2020. He was musical director at Niagara University and director and founder of the NU Glee Club, and founder of the NU show choir/theatre chorale.

Alumni Trip to Ireland Rescheduled!

Experience Ireland with fellow Niagara University alumni from Sept. 25 - Oct. 3, 2021

Share Your News With Us! We’d love to know what’s new with you!

Please use this form to submit your information for publication in the Eagle magazine. All information submitted for publication must be signed by the alum listed. Only information submitted on this form, via employers’ public relations departments, available in published articles, or emailed to Lisa McMahon, Eagle editor (lmcmahon@ niagara.edu) will be considered for publication.

Mail form to: Lisa McMahon Office of Public Relations Niagara University, N.Y. 14109 We also encourage you to send photos along with your note. Digital photos should be taken at the camera’s highest quality setting and emailed to lmcmahon@niagara.edu with a brief description of the photo and the names and class years of the people in it.

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

Name (first, middle, maiden, married)

Class of

Signature

Trip highlights include: • Visits to Dublin, Galway, Connemara, Kylemore, County Kerry, Kinsale, and Cork

Career Notes/Retirement Update/ Community Service

• Sean’s Bar, Athlone • Kylemore Abbey • Cliffs of Moher • The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Knock • Blarney Castle • Kinsale Garden of Remembrance • Jameson Experience, Midleton • House of Waterford Crystal • City tour of Dublin, including Kilmainham

Wedding Announcement Married to

NU Class of

Date of wedding

Gaol, Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, Book of Kells, and St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral • Dublin Pub Night with Irish whiskey tastings, dinner, and music

birth/adoption Announcement Birth/Adoption DOB Baby’s Name ❏ Daughter ❏ Son

Spouse

NU Class of

For more information, visit niagara.edu/Ireland-2021 EAGLE/FALL 2020 NU_EAGLE_FALL20.indd 27

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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

Did you know?

If you are 70 ½ or older, you can direct up to $100,000 each year to a charity from a qualified IRA. For a married couple both owning an IRA, up to $200,000 can be donated. The distribution is tax-free and counts toward your annual required minimum distribution – with the added bonus of providing a gift to Niagara University. Note: Distributions must be sent directly to Niagara University from your IRA administrator.

To learn more, contact Marilyn Koren at mkoren@niagara.edu or 716.286.8791.

Niagara’s official address:

Niagara University 5795 Lewiston Road P.O. Box 2008 Niagara University, New York 14109 Niagara’s Federal Tax ID: 16-0755807

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