Keeping in touch with friends and family of Penn State Hazleton
Inside this issue... Highacres Society dinner . . . . . . 2 For the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chancellor’s message . . . . . . . . . 3 Alumni Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Pride of Penn State Hazleton . . . . 4 Academic achievements . . . . . . . 6 Alumni Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Caccese retires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Lamont scholarship . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
On the Calendar... Summer camps July 20-24 July 27-31 August 3-7 Spend a Summer Day Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m. Evelyn Graham Academic Building Spend a Summer Day Tuesday, August 4, 10 a.m. Evelyn Graham Academic Building Dr. Lil Junas Garden Dedication Wednesday, August 12, 2:30 p.m. Move-in Day Saturday, August 22 Classes Begin Monday, August 24 Alzheimer’s Walk Saturday, September 19, 9 a.m. Lions and Lanterns Thursday, September 24, 6 p.m. THON Community 5K Run/Walk Sunday, September 27, 10 a.m. Get to Know Us Academic Experience Monday, October 12, 10 a.m. Highacres Society Dinner Thursday, October 15, 5:30 p.m. Penn State Day Open House Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m. Evelyn Graham Academic Building Get to Know Us Classroom Experience Wednesday, November 11, 10 a.m. Visit www.hn.psu.edu and click on “News and Events” for more information.
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Summer 2015
Penn State Hazleton holds commencement Penn State Hazleton welcomed new graduates to its ranks of alumni during commencement ceremonies held in 2014 and 2015. During 2015’s commencement, the 45th held at Penn State Hazleton, Director of Academic Affairs Elizabeth J. Wright presented the candidates to Chancellor Gary M. Lawler, who conferred 47 associate degrees and 43 baccalaureate degrees to students completing programs of study at Penn State Hazleton and other Penn State locations who chose to participate in the graduation ceremony. Highlighting the program was the first graduate earning a baccalaureate degree in administration of justice, Dante Toth. Gina Monks, instructor in mathematics and Dante Toth president of the Penn State Hazleton Faculty Senate, served as the faculty marshal and led the academic processional. John R. Meier, incoming president of the Penn State Hazleton Council, extended greetings and congratulations from the campus advisory board. Nicholas Roslevege ’88, president of the Penn State Hazleton Alumni Society, inducted the new graduates into the Penn State Alumni Association. John Colaneri, co-host of the popular HGTV programs Kitchen Cousins, Cousins on Call, Cousins Undercover and America’s Most Desperate Kitchens, provided the commencement address. A 2003 graduate of Penn State with a bachelor John Colaneri of science degree in labor and industrial relations and a minor in business management, Colaneri attended Penn State Hazleton from 1998-1999 before transitioning to University Park to complete his degree.
The first class of engineers earning a baccalaureate degree in engineering with a focus on alternative energy and power generation at Penn State Hazleton. Colaneri is a senior project manager and designer at his family’s construction business, Brunelleschi Construction. Colaneri and his cousin, Anthony Carrino, were discovered by HGTV in early 2011 and were asked to film a television series. The show launched to great success and “The Cousins” brand was born. During 2014’s commencement, 63 associate degrees and 44 baccalaureate degrees were conferred. Highlighting the program was the first class of engineers earning a baccalaureate degree in engineering with a focus on alternative energy and power generation. Jane M. Waitkus, senior instructor in English and president of the Penn State Hazleton Faculty Senate, served as the faculty marshal and led the academic processional. Betty M. Corcoran, B.S., M.Ed., past president of the Penn State Hazleton Council, extended greetings and congratulations from the campus advisory board. Michael P. Heon ’99, president of the Greater Hazleton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, inducted the new graduates into the Penn State Alumni Association. Continued on page 7
Four new bachelor’s degree programs announced Penn State Hazleton has added four new degree programs, bringing to nine the number of baccalaureate degree programs at the campus. The majors in Administration of Justice, Corporate Communication, Rehabilitation and Human Services, and an Accounting option for the Business degree prepare students for fields in which job openings are growing. About 20 percent of students attending Hazleton stay for a four-year degree, a number that is steadily growing, according to Chancellor Gary M. Lawler. Reasons for the growth include the success that other Hazleton graduates have attained, along with
economic advantages and classes that are taught by faculty members and not teaching assistants. Career opportunities were a major factor that professors and administrators considered when deciding what new majors to offer at Penn State Hazleton. Research commissioned from the Penn State Data Center supported the direction as the proposals moved to the academic council of undergraduate education, the vice presidents of the Commonwealth Campuses and of Undergraduate Education and to the University’s provost. Read the full story at www.hn.psu.edu.
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w Highacres Society
Highacres Society annual dinner celebrates campus philanthropy Some 165 donors, student scholarship recipients, faculty and staff celebrated Penn State Hazleton philanthropy at a special event held at the Valley Country Club in October. The Highacres Society reception is an annual event that brings donors and their recipient students together for an evening of acknowledgement and recognition. This year’s event also commemorated the highly successful close of most recent fundraising effort known as For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. Dr. Gary Lawler, Penn State Hazleton chancellor, acknowledged the successful close of the $7.6 million campaign, which exceeded the goal by raising 127 percent. Pasco Schiavo, campaign chair and program master of ceremonies, thanked donors for their generosity on behalf of Penn State Hazleton students, the campus and Greater Hazleton. He also acknowledged Highacres Society members who had passed away since the last event, including Dominic Landro ’54, Anthony Falvello ’50, Thomas Markle, Robert Aben, Gerry Cohn, Dr. William Dove ’55 and George Wasdovich.
New inductees to the Highacres Society included David ’69 and Lynn Sobocinski for establishing the Sobocinski Family Scholarship, Nancy Cavenas Willis for establishing the Nancy Cavenas Willis Andrew Nancy David ’69 and Lynn Scholarship in Bio-Health Sobocinski Woytek ’58 Cavenas Willis Sciences, Andrew Woytek ’58 for establishing the Andrew and Diane Woyteck Scholarship in Engineering, Dr. Lil Junas ’57 for naming the Dr. Lil Junas Garden at Penn State Hazleton and Nancy Irvan (posthumously) for her estate gift to establish the Nancy A. Irvin Scholarship. Richard Garbacik ‘59, center, who established The program for the evening the Richard J. Garbacik Scholarship in featured student speakers Engineering and the Richard J. Garbacik Alexandra Rupchis of Mountain Award, is shown with student recipient Top, the recipient of the Damien Graybill, left, and Dr. Lee Morand. Penn State Hazleton Council Student Choir performed under the Scholarship, and Terri Thomas of direction of Michele Millington. The Hackensack, N.J., the recipient of the program for the evening included the Sobocinski Family Scholarship. For the Future Donor Honor roll, which The faculty speaker for the evening included more than 1,100 donors to the was Amie Yenser, senior instructor in Biology and recipient of the Penn State campaign. To view the honor roll online, visit Hazleton Council Teaching Excellence Award. The Penn State Hazleton www.hn.psu.edu.
For the Future campaign raises $7.6 million, exceeds campus goal Penn State Hazleton celebrated the conclusion of the most recent fundraising campaign, For the Future, The Campaign for Penn State Students, raising $7,645,133.50 during the sevenyear span of the campaign. The Hazleton campus campaign committee exceeded the campus goal of $6,000,000, creating more than 60 new scholarships for area students and generating substantial support for academic programs, faculty, facilities and equipment. Pasco Schiavo, campaign chair, said, “We are overwhelmed by the support of so many within the Hazleton community and from around the country for Penn State Hazleton. It is testimony to the importance of the campus and the value that it represents to the Greater Hazleton community.” More than 2,200 individual and corporate donors contributed to the successful campaign at Penn State Hazleton, which began in 2007, resulting in the following highlights: the naming of Pasco L. Schiavo Hall, the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium and the Dr. Lil Junas Gardens; the establishment of a campus performing arts theater and art gallery; the donation of 25 acres
of land, increasing the campus footprint by 23 percent; program support for Engineering, Bio Sciences, Chemistry, Business, Fine Arts, Faculty, Athletics, Women’s Symposium and Astronomy; and equipment donations to the Engineering, Astronomy, Chemistry and Biology programs. Campaign committee members include front row, from Annual fundraising has exceeded $1 left, Atty. Megan Kennedy, Atty. Pasco Schiavo and Milton million for each of the Lloyd, CPA. Back row, from left, Jaculin Scarcella, William last three years. Flood, Dr. Gary Lawler, Kevin Salaway and Carole Shearer. Gary Lawler, Penn Kevin Salaway, director of State Hazleton chancellor, said, “We development, said, “Perhaps the most were confident from the start that we important benefit of this campaign, would have a strong campaign, but to beyond the money raised, will be the exceed our goals during such trying breadth and depth of connections made times in the economy and at Penn with alumni and friends from around State is truly a notable feat. We could across the United States. We now have not have come this far without the a national footprint for our fundraising leadership and generosity of Pasco and alumni relations efforts, which will Schiavo in addition to many others from be transformative for the campus over the Hazleton community and our alumni the long run.” and donors throughout the country.”
Keep in touch Reconnect with friends and the campus! •F ollow us on Facebook http://goo.gl/zCX1K •S ubmit alumni updates: http://www.hn.psu.edu/Alumni/ alumniform.htm
Join us on We invite you to join fellow alumni in our campus LinkedIn group. The group was established by Penn State Hazleton alum George Hirko ’94, and we are hoping you’ll utilize all the features available to network with your fellow campus alumni. Go to LinkedIn and search “Penn State Hazleton Alumni” in groups. We look forward to having you join us!
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Chancellor’s Message
A message from the chancellor To our Penn State Hazleton family and friends, This has been quite a year at Penn State Hazleton! A record-setting fundraising campaign has been completed, four new bachelor’s degree programs have been added (one of which had its first graduate in May), faculty and students are accomplishing great things and being recognized for them, and new investments in the campus infrastructure have and will continue to improve the campus grounds and increase the tremendous educational experience students have at Penn State Hazleton. As you’ll read in this issue, For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students raised more than $7.6 million for our campus from friends and alumni of the campus who recognize and support the value of a Penn State education and the important start to that education provided here at Penn State Hazleton. The campaign raised more than $2 billion in total for the University.
Chancellor Gary M. Lawler
New baccalaureate degrees in Administration of Justice, Corporate Communication, Rehabilitation and Human Services, and an Accounting option for the Business degree program launched this year. This effort, led by Dr. Elizabeth Wright, director of Academic Affairs, was a welcomed addition to the portfolio of degree programs, which now stands at nine. Dr. Wright also has been instrumental in the signing of an articulation agreement with Lehigh Carbon Community College to provide students with a pathway to a Penn State degree. Other articulation agreements are in the works, and we will tell you about them in future issues. One of the new programs, Administration of Justice, had the first graduate at the spring 2015 ceremony. Another recent program, the bachelor’s degree in General Engineering focused on alternative energy and power generation, graduated the first cohort in May 2014. Students and faculty have achieved great things and were recognized during the Academic Achievement Awards ceremonies. We are so proud of their efforts and look forward to telling you more about our students and faculty in upcoming stories we will share online and in Insight/Outlook. As the summer progresses, many capital projects are underway, ranging from new windows in Schiavo Hall to updates in the residence halls to paving projects on campus. Later this summer, we will dedicate the Dr. Lil Junas Garden. This project was initiated through a donation by alumna Lil Junas ’57, ’61g, an educator, skilled journalist and outstanding photographer. And, I’m pleased to announce that in May 2016, the Kostos Building will undergo a complete renovation – a $14 million investment by the University – which will include new classrooms and offices, and new physics, engineering, chemistry and two biology labs. As always, I invite you to stop by your campus to see the changes and updates, and to enjoy the aspects of the campus you remember during your time at Penn State Hazleton. We are… Penn State!
Alumni Chapter
Hazleton Chapter of Penn State Alumni Association contributes to scholarships The Greater Hazleton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association continued its contribution toward scholarships at Penn State Hazleton during its annual business meeting dinner held June 17 at Sand Springs Country Club in Drums. The chapter made a $4,000 contribution to the group’s academic award, which represented the final pledge payment for the Penn State Alumni Association Chapter of Greater Hazleton Academic Award established by the chapter during the recent For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. It will now be awarded to deserving students from the Greater Hazleton community who plan to attend Penn State Hazleton. This award is one of more than 100 endowments at the Hazleton campus that have been established to benefit students from Greater Hazleton. The recent contribution is the
second endowment at the campus established by the chapter. The first endowment, the Penn State Alumni Association Chapter of Greater Hazleton Scholarship, has awarded more than $20,000 to 14 students at the campus since the scholarship was established. Outgoing chapter President Michael Heon ’99 said, “The Greater Hazleton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association is committed to supporting students at Penn State Hazleton. We are happy to support deserving students in their academic goals.” The Hazleton Chapter supports a wide range of priorities and initiatives at the campus in support of campus students and also provides support to organizations and causes throughout the Greater Hazleton community. Penn State Hazleton Chancellor Gary Lawler said, “We are grateful to the Hazleton Chapter and the many alumni who
Alumni Association Board Members recently presented a check for $4,000 for the group’s scholarship. Shown are, from left, Patricia Holly ’15, secretary; John Skwierz ’76, treasurer; Chancellor Gary M. Lawler; Michael Heon ’99, outgoing president; and Rocco Formica ’67, incoming president. realize the value of education at Penn State Hazleton. Assisting students in receiving an education is an invaluable gift.” Rocco Formica ’67 was installed as president during the annual dinner and outgoing president Mike Heon ’99 was recognized for his leadership during his two-year term.
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Pride of
Th e
Penn State Hazleton
By Kevin J. Salaway Director of Development and University Relations
Throughout the year, I visit with Penn State Hazleton alumni across the country, learning about their interests and experiences and what it means to be a Penn Stater.
boutique consultancies, one of which was acquired by E&Y. Glenn, his wife and their two children, Joan and Alex, live in Stroudsburg.
Chloe Monyah Abraczinskas ’08 came to Penn State with a burning interest from a very early age in aerospace and at one time dreamed of becoming an astronaut. She now works at the NASA headquarters in Houston as a technical specialist. Chloe most remembers from the campus Molly Wertheimer for her speech and writing classes, among others in the engineering and sciences. Chloe talked about the importance of the Women in Engineering Program Orientation (WEPO) program at Penn State and how valuable it was for her and her classmates.
Beverly Rimm Kresge ’58 attended Penn State with her sister Sandra Rimm Haining ’61. Beverly was a chemistry major and upon graduation, she went to work at Hercules in Allentown and eventually to Binghamton at Agfa Ansco, the photography company that predated Kodak. Beverly left Ansco and went to work for IBM in 1979 and stayed there until retirement.
Daniel Cocco ’08 and I met at his offices at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he is serving as a consultant in the HR Services division. He has been at PwC for about four years and loves the work. Upon graduation from Penn State, Dan went to work for Columbia University in a development position and stayed there for about five years. He also earned his master’s degree in business at Columbia. Dan was a recent candidate for the Penn State Board of Trustees.
Sandy was also a chemistry major. After college, she went to work at IBM in Endicott, N.Y. Sandy worked a few years at IBM before she left to raise her children and be a full-time homemaker. Her husband is a retired IBM engineer. Sandra has a daughter who is a SUNY Binghamton graduate.
Linda Corra ’67 began her career at IBM as a programmer in the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., location immediately upon graduating from Penn State. Some 30 years later, she retired as a director of marketing and sales. Linda now spends time managing her properties and an antique shop in Decatur, Ga. She remembered the Hazleton community and also commented on the importance of the Hazleton campus to the community and her gratitude for the opportunity to start her education there. Michael Donegan Jr. ’99 comes from a Penn State family, as his father, uncles and several siblings are all Penn Staters. Michael is employed as an insurance agent for Farmers Century 21 Insurance Agency and is pursuing his graduate degree online at Asher University. Michael is a member of the local Binghamton Alumni Chapter and he remembered Judy O’Donnell at the campus and classmate William Yurasko ’99, who was president of the Organization for Town Independent Student (OTIS). William Ebken ’73a is owner and manager of the Frame Factory and Gallery, an art and framing business in State College. Bill’s wife is an instructor in the Penn State Nursing program and has been there many years. They have two daughters, Sandra and Alex, both Penn State alumnae. Glenn Hafler ’96 is a consultant with Ernst and Young, specializing in business modeling and finance. He has been at E&Y about six years. Upon graduation, Glenn went to work for Anderson Consulting and then a few
Kathryn Kelsey ’77 and I met over a cup of coffee in Austin, Texas. She has a son and daughter, both grown. Her son is a graduate of UT Austin and holds a business-related position. Her daughter just started her studies at UT Austin. Kathryn’s last position was with RSI, where she sold wire harnesses. I met Michael Kirkpatrick ’02 at his offices at CannonDesign, where he is a senior associate in electrical engineering. His work involves designing lighting systems for the buildings that Cannon designs. He grew up in upstate New York and came to the campus seeking a smaller entry point to a big university. His wife is a CPA working in a real estate development arena for Joe Torre, the former coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. Shannon Kolensky ’08 works at UT Austin, supporting NASA projects. During her studies at Penn State, she did a co-op at NASA and worked on a number of experiments and projects supporting the shuttle project. She told me that as a result of the co-op, she witnessed a number of shuttle landings at Edwards Air Force Base and the piggyback ride back to Florida. Diane Lantz ’83 is the regional director at the Corning Regional Economic Development and Energy Corp. She came to the campus from Towanda from a Penn State family seeking a smaller college experience. Diane remembered Nick Skimbo, her accounting and finance instructor, and Tom Caccese. She also remembered classmates Joe Broschak ’82 and Michelle Kresge. Diane and her husband have two children, a son who is a fellow at Penn State in criminal justice and a daughter who is at St. Bonaventure considering veterinary medicine.
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Stephanie Cook ’12 is a geo-scientist focusing on training related to computer-aided design in the fracking industry at Schlumerger. She helps to train geologists and engineers in emerging exploration and extraction applications. Stephanie sent shout outs to her North Hall suitemates, Mariel Salaway ’15 and Brandy Lincoln. Stephanie also remembered Dr. Dan Vice, senior instructor in Earth and Mineral Sciences. Scott Merlo ’94 came to the campus from Rahway, N.J., seeking a smaller campus environment to begin his education. His work throughout his career has concentrated in the area of clinical trials, first in the viral agents arena and now in oncology. He now oversees a wide range of clinical trials in oncology at Genentech. Scott was a member of the Penn State Hazleton soccer team and mentioned the tradition during his time of having the sophomores establish nicknames for the freshmen. He remembered Dave Orbin from the campus and indicated Dr. Orbin’s contribution in inspiring him to pursue a career in biochemistry. Carmine Pirone ’02 and I met over coffee near his home in Northern Houston where he and his wife, Tiffany, were expecting their second child soon. Their daughter is two years old. Carmine’s career has included positions in marketing communications for the Houston Rockets and Houston Texans. He then went to work for GS Marketing, Toyota’s agency. He has since been doing some project work and day trading while his wife is a director at Siemens Technology. Carmine remembered classmates Derek Schuelein ’02 and Steve Thompson ’02 as well as faculty member Dr. Gene Miller. Nancy Gendimenico ’75 is one in a long line of family to begin their Penn State experience at Penn State Hazleton. (Siblings: Fran ’70, Rosalie ’79 and Michael ’82.) Nancy enjoyed a fulfilling career in brand marketing and business development at Hanes before beginning a new career chapter after completing a graduate degree in creative writing and literature from Stony Brook University. She redirected her professional interests around writing and the notfor-profit world, immersing herself in a wide range of initiatives and causes. Dr. Peter Sheridan ’45 started his education at the Broad Street Center in 1941 and completed his degree at University Park. Both he and his wife, Jennie, grew up in Hazleton. After graduation, he taught while pursuing his master’s degree. Peter and Jennie moved to the Arlington, Virginia area where he worked at the Library of Congress and earned his doctorate from Georgetown. They have five children and several grandchildren. Peter sent best wishes to his close friend and classmate George Seidel ’49 whom I met in San Diego some years ago.
Matthew Smith ’03 came to the Hazleton campus for one year before heading to University Park and said that the Hazleton experience was transformative. Matt now serves as controller for a commercial real estate investment and management company in Boca Raton, Fla. Matt started with the company about six years ago in an entry-level position and worked his way up to controller. He earned a degree in accounting from Florida Atlantic University, went on to complete his master’s degree and is now a certified public accountant. Frank Sterba ’54 came to the Hazleton campus in 1950, went on to University Park as a premed student and earned his medical degree from Hahnemann in Philadelphia. He interned at Philadelphia General and completed his residency at Hahnemann. His medical career spans a number of assignments, including Hampden County Medical, Mass Medical and American Urologic Societies. He served as chief of urology at Baystate Medical Center and associate professor of urology at Tufts, as well as vice president of medical staff at Baystate Medical Center, president of medical staff at Baystate and president of the Urology Group of Western New England. Frank has three children. Two are at San Francisco State in teaching positions and another is at NYU. Andrew Woytek ’58 spent three semesters at the Hazleton campus before moving on to University Park to complete his degree in engineering. Upon graduation, he went to work for Western Electric and ultimately moved to Air Products, where he eventually became head of technology. Andy is highly accomplished in his field, having numerous publications and patents to his name. He collaborated with Joseph Stach, Penn State professor of electrical engineering, on a publication related to use of gases in etching silicon chips, a breakthrough process at the time. He established the Andrew and Diane Woytek Scholarship in Engineering at the campus in 2014. Marvin Yeager ’50 came to the campus after a stint in the Air Force. He signed up in 1943, a year before he graduated from high school, and was called to duty upon graduation. After the war, he joined the reserves and came to the campus to get his degree in engineering. Shortly after graduating from Penn State, he was called up from the reserves and joined flight school in the Air Force. Marvin had an illustrious Air Force career, which eventually led to a position as director of personnel overseeing human resources at the 17th Air Force in Ramstein, Germany. Meanwhile, Marvin’s wife, Mary J (“Jo”), enjoyed a long and rich career as a high school teacher in addition to raising their son Scott, who is also a pilot today for American Airlines.
Build your Penn State Hazleton legacy! You remember attending Penn State Hazleton, meeting new friends and learning lifelong skills. Why not encourage family and friends to apply to Penn State Hazleton? More details on our alumni referral program will be announced in the next issue and at www.hn.psu.edu.
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Academics
Students, faculty honored at Academic Achievement ceremonies More than 280 students were honored for high scholastic achievement at Penn State Hazleton’s Academic Achievement Awards ceremonies in 2014 and 2015. Faculty members were also recognized for excellence in teaching, advising, research and technology integration. Chancellor Gary M. Lawler and Director of Academic Affairs Elizabeth J. Wright presented the awards during the ceremony in the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium. Read the full stories at www.hn.psu.edu.
Among the 2014 Scholar’s Lion award winners were, back row, from left, Abelina Barra, Kaitlin Gutherman, Richard Michael and Jacob Spies. Front row, from left, were Dr. Elizabeth Wright, Chancellor Gary Lawler and Faculty Marshal Jane Waitkus.
Faculty recognized during the 2014 event included, back row, from left, J. Alfredo Jimenez, associate professor of mathematics, who won the Charles T. Butler Technology and Teaching Award; Barbara Brazon, senior instructor in information sciences and technology, who earned the George T. Bobby Advising Award; Amie Yenser, senior instructor in biology, who was awarded the Penn State Hazleton Council Teaching Excellence Award and the Student Government Association Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year; and Zugang “Leo” Liu, assistant professor of business administration, who received the Penn State Hazleton Faculty Scholar Award.
Faculty recognized during the 2015 event included, front row, from left, Dr. David Starling, assistant professor of physics, who was named Student Government Association Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year; Ken Dudeck, associate professor of engineering and electrical engineering program coordinator, who earned the Penn State Hazleton Council Teaching Excellence Award; Dr. Jerry Pierce, assistant professor of history, who received the Charles T. Butler Technology and Teaching Award; Dr. Justin Nordstrom, associate professor of history and assistant director of academic affairs, who earned the George T. Bobby Advising Award; and Judith O’Donnell, instructor in English, who received the Outstanding Teaching Award for Parttime Faculty & Staff. Dr. Daniel Mansson, assistant professor in communication, arts and science, received the Penn State Hazleton Faculty Scholar Award. At back are Dr. Elizabeth Wright, Chancellor Gary Lawler, Faculty Marshal Gina Monks and Director of Student Services and Engagement Tracy Garnick.
Students earning the 2015 Scholar’s Lion Award were, front row, from left, Molly Maloney, Jessica Horlacher, Laurel Funk, Gabrielle Shermanski and Mia Casale. Back row, from left, Cruz Finnicum, Christian Fuller, Samuel Weldon, Dante Toth and Nelson Rodriguez.
Alumni Chapter and Alumni Society
Campus alumni chapter, society host nearly 450 at Welcome Weekend BBQ The Hazleton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and the Penn State Hazleton Alumni Society partnered to host a welcome barbecue for nearly 450 entering first-year students in August. As part of Welcome Weekend, Penn State Hazleton alumni, including Michael Heon ’99, president of the Hazleton Alumni Chapter, and Nick Roslevege ’88, president of the Penn State Hazleton Alumni Society, were on hand along with members of the
campus staff and student volunteers to help make the freshmen feel welcome. The barbecue was held at the campus pavilion. All first-year students in attendance were treated to a barbecue lunch, soft drinks and door prizes, along with a special invitation to join the Penn State Blue and White Society as a first step toward membership in the Alumni Association. Theresa and Patty Holly assisted in greeting students and dispensing door prizes.
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Academics
Penn State Hazleton commencement (continued from page 1) Zena-Marie Lewoc ’12 gave the address to the 2014 graduating class. Lewoc began her career in supply chain and logistics with Geisinger Health System just days after graduating from Penn State Hazleton. She earned several promotions during her first year and advanced to the position of sourcing specialist, responsible for managing contracts and participating in multi-million dollar initiatives. She was involved in numerous organizations including Student Government Association, THON, Council of Commonwealth Student Governments and Penn State Hazleton Campus Council. In addition to participating in a wide range of fundraising events for THON during her The Frank C. Kostos Award was presented to the students who achieved the highest grade-point averages in their respective degree programs during commencement both years.
Zena-Marie Lewoc ’12 addresses the graduates.
education at Penn State Hazleton, Lewoc danced in the 46-hour dance marathon which benefits pediatric cancer patients at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Through all of her involvement in activities, service and leadership opportunities at Penn State Hazleton, Lewoc excelled in the classroom and earned dean’s list honors throughout her collegiate career. The Frank C. Kostos Award was presented to the students who achieved the highest grade-point averages in their respective degree programs during commencement both years. For the complete story on Commencement 2015 and list of graduates, visit: http://www.hn.psu.edu/33576.htm. For the complete story on Commencement 2014 and list of graduates, visit: http://www.hn.psu.edu/33114.htm.
Campus News
Caccese retires after 40 years; Ehrie named new athletic director Dr. Tom Caccese, for whom the grades and other comments about players’ men’s basketball trophy is named in classwork on forms that Caccese inserted into the Penn State University Athletic their mailboxes twice a semester. Conference, retired from Penn State Jeff Rush, a recruit from Hazleton Area Hazleton after a 40-year career with High School in 1997, became an assistant the campus. Ryan Ehrie has been coach and succeeded Caccese as head coach named as Penn State Hazleton’s new at Penn State Hazleton. athletic director. “What really separated Dr. Caccese, what Caccese learned the balance bemakes him a great coach and great person, tween sports and school at Penn State is he always took an interest in you. Not just Hazleton, where he played basketball coaching you. He took you under the wing off while studying toward undergraduate the court as well,” Rush said. “As a father figdegrees in engineering and physical ure, he would take time to talk to you off the education. After earning advanced court, ask how your family was. He was just a Dr. Tom Caccese receives an award degrees in physical education and guy you could talk to if you had a problem.” from Chancellor Gary Lawler. sports administration, Caccese reStudents had an open invitation to stop turned to campus as men’s basketball coach, athletic director to talk in his office, where he advised engineering students and assistant professor of kinesiology. throughout his 40-year career and typically worked from 8 His teams won a conference record 459 games, but the each morning to 9 or 10 each night. For decades, Caccese Hazleton campus also produced a leading number of academ- served as chairman of men’s basketball for the Commonic all-conference athletes who maintained a grade average wealth Campus Athletic Conference and the Penn State Uniof at least 3.0. “I felt obligated to make sure they got through versity Athletic Conference that it has become. During Cacschool and graduated,” Caccese said. cese’s career, the conference grew from nine to 14 campuses Caccese, who had taken ballroom dance as an undergradand entered the USCAA, which crowns national champions in uate, used that to his advantage to get his job at Penn State six sports. In retirement, Caccese plans to Hazleton in 1974. Frank Kostos, the campus chancellor, said write a history about the conference. if Caccese expected to teach ordinary sports like basketball, Ryan Ehrie of Williamsburg, Va., came baseball and football, he was mistaken. Caccese suggested to the campus in October from the United ballroom dancing and got the job. States Collegiate Athletic Association. “Twelve thousand students later, it became one of my In his position, Ehrie will be responsible favorite classes to teach,” said Caccese, who also taught kinefor leading a dynamic athletics, recreation siology, sports history and badminton, in which he medaled and intramural program. Before joining the in the Pennsylvania State Senior Games. USCAA, Ehrie served as assistant athletic To keep players on track, Caccese enlisted the help of other director at Penn State Fayette from Ryan Ehrie professors, who wrote down the attendance records, quiz 2009-2012.
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Tournament raises $20,000 for Matthew J. Lamont Scholarship
Penn State alumni Rocco Cusat ’96, second from left, and Kevin Lamont ’80, third from left, presented a $20,000 contribution to the Matthew J. Lamont Scholarship at Penn State Hazleton. Accepting the donation were Dr. Gary Lawler, chancellor, right, and Kevin Salaway, director of development, left. A student at Penn State Hazleton, Matthew died in 2010 from Friedreich’s ataxia, a neuromuscular disease with which he lived for 14 years. Since his passing, an annual golf tournament has raised nearly $90,000 for the scholarship fund, which has awarded a total of nearly $11,000 to nine campus students. The Matthew J. Lamont Scholarship is one of 110 Penn State Hazleton scholarships available to students.
InsightOutlook is published two times a year by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at Penn State Hazleton. Office of Development and Alumni Relations · Penn State Hazleton · 76 University Drive · Hazleton, PA 18202
Kevin J. Salaway, Director Jackie B. Scarcella, Administrative Support Assistant
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