Issuu

BONAVENTURE

Cover Story

LaunchSBU connects St. Bonaventure business students with engaged alumni mentors, offering early access to guidance, confidence and real-world insight. Built on relationships, not résumés alone, the program helps students become game-ready professionals long before graduation.

Shared Lanes

From résumé reviews to real-life guidance, the Swim & Dive Mentorship Program links student-athletes with alumni who understand the demands of the sport and the transition beyond it — turning shared experience into career preparation, personal growth and lasting relationships.

Thirty Years of Art, Music and Community Midway through its 30th anniversary celebration, the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts marks three decades as a cultural cornerstone — featuring world-class performances, new exhibitions, immersive audio tours and a vibrant lineup continuing through the spring.

INSIDE

ON THE COVER: Matt Davis (left) and Joe Davis talk with Accounting student Charles Cich.

From mission to momentum, building toward 2030

Every generation of Bonnies understands something essential about this place:

St. Bonaventure’s greatest strength has always been its people. We see it in the way our students support one another, in the dedication of our faculty and staff and, perhaps most visibly, in the extraordinary loyalty and generosity of our alumni family.

That spirit animates our new strategic plan, “Rooted in Mission, Focused on the Future,” developed by the contributions of more than a hundred people across campus and approved by our Board of Trustees in September.

Built around four pillars — Community, Institutional Strength, Innovation and Purpose — the plan provides us with a clear path to 2030. At its heart is a reaffirmation of who we are: a Catholic-Franciscan university committed to academic excellence, ethical leadership and transforming the lives of our students through relationships that matter.

What does that mean? Through the plan’s pillar focusing on Community, St. Bonaventure is elevating student success through stronger networks of belonging and support. Among the strategies outlined is a renewed emphasis on mentoring — not simply as a career tool, but as a defining expression of what it means to be part of the Bonaventure community helping to launch students into a successful life ahead.

Our alumni have told us that they want to give back in ways that go well beyond philanthropy. They want to share the wisdom that shaped their own journeys. They want to help our students gain confidence, build professional savvy and navigate a world that is changing faster than ever. We are listening, and we are responding with intention. Across campus, we are already witnessing the impact of this renewed focus. In this issue, you’ll read about the Swim & Dive Mentorship Program — a partnership between our Career and

Professional Readiness Center and our coaching staff — that pairs current SBU swimmers and divers with SBU swimming and diving alumni who understand both the demands of their sport and the ambitions they carry into life after Bona’s (Page 20). What began as a simple idea has grown into a model of personal and professional guidance, rooted in the best of who we are.

You will also see how the School of Business has taken this mentoring ethos to remarkable heights through LaunchSBU (Page 14). Born out of conversations during the pandemic and fueled by alumni like Joe and Matt Davis, LaunchSBU is connecting students to hundreds of Bonnies around the country — building networks, sharpening skills and opening doors. It is a powerful reminder that while technology can bridge distances, human generosity profoundly changes lives.

These examples represent exactly what our strategic plan calls us to do: create a culture in which every student is known,

supported and empowered through meaningful relationships with those who have walked this path before them. Mentoring is not an add-on at St. Bonaventure. It is an extension of our Franciscan belief in the dignity and potential of every person and a testament to our alumni wanting to remain a part of the St. Bonaventure family long after graduation.

As we bring the plan to life, we will broaden these efforts across schools, majors and affinity groups. We envision a mentoring ecosystem where every student — regardless of background, identity or career goal — has access to the expertise and encouragement of our alumni. And we envision opportunities to meet alumni where they are: a Zoom conversation after work, a résumé review during a lunch break, a phone call before an interview or a visit with a student when their travels bring them back to campus.

Our future depends on strengthening the bonds that have sustained us for 168 years. When alumni and students connect, our mission comes alive in its most authentic form. Prospective students will know that when you become a Bonnie, you immediately become supported by a passionate group of St. Bonaventure alumni who want to help you grow in every way possible.

To all our alumni who give so generously of your time, your treasure, your talent and your hearts — thank you. You model the very best of what it means to be a Bonnie. With your help, our students will fully grasp that they are part of a community that believes deeply in their promise.

Dr. Jeff Gingerich University President

National champs!

Men’s rugby captures second national championship

St. Bonaventure’s men’s rugby team capped one of the most dominant playoff runs in National Collegiate Rugby Championship history, pummeling Queens University, 55-19, on Dec. 13 in Houston to win the program’s second Division I national title in the last five years.

“It’s a wonderful moment to stand on the sideline and see so much hard work come to fruition. So many guys on the team had that heartbreak of losing (the title game) in 2023 and now they are walking away with such a dominant postseason run,” said Coach Danny Neighbour.

In 2021, SBU defeated Penn State, 19-18, for the program’s first national title. They lost to Notre Dame College in the 2023 title match.

On their path to the title, the Bonnies defeated Southern Nazarene, 44-17; 2024 national champion Brown, 51-7; and Walsh University, 33-8, in the national semifinals.

The victory avenged the club’s last-minute loss to Queens in the Atlantic Rugby Conference title game.

Tournament MVP Troy Heroldt scored three times in the title match, but the South African native was quick to deflect credit.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of boys to be out there with on the field. They were amazing,” Heroldt said.

Photos by National Collegiate Rugby

Photo by Max DeMass, ’27

SBU introduces Content Creator major as creator industry surges

As digital storytelling reshapes how audiences connect with ideas, brands and communities, the Jandoli School of Communication is responding with a new Bachelor of Arts in Content Creation — an innovative major designed to prepare students for careers at the center of today’s digital media landscape.

Launching this fall, the 44-credit program builds on the Jandoli School’s established strengths in multimedia storytelling, social media strategy, writing, design and digital marketing. The major blends foundational communication skills with hands-on training in video production, graphic design, audience engagement and analytics.

Students will move from concept to execution throughout the curriculum, culminating in an advanced digital content creation capstone and a required 400-hour internship that places them directly in professional media environments.

“This program builds on the Jandoli School’s strong track record and meets the needs of students who seek to work specifically in content creation,” said Aaron Chimbel, dean of the Jandoli School. “The major not only meets student interest, it positions them for success in a media world where strong digital communication skills are essential.”

The major will debut as the Jandoli School prepares to open its expanded and renovated home later this fall, featuring upgraded studios, collaborative learning spaces, and new technology designed to support modern content production and storytelling.

“This is the perfect time to introduce a major like this that can draw on our new facility and equipment,” Chimbel said.

New Cyber Operations Center serves as high-tech training hub

The university formally opened its new Cyber Operations Center Dec. 8, celebrating a transformative learning space made possible by a $450,000 federal earmark secured by U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-Jamestown).

The cybersecurity center, located in Walsh Science Center, will serve as a hightech training hub for students preparing to enter one of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields.

Langworthy called the center an investment not only in the university, but in the region’s economic and national security future.

“We are commencing a major investment in future security and competitiveness for our region and for our country,” he said. “This center positions students to lead in one of the most critical fields of our lifetime, providing training on tools and scenarios typically available only in major government facilities or elite private-sector labs.”

real-world professional environments.

The innovative center is designed to offer students the tools and experiences used by industry professionals every day and to foster teamwork, a critical component of effective cybersecurity work.

“This hands-on space gives our students the chance to work exactly as cyber professionals do in the real world,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president. “Cybersecurity jobs are expanding rapidly, and this center ensures that our graduates are ready to step into those high-demand roles with real experience and confidence.”

The federal funding supported advanced cybersecurity display systems, high-end computing workstations, sophisticated instrumentation, and a secure computing environment to house cyber-attack materials for training purposes.

Faculty Dr. Chris Bopp and Brian Kellogg and several Cybersecurity students offered demonstrations on the capabilities of the technology in the center following the opening ceremony.

Dr. Erin Sadlack, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, emphasized how the facility allows students to engage in complex, hands-on cybersecurity labs that mirror

www.sbu.edu/contentcreation www.sbu.edu/cybersecurity

Rep. Nick Langworthy (left) and St. Bonaventure President Dr. Jeff Gingerich cut a cable to close the ceremony celebrating the university’s new Cyber Operations Center.

Nearly $2 million fuels rural health innovation and access at St. Bonaventure

Funding will establish a Center for Rural Health Innovation and expand health care access through a mobile health clinic

St. Bonaventure has secured nearly $2 million in new funding to expand health care access, training and innovation in underserved rural communities across Western New York and the Southern Tier, reinforcing the university’s long-standing commitment to service and workforce development.

The largest award, $1.1 million in federal funding, will support the creation of a Center for Rural Health Innovation and Training within the university’s DePerro School of Health Professions.

The funding was secured through a federal earmark sponsored by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., as part of a broader package of investments in Western New York.

The proposed center will serve as a regional hub for training health care professionals, advancing technologyenabled education and research, and supporting innovative approaches to rural health care delivery.

The initiative responds to persistent issues in rural communities, including provider shortages, limited access to preventive care and significant health disparities.

“This funding represents a meaningful investment in the health and wellbeing of rural communities that have been underserved for far too long,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president. “We are deeply grateful to Sen. Schumer for recognizing the importance of this initiative and for his continued advocacy on behalf of Western New York.”

The initiative also emphasizes collaboration with local health care providers, hospitals, clinics and community organizations to ensure that programs are responsive to regional needs and sustainable over the long term.

Complementing the federal investment, the university received a $750,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to launch “Wellness on Wheels: Expanding Rural

Health Access through Mobile Clinic,” a three-year initiative aimed at bringing preventive and primary health services directly to underserved rural communities in Cattaraugus and adjoining counties.

The mobile health clinic will deliver services such as health screenings, health education, nutrition counseling, occupational health support and care navigation at trusted, accessible community locations.

The initiative is intended to reduce barriers caused by geographic isolation, transportation challenges and limited provider availability — factors that disproportionately affect low-income families, older adults, tribal communities and other medically underserved populations.

“This grant, and the service it will provide families throughout the Southern Tier, is a shining light of hope and goodwill and is perfectly aligned with our mission,” Gingerich said.

The mobile clinic will also function as a hands-on learning environment for St. Bonaventure students in Nursing, Physician Assistant Studies, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Health Sciences

and Pre-Health. Under faculty supervision, students will rotate through clinical and operational roles.

St. Bonaventure also received an additional $120,199 grant from the Institute for Technology in Health Care to acquire advanced health technologies that will be integrated into the mobile clinic, further strengthening student training opportunities.

Dr. Swagata Banik, dean of the DePerro School of Health Professions, said the combined investments position the university to address urgent regional needs while preparing compassionate, socially responsive health care leaders.

“Although we are only about a six-hour drive from New York City, the contrast in access to health care resources is stark,” Banik said. “For many rural families, access to care is shaped by geography, workforce shortages, and limited resources, and these investments allow us to respond in a meaningful and lasting way.”

Together, the new center and mobile clinic represent a coordinated approach to extend St. Bonaventure’s Franciscan mission well beyond campus and into the heart of the region it serves.

Bonnies honor two teams that shaped 40 years of D1

The women’s basketball program welcomed back two of the most influential teams in program history as the Bonnies began their 40th season of Division 1 competition.

The university honored the 1986-87 team, which was the first Bonaventure women’s squad to compete at the NCAA Division I level, and recognized the 2015-16 squad on the 10th anniversary of it reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Both teams were recognized during halftime of the Bonnies Nov. 22 game against UAlbany.

The 1986-87 team was coached by M.J. Telford and she was assisted by the late Randy Stebbins. The roster consisted of seniors Missy Ward, Chris Agresta and Ann Hefke, juniors Bernadette Guest, Kris Nopper and Michele Rouleau, sophomore Patty Mueller, Natalie White, Denise Dee, Kristen DeLuca and Marya Withers as well as freshman Mary Biasotti.

The 2015-16 Bonnies finished the season with a 24-8 overall record and were 12-4 in Atlantic 10 play under head coach Jim Crowley, earning an atlarge berth to the NCAA Tournament. The Bonnies defeated Oklahoma State in the first round. That squad also went a perfect 16-0 inside the Reilly Center during the year and received national Top 25 votes.

The roster featured graduate students Kelcie Rombach and Emily Michael, seniors Nyla Rueter and Katie Healy, juniors Gabby Richmond and Imani Outlaw, sophomores Mariah Ruff, Matea Britvar and Miranda Drummond as well as freshmen Keely Fresh, Mckenna Maycock and Erin Wood.

Glenn Hagan’s #23 jersey is retired

The Department of Athletics retired men’s basketball great Glenn Hagan’s No. 23 in a special ceremony Jan. 10.

The point guard of the 1977 NIT Championship team, Hagan established the career assists record for the program with 486 (4.7 apg), a total that still ranks fifth today. An all-around player, he finished his career with 1,396 points which ranks 21st all-time.

a triumph over Rutgers, finishing with 26 points. Hagan also posted 13 points in a win over Oregon as well as 14 points in the championship game victory vs. Houston. The following season in the NCAA Tournament, he poured in 19 points vs. Penn.

He was named to the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.

A guard who won over fans with his dramatic flair, Hagan helped clinch the 1977 NIT Championship with clutch efforts in the postseason: He knocked in the game-winning shot for

A product of Rochester, Hagan was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1978 and later became an all-star with the Rochester Zeniths of the Continental Basketball Association before playing with the Detroit Pistons during the 1981-82 season.

Glenn Hagan (center) with Vice President & Director of Athletics Bob Beretta (left) and former Bonnies coach and player Jim Satalin.

Players and coaches from the 1986-87 team (above) and 2015-16 team.

Celebrating the Stith brothers’ basketball legacy

At halftime of the Bonnies’ win over Youngstown State Nov. 15, Bona legend Sam Stith, ’60, was joined by members of the Stith family to celebrate his brother Tom’s posthumous induction last year into the National College Basketball Hall of Fame. Tom’s daughter Lisa received his Hall of Fame induction award during an on-court ceremony, including Sam.

At the time of his graduation from SBU in 1961, Tom was the all-time scoring leader at St. Bonaventure with 2,052 points in just three years. That total has been surpassed four times, but three times by men who played four seasons.

A two-time first-team All-American who led the Bonnies to top 10 national

rankings his final two seasons, Tom still holds the St. Bonaventure record for scoring average in a season (31.5 ppg in 1959-60) and his 27.0 ppg average ranks second only to Bob Lanier in the Bona record books.

Sam started the Stith legacy at St. Bonaventure, posting 1,112 career points, 620 rebounds and, along with his brother, helped the program to three NIT berths and one NCAA Tournament over a four-year span.

Both of their numbers have been retired and both were named to the program’s Centennial Season All-Time Team in 2019-20.

Sam’s new book on the brothers’ enduring legacy is featured in the Off the Shelf column on page 12.

STORYTELLING EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Missel earns Catholic Media Association Awards

Tom Missel, SBU's chief communications officer, won a pair of awards from the Catholic Media Association for cover stories he wrote for Bonaventure magazine in 2024.

Missel won first place in the Best Profile category for the story he wrote in the Summer 2024 magazine on Kevin Murphy, ’01, founder of Ocean Cure, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with challenges and disabilities through surfing. He also received honorable mention in the Best Social Justice category for the cover story in the Winter 2024 magazine on the history of the Warming House and its 50th anniversary.

Sam Stith and family members at center court in the Reilly Center.

When scrapbooks become history

Thanks to alumnus Mike Camoin’s Brown ’n’ White basketball project, the University Archives has been able to scan a number of basketball scrapbooks compiled by players and their families.

Many are available on our website at archives.sbu.edu/Guide_athletics.htm. These scrapbooks have reminded us how valuable they can be to the historical record, and we are now preparing another recent loan — a 1928 scrapbook — for the website.

The Archives is asking alumni to consider sharing similar items, whether athletics-related or more general in scope, though we are particularly interested in baseball material. By doing so, alumni help the Archives tell the story of St. Bonaventure from the student perspective, which is often difficult to document.

In some cases, scrapbooks are the only source for parts of our history. For example, the only photograph we have of an early basketball and football coach was discovered in a student’s scrapbook. Donations of materials are preferred, but the Archives staff recognizes the personal nature of

scrapbooks and will gladly accept loans. All materials will be handled with care and returned promptly once they have been scanned and added to the website.

Help preserve Bona history archives@sbu.edu | 716-375-2322

Adrian Wojnarowski, ’91, elected to National Sports Media Hall of Fame

Adrian Wojnarowski, ’91, one of the most influential figures in modern sports journalism, has been elected to the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame.

Wojnarowski — widely known simply as Woj — was voted into the NSMA Hall of Fame by his peers during the organization’s final balloting in December.

A three-time NSMA National Sportswriter of the Year, Wojnarowski is credited with transforming NBA reporting and redefining what it meant to be a sports “insider” in the digital age.

After 15 years in the newspaper industry, he joined Yahoo Sports in 2007, where his ability to break news coincided with — and helped fuel — the rapid rise of social media. His reporting became appointment reading for fans, executives, agents and players alike.

After 11 years at Yahoo, Wojnarowski moved to ESPN and ESPN.com, where the

expanded platform further cemented his reputation as the preeminent source for NBA news. His carefully sourced reports routinely shaped the league’s news cycle, particularly during the NBA Draft, free agency and trade deadlines.

In 2024, after eight years as ESPN’s Senior NBA Insider, Wojnarowski announced his retirement from sports media to return to his alma mater as general manager of the men’s basketball program.

In recognition of his impact on basketball journalism, Wojnarowski received the Curt Gowdy Insight Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.

HOMECOMING 2026

Alumni, save the date!

Stay connected all year long with exciting programs, beloved traditions and plenty of reasons to show your Bona pride.

For the latest events happening near you, check out sbu.edu/alumnievents. New this year: Homecoming is teaming up with Francis Week, bringing our celebration of community, mission and tradition together for one unforgettable experience.

Homecoming 2026 will be held on campus Oct. 2-4. Additional details will be forthcoming!

A student learns traditional hide tanning from Haudenosaunee artisan Jodi Maracle during Dwahšönih, a pop-up interactive learning space held Oct. 1 outside the Quick Center for the Arts as part of the university’s BONA 101 classes and its ongoing partnership with the Seneca Nation. Other Indigenous arts demonstrations included beadwork, basketry, pottery, silversmithing, cordage and lacrosse history. The event was hosted by the School of Arts & Sciences and the Quick Center.

SBU senior wins AI video contest

St. Bonaventure senior Tanner Pasi won the Broadcast Education Association’s inaugural Gen AI Competition, an innovative challenge that tasked students with creating a 30-second video entirely through artificial intelligence tools — all within just 60 minutes.

Scan the QR code to watch Pasi’s video.

Pasi, an English major from St. Marys, Pennsylvania, produced his winning entry using Sora 2, OpenAI’s advanced text-to-video generator.

The national challenge required students to create a fully AI-generated video — including visuals, narration and effects — aligning with a themed prompt released by the organization.

The guidelines students had to use to create their AI prompt was that they had just witnessed the “greatest scene in the history of sports” at a world championship athletics event held in Moscow in 1980 (but not the boycotted

1980 Summer Olympics).

The students had only one hour to produce the video and didn’t know what the prompt parameters were until the hour started.

Pasi’s video shows a young child watching the event on TV and becoming thrilled — and ultimately inspired — as a pole vaulter smashes the world record. It transitions at the end to the child years later, pole in hand, preparing to vault.

Among the 21 participating schools were Syracuse, Drake, Miami, Arizona State, Florida and Alabama.

Pasi’s entry was submitted through JMC 245: Video Storytelling, taught by Jandoli School of Communication faculty member Scott Sackett, who prepared his classes extensively ahead of the competition, focusing on both the capabilities and limitations of emerging AI tools.

Off the Shelf

When Stacy (Brown) Swope, ’06, set out to write a picture book, she didn’t have to look far for inspiration — her son. Her book, “The Sparkle You Carry: A Cleft Lip and Palate Journey,” is a whimsical and heartwarming story about an extraordinary boy named Sam whose medical condition has required many surgeries. The tale is inspired by Swope’s resilient young son, one of more than 8,000 children born each year with a cleft lip and palate.

The story follows Sam as he prepares for his fourth surgery. His cleft surgeries have helped him talk, eat, breathe and smile like other children. Even though he doesn’t complain, he’s still wary of each approaching surgery. To encourage him, Sam’s mom shares a special secret: He was born with an invisible backpack that fills with sparkles each time he faces a challenge. Those sparkles, symbols of his resilience and strength, make the world brighter for everyone. After Sam heals and he can finally return to school, he sees the sparkle in other kids’ backpacks, too. Swope lives in Springville and works as a preschool special education specialist. She and her husband, alum Michael Swope, ’06, ’07, have two children, Andrew and Benjamin. Benjamin is the inspiration behind the character Sam.

Kevin Horgan, ’79, has released his sixth book, “Corps To Corporate, Your USMC Transition Made Simple.” In the foreword, Retired Lt. Col. Jim Sfayer writes, “The transition from the Marine Corps to civilian life is more than a career change; it is a transformation. In the Corps, you learn to put the mission first, lead by example, hold yourself accountable and care for your people. These principles don’t expire when you hang up the uniform.”

Continued on next page u

Where culture meets the classroom

Horgan’s book bridges the gap between the battlefield and the boardroom, connecting Marine Corps leadership traits with the realities of civilian and corporate life. Drawing on insights from 33 fellow Marines — officers and enlisted alike, including mustangs, a Sergeant Major, four women, one spouse and four Marine dads — Horgan compiles a thoughtful and candid record of lessons learned.

The collection highlights missteps, offering caution and humor along the way. As Horgan puts it, “Don’t make the same mistakes I made.”

All royalties from the book will be donated to veteran associations and advocacy groups.

A new book by Bonnies legend Sam Stith, ’60, celebrates the legacy and inspiring journey of Sam and his brother, Tom, ’61.

This compelling memoir, “The Stith Brothers: College Basketball’s Greatest Brother Act,” recounts their remarkable journey from St. Bonaventure to national recognition as one of college basketball’s most iconic duos.

Together, they scored a remarkable 53 points per game at St. Bonaventure, shattered records, and made unforgettable appearances in NITs and NCAA tournaments.

But their journey was about more than just the game — it was about breaking barriers, integrating high school and college basketball, and blazing trails for future generations. The Stith brothers’ story is one of overcoming tragedy and poverty, fueled by unwavering family support, community strength and a bond that could not be broken.

More than a sports tale, “The Stith Brothers” is a testament to resilience, sacrifice and the power of brotherhood.

An upcoming memoir co-authored by Pamela Say, ’01, chronicles the extraordinary journey of the Honorable Marzia Babakarkhail, a pioneering Afghan family court judge who stood defiantly at the crossroads of law, activism and resistance.

Potomac Books will release “Marzia: A Judge’s Fight for Afghan Women’s Rights” March 1.

Co-authored by Marzia Babakarkhail and Say, “Marzia” takes readers on a heart-pounding journey through the stark realities of life under Taliban rule — navigating checkpoints, relying on secret networks and making highstakes decisions in moments where every second mattered.

“Marzia” brings to life the fear that gripped so many after the U.S. withdrawal, as well as the resilience that carried her and countless others forward. Say was working as a contracted CEO and journalist for a global digital news outlet when she interviewed Babakarkhail for an article after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

From Babakarkhail’s childhood in Puli Khumri, Afghanistan, to her work alongside international governments and NGOs, the book illuminates the complex history of the Afghan people while highlighting the intense struggle Afghan women have faced throughout regimes and the rise of terrorist organizations.

From Pipeline to Partnership

LaunchSBU is redeﬁning business mentorship at Bonaventure

By Tom Missel | Chief Communications Oﬃcer

The idea behind LaunchSBU has been forming for decades, long before it had a name or a logo. For Joe Davis, Class of 1979, the seeds for the alumni-student mentoring program in the School of Business were planted in his senior year, when Accounting professors Pat Premo and Brian McAllister helped him secure a winter internship that changed the trajectory of his life. He didn’t have the best grades and money was tight. He had to work his way through school, including managing student workers in Hickey Dining Hall.

What ultimately caught employers’ attention, he said, was not a perfect transcript, but the ability to juggle long hours, a full course load and real responsibility.

“What got me my first job was multitasking — keeping up my grades and working hard on campus,” he said. “That mix, growing up into a young adult here, made the difference.”

Matt Davis, ’87, followed his brother to Bona’s. He also worked in the dining hall as a student manager and both launched careers with Deloitte in New York City at a time when the firm was a regular presence on campus.

“In public accounting, you see a very clear pipeline,” Joe said. “There’s this steady flow of interns and entry-level hires who earn the CPA in a couple of years and move up. We worked closely with the Accounting Department to get as many students as possible internships — or at least mentoring.”

Over time, that pipeline became less reliable. Recruiting patterns shifted. Fewer Bonaventure students seemed to be aiming at New York City unless they were dead set on finance.

Joe and Matt noticed that some students struggled, not in the classroom but with what Joe calls “business sense and street smarts” — understanding how to present themselves, how to talk with professionals, how to show they were “game-ready, not just book-smart.”

At the same time, the brothers saw a generation of alumni who were eager to help but weren’t being asked in ways that fit their lives.

“Historically, we tended to go to alumni with two extremes: write a check, or come spend a week on campus,” Joe said. “We were missing the middle. There are so many Bonnies who can’t take a week off work, but they can hop on a Zoom, host a club visit after work or do a mock interview.”

p Matt (center) and Joe Davis (far right) talk with graduate students Maura Bleech, Quinn Hart and Charlie Cich in the Swan Business Center.

Matt said their own background — growing up with modest means and working from a young age — made the mission personal.

“You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room,” he said. “You just have to know your job better than anyone else and be willing to work hard. That’s what Bonaventure gave us, and we wanted students to have that same edge earlier — while they’re still here.”

A Pandemic-Era Spark

If the roots of LaunchSBU stretch back 47 years, the spark that lit the current program came during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Suddenly, Zoom made it easy to bring alumni into the classroom,” said Dr. Todd Palmer, associate professor of Management and a 24-year veteran of the School of Business faculty. “We realized we could connect students to alumni in New York or Charlotte or wherever on a Tuesday night without anyone getting on a plane.”

Palmer invited Joe Davis to serve as a Leader in Residence, experimented with a trial “career week,” and quickly discovered a shared vision. Before long, Joe had pulled Matt into the conversations, and the trio began meeting regularly to imagine something more structured than a single event.

“All summer we met weekly for two-hour working sessions,” Palmer said. “Joe and Matt didn’t just say, ‘Let us know how we can help.’ They wanted real jobs — sourcing alumni, shaping content, committing to one in-person week each semester.

They love the work.”

Out of those meetings came LaunchSBU, the official name and social media brand for the School of Business’s alumnipowered career and life development engine.

“Todd and I imagined a professional alumni organization as a bold new way to unite our students, faculty and alumni,” said Dr. Matrecia James, dean of the school. “What began as a conversation about helping students build confidence and connections quickly evolved into a transformative model of mentorship. We have been especially fortunate to have Joe and Matt as champions of this vision.”

Palmer and his graduate assistant, Maura Bleech, coordinate the on-campus logistics and student leadership team. Joe and Matt, along with a fast-growing roster of alumni, provide the time, talent and philanthropic support that fuels the program.

“My recent gift is earmarked for professional development,” said Matt, who made a $1 million gift with his wife, Laura, a year ago to the university for Athletics ($600,000), the School of Business ($300,000) and the Bonaventure Fund ($100,000). “That means supporting student and faculty initiatives and the technology we need to scale this work.”

Bleech, a Marketing major now pursuing her MBA, runs LaunchSBU’s social media, helps maintain its spreadsheets and databases and, like the students she serves, is a mentee in the program.

“I always had good grades and stayed active, but I realized I didn’t have many relationships,” Bleech said. “LaunchSBU

Photo by Danny Bush

taught me how to talk with alumni and carry that confidence into interviews. In just six months, I’ve added around 20 meaningful contacts I’m comfortable reaching out to.”

Starting Earlier — and Measuring What Matters

For all its moving parts, LaunchSBU is built on a straightforward premise: Get students in front of alumni early, often and in settings that feel both structured and safe.

The program’s calendar is dotted with events that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. There is Young Alumni Week, featuring a panel in the Students in Money Management (SIMM) room, a BonaNet virtual networking night and a Friday full of small-group career counseling sessions.

For BonaNet, Palmer said, students gather in the Plassmann Hall basement while alumni join from their homes and offices around the country.

“Students spend two 30-minute sessions rotating between breakout rooms while the alumni stay put,” he said. “We theme the rooms, but the conversations are wide-ranging — career paths, what it’s like to move to a new city, how their Bonaventure experience shaped them. It’s structured, but it feels like a conversation, not an interview.”

A core group of about 10 student managers helps run the infrastructure, and LaunchSBU can quickly mobilize 50 or more student facilitators and room monitors when a big event comes to campus. On the alumni side, roughly 130 Bonnies are already formally enrolled, with more joining each month.

Underneath the events is a clear philosophy: start early. Palmer’s mantra is that business students should be “internship-ready” by the end of their sophomore year.

“Many top employers recruit in a short fall win-

dow,” he said. “If you start looking in April, you’re often too late. We want freshmen and sophomores already building LinkedIn profiles, engaging with alumni and thinking like professionals, not waiting until senior year.”

To that end, LaunchSBU has set measurable goals: 100 percent of freshmen in targeted classes will have professional-level LinkedIn profiles and activity, and nearly all business freshmen will have had a meaningful conversation with an alum by year’s end.

“We want to be able to show parents and prospective students what outcomes look like — not just anecdotes,” Palmer said. “Alumni like Joe and Matt are pushing us, in a good way, to track that impact.”

For senior Marketing major Ryley Cleveland, LaunchSBU has been both a lifeline and a launchpad. Cleveland grew up just down the road in Bradford, Pennsylvania, but never planned to attend St. Bonaventure. She pictured herself at a big southern state school — until a campus visit with her dad changed everything.

“The professors were so approachable,” she said. “They gave me their business cards, they really wanted to talk. That sense of community convinced me this was the right place.”

Once on campus, Cleveland bounced around ma-

qPaul St. Mauro, ’84 (left) and John V. O’Connor, ’79, talk with senior Jillian Rea and freshman Nino Sindoni.

Ryley Cleveland

jors — starting as an undecided liberal arts student and changing three times before finding her home in business.

“Sometimes I look at my LinkedIn and feel like an imposter,” she said. “I changed my major three times and never thought I’d end up in business. It’s been surreal. Bonaventure has completely shaped who I am today.”

When LaunchSBU began to formalize last summer, Cleveland was invited to play a dual role: student mentor and program participant. She joined an initial Zoom meeting with the Davises, Palmer, Dean James and several faculty members, sharing what it meant as a first-generation student to have alumni in her corner.

“My parents and I joked that we were like the ‘three blind mice’ when it came to figuring out college,” Cleveland said. “Having alumni mentors to ask questions, access resources and build a network has been invaluable.”

Since then, she has been one of LaunchSBU’s most visible student ambassadors — speaking at the program’s first big meeting in Swan, helping recruit classmates, posting about Launch on LinkedIn and encouraging friends to step into unfamiliar networking spaces.

Immediate Returns

The payoff has been tangible. Through Matt and Joe, Cleveland connected with alumni and landed internships with Brown and White Ventures, the Laine Business Accelerator in Olean and Process Sports Management. Another LinkedIn post about Launch caught the eye of longtime ESPN communications executive Chris LaPlaca, ’79, who quickly reached out.

“I sent Chris a message late one night, and he replied within an hour,” she said. “We talked for about an hour, and his advice was so insightful. Everyone tells me the same thing — ‘network, network, network.’ As a first-gen student, that networking has opened doors I never thought possible.”

Cleveland said Palmer has been equally important in her growth at SBU.

“Dr. Palmer is one of my biggest mentors,” Cleveland said. “He’s incredibly giving and dedicated to his students. I don’t think the business school would be what it is without him. He deserves recognition for everything he does behind the scenes.”

Ask the Davises why they are investing so heavily in LaunchSBU and they immediately point to Palmer and Dr. Jim Mahar, longtime Finance professor, who share a rare blend of high expectations and humility, Matt said.

“Todd and Jim don’t spoon-feed,” he said. “They give high-level guidance and let students try, fail and learn.”

Matt, who now serves as chief financial and operations officer at Delbarton School in New Jersey, said Palmer’s gift is seeing potential others might miss.

“Todd brings an energy like I’ve never seen,” Matt

said. “He recognizes potential — even in underperformers — and pulls it out of them. Students gravitate to him because they know he’s in their corner.”

Palmer is quick to turn that praise back on the Davises.

“They contribute time, talent and philanthropy,” Palmer said. “But more than that, they model what we’re asking our students to do — to be generous with their experience, to tell the truth about what it takes and to show up consistently. They remind students that success is not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about doing the work and being ready for change.”

Change, in fact, is one of Joe’s favorite themes

when he talks with students.

“Everything new looks like a threat — Excel, outsourcing, PCs, AI,” Joe said. “The people who embrace change advance. ... We want employers to see that Bonaventure students are game-ready, not just book-smart.”

Opportunity, Unlocked

For students like Tyler Verrill, that message has landed.

A senior from Ithaca, New York, Verrill came to Bonaventure after a high school career he describes as “nothing special” academically. He met Palmer on a campus visit as a high school junior, joined C4 Consulting as a freshman and by his second year was president of the student-led organization that partners with local small businesses and nonprofits.

Along the way, he wrestled through a summer without the kind of internship he wanted, then watched LaunchSBU help open the door he had been searching for. Verrill landed a forensic accounting internship this summer with Floyd Advisory LLC as a result of a connection he made with Bill Shea, ’80, a university trustee whose son William is a partner with the New York City firm.

“When I came in, my GPA wasn’t great,” said Verrill, who will graduate in three years and pursue an

p Mauro Schifino, ’79, talks with graduate student Ahmadou Cisse.

Accounting MBA. “Now I have a 3.7, and I realize that’s actually competitive. Bonaventure pushes you academically but also helps you build practical skills. Even if you’re not a straight-A student, you can still succeed if you develop those abilities.”

The Davis brothers’ desire to pay it forward through LaunchSBU is a path Verrill hopes to follow.

“The only thing they’ve ever asked of me, or any student, is to

The people who embrace change advance. ... We want employers to see that Bonaventure students are game-ready, not just book-smart.

”

Joe Davis, ’79

step up and take their place when it’s our turn,” Verrill said. “They never ask for anything in return except that we do well — for ourselves, the school and others. That selflessness says everything about what kind of place Bonaventure is, and it’s the kind of person I want to be.”

For alumni so immersed in tradition and fond recollection of the community they found here as students, Palmer said LaunchSBU is more focused on looking ahead.

“Most of the time with alumni, we sell nostalgia,” he said. “With LaunchSBU, we’re selling the present and the future. Alumni love having real relationships with students. They’ll take them to lunch, jump on a call, open a door. And it goes both ways — working with students makes you feel better about the world. In all my time here, I can’t think of anything more rewarding I’ve done than this initiative.”

The Davises admit they get as much joy out of the program as anyone.

“At times it feels like we’re getting more out of this than the students,” Matt said. “Seeing their confidence click, watching them land, hearing seniors introduce us to their families at graduation — that’s the payoff.”

Ultimately, the greatest beneficiaries of LaunchSBU are Bona’s business students, who now have “unparalleled access to mentorship, community and real-world guidance,” James said.

“It has built a foundation that goes far beyond programming,” she said. “It’s a network of belonging, leadership and opportunity that prepares our students not only for successful careers but also for lives grounded in service, integrity and connection.”

Bonaventure dives headﬁrst into totally radical waters of AI

By Bill Geisel

So, OK — picture this: the world is, like, so obsessed with artificial intelligence right now. Everywhere you turn, someone’s talking about chatbots, algorithms, machine learning — ugh, it’s enough to fry your scrunchie-covered brain. But St. Bonaventure? They’re not just talking about it. They’re, like, totally doing something major.

I mean, while other places are still figuring out what AI even means (like duh!), SBU is already out there building courses, helping students get all smart with new tech, and rolling out this adorable little chatbot named Reilly who is, like, always awake. (Can’t relate.) And get this — they even launched this super-official thing called the Presidential Commission on Artificial Intelligence, which is basically the university saying, “We’re not waiting around to see what happens. We’re driving the car, babe.”

And not in a reckless, “let’s try all the new gadgets just because they’re shiny” kind of way. No. This is about vibing responsibly. About being, like, ethical and stuff. About making sure AI helps people — and doesn’t, like, take over the planet or whatever.

So yeah, St. Bonaventure is so ahead of the curve it’s almost tubular. And that’s totally awesome.

A Most Noble Quest for Wisdom

Yet speak we now in sterner tones, where vision meets the vaulted aims of scholarship. For as the world’s great engines of thought do awaken with uncanny power, St. Bonaventure hath resolved to chart a course both wise and just.

Behold the Presidential Commission on Artificial Intelligence, co-chaired by the learned Dr. Mike Hoffman and the esteemed Dr. Dave Hilmey. These stewards, entrusted with foresight, lead a fellowship committed to discerning how such potent tools may uplift the human spirit. Their charge: to ensure that innovation walketh ever hand in hand with virtue.

Through counsel and deliberation, they explore how AI may enrich the curriculum, strengthen the works of faculty and staff, and bring forth new means to guide and support students. Yet equally they ponder the ethical path, crafting measures that protect privacy, honor human dignity and uphold the Franciscan heart of this institution.

The university hath already set forth many signs of progress: new courses in philosophy and science, bold experiments with AI-driven learning and oper-

Tyler Verrill

ations, and a growing culture of academic curiosity. Such endeavors herald a future in which technology serveth not as master, but as companion — ever guided by moral light.

Thus, St. Bonaventure prepares her people not merely to wield intelligence, artificial though it be, but to shepherd it for the common good.

Oh, the thinks you can think … Now the story grows fun, in a childlike way, For Bonnies are building tomorrow today! With circuits and datasets humming along, They’re teaching the world to be smart — and be strong.

A chatbot named Reilly helps students each night, Answering questions with speed and delight. There’s learning and research and courses brand-new, Where AI meets values in all that they do.

The Commission stands watch with a purpose so clear: “Use AI with wisdom, and never with fear!” They study, they question, they plan and prepare — Making sure every choice is both thoughtful and fair.

For tech can be tricky, with wonders and woes, But SBU chooses the path where hope grows. Where ethics and insight are part of the plan, And service to others says, “Yes, yes you can!”

So here’s to the future the Bonnies embrace —

A future where learning lifts every place. With courage and kindness and ideas that ignite, They’re shaping a world where AI is used right.

To be candid and clear, Bill Geisel isn’t real, Words written here part of our ChatGPT deal. Valley Girl to The Bard and Dr. Seuss, too, The seconds to write this? It took just a few.

EDITOR’S NOTE: In October, SBU announced the formation of the President’s Commission on Artiﬁcial Intelligence, a group tasked with guiding the institution’s academic, ethical and operational use of AI technologies.

“Artificial intelligence is transforming higher education,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, president of the university. “To remain competitive and deliver an exceptional experience for students, faculty and staff, St. Bonaventure must not simply adopt AI tools — it

must instill ethical use of them.

The university’s decision to have more than 300 campus community members pilot ChatGPT EDU, which authored this wideranging mashup of the original press release about the AI Commission, is just one example of St. Bonaventure’s commitment to making sure the university stays relevant in this technological revolution.

To learn more about the university’s AI eﬀorts, visit www.sbu.edu/AI.

SHARED LANES SHARED FUTURES

Swim & dive alumni mentors strengthen the Bonaventure bond by supporting student‐athletes in and out of the water

Daci Colón knows more than anyone the value of a mentor. Since Colón’s sophomore year, Emily Ciraolo, ’08, ’09, has been a guiding light for the senior swimmer from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Ciraolo is chair of SBU’s Alumni Council and a former St. Bonaventure swimmer.

“Emily has helped me get my name out there on different posts on LinkedIn and has helped me organize things like my résumé and cover letter,” Colón said. “But beyond that, she has been a major mentor in my personal life, guiding me through different difficulties that come up in college and hard times that happen in life.”

The pair first connected through the university’s Swim & Dive Mentorship Program, an initiative born from a collaboration between the Career and Professional Readiness Center (CPRC) and Mike Smiechowski, head coach of swimming and diving.

Ciraolo says the program allows St. Bonaventure alumni to give back in a way that feels deeply personal. Her relationship with Colón has become a model for what Bonaventure’s culture of mentorship can be.

“We offer a unique perspective that a non-swimming and diving alum can’t,” said Ciraolo. “We’ve lived the highs and lows of such a long and grueling season.”

That shared experience is the cornerstone of her bond with Colón. When Ciraolo was in Denver last year, she invited Colón to join her at a Savannah Bananas game — a small but meaningful gesture that turned a mentorship into a friendship.

“At the student’s pace, we also help with résumé building, internships, or connecting with other alums for networking,” Ciraolo said. “And because I’m on campus regularly, I’ll invite my mentees out to meals as a nice break from the Hickey. An off-campus meal is something I always cherished as a student.”

THE SWIM & DIVE Mentorship Program is the Career and Professional Readiness Center’s most structured and successful student-alumni mentoring initiative, according to Molly Moretti, director of the CPRC. Each year, the program pairs all 58 student-athletes on the team with roughly 30 alumni mentors — about two students per alum — for a full academic cycle.

“Every swim & dive student is required to participate — and to meet with the CPRC one-on-one each semester,” Moretti said. Students also attend a professionalism presentation in September, complete updated résumés and LinkedIn profiles,

p Daci Colón (left) and Emily Ciraolo, ’08, ’09, at a Savannah Bananas game in Denver.

and participate in the CPRC’s annual Etiquette Dinner, which drew nearly 100 attendees last fall.

The program’s champions are both in the CPRC and on the pool deck. Smiechowski, who helped launch the effort with then-CPRC director Pam Ferman in 2022, has made participation mandatory for all team members.

“Coach Mike has been the No. 1 champion of the program,”

Moretti said. “He sees how these connections motivate his athletes beyond the lanes.”

Mentor-mentee pairs are encouraged to connect monthly by phone or Zoom. Some relationships have continued long after graduation.

“We’ve seen alumni attend meets, take mentees to games, and help them land jobs,” Moretti said. “Those are real outcomes, and they speak to the Bonaventure bond.”

George Triepel, ’89, was paired with Miko Synowiec, ’25, a computer science major from Poland. Their match was serendipitous.

Triepel had a CEO friend who was launching a startup company in Poland, and before he graduated, Synowiec was hired to be a U.S. liaison for the company based in Virginia Beach.

“That ‘coincidence’ is essential to what I have emphasized to these young adults,” Triepel said. “Put their diligent habits that they’ve gotten used to in swimming, and is arguably unmatched, into a habit of constant networking. It could be two weeks or five years, but networking is key.”

BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED success of the Swim & Dive mentorship program, Athletics has expanded its vision with Bonnies Career Connection, a new platform linking studentathletes with alumni employers across industries.

The Career and Professional Readiness Center’s initiatives include an Etiquette Dinner (left) for students and the networking event Bonnies4Bonnies (above).

training from the CPRC before being added to the site, ensuring they’re “workforce ready.”

Bonnies Career Connection is open to all student-athletes, as well as alumni who weren’t athletes while at SBU. The program shares the ethos of both the Swim & Dive Mentor program and LaunchSBU.

“Our program shares the same goals as those programs — to leverage the love and affinity that our alumni have for SBU to help provide our students with a distinctive edge as they enter the workforce,” Beretta said.

“We’re always looking to improve our student-athlete experience, especially when it comes to preparing them for life after Bonaventure,” said Bob Beretta, vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “There’s nothing more powerful than Bonnies helping Bonnies.”

The initiative, developed in collaboration with the CPRC, lets alumni search for talented student-athletes who bring dedication, discipline and teamwork to the workplace. Alumni employers can use the site to search for talented candidates for internships and career opportunities, while student-athletes can showcase their professional profiles.

Students who sign up receive professional communication

We’ve seen alumni attend meets, take mentees to games, and help them land jobs. “ ”

CPRC Director Molly Moretti

The CPRC’s mentoring ecosystem reaches beyond athletics. Through events like “Dinner with a Bonnie” and reimagined Bonnies4Bonnies gatherings, alumni and students share professional and personal insights in settings that mirror the close-knit Bonaventure community.

Moretti sees these touchpoints as essential to sustaining the university’s mentoring culture.

“We look at the whole student — résumé, cover letter, LinkedIn, etiquette training — the works,” she said. “It’s about preparing them for every aspect of their professional lives.”

The Quick Center

Celebra

ting a

milestone anniversary and welcoming a new year of art

St. Bonaventure’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is midway through its yearlong 30th anniversary celebration, which began in April 2025 and continues through April 2026. Since its opening in 1995, the Quick Center has been a cornerstone of culture and creativity for both the university and Western New York, hosting world-class artists, nurturing local talent, and providing enriching experiences for audiences of all ages.

The celebration officially launched Sept. 21, 2025, with an opening ceremony featuring a performance by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and a special tribute honoring longtime advocate and major benefactor Marianne (Letro) Laine, ’68.

Concurrently, several of the Quick Center galleries — Front, Dresser, Beltz and Laine — reopened with fresh, thoughtfully curated exhibitions reflecting the center’s vision of artistic excellence, education and cultural connection.

Highlights include a new audio tour in the Beltz Gallery, featuring narrated insight and artist commentary on works from our acclaimed Permanent Collection to engage and inform visitors of all ages. The Laine Gallery honors Indigenous culture

through the vibrant work of Seneca artist Carson Waterman. Visitors are also invited to view the moving art of renowned Seneca Nation artist and potter Peter Jones in the Dresser Gallery, where his striking exhibition is being featured.

The staff of the Regina A. Quick Center extends a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who attended our spectacular fall season events. Your presence at the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s opening night, the Robert Grayson & Paul Groves Studio “Postcards from Puccini” opera performance Oct. 17, and the Southern Tier Symphony Holiday Brass concert Dec. 5 made these events an unforgettable start to the center’s celebratory season.

“The incredible turnout and support for our fall events have confirmed that the Quick Center is truly a source of local pride and a vital link to the arts for our communities,” said Dr. Rachel M. Harris, executive director of the Quick Center. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has joined us so far.”

Upcoming Performances

As we look ahead, the Quick Center staff welcomes you to

Photo by Danny Bush

The Quick Center for the Arts’ opening performance featured the artistry of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of JoAnn Falletta.

experience the exciting lineup still to come in our 30th Anniversary Performing Arts Series, including both performances and masterclasses:

e Feb. 19, 2026: Galvin Cello Quartet High School Masterclass

e Feb. 20, 2026: Galvin Cello Quartet (Performance)

e March 12, 2026: Willis Delony High School Masterclass

e March 13, 2026: Willis Delony, Classical Piano, Jazz Trio (Performance)

e April 17 & 18, 2026: Shakespeare Abridged (Performance)

e April 18, 2026: Kenan Center Masterclasses

All featured masterclass performances are open to the public — we invite everyone to come and watch!

“As we move into the spring, this remains an exciting moment in our history as we continue to fulfill our vision to revitalize the arts throughout our university, community and region and to establish the Quick Center as a destination for renowned, national and international artists,” Harris said. “We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Quick Center.” For tickets and showtimes for Quick Center performances, visit www.ticketor.com/quickarts

The Art of Storytelling

The Quick Center for the Arts invites visitors to experience a new kind of journey through time and beauty with “The Art of Storytelling,” now open in the center’s Beltz Gallery.

This immersive exhibition features an audio tour of the artwork narrated by retired St. Bonaventure theater professor and longtime NPR

Support the Quick

The Quick Center is committed to ensuring that high-caliber fine arts remain accessible in Western New York, proving that the appreciation and creation of art should never be limited by a ZIP code or an income bracket. We extend a heartfelt invitation to celebrate our 30th anniversary and the bright future of the Quick Center. If you are interested in celebrating and supporting the 30th anniversary endowment, please scan the QR code below.

Retired faculty Ed. and Leigh Simone

host Dr. Ed. Simone, who offers commentary and insight on select pieces from the university’s renowned art collections.

The exhibition features more than 50 artists from the 15th through 20th centuries. The audio tour is available online for those unable to attend in person.

The exhibit opens with a portrait of “Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints” by Fra Angelico (1387-1455), one of the great masters of Italian art.

Supported by the generous gifts of Dr. T. Edward Hanley and the Col. Michael Friedsam Collections, the Beltz exhibit brings together centuries of visually expressive and illustrative works that reveal how artists have used their craft to share stories and shape cultural understanding.

www.sbu.edu/quick-audio-tour

This year, the Laine Gallery at the Quick Center honors Indigenous culture through the powerful digital work of Seneca artist Carson Waterman, blending traditional Haudenosaunee themes with contemporary expression.

FACES PLACES

44 SHARE YOUR CAREER NEWS WITH THE BONA NATION! CLASS NOTES

To submit professional news for the next issue of Bonaventure magazine, complete the online form at www.SBUmagazine.com or email magazine@sbu.edu. Submissions may be edited for clarity or length.

1970

Ron Sievert is directing the Advanced International Affairs Certificate Program at the Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University. He previously taught International Law and National Security Law as an adjunct at the University of Texas School of Law and as a professor at the Bush School for 20 years. Before teaching, Sievert served as chief prosecutor in the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and later held several roles in the U.S. Department of Justice, including trial attorney, chief of the Criminal Division in the Eastern District of Texas, chief of the Austin Division in the Western District, international and national security coordinator, and assistant director responsible for evaluating all U.S. attorneys’ offices nationwide. He has published numerous law review articles on national security issues and is the author of four editions of the textbook “Cases and Materials on U.S. Law and National Security.”

1975

Ret. Col. Frank G. Romano (center, above) participated in the 108th Fort Dix Establishment Commemoration on July 16, 2025, which included a 5K ruck march and a 3K walk. Romano took part in the walk and later joined in the ceremonial cake cutting following presentations on the history and current capabilities of Fort Dix. In his civilian role as acting director for Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, Romano was the senior Department of the Army civilian present.

1976

Joan Kurkowski-Gillen received a firstplace award from the Catholic Media Asso-

ciation for her story “Preparing for a Beautiful Death” in the category Reporting on a Special Age Group. She writes for the North Texas Catholic magazine in the Diocese of Fort Worth. The magazine was awarded second place in the best diocesan magazine category at this year's Catholic Media Conference. Kurkowski-Gillen is married to Kevin Gillen, ’74.

1979

After 21 years, Barbara Inglese retired from her position as senior research & development competitive intelligence analyst at Sanofi, based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Inglese has moved to Lewiston, New York, to enjoy the quieter pace and frequent attendance at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

1982

Kevin Keenan (above) was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame on Sept. 10, 2025. Keenan’s radio and television career began in his hometown of Olean and continued in Rochester and Buffalo, where he worked at WBEN-AM for 16 years. Today he is a founding partner of Keenan Communications Group, a Buffalo public relations and crisis communications firm.

1983

Randy Egan retired last June from Huntington National Bank after 40 years as a banking executive. He spent the bulk of his career in commercial

real estate lending and workouts, as well as residential mortgage lending. He plans to spend his retirement with his 4-year-old granddaughter. Dr. Kate Shea Kennon was honored to receive the 2025 Irish Arts Ambassador award from the iconic Irish Echo newspaper for her work in supporting the Origin Theatre in New York City. Origin is an arts organization whose mission is to discover and support new voices from Ireland through its annual theater festival, which has been a great success since 2008 and has featured more than 250 artists. Kennon would love to hear from SBU alums in the NYC area who share enthusiasm and commitment to the theater. “Let's get two on the aisle,” she writes. Leonard M. Thomas, Ph.D., has spent the past year expanding his research thanks to a brand new CryoEM (Cryogenic Electron Microscopy) microscope. He has been transitioning from determining protein structures by X-ray diffraction techniques to using Cryo-EM techniques. “Learning something new, like a newly minted graduate student, has been exciting if a bit scary at times. Never too old to learn new things,” Thomas writes. He is the facility director of the Biomolecular Structure Core, which is part of the NIH-sponsored Oklahoma Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Structural Biology located at the University of Oklahoma-Norman Research Campus. Learn more at www.ou.edu/structuralbiology/cobre-core-facilities/mcl.

1984

Sheila Doyle was honored by Girl

Kennon (left) and Congressman Tim Kennedy

Scouts of NYPENN Pathways as its 2025 Woman of Distinction. Doyle is senior associate vice president & deputy chief of staff to the president of Binghamton University and executive director of Binghamton University Foundation. With more than 20 years’ experience in higher education and financial management, Doyle oversees strategic planning, real estate development, endowment management and advancement operations for Binghamton University and its affiliates. She has held past leadership roles in personal trust and estate administration at Chase Manhattan Bank and M&T Bank, serves on multiple community boards and has received several honors, including the Chancellor’s Award for Professional Service and Women of Achievement Award. A lifelong Girl Scout, Doyle is a former board president of the Girl Scouts of Indian Hills Legacy Council and served on the realignment committee that helped form GSNYPENN after a merger of several legacy councils. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Girl Scout Thanks Badge. The annual Women of Distinction event recognizes exceptional women in the greater Binghamton community who demonstrate outstanding leadership that embodies Girl Scouts’ mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character.

1986

Katy Frank is in her 18th year of teaching in the Rochester (N.Y.) City School District. In 2007, after 20 successful years in advertising, she embarked on a second career with a master’s in education. Frank recently completed her third master’s degree, in Educational Leadership with dual New York state certifications: School Building Leader & School District Leader. After a 25-year hiatus from downhill skiing, she is back on the slopes and loving it, including skiing at Holiday Valley, an SBU Ski Club destination. “Retirement isn’t on the horizon just yet. Life is just getting started as an empty nester. Can’t wait to see everyone from the Class of 1986 at our 40th reunion in June!” she writes.

1989

Michelle (Zampogna) Waddell, a senior accounting services specialist at Lumsden McCormick CPA, has been elected treasurer of the Mohawk Place

Board of Directors. Mohawk Place has been a cherished part of Buffalo’s live music community since its original opening in 1990. Waddell will be the first elected treasurer on the Board of Directors.

1990

Robert Hermansen started a new job as borough administrator of the Borough of Wanaque, New Jersey, while also maintaining his position as a financial advisor for LPL Financial. David J. Kelley, Ph.D., will be inducted into the Ohio Sports Hall of Fame this October as a special contributor. Kelley’s contributions include pioneering education for athletic administrators and innovating curriculum design. While a graduate student at Ohio University, Kelley developed the concept for an advanced degree in sport administration for professionals in interscholastic athletics. This led to the creation of the Master of Athletic Administration program at the university in 2004. After joining the University of Cincinnati in 2009, Kelley spearheaded the development of the online master’s degree in Sport Administration, which launched in 2017. He also championed the integration of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Leadership Training Certification into graduate-level education and has authored books on sports fundraising and careers in the sports industry.

1991

social worker, was honored as one of the 2025 Living Legends of Alexandria, joining a distinguished cohort of 12 recognized for shaping and strengthening the Alexandria community through service, leadership and lasting impact. Bonilla-Galdamez was honored during a November reception at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. A nationally recognized school social worker, Bonilla-Galdamez has dedicated her career to advancing the well-being, academic success and empowerment of multilingual, immigrant and at-risk youth. She is the creator and leader of youth and family engagement initiatives, including the widely respected Youth in Progress (YIP) program.

1997

Kristen R. Russi relocated to Olean after a 32-year career in non-profit communications and teaching in Washington, D.C. She is elated to be rejoining her Bona family, and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling. She can’t wait to give back to her community and carry on the Franciscan tradition of service to others.

1993

Ana Bonilla-Galdamez, an Alexandria City High School family engagement

Dr. Marc DelMonico (on screen above) presented on a panel that focused on mental health care in the Catholic Church at a global wellness conference held at the Vatican. Representatives from more than a dozen countries participated in the first-of-its-kind conference Nov. 5-7, 2025. DelMonico, representing Saint Luke Institute from the U.S., highlighted the organization’s psychological and spiritual care work for clergy, religious and lay ministers, detailing its successful wellness care models and proactive education efforts for mental health in ministry. He emphasized the need for such support, as these ministers often serve as mental health first-responders in their communities. For more details, visit DelMonico’s website, churchMD.com/wellness.

1999

Jennifer Westerholt was named vice president of Institutional Advancement at Nardin Academy in Buffalo, New York.

2000

Twenty-five years after earning his bachelor’s degree at SBU, Michael Templeton is enrolled in his second master’s degree program — this time in SBU’s online Social Work program. “I’m super excited to ‘back’ as a Bonnie. Proud to remember the Franciscan values that meant so much to me as an undergrad, serving as an anchor through my new coursework,” he said. After many years as an educator, Templeton said the MSW will help him evolve professionally, and he is looking forward to serving teachers, leaders, health care workers and religious leaders in prioritizing their own holistic wellness. “As a society, we have a responsibility to ensure these special people can do their work sustainably and have the necessary tools to do so with confidence and joy. Thanks again to St. Bonaventure University, I’m hopeful to be able to contribute to this important goal.”

2004

Timothy A. Rothang

tives in the district. Among his most notable accomplishments are preserving hundreds of acres of open space throughout the 3rd District; working to create and expand the Mastic/Shirley Conservation Zone; working on the establishment of the Forge River Watershed Sewer District to improve water quality; securing Violet Cove for future community use; and Developing Suffolk County’s first disc golf course at Southaven Park. In addition to his work in the legislature, Rothang serves on the Town of Brookhaven Open Space and Farmland Acquisition Advisory Committee and was previously recognized as one of the 30 Young Professionals Under 30 by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife have one son.

2012

Amanda (Klein) Diedrich is serving a three-year term as a school board member for the Hilton (N.Y.) Central School District.

2015

Reid Okoniewski was promoted to communications & marketing supervisor for the town of Herndon (Virginia). In this elevated role, Okoniewski leads strategic marketing efforts that promote programs, events and services across the community. He oversees social media, brand development, digital campaigns and the creation of print and digital collateral. Okoniewski continues to champion inclusive, community-centered storytelling and innovative communication strategies to strengthen civic engagement.

2018

M.K. Killen (also ’19) was promoted to executive director of Canandaigua Comfort

Sarah E. Hansen was selected for membership in the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), an invitation-only, peer-reviewed association comprised of approximately 2,500 of the world’s leading corporate and insurance lawyers and insurance executives. Hansen is a partner at Burden & Hansen, LLC in Buffalo, New York, and focuses her litigation practice on defending businesses in the transportation, construction and manufacturing fields, as well as municipal entities.

2006

Timothy A. Rothang was awarded the 2025 Trailblazer Award by the Mastic Beach Conservancy in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the preservation and protection of the Mastic Beach, New York, waterfront and surrounding community. Since 2018, he has served as chief of staff in the Suffolk County 3rd Legislative District. Rothang plays a pivotal role in advancing major community and environmental initia-

2009

Bob Torella was named to the Buffalo Business First 40 Under 40 Class of 2025. Torella’s experience in the auditing and accounting of exempt organizations, including educational institutions, arts and entertainment organizations, and other nonprofit organizations, led to his promotion to partner at Lumsden & McCormick, LLP, in 2024. He also has experience in grant compliance, audits in accordance with government auditing standards and uniform guidance, exempt organization taxation, and financial reporting. Torella is a member of the firm’s Accounting and Auditing Technical Committee and the chairperson of the Financial Accounting Standards Board subcommittee. He also serves as the treasurer for Cradle Beach, an inclusive summer camp for children with disabilities that prioritizes skill-building, friendship and nature; a board member of Parachute Credit Counseling; and has completed board leadership training with United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.

Care Home Inc., a volunteer-driven work of compassion providing end-of-life care at no cost to residents or their families. She started her career in the nonprofit world at SBU’s own Franciscan Center for Social Concern in 2019.

2023

After working in golf media, Jack Milko made the transition to SPORTFIVE, where he manages public relations and communications for the agency in New York. SPORTFIVE is a global sports marketing agency headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, and Milko works with athletes, teams, rightsholders and brands across sports, including soccer, golf and basketball.

Carlos Verde, ’25, announces world championship boxing bout

When alumnus Carlos Verde stepped into the ring as an announcer in September, his voice carried far beyond the arena — the unified world boxing championship bout was broadcast in more than 50 countries.

The fight, pitting Canada’s Sara Bailey against Argentina’s Evelin Bermudez in Ottawa, On tario, Canada, was reported on worldwide. Verde’s previous ring announcing work has been featured on Canada’s TSN as well as ESPN Knockout in Latin America.

The Toronto resident completed his online MBA from St. Bonaventure in 2025.

Verde said his graduate degree has been immediately useful both in his day-to-day role as marketing manager at one of Canada’s premier private clubs and in the sports world, where he advises announcing clients, including United Boxing Promotions and the Toronto Flyers, on best industry practices.

Verde has been announcing sports for more than a decade, beginning while he was still in high school.

“My introduction to boxing was through my younger cousin, who fought on a few amateur shows. They were looking for an announcer. I did the first few for 50 bucks a pop, and the rest is history,” Verde said.

Although he has been in many boxing rings, Verde doesn’t put on the gloves himself. His athletic background is baseball: He played baseball in college and in Europe and now coaches a AAA-level team in Toronto.

“My Spanish skills and business literacy have both been significant assets in navigating the landscape of a new sport,” Verde added.

East and West coast memories

John Vance, ’71, and Kathy Curran Vance, ’73, met up with classmates from 1971 on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in late July and in Ellensburg, Washington, in early August. Pictured above on the Cape are Denise Benner (from left), Bob Cochran, John LaPointe, Kathy Vance and John Vance. Alums who gathered in Washington were John Vance (from left), Kathy Curran Vance, Susan Cartelli and Vinnie Cartelli. They are all looking forward to their 55th class reunion in June!

Bona connections in the Steel City

Early 2000s alumni Victoria Horton (from left), Anna Maria Stancil and Kara Schwartz, along with their children, gathered in Pittsburgh for some summer fun.

Carlos Verde (center) celebrated earning his MBA from SBU with his father Miguel, fiancée Saoirse, mother Tanya and sister Marina.

Carlos Verde

Honoring a creative legacy

Thirty members of the extended Worden family gathered last June to view “Plein-air beauty,” Léone Worden’s art exhibit at SBU’s Quick Center for the Arts. Léone, an Allegany-Olean area artist, was the wife of Dr. John L. Worden, a longtime professor of Biology at St. Bonaventure. Among the family members pictured are (front row, second from left) the Wordens’ daughter Margaret S. Worden, ’72; daughter-in-law Norma Chue Worden, ’64; son Robert L. Worden, ’67; and son Lorenz M. Worden, ’63.

Welcome to the Bona Family!

Thomas Haenn, ’88, shared this SBU legacy photo of him

his

and his

John Reemmer ’68 (right) proudly shared that a third generation of Reemmers is attending SBU. John’s son, David, ’97, (left), and grandson, Zachary, ’29, who began his Bona journey in the fall, continue the family tradition.

(left),

daughter, Lauren Haenn, ’29,

father, Robert Haenn, ’58. Thomas noted that three of his brothers and three of his sisters also graduated from St. Bonaventure.

Marking a milestone birthday

Members of the Class of 1972 gathered Sept. 19, 2025, at the gravesite of classmate Tom Lestrange to mark the fourth anniversary of his passing and to celebrate their 75th birthdays. From left are Pete Sheridan, Jack Lemery, Jim Lanigan, Mike LaGreca, Ron Salluzzo and John Lamanna. The group, part of the original Fourth Dev West Tunas, has remained close since graduation day in 1972. Pictured in 1972 from left are Kevin Ryan, Lestrange, John Lamanna, Mike LaGreca, Ron Salluzzo, Jim Lanigan, Bob Lannon, ’73, Jack Lemery and Pete Sheridan.

Friendships that travel

Six members of the Class of 1982 took their annual fall trip last September. Lori Morgan Hickson, Stephanie Clancy-Dollinger, Beth Paddock Thompson, Leigh O’Connell, Terry Fletcher Chiodo and Anne Sweeney Holliday stayed on Chautauqua Lake and visited the Lucy-Desi Museum, where the picture was taken, and the National Comedy Center in Jamestown. The women have gathered annually since 2010 and have visited Charleston and Beaufort, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Disney World; Nashville; and New England, among other destinations.

A Reunion on the Greens

The fourth annual Carlo Invitational brought together members of the classes of 1990 and 1991 for a mini reunion. From left are Chris Annesi, ’90, Dan Mangan, ’91, Tim Carlo, ’90, Mike Fitzsimmons, ’90, John Wiedeman, ’90, David Maley, ’90, Pat Reynolds, ’90, Eric McClaren, ’90, John Stevens, ’90, Sean Mahoney, ’91, and John Haar, ’90.

Friends gather in Virginia

Fr. Gregory Jakubowicz, ’87, returned to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he lived before becoming a friar, and caught up with Charlottesville residents Danielle (Grobmyer) Thomas, ’06, Erin Keller, ’22, and Frank Squillace, ’86.

A joyful birthday gathering

Rich Adamonis, ’77, shared this photo of an 83rd birthday celebration for Fr. Chris Keenan, O.F.M., ’67 (right). At left, Fr. Bernie Creighton, O.F.M., ’61, offered kind and inspired words to Fr. Chris and the gathering of friends at St. Anthony Friary in Butler, New Jersey.

Class of 1987 housemates celebrate 60th birthdays

Former 54 S. 7th Street residents Karen Donnellan, Karol (Weigand) Stayer (’87 and ’90), Lauren (Rauch) Carmody, Vicky (Paluso) Smits Van Oyen and Kathy (Johnson) Russo spent an October weekend in Watkins Glen to reminisce and celebrate.

A Diamond Anniversary in Rome

Peter, ’63, and Sharon (Leone) Cummings, ’65, marked their 60th wedding anniversary with a trip to Italy, highlighted by meeting Pope Leo at St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 8, 2025. The couple were married on campus Oct. 9, 1965, in the Friary Chapel and were among the first couples to be married there. Dean of Students Rev. Cornelius Welch, Rev. Fidelius O’Rourke, dean of the Business School, and Rev. Edward Metzger participated in their wedding Mass. During their meeting, the couple presented Pope Leo with a St. Bonaventure pennant. Pope Leo attended Villanova (1973-1977), who the Bonnies defeated to reach the 1970 NCAA Final Four. His Holiness presented each of them with rosary beads and wished them continued happiness and health. The Cummingses, who live in Virginia Beach, Virginia, are the parents of five children and have seven grandchildren.

Bona pride at Assisi

Lynn (Garbarino) Gosnell, ’80, brought her Bonaventure love — and a pennant — to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in October. Gosnell, an Education graduate, has taught for more than 40 years. She followed in the footsteps of her father, the late Robert P. Garbarino, ’51, to attend St. Bonaventure.

Conquering the Northeast 115

John Boegel, ’81, has completed the Northeast 115 (4,000-foot peaks), finishing on Mount Katahdin in Maine on Oct. 6, 2024. Many of the peaks were climbed with fellow members of the classes of 1981 and 1982.

A historic visit to Spain Kevin, ’79, and Maureen (Grune) Horgan, ’80, visited the Compostela de Santiago in November 2025.

Celebrating Friendship and Retirement

Former Robinson Hall floormates Paul Murphy, ’85 (left), and Karl Huelsenbeck, ’85, catch up on old times and celebrate Murphy’s recent retirement at a dinner in Warren, New Jersey.

Teeing

It Up Together

These Bonnies got together Aug. 20, 2025, at Tavistock Country Club in Haddonfield, N.J.: Chris Allan, ’78, Mark Fiato, ’81, Chris Allan, ’11, Pat Doyle, ’81, Bill Fagan, ’79, and Larry LaMaina, ’81.

To submit your wedding announcement for an upcoming edition of Bonaventure magazine, email magazine@sbu.edu or use the online form at www.sbu.edu/alumniupdate.

All photos must be of good reproductive quality. Pictures submitted electronically must have a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Original images from a camera or cell phone work best. Photographs that have been shared on social media or via text have likely been compressed and will not be large enough to reproduce in the magazine.

The university is prohibited from publishing copyrighted photographs, unless accompanied by written permission from the photographer.

Photos are published at the discretion of the editor. Photos that include banners or other insignia of the Brown Indian mascot will not be accepted.

St. Bonaventure University takes pride in its alumni and joyfully shares the news of their lives and achievements.

St. Bonaventure is supportive of our Catholic Church’s teachings. Publication of announcements provided to us by our alumni does not necessarily imply an endorsement by the university.

and

Rebecca Weitzel, ’13, ’14, and Joseph West

Sydney Cerza, ’20,

Jake Miknis, ’20, ’21

Stephanie Foster, ’17, and Mitchell Rozansky, ’17

Natalie Peraino and Jeﬀ Uveino, ’21

Maria DiSpigno, ’17, and Christopher Gorsky

Victoria Huwar and Jeﬀ Toole, ’06

Kristin Morse, ’12, and Thomas Stearns

Heather Dunn, ’93, and Joseph Smucinski, ’00

Caitlin McClare, ’16, and Joe Hanna, ’17

Kelly Gleason, ’18, and Evan Wohlabaugh, ’17

Dora Misciagna and Andrew Reid, ’05

Sarah Koning, ’19, and Brian Pulli, ’19

Jenna Machina, ’19, and John Duﬀy, ’21

Megan Owen, ’20, and Stephen Felter, ’18, ’19

M.K. Killen, ’18, ’19, and Eric Lang

Beth Moore, ’18, ’19, and Brian Wasilewski

Erica Low, ’22, and Tyler Petrie, ’22, ’24

Elizabeth Smith and David Tompkins, ’99

Olivia Hotchkiss and Sam Catalfamo, ’16

Aaliyah Coleman, ’19, and Justice Hatten

Alumni Deaths

Dr. Alfred J. Morini Sr., ’41, Amsterdam, New York

Louise (Militello) Crolle, ’49, Orlando, Florida

John F. Donnelly, ’49, Meriden, Connecticut

Donald P. Grimmer, ’51, Sterling Heights, Michigan

Stanley Lewza, ’51, Ballston Spa, New York

Rev. John F. Turi, ’51, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Robert G. Bartholf, ’52, Ithaca, New York

Hon. Michael M. Palmisano, ’52, Erie, Pennsylvania

Daniel S. Sullivan, ’52, West Simsbury, Connecticut

Rosaria (DeFonzo) Costanzo, ’53, Mechanicsville, Virginia

Edward J. Carey, ’54, Savannah, Georgia

Dominick M. Lombardi, ’54, West Chester, Pennsylvania

John W. Bennett, ’55, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

Howard B. Brown, ’55, Fanwood, New Jersey

John S. Franchina, Esq., ’55, Plainview, New York

Leon A. Micheline, ’55, Sparks, Nevada

Matthew T. Rinaldo, ’55, Spring Lake, New Jersey

Jack J. St. John, ’56, Toledo, Ohio

William J. Zeis, ’56, Columbus, New Jersey

Pasquale R. Derizzo, ’57, Palm City, Florida

Vincent R. LaPorta, ’57, Gloversville, New York

Neil J. Rojek, ’58, Webster, New York

William M. Weir*, ’58, Orchard Park, New York

Robert T. Whitehead, ’58, Jefferson Town, Kentucky

Rev. Eugene R. Carr, ’59, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Joseph F. Mc Anallen, ’59, Scottsdale, Arizona

Robert E. Pawk, ’59, Delevan, New York

Roland W. Pelletier, '59, Fairport, New York

Ann M. (Scarlato) Scanlon, ’59, Allegany, New York

Maurice M. Farhart, ’60, Gloversville, New York

James M. Kendrick, ’60, Las Vegas, Nevada

Rev. John P. Kennehan, ’60, Attleboro, Massachusetts

Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M., ’60, Newburgh, New York

Bernard D. Rydelek, ’60, Minoa, New York

Arthur J. Smith, ’60, Buffalo, New York

J. Michael Droney, ’61, Olean, New York

Phillip A. Johnston, ’61, Silver Spring, Maryland

Maria J. (Miller) Roche*, ’61, Matthews, North Carolina

Gordon H. Allen, ’62, Lowville, New York

Neil L. Dempsey, ’62, Fredonia, New York

Thomas R. Gill, Esq., ’62, San Diego, California

James F. Kelly, ’62, Knoxville, Tennessee

James H. Layton III*, ’62, Buckeye, Arizona

Charles G. Legler, '62, Katy, Texas

John C. Lemery, ’62, Glens Falls, New York

Charles Tarulli, ’62, New City, New York

Charles F. Hirt, ’63, Rowley, Massachusetts

Stanley E. Kurlej, ’63, Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Thomas J. Middleton, ’63, Branchburg, New Jersey

Earl L. Robinson, ’63, Appomattox, Virginia

Dominic D. Rogers, ’63, Olean, New York

Charles W. Aloi, ’64, Syracuse, New York

Richard T. DePauw, ’64, Palmyra, New York

Raymond C. Dumser*, ’64, La Quinta, California

Meredith (McConnell) Elmore, ’64, Rye, New York

Hon. David F. Lawlor, ’64, Brockport, New York

Thomas L. Newcome, ’64, Hanover, Pennsylvania

Kathleen G. (Davitt) Alberque, ’65, Lebanon, Tennessee

Leslie A. Francis Jr., ’65, Rockville, Maryland

John L. Heltman, ’65, Arcade, New York

Thomas A. Buckley, ’66, Kinnelon, New Jersey

Richard P. Burchill, ’66, Binghamton, New York

Anthony S. Giacona, ’66, Lebanon, New Jersey

Stephen R. McKee, ’66, Exton, Pennsylvania

Sr. Mary C. Conboy, ’67, Riberalta-Beni, Bolivia

J. Clark Geddis, ’67, Aiken, South Carolina

Thomas E. Russell, ’67, Port Charlotte, Florida

Alice M. (Schrot) Wilshire, ’67, Leominster, Massachusetts

Barry B. Fitzpatrick, ’68, Sayville, New York

Michael J. McCaffrey, ’68, New Port Richey, Florida

Sr. Margaret M. McManus, ’68, Mangonia Park, Florida

William J. O'Connor, ’68, Stephentown, New York

Wendy (Williams) Terrell*, ’68, Fort Worth, Texas

Dr. Brent E. Wholeben, ’68, Minocqua, Wisconsin

Guy F. Dellea, ’70, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

James Breissinger, ’72, Powhatan, Virginia

John S. Simon, ’72, Erie, Pennsylvania

Dominic P. Conlan, ’73, Hornell, New York

Barry A. Gridley, ’73, Wellsville, New York

Rev. Thomas H. Hultquist, ’73, Uxbridge, Massachusetts

Elise V. Weitze, ’73, Saginaw, Michigan

Derek P. Genesky, ’74, Batavia, New York

David Vidic, ’74, Marietta, Georgia

Louis J. Kelly, ’75, Binghamton, New York

Mary L. (Pytcher) Ross, ’75, Lewis Run, Pennsylvania

Richard M. Barrett, ’76, Mohawk, New York

Jeffrey M. Condon, ’76, Longmont, Colorado

Harold A. Egan III, ’76, Buffalo, New York

Dennis G. Gleason, ’76, East Aurora, New York

Norman A. Kushner, ’76, Denver, Colorado

Henryk F. Sek, ’76, Rochester, New York

Rev. James Vacco, O.F.M., ’76, Silver Spring, Maryland

William D. Hanson, ’77, Grand Island, New York

Thomas J. Schwenk, ’78, Galveston, Texas

Steven L. Milligan, ’80, Golden, Colorado

Catherine L. Nesser, ’81, Los Osos, California

Arthur E. Wemmell Jr., ’83, Allegany, New York

Daniel P. Lundy, ’84, Hopkinton, Massachusetts

Donna Marie (Flanagan) Kaminsky, ’84, Akron, Ohio

Kathryn B. (Murphy) Mulvey, ’84, Vero Beach, Florida

Elsa K. DeCarli, ’85, Olean, New York

James D. Johnston, ’85, Richmond, Kentucky

Margaret E. (Cuddy) Loretan, ’87, Sarasota, Florida

Alvin Lott, ’87, Brooklyn, New York

Elizabeth M. (Hamilton) Thornton, ’87, Barrington, Illinois

Pauline (Burdick) Morley, ’88, Adamstown, Maryland

Patricia (Coughlin) Cavanaugh, ’89, Coatesville, Pennsylvania

Kathleen M. (Corcoran) Elter, ’89, New Windsor, New York

Mary E. Peterson, ’89, Fluvanna, New York

Timothy J. Carlo, ’90, Amherst, New York

Paul Coxen, ’91, Atlanta, Georgia

Daniel R. Bray, ’92, Orchard Park, New York

Barbara J. (Pettit) Burdick, ’92, Bolivar, New York

Linda S. Edwards, ’93, Houghton, New York

Timothy J. Kneuer, ’94, MacEdon, New York

James E. O'Connell, ’95, Forestville, New York

Raymond C. Minich, ’97, Limestone, New York

Jodie K. Dineen, ’04, Canisteo, New York

Christopher M. Connelly, ’05, Lancaster, New York

Carl J. Pfadt, ’10, Troy, Michigan

Travis S. Barber, ’17, Varysburg, New York

Parents & Friends

Judy Barton, St. Bonaventure, New York

Elizabeth Berg, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

John D. Berger, Jupiter, Florida

Thomas J. Carroll, Port St. Lucie, Florida

T. Joseph Daley*, Pittsford, New York

Kenneth Dispenza, Batavia, New York

Thomas M. Dowling, Mendon, Vermont

Carman J. Drake, Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania

Curtis L. Fischer, Allegany, New York

Matthew Fisher, Buffalo, New York

Dennis A. Frame, Eldred, Pennsylvania

Edward J. Gallaher III*, Sneads Ferry, North Carolina

John D. Grant, Hopewell, New Jersey

David J. Gumtow, Olean, New York

Bernadette Harlan, Olean, New York

Marion T. Higgins*, Bayside, New York

Shannon Kennedy, Lockport, New York

Robert R. Lorenz, Bonita Springs, Florida

Lauren McCann, Ooltewah, Tennessee

Dr. O. Boyce McDivitt, Olean, New York

Gregory Pearl, Allegany, New York

Anthony I. Provitola, Deland, Florida

James C. Schmidt, North Attleboro, Massachusetts

Harold Schwab, Franklinville, New York

Helen M. Sorokes, Olean, New York

Nancy Timme, Allegany, New York

Sandra Ukolowicz, Limestone, New York

Joan R. Wells, North Haven, Connecticut

Gerard J. Whelan, Leonardo, New Jersey

In Memoriam

Dr. Patrick Panzarella, a longtime professor of English at St. Bonaventure, passed away Oct. 19, 2025. In a distinguished Bonaventure career of more than 50 years (1965-2018), Panzarella contributed as much to the university outside the classroom as inside. Panzarella founded the Bonnies men’s and women’s tennis teams and coached both for decades. He was inducted into the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2015, a donation endowed the Pat Panzarella Professorship in the English Department.

Fr. Jim Vacco, O.F.M., ’76, passed away Dec. 19, 2025. Fr. Jim joined the friars after graduating from SBU. A longtime member of the Theology Department at St. Bonaventure, Fr. James was pastor of St. Bonaventure Parish in Allegany from 2011 until August 2022.

Joan M. Zink passed away Oct. 13, 2025. Zink began a long career as an administrative assistant at St. Bonaventure in 1966. She served in that capacity for seven university presidents and always enjoyed the experience of working side by side with the Franciscan friars. In 2008, the year she retired, Joan was among those who received a 150th Anniversary Medal for her service to the university.

Welcome, Baby Bonnies!

John Patrick to Erin (Miller) Swansey, ’18, and Matthew Swansey, ’17

Cameron Bradley to Elissa (Wolf) Tipton, ’19, ’20, and Jason Tipton, ’19

Cecilia Lisa and Penelope Sue to Regina (Penepent) Turgeon, ’14, and Nick Turgeon, ’14