1846 Fall '23, Vol. 1, No. 3, Community by Saint Vincent College

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Dear Alumni, Friends, and Families,

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

t the heart of our heritage is the Benedictine Hallmark of “community.” It is a theme that echoes through the generations of Bearcats who have carried Saint Vincent’s values far and wide. Our community is not, however, an end in itself. Saint Benedict of Nursia (480-547) transformed monasticism in his day by writing his Holy Rule about cenobitic monasticism.The community is there to support each person in prayer, struggles, celebrations, and ultimately in each one’s search for God. The goal for Saint Vincent College is to help to form our students and graduates to have successful careers and meaningful lives. That is best done with the support of our community of faculty, alumni, and friends for our students and one another. We keep connected in many ways. This new issue of 1846: The Magazine of Saint Vincent College is just one of those ways. In these pages, we will celebrate the students who expand our community in the world. We will highlight the students who are creating connections with other Bearcats across the continental United States in a trip that is uniquely Saint Vincent. We will showcase how Saint Vincent is making an impact on our local community, both through the entrepreneurial pursuits of our talented alumni and through the relationships created between our Bearcats and local businesses and programs. To end, we will highlight the rich elements of our community that are fostered right here on campus. It is our hope that these stories will inspire you to reconnect, engage, and contribute to our unique and supportive Saint Vincent College community. Your voice, your experiences, and your unique perspectives are important as we continue to move our community forward, transforming lives and making a difference. Our alumni, students, faculty, and friends are present across the globe; they carry with them the Saint Vincent legacy of excellence, integrity, and service. Whether you find yourself dedicating your talents to professional achievements, contributing to your local community, or serving on a global scale, the spirit of Saint Vincent continues to shine brightly through your actions, inspiring others and making a profound contribution to our world.

Looking Forward,

Rev. Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B.

President

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Archabbot and Chancellor Rt. Rev. Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., S’85 President Rev. Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91 Executive Vice President/ Chief Operating Officer Jeff Mallory, Ed.D., C’06, G’13 Vice President of Marketing Simon Stuchlik, C’12 Editor-in-Chief Morgan Paris, C’16 Institutional Marketing Manager Art Director George Fetkovich, C’80 Designer Ellie Powell, C’22 Contributing Writers Noah Aftanas, C’21 Jim Bendel, C’60 Jim Berger, C’04 Courtney Cecere Guy Davis Zach Flock Madison Whitfield Andrew Julo Madison Kozera, C 24 Photography Alexander Byers, C’08 Liz Palmer Nicholas Schmidt Visit us on the web at 1846.stvincent.edu 1846@stvincent.edu

contents

4 Bearcats in the Wild

Students find adventure across the globe.

10 Partnering Progress

The College engages with the city of Latrobe’s revitalization.

15 Cheers to Beer

The spirit of beer, Benedictines, and community.

18 48 in 48

Bearcats traverse the continental United States.

24 Community Theatre

DEPARTMENTS 2 21 22 30 32

News Briefs From the Archives Office Space Class Notes By the Numbers

Check out the next installment of

1846: The Podcast

featuring Lee Intachai, Assistant Director, Community Relations and Outreach

The College Players find community and a sense of purpose in theatre.

27 The College Connection Saint Vincent Magazine, 1846, (United States Postal Service Publication Number USPS 5144-8000) is published by Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for alumni, parents and friends. Thirdclass postage paid at Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Alumni Office, Saint Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690. Saint Vincent College reserves the right to accept or decline submissions of both information and photos for use in the Saint Vincent Magazine, based on content, quality, timeliness and suitability, at the discretion of the editor. Saint Vincent College subscribes to a policy of equal opportunity in the classroom, workplace and programs, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, veteran status, national origin, marital status, genetic history or disability. To learn more, visit: http://www. stvincent.edu/Legal-Information/.

Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat.

28 Nothing Short of Excellence

Operational Excellence in action.

ON THE COVER The Saint Vincent community consists of a colorful global network in a photographic illustration by art director George Fetkovich.

news briefs BLS UNVEILS NEW AWARD

Council of Advisors

English Majors Recognized

Dr. Michael Urick announced

wo Saint Vincent

new members to the Council

English majors

of Advisors for the McKenna

received recognition for

School. The new Council

their works and presented

members include Paige

at separate conferences

Casario, C’18; Chilufya

while representing SVC. Elizabeth Elin, C’23, presented her senior thesis

t their annual dinner, the Benedictine Leadership Studies (BLS) program revealed its new Abramovic Award for Leadership Excellence, which was created to honor the founder of the BLS program, Professor Mark Abramovic. The first recipient of the award was Julia Sarnowski, a recent May 2023 graduate.

Mashambe, C’17; Thomas McKee, C’15, G’17; Barb Bobula, G’17; James Buscaglio, C’04; and Gregory Fajt, C’77.

at the National Undergraduate

SBDC Awarded

Literature Con-

In early May 2023,

ference, while

the Small Business

Sophie Neubert,

Development Center

C 24, presented

(SBDC) at Saint Vincent

a paper at the

College was named the

Sigma Tau Delta

Western Pennsylvania,

International

Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic

English Honors Society

Region Small Business

conference and took

Development Center of

home an honorable mention for the Beth DeMeo Poetry Award.

the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBDC, which is part of the McKenna School, bested more than 45 centers in the region to net the title.

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Lee Intachai was appointed the assistant director of community relations and outreach in June 2023. Having previously served the college as the director of catering of Parkhurst, Intachai looks forward to aiding the SVC community in a new way.

SPRING COMMENCEMENT

n May 13, Saint Vincent College held its 177th Spring

Commencement in the Robert S.

Carey Student Center gymnasium, where William Strickland delivered the principal address. Over 281 students were awarded with bachelor’s or master’s degrees, in addition to twentyfour August graduates and six members from the Bearcat B.E.S.T. Transition Program who walked and received certificates of completion.

FACULTY FAREWELL This year, there are a number of faculty retiring from Saint Vincent College. Dr. William Hisker, Mr. Thomas Holowaty, and Dr. Caryl Fish are retiring from the College faculty while Father Emmanuelle Afunugo is retiring from the Seminary faculty. We thank them for their time and dedication to the community.

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On April 26, 2023, Saint Vincent College presented a number of awards at the Spring Honors Convocation, where Theodore J. Chavez, C’08, delivered the convocation address. At the event, Dr. Justin Petrovich, C’14, received the Quentin Schaut Faculty Award; Dr. Jennifer Koehl received the Boniface Wimmer Faculty Award; and Father Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., C’07, S’14, received the Student Government Administration Award. Haoyu “Leonard” Wang, C’23, was presented with the President’s Award.

SPRING

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Dr. Helen K. Burns was appointed as the Rev. Owen Roth, O.S.B, Inaugural Chair of the Department of Nursing. With expertise in her field, Burns will be able to further develop and direct the new Bachelor of Science in nursing degree at Saint Vincent College to push SVC’s nursing program to new heights.

Read more and get the latest Saint Vincent College news at 1846.stvincent.edu/news.

rom Aurelius Hall to the Dupré Science Pavilion, and from the meals and memories of the Community Center to the laughs of

the residence halls, Saint Vincent College is home. But home also means having the support to extend comfort zones and push boundaries. This spring, some of our students took that metaphor literally. Instead of spending the week with family and friends, or simply going home to relax, these Bearcats spent their spring break boarding an airplane to travel thousands of miles away from Latrobe. More than 65 students took the opportunity to venture into the wild on one of six different study abroad trips. From Dublin, Ireland, to Dakar, Senegal; Munich, Germany, and to Rome, Italy; even Antigua, Guatemala, and London, United Kingdom, the Bearcats made their mark in the world, taking in their newfound knowledge and expanding their horizons.

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Galway and Dublin, Ireland

A trip to the European Union took Bearcats to the country of Ireland. Visiting both Dublin and Galway, this study abroad trip was a twofor-one deal for the students. Aligning with the teachings of their class “Folklore in Irish Childhood,” the trip allowed students to broaden their understanding of teachings in Irish classrooms, specifically the various literature and folklore the children learn. “We traveled to Ireland to immerse ourselves in the Irish culture and collect our own folklore through the locals,” said Cera Hissem, a senior majoring in criminology, law, and society and minoring in legal studies and psychology. With the kindness of the Irish, the students jumped right in and immediately felt welcomed. “All the locals had no problem sharing their stories; they were some of the nicest people I have ever met,” said Hissem. Diving right into the culture of Ireland, the Bearcats experienced the vibrant social life of both Galway and Dublin while visiting some historical landmarks. “Some of my favorite moments were the pub life we got to experience and the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare,” said Hissem. “This is something I had on my bucket list to visit, and it was such an amazing experience.” The trip served as an exceptional opportunity for Hissem to experience travel and learn all about the country she hopes to travel back to. “This was my first flight—I had to get over my fear, and I’m so glad I did,” said Hissem. “I have been looking at master’s programs [in Ireland] to study international human rights law.”

London, United Kingdom

Students in one of the most popular classes in the English Department, “Shakespeare in London,” boarded their plane to London, UK, during spring break to explore the city and its profound history. “It was an English major’s dream,” said Angel Scalamonga, a May 2023 graduate who also earned a minor in music. “There is so much history of the English language engulfed in the city of London, and it was incredible to see how literature has developed.” Studying numerous Shakespearean plays and English literature, the Bearcats found themselves in the middle of a once-in-alifetime opportunity. “[During class], we studied Titus Andronicus and were actually able to watch it at the famous Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre,” recalled Scalamonga. “Our group spent a lot of time on Shakespeare Walking Tours throughout London, as well as getting to spend a day in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon,” said Scalamonga. The Bearcats were all over the map in London, touring museums, walking down Abbey Road, visiting the Churchill War Rooms, and more. “One of my favorite experiences [was visiting] the Tower of London and learning about some of the most famous prisoners there,” shared Scalamonga. “Visiting Westminster Abbey and the final resting places of famous individuals such as Stephen Hawking, Charles Dickens, Plato, and more was a moment I will never forget. “From a backstage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to viewing hundreds of years’ worth of official Crown Jewels and seeing King Charles leave Buckingham Palace, [the trip] was unforgettable.”

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Munich, Germany

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The McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government hosted a study abroad trip to Germany. In line with some of the current curriculum and course offerings of the McKenna School, the trip to Germany gave students a new perspective into the world of business while exploring a new country. “We got to experience new culture, build connections and relationships with professors and other students,” said Julie Zhu, a senior business economics and international business double major. “We visited the Operational Excellence Lean Lab at Kufstein University in the Alps and Matthews International to see how businesses operate in other countries. “My favorite experience was standing in the Neuschwanstein Castle looking out and admiring the world we live in,” expressed Zhu. She was ecstatic over the opportunity to travel abroad and brought home some memories to last a lifetime. “I got to see the world from a different perspective, and it inspires me to be more of a global citizen and to appreciate the opportunities I have.” She even brought home memories that tickled the mind. “I learned that you have to pay to use the bathroom. And it’s crazy to me that water is more expensive than beer in Germany!” Zhu loved the trip, expressing how rewarding the experience was for her to be overseas with her classmates and professors. “It truly is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss out on.”

Rome, Italy

An annual trek into the country of Italy offers seniors in the Benedictine Leadership Studies (BLS) program the chance to visit Rome at the conclusion of their studies. The four-year program covers leaders and their leadership styles that helped shape Western civilization, originating from the visionaries who contributed to the construction of Rome. “It was a cultural, historical, and religious experience tied up in one,” shared Genevieve LaFosse, a May 2023 graduate of the communication and BLS programs. This trip had special importance for LaFosse, whose education has allowed her to come full circle after having an interest in Italian culture from a young age. “From Michelangelo and things that I’ve learned about since middle school, to Caesar and Saint Benedict, whom I learned about at SVC, and the Vatican, which connects to Catholicism, it was great to finally connect the dots between what I have learned.” During their time in Rome, the students explored the history of the city and its connection to Catholicism. “We got to go into the catacombs under the Basilica of San Sebastiano,” said LaFosse. “We saw the “THIS TRIP places where early Christians R E A L LY worshiped, buried the ENRICHED MY dead, and hid as they were FA I T H A N D persecuted by the Romans. E V E N G AV E M E A It was incredible to see the PERSPECTIVE ON tombs and mausoleums THE HISTORY OF where some of the saints were buried.” R O M A N C U LT U R E . Visiting unique landmarks IT’S A ONCEof Rome, such as Monte IN-A-LIFETIME Cassino, the first Benedictine E X P E R I E N C E .” Monastery, and the Vatican, the students were exposed to some of the deepest parts of history revolving around the Catholic faith and Roman traditions. “My favorite experience on this trip was walking up to the top of the Dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica,” said Andrew Kunz, a May 2023 graduate of the finance program. “[We] could take in the view of the whole city.” Traveling to Rome served as more than just a spiritual journey: it was one that strengthened passions for the future. “I feel more comfortable traveling outside the United States,” said Kunz. “With a career in finance, I hope to have the opportunity to travel internationally in the future.” After the coursework of the previous years, the trip served as a final opportunity for students to dive deeper into their faith while still at Saint Vincent. “This trip really enriched my faith and even gave me a perspective on the history of Roman culture,” said LaFosse. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Antigua, Guatemala

Travel south of the border affords rich cultural experiences to those who venture there. The countries that make up Central America also provide exceptional learning opportunities, especially around the topic of nutrition. As part of their anthropology course, “Culture and Health in Guatemala,” many Bearcats boarded the plane headed for Antigua. They were fully engrossed in the culture, trying unique foods, engaging with the locals, and developing a deeper understanding of nourishment in the country. “The class traveled to Guatemala to learn about malnutrition from a holistic perspective,” said Madilyn Thompson, a May 2023 graduate of the Anthropology and Communication Departments. “I learned how malnutrition is a result of far more than just biology and poor eating habits. It’s the result of many intertwined social, cultural, economic, and political factors.” The students in the class fully immersed themselves in the ethos of Antigua, from ziplining and taking a lancha (a light sailing ship) across Lake Atitlán to trying new foods. “One of my favorite experiences was visiting a secondgrade class and participating in a cultural exchange,” said Thompson. Thompson shared her gratitude for the knowledge and ability to participate in the educational journey. “One of my biggest goals in life is to be able to help people,” said Thompson. “This trip showed me the small, everyday ways you can do that.”

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Dakar, Senegal

One of the most unique study abroad opportunities came through the monastic connections of Saint Vincent. The monks of Keur Moussa Monastery welcomed a few administrators, including Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., president; Dr. Jeff Mallory, executive vice president; Father François Diouf, O.S.B.; Dr. Dana Winters, assistant vice president for student success and retention, and five Fred Rogers Scholars, into their guest house for the week. The trip served as an opportunity to create and foster relationships between Saint Vincent College and the Keur Moussa Monastery, of which Father François is a member. While in Senegal, the group appreciated many aspects of the culture, including the monastery’s use of the kora, a string instrument common in West Africa, in Catholic Mass. “We learned about how Keur Moussa implements the kora, how they live, the culture of Dakar, and especially how the monastery has taken on Laudato Si, the second encyclical of Pope Francis,” said Gina Beneccio, a junior early childhood education major with a minor in SA I N T

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children’s studies. From riding camels to visiting the Museum of Black Civilization, the group participated in many cultural activities. “One of the most memorable parts of the trip was ‘Strings Time,’ where one of the monks played the kora for us while sitting in a beautiful hut outside the church,” said Beneccio. “My favorite part was visiting Gorée Island, a beautiful place to walk around.” This study abroad trip to Senegal also fostered a greater sense of appreciation for some things that we often take for granted in many of the students. “I am more grateful than ever for even the smallest things, like a hot shower,” said Isaiah McElroy, a May 2023 graduate of the Communication Department. McElroy and Beneccio shared such enthusiasm for the chance to spread their wings. “If you can travel to another country, then you should take the opportunity to. I believe this is the best thing that happened to me during my life so far,” said McElroy. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I sometimes still can’t believe I had,” said Beneccio. “I loved every minute that I was there.”

Into the wild the Bearcats went, with excitement and eagerness to experience something new. Educated and exhilarated, they returned home with new stories to tell, photos to share, and memories to take with them forever. Each travel experience brought unique opportunities for our students to explore the world, create connections, and deepen their faith. Their flights brought them home with new perspectives on the world, showing once again that at Saint Vincent College, learning doesn’t end within the walls of Placid, Alfred, or Prep Hall. Instead, it is just the beginning of a transformative journey, partaken by Bearcats bound together for life and across continents. ♦

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n already deep partnership between Saint Vincent College and the Latrobe community looks to expand even further with grant funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. Funded by the Foundation’s Economic Development Program, the grant is supporting a crosssector partnership that leverages and aligns collective resources to develop a vision, strategy, and plan for the future of Latrobe, with a focus on downtown revitalization. Dr. Jeff Mallory, Saint Vincent College executive vice president and chief operating officer, was honored to learn that Saint Vincent College was chosen as a recipient of the grant.

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Briana Tomack, president of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce; Linda McKenna Boxx, chair of the McKenna Foundation; and Lee Intachai, assistant director of community relations and outreach at Saint Vincent College.

“The Richard King Mellon Foundation was looking for colleges and universities that have a strong presence in terms of partnerships outside of their institutional walls and within their local communities,” said Mallory. “And the Foundation knew there were already longstanding commitments and relationships Saint Vincent had within Latrobe and that we were already an outstanding partner in the community.” Mallory and Saint Vincent leadership collaborated with Linda McKenna Boxx, chair of the Latrobe-based Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation, in preparing the official grant proposal. A former member of the Saint Vincent College Board of Directors, Boxx and her family have deep ties to the College, and she shared Mallory’s sentiments on receiving the grant. “It was a great compliment,” she said, “and energizing, given the good start

Latrobe was making in its revitalization. We had completed a blight study through Westmoreland County and were working to update Latrobe’s zoning ordinance. We have seen the private sector step up with some great redevelopment projects, and we felt that we could use this opportunity to dig deeper into some of the opportunities and engage more people in the process.” Boxx quickly took a valuable leadership role in planning the grant’s execution, convening a small group of leaders to begin collective discussions. Through a memo of understanding among these partners, a process was defined for moving projects forward and committing grant funds. In the hometown of Fred Rogers, the planning committee was aptly named the Be My Neighbor Committee. Chaired by Mallory, the committee is comprised of leaders from SVC, the Greater Latrobe School District, the city of Latrobe, Independence Health, the Latrobe Community Revitalization Program, and the Latrobe Foundation, along with representatives from the Greater LatrobeLaurel Valley Chamber of Commerce and other business owners and professionals.

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The group has identified pillars on which to dedicate resources and grant funding, including connecting Latrobe’s downtown area with Legion-Keener Park, examining ways to enhance broad recreational opportunities within and around the city of Latrobe, improving housing resources within the city, and continuing the ongoing revitalization of Latrobe’s downtown area. Subcommittees have been developed dedicated to the execution of each pillar, with representation from Saint Vincent College included in each subcommittee. Mallory explained that the Be My Neighbor Committee is utilizing the funds as a planning grant, conducting thorough studies to determine the next steps necessary in carrying out the pillars. “We’re able to get people together to brainstorm. There is typically a continuous cycle for planning grants like this if needed, and we’re looking to use this seed money as hopefully a precursor to the next grant cycle.” The connecting of downtown Latrobe to Legion-Keener Park, one of the largest hubs of outdoor recreational activity in Westmoreland County, was identified as a priority due to both the aging population residing within the city and an upcoming extensive renovation of Memorial Stadium, located within the park, with plans calling for the expansion of its track to allow more competitions, both at the high school level and for the SVC track and field program. In addition to the plans for the track team, Saint Vincent’s physical presence in downtown Latrobe has recently grown with the relocation of its Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) from Aurelius Hall to 911 Ligonier Street in the heart of the city. “If you look outside from the SBDC offices toward Legion-Keener,” said Mallory, “there’s a clear corridor that we can really focus on to concentrate our efforts.” The committee is working to develop a survey of sidewalk conditions and ADA compliance in the corridor, as well as developing clear signage to aid pedestrians in accessing the park.

MEET THE

In addition to Legion-Keener, Latrobe boasts an array of outdoor recreation spaces with a multitude of playgrounds; the creation of new boat launches along Loyalhanna Creek; and a trio of trails for walkers, joggers, and cyclists, including the Saint Vincent-Latrobe Trail, the Lincoln Avenue Trail, and the Creekside Trail. The second pillar intends to create a public GIS map of out-door recreational areas within the city, fulfill a study and create a focus group for users of the trails and boat launches, and identify future outdoor recreation wants and needs in the Latrobe community. “We intend to have GIS mapping so that those who may be new to Latrobe can instantly find the locations of these trails, parks, boat launches, athletic fields, and playgrounds,” said Mallory. “We’re looking at ways to connect the Lincoln Avenue and Saint Vincent-Latrobe trails, and we’re doing focus groups, which will include Saint Vincent students and members of the Saint Vincent Community, to look at how to better utilize these assets. This will all help us create a wish list for things we want to do moving forward.” The third pillar was developed, in part, after a blight study of Latrobe conducted by the Westmoreland County Planning Commission and aims to develop plans for the rehabilitation of houses and an increase of owner-occupied homes within the city. Along with improving current housing conditions and making the city more attractive to homebuyers, Mallory believes that this initiative will also prove beneficial for Saint Vincent’s commuter population.

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Ambassadors In her role as assistant director for community relations and outreach, Lee Intachai has worked tirelessly at maintaining and strengthening the relationship between the College and the local community since her appointment in April, most notably spearheading the launch of the new Saint Vincent College Ambassador Program, which utilizes SVC students to promote the College throughout the area. More than 20 current students have been enlisted to the Ambassador Program for 2023-24, while several current high school seniors intending to attend Saint Vincent in 2024 are also taking part. Since the Program’s launch, Intachai’s team has hit the ground running, participating in community events; volunteering with community groups including Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Three Rivers Youth; and being active on campus with Pittsburgh Steelers training camp the SVC Orientation Program for incoming freshmen.

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“We want to make sure that our students who live downtown are in really nice areas and not in adverse situations,” added Mallory. The fourth pillar targets downtown business assistance, economic development, and community health. Consisting of two segments, it will feature heavy involvement from Saint Vincent College. The first segment will aim to strengthen current community business partnerships and identify new opportunities for student internships and full-time employment with local talent. Plans call for the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Education Foundation to partner with Saint Vincent faculty, as well as its Office of Career and Professional Development and Office of Community and Global Engagement, to assess community and industry needs to create a new ecosystem of pedagogy resulting in student placement within the Latrobe community. Noting that twenty-four percent of Saint Vincent students land careers in Westmoreland County after graduation, Mallory said there will be a focus on attracting these graduates to careers in Latrobe. “Saint Vincent is well-known for keeping students here in the region,” he said. “But, how can we drill that down even further and look at keeping more of them in Latrobe?” A survey will be developed for downtown business owners, Saint Vincent students and faculty, and Greater Latrobe students, while a thorough market analysis will be completed for business partnerships and enhancements. For the second segment, the SVC SBDC and the Latrobe Community Revitalization Program will partner with consultants to perform a cost-benefit analysis for targeted industries that could relocate into downtown Latrobe and conduct surveys and meetings to assess the needs of current Latrobe business owners to retain and enhance their businesses. “This pillar is probably the most critical,” said Mallory, “because it’s strengthening all of the community-based partnerships that we have. There has been a lot of enthusiasm surrounding this pillar. It has brought people together who are looking at the next ten to fifteen years for downtown Latrobe, and it allows us to make sure that Saint Vincent is a good steward and truly aligned with the city’s economic revitalization.” 14

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There is no definitive timetable for the fulfillment of each pillar, though Boxx said that progress has already been made in several areas. “Some of the smaller pieces or projects are compelling and low-hanging fruit,” she said. “We are trying to implement them as soon as we can. The best example of this was when pillars one and two, before they were combined, met with a group of Saint Vincent faculty and Student Government reps. When asked whether they ever came into Latrobe, the response was, ‘We didn’t know what Latrobe has to offer!’ and it put the onus right back on us. We are developing a website to nicely show the recreational opportunities in the area, with the GIS work part of the planning phase. We also quickly realized that signage to

our town, parks, and stadium was woefully inadequate, inconsistent, and confusing, and we are developing a comprehensive signage system to address this need.” While Saint Vincent College is the recipient of the grant, Mallory emphasized that its execution is a truly collaborative effort by the many entities represented on the Be My Neighbor Committee. “There has been a very conscious effort to get the who’s who of Latrobe business and commerce involved,” he said. “From economic, education, and health standpoints, each of these entities have an impact on how one grows up in and experiences Latrobe. There is truly a shared accountability with this committee, and this is really important because we all have our areas of expertise. All of us are committed partners in the community, and it’s important that we keep that alignment. “This kind of work is complex and can take you in a number of different ways” he continued, “but has so far been really wonderful for us, as it truly cements us as a community partner and shows that we are invested in Latrobe.” ♦ 2 0 2 3

S T O R Y Morgan Paris

aint Vincent College was never going to be a dry campus. Not that that ever should have been up for debate for an institution with a German heritage even more rich than the darkest, smoothest Stout beer you can find; for those who’ve called Saint Vincent home, it could never even be a consideration. And for them, drinking the beer was only part of it; really, it was about the community fostered throughout the brewing process and the celebration of an age-old tradition. But there were some who only saw bringing beer to a Benedictine monastery as a way to create disorder and conflict. The truncated history of beer at Saint Vincent College is this: Saint Vincent founder Archabbot Boniface Wimmer took over control of a struggling pub and brewery his nephew ran in

P H O T O G R A P H Y SVC Archives and Liz Palmer

Indiana, Pennsylvania, with the hope of continuing the age-old traditions of the monasteries in his home of Bavaria: brewing and selling beer to the public. Bishop Michael O’Connor’s diocese encompassed Saint Vincent Monastery and College, and he, like many American Catholic clergy at the time, was strongly in support of promoting temperance and demanded that both pub and brewery be closed immediately. Wimmer closed the pub but refused to close the brewery. O’Connor was less than pleased. Conflict ensued. Anti-beer propaganda was employed. The King of Bavaria (yes, the actual King of Bavaria, who, quite luckily for Wimmer, enjoyed beer very much and recognized its cultural significance in this issue) got involved. Letters were written to the Vatican. Suddenly, there was a very real chance that a significant

part Saint Vincent’s German heritage would be all but erased. Tensions between Wimmer and O’Connor were high. Ultimately, though, Wimmer was granted permission by Pope Pius IX himself both to continue brewing beer at the brewery in Indiana and brew beer at the monastery. In fact, and much to O’Connor’s chagrin, a number of supporters of Saint Vincent in Bavaria collected enough money to not only send a brewmaster to America with Wimmer but also to build a brewery at Saint Vincent—something that wasn’t even in Wimmer’s original plans. Wimmer sold the brewery in Indiana, and soon a new brewery was built at Saint Vincent next to the Gristmill. Waiting until O’Connor retired in 1860, Wimmer broke in his new brewery with the first official Saint Vincent Beer—a dark lager.

Members of the Saint Vincent Community the S A I Ncontinuing T VI NC E N T tradition C O L L E G Eof brewing | 1 9 and gathering over beer in the 1970s.

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Jeff Guidos, C’94, founder and head brewer at All Saints Brewing Company.

“Saint Vincent’s relationship with the Straub family goes way back,” explains Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., College president. And indeed it does: in the early 1850s, Wimmer helped to establish a Benedictine monastery in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. When Peter Straub arrived in St. Marys in 1872 shortly after emigrating from Germany, he began brewing beer, all the while forming relationships with the monks and priests living at the monastery and eventually sending his son, Jacob, who would take the name Father Gilbert, to Saint Vincent. Jacob would be the first of many Straubs to attend Saint Vincent, and Peter would start Bill Brock, C’87, a legacy of brewing. president and CEO; Father Paul is one of the and Vince Assetta, C’87, vice president, general most recent Straubs to attend manager, and head Saint Vincent College. He brewer at Straub. came to SVC with his cousin, Bill Brock, C’87, in 1983. The two became close friends with Vince Assetta, C’87, and when Bill became Straub’s CEO, he quickly invited Vince to become CFO. “In many ways, Straub Beer and St. Marys are synonymous, and Straub Beer has played an important role in the lives and times of people in St. Marys and Saint Vincent,” explains Assetta, vice president, general manager, and head brewer at Straub. And that role is such that it’s not only nigh impossible to go to any event serving alcohol on campus and not have your choice of Straub Amber or one of its lagers— but the Straub family have also created an endowed scholarship for SVC’s students. What’s more, though, is the spiritual foundation both of Straub and SVC. “There’s a spiritual nature to brewing beer,” expressed Brock, president and CEO of Straub. “Making beer requires a skilled brewer to perform certain steps and follow a sequential procedure, which over time produces this transformation—that is what I consider the spiritual component: the gift of beer.”

A LL SA INT(S) VINCENT There may be a spiritual nature to brewing beer, but if you ask Jeff Guidos, C’94, there’s a spiritual nature to naming those brews, too. “I wanted to throw a shoutout to Saint Vincent,” explained Guidos, founder of All Saints and head brewer. He originally wanted to name the brewery after a saint, but with over 10,000 saints recognized by the

Catholic church, it was difficult to pick. “So, I called my priest and said, ‘Hey, can we call the place All Saints?’ and he was like, ‘Sure,’ so now we just name some beers after different saints.” Some of the brewery’s more saintly offerings now include St. Dora, a rotating fruit ale; St. Bart’s “Festiv-Ale;” St. Mosey’s Black Pilsner; and St. Drogo’s Coffee Porter. Perhaps destined to go into brewing, Guidos graduated from SVC with a degree in chemistry. He taught for a few years in Maryland before returning to the area to work for Red Star Brewery & Grill in Greensburg. Red Star turned off its taps in 2010, and the owner sold all of the brewing equipment to Guidos, who set up shop in what was formerly a discount bread store—“It’s a liquid bread store now,” laughed Guidos over a pint in the All Saints taproom, where you can either sit at the bar, in a booth, or in reclaimed church pews. “I wouldn’t be here without Saint Vincent,” Guidos remarked before grabbing a decal with the All Saints logo on it and sliding it across the bar. “I gotta show you this. So, our All Saints logo, right? If you turn it upside down, it’s an S and a V for Saint Vincent.”

B E N E DICT I N E BR EWS About twenty minutes away from All Saints and just three minutes away from the Saint Vincent campus is Four Seasons Brewing. Founded by Mark Pavlik, who attended Saint Vincent for a short period, the brewery has become a go-to spot and gathering place for the Saint Vincent and Latrobe communities. “Craft beer

in general is more about community,” expressed Pavlik. “It’s the atmosphere,” added Eamon McDonough, C’09, one of the brewers at Four Seasons. “A lot of locals come here, and then they talk to people who haven’t been here, and then those people become locals, and it’s just this big community, growing within Four Seasons.” And the community and culture of brewing is growing well outside the four walls of Four Seasons: in Rio de Janeiro, at São Bento Priory, a group of Benedictine, Brazilian monks have launched the monastery’s own label of craft beer, called “Mosteiro.” An extension of the monastery’s bakery, Mosteiro is small production but wildly popular, having sold well over 2,000 units since its launch.

A C RA F TED CONNECTION When Wimmer took over the brewery in Indiana, his goal was to bail out his nephew and bring the heritage of monastic beer brewing to the newly-founded Saint Vincent community. But, maybe unknowingly, the Projektenmacher tapped the keg on a culture that would go on long after a bishop conceded, long after the ratification of the 18th amendment, and long after brewery buildings burned down. There may no longer be “Saint Vincent Beer,” but there is Saint Vincent beer—up the road, across the state, down south, and in every brewery and taproom and garage homebrew set up created by a Bearcat who’s fostering the same community and connection through hops and barley and wheat that Wimmer was a short 170 years ago. ♦

Eamon McDonough, C’09, brewer at Four Seasons Brewing Company.

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STORY

Madison Whitfield

hat do the continental United States, a group of college students, and a lacrosse coach all have in common? The number 48. There are 48 continental states in the US, and that group of students and the coach? They set out to travel to all of them…in 48 days. Led by Jym Walters, C’96, associate director of campus life and student recreation, head Women’s Lacrosse coach, and assistant Women’s Tennis coach, a group of students from all academic backgrounds have been given the opportunity, entirely unique to Saint Vincent, to take on what can only be described as an adventure of Vernian proportions: travel the country in 48 days. As they traveled across the nation after the school year ended, their journey was documented through different legs of the trip and highlighted on Instagram, @svc48in48. Each day, the recaps

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shared their adventures and even noted what their song and bird of the day were. While the goal was to visit 48 states in 48 days, there was also another theme at play: captured were not only impressive scenic images of national parks, mountains, and sunsets, but also the smiles of individuals—and Bearcats—they met along the way, showing that the Bearcat community extends well beyond the five-mile radius of our campus in Latrobe. Whether current students, alumni, friends, or even incoming and future Bearcats, the students on the 2022 trip were able to meet with over a dozen members of the SVC community from New York to California and nearly every state in between. This fast-paced trip, then, is far from a relaxing vacation: it provides an exciting and fulfilling experience for students, allowing them to not only see new places but also grow as individuals and recognize the opportunities that await them after graduation. Connecting with alumni from various states adds a unique dimension to the journey as students learn from their experiences and gain insights into different career paths and life after Saint Vincent. In 2022, Margaret “Maggie” Edwards, C 24, participated in the entire trip, and as she prepared to embark on the 2023 summer trip, she reflected on her experience. Read on to get Maggie’s highlights.

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FIRST LEG After receiving a blessing and send-off from Father Max, Sister Maria, and Sister Donatha, we departed from the Basilica at sunrise on May 9, 2022, for the first leg of our trip, which would cover the southeastern portion of the United States. This section included unforgettable views of clouds forming along the tips

of Mount Mitchell in South Dakota, right in front of us, and unforgettable memories of swimming side-by-side with manatees in Wakulla Springs, Florida. We also formed a special connection with a couple, Aunt Sally and Uncle Chuck, who welcomed us into their home and gave us the ultimate Louisville, Kentucky, experience. In between each of these unforgettable moments were even more exceptional adventures. From eating breakfast with alumna Judy Spelz Haas, C’10, G’12, and her family in Frostburg, Maryland; to hiking Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, with alumnus Theo Chavez, C’08; Lenna

Vaughn, and Anna Archibald; and exploring Branson, Missouri, with alumna Cori Britt, C’96, we students embraced the opportunity to hear from generations of SVC alumni and their unforgettable times as Bearcats themselves. Passing along stories old and new, sharing laughs, hugs, and lots of smiles, and saying “see you later” were vital parts of experiencing just this first part of the United States and the outreach Saint Vincent and its community have made on the world outside of Latrobe.

Students Kaylee Bandow, C‘23, RJ Kenna, C 24, Taylor Hochard, C 24, Lauren Krecota, C‘22 and Maggie Edwards, C 24, reach the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire.

SECOND LEG Although the shortest section of this forty-eightday trip, venturing across nine New England states in just eight days easily made this trip one of my most memorable. Given the opportunity to experience many new things for the first time and joined by some of my closest friends while celebrating my birthday and traveling through multiple states in just a few hours created the ultimate road-trip experience. We started off by meeting with alumna Jess Morrell, C’04, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, who told amazingly entertaining stories originating from the first Saint Vincent Outdoors Club adventure in 2004. After stopping along the beaches of Rhode Island and Connecticut, we continued traveling north to meet up with alumna Alexis Oropallo, C’16, to hike Watkins Glen State Park in New York and sail across Seneca Lake with the father of former soccer coach Becky Stewart. Along with that, in between all the time spent in the car, there were a lot of fun sights and exciting adventures, like seeing shooting stars in Quechee, Vermont; swimming in waterfalls and mountain water runoff in Grafton Notch State Park, Maine; and riding a train up to the peak of Mount Washington, New Hampshire. We went on sunset hikes in New Hampshire and tried our hands at tracking animals like moose and bears along the wooded roads. But, the adventures and stories don’t stop there, as each day brought a new Saint Vincent and Benedictine connection, a recurring theme that was seen throughout the entirety of the expedition. THIRD LEG Our voyage across the western part of the United States was the most exciting and striking section of this trip. Crossing new landscapes, seeing new

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animals, and experiencing new cultures opened up an entirely new world we had yet to discover. But the best thing about this leg of the trip was who we would discover all of these new experiences with. From meeting with alumnus Bryan Pizzuti, C’96, and former field hockey coach Paul Ferzt in West Bloomfield, Michigan; to unexpectedly running into alumna Linger Williams’, C’20, family at mass in Wall, South Dakota; to taking a tour of Abbots Passage Winery in Glen Ellen, California, with alumnus Kyle Kuklewski, C’09; Father Cassian Edwards, S’21; and tennis coach and alumnus Brian Niemic, C’17, all on our journey out west, it soon became apparent just how far Saint Vincent College and its seminary have reached outside its home base in Latrobe. Of course, the connections didn’t stop there; as we made our voyage back east, we continued to find past, present, and future Bearcat families along the way. After a fun day of swimming in Lake Tahoe, we found our way to Reno, Nevada, “the biggest little city in the world,” to explore and have dinner with former assistant men’s lacrosse coach Andrew Haas and his wife, Marni. Soon after, we stopped

in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for history and cultural lessons at the New Mexico History Museum, journeyed to Chimayo, and then finished off in Albuquerque with a Saint Vincent-style dinner filled with family, laughter, and well-wishes. This dinner party was made up of Bearcats old and new, such as alumnus Tim Chavez, C’21, and his family; freshman Izzy Jolly, C 26, and her family; and, of course, the current members of the Outdoors Club. This trip solidified our appreciation and gratitude for Saint Vincent College and the memories, adventures, and, most importantly, the community it has provided us with and will continue to provide us over our time at SVC and beyond. ♦

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Brother Timothy Waid as a young infirmarian taking the pulse of a patient.

FROM THE

ARCHIVES By Guy Davis, Archivist and Collection Curator

he Benedictine communities founded by Boniface Wimmer in America were devoted to the service of God, the pursuit of learning, and the education of youth. Before those directives could be fully implemented, however, land had to be cleared, crops planted, sources of energy harnessed, and shelters constructed. One group of monks known as the laybrothers was tasked with the building of the Saint Vincent campus and with providing for the needs of the monastery, parish, and school. Saint Vincent Archabbey and College, like most other institutions today, now rely upon outside sources to furnish basic needs and materials. But, shortly after its founding, the Archabbey, Seminary, College, and Parish developed into a totally self-sufficient community due in large part to the skillsets found among the laybrothers. These men of various backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures were industrious, driven, and focused. Among their group were farmers, carpenters, cooks, brewers, blacksmiths, printers, tinsmiths, dairymen, butchers, barbers, surveyors, painters, artists, sculptors, coalminers, masons, coopers, and infirmarians. The products of their labors can still be seen today among the many buildings, statues, furnishings, and edifices that they constructed from the natural resources of the region, and several buildings on campus continue to hold some of the implements once utilized by the lay-brothers. The old Abbey Press building, for example, which stands near the main entrance to campus, contains woodworking machinery and tools used by the carpenters who erected buildings and crafted furnishings from the oak, chestnut, and walnut trees harvested on Chestnut Ridge. An old printing press still resides in one corner of that same building. Near the powerhouse and just below Parking Lot B stands a building referred to as the “tin shop.” Within that building, members of the lay-brother community once shod horses and mules, butchered cattle, processed and stored food products, and fabricated construction

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materials and implements out of metal. A pair of tongs and a hammer now covered in soot and ash rests quietly near an anvil where the last Saint Vincent blacksmith placed them some seventy years ago. One of the few remaining active trades from the lay-brother era can still be viewed at Saint Vincent today: monks working in the nineteenth century Gristmill, located along Beatty Road just north of campus, grind grain into flour needed in the production of baked goods in the same way the millers had done 150 years earlier. The lay-brother community is no more; the laybrother status was phased out as a distinct class of monks in 1968. And Brother Lambert Berens tending to the Saint so, now, the blacksmith’s hearth Vincent farm crops. is cold, the printing press sits idle, and the farmland where crops once grew and orchards were once tended supports expansive grassy lawns. No longer are bricks handmade on site; nor altars carved; nor wagons, buggies, and barrels assembled. But the contributions of the laybrothers are the foundation upon which Saint Vincent was built. It fell upon the lay-brothers’ strong shoulders and working hands to ensure that the young community of American monks not only survived but thrived in this new land. Most of these men labored in relative obscurity, focusing on the greater good of the community rather than the welfare or concern of the individual. Their commonality of religion, place, norms, customs, and status helped define the lay-brother community. It is because of this unique group of men who toiled daily that Boniface Wimmer’s dream of a Benedictine community in America became a reality. ♦

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office space

BY MORGAN PARIS

r. Adam Wood, assistant professor of engineering, is usually very busy during his time off. Not with work, necessarily, but with fun. Dr. Wood’s office, though, might suggest the professor doesn’t have much fun at all; there’s just a bookcase, barren save for a few texts and personal tchotchkes, and a large corner desk. But learning what a usual day off looks like for him and his wife might leave you feeling a bit exhausted. From an 8:00 am start with some fishing (Crooked Creek, past Vandergrift, is a favorite spot) to a quick tennis match (platform tennis if it’s cold out) to possibly a session at the gym and then maybe a round of golf, Dr. Wood certainly knows how to milk a Saturday for all the fun it’s worth, and he knows how to bring that into the classroom, too. Those tchotchkes? They’re actually two different kinds of tennis balls, standard and platform, and he uses those in his dynamics class to show how different types of materials have different properties, causing one of the balls to bounce higher than the other. He brings in fishing line, too, to show how materials deform in response to different forces. While Dr. Wood’s actual office might not seem like anything exciting, just take a short walk across the hall to the engineering lab and let the fun begin.

3D Printer

We have two different types of 3D printers in the engineering lab. The one shown here uses light to manufacture a part out of a photosensitive resin. We use these types of printers to print complex parts for student projects and research.

Laser Cutter and Lamp

Our laser cutters are by far the most-used machines in the engineering lab. They can turn a computer drawing into a physical object in less than a minute. In ENGR 328 Design and Fabrication with Modern Materials, we use these machines to make products out of wood and acrylic.

Tools

Most of the classes I teach at SVC are in the field of mechanical engineering. In some of these classes, I use complex tools to demonstrate how forces are transmitted through a mechanical device to produce some desired mechanical advantage. These bolt cutters are an example of one of the tools we analyze in my Statics class.

Step into Dr. Wood’s lab at 1846.stvincent.edu/officespace.

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Plant and Chip

Plants and their root systems are difficult to study due to their presence in the ground and complexity of the environment in which they live. I’m working with an engineering student (Christian Ciecierski, C 24) and Professor Philip LeDuc (CMU) to create microfluidic systems to investigate how plants respond to various physical and chemical stimuli.

Acrylic Phone Holder

For a recent STEMrecruitment day for high school students, the Engineering Department created a hands-on project that exposed the students to design and product manufacturing techniques. Students used laser cutting and a technique called thermoforming to transform a blank sheet of acrylic into a custom phone stand in less than an hour.

Bread and Molds

Each year, around 1.3 billion tons of food is either wasted or lost. Bread is one of the most wasted foods across the globe. I am working with an engineering student (David Bujdos, C 24) to turn wasted bread into carbon electrodes for desalinationproducing freshwater from saltwater.

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From left: Kelsy Levendosky, Brayden Gibson, Anna Doelling, Emily Bosche and Josie Rodell.

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COMMUNITY COMMUNITY THEATER THEATER ✵ STORY BY ZACH FLOCK

PHOTOS BY LIZ PALMER

a Tuesday afternoon toward the end of the semester, a nursing major, a football player, a former volleyball player, a biology major, and the president of the student-run theatre company sit around a table. A seemingly unlikely grouping, it’s clear that they’re hardly strangers; it’s not long before small talk devolves into fits of laughter and inside jokes. They’re members of a community, bonded by a shared passion for theater and united by their experiences on the Saint Vincent stage. For Josie Rodell, C’23, and Anna Doelling, C 24, theater—and their friendship—predates Saint Vincent. “Anna and I went to the same high school, and we actually did shows together,” says Rodell, a history major and outgoing president of The Company, Saint Vincent’s student-run theatre group. Both graduates of Greater Latrobe Senior High School, sharing the stage again was like completing a circle. “The first production that Josie and I did together was Once Upon a Mattress,” Doelling notes, referring to a junior high production. “The last production we’ve been in together was Once Upon a Mattress at Saint Vincent.” “We went from being in the ensemble to being two of the main parts,” adds Rodell. “It was wonderful.”

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Doelling, a biology major, will succeed Rodell as The Company’s next president. The pair also shared the stage in the Saint Vincent College Players’ production of Little Women last fall, Doelling playing Marmee and Rodell playing her daughter, Meg. For their Little Women castmates Kelsy Levendosky, C 24, of North Huntingdon, and Emily Bosche, C’23, of Harrisburg, neither was sure how, or even if, theater would fit into their schedules. Levendosky, a nursing major, and Bosche, a math and psychology double major, both performed in musicals starting in elementary school. “My major can be demanding at times and especially with clinical,” Levendosky noted. “I thought, well, I’ll just give it a shot. I’m really glad I did because I got to meet some amazing people.” For Bosche, sports took precedent over theater until she decided to step away from volleyball as a college junior. “Volleyball was my identity freshman and sophomore years,” said Bosche. “It was a little unsettling at first. It was like, okay, who am I? I don’t have this thing to identify me or ground me. So, I thought, ‘Let’s jump into this theater thing.’ I finally felt like I had somewhere where I was really using my talents, and I was also surrounding myself with the most amazing people.” Bosche’s story resonates with Brayden Gibson, C 25, an engineering major and football player from Warren, Ohio. His path from athlete to actor was somewhat accidental. “My buddies were like ‘We need to take this core class, and it’s an acting class, so it should be pretty

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simple and not too time-consuming’,” Gibson explained. In that class, taught by Gregg Brandt, assistant professor of theater and producing artistic director of Saint Vincent Summer Theatre, Gibson’s love of theatre began to flourish. “I kind of had the bug, but I just didn’t have a way to pursue it,” said Gibson. “Then Gregg and Josie asked me if I wanted to try out for Little Women.” He did, and he soon found “That’s the thing himself at the first rehearsal where the cast gathered for a read-through of the about theater. It’ll script. “I walked into that reading with no clue what was going on,” he says. bring together so “I didn’t even know we were reading. I thought it was just a meeting.” many people from “It was really funny because I didn’t know who he was,” added Doelling, different walks of life “and then he integrated himself so fast and was like, ‘I’m one of you now!’” who you would never “It was awkward at first, but see otherwise.” everybody made it so welcoming,” says Gibson. “Gregg especially.” ✵ ✵ ✵ ✵ The group noted how Brandt is instrumental in fostering a fun but focused environment and making everybody feel at ease. “Whenever we have a show, no matter how many times he has seen it, he will laugh like it’s the first time he’s seen it,” said Rodell with a laugh. “We call it the Griggle—the Gregg giggle.” That environment, Bosche noted, allows actors to be vulnerable on stage: “You’re surrounded by all these theater people, and they just want to see you be your best self and put on your best performance.” “You share this super intimate experience,” said Rodell. “We spend so much time together. It’s a

community. I hate when people are like ‘It’s a family,’ but it really is because you do spend so much time together.” “That’s the thing about theater,” added Levendosky. “It’ll bring together so many people from different walks of life who you would never see otherwise.” In the process, a family is formed—a family that supports each other through good times and bad. For instance, when The Company had to make the difficult decision to cancel a show last year, Rodell, the director, dreaded breaking the news. “I remember sitting on the stage, having the whole cast in the audience and Anna sitting beside me, and immediately, as I started saying that we weren’t going to be able to put on our show, she grabbed my hand. We were holding hands and I’m crying, and I’m telling everyone that we unfortunately can’t put our show on, and it’s really hard for the seniors who are going to be leaving,” said Rodell. “Afterwards, everyone started coming up and they were thanking me and giving me hugs and just hugging each other,” she said. “That was really a time where I felt like we had a community in the theater.” The spirit of collaboration and a shared purpose bond the Company members in a non-competitive environment where everyone works together. “Theater, and the people in our community, there’s nobody like them.” says Doelling. “They’ll persist no matter what, and they want to be able to share their talents and their gifts and what they can do.” “It just goes to show how special theater is,” adds Levendosky. “You really don’t get that anywhere else.” ♦

Th cast of Once Upon A Mattress, performed in February, 2023. 2 62 6

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THE COLLEGE CONNECTION BY M A D I S O N KOZ E RA , C 24 , ENGLISH MAJOR, OF ABINGDON, MD

THEO CHAVEZ, C’06 T

he Honors Convocation speaker for the spring 2023 semester, Theodore Chavez, C’08, has close ties with the SVC community. An alumnus himself, he not only shares the title of Saint Vincent College graduate with his uncle and nephew, but he also shares in many of the same experiences: move-in day, welcome weekend, the Big/ Little dynamic, and more. The FBI Honors Internship granted him another opportunity to interact with SVC members of similar interests, whereupon he discovered even greater connections and opportunities.

pon entering the College, one of the first phrases that all new students hear is “Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat,” implying that, no matter how long after they graduate from Saint Vincent College, a piece of the College will always travel with them. For current students, alumni, staff, and even friends of the College, the phrase rings true. Community acts as the heart of SVC, drawing people together and forming relationships that would have never existed otherwise, making connections that have withstood the test of time. SVC’s Honors Convocation and Commencement speakers, Theodore Chavez and Bill Strickland, embody the virtue of community that the College embraces, displaying how their connections have drawn them to SVC long before either of their speeches. ♦

born and raised Pittsburgher, Bill Strickland is an integral part of the SVC community, acting out the role of an honorary Bearcat—a role that was made official upon receiving an honorary doctorate during the spring 2023 commencement ceremony.

During his address, Strickland explained that when he visited campus for the first time in 1965, it was for an architecture project he was working on under the guidance of his art teacher, Mr. Ross. The visit lead him into the monk’s residence at Saint Vincent and the Chapel, where he found himself in awe of the light throughout and surrounding it. This visit was a turning point in Strickland’s life, one that inspired his future projects and in turn help him to form lifelong relationships within SVC’s community.

With each new relationship he formed, the deeper a love he found for his work with the FBI, and he soon realized that without the SVC community and its members, he would never have become a forensic examiner for the FBI—an individual needs the help of a community to open doors that would otherwise remain forever closed.

Thanks to the community that Strickland engaged with and created within SVC, starting with that first visit, his life has remained forever impacted by the individuals he’s met along the way, and so has our Bearcat community.

“That light is still present today at this school and represents the light I saw surrounding that Chapel many years ago.”

“I would s oon learn that I was following in the footsteps of other Bearcats and creating a trail for others.”

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BILL STRICKLAND, H’23 27

PHOTOS

Liz Palmer

STORY

Courtney Cecere The best is yet to come,” say those who see the future as an opportunity for tomorrow. However, on the first floor of Aurelius Hall, there is growing attention on the future happening today, bringing new and improved excellence into today’s classrooms. The Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government is at the forefront of the future, training and educating students on current trends in various fields, including operations. The School’s most recent addition, the Gary M. Quinlivan Operational Excellence Lab, brings a promise for the future to educate students in a practical sense, providing a new and

improved learning environment. The Operational Excellence Lab, or OE Lab for short, is a multidisciplinary simulation lab that offers students real-world experience in preparation for their futures. It is designed to challenge students to develop efficient manufacturing facilities based on key business and management concepts learned within the classrooms. “It provides a hands-on, experiential learning component to our students that you can’t get in many other places,” said Dr. Michael Urick, Dean of the McKenna School. “We’re a leader in operational excellence education, which is a key reason why we wanted the Lab to come together.” 28

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One of the most unique aspects of the OE Lab is the program from which it stems: the Master of Science in Management: Operational Excellence, or MSMOE program. “Many programs in operational excellence emanate from engineering. At Saint Vincent, we’re one of the few that stem from business,” said Dr. Urick. Taking a more cultural approach to operations, as opposed to a strictly process-based approach, the OE Lab places greater emphasis on the people part of the process. “[During their first simulation], students will create an efficient, lean notebook manufacturing facility based on the lean pillars of continuous improve-

Nothing Short of Excellence ment and respect for people,” said Mr. Matthew Miller, adjunct professor in the MSMOE program. In addition to focusing on the people aspect of management, waste reduction, time management, and process efficiency, among many others, are primary focuses within the OE Lab and its simulations. Geared towards efficiency in the workplace, the OE Lab provides the same opportunity to faculty members. “[The OE Lab] will help us teach the business processes better and more efficiently to our students,” said Mr. Robert Markley, Director of the SAP Business One program. The OE Lab and simulations will

be incorporated into various undergraduate and graduate programs, providing students and faculty with many opportunities for further research into Operational Excellence. “Using the OE Lab simulations, we may be able to find a way for OE to complement aspects of SAP Business One compared to working against one another, which they typically do,” said Markley. Looking ahead, there are many plans to welcome local companies and community members into Aurelius Hall to become trained in lean processes through the OE Lab simulations. “Saint Vincent will be able to offer both its students and the business community the opportunity to SA I NT

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learn with an actual hands-on process improvement simulation,” said Miller. And further developments involving the OE Lab are on the agenda for the future, too. “Right now, we are starting small, but we’re planning on growing this to offer a variety of different programs I think will aid external businesses,” said Urick. “It will be about what they want to customize within the topic of operational excellence.” The hope of the future brings great anticipation for tomorrow. But in the McKenna School, that future is happening today, propelling the students and Saint Vincent forward, always forward. ♦ 29

class notes

ALUMNI EMPLOYEE PROFILE

Maria Morgan

For a comprehensive, regularly-updated list of Class Notes, including birth, engagement, marriage, career, and other announcements, or to submit a class note of your own, go to 1846.stvincent.edu/classnotes.

The Tatareks: Framing Their Journey B Y N O A H A F T A N A S

C POSITION AT SVC

Assistant Director of Alumni Relations; Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach YEARS GRADUATED

2019, 2020 MAJOR

Criminology ALFRED OR PREP HALL?

Alfred

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT AT SVC?

I have two, and they’re both related to basketball: winning a PAC championship as a coach and player. Seeing our players win this year was such an incredible feeling! THE SHACK OR THE CAF?

Caf

CURRENT HYPE SONG?

“What a Night” by Flo Rida WHAT WOULD YOUR SPY CODENAME BE?

Matchmaker Maria

DO YOU OFTEN MATCHMAKE?

I am in two weddings this fall where I had some influence in the startups of those relationships! GREEN OR GOLD?

I’d have to go with green. TEXTING OR CALLING?

Oh, I’m a caller.

FAVORITE LOCAL BREWERY?

I like All Saints in Greensburg.

oming into college, Stanley, C’11, and Marie Tatarek, C’12, didn’t know what to expect, but when they decided to attend Saint Vincent, that’s when their journey began: The Tatareks are now proud owners of Stanley and Marie Photography, and their love for photography developed at Saint Vincent. “Stanley and I both always had an interest in photography, and that started in high school, but we didn’t really look at it as anything more than a hobby until we began shooting together while at Saint Vincent,” Marie Tatarek recalled. And when they began, it was with a couple of basic cameras and a snowy landscape. It was a winter day after a big ice storm in Latrobe, and the couple took a walk out to the cemetery and the lake to photograph the icicles and snow. They decided to print a couple of the photographs they took that day and sell them at a local craft show. The pair continued to photograph nature and landscapes, until one day when a couple who the two had known from SVC asked Stanley and Marie to shoot their wedding. “We had very limited wedding experience but remember feeling like it was our big break,” Marie explained. And it really was: that trip back to SVC is when their business really took off. “From then on, we continued to book weddings steadily through the years. We feel blessed to have the continued business to this day, but even more blessed to have made such beautiful friendships through photography.” The couple comes back to campus often to photograph weddings, and they said that Saint Vincent weddings are some of their favorite weddings to shoot. “We enjoy all of the weddings that we photograph, but Saint Vincent weddings definitely hold a special place in our hearts,” Stanley and Marie emphasized. “It always seems that couples who choose to get married at the Basilica are rooted deeply in their faith and have a respect for the sacrament that makes photographing a wedding ceremony even more special.” Every trip to campus, whether it’s to shoot a wedding in the Basilica or just to meander down memory lane or perhaps enjoy a peaceful walk by the lake, is a homecoming for the couple. They do what we all do when we come back to campus: they reminisce about the fun they had and the friends they made, but Stanley and Marie especially reflect on the part Saint Vincent has played in their success. “Without Saint Vincent, I truly don’t feel that our business would have ever thrived the way it has,” expressed Stanley. “The beautiful campus was our inspiration as we started out as ‘landscape’ photographers. While we were students at Saint Vincent, it really helped us to build relationships and connections that allowed us to network and help our business grow and thrive.” “When we walked across that stage at graduation, we were equipped with countless skills and most of all, confidence,” Marie explained. “Saint Vincent enriched us in a way no other college or university ever could have.” And that has made all the difference.

IN MEMORIAM REMEMBRANCES

NAME

DATE OF PASSING

Ronald Pontani, C’67

January 2, 2023

Paul A. Mockenhaupt, P’64

February 8, 2023

Thomas J. Conroy, C’60

February 1, 2023

Gerald. B. McNamara, C’73

Father Eric T. Vogt, O.S.B. Father Eric T. Vogt, O.S.B., P’68, C’73, S’77, a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey for more than 50 years, died Saturday, April 8, 2023. Father Eric served at parishes in the dioceses of Greensburg, Erie, and Altoona-Johnstown, as well as in his native St. Marys; in Richmond, Virginia; and Savannah, Georgia. He served in various roles at Saint Vincent College, was a successful baseball coach, and an official for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) in basketball and softball, as well as a PIAA baseball umpire, all for nearly 30 years. He was also chaplain of the St. Marys Police Department and life member and chaplain of the Bucktail Lodge 96 FOP.

February 9, 2023

Gorman McDonald, C’57

February 10, 2023

Richard Stahl, C’69

February 16, 2023

Thomas C. Burlas, C’56

February 23, 2023

Michael Mehallick, C’62

March 4, 2023

Alan J. Schott, C’77

April 2023

Paul Kuenzig, M.D., P’47, C’51

April 23, 2023

W. Timothy Pitchford, C’66

May 23, 2023

Pasquale Greco, C’68

May 25, 2023

Ronald Monack, C’52

Gregory McNaughton, P’66, C’71 Robert Deak, C’72

Rev. Mark Glasgow, C’58, S’62 Samuel Liburdi, C’53 Carl Severini, C’52

June 14, 2023 June 20, 2023

July 5, 2023

Martin Schulte, C’64

July 6, 2023

Guido Casari Jr., P’52, C’56

July 23, 2023

William Siard Sr., C’57

July 30, 2023

James Mikula, C’68

August 10, 2023

Atty. Daniel Lovette, C’68

August 21, 2023

John Caldwell, C’50

August 19, 2023

FEBRUARY 10, 2024

Mr. Dale P. Latimer Mr. Dale Latimer passed away peacefully on April 1, 2023, after an extended illness at the age of 92. Dale was an avid supporter of Saint Vincent College. He and his wife supported many projects, including the two renovations creating the Dale P. Latimer Library. An astute entrepreneur and business leader, he led R&L Development to become a leader in the industry. His philanthropy was widespread but done quietly. Both of his sons, Luke and Matthew, are graduates of Saint Vincent College.

VI NCE NT

June 8, 2023

June 29, 2023

Jim Kosglow, C’60

SA I N T

June 3, 2023

June 26, 2023

John Carosella, C’70

Mrs. Diane Sobota Diane Graham Sobota, of Latrobe, passed away Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, a community pillar and most importantly, a great friend to those who were fortunate enough to know her. Diane and her husband, Edward, founded together their company, now known as TSI Titanium. Prior to Ed’s passing in 2010, they supported the Father Aelred Beck, O.S.B., Scholarship in honor of their beloved pastor. Diane then inaugurated the Sobota Family Scholarship.

May 31, 2023

SAVE THE DATE I N V I T AT I O N S TO COME

CO L L E GE

1846

FAL L

2 0 2 3

Makonde Artist

Tanzania (late 20th century) Tree of Life, n.d. ebony 12 ½ x 5 ½ x 5 inches Gift of Anna and Tadeusz Kozminski Saint Vincent Art & Heritage Collections

F R O M

T H E

Art Collection

Learn more about this piece at

1846.stvincent.edu/collection.

MA IL

10917–22M–12/2023

OM ZIP CODE

0 565

FR ED

300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 15650-2690

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 110

hank you for being a proud supporter of Saint Vincent College. We hope you have enjoyed this first volume of 1846: The Magazine of Saint Vincent College. In an effort to be good environmental stewards, we are limiting the number of physical copies of 1846 we send out and will in turn be embracing and expanding our online presence. If you no longer wish to receive physical copies of future issues of 1846, please reach out to 1846@stvincent.edu.

n April 27, 1964, Scott Newton, then a ten-year old child, sustained a severe closed head injury. As a result of the accident, his life was filled with an endless array of challenges—but that didn’t stop him from wanting to attend college.

The Rule of Saint Benedict reminds us that personal success finds meaning only when we come together to build a stronger and more inclusive community. Scott was someone who lived The Rule completely and honorably throughout his life: faced with significant health issues but supported by his classmates at Saint Vincent College, Scott achieved his dream of receiving a college degree.

SCHOLARSHIP FUND We would be delighted to help you light the fire in future students through the creation of a scholarship fund. If you have an interest in creating a scholarship, contact Jim Bendel, C’60, to discuss those opportunities at either 724-244-4805 or james.bendel@stvincent.edu.

As a testament to Scott’s life, his classmates from the graduating class of 1979 came together and created the Scott Newton Scholarship Fund. They took this action to applaud his greatest personal accomplishment, which was Scott striving to utilize, to the fullest extent possible, all of the gifts God gave to him. Endowing a scholarship to honor a person who had a profound impact on your life is very doable and allows your tribute to have a lasting impact on future students at Saint Vincent College. Having those funds available for students is often what enables them to attend Saint Vincent College and by extension, begin working on achieving their goals and becoming lifelong learners.