Seton Hall Magazine Fall 2020

SETON HALL Fall 2020

Hazard Zet

FORWARD Pirates Display Courage and Kindness During the Pandemic

SETON HALL Fall 2020

Vol. 31 Issue 2

Seton Hall magazine is published by the Department of Public Relations and Marketing in the Division of University Relations.

feature

20

President Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D. Vice President for University Relations Matthew Borowick ’89/M.B.A. ’94 Director of Publications/ University Editor Pegeen Hopkins, M.S.J. Art Director Ann Antoshak Copy Editors Kim de Bourbon Shanice Casimiro

Hazard Zet Forward The Seton Hall community responds with characteristic resilience in the face of a global pandemic.

departments

2

Presidents Hall

4 HALLmarks 12

Possibilities

14

Roaming the Hall

Send your comments and suggestions by mail to: Seton Hall magazine, Department of Public Relations and Marketing, 519 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079; by email to shuwriter@shu.edu; or by phone at 973-378-9834.

16

Profile

Cover: Christine Furber ’09 at New

18

Profile

30

Sports at the Hall

34

Alumni News & Notes

44

Last Word

News & Notes Editor Viannca I. Vélez ’10 Research Assistance Alan Delozier

York-Presbyterian Hospital. Photo by Noel Casiano Facing page: Fall on the South Orange campus. Photo by Earl Richardson

www.shu.edu

20

Nick Mattiello transitions to working remotely as a busy M.B.A. student/ marketer/firefighter.

Juan Rios kept summer opportunities for growth alive for East Orange students despite massive shutdowns statewide.

Alice Milligan, M.A. ’01 makes her mark as an innovative company leader.

John Strapp ’69 took a popular businessskills training program to the next level.

14

12

FR OM P R E S ID E NT S H A L L |

JOSEPH E. NYRE, Ph.D.

Words to Live By

O

f the many gifts bestowed on Seton Hall by its

risk.” We reduced density, began physical distancing,

founder, Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley, one of

transitioned instruction to remote settings and safely

the greatest is our motto. Adopted from the Seton

moved almost all students out of residence halls.

family, Hazard Zet Forward reminds us that

campuses and begin the 2020-21 academic year. As early

a dose of courage. And it teaches us that worthwhile goals

as May, the overwhelming majority of students were

are achieved only through sacrifice and determination.

telling us they wanted the option to return to campus

Since 1856, Seton Hall has delivered on its Catholic educational mission through wars, economic

for the fall semester.

It was clear from the outset the virus would introduce

depressions, political and social unrest, and even prior

high levels of uncertainty into our decision-making.

pandemics. During those challenging times and these

So we set about developing a Restart Plan that would

uncertain days of 2020, our motto has served as more

provide maximum health and safety for everyone in

than a reminder.

the campus community while envisioning multiple

In such moments, Hazard Zet Forward — whatever the peril, go forward — acts as a beacon to light our way and a standard against which we measure our response to a crisis.

contingencies and building extraordinary flexibility and student choice into our approach.

Through several committees and planning groups,

It compels us to take action, motivates our preparations,

we enlisted the creativity and organizing prowess of 140

and reassures us that no matter the circumstances, Seton

members of the University community — faculty, staff,

Hall will always continue to move forward.

administrators, clergy and students. The comprehensive

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Seton

Restart Plan they developed met or exceeded state

Hall was among the first universities to respond to the

and CDC guidelines for screening, testing and contact

outbreak — well before guidance from the Centers for

tracing. We were among the first universities in New

Disease Control and Prevention, executive orders, or

Jersey to submit its plan to the state for review, and one

government efforts to flatten the curve of infections.

of the first to receive confirmation.

By late January and early February, we had

One of many considerations was determining an in-

established a Health Intervention and Communication

person class schedule for the fall semester. This effort

Team to advance pandemic response recommendations

was challenging due to the size of our campuses and the

for campus operations and safety. The executive cabinet

many places Setonians call home. While New Jersey’s

served as the COVID nerve center, with seven teams

COVID-19 transmission rate fell throughout the summer,

reporting at four meetings each day.

the opposite was true elsewhere. Moreover, we knew

In early March, we moved to cancel study abroad, including destinations not yet classified as “high

2

Simultaneously, we began preparations to reopen our

creating a successful future involves a measure of risk and

flare-ups could occur at any time. We also needed to plan within the reopening guidance issued by the State of

SETON HALL MAGAZINE | FALL 2020

Students choosing on-campus study experience a blend of in-person and remote live instruction that achieves physical distancing.

Those choosing off-campus learning receive entirely remote live instruction.

New Jersey. While we recognized these challenges, we also knew they could be addressed.

It is impossible to know what the coming weeks and

Seton Hall implemented a hybrid, flexible approach

months will bring. As we move through autumn and

known as HyFlex to classroom instruction to maintain

the annual cold and flu season, the risk of outbreaks

our signature educational experience. HyFlex ensures

has increased significantly. Regardless, our HyFlex

in-person, reduced-density learning while offering

approach allows us to meet and overcome whatever

students the choice to pursue their studies entirely

the coronavirus throws at us.

in a remote fashion.

Students choosing on-campus study experience a

We have urged everyone on campus to maintain their focus on health and safety not only through the end of

blend of in-person and remote live instruction that

the in-person portion of the semester, but each and every

achieves physical distancing. Those choosing off-campus

day, on campus and off. And of course, we also have been

learning receive entirely remote live instruction.

preparing for a successful winter and spring.

Our efforts to stage a safe and healthy year have given

Regardless of what happens, Seton Hall will exhibit

us the opportunity to be together on campus. And thanks

the extraordinary perseverance on which it was

to the uncommon cooperation of hundreds of Setonians,

founded. No matter the circumstances, we will continue

the University has been cited for planning and executing

to move forward — in health and safety. We owe it

a successful return.

to our community — students, parents, faculty, staff,

Some skeptics and critics still say that on-campus instruction in a pandemic cannot be done, and that

Photo by Kristine Foley

appropriately sized gatherings — Hazard Zet Forward.

administrators, clergy and alumni — to do no less.

I am heartened by the many notes and calls of

college students are incapable of adjusting their daily

gratitude and support so many of you sent over these

routines to protect themselves and others.

past several months. One of the characteristics that

Yet our students, by and large, have demonstrated

attracted me and my family to Seton Hall is its caring

a level of concern for the well-being of our campus

Catholic community. Your words and actions help sustain

community that is admirable. Everywhere I look, I see

all of us as we navigate through the pandemic to the

symptom monitoring, mask wearing, social distancing and

bright future that awaits us. n

3

HA LL m a r k s l Christopher Tienken, associate professor in the College of Education and Human Services, has been selected as the lead author and principal investigator for the American Association of School Administrators 2020 Salary and Benefit Study.

In Brief

l Gregory Y. Glazov, professor of Biblical Studies, was awarded a grant from the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, administered by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to develop an online database of Jewish and Catholic writings on the Holocaust. l The Center for Catholic Studies hosted its inaugural four-day virtual symposium, “Faith and Social Justice,” in September.

Kelly Harris, director of the Africana Studies program and the event’s keynote speaker, helped kick off the campus-wide teach-in centered on the ways religious faith affects one’s pursuit of racial justice. l For the fifth consecutive year, College of Communication and the Arts students and alumni were featured in a Seton Hall University block of films on the SOMA Film Festival schedule.

Based in the villages of South Orange and Maplewood, New Jersey, the award-winning festival celebrates and supports independent and emerging filmmakers. l Anthony D. Koutsoftas, associate professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology, received $1.4 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Science’s National Center for Special Education Research program to develop and test an intervention for improving writing in 4th and 5th grade students with language-based learning disabilities. l Seton Hall University students earned six awards for their on-air work at WSOU-FM from the Garden State Journalists Association’s 73rd Annual Memorial Journalism Awards competition.

For the first time in WSOU’s history, the station, housed in the College of Communication and the Arts, swept two awards categories: Radio General News and Radio Sports.

4

l The School of Health and Medical Sciences received the 2020 Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) Award for Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Health Care.

The school received this national recognition from ASAHP for outstanding achievement in interprofessional education and interprofessional collaborative practice. l The Stillman School and its Department of Accounting maintained AACSB dual accreditation, a hallmark of excellence earned by less than 5% of the world’s business schools. l From the more than 1,150 universities around the world that participated in the 2020 CFA Institute Research Challenge, the Stillman School of Business team was crowned the Americas Regional Champions and was one of only five universities worldwide to advance to the Global Finals. l Charles Grantham, former executive director of the National Basketball Players Association and director of the Center for Sport Management, appeared in the ESPN documentary “The Last Dance,” a 10-part series about Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls. l Laurence McCarthy, professor of management and director of the Institute of International Business, has been elected as 40th president of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Ireland’s largest sporting organization. McCarthy is the first overseas candidate in the GAA’s 136-year history to win the presidency. l The Center for Diaconal Formation kicked off its yearlong celebration commemorating its 10th anniversary in September with a virtual celebration featuring Deacon Steve Javie, a retired NBA referee. Visit theology.shu.edu to view a recording of the event. l Susan A. Nolan, professor in the Department of Psychology, was invited to contribute a regular blog called “Misinformation Desk” on the online version of the magazine Psychology Today, in which she advises readers on how to analyze misinformation in their daily lives.

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

Financial Help Amid COVID-19

A

lmost $3 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic

distribute the money to students as quickly as possible in

stimulus money was distributed to more than 2,000

the midst of the pandemic.

Seton Hall students this year, thanks to the Coronavi-

rus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The legislation earmarked $6 billion in emergency aid

“Team members literally worked around the clock to get this and other monies raised for the Student Emergency Relief Fund into the hands of our community members in

for students nationwide, with $2.87 million allocated to

need,” said Javonda Asante, director of the Financial Aid

the University, based on the number of students eligible to

Office and a Student Affairs Emergency Fund Committee

receive federal Pell Grants and on total student enrollment.

member. “In times of trouble, Pirates have always come

Seton Hall distributed 75% of the grant to 1,447 Pell

together, and that’s just what we did here.”

Grant recipients enrolled in the spring semester, who each automatically received a check for $1,495.

Other help has come from more than $420,000 in private scholarship and Student Emergency Fund donations from

The rest of the money, about $711,000, was distributed

alumni and others, as well as University refunds for room,

in $750 increments to more than 900 students who, due

board and parking fees and grants covering lost expenses

to the pandemic, could demonstrate having a hard time

for study abroad travel. The Board of Regents also autho-

paying for food, housing, course materials, technology,

rized a special scholarship fund for students struggling

healthcare and childcare.

with the fiscal impact of the pandemic, and an additional

Applications were reviewed by the Student Affairs Emergency Fund Committee, which worked hard to

$200,000 in scholarships for alumni who wish to pursue a master’s degree online.

DOVE’s Mission Still Soars

S

eton Hall’s Division of Volunteer Efforts, better known as DOVE, has not let the COVID-19 pandemic distract it from working with students to serve those in need.

“The needs of the community remain, no matter what our circumstances,” said director Michelle Peterson. “And it is DOVE’s mission to answer those needs in whatever way we are able.”

DOVE has been holding focused drives each month, raising $3,350 and collecting school supply kits for an orphanage in Haiti in September, followed by the “Christmas in October” toy drive for Appalachian families, and

the Hunger and Homelessness Drive to collect food for local missions in November.

DOVE returned to in-person service at the end of September, serving more than 280 families with food and essential supplies at the Pierre Toussaint Food Pantry in Newark. But other help is being provided remotely.

“We have been able to get creative with how we engage with our students and in how we serve our communities,” Peterson said, listing online tutoring, Zoom story hours for children through the South Orange Public Library, and virtual programs for senior centers.

To counter a sense of isolation many students are feeling, DOVE found ways to help, including a weekly half-hour online discussion covering topics such as social justice and the importance of serving others. There are also weekly sessions for students to reflect on campus mission areas.

“The response to each of these initiatives has shown that there is great desire to provide support and care for those who need it most and how important and imperative it is that we keep moving forward with this work and adapting to the circumstance caused by the pandemic.”

5

HA LL m a r k s

BY THE NUMBERS

An Excellent Voyage

Dual B.S. in Physics/M.S. in Engineering or Artificial Intelligence Program

2020

Year started

2*

Participating institutions

5

Total years to complete

3.2

Minimum required cumulative GPA

80

Percent of Seton Hall physics majors who conduct research

$86,980

Median income for jobs in STEM**

8%

Projected job growth for STEM jobs (2019-29)

3.4%

Projected job growth for non-STEM jobs (2019-29) *Seton Hall and Stevens Institute of Technology **Science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

6

A

student-produced video series chronicling the 2019-20 Seton Hall men’s basketball season earned a top honor in the Sports Video Group College

Sports Media Awards this summer.

“The Voyage,” a 21-part digital series produced by the Pirate Sports Network, took home the award for Outstanding Program Series by college students this summer, with an online ceremony hosted by ESPN personality Rece Davis.

The series was produced by Keith Egan ’19, Joe Binder ’20 and Andrew Miller ’22.

“These students worked so hard to promote Seton Hall men’s basketball and tell the story of an unforgettable season, and I’m grateful that receiving this award will help shine a light on their talent,” said Thomas Chen, associate athletics director for digital media and communications.

Each year the College Sports Media Awards honor videos produced by athletic departments, conference offices, professional networks and production companies, as well as students.

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

LEARNING THE HYFLEX WAY

S

eton Hall joined schools around the country in

hear the class as if they were there. Speakers and a large

adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic by learning

screen enable those in the room to hear and see students

new ways to teach and learn, including a flexible,

taking the course remotely.

hybrid approach.

In HyFlex blended classes, both remote and in-person classroom instruction is provided simultaneously —

Faculty members use the Microsoft Teams program on a laptop or — in some specially equipped classrooms — a wall panel that connects everything wirelessly.

students choose how they want to learn. Faculty engage

All students are able to post their homework, see

with students both ways at once, and technology enables

documents, videos and more, and can also take part in

everyone to work together.

discussion boards and take tests online.

“We began to design the technology needed in April

The technology has allowed the University “to continue

with the forethought that we would not have a regular

its tradition of offering students a rich face-to-face

summer or fall term,” said Paul Fisher, M.P.A. ’98,

learning experience, even in the face of a global pandem-

director of the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center

ic,” Fisher said.

and Seton Hall’s associate chief information officer.

“The success represents the dedication and commit-

“The University spent roughly $2 million outfitting the

ment of our faculty to learn new ways of teaching and

classrooms and it took thousands of hours of labor by

the staff that spent the last three months racing to

Facilities Engineering, Media Services and our partners

ensure the technology could support the faculty and the

to pull this off in time.”

students. It was a furious pace of change and work that

Every classroom has been equipped with microphones and a camera, allowing “remote” students to see and

in the end allowed the faculty to teach and the students to learn.”

7

HA LL m a r k s

WORSHIP IN THE AGE OF COVID-19

L

ike everyone else in the time of COVID-19, the

been pretty lucky, often being able to gather outdoors

Campus Ministry staff is finding new ways to fulfill

but remaining very mindful of social distancing.”

its mission.

“From the very start, we have been livestreaming

The Alive in Christ: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program has started up again on Sunday

Mass on weekdays and on Sunday evenings,” says Father

evenings, with a combination of real and virtual

Colin Kay, director of Campus Ministry and interim vice

participation by those learning about the Catholic

president for mission and ministry.

faith and preparing to receive the sacraments.

And although live services have resumed in the

“Leave no one out. No human left behind. That’s how

University Chapel, no more than 20 worshipers

we’re trying to roll,” says Father Kay, noting that online

are permitted in the pews, so an outdoor service has

gathering tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom

been added.

“will continue to be an important part of what we do,

“We have been celebrating Sunday evening Eucharist ‘al fresco,’ outdoors in front of the Chapel, using the

as the weather gets worse.”

“We’re learning a lot about how to stay ‘connected,’

main doors as a platform for altar and pulpit,” Father

albeit imperfectly, even when we’re not together. That

Kay says. “It’s been really quite lovely.”

opens up all sorts of possibilities for winter breaks and

Weekday noon Mass has moved to the Theatre-in-the-

summers to come.”

Round in the University Center, and once the weather prohibits the outdoor service, Sunday evening Mass will Programs such as spiritual hikes have been able to continue, taking advantage of nice fall weather. “We’ve

8

A Boost for Students

A

new Student Support Services Program has been awarded a $1.3 million federal grant to help lowincome, first-generation, or disabled students pursuing an undergraduate degree at Seton Hall.

Part of the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO Program, the grant is intended to provide the kind of support that will help students stay in school and graduate.

The money will be disbursed over the next five years through the University’s Division of Student Services and will help 140 eligible students succeed in their college careers.

Students accepted into the program will benefit from a plan that provides for academic, professional and social support, including tutoring and coaching, personal and financial mentoring, and career counseling and planning.

Applications are being accepted for the 2020-21 academic year — students may apply themselves, and members of the Seton Hall community also may refer students for the program.

TRIO, given its name after its first three programs were implemented, consists of eight federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and help students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Photos by Bob Handelman

move to the Main Lounge.

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

SHU IN THE NEWS “Granted, police officers are not social workers, but you don’t have to be a doctor to know somebody needs one.”

Juan Rios, College of Arts and Sciences, The Star-Ledger, on the shooting death of Maurice Gordon by a New Jersey State Police officer on the Garden State Parkway.

“They have this strong incentive to develop vaccines to show Chinese high-tech capacity, and also [to] give people the sense of national pride.”

Yanzhong Huang, College of Diplomacy and International Relations, Vox.com, discussing China’s emergency use vaccine program.

“While not a panacea, a formal international investigation would have served as a clarion call to end and repair racial injustice and projected the U.N. as an agent of change to institutional racism.”

Kwame Akonor, College of Arts and Sciences, International Press Service, on why the United Nations did not establish a full commission of inquiry on race following the killing of George Floyd.

“There is much convergence between Saint Mother Teresa and Pope Francis: they are bringing the throwaway culture, the marginalized, to focus.”

“It is another arrow in Beijing’s quiver to arrest people that Beijing has determined as breaking the law, and that law is construed broadly.”

Margaret Lewis, School of Law, CNN, regarding Section 38 of the Hong Kong National Security Law, pro-democracy protests, and what is considered a crime punishable by lifetime sentences.

“The challenge today, as I see it, is that the platforms that the players are using now need a boost from the political power and strength of those who own teams. And that silence that I see is annoying.”

Charles Grantham, Stillman School of Business, USA Today, on the activism of professional sports players.

“The devastating health and economic consequences of the pandemic will find the nation in the throes of an eviction crisis that, if not prevented, will relegate unprecedented numbers of displaced tenants to crowded shelters, the streets or households with no choice but to double or triple in size.”

Paula Franzese, School of Law, NBC News, evaluating coronavirus relief measures set to expire as the crisis rages.

Ines Murzaku, Department of Catholic Studies, Voice of America, regarding her new book, Mother Teresa, Saint of the Peripheries.

9

HA LL m a r k s

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON Resilience and Faith in the Face of Daunting Hardship PART 1 OF 2 IN A SERIES

SETON HALL’S patroness was no stranger to the consequences of deadly infectious disease, crushing uncertainty and economic collapse.

Dianne Traflet, associate dean of graduate studies and seminary administration at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, traces Mother Seton’s history from the 1790s through the early 1800s, and finds parallels — and lessons — applicable to our own unsettling times.

10

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

E

FA L L 2 0 2 0

lizabeth Ann Seton was hardly out of her teens

from his injuries, leaving no will. William and Elizabeth

when she realized just how idyllic, even heavenly,

moved into his Stone Street home, caring for all the

her life was. She was married to a wonderful, loving

children, soon including their third child, Richard Bayley,

husband from a prominent family. She had a prestigious home and countless friends and acquaintances, includ-

who initially was very ill.

Elizabeth was 24 years old.

ing George Washington. She was happily expecting her

When the new century began, the Setons’ financial

first child. It seemed like a scene from “Lifestyles of the

problems worsened, as did William’s physical health, a

Rich and Famous,” circa 1794, New York City.

constant challenge since his late teens. Diagnosed with

But all was not well. Elizabeth was worried. Her

tuberculosis, he could not afford to rest or focus on

husband, William, was struggling with persistent fevers

recuperation; there were urgent bills to pay, and debtors’

and coughs, and the city was anxiously bracing for a

prison loomed. Elizabeth, too, was severely fatigued and

possible outbreak of the yellow fever epidemic that had

worried.

devastated Philadelphia. Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley,

The day after Christmas 1800, Elizabeth was required

kept Elizabeth informed about the epidemic’s dangers.

by the bankruptcy commission to write an exhaustive

A renowned surgeon and chair of anatomy and surgery

inventory of the family’s possessions, including handker-

at Columbia College, Bayley issued public warnings,

chiefs and the children’s clothes.

researched the conditions that might spread the disease, and outlined preventative measures.

When yellow fever reached New York in the summer

The following summer, Elizabeth and the young Seton children moved to Staten Island, living in quarantine with her father while William stayed in the city to tend

of 1795, many wealthy residents fled to the country.

to his business. Elizabeth watched her father comfort the

The Bayley and Seton families knew many people who

sick and the dying. When a ship arrived with passengers

contracted the disease and mourned those who died

suffering from typhus, he instructed his daughter to keep

from it.

a distance, but she saw their pained expressions and

By the time winter arrived, the epidemic had disappeared. Bayley continued his work, writing a study of yellow fever in New York City and cautioning residents

heard their anguished cries. “I cannot sleep,” she wrote, “the dying, and the dead, possess my mind.”

One day, she found her father sitting slumped near the

of its possible return. In 1796, New York Gov. John Jay

docks, his head in his hands. He had contracted typhus.

appointed Bayley as health officer of the Port of New

For days, Elizabeth tried to comfort him, as he clung to

York, the first person to hold such a position. Within

her, gasping in pain. He took his last breath with her by

three years, Bayley authored the Quarantine Act of 1799,

his side.

the same year that yellow fever returned in full force to

No stately burial would be allowed for Dr. Bayley,

New York. With Bayley’s assistance, a quarantine station

since the quarantine had to be kept even in death. A boat-

and a marine hospital were established on Staten Island,

man brought his body to a neighboring town for burial,

where he went to work and live.

and family and friends were told to keep their distance

For Elizabeth and her family, the latter part of the 1790s was filled with both joy and fear. As they cele-

Photo by Earl Richardson

|

as a minister offered prayers in the churchyard.

While Elizabeth mourned her father, she was acutely

brated the births of two children, they also faced serious

aware that her husband’s tuberculosis was worsening,

debt in the family shipping business. Bankruptcy

and the couple decided to travel to Italy, hoping William

loomed. Elizabeth assumed clerk responsibilities,

would recuperate in a better climate. He had been an

meticulously tending to the paperwork.

apprentice to the prosperous Filicci family in Italy before

She grew increasingly exhausted as she cared for her young children as well as William’s five stepsiblings, who

he was married, and now he accepted their gracious offer of help.

had lost their mother in 1792. She became more than a sister to them in 1798, when her father-in-law, William Seton Sr., fell near his home in lower Manhattan and died

Part one of two: the series’ next installment will continue in the Winter/Spring 2021 edition of Seton Hall magazine..

11

P OS S IB IL ITIE S |

BOB GILBERT

HOW HE DOES IT Nick Mattiello wants to do it all. The M.B.A. student/marketer/firefighter had a busy summer, transitioning to working remotely and searching for people trapped in a burning building.

12

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

N

ick Mattiello is an ace at managing his time.

Doubling up on his courses, the 25-year-

FA L L 2 0 2 0

and homes. During these times he often breathed bottled air.

old Stillman School of Business student is

In his professional life at Samsung Electronics,

earning his M.B.A. in just 14 months while

Mattiello has helped promote the Galaxy Note 9, Note

holding down a full-time marketing-strategy

10, S-10, Galaxy Fold, and other blockbuster products

job at Samsung’s North American Head-

through integrated marketing communications support,

quarters. There, among myriad other duties,

budgets, planning, contract agreements with vendors

he works with marketing and media agencies to book

and compliance, says his boss, Rey de los Reyes,

product placements and advertising on, say, “The Jimmy

a senior director.

Fallon Show.” Add to that, he’s a volunteer firefighter at

All this activity won Mattiello a Samsung Marketing

Rescue 1/Engine 2 in Secaucus, where he has to respond

“Guru Award” in 2018, his first year at the company.

to emergencies at any time.

And for his recent performance while the company

“There are sleepless nights,” he admits. Yet he says

reorganized amid the pandemic, he became a project

successful multitasking can be done with the help of

manager supporting the digital marketing team, says

mental flexibility, drive (which he calls “momentum”),

de los Reyes, who is “impressed by Nick’s ambition.”

and lots of support from understanding bosses and professors at Seton Hall.

Mattiello’s race with time and his drive to do more

Equally respectful of Mattiello’s work ethic is Stillman Professor Paula Alexander. “During this summer, as part of our Leadership Seminar course, Nick led

likely began at age 18 when — on top of serving as a 911

an employee engagement initiative for his division of

operator for his local police department and the state

Samsung,” she says. That experience became not only

police — he took the oath as a volunteer firefighter. His

grist for a business school paper, but a template for

reasons were very personal.

Samsung best practices.

In 1997, when Mattiello was just 2 years old, he

It was created “to boost morale and bring everyone

saw a strip mall burn in Pompton Lakes with billowing

within my division together virtually,” Mattiello

black smoke. “I watched my family’s business and

explains. As co-chair, he devised online trivia contests,

livelihood go up in flames, literally and figuratively,”

an MTV Cribs event, a happy hour and “Family Feud”

he says. Then, in his teens, a natural gas leak obliterated

game to get “everyone together and laughing again

the house across the street from Mattiello’s “in a

from home.” On a more serious note, the group, which

huge ball of fire.” These two incidents convinced him

numbered as many as 50 employees per session,

that he “wanted to be on the other end of a fire —

discussed issues relating to the social climate of

by fighting it.”

the country, says de los Reyes.

This past summer, firefighter Mattiello entered a

Photo by Michael Paras

|

Whatever motivates the hyperkinetic Nick Mattiello

burning apartment complex. According to Deputy Chief

seems innate, and de los Reyes characterizes him

Joseph Schoendorf, Engine 2 arrived to find “heavy

as “thirsty to get things done.” Chief Schoendorf

smoke and fire in the building and people trapped.

calls him “a real go-getter.” For Professor Alexander,

Nick was inside conducting a search.” He won a unit

“Nicholas Mattiello embodies the Seton Hall ideal

citation for “effort under combat conditions.” Just

of a servant leader.”

weeks before, his company saved two tots locked inside an overheated car.

He also played his part in New Jersey’s response

While living such a packed life may not appeal to everyone, he asserts that “as long as you have support, momentum and a focused mindset, anyone can do it.” n

to the COVID-19 pandemic, risking infection while responding to calls at senior centers, hotels, hospitals

Bob Gilbert is a freelance writer based in Connecticut.

13

ROA M IN G T H E H A L L |

MOLLY PETRILLA

UNDAUNTED

Juan Rios and a new online summer jobs program have kept opportunities for growth alive for East Orange students despite massive shutdowns statewide.

Rios knows firsthand the lifeline these jobs and programs can offer.

H

igher education was far from Juan Rios’s mind when he got his first job at age 14. Through a

believe in the [University’s] strategic plan — especially

local youth program in New Haven, Connecti-

the portion about community outreach to promote the

cut, he spent the summer cleaning up public

greater good of society,” Rios says. This year’s Virtual

housing complexes — restoring facades,

Summer Work Experience Program in East Orange is

tidying park areas, and often throwing away

“a direct, quick, immediate response to a need that’s

empty crack vials and used needles.

happening in the community,” he adds.

He earned $3.75 an hour (this was the

Rios and East Orange Mayor Ted Green became

early 1990s), and “it was because of that money that

the program’s co-directors, helping more than 300

I was able to buy lunch, dinner, and even my school

teens earn $10 an hour for a 20-hour online work-

materials,” says Rios, now an assistant professor and

week, with tracks focused on academics, trade and

director of the master’s in social work program at Seton

social activism.

Hall. “I can’t imagine what would have happened to me

Rios oversaw the academic track, which supplied a

if these programs had been canceled because someone

taste of college life, introduced “faculty members who

didn’t meet the call.”

look like them and may have had similar life experiences

But due to the global pandemic, that could easily have been the fate of a similar program in East Orange this summer if a team including Rios hadn’t stepped up to help.

Through its annual Summer Work Experience Program,

to them,” and conveyed the crucial message that “I, too, can go to college,” he says.

The slate of presenters included Majid Whitney, associate dean and director of Seton Hall’s Educational

the city offers teens summer jobs, just as Rios had at

Opportunity Fund Programs, and first-year adviser/ROTC

their age. Nearly 400 people participated in the six-

Military Science instructor Julius Moore. Rios presented,

week program last year, with assignments ranging from

too — and as he spoke to the East Orange teens about

sprucing up city fire hydrants to creating an art mural

trauma in low-income communities, “a lot of memories

to interning in the mayor’s office. These paid experiences

came flooding back,” he says.

were all put in jeopardy this summer, though, when

14

“I wanted Seton Hall to be involved because I really

Born in Panama and raised in New Haven and later

COVID-19 swept on-site work off the table. Then VIP

Jersey City, Rios was the youngest of three siblings. He

Online Academy, co-led by author and activist Jamila

recounts how his family experienced a range of issues,

Davis, offered to help put the program on the internet,

including financial struggles and frequent upheavals.

and soon Seton Hall became a partner in the effort.

“Many would consider me a statistic,” he says.

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

GREATER GOOD Juan Rios oversaw the academic track for more than 300 students in the Virtual Summer Work Experience Program.

As he watched friends and neighbors die from drugs or violence, Rios never expected to live past 18 himself. “I

change the system from within,” he says. So he pursued

saw … where I didn’t want to go,” he says. “So what’s the

master’s and doctoral degrees in social work at Rutgers.

only [path] no one has tried? Stay in school.” He also need-

Today Rios’s research focuses on social justice and

ed the free meals that school offered, he says. At times,

its intersections with virtual reality. He plans to study

those meals were the only reason he kept showing up.

how children — “especially Black and brown children” —

Thanks to free social programs and a series of strong

respond to emerging technology, including online

mentors who became surrogate family, he got through

communities like the one he helped provide for East

high school and was accepted into Southern Connecticut

Orange kids this summer.

State University. “I didn’t care how many student loans I had to take out, I just wanted to get away,” he says.

In the wake of his own experiences with social work-

Photo by Michael Paras

But after several years, “I realized that you can’t really

“If it wasn’t for the opportunity of this virtual community, what would have been the alternative for these children?” Rios wonders. He already knows the impact

ers and Child Protective Services, Rios majored in social

such programs had on his own teen years. But now,

work. “I swore, since 15 years old, I wanted to be a CPS

several decades later, he has the chance to evaluate and

worker because of all the influences they had in my life,”

measure them as an academic — a twist he never saw

he says. “I wanted to be someone who could help those

coming at age 14. n

kids being transitioned from home to home do it in a way that’s healthy and inspiring.”

Molly Petrilla is a freelance writer based in New Jersey.

15

P ROFIL E |

CHRISTOPHER HANN

THE CHANGE AGENT

Alice Milligan, M.A. ’01 works to bring a new perspective and make her mark in the companies she has helped lead.

16 16

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

W

hen Alice Milligan, M.A. ’01 was pursuing

questioning the status quo and pushing for innovation,

communications at Seton Hall, she wrote

all in service to the customer. It’s a role for which she

her thesis on “Development of a Line of

credits her Seton Hall education.

Greeting Cards for Alcoholics and Those Impacted by Alcoholism.” She says the

FA L L 2 0 2 0

She has relished the role of change agent, often

her master’s degree in corporate and public

At E-Trade, which was recently acquired by Morgan Stanley, it’s Milligan’s job to ensure customers make the

topic was personal. She had seen people she knew

most of the company’s website and mobile app. “That is

struggle with addiction and understood the pain and

where the brand comes to life today,” she says. “It’s often

isolation it could impart.

the only place people interact with your brand. If you can

For such a critical assignment as a master’s thesis,

make that easy, seamless, make them understand your

it was a nontraditional subject. But Milligan’s choice of

products and services, how to make an investment, how

topic spoke volumes about her willingness to bring a new

to find out what their return is, it’s extremely rewarding.”

perspective to any conversation. She’s applied the same

Milligan got her start in secretarial school before going

approach throughout her 35-year career in the corporate

on to complete 12 years of night classes at The College

world, in which she’s often been the rare woman in a

of Saint Elizabeth (recently renamed Saint Elizabeth

leadership position. Today, as an executive vice president

University) to earn a bachelor’s degree in business

and the chief customer officer at E-Trade, the online

administration with a concentration in marketing, all

brokerage and financial services firm, she’s one of just

accomplished while she held a full-time job. She followed

two women on the company’s executive committee.

with four years of night classes at Seton Hall to earn

All of which might explain Milligan’s insistence on mentoring younger female colleagues. “When you are a minority in a particular area, a couple of things are important,” she says. “One is paying it forward.”

Andrea Zaretsky counts herself among those who have

her master’s degree. When Milligan mentors younger colleagues, perseverance is a common theme.

“The degree I got from Seton Hall, a master of arts, gave me a more well-rounded background,” she says, “so when I started bringing things to the table, it was about how

benefitted from Milligan’s counsel. They first worked togeth-

customers would react emotionally and not just rationally.

er at American Express nearly 15 years ago, and last year

I think that difference has helped me, from a business

Zaretsky leaped at the opportunity to reunite at E-Trade,

perspective, bring a different point of view. And from

where, as chief marketing officer, she reports directly to

a leadership perspective, it makes me seem more

Milligan. Asked to assess her boss’s strengths, Zaretsky

approachable. I’ve always had an attitude that everybody’s

does not hesitate. “She’s fearless,” Zaretsky says. “That is her

viewpoint is valuable, so don’t be afraid to share it.”

defining characteristic to me. She’s willing to be the lone

Nearly two decades ago, Milligan’s thesis adviser at

dissenting voice in the room, and it’s usually a room full of

Seton Hall, Michael S. McGraw, displayed a similar attitude

men. I think that people really respect her for that.”

when she approached him with her idea for an uncon-

Much of Milligan’s career has focused on the customer

Photo by Ben Sklar

|

ventional line of greeting cards. “I was really questioning

experience. In 15 years at American Express, she rose

whether I should bring it up,” Milligan recalls. “But the

to senior vice president for American Express Interactive,

willingness to customize the master’s program to a student’s

responsible for digital sales and service across the

needs was a great experience. I feel like the experience I

company’s web, mobile and e-communications platforms.

had at Seton Hall really helped equip me and give me the

Before joining E-Trade in 2019, she served five years as

confidence to make my mark in the industry I chose.” n

chief digital client experience officer for Citibank’s North America Consumer Bank.

Christopher Hann is a freelance writer and editor in New Jersey.

17

P ROFIL E |

JEN A. MILLER

BOOT CAMP GOES DIGITAL

A

n effort to prepare Seton Hall students for their post-college lives has gone online. The digital

At that point, the annual program was an intensive

program, initiated by John Strapp ’69, was in

four-day, on-campus workshop for just 12 to 20 students,

place before the COVID-19 pandemic pushed

with participants living in Seton Hall residence halls for

learning and lives to the internet, but it feels

a completely immersive experience.

even more vital now.

The College of Arts and Sciences launched

Students “were there from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30, 10 o’clock at night,” says Chris Kaiser, associate dean of

its Business Boot Camp in 2017 with a specific goal:

undergraduate academic affairs at the college. Attendees

to help A&S students understand how the skills they

listened to speakers from the business community, many

learn in their courses apply to the business world and

of whom started with liberal arts degrees but hadn’t

how to build a portfolio showcasing those skills.

known how to take those skills into a business setting.

“We hope to create a return on investment for these

Business Boot Camp teaches students how to apply

kids,” Strapp says. “You could help them get a better

what they’ve learned about negotiation, career decision-

job and potentially a higher salary to springboard

making, communicating, and money management in a

their careers.”

business setting. “Then it goes one step further, making

Strapp, chairman and cofounder of a healthcare

sure they have a clear and concise way to convey who they

consulting company called The Kinetix Group, studied

are, why they’d be a good fit for that company and how

political science, but found that the writing and

that company would be a good fit for them,” Kaiser says.

sociology courses he took were critically important

When Strapp heard about the boot camp, he knew he

to his business. It’s why he’s put time, energy and

had to be part of it. And what started as just speaking to

resources into the program and expanding access to

students as part of the program evolved into a significant

the boot camp by creating free online modules.

investment of time and resources in order to expand it.

Business Boot Camp benefited from alumni support

18

donations be sent in his memory to keep funding it.

Through his company, Strapp and the College of Arts and

from the start. A grant from the late Gus Anselmi ’54

Sciences have created an online version of the program

helped get the program off the ground, and when

they hope can reach more than just a handful of students

Anselmi died in 2019, his family requested that

each year.

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

John Strapp ’69 had a vision for taking a popular business-skills training program offered by the College of Arts and Sciences to the next level. His timing couldn’t have been better.

“If you have 15 to 20 people who raise their hand to give you a week of their time, they might not need the

Kaiser and Strapp started the online option because

program as much as a student who wouldn’t,” Strapp

they wanted as many students as possible to take it.

says. The online program is more attractive to students

“We’d like to roll it out to every student at the College of

who may not think it’s necessarily for them but still are

Arts and Sciences and then the University,” Kaiser says.

interested, or who can’t spend four days away from their work or studies to participate.

Photo by Michael Paras

help you create a career and academic plan.”

Kisha Duval ’20 took the on-campus course this year

Kaiser applauds the altruistic effort made by Strapp.

“He is looking back at his life and on his college experience and saying ‘I wish something like this existed. Let’s

and said it taught her that writing skills are valuable,

create it for other students.’ He’s trying to leave a legacy

along with networking “to successfully earn that chance

for all the right reasons.” n

for opportunities and acknowledgement,” she says. She urges other students to use the program because it “will

Jen A. Miller is author of Running: A Love Story. She lives in N.J.

19

FE ATU R E |

The Seton Hall community responds with characteristic resilience in the face of a global pandemic.

Christine (Zuffante) Furber ’09

20 20

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

Hazard Zet

FORWARD

By Shanice Casimiro and Kim de Bourbon

T

he world has changed a lot since March,

when New Jersey reported its first COVID-19 case.

Photo by Noel Casiano

In the months since in the Garden State, we endured fearsome weeks as an epicenter of the United States’ outbreak, a devastating number of deaths, harrowing job losses and economic hardships — along with a disorienting upending of our normal routines. And yet, positive shifts have also taken place: families reconnecting, hobbies rediscovered, neighbors helping neighbors, and whole groups of people reassessing their priorities.

At Seton Hall, we have always been guided by the ethos of Hazard Zet Forward, an exhortation to be persistent and to persevere, even in tough times. The stories that follow capture that spirit, along with another fundamental value we cherish: servant leadership. The vignettes here are infused with a light that shines through all the pain and fear 2020 has brought. They illustrate hope, determination, ingenuity, courage and love.

21

FE ATU R E |

PREPARING FOR WHAT’S AROUND THE CORNER

“Despite having worked for more than 12 years as a registered nurse, I could have never imagined what

Elizabeth Bigos, M.H.A. ’18

this past year would teach me, both

Chief nursing officer, ProHEALTH

professionally and personally.”

She cites an understanding

Medical Management

learned at Seton Hall about what Bigos works for a large healthcare

it means to be a servant leader. “I

system that set up the first drive-

knew I had a decision to make —

thru COVID-19 testing site in New

to sit in the administrative suite

York and opened eight new urgent

and manage my team from a ‘safe

care locations in response to the

distance’ or to put their needs

need for care and testing.

and comforts above my own and

PROVIDING ONLINE OUTREACH TO THE FAITHFUL Father Joseph Furnaguera Parochial vicar, St. Paul the Apostle Church, Jersey City “It took away our priesthood,” Father Furnaguera says of his experiences during the height of

it reminds me of how miserable that time was.

COVID-19 restrictions in New Jersey. “We could

I know how much individuals were suffering. I

not pray with people at Mass, we could not visit

would spend a few hours on the phone every day,

certain hospitals, we could not be present.”

and we had about three to four burials a week.”

“Jesus embraced lepers and those that were

He is haunted by four parishioners he knew

considered ‘unclean’ in society. Our inner desire

well whom he couldn’t comfort in their last

as priests is to be near those who are hurting,

hours. “They died without the sacraments. I will

alone, and neglected because this is what

remember them for the rest of my life because

Jesus does. But, COVID made everyone ‘unclean,’

I carry a similar guilt as their family due to the

including us.”

His church went online with its outreach

22

“It inevitably brings tears to my eyes because

fact that I was not able to visit them and do my priestly duty by administering the sacraments.

by livestreaming Mass and posting videos,

I pray for those four regularly, for their families,

including one featuring parishioners sharing

and for all the families and individuals that

words of encouragement and hope.

were affected by the virus.”

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

join them in the COVID trenches.

taking action in an outbreak.

Working alongside the clinical team

However, COVID-19 is different.

taught me how to be empathetic

It is unprecedented … with high

to their concerns and what they

infection and death rates compared

felt they needed to feel supported

to other pandemics.”

during this crisis.”

“Being able to care for another

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

“Public health workers are not viewed as part of the healthcare

human being is such an incredibly

system that is front and center

humbling experience; the surround-

in dealing with the pandemic.

ings and diagnosis may change, but

. . . People don’t remember that the

the feeling of inner peace that I get

reason the hospitals are not over-

when I am able to care for a strang-

flowing with patients and people are

er will always be the reason I stay.”

not dropping dead on the street is because of the extraordinarily work

OVERSEEING THE WELLBEING OF MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PEOPLE Paschal Nwako, Ph.D. ’17 Camden County Health Officer

performed by public health workers in public health departments.”

BUILDING A MEDICAL STATION FOR RECOVERING PATIENTS AT THE MEADOWLANDS

and Public Health Coordinator

Col. Stephen McKenzie, M.A. ’20

prepared as we head into the winter

Col. Stephen McKenzie, M.A. ’20

months, unsure what is in store for

The pandemic has proven what

Physician assistant, Summit

us as a state and a nation.”

Nwako already knew: The public

Medical Group; Commander,

health system and prevention

New Jersey National Guard

and panic because of the pandemic,

efforts don’t get the attention that

Medical Command; Ordained

it’s harder for people to heal and

they deserve.

deacon, Diocese of Paterson

this has had a negative psychological

“It is far better and less expensive

“Unfortunately, when there is fear

effect on our patients. It can also

to avoid an injury or illness than

In four days, on the front lines of

be difficult to provide the “human

to deal with the consequences. The

the pandemic, McKenzie’s National

touch” of healing — and hope — to

pandemic has revealed challenges

Guard team built a temporary

our patients as we are constantly

within our public health system —

medical station at the Meadowlands

challenged by masks and the physi-

however, it has been underfunded

Exposition Center in Secaucus. The

cal separation of social distance.

and overlooked for years.”

250-bed facility opened in April for

“Still, it is great to provide

Nwako’s work since March has

COVID-19 patients who were not in

patients with calming care, interact

been challenging. “Public health has

critical condition, easing the pres-

with them and, with their families,

responded to outbreaks and pan-

sure on overwhelmed hospitals.

plan what life will be like, when

demics for two centuries, protecting

McKenzie worked there through

they leave the facility. It’s a joy to

health and safety by preventing

June, when he was able to go back

help sick people, whether they have

infectious diseases and other health

to his job as a cardiology physician

COVID or not, and return them to

risks, informing the public, and

assistant. “I remain concerned and

their families.”

23

FE ATU R E |

SERVING AS A FRONT-LINE RESPONDER

all have a choice when working,

Sebin Vadasserril ’14

for our patients, and each other,

Nursing practice and quality

is all the motivation one needs

manager, St. Joseph’s University

to come back every day.”

but knowing how hard our colleagues are working to care

Medical Center, Paterson As preparations for a surge in COVID-19 cases began, Vadasserril

COMFORTING MOTHERS WITH NEWBORNS

was assigned to a command center

Christine (Zuffante) Furber ’09

that provided logistics tracking in

Registered nurse/lactation counselor,

the hospital system, determining

New York-Presbyterian Hospital

how much personal protective equipSebin Vadasserril ’14

ment (PPE) individual units needed

Furber relies on teamwork skills

and coordinating testing for patients

she learned as a Seton Hall varsity

and staff; later, he transitioned to

swimmer to manage the stress

give bedside patient care in a newly

of her job helping new mothers cope

converted ICU unit. The St. Joseph’s

with protecting their babies during

system saw patients peak at more

the pandemic.

than 130% of its ordinary capacity,

dedicated and supportive of each

testing positive or being investigated

other. When we won, we won as

for COVID-19.

a team. As a nurse, I’ve developed

Providing care throughout the

similar relationships with my

surge would not have been possible

co-workers. During the pandemic

without the support of nurses

we have leaned on one another

who traveled to the pandemic’s

every day.”

epicenter to help out, plus the

Furber’s work comes with a lot

many unsung heroes in the dietary,

of anxiety. But she loves being there

housekeeping and engineering

for her patients.

staffs and local businesses that

“I have learned so much about

donated food and supplies.

myself during this pandemic. I will

“The abundance of support and

one day share with my children

recognition from the community

the experiences of how I cared for

helped keep morale high.”

patients during that time. ... We

Vadasserril hopes people will

24

“My teammates and I were

with 72% of the admitted cases either

are stronger when we work together

continue to take public health

and help each other. My co-workers

recommendations seriously and

and I have become closer because

support each another so ultimately

we were put in situations that only

the virus can be overcome. “We

few can truly understand.”

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

MAINTAINING U.S./CHINA RELATIONS DURING AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC

an extremely unique experience for

Professor Zheng Wang

the country’s response against it.

Director, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies; School of Diplomacy and International Relations

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

“The past few months have been me. I witnessed the start and spread of the coronavirus from China and I closely followed the developments to study how China was handling this unprecedented crisis. I never imagined that New Jersey, where I

Wang’s area of expertise is the

reside, would become a coronavirus

influence of identity politics and

epicenter, forcing me to home-

nationalism on international

quarantine for several months.”

relations, with a focus on China’s relationship with the United States.

The Center for Peace and Conflict Studies received a Henry Luce

SERVING AS AN EXPERT SOURCE FOR NEWS MEDIA

Foundation grant to bring together

Professor Yanzhong Huang

former high-ranking defense

Director, Center for Global Health

officials, academics and policy

Studies; School of Diplomacy and

researchers from the U.S. and China

International Relations

for a series of online dialogues

Professor Yanzhong Huang

shared with me expanded my intellectual horizon and inspired

during the pandemic. “The value of

Huang is an expert on global health

me to write thought-provoking

this project is mainly that it keeps

governance, health diplomacy and

pieces about the pandemic that

both sides communicating with each

security, and public health in China

were published around the world.”

other during a time when we aren’t

and East Asia.

able to travel and bilateral relations are in bad shape,” Wang says.

By the end of the year there

Since late January, when China confirmed human-to-human transmission of a novel coronavirus,

MAKING AND DISTRIBUTING HAND SANITIZER FOR HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY

will have been 15 Zoom meetings

he has handled about 500 media

shedding light on the Chinese and

interviews — up to three to four

Brian Fitzpatrick ’75

American views, identifying points

a day — as reporters sought to

Founder and CEO,

of consensus where they exist, and

understand the ramifications of the

Bentley Laboratories, Edison, N.J.

defining conceptual and strategic

global pandemic. As the author of

differences that have hampered

Governing Health in Contemporary

When COVID-19 hit, Fitzpatrick

cooperation.

China, he has also been in high

started making hand sanitizer at his

demand for speaking engagements.

beauty care products plant, churning

The group will publish a book based on the dialogues, with a

“Never before had I spent so much

out more than 50,000 bottles of the

critical essay and rebuttal on each

time dealing with media outlets. But

essential stuff and giving it all away

issue by experts from both coun-

I benefited both professionally and

to the medical and healthcare com-

tries, each addressing the other’s

intellectually from the experience.

munity as well as to first responders.

misperceptions.

The information the journalists

It was a job Bentley Labs could

25

FE ATU R E |

Jakovcic’s company develops electronic health records software for prisons and this spring he received an email from a client desperate for personal protective equipment (PPE).

“They were most literally pleading if there were any connections we had where they could get PPE from,” he says, noting that since the prisons he deals with are government agencies, everything needs to go through layers of bureaucracy. “Our clients’ clinical staff was having to treat patients in a densely populated city with minimal PPE during the initial outbreak.”

Professor D. Brian Nichols

Jakovcic went into partnership take on easily, since it already had

with a friend who owns a New

a Food and Drug Administration

Jersey manufacturing company,

permit for alcohol-based products

making and distributing 25,000 clear

and could follow the federal agency’s

vinyl face shields to prison workers.

strict guidelines for making it.

“When we were distributing these,

“Stillman taught me many lifeskills. … The school shaped me into

this was at a time when you could

a businessman who keeps an eye on

not buy them, you could not get

the horizon to see the storm coming,

them,” he says, noting that he and

rather than having my head straight

his wife, Kathleen, personally deliv-

down looking at pavement.”

ered at least a third of the product themselves. “We’d call and say, we are going to deliver you several

ENGAGING STUDENTS IN SARS-COV-2 RESEARCH

hundred bottles. It was so uplifting to do something at a moment of

Professor D. Brian Nichols

crisis. We didn’t make anything for

College of Arts and Sciences,

resale. We gave everything away.”

Biological Sciences Nichols has studied the original SARS-CoV virus — the cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS disease — and is coming up with ways he and his students can

26

Bryan Jakovcic ’09

contribute to the understanding of

President and owner, Fusion Health,

SARS-CoV-2, the specific new virus

Woodbridge, N.J.

that causes COVID-19 disease.

Photograph by Michael Paras

DONATING FACE SHIELDS TO CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND PRISON HEALTHCARE STAFF

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

“Now that the labs have reopened,

“COVID-19, of course, implicates

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

Riveter,” wrote a perspective piece in

I’ve taken several new graduate

virtually every area of doctrinal law

The Washington Post analyzing how

students who will take on projects

that we teach, and since I knew that

the American messaging effort in

related to the virus, including study-

our students would likely face many

World War II could be used to fight

ing how SARS-CoV-2 modulates the

of those challenges as new attorneys,

COVID-19. He reminded readers that

host immune response and possibly

I asked if I could teach a course that

“our collective memory has forgotten

evaluating novel antiviral strategies.

focused exclusively on COVID-19’s

the messy reality of what actually

We’ve also discussed collaborating

impact across several broad areas

happened — and what elements

with other members of the biology

— including criminal law and the

of persuasion were required to

and chemistry departments on

penal system, labor and employment

mobilize people.”

coronavirus-related projects. Social

law, education law, privacy law,

distancing guidelines make it diffi-

contracts, and of course, a number

out during WWII were occasionally

cult to have too many students in the

of areas of healthcare law with a

unfocused, he says, advertising firms

lab at the moment, so we’ve had to

focus on inequities in the healthcare

made sure the words and images

be creative in ways to engage under-

delivery system.”

people were seeing were as uniform

graduate students in research.”

Undergraduate students are also designing ways to study coronaviruses using Seton Hall facilities that

Lawyers will have to grapple

While the public messages sent

as possible. “The messaging today, in

with the fallout from virus-related

contrast, appears to have a meager

claims for years to come, she notes.

sense of planning and cohesion at

Oliva is spending most of her

best. There is almost no comparison

could be used once a vaccine becomes

time writing and speaking about

available and it is again safe to have

COVID-19’s impact on vulnerable

multiple people in the lab.

patients — like essential workers,

“clear, consistent, repeated messaging

racial minorities, individuals with

as much as possible to encourage

LAUNCHING ONE OF THE FIRST LAW CLASSES IN THE COUNTRY ON COVID-19

disabilities, and individuals who

Americans to take steps needed to

lack socioeconomic resources —

slow the spread of the coronavirus.

and proposing legal solutions

This message must outline the stakes

that improve access to health care

in easy-to-comprehend terms and

Professor Jenn Oliva

instead of serving as a barrier.

offer clear guidance for action.”

LOOKING TO WWII FOR LESSONS IN HELPING CITIZENS FACE A CRISIS

HELPING STUDENTS CONTINUE TO SERVE THEIR MISSION

provoke many new and interesting

Professor James J. Kimble

Director, Division of

issues of law and policy, especially

College of Communication

Volunteer Efforts (DOVE)

regarding the Food and Drug Admin-

and the Arts, Communication

Seton Hall School of Law Oliva was teaching Food and Drug Law this spring when it became obvious the new coronavirus would

with the war era.”

What’s needed now, he says, is

Michelle Peterson

DOVE typically helps student

istration, which regulates everything from vaccines to serology tests to

Kimble, an expert on domestic

volunteers serve vulnerable

ventilators to PPE. She is watching

propaganda and rhetoric in times of

communities and groups in need,

the FDA closely to keep up to speed on

war and best known for uncovering

placing an emphasis on a “ministry

all the issues the agency is juggling.

the identity of the real “Rosie the

of presence.” Though the pandemic

27

FE ATU R E |

upended this, Peterson shifted gears

“Nothing prepared any superin-

quickly to launch online visits with

tendent for moving from brick and

group homes and youth programs

mortar to the remote space.”

and to plan a slate of fall programs that feature social distancing.

This semester, DOVE is sponsoring

Wrapping presents for a toy drive

In August the Orange school district held a livestreamed town meeting to present two possible

online student tutorials and English

“Return to School Plans” to the

as a Second Language classes, weekly

public, which Fitzhugh presented

discussions about service, equality,

alongside Tina Powell, Ed.D. ’14, the

and local and international need, as

district’s director of mathematics

well as Pillar Care Pals, a service to

and science. In September the

connect volunteers with homebound

district started a four-phased plan

individuals. Its perennially success-

that meant 100% virtual learning

ful toy drive was moved to October to

for the first four weeks of the school

match the academic semester’s early

year, followed by a gradual return

close. The Hunger and Homelessness

to the classroom for teachers in

Drive, running through November

October and a small number of

24, is collecting food, warm clothing

students in November, on limited

and toiletries for missions in Newark,

schedules.

South Orange and Philadelphia.

“The pandemic is a shared experi-

“The crisis has shown me how to become more resilient as well as

ence that has shown each of us what

prepared for the unknown. The work

is important: our families, our com-

is never done. … Superintendents

munities, our connections. We have

work 24 hours a day, seven days a

learned the value of everything that

week, but this work is more targeted

was suddenly taken away — schools,

as families may need more support,

jobs, socialization and so much

and we have to be ‘on’ to ensure we

more. We have learned strength.”

have answers to their questions.”

NAVIGATING AN UNCHARTED TRANSITION TO REMOTE LEARNING

back letter to his district’s families,

Gerald Fitzhugh II, Ed.D. ’19

respective buildings.”

As Fitzhugh wrote in a welcome

Superintendent, Orange Township Public Schools

“Through remote means we will continue to embrace the students as if they were in front of us in our

PROVIDING ESSENTIAL WORK IN A GROCERY STORE

It seems an understatement: “The

28

problems involved in teaching

Matthew Seely ’21

during the pandemic seem almost

Supervisor, Kings Food Market,

insurmountable,” Fitzhugh says.

Florham Park

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

Seely faced customers shopping

numbers from the store compared to

from “your typical waitressing job

in a panic this spring, sometimes

last year are up significantly, and we

to a true lifeline for our residents”

having to increase his schedule

are on top of making sure the store

when visitors were prohibited at

at the grocery store from 20 to 40

stays as clean as possible.”

facilities across the state.

hours a week while he was studying full-time.

Seely never thought of himself as

As several Brightview residents

an essential worker until the start

passed away early in the crisis,

of the pandemic but is humbled by

others were quarantined in their

balance the demands of his classes

the thought of helping people feel

apartments, and Sheeler began

and his job.

comfortable shopping — “though it

delivering meal orders to them rather

may be in a small way.”

than serving in the dining room.

Remote learning has helped him

Kings implemented strict safety guidelines to keep customers and

To help fight feelings of isolation,

SERVING AS A VITAL CONNECTION TO ISOLATED PEOPLE

she volunteered to take residents

shifts. All carts, baskets, credit card

Emma Sheeler ’23

stimulation and companionship.

machines, signs and dividers are

Food server, Brightview Senior

staff safe, including one-way aisles, plexiglass at registers, social distancing for customers waiting in line, and double maintenance

sanitized regularly.

Living Facility

“I think a lot of good has come

on walks after work, and Brightview planned new activities, including a happy hour to bring additional “I will remember the role I played during a global pandemic for the rest of my life. There is no doubt that

from these trials. Overall morale at

Sheeler’s job shifted dramatically

our residents deeply missed their

the store is better because we feel

in March when the pandemic hit

families, but we all worked hard to

like we really all are a team working

nursing homes and assisted living

bring them into our hearts and make

to make sure everyone is happy. The

facilities hard. Her work transformed

one big Brightview family.” n

STARTING AN ORAL HISTORY PROJECT ON THE PANDEMIC Seton Hall University Libraries staff The University Libraries launched a collection of personal narratives called “Together Again” to document how life in the Seton Hall community has changed due to COVID-19. Participants submit short video or audio recordings sharing personal stories and reflections. So far, the project has received more than 60 responses.

“Our current social fragmentation results from our caring for each other,” says Sarah Ponichtera, assistant dean of special collections and the gallery, one of the many people working on the collection, which is posted online. “We hope this project, and others like it, allow that fundamental truth to shine through.”

“Together Again” will remain open for submissions until the pandemic is declared over, but Ponichtera hopes future historians will use it to experience how COVID-19 affected society.

29

S P OR T S |

SHAWN FURY

Hills, Hassles or Hampered Hamstrings…

No Problem.

S

eton Hall senior cross-country runner Cristina Fernandez knows all about the challenges

is unclear due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fernandez is

that make her sport so difficult: hilly and

certain about her post-college career. She’ll help others,

rugged terrain, unpredictable weather that

just as she’s always done. Active in her local church,

runs hot and cold, muddy ground, the wear and tear

Fernandez volunteered at food pantries and also traveled

that causes injuries.

on trips to places like West Virginia where her group

Fernandez has a phrase for how competitors contend with all these factors. “It’s about embracing the discom-

repaired homes. “I always loved community service.”

This kind of passion for service contributed to

fort,” she explains. “And as a team we do that together,

Fernandez being honored as a Seton Hall Student Servant

and that just makes us stronger when we’re on the

Leader. When Roberto Sasso, associate athletics director

starting line.”

for student-athlete development and leadership, saw the

“Embracing the discomfort.” That philosophy describes Fernandez’s approach to more than running.

Because of her willingness to seek out global experi-

award criteria, he knew she would be a good candidate.

“She’s exceptionally friendly … and loves to get involved.”

A biology major with dreams of a career as a doctor,

ences, to experience new situations and cultures, she

Fernandez is president of the Seton Hall chapter of

has singled herself out for success and was honored with

MEDLIFE, a nonprofit group that works to improve access

one of five Student Servant Leader Awards this spring.

to medicine and education in Latin America and Africa,

Fernandez, a Parsippany native, originally focused on

30

Though the ultimate outcome of fall sports this year

and she has played a key role in increasing membership

soccer and basketball, even though she always enjoyed

on campus. On MEDLIFE service trips to Ecuador and

running. It wasn’t until her final years of high school

Peru, she helped on the front lines as physicians provided

that she took up cross country and “fell in love with the

medical care to impoverished communities. Fernandez

challenge of it.” She proved a quick learner, excelling in

took on a number of roles on these trips, from taking

high school and then at Seton Hall. She capped her first

down general patient information and vitals to shadowing

three seasons on the University team helping the Pirates

doctors, working with pharmacists, preparing Pap smears,

win at the 2019 ECAC/IC4A Championships, with a time

teaching kids the right way to brush their teeth and

of 20:07, fourth-best overall.

educating families on general hygiene and health.

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

Working in places where people sometimes didn’t even have access to supplies as simple and necessary

Photo courtesy of Seton Hall Athletics

as ibuprofen for an injured ankle took her out of

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

campus … growing MEDLIFE … traveling to South America … it’s no easy task.”

A typical day for Fernandez? Waking up 6 a.m.,

her comfort zone. “I was really distraught to witness

for practice at 7 a.m.; weight-lifting; classes; studying;

the kind of poverty that these people had to live in,”

afternoon practice; maybe more classes; maybe a

she says, “but I was inspired by the power that medicine

MEDLIFE meeting. “It’s a busy day but I’m surrounded

had to improve their lives. I just remember my heart

by people who are as passionate as I am, about running

feeling full, knowing how much medicine impacts

and pursuing a career in medicine, about helping the

people’s lives.”

community,” she says. “It’s exhausting but I love what

Sasso marvels at how Fernandez manages her own life. Even being named a Student Servant Leader

I do, and I wouldn’t change it.” Especially when she’s helping change the world. n

captures “just a fraction of the person she is,” he says, wondering how she finds the time. “All she does on

Shawn Fury is an author in New York City.

31

S P OR T S |

SHAWN FURY

Lizzie Win Is Back For More

32

S E TSOENT OHNA LHLA LMLA G MAAZGI ANZEI N |E

F

ive months after the COVID-19 pandemic

affect how you play the rest of the day. Sometimes

ended Lizzie Win’s senior season as a star

it’s hard to move on but you have to do it if you

golfer at Seton Hall, she remembers the dreaded

want to grow as a player and if you want to grow

March day when she and her teammates

as a person.”

received the news: “When we found out that we weren’t

Seton Hall women’s golf coach Natalie Desjardins

having the rest of the season, or our conference

watched that maturation. She calls Win a “grinder and

championship, that was one of the worst days of my

a fighter. She’s self-motivated. I never worry about

life,” she says.

her not doing what she’s supposed to be doing to get

The crushing disappointment brought Win’s senior

better.” Among Win’s accomplishments: winning the

campaign to an end, but it didn’t finish off her college

individual title in difficult weather at the Lady Blue Hen

career, as the NCAA granted spring-sport athletes

Invitational in Delaware; collecting the first hole-in-one

another year of eligibility. The day after she graduated

for any Pirate in tournament action with an ace at the

from Seton Hall in May with a double major in marketing

Nittany Lion Invitational in 2018; and having a 75.87

and information technology, Win began a master’s degree

career scoring average, the best four-year mark in

in marketing. She is hoping to play for the Pirates in

school history.

spring 2021.

And while COVID-19 delayed Win’s pursuit of a career

Win also already has valuable LPGA Tour experience.

Twice in her hometown she played in the Marathon

in professional golf, it also didn’t ruin that dream. When

Classic, a tournament her family’s very familiar with

she’s done at Seton Hall, Win will seek a spot on the

— for more than a decade the Wins have hosted LPGA

LPGA through its Q-School, where players battle for a

standout Brittany Lincicome when she competes in

tour card.

Ohio. For Win, “getting to play in the event with someone

“It’s actually going to be a big help,” Win says of another year of preparation. “I’m working with a new swing coach, who I wouldn’t have had before. … And

that I looked up to, and now being able to play at her level, was awesome and very eye-opening.”

When it comes to a pro career, Desjardins talks with

I’m going to have all this time to myself, to go out,

Win about her own experiences from a decade ago,

practice, do what I love and be able to do it on my own

when the Pirate coach played on the smaller tours. “She

time while dealing with the schoolwork as well.”

has a great network of people, but the advice I gave her

Win spent the summer at home in Sylvania, Ohio,

Photo courtesy of Seton Hall Athletics

S| P RF IANLGL 2 0 2 10 8

is that you really are alone,” Desjardins says. “There’s

where she first learned the game from her dad, Tom.

no contract at the end of the day. You have to prove

The two teamed up in father-daughter tournaments in

yourself. You qualify, you play in those tournaments

her younger days, and he’s caddied for her. While her dad

and then slowly but surely, hopefully, you climb up that

helped her with golf’s finer aspects, Win says she never

leaderboard where people do recognize you and you’re

obsessed over technical details. “When I see something,

able to get those small sponsorships that turn a little

I’ll replicate it. I caught on to that learning style quickly,

bigger, then a little bit bigger.”

which helps in golf because you can sit at home, watch

Win accepts those challenges, especially after

it on TV and it makes you want to go to the course and

an unprecedented spring when a pandemic altered

replicate what you’ve seen.”

everything yet did nothing to deter her from her LPGA

Beyond that, “My dad’s pretty level-headed, pretty calm. I think I’ve inherited that trait. I try not to

goals. “I really think that if I didn’t try it, I would regret it and wish I would have gone for it.” n

let things bother me because in golf if you make one mistake and dwell on it too long, it’s going to

Shawn Fury is an author in New York City.

33

NE W S & N OT E S

alumni

60s

Patrick J. Conte ’62 received a lifetime achievement award from Marquis Who’s Who. … Martin F. Murphy ’62/J.D. ’65 was honored for 18 years of service to the borough of Essex Fells, N.J. …

Daniel Williams ’62 received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Jersey Psychological Association. … Frank Schweighardt ’66 received a lifetime achievement award from Marquis Who’s Who. … Terence G. Conor, J.D. ’67 received a lifetime achievement award from Marquis Who’s Who. … Brian J. Fitzgerald ’67 was interviewed on WBGO radio about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Easterseals, an organization helping those with disabilities. … Frederick Schragger, J.D. ’67 was named the Harvey Cedars representative for the Long Beach Island, N.J. Consolidated Board of Education. … Raymond Chambers, M.B.A. ’68 was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Princeton University. … John A. Niziol ’68 is teaching pediatrics at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. … William E. Ward ’68/M.A. ’73 published My Mosaic: Discovering Each Spiritual Piece One at a Time.

70s

Ronald W. Zilinski ’71 retired as director of the division of finance for Trenton, N.J. after serving the city for 13 years. … George Pizzo ’73 launched Caring Transitions of Somerset County, a senior -focused relocation and estate-clearing company, with his son, Damian. …

John Yavelak ’73/M.B.A. ’79 earned a process-improvement award known as Six Sigma Black Belt at General Motors for the OnStar Project. … Donald A. Maxton, M.A. ’74 retired from a 35-year career of writing, editing and designing newsletters, magazines, brochures, and educational material for corporations and hospital systems. … Michael John Spedick ’74 received a lifetime achievement award by Marquis Who’s Who. … Jean Leuner ’75 was re-elected to

34

the board of directors and nominating committee of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. … Therese M. Mamel Shehan, M.A. ’75 graduated summa cum laude from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary with an M.A. in Theological Studies degree and was the valedictorian for the program. …

Donald Williams ’75 retired as an Ulster County, N.Y., judge after 40 years in law enforcement. … The family of Walter S. Zalewski Jr. ’77 posthumously published a novel he wrote called The Poohman about college friends discussing their lives at a class reunion. … Thomas C. Miller, J.D. ’78 was named the new assignment judge for Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren counties in New Jersey. …

Michael Ventura, J.D. ’78 was named to the SAGE Eldercare Board of Trustees. …

Monsignor Gregory J. Studerus, M.D.M. ’79 was named an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J.

80s

Michael J. Fasano ’80 joined RIPCO Real Estate as a managing partner, overseeing its investment sales platform. … Theodore N. Stephens, J.D. ’80 was honored during the New Jersey General Assembly’s Black History Month celebration. … Rhonda Cardone ’81 has been named to the board of directors of the American Society of Highway Engineers New York Metro chapter. … Laurence Bodine, J.D. ’81 received a lifetime achievement award from Marquis Who’s Who. … Jamelle Hoskins-Nnakwe ’81 published a children’s book, I Can Speak Two Languages. … Robert Leszczak ’81 is writing his 11th pop culture book, scheduled for release in 2021, about the history and behind-the-scenes story of the NBC sitcom “Wings.” He also celebrated his 42nd year in the radio business. … Ron Manzella, M.A.E. ’81 retired as the business administrator of Union (N.J.) Township. … Daniel Pacicco ’81 was appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. …

Carole Peet ’81 was named CEO of Virginia Mason Memorial hospital in

Yakima, Wash. … Christine Amlfe ’82 was sworn in as secretary of the New Jersey State Bar Association. … Ann Marie Mauro ’82/M.S.N. ’86 was named dean of the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University. … Michele Papkow Bononi ’82 was elected to 10 more years as judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Westmoreland County, Pa. …

Damian Braga, M.B.A. ’83 joined the board of directors for VBI Vaccines, Inc. … Patrick T. Collins, J.D. ’83 participated in a virtual town hall titled “COVID-19 Guidance: A Discussion about FFCRA and Other Employment Laws Impacting Medical Practices,” for New Jersey Medical Group Management Association and eight other state medical group management associations. … Mark Dorigan, J.D. ’83 was named CEO of Hoffman & Associates, a development firm in Washington, D.C. … Robert F. Guida, J.D. ’83 joined the Dentons law firm, focusing on insurance defense and general litigation. … Jack M. Ciattarelli ’84/M.B.A. ’86 is seeking the Republican nomination for the New Jersey governor’s race in 2021. … Adele Gulfo ’84 joined Myovant Science’s board of directors. …

Mary A. Rusnak, M.B.A. ’85 published the novel Villages Ghost Stories. …

Tim F. McGoughran, J.D. ’86 became second vice president of the New Jersey State Bar Association. … Suzanne Stess Williams ’87 was named Teacher of the Year for 2019-20 at Lillian Drive School in Hazlet, N.J. … Thomas P. Chester ’88 was appointed associate vice president for human resources at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. … Wanda Knapik, M.B.A. ’88 hosted “Introduction to Permaculture Design” at the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland, N.J., a program on reversing global warming using the diverse landscapes of New Jersey. … Anthony Sallustio ’88 was honored with the Private Practice Prosthodontist Award from the Northeast Region of the American College of Prosthodontists. … Richard P. Law ’89 became a managing director in the corporate value consulting practice of Grant Thornton.

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

PROFILE And the Emmy Goes to…

O

|

nly a handful of Roman Catholic priests have won

different experiences as far as socio-economics

Emmys, and this summer Father Michael Russo

and political experiences, what the Church has done

‘67/M.Div.’75 became one of them.

when it’s been its best throughout history is to meet

Father Russo, managing editor and host of the

people where they are, understand their needs, and

“Sunday to Sunday” television show, was awarded a 2020

then preach the Gospel to them,” says Father Walsh

Emmy Award for Outstanding Interview Program by

in the episode.

the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ San Francisco/Northern California chapter.

“We’re thrilled about this honor from the television

FA L L 2 0 2 0

Other recent episodes feature Father Bob Stagg of the Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, N.J.; Father Manuel De Jesus Rodriguez, pastor

academy,” Father Russo told the Religion News

of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church

Service. “It’s truly a culmination of teamwork and

in Jamaica, Queens; and Father Ricky Manalo, a

support from many, and a sign that our work is

composer/liturgist and preacher. | SHANICE CASIMIRO

having an impact.”

Father Russo, retired professor of media studies

at Saint Mary’s College of California, has combined media expertise with his religious calling throughout his career. His broad experience includes working as a desk assistant for Walter Cronkite during the broadcast of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969 and serving as a freelance CBS News producer for elections, political conventions and his specialty, the news of religion.

He spent 10 years in the Seton Hall priest community,

teaching at Seton Hall Prep and serving in other capacities at the University. After his ordination from Darlington Seminary in 1971, he obtained a Ph.D. from New York University and earned a Shorenstein fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School.

As the Archdiocese of Newark’s director of commu-

nication, he created “New Jersey Catholic,” a weekly discussion program on Suburban Cablevision and was appointed to the New Jersey Public Television Commission.

After retiring from full-time teaching in 2017, Father

Russo established “Sunday to Sunday,” which explores the art, craft and spirituality of preaching. The program can be seen on America Magazine’s website and a The Emmy Award-winning episode, “Father Chris Walsh,” follows a Philadelphia priest as he shares his experiences as the spiritual leader of the African American congregation of Saint Raymond of Penafort.

“I think as we minister, not only to an increasingly non-white Church but also a Church that has very

Father Michael Russo

Photo courtesy of Randy Tunnell

growing number of cable news outlets nationally.

35

NE W S & N OT E S

Pirate Babies 1. Caroline Langowski ’14 and Robert Meade, a girl, Savannah Meade.

2. Maryan (Nasralla) ’10/D.P.T. ’14 and Johnathan Wicker ’10, a boy, Jeremiah Michael on June 29, 2019.

3. Kaitlyn (Patire) Urciuoli ’10 and Michael Urciuoli ’10, a girl, Ava Rose, on November 1, 2019.

1

2

3

4

5

4. Jessica (Socha) ’02/M.B.A. ’04 and Nathan Umbriac ’03/M.B.A. ’09, a girl, Stefania Marie, on June 3, 2019.

5. Andrew D. Rivera ’13 and Cara Rivera, a boy, Mateó Fear, on April, 13, 2020.

SHARE YOUR JOY WITH THE PIRATE COMMUNITY Please send us your wedding or baby photos to alumni@shu.edu or shuwriter@shu.edu.

We may run your submission in a future issue of the magazine or on social media.

Tying the knot 1. Veronica Grupico ’13 and Thomas Schram ’14 married on November 9, 2019.

2. Erika Klinger, M.A. ’11 and Gary Thomas ’99 married on October 4, 2019.

1

36

2

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

Pirate Pride Tag us in your Pirate Pride photos @setonhallalumni or email us alumni@shu.edu

Don’t have a Pirate bandana yet?

Visit www.shu.edu/alumni to request yours.

Angelo Marino ’14 and Ashley Sydlo ’14 married on January 24, 2020.

Share your news...

Have you been promoted? Earned an advanced degree?

Been honored for professional or personal achievements?

Recently married? Added a baby Pirate to the ranks? We want to know! Visit us at www.shu.edu/alumni and share your success. Your news may be published in an upcoming issue of Seton Hall magazine.

If you can’t log on, fill out the form below with your 1

news and send it to: Department of Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy Alumni News and Notes 457 Centre St., South Orange, NJ 07079 Fax: (973) 378-2640

Name

2

3

Class Year(s) and Degree(s) from Seton Hall

Home Address

Phone

Email Address

News to Share:

4

PRIDE IN ACTION 1) Patrick Parrish ’12/J.D. ’18 atop Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. 2) Michael Rholfs ’93 and Michael Freker ’93/M.P.A. ’97 at a Temple in Bangkok, Thailand. 3) Lisa Bettelli Longo ’86/M.A. ’92 at the Trevi Fountain, Rome. 4) Margaret Bystryk ’14 of the U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, and the current Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Army, MG Stuart Risch, J.D. ’87 in the courtroom of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

37

NE W S & N OT E S

alumni

90s

38

Charles Aaron ’90 was featured in Jersey’s Best magazine in a story about Jersey Girl Brewing Co., which he co-owns. … Abbot Elias Lorenzo, M.A.E. ’90 was named an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J. … Michael Murray ’90 joined the Tully Rinckey PLLC law firm as chief marketing officer. …

Jack V. Corradino ’91 was certified as a member of The Lawyers of Distinction. …

Patrick Dunican, J.D. ’91 was elected chair of the Iona College Board of Trustees. … Jeffery Goldsmith ’91/J.D. ’94 joined the insurance company AIG Claims, Inc. ... Evelyn Padin, J.D. ’92 is immediate past president of the New Jersey State Bar Association, having been the first Latina president. … Father Michael Saporito, M.D.M. ’92 was named an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J. … Michelle McLaughlin ’93/M.B.A. ’99 was appointed chief underwriting officer of the North America retail commercial property and casualty insurance division at Chubb Limited. … Judith E. Schmidt, M.S.N. ’93 was awarded the George J. Herbert Leadership Award for nursing leadership career at the 48th Annual Seton Hall College of Nursing Margaret C. Haley Awards. … Gene Hoffman ’94 is pursuing an online doctorate in Jewish studies at 91 years old. … Kenichi Iwama, J.D. ’94 was selected as chancellor of the Indiana University Northwest campus. … Shana Kelley ’94 wrote an article titled “We Need a Moonshot for New Diagnostics if We Want Effective Pandemic Control” about how to diagnose the COVID-19 virus. … Marina Barg, J.D. ’95 was appointed senior vice president of claims for the W.R. Berkley Corporation insurance company. … Susan Hairston, M.P.A. ’95 ran for Ward 1 councilwoman in Summit, N.J., this November. … Mark R. Peck, J.D. ’95 was named planning board attorney in Bridgewater Township, N.J. … Kevin G. Walsh ’95/J.D. ’98 was installed as the 123rd president of the Essex County, N.J. Bar Association. … Melissa Florance-Lynch ’96 ran for Morris County (N.J.) freeholder. … Frank S. Sorce, M.B.A. ’96 joined TEDOR

Pharma, a contract development and manufacturing organization, as regional business development director. … Nelson J. Aquino ’97 ran for a seat on the board of health in Winchester, Mass. … John L. Shahdanian, J.D. ’97 joined the McCusker, Anselmi, Rosen & Carvelli, P.C. law firm in Florham Park, N.J. … Katherine Howes, J.D. ’98 was appointed alternate municipal judge for Bridgewater Township, N.J. … Elaine A. Rocha, J.D. ’98 was elected vice chair of the board of directors for The College of New Jersey Foundation and became the chief of staff to the president of the AIG insurance company. … Vincenzo Stampone, J.D. ’98 was confirmed as a judge on the Paterson (N.J.) Municipal Court. … Beatriz Manetta, M.S. ’99, CEO of Argent Associates, a technology consulting company, was awarded the 2019 Ford Motor Co. Mujer Legendaria Award in Leadership. … Damian Shammas, J.D. ’99 was selected to the Thomson Reuters New Jersey Super Lawyer list. … Gregory T. Simpson, M.B.A. ’99/M.S. ’99 joined software company Saama Technologies, Inc. as vice president, head of marketing. … Melissa L. Van Der Wall ’99/M.P.A. ’01 was honored by the YMCA of Northern New Jersey during its annual Tribute to Women of Influence ceremony.

00s

Christopher Carola ’01 was appointed vice president, relationship manager for commercial lending in Denville/Totowa, N.J., for Lakeland Bank. … Sandy L. Galacio, J.D. ’01 was promoted to special counsel at the Windels Marx law firm. …

Garrett Hoover, M.H.A. ’01 was named president and chief operating officer of Carroll Hospital in Carroll County, Md. …

Christopher Piehota, M.A. ’01 joined Lowers Risk Group as executive vice president of business development and operations. … Theresa M. Pietrowski, M.A.E. ’01 was named principal at Chestnut Ridge Middle School in Washington Township, N.J. … Quovella Spruill, M.A. ’01 public safety director for the Franklin Township, N.J., Police Department, was the keynote speaker for a seminar at Hudson County Community College discussing “Women

in Policing.” … Lisa M. Antunes, Ed.D. ’02 was appointed superintendent of the Hillsborough, N.J., School District. … Alba L. Guadalupe ’02 is school counseling director at Atlantic Technical High School in Coconut Creek, Fla. … David Ondrejcak, M.B.A. ’02 was named to the board of trustees for the Cancer Hope Network in Chester, N.J. … Kamili Williams, M.P.A. ’02 was appointed head of the Union County (N.J.) Division of Social Services within the state’s Department of Human Services. … Barbara Boyle, M.S. ’03 was named a partner at Murphy, Miller & Baglieri LLP, an accounting firm. … Angel Diaz, J.D. ’03 donated saintly relics to Our Lady of the Lake parish in Sparta, N.J. … Marcus O. Hicks, J.D. ’03 is commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Corrections. … David Viana ’03, owner and chef de cuisine of Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge, N.J., gave a cooking demonstration at his alma mater Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark, N.J., to support the school’s Parent Teacher Association. …

Donna A. Higbee, M.A. ’04 was featured in an article in The Press of Atlantic City about her police career. … Maria Sikoutris-Di Iorio, M.B.A. ’04 hosted a Hellenic Therapy Center session on the mental health effects of COVID-19. … Timothy H. Brennan, M.S.T. ’05 was named partner at the Bederson LLP accounting firm in Fairfield, N.J. … Carrie Longstaff, J.D. ’05 was elected partner at BakerHostetler in the law firm’s intellectual property group. … Craig McGraw ’05 was featured in a Forbes article highlighting his work on the Forbes Business Development Council. … Olivia Ottens ’05 launched the Michalski-Ottens Law Office in Pompton Plains, N.J. … John A. Perez ’05 was promoted to director of military and veterans’ affairs at Johnson & Johnson. … Yeurys Pujols, M.A. ’05 was honored at Save Latin America’s “Los Tres Proceres Antillanos” gala. …

Michael G. McNally, J.D. ’06 became a partner at the Fox Rothschild LLP law firm in Minneapolis, Minn., in the employee benefits and compensation department. …

Heidi Williamson, M.A. ’06 is senior vice president for programs and initiatives at Berks County Community Foundation. …

Erica A. Barker, J.D. ’07 was selected to lead the Postal Regulatory Commission’s

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

GET CONNECTED

• V I R T UA L •

Seton Hall’s annual Many Are One alumni gala, held online in June, celebrated our 2020 Most Distinguished Alumna honoree, Catherine Alicia Georges ’65, a nationally recognized leader committed to improving the health of minorities and the disadvantaged, a former president of the National Black Nurses Foundation, and AARP’s national volunteer president.

The celebration included remarks from Georges as well as thank you messages sent out to Seton Hall alumni and students who demonstrated servant leadership by working as essential or frontline workers throughout the pandemic.

View a recap of our 2020 Many Are One digital celebration by visiting www.shu.edu/manyareone.

Have you taken advantage of Seton Hall’s exclusive professional development and networking platform, Pirate Connect?

Join fellow Pirates and unlock a world of opportunities available only to the University community.

Find or become a mentor, search or post jobs and keep up to date with Seton Hall happenings by visiting www.shu.edu/ PirateConnect or downloading the “Graduway” app on your smartphone.

Seton Hall Strong Overwhelming acts of kindness from Pirates around the world throughout the COVID-19 pandemic have shown the true meaning of being one Seton Hall family. Two fundraising campaigns aimed at supporting the University and its students, carried out in the initial, uncertain days of the crisis, set a bold precedent for the ways our community can rise to any occasion.

April’s Day of Caring 1,400 supporters counted. 365,000 dollars raised. In 36 hours. Despite the economic uncertainty caused

by COVID-19, Setonians everywhere demonstrated their Pirate Pride in a time of need; they responded in droves to the University’s call for a “Day of Caring” to help students particularly impacted by the pandemic.

Great Minds Forward The motto Hazard Zet Forward has served to guide Seton Hall through the toughest of times; it continues to do so, even now.

forward To help the University rise above the challenges and maintain its ability to educate students who will become future leaders, our Pirate community rallied throughout June and July, pushing Seton Hall’s Great Minds Forward fundraising campaign to exceed expectations.

Originally launched with a goal of 500 donors, the campaign attracted 1,200 donors, raising more than $85,000 for the areas of greatest need.

39

alumni

NE W S & N OT E S Office of the Secretary and Administration in Washington, D.C. … Damian Bednarz, M.A. ’07 joined EnBW North America as the development company’s external affairs director. … Fanny Erazo Cedeno ’07 is the new Hudson County Freeholder for District 6 in New Jersey. … Ryan M. Jennings ’07/J.D. ’10 joined Unruh, Turner, Burke & Frees as a partner in the law firm’s municipal and land use practice groups. … Steven Miller, M.A. ’07 wrote a book titled Museum Collection Ethics: Acquisition, Stewardship, and Interpretation …

Rashmee Sinha, J.D. ’07 joined Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck LLP as an employment practices liability partner in the law firm’s Woodbury, N.Y., headquarters. … Diane Vidal, J.D. ’07 was appointed a director of the Flagler County, Fla., Bar Association. …

Wanda French-Brown, J.D. ’08 was selected to represent the McGuireWoods law firm on the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity 2020 Fellows Program. … Dawn C. Kumar ’08/M.A.E. ’11 is a trustee to the Wayne (N.J.) Board of Education. …

Vittorio Mena Jr. ‘08/M.S. ’10 won the Young Optometrist of the Year Award for 2019 presented by the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians for his work with the Optical Academy’s mobile unit. … Brian Sabatelli, M.A. ’08 was sworn in as a sergeant for the Fairfield, N.J., police department. … Russell Cirincione ’09/J.D. ’12 was endorsed by Andrew Yang for his seat representing New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District. … Karen L. Kielczewski Robinson, J.D. ’09 was promoted to senior staff attorney at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice. … Lacey Lockward, M.B.A. ’09 was named the new head of stable value for Prudential Retirement, a business unit of Prudential Financial, Inc. … Steven Pantina ’09 is leading Proxy Analytics LLC, a new corporate governance intelligence firm.

10s

Elizabeth Ardolino, Ph.D. ’10 wrote a paper titled “Relationship between Movement Quality, Functional Ambulation Status, and Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Children with Myelomeningocele.” … Jennifer Eugene, J.D. ’10 is assistant municipal attorney for Hamilton Township, N.J. …

40

Wendy W. Lin-Cook, Ph.D. ’10 was appointed vice president of enrollment management at Montclair State University. … Brendan Lyons, Ed.D. ’10 was appointed superintendent of schools for the Lakeland (N.Y.) Central School District. …

Rachel Mongiello, J.D. ’10 was elevated to a member of Cole Schotz P. C. law firm. …

Vito T. Cataldo, M.S. ’11 became senior manager of the personal care team at AAK USA Inc. … Joseph A. Giordano, J.D. ’11 joined the litigation team for Porzio, Bromberg & Newman P. C. as counsel in the Morristown, N.J., office. … Tommy Ibrahim, M.H.A. ’11 was appointed president and chief executive officer of Basset Healthcare Network. … Michael Jacobson ’11 is president and chief executive officer of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association. …

Grzegorz S. Panek ’11 is chief financial officer of XCEL Federal Credit Union. … Emily Metz, J.D. ’12 is president and chief executive officer for the American Egg Board. … Raj Mukherji, J.D. ’12 is chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee for Jersey City, N.J. … Katherine M. O’Brien ’12 was promoted to editor at Dark Horse Comics. …

Edward Twomey ’12 was appointed to an assistant professorship in the Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine. … Joel Castillo, Ed.S. ’13 was appointed to lead the Academy of Our Lady of Peace in New Providence, N.J. … Katie Manzi McDonough, J.D. ’13 was promoted to partner at Egan, Flanagan & Cohen, P. C. law firm in Springfield, N.J., and was named one of BusinessWest’s “40 Under Forty” for 2020. … Briehan A. Moran, J.D. ’13 was named senior vice president, director of business development for The Gate New York, a communications company. …

Justine Abrams, J.D. ’14 graduated from the Lead New Jersey leadership fellowship program in 2019. … Patrick Beatty, Ed.D. ’14 is a criminology and criminal justice instructor at the University of South Carolina. … Nicholas C. Sertich ’15 was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J. … Jonathan J. Weisbrod, J.D. ’15 joined Lyft as the global head of employee relations and workforce policies. … Katherine C. Aquino, Ph.D. ’16 finished work on an edited volume, Improving Postsecondary Choice and Pathways: Student

Success and College Match (Routledge). …

Charles E. Beard, M.S.J. ’16 was appointed to the board of directors for Fresh Del Monte Produce. … Nicole M. Fiorino ’16 became the new curator at the Sitka History Museum in Sitka, Alaska. … Jillian Freda, J.D. ’16 joined Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost & Botwinick, PC as an associate in the law firm’s matrimonial/family and commercial litigation practice groups. … Aubrey A. Johnson, Ed.D. ’16 was named New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy Superintendent of the Year by the New Jersey Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages/ New Jersey Bilingual Educators. … Rachel McCarthy ’17 was accepted into the Peace Corps as an English co-teaching and critical skills facilitator in Panama. … Mitzi N. Morillo, Ed.D. ’17 was selected as the Morris County, N.J., Superintendent of the Year by the Morris County Association of School Administrators. … Brent Findon ’18 and Victoria Melendez ’19 joined the youth-in-development Peace Corps volunteers in Thailand. … Rafael Padron, M.D.M. ’19 was ordained to the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Church in Goose Creek, S.C. … Malwinder Singh, M.H.A. ’19 earned accolades from Government Medical College-Jammu in India for his work dealing with COVID-19 patients.

20s

Veronica Ruth ’20 will be participating in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps’ Northwest program in Portland, Ore.

Baby Pirates Erin M. Callahan ’08/J.D. ’11 and Terrance R. Gallogly ’09/J.D. ’12, a girl, Parker Elizabeth, February 9, 2020.

Melissa (Fernandez) ’04 and TJ Cullen, a boy, Jaxon Joseph, on September 26, 2019. Victoria Forte ’10 and Frank Forte, a girl, Penelope Marie, on January 5, 2019. Erin (Egan) Harvey ’13 and Ryan Harvey ’15, a girl, Harper Rose, February 25, 2020. Caroline Langowski ’14 and Robert Meade, a girl, Savannah.

Alonso Tangarife ’05 and Veronica, a girl, Madison, on October 11, 2019.

Andrew D. Rivera ’13 and Cara Rivera, a boy, Mateó Fear, on April, 13, 2020.

Jessica (Socha) ’02/M.B.A. ’04 and

SETON HALL MAGAZINE

PROFILE Lessons Learned Under the Sea

W

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

hen David “Dave” Davis Jr. ’82 first saw the 1958 film Run Silent, Run Deep starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster as World War II

submarine officers, he immediately knew he wanted to become a submariner.

A Newark native, he joined the Navy while still in

high school and went on to attend the Basic Enlisted Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. He was assigned to the USS Cavalla, the WWII submarine that famously sunk the Shōkaku, a Japanese aircraft carrier that took part in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Davis had the unique pleasure of being aboard the Cavalla when it made its 5,000th dive — an accomplishment, he says, “no modern-day submarines will ever reach.”

Davis credits his faculty adviser at the Stillman

School of Business, the late Professor Stanley Kosakowski, for developing his attention to detail and perseverance — skills that proved essential to his 30-year Navy career as a senior chief radioman, and New Jersey runs deep in the history of the U.S.

submarine force, which was founded in 1900 when the Navy commissioned its first submarine, designed by John Philip Holland, an Irish-born resident of Paterson.

The only current American veterans organization David Davis Jr.

exclusively representing submariners — the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI) — was chartered in 1964 in Orange, New Jersey. (An earlier organization,

“There is room for everything onboard a submarine

the Submarine Veterans of World War II, Inc., was

except a mistake.”

disbanded due to declining membership.)

Davis was recently promoted to base commander

Submariners do have access to books, television, cards and videogames aboard their crafts, for when they

of USSVI’s local chapter — New Jersey North Base —

have breaks — but these moments are rare. In Davis’s

and was inducted to the organization’s Holland Club,

words, “You never knew if the next ‘Emergency Action’

which honors 50-year submarine service veterans. “I

message one receives is a ‘drill’ or orders to launch

am excited about embracing the camaraderie of other

missiles upon an adversary.”

former undersea warriors,” he says of his new leadership

Now the president and CEO of David Davis Jr. &

role. “We all have something in common, the love of

Sons Funeral Home, Davis has faced the challenges

submarining and country.”

presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that it

Submarine duty is considered highly dangerous,

has been difficult to deal with the sheer number of

demanding utmost patriotism, adaptability, trust-

deaths and the disruption to funeral services such as

worthiness and vigilance. Submariners are said to be

embalming and public viewings.

part of the “Silent Service,” so named because of a

Photo courtesy of David Davis, Jr.

now, in his work as a funeral director.

But he has adapted to the circumstances in order to

submarine’s quiet, undetected prowess and the classified

deliver quality service, just as he learned to do in the

nature of the military assignments. As Davis puts it,

Navy. | SHANICE CASIMIRO

41

NE W S & N OT E S Nathan Umbriac ’03/M.B.A. ’09, a girl, Stefania Marie, on June 3, 2019. Kaitlyn (Patire) Urciuoli ’10 and Michael Urciuoli ’10, a girl, Ava Rose, on November 1, 2019. Maryan (Nasralla) ’10/D.P.T. ’14 and Johnathan Wicker ’10, a boy, Jeremiah Michael on June 29, 2019. Nicole (Faria) Wood’14/M.S.O.T. ’16 and Billy Wood, a girl, Guiliana, on May 24, 2019.

Weddings Jake Burke ’16 and Charlene (Oselador) Burke ’16 on September 6, 2019. Nick Caliendo ’11 and Jackie Taylor ’10 on March 2, 2019. Ben Canning ’13 and Paulina Canning ’14 on October 12, 2019. Hayley DiPillo ’15/M.S. ’17 and Andrew Kraemer, D.P.T. ’17 on March 21, 2020. Veronica Grupico ’13 and Thomas Schram ’14 on November 9, 2019. Erika Klinger, M.A. ’11 and Gary Thomas ’99 on October 4, 2019. Angelo Marino ’14 and Ashley Sydlo ’14 on January 24, 2020. Nicholas Luke Naumann ’11 and Melissa Rose on December 13, 2019.

In Memoriam Henry Homza ’41 Bridget C. Mastronardy ’45/M.A. ’54 Walter R. Sabo ’47 Stanley F. Maciolek ’48 Louis A. Bross Jr. ’49 Anthony F. Coccio ’49 Francis J. Dooley ’49 Vincent R. Farley ’49 Dr. George L. Sexton ’49 Joseph W. Spicer ’49 Saleem K. Boghdan ’50 Joseph J. Cooke ’50 Francis J. Nead ’50 Joseph E. Petrone ’50 James F. Tierney ’50 Raymond D. Abazia ’51 Jack A. De Rosa ’51 Arthur W. Gatesy ’51 Ernest L. Giordano ’51 Alex R. Lasorsa ’51 Thaddeus S. Lepcio ’51 Joseph D. McGlone ’51 Walter P. Ulicny ’51 Frank G. Adams ’52 Richard Crosta ’52 Vincent De Joy ’52 Anthony J. Hope ’52 Frank P. DelBianco ’53 42

John Jicha ’53 Raymond Mignone ’53 John F. Shine ’53 Robert V. Thompson ’53 Sister Bernadette Roessner ’54 Giacomo G. Rosati, J.D. ’54 Thomas J. Sharkey Sr. ’54 Henry J. Waksmundzki ’54 Virginia O. Allen ’55 Frank John Cagliari ’55 Joseph A. Garrigan ’55 Frank A. George ’55 Father Francis A. Heinen ’55 Edward J. Kernan Sr. ’55 Norman C. Lubeck ’55 William T. Nolan Jr. ’55 Neil J. Pirozzi ’55 Allan J. Handelman ’56 Vernon W. Little ’56 Father John J. Morris ’56 William Dziobko ’57 Brendan J. Morgan ’57 Edward W. Perry Jr. ’57 Joseph J. Stefaniak ’57 Eugene J. Westlake ’57 John R. Brady ’58 Albert G. Chlapowski ’58 Anthony Robert Comeleo ’58 Robert Stephen Harrison ’58/M.S. ’73 Julian L. Hill ’58 Garrett P. Kiely Jr. ’58 Father John F. Morley ’58 Vincent M. Stesner ’58 Raymond L. Costigan ’59 Carmen J. Daccurso ’59 M. A. Doyle ’59 Irene G. Gorek ’59 George Hahn ’59 Silas L. Lake ’59 Alexander R. Maccia, M.A.E. ’59 George W. Scott ’59 Thomas F. Sheelen ’59 Guy R. Sodano ’59 Dr. Joseph M. Williams ’59 Sister M. Blum, M.S. ’60 Dr. Robert J. Brabston ’60/M.D. ’64 Nicholas P. Conte ’60 Linda L. Damen ’60 Carl A. Presnal ’60 Peter M. Ryan ’60 Harry Agoratus, M.A.E. ’61 Gary A. Bionde ’61 John Arthur Conte ’61/J.D. ’67 Sister Mary J. Dougherty ’61 Eleanor Gallagher ’61

Lawrence B. Goodman ’61 Father Raymond M. Holmes ’61/ M.D.M. ’75 Edward C. Kruger Jr. ’61 Louise A. Mertens ’61 Sister Mary D. Power, M.A.E. ’61 John P. Rondinone ’61 Adam M. Stanislawczyk, M.A.E. ’61 Ronald P. Cecere ’62/M.A.E. ’65 Theodore P. Cielecki ’62 Bessie Hannan ’62 Joseph J. Lombardi ’62 Michael A. Medici ’62 Sadie T. Sergio ’62 Judith T. Barker ’63 Costante J. Bonapace ’63 Dr. Joseph Anthony Camillo ’63 Peter M. Caruso ’63 Thomas R. Crane ’63 Felizarda D. Gallagher ’63 Marie D. Manno, M.A.E. ’63 Kenneth F. Ralston, M.A.E. ’63 Wayne G. Schmitt ’63 James M. Smiley ’63 Carl G. Tinquist ’63 Robert F. Wyrwa ’63/M.D.M. ’76 Kenneth W. Chmura ’64 Donald M. Gallagher, J.D. ’64 James F. Isherwood, J.D. ’64 Richard C. Keller ’64 Robert L. Knapp ’64 Frank J. Kocun ’64/M.B.A. ’74 David J. Marec, M.S. ’64 Bruce J. Monroe, M.A.E. ’64 Louis A. Puopolo ’64 Frank P. Soltesz ’64 Harriet M. Sosely, M.A.E. ’64 Frank J. Vecchione, J.D. ’64 Peter M. Delaney, M.A.E. ’65 Dr. Joseph D. Fecher Jr. ’65 John J. Fletcher ’65 Donald R. Fronzaglia ’65 Deacon John M. Inguaggiato ’65 Joseph E. Johnson, M.A.E. ’65 Anita B. LoFaso ’65 Robert S. Olsen ’65 Patricia M. Richel ’65 Carmen Adornato ’66/M.B.A. ’72 Matthew S. Calabro, J.D. ’66 Sister Martha Harcar, M.A.E. ’66 Celeste A. Lambert ’66 Walter J. Wiechetek ’66 Richard W. Woods Sr. ’66 Sister Catherine Duignan ’67 Robert A. Marro, M.B.A. ’67

SETON HALL MAGAZINE John Murray Jr. ’67 James R. Napolitano, J.D. ’67 Daniel S. Popovitch, J.D. ’67 Peter J. Altamura Jr. ’68 Leonard G. Birnbaum, M.B.A. ’68 Marygrace L. Cicchelli ’68 James H. Magill, M.A.E. ’68 Charles J. Matthews ’68 John J. Moakler ’68 Jeanne Helene Murdock, M.A.E. ’68 Carolyn K. Utzinger ’68 John A. Wallace ’68 Frederick C. Clark ’69 Louis R. De Mattheis, M.B.A. ’69 Thomas J. Frain Sr. ’69 Henry D. Heberling ’69 James M. Rusignuolo ’69 Gregory J. Czura, J.D. ’70 Gerard C. Ferraro ’70 Howard E. Mclaughlin, M.A.E. ’70 Anthony J. Minniti ’70 William H. Montgomery, J.D. ’70 Anthony Podolski ’70 Robert E. Reilly Jr. ’70 Anita Grant Stephens ’70 George A. Zeppenfeldt ’70 Paul John Banik Jr., M.A.E. ’71 Carmelanne Dilkes ’71 Dr. Kenneth W. Faistl ’71 Daniel K. Marty Jr. ’71 Margaret I. Pflaging ’71 Charles A. Scuilla ’71 Ralph E. Turpin Jr., J.D. ’71 Sister M. Clare Arenholz, M.A.E. ’72 Cornelius J. Boylan, M.A.E. ’72 Roger P. Kindel ’72/M.S. ’76 M. Elizabeth LeBlanc, M.A.E. ’72 Robert J. MacNiven, J.D. ’72 Dominick C. Santini ’72 Albert Simmons Sr., M.A.E. ’72 Sister Ruth Borgersen, M.S. ’73 Robert John Garrand, M.A.E. ’73 Richard Konopka ’73 Adeline Lange, M.A.E. ’73 Harold Norcross, M.A.E. ’73 Sister Mary Kathryn Quinn, M.A.E. ’73 Father Charles Cassidy ’74/M.D.M. ’76 Matthew Dox ’74 Douglas Ernst ’74 Philip Hartung, M.B.A. ’74 Ann P. Miller ’74 Sister Andree Normandin ’74 Rose B. Atkins, M.A.E. ’75 Edward T. Bialecki, M.A.E. ’75 John Paul Cancillieri ’75

Joseph T. Harcarik, J.D. ’75 Neil F. Katz, J.D. ’75 Martin J. McGreevy, J.D. ’75 Lynne A. Deming ’76/M.S.N. ’82 Mary V. Harcar, J.D. ’76 Paul Kelaher ’76 Sister Regina M. McWilliams, M.A.E. ’76 Judith L. Simet, M.A.E. ’76 David Arbeitman ’77 Edward Chen, M.A.E. ’77 Sister Monica Dequardo, M.A.E. ’77 Gerald John Fabian, M.A.E. ’77 Dr. Michael G. Giuliano ’77 Ermina Hahn, J.D. ’77 David E. Hogenauer, M.A. ’77 Herbert Massa, M.A.E. ’77 Karen Massie ’77 Maxine Myers, M.A.E. ’77 Anna Cifune-Seeger, M.A. ’78 Patrick Mccarthy ’78 Frank Nicoletti ’78 Anthony J. DeMaria, J.D. ’79 Sister Maureen A. Murnane, M.D.M. ’79 Glenn E. Hogan ’80 Louis Long, M.A.E. ’80 Kathleen Miller ’80 Jeanne Kathryn Segelken, M.A.E. ’81 Daniel Colfer, M.B.A. ’82 Albert D. Latino ’82 Charles H. Newman ’82 William T. Petrick ’83 John D. Reinmann ’83 Jeannie C. Crocco, M.A.E. ’84 Elaine R. Stroppel, M.A.E. ’84 Robert Kern Curtis, J.D. ’85 Susan B. Joseph, J.D. ’85 Kenneth J. Singer, J.D. ’85 Adele Agnes Blewitt ’86 Mary Frances Leach, M.S.N. ’87 Maureen C. Bernor ’88 Sandra Warfel Kale, M.B.A. ’88 Justin W. Mcelligott ’89 Mirta Gonzalez-Capan ’90 Paul J. McCarthy, E.D.D. ’90 Seamus J. Regan ’90 Edward H. Sequeira ’90 Judith W. May, Ph.D. ’91 Diane E. Sugrue Franzese, J.D. ’91 Richard E. Weber Jr., J.D. ’91 Edward R. Weinstein ’91 Robert J. Kowalski, M.A.E. ’93 Monique Lueanna Jude-Harris ’95 Joyce Suzanne Romanski, M.A. ’95 Sharon M. Anderson ’96 Richard William Riker, J.D. ’98

|

FA L L 2 0 2 0

Hall Hub Seton Hall alumni engagement opportunities have gone virtual. Explore upcoming experiences — from happy hours to panel discussions — or listen to the Pirate’s Eye podcast and more by visiting www.shu.edu/HallHub.

Eye PirUaMtNeI P’sODCAST AL

NIV HALL U SETON

ERSIT Y

Mary Margaret Cavada, M.A.E. ’01 David H. Dilks, E.D.D. ’02 Jason James Innella, M.A.E. ’02 Nicole Lorraine Castonguay, M.A.E. ’03 Joseph A. Devine, M.A. ’04/E.D.D. ’07 Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay, M.D.M. ’04 John R. De Stefano, M.A.E. ’07 Robert N. Mansuetto, M.B.A. ’07 Nicole A. Durbin ’08 Corby O’Connor, M.A. ’10 Sheree-Ann Spencer, M.H.A. ’11 Lawrence John Sams, M.A. ’18 Owen A. Schabio ’21 Friends Father Gioacchino Basile Robert B. Bourne Nicholas D. DeProspo Richard G. Holt William F. Lynch Marion F. Millington John Obeji Robert E. Shapiro Nicholas G. Stathakis Kathleen A. Steinwehr 43

LAS T WO R D |

PEGEEN HOPKINS

Equity for All Protests against racial injustice swept across the United States in 2020, along with a burgeoning understanding that, as a nation, we need to address systemic racism.

Seton Hall is taking its own steps to improve diversity,

clearly stated that: “Seton Hall condemns in no uncertain terms the sin of racism and the acts of degradation it engenders against members of our human family and particularly our Black community.”

who along with associate professor Jonathan Farina,

Today’s students are socially engaged and inclined toward activism. How is the University collaborating with them to find solutions?

chair of the Faculty Senate, is chairing a University-wide

We work very closely with our student leaders to identify

committee to foster change as part of the comprehensive

how students can be engaged civically. To give one exam-

strategic plan. Seton Hall magazine editor Pegeen

ple, Seton Hall recently won an award from New Jersey

Hopkins recently spoke with Cooper-Gibson to learn more.

for a student-run “get out and vote” campaign geared

equity and inclusion (DEI). A leader of this effort is Shawna Cooper-Gibson, vice president of student services,

Would you describe the University’s DEI efforts?

We are evaluating needs within the Seton Hall community to reinforce a sense of belonging for all, recognizing we are all God’s children.

What projects have been launched so far?

To name a few: in July, we held a four-hour retreat with 50 employees and students across campus to discuss challenging topics and envision possible solutions. We didn’t want to nibble around the edges of issues. We wanted to look at the structures, policies and procedures that will enhance the sense of belonging we hope to create.

We have held anti-racism training with senior leadership and hosted a three-part policing panel to enhance dialogue related to law enforcement.

We also developed a Bias Education Support Team, to

toward registering undergraduate students.

Our students are coming to us with their ideas, thoughts and concerns; we have a genuine dialogue about how to create a more welcoming space for everyone — because we can’t do this work without their input.

As we’ve gone on this journey as an institution, what has surprised you most?

I’ve been excited about the collegiality and partnership we fostered. Our nation is facing several pandemics right now: COVID-19, systemic racism and oppression, and people facing significant economic difficulties. And despite being in such challenging times, we are still coming together to enhance our campus and be one community.

What hurdles do you see Seton Hall facing in doing this work?

We have to continue to talk to each other and engage. In

whom community members can report any instance of

the Division of Student Services, we follow the motto of

bias. The team can act as intermediaries and is designing

“communication, collaboration and coordination.” If we

programs and outreach to help prevent bias incidents.

are not incorporating those three things, it will be much

How does the University’s Catholic identity influence its commitment to racial justice and dealing with systemic inequity?

Elizabeth Ann Seton helped found the Catholic educational system to address anti-Catholic prejudice, looking

more difficult to move the needle forward. But as long as we continue to talk to each other, work together and do not duplicate efforts or make things redundant, then I think we will continue to do well.

to create a welcoming space. I often quote Interim Vice

What gives you hope?

President for Mission and Ministry Father Colin Kay

The success of our students. I have been impressed with

when he says, “There are no strangers here.” We want to

how engaged they have been — getting out the vote, keep-

make sure no feels like a stranger on our campus. Being a

ing our campus healthy and safe, addressing injustices,

welcoming environment is part of our Catholic tradition.

not just across New Jersey or the United States, but across

So our DEI efforts follow our mission and our 44

patroness’s example. President Nyre has

the world. That gives me hope for a better future. n

We Can’t Thank You Enough We want to express our appreciation for your planned gift to Seton Hall University. But we may not know about it.

Please tell us if you have included the University in your will or trust, or as the beneficiary of your IRA, retirement account, bank account or insurance policy.

Your gift makes you a member of our Benjamin Savage Society — alumni and friends who are helping to make the Seton Hall experience possible for future generations.

For more information, visit www.shu.edu/plannedgiving or contact: Joseph Guasconi Nora Nasif Rahaim 973-378-9850 973-378-9878 joseph.guasconi@shu.edu nora.rahaim@shu.edu

PRESORTED STD NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAID STRASBURG, VA PERMIT #201

Department of Public Relations and Marketing 519 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079

YOU AND SETON HALL MAKE A PERFECT PAIR As a thank you to all Pirate donors who make a gift of $30 or more

by December 31, we are sending a pair, or two, of these exclusive Pirate socks.

Learn more and make a gift at www.shu.edu/rockthesocks

New and improved easy-on/ easy-off fabric