FAREWELL to president msgr. franklyn casale
When Msgr. Franklyn Casale informed the Board of Trustees that he was set to retire on January 2018, we accepted the news with deep appreciation of his exceptional leadership and vision. These qualities have transformed and expanded St. Thomas University over the course of almost a quarter of a century.
St. Thomas has thrived and grown exponentially under the tutelage of Msgr. Casale. His entrepreneurial spirit and leadership has helped expand not only our academics, but the University as a whole. His dedication to students, community engagement, and advancement of higher education has placed St. Thomas in a strong position to continue pursuing its mission: the creation of local and global leaders that change the world.
Future students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends will appreciate Msgr. Casale’s legacy as they walk across the St. Thomas campus. Since his arrival, Msgr. Casale has worked to make St. Thomas a model resource that prepares students to lead and engage in the legal, business, social entrepreneurship and scientific universe of the global community. He will leave a legacy of committed service to higher education, which has resulted in positioning the University not only as an innovator in this area, but as an institution that produces ethical, knowledgeable and confident graduates that are leaders in their fields.
Amongst other things, his legacy at St. Thomas is reflected by:
▪ The construction and expansion of campus facilities which has included the Chapel of Saint Anthony; the Carnival Cruise Lines Science and Technology Building; the future Gus Machado Business School building; School of Law’s Professional Development Building and Shojaee Law Annex; Evelyn and George Goldbloom Convocation Hall; Villanova Residential Hall; and the Fernandez Family Center for Leadership and Wellness.
▪ The academic restructuring into five schools and a college that positioned the University to better serve its globally diverse student body through enhanced focus on leadership development, academic rigor, and experiential learning.
▪ The introduction of the university’s first doctoral degrees, as well as an expansion of post-graduate programs.
▪ The renovations and additions to our athletic fields like the Dominick Miniaci Beach Volleyball Courts, and the Col. Jacquelin Kelly Field.
Msgr. Casale has helped shape St. Thomas for the next generation and is leaving us in a great place. Undoubtedly, his greatest legacy has and will be his desire to create graduates that are ethical leaders and change the world for the better.
I know I speak for the entire extended St. Thomas community expressing our profound gratitude to Msgr. Casale, and bidding him farewell with our deepest love. We are thankful for having the opportunity to work with Msgr. Casale and wish him all the best in his retirement.
Sincerely,
John Dooner ’70 Chair, STU Board of Trustees
Rev. Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale
Writer/Editor Marlen Mursuli Director of Communications
Art Director/Graphic Designer Hernan Pettinaroli
Photography Scott Gillig Photographer
Oanh Le Photography Assistant
Lorena Hidalgo Alumni Relations Director
De Montmollin Athletics Information Officer
President’s Message
As I sunset my presidency of 24 years at St. Thomas University, I would like to thank alumni, friends, faculty, and staff for their support and belief in our mission. We have created a dynamic hub of learning, which supports our mission of creating successful, ethical leaders in our global community.
St. Thomas has achieved so much in two decades, but no leader achieves success alone. I’ve had the pleasure of guiding the transformation with talented faculty, staff, life-long friends, and board members. The campus has blossomed through the years with nine major construction projects, extensive renovations and great landscape. With the generosity of many donors, we have been able to do all this without increasing the debt of the University. Our dynamic faculty has created many new degrees, strengthened the academic life of the University and provided more options for our students especially in new emerging markets. A hallmark of our academic development was the creation of doctoral degrees in theology, education and law. But nothing matches the personal attention and love our faculty has for our students–it is something that never ceases to amaze me.
Together we have strengthened the university’s position as a leading Catholic University in the Southeast by developing and graduating recognized leaders in ministry, science, business, education, and justice. Our reach is global and intensive. In Haiti, for example, we have created a new school for applied learning and assisted the economic development in the Northwest region. We are internationally recognized for programs in the Center for Intercultural Human Rights. And I have personally been involved in the fight against the global scourge of human trafficking.
My biggest sense of accomplishment, however, as both a spiritual and academic leader, comes every year during commencement. Nothing matches the sense of pride I feel at seeing our students from all walks of life take the stage and become college graduates. I am proud of our graduates, proud of their professional accomplishments, and proud of their leadership in the community.
As I prepare for my retirement in the spring, I am confident in St. Thomas’ future and in those who continue to help our students achieve excellence. It has been a great honor to serve as President of St. Thomas University, and I look forward in continuing to have a role in shaping St. Thomas’ future and to see it thrive as it becomes the best Catholic university in the Southeast.
Sincerely,
Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale
Msgr. Casale on one of his first days if work, circa 1995.
A Legacy of Leadership
While names like Nintendo, Jordan, and O.J. were making headlines in 1994, the groundwork for major headlines to come was being quietly laid at St. Thomas University. Twenty four years ago, on April 19, 1994, Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale began his first day of work as president of St. Thomas University.
“St. Thomas became his second family the moment my brother stepped on campus,” said Gail Casale, Casale’s younger sister. “It’s a family to him because he personally knows so many people that work and study there.”
Casale is hard to miss when he’s on campus. On any given day he can be seen chatting with students, faculty, or staff, a chat that is usually punctuated by his unique laughter. He makes it a point to be as accessible as possible to students. This is something that stems from the days he was interviewing for the position at St. Thomas. Students were part of the interview process, and he asked one student what he would like to see in the university’s next president, “more on-campus presence and interaction with students” is what the student told him.
“He’s not your typical president,” said Pam Loconto, executive assistant to President Msgr. Casale. “He’s accessible to everyone. To put it in perspective, he has a secret entryway to his office that he never uses because he prefers the longer way, which allows him to interact with others, and to see what’s happening on campus.”
And according to his friends and family he has always been that way.
Young Casale was active in the church, starting off as a mass server at the age of 10, and as a result he grew very close to the sisters and ministers of his parish St. Francis Xavier in Newark. The pastor was a dominant and positive figure in the area who inspired Casale to start thinking of a leadership role within the clergy.
He attended Seton Hall Preparatory School, where he started giving serious thought to going into the priesthood. He then went to Seton Hall University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. He also has a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from the Catholic University of America, and a master of divinity degree from the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, New Jersey.
After being ordained a priest by the Catholic Church in 1967 and receiving the title of Monsignor in 1979, Casale thought he would be a parish priest his whole life, but God had different plans for him.
Prior to joining St. Thomas, Casale was the secretary, chancellor and vicar general of the Archdiocese of Newark, where he worked for 20 years, and met his mentor and life-long friend Archbishop Peter Gerety.*
“I have been fortunate to work with a number of wonderful priests, especially Archbishop Peter Gerety,” said Casale. “He was a man of great integrity and honesty. Tremendously respected man with a wonderful disposition. I learned a lot from him.”
“We have had a transformational journey in renovating, reinventing and strengthening many aspects of the academic, physical, and student life at St. Thomas. And I could not have accomplished these things alone.”
Casale, a former Boy Scout, was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey during the 1940s and 50s, a time when children roamed the streets until their mothers would call them in for dinner.
“It was different back then, the streets were our playground,” said Casale. “We would spend hours upon hours outside playing pick-up basketball, baseball, and football on the streets or empty lots.”
Although he was an excellent student and loved by everyone around him (even his teachers), he wasn’t void of mischief. He was also a typical older brother. With Gail being four years younger than him, he was mortified every time his parents would make him take his sister places.
“He would make me walk two blocks behind him, and make me sit rows away from him and his friends at the movie theater! But I love him to death and we’re best friends,” said Gail.
Up until high school, Casale wanted to become a lawyer to fulfill the dream his father couldn’t because of The Great Depression. But according to his sister Gail, Casale always had an inclination toward clergy leadership.
“Our grandparents, who emigrated from Italy to the U.S., were very entrepreneurial, so it’s definitely in his blood. And while other little boys his age were making airplanes out of clothespins, he was making crosses.”
As vicar general, not only did he have the opportunity to meet Pope John Paul II, but he learned the inner workings of the church. The position suited him well considering his love of math and numbers (a vicar general is much like being the COO of a company). His tenure at the Archdiocese of Newark prepared him for his next career endeavor – St. Thomas University.
“We [the family] were surprised when he told us he wanted to be the president of a university, but it was right in line with his experience in fundraising, community service, and leadership positions in several higher education associations,” said Gail.
Over span of two decades, Casale developed and nurtured St. Thomas into a better and stronger university. By engaging and encouraging those around him – students, faculty, staff, and alumni – Casale has invigorated the Bobcat spirit.
But as president, especially president of a university, you do almost nothing on your own. There’s a lot of team work and meeting halfway.
“Together we have strengthened the University’s position as the leading Catholic university in the southeast. We have had a transformational journey in renovating, reinventing and strengthening many aspects of the academic, physical, and student life at St. Thomas. And I could not have accomplished these things alone.”
Although there are many milestones he is proud of, he is proudest of the Law School’s Human Trafficking Academy. Casale’s voice is unwavering when speaking against human trafficking. He is the spokesperson on human trafficking for the Institute for Intercultural Human Rights at the St. Thomas School of Law, and has testified before the United States Congress on the reauthorization of the Human Trafficking Act. Casale may be retiring, but he’ll continue to have a leadership role in the strengthening and expansion of the Human Trafficking Academy.
“We want to empower and educate on a national level, to collaborate and be the hub for our nation’s efforts in eradicating human trafficking while providing dignified care to victims and survivors.”
When he’s not at St. Thomas University, 76-year-old Casale can be found swimming laps in a pool, sprawled on the floor playing with his grand nieces and nephews, engrossed in a book, or in the kitchen practicing his culinary skills. And come this January, St. Thomas University’s longest serving president of 24 years, will be doing a lot more swimming, playing, reading, and especially traveling.
“The job of president is never-ending. Did I accomplish everything I wanted to accomplish? No, but I accomplished a lot, and I’m satisfied. It has been an honor to be part of an institution that changes the lives of people for the better, both intellectually and spiritually.”
*ArchbishopPeterGerety,theoldestCatholicbishopintheworld,passedawaySept.20,2016attheageof104–77yearsafter hisordinationasapriestandafter50yearsasabishop.
AROUND CAMPUS an educational pioneer in the fight against modern day salvery
St. Thomas Law hosted its one-week Human Trafficking Academy for the second time this year, July 31 through Aug. 4. The Academy, under the leadership of its director, Dr. Roza Pati, professor of law and executive director of the LL.M./J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights, brought together 62 participants from all over Florida, the United States, and also from Thailand. They represented a multi-disciplinary group of various professional backgrounds including attorneys, law enforcement, border protection, social service providers, child protective investigators, academics, advocates, and students.
The Great American Eclipse at STU
On the hot and humid afternoon of Aug. 21, St. Thomas University science professors Dr. David Quesada and Dr. Luis Fernandez-Torres were working up a sweat educating STU students and faculty about the once-in-a-lifetime Great American Eclipse simultaneously happening overhead.
The main attraction was the viewing telescope equipped with a special solar filter, which allowed people to view the eclipse without hurting their eyes. The eclipse watchers also shared eclipse viewing sunglasses, using them as filters for their cell phone cameras.
Longtime Curator Says Goodbye after 14 years
This past October, STU celebrated both artist and curator. “Layers of Contradictions” by Margarita Correa Ochoa was the last art exhibit curated by Gail Casale, director of the Sardiñas Gallery at St. Thomas University. The University community celebrated Gail’s 14 years of dynamic and thought-provoking exhibitions with conviviality and fun.
STU adds executive doctorate in information security
As part of its ongoing process to develop the Gus Machado School of Business’ cybersecurity management graduate program, STU has added a three-year, part-time executive doctor of business administration in information security degree, which is designed to develop scientist-practitioners who will be skilled in practice-focused research in information security.
In addition to the university’s new doctoral program, the cybersecurity management’s Master of Science degree program had its first graduating class last October.
Professor Roza Pati, director of the Human Trafficking Academy, and Janet Basilan, survivor of human trafficking and vice chairperson of GABRIELA USA.
AROUND CAMPUS
St. Thomas Law Student Kicks off Summer of Service with Rural Summer Legal Corps
MetroTown’s Leaders for Life
St. Thomas University’s Center for Community Engagement – in collaboration with the MCCJ – once again hosted the 2017 MetroTown Summer Camp, an intensive, six-day residential camp focused on developing young leaders from across Miami-Dade County. A group of 50 high school students from across Miami-Dade County came to St. Thomas University’s campus in July to build community ties and gain skills for cross cultural teamwork with the aim of resolving conflict and living peacefully in an increasingly diverse society.
On June 1, the 2017 Rural Summer Legal Corps officially kicked off at a joint training in Washington D.C. Rising St. Thomas Law student, Melissa Ramos served at Legal Services of North Florida, Inc. Melissa joined 29 other public interest law students in addressing pressing legal issues facing rural communities. Melissa advocated for and guided individuals hindered within their communities because of past criminal convictions. The students traveled to Martinsburg, West Virginia, and gained firsthand experience and training on the unique challenges and benefits of working with legal clients in a rural setting.
Second Annual Sushi in the Sukkah
For the second consecutive year, the STU community gathered under the Sukkah for kosher sushi, bagels, and music to celbrate the Jewish festival of Sukkot.
Maccabi Haifa Basketball
On Oct. 8, the St. Thomas University men’s basketball team hosted Maccabi Haifa team from Israel, one of the world’s top international basketball clubs, in a charity exhibition game at the Fernandez Family Center. The event’s proceeds were donated to disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico as well as “Haifa Hoops for Kids,” a joint initiative between Maccabi Haifa and the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey.
ANNUAL FUND HONOR ROLL
St. Thomas University is grateful to those who have donated to the university’s Annual Giving FY 2016-2017 Campaign ending June 30, 2017. Your generosity is providing student scholarships, opportunities for research, access to internships, and improvements to our campus, among many other important initiatives. On behalf of our students, faculty and staff, THANK YOU!
MAIN UNIVERSITY DONORS
St. Thomas of Villanova Society ($10,000 & Above):
The Brunetti Foundation
Kevin P. Cassidy ’09
Sara Fulton
Victor & Lisa Mendelson
Perry Ellis International, Inc.
Guy Protano
Ryder System Charitable Foundation
Robert Sanchez
Sandy Hill Foundation
SunTrust Foundation
Texas Instruments Foundation
St. Augustine Society ($5,000 - $9,999):
Amaturo Family Foundation, Inc.
AvMed Health Plan
Paul Bateman Scholarship Trust Fund
Anita Britt
Rev. Msgr. Franklyn M. Casale
Bob H. Dickinson
John J. Dooner, Jr. ’70
Donald Dresback ’69
Federal Express Corporation
Constance M. Fernandez
Florida Community Bank
Paul A. Garcia, C.P.A.
GEICO Direct
HEICO Corporation
Dominick F. Miniaci, Esq.
Mario Murgado
Jose F. Navarro
Alex Penelas ’81
Marcos A. Perez
Peter H. Prieto ’82
Lourdes T. Rivas
Mario Trueba ’80
Carol F. Williamson
St. Anthony of Padua Society ($1,000$4,999):
All American Containers, Inc.
Dr. Irma Becerra
Bermello Ajamil & Partners
Gary T. Blandino ’77
Carmen A. Brown
Thomas P. Casey ’70
Rudolph A. Cecchi, Jr.
Comcast Spotlight
Joseph T. Cooney ’68
George Cuesta
Eric T. Davidson ’95
Barbara C. Del Castillo, Esq.
Frederick T. Dixon ’88
DLD Lawyers
Andy M. Elisburg ’89
Donald E. Elisburg
Carol A. Ellis-Cutler ’84
Rosaria R. Federici
Hilda M. Fernandez
Florida Power & Light Company
Follett Higher Education Group, Inc.
G4S Secure Solutions USA, Inc.
Goldman Sachs Matching Gift Program
Willy Izquierdo ’96
Jos L. Muscarelle Foundation, Inc.
Daniel W. Katz ’93
Michael S. Kelly ’94
Gloria A. Kotrady
KPMG Foundation
Joseph P. Lacher
Leon Medical Centers
Carolina Mata
Larry McKinney
Dr. Sean P. Melvin, III. ’87
Todd Mestepey
Metz Culinary Management
Julio C. Millan ’87
Domingo R. Moreira
Rafael M. Olloqui ’90
Paul R. Philip, Sr.
Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc.
Richard Raleigh
Sabadell United Bank
Sapoznik Insurance & Associates
Rodger Shay, Jr.
Maureen Shea
South Florida Council Firefighters Charities, Inc.
John R. Steinbauer, Sr.
SunTrust Banks, Inc.
The Charles Family Charitable Foundation
Jose A. Villafranca, C.P.A. ’04
Edward T. Walsh, Sr. ’71
Charles J. Zwick
$250 - $999:
DeAnna Arana
ATOS North America
Drew J. Bauman, Esq.
Dr. Jan A. Bell
John R. Bowen ’79
Ciro L. Buttacavoli ’81
Peter G. Byrnes ’69
Dolores A. de Montmollin ’91
Michael E. Deitche ’77
Marilyn J. DeVoe
Lawrence K. Dooley ’77
John D. Doyle ’03
Richard J. Ellis ’68
Dr. Gary Feinberg
Maria J. Fonte ’12
Jose I. Garcia
Mark R. Geddis
Dr. Brian F. Groden, MD ’82
Chris J. Haenn ’87
John C. Higgins ’73
Timothy L. Hoegler ’81
Mary F. Holleran ’91
Ronald D. Hultquist
Gary F. Jackson ’16
Jeffrey-Allen, Inc.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
William A. Kirk ’89
Janine R. Laudisio
Pamela L. Loconto ’10
Antonio M. Lopez, Jr. ’02
Ann Machado
Mary Jo D. Macro ’93
John E. McCann ’68
Sheldon W. McCartney ’73
Robert A. McGoldrick ’70
Jorge R. Mesa, C.P.A
Dr. Rudy G. Moise
Wanda Monroe ’87
Richard E. Murray ’70
Peggy Nordeen
Terry O’Connor
Dr. Gloria M. Pelaez
Obdulio J. Piedra ’84
Julio A. Ramirez
Dr. Walter T. Richardson ’89
Stephen P. Sahli ’72
Ricardo Sanchez ’87
Rodney C. Shaw ’88
Glenn C. Smith
South Florida Stadium, LLC
Dr. Merrett R. Stierheim
Laura J. Sturaitis ’83
Maria A. Tilson ’06
Anthony Tripodo ’74
Dr. Adrienne Vynne
Juan M. Zamora
$100 - $249:
Kevin Allen ’81
Rose M. Allen ‘02
Damian D. Asencio ’90
Brian W. Babin ’91
Edward D. Barnett ’14
Dr. Orlando R. Barreto
Chief William B. Berger, Sr. ’78
Dr. Somnath Bhattacharya
Neil K. Borden ’68
Jimmie L. Brown ’79
Business Wire
Kenneth A. Buzzi ’71
Gerard B. Byrnes ’75
Maria H. Cabada ’82
Yisel Cabrera
Marilynn B. Campanile
Nicolas P. Cardenas ’79
Robert S. Castner ’68
Dr. James W. Conley
Laura J. Courtley-Todd ’95
Michael De Lucca ’88
Steven Diaz
John J. Donohue, Jr. ’80
Elizabeth V. Donovan
William F. Donovan ’68
William E. Dresback
Devin C. Edmunds ’00
Enterprise Leasing Company of Florida LLC
Maria V. Errickson ’88
Norberto Ferradaz
Mary E. Flannery
Thomas D. Gallagher ’67
Col. Thomas B. Giattino ’82
John E. Gilger ’94
John T. Glennon ’70
Chief Pedro J. Gomez ’11
Nancy M. Guerrero ’83
Joseph E. Gulino ’82
Srabana Gupta
Maria A. Hare ’84
Dennis J. Hartnett ’79
Lisa A. Hicks ’86
Lorena M. Hidalgo
Leslee N. Higgins
Karen E. Hollis ’17
Marlene V. Izquierdo ’97
Dr. Helen L. Jacobstein
Patrick R. Kalahar ’93
Arthur W. Kane
Edward Kelly ’92
Shirley E. Key ’03
Benjamin Kudary ’92
Suzanne S. Lacher
Connie H. Locke ’82
Bella L. Lopez ’78
Paul A. Lueken ’85
Joan R. Lyons ’95
Dr. Michael E. Madden ’70
Margee D. Martinez ’06
Dr. Susan Massey
Dorit B. Matthews
Rev. Gary N. McCloskey
Eugene J. McKeown ’71
Isabel Medina Pascu ’16
Joseph V. Melchiorre
Lloyd A. Mitchell
James D. Murphy, Jr. ’78
Leif G. Novie, J.D.
Joseph A. Obadeyi ’82
Dr. Agueda Ogazon ’97
Nancy J. Olson ’81
David L. Page ’80
Elisa L. Patron ’94
Lenore M. Prado ’02
Laureano J. Pujol ’88
Dr. Gary G. Reardon
Gary L. Richter ’86
Ana Gloria Rivas-Vazquez
Arthur J. Roberts ’76
Paul V. Roddy ’72
Angela C. Rodriguez ’76
Annabelle Sanchez ’05
Raquel M. Smith ’77
Ignacio Tamayo
Eugene F. Taylor ’85
Donn J. Taylor ’85
Joseph A. Tirella ’83
Michael H. Toomey ’80
Thomas F. Toscani ’70
Reuben N. Trujeque ’82
Ann Y. Turk-Bryant ’91
United Teachers of Dade
Marcos A. Vargas, Sr. ’85
Frank W. Viggiano
George M. Walish, Jr. ’71
Thomas G. Ward ’79
James P. Whelan ’68
Eli Wolfson
Helen L. Woods ’80
Michael A. Zoovas ’77
$99 & Below:
Dr. John Abdirkin
Samson A. Adedoyin ’04
Sandra T. Alli ’14
Josefa Alvarez ’76
American Insurance Administrators, Inc.
Jane Andrade ’16
Richard Bair
John P. Bannon
Ann Marie T. Benzinger ’88
Luis A. Betancourt
Servando M. Blanco ’78
Macaria O. Boulden
Robert L. Boyle
Omar Cardentey
Daniel P. Carlson ’93
Bruce G. Carrington ’14
LAW SCHOOL DONORS main university DONORS
Cengage Learning, Inc.
Isabel R. Cerna ’16
Anthony R. Ciel
Esther B. Cintron ’82
Father Alfredo Cioffi
James F. Claffey, Jr. ’71
Mary M. Cline ’80
Esther T. Colon ’96
James M. Condon, Jr. ’73
Aaron S. Coop ’14
Paul J. Cornely ’77
Sister Ondina A. Cortes ’13
Emily Crawford ’81
Eleanor A. De Asis ’02
Rolando S. De La Barrera ’87
Yhenis De Royal
Phil E. DeMontmollin, III. ’96
Timothy W. Dieter ’97
Erica L. Dixon-Billups ’16
Nora Duran
Jeffrey M. Eisen ’87
Richard J. Elliston ’80
Christopher F. Falite ’12
Sergio L. Fernandez
Dr. Luis C. Fernandez-Torres
Gladys Ferrer de Rua
Hans T. Fjellman ’71
Stanley Flax
Jorge Fortich ’16
Tracey D. Foster ’13
Yolene Francois ’14
Dr. Bryan T. Froehle
Berardo B. Fuentez ’94
Fred Funeus ’91
Monica Fuste ’04
Maria M. Garcia-Walker ’17
S. Charles G. Garofalo ’04
Enrico J. Gatto ’68
Kathleen K. Geanes ’83
James E. Gelbert, Jr. ’81
Susan C. Gillis ’04
Gary V. Graziani ’68
Josee Gregoire
Thomas A. Grey ’86
John M. Guertin ’79
Edward K. Halsey, III. ’90
Dr. Steve Hernandez
Glenn A. Hubert
Dr. Jorge Iber ’84
Rosario A. Infiesta ’83
John P. Jackson ’13
Ira M. Katz ’87
KeyBanc
Daniel J. Knawa ’08
Michael J. Kopcha ’68
Barbara W. Kreutzer ’87
Edna H. Kyles ’81
Lizette Lantigua ’87
Nichole Lastra ’16
Robert E. Lawless
Cynthia M. Lee ’03
Rose H. Levasseur ’06
Salomon Levy ’75
Kevin A. Llinas ’94
Angelica J. Lopez ’86
Stephanie J. Louidor ’16
Orestes L. Lugo ’79
Martin J. Mack ’85
Rigoberto M. Mantecon ’95
Pia F. Marsh ’09
Arturo J. Martinez, C.P.A. ’93
Dr. Dora P. Maul
D. Michael McCarron ’80
Martin C. McCoy ’81
William C. McFarland, Sr. ’80
Dr. Francis J. McGarry
*Deceased
Virginia L. McGinnity ’79
Bernadette Molina
Thomas A. Moltimore ’80
Archie C. Moore ’80
Daniel Morales
Crystal Morvant
Carolyn P. Murray ’79
Nancy M. Nesselt ’83
Robert A. Newkirk ’93
Clela Niclasse
Verona R. Nisbeth-Hart ’16
Jacqueline A. Ordehi ’13
Jaime Ortiz ’72
Olga R. Ozores
Regna W. Page ’96
Louis B. Panza ’68
Frances Peake
Christopher Perez-Tirse ’15
Birgith Phillips ’16
Rolain Pierre ’15
Dr. Maria Pina
Michael P. Plummer ’97
Dr. Jeffery A. Plunkett
Angel F. Prada ’07
George D. Pratt ’16
Judy R. Provitch ’13
Dr. David Quesada
Nora Quintas
Melissa G. Racine ’16
Ronald G. Radloff ’68
Andrea M. Rambana ’97
Michelle A. Reynoso ’12
Dr. Barbara J. Rietberg ’85
Maria C. Rodriguez
Sister Helen E. Rosenthal
Dave K. Ross
Rosa Rousseau
Patricia A. Russillo
Marlene C. Sampson ’95
J. Michael Samway
Estela San Miguel
Steven D. Saxon ’85
Joseph J. Shantz, Sr. ’71
Kevin P. Shea ’06
Carlos M. Sirgo ’86
Jamie A. Spruill ’16
Stephen Strand
Ingrid D. Stuart ’05
James C. Swaner, Jr.
Edwina F. Szelag ’86
Ayda R. Talavera ’85
Dr. Alexis Tapanes-Castillo
Dennis P. Temme ’74
Tommy L. Thomas, Jr.
Keith L. Thompson, Sr. ’04
Arturo R. Tigera ’80
Mario C. Toulon ’12
Marisol D. Valdes ’08
Dr. Alberto J. Varela
Gertrudis R. Vazquez ’87
Carlos E. Vazquez ’12
Nilo Ventura, Jr. ’88
Coralee Walkine-Taylor ’04
Rose Z. Watts ’06
Thomas J. Wieber, Jr. ’88
Samuel Williams, Jr. ’76
Christopher E. Williams ’08
Shelby J. Williams ’07
Kimberly A. Williams ’16
Richard R. Zientek ’84
St. Thomas of Villanova Society ($10,000 and above)
Abel Holtz
St. Augustine Society ($5,000 to $9,999)
Patrick L. Cordero, Esq. ’87
Michael P. Cudlipp, Esq. ’99
Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates
Philip M. Gerson, Esq.
St. Anthony of Padua Society ($1,000 to $4,999)
Joni Armstrong Coffey, Esq. Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Armando D. Bucelo, Jr.
William D. Dickey, Esq. ’91 DLD Lawyers
Hon. Peter T. Fay
Lawrence S. Forman, Esq.
Martha Fornaris, Esq.
Felix M. Lasarte, Esq. ’94
John Charles & Kathryn S. Redmond Foundation
Tony ’89 and Virginia Soto, Esq.
$200 to $999
Vyacheslav Borshchukov, Esq. ’09
Hon. John B. Bowman ’87
Gordon T. Butler
Thomas Carlesso, Esq. ’98
Attilio M. Costabel
Al DiCalvo, Esq. ’95
Daniel D. Dolan II. ’96
William M. Gladson, Esq. ’97
Kathleen Mahoney
William C. Mitchell, Jr. ’96
Col. Jason K. Psaltides, Esq. ’87
Keith W. Rizzardi
Paul J. Scanziani, Esq. ’10
Siegfried Wiessner
Joseph I. Zumpano and Grace Escalona ’95
$50 to $199:
Ariel Alvarez, ’11
Maria E. Antonatos, Esq. ’98
William T. Brady, Jr. ’95
Vincent R. Capasso, Jr. ’11
Dr. Peter D. Del Toro ’16
Hon. Pedro E. Dijols ’87
Leonard Feldman
Melody G. Fortune, Esq. ’89
Nadine Gedeon ’14
Hon. Stacy D. Glick ’97
Abby J. Goldman, Esq. ’93
Jason S. Goldsmith ’16
A. Scott Gow, Esq. ’99
David M. Harvan, J.D. ’96
Robert W. Hawley, Esq. ’03
Joshua J. Hertz, Esq. ’01
Lody P. Jean, Esq. ’04
Margaret M. Kreuzberger
Neal B. Lechtner, Esq. ’93
Yara Lorenzo, Esq. ’09
Jonathan W. McConnell ’10
Christopher J. Metcalfe, Esq. ’95
Patricia Moore
Matthew A. Muns ’07
Christopher M. Pardo, Esq. ’07
Leonard D. Pertnoy
Ivonne D. Pinedo Julio, Esq. ’05
Hon. Lynne A. Quimby-Pennock
Juan M. Saiz, Esq. ’88
Marco A. Salazar, Jr. ’99
Debra M. Sciano, SSND ’88
Shaun M. Serelson ’13
Orin S. Shakerdge, Esq. ’96
Hon. Ronald G. Sonom
Nadia Soree
David J. Tybor, Esq. ’08
Rolando Vazquez ’15
Isis P. Velasco, Esq. ’07
Paul J. Walsh, Esq. ’09
$49 & Below:
Carol S. Daisey, Esq. ’97
Brent Del Gaizo, Esq. ’01
Scarlet A. Dyson ’04
Adam M. Geller, Esq. ’10
John P. Goshgarian, Esq. ’92
Abel Lopez, Esq. ’11
Guy K. Noa ’13
Kevin Rajabalee ’13
Christine J. Reis, Esq. ’98
Ksenia Saavedra ’10
Vincent J. Sanzone, Jr. ’90
Courtney Segota
Stanislav Shamayev ’15
Amanda L. Spencer
Ian G. Ward ’13
Blueprint For Leadership updates
why i give back: Joe Cooney ‘68
1964 was a year of many firsts – The Rolling Stones released their first album, the first Ford Mustang was manufactured, Martin Luther King received the Nobel Peace Prize, and Joseph “Joe” Cooney, alongside eight other young men, arrived at St. Thomas University, then called Biscayne College, for their first day of class.
They lived in temporary dorm rooms located in a Miami Beach hotel, and according to Joe it wasn’t the posh, high-rises you see today, “the Kimberly Motel looked like an ugly concrete box.”
“We had such a good time. We were the first resident class, so we were the first to do many things. We were young and dumb, and sorta had free reign,” said Joe, between bouts of laughter.
It was a different world in the 1960s, but what made St. Thomas special then, still makes it special today. Students then and now had one-on-one relationships with professors, class sizes were small creating a strong comradery, and a vibrant, caring, close-knit university community.
It’s been 50 years since graduating from St. Thomas, and Joe still visits campus, meets for lunch with Professor Richard Raleigh, and plays golf with other ’68 graduates during STU’s annual Fore the Love of Education Golf and Tennis Tournament. Currently, he is spearheading their 50-year class reunion.
Over the years, Joe and his wife, Mary, now both retired, have contributed significantly to STU – both financially and with their time. Joe says he enjoys the relationship he has with STU now, just as much as he enjoyed it when he was a student. When he visits he still sees familiar faces, and has the opportunity to meet new ones.
“I feel an obligation to higher education and how it transforms people’s lives, specifically St. Thomas,” said Joe. I was a mischievous teenager with average grades, and St. Thomas took a chance on me, and gave me the foundation to begin a career.”
There’s a sense of pride when I see what St. Thomas has become. We give because we want to see St. Thomas continue to grow and thrive.
“We’ve had a good life, we’ve done well for ourselves, and we want to share whatever we can.”
To learn more about giving to St. Thomas University, please visit http://plannedgiving.stu.edu/.
HONORING A LEGACY
In honor of President Msgr. Casale and in continuing his legacy, St. Thomas University is establishing a robust program that can serve students in perpetuity, the Msgr. Franklyn Casale Honors College. This will be the undergraduate honors program at STU with the objective of providing scholarship support and enriching educational experiences to students with exceptional academic record and potential. The Casale Scholars, comprised of the top 10 percent of academic achievers at the University, will participate in intellectually challenging seminars that fulfill core requirements in the areas of literature and writing, philosophy, theology and social science.
The University will be raising $5 million to endow the college. For more information, please contact Janine “Gigi” Laudisio, Vice President of Advancement, at 305.628.6796, or jlaudisio@stu.edu.
points of pride
NAIA Champions of Character
STU was named the 2017 Buffalo Funds Five-Star NAIA Champions of Character Softball Team Award winner for its excellence as a character-driven intercollegiate athletics program. This prestigious award is given to the team that best demonstrates in every-day decisions the NAIA Champions of Character core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
St. Thomas Law’s Intercultural Human Rights Law Review Ranked No.6 in the World
The most recent Washington & Lee Global Law Journal Ranking (2009-2016) ranks St. Thomas Law’s Intercultural Human Rights Law Review, in terms of its impact, No. 6 among all human rights law journals in the world.
STU Students and Faculty Present Scientific Research
Eighteen undergraduates, working with six faculty mentors, from STU’s School of Science presented their original scientific research at five different research conferences. Their talent showcased at the regional, state, and national levels. Conferences included: the Max Planck Neural Circuits Research Conference; the AgroEcology Symposium; the Florida Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting; the Life Sciences South Florida (LSSF) Undergraduate Research Symposium; and the 253rd American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition
Students work as interns for US Senator
STU students continue to prove their leadership skills and potential to impact the community well beyond the classroom. STU students Brandon Keller and Yanelis Madrigal have been working hard at U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s office as interns for the summer and fall semesters, respectively.
Student Yanexis Zarut was granted a travel award to attend and present her summer research project at the National Diversity in STEM SACNAS Conference in Salt Lake City. SACNAS stands for Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science.
Second-year law student Diego Sanchez, was selected as a member of the Equal Justice Works (EJW) National Advisory Committee. He is tasked with providing feedback on EJW’s existing programs and new initiatives and to assist with outreach to member schools and students throughout the country.
STU President Msgr. Franklyn Casale was honored by the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce during its annual installation gala Friday, May 19. Casale was presented with the Golden Eagle Award in recognition of his 24 years of leadership and service at STU. The Golden Eagle Award is the chamber’s most prestigious award.
In May, the Bernard F. Graham Scholastic Award in Finance and Accounting recognized the finance student with the highest grade point average, Luciano Cucinotta, and awarded him with a $10,000 check.
Coaches and players were invited to assist in several events as part of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week at Marlins Park. STU Head Baseball Coach Jorge Perez and Pitching Coach JC Gutierrez along with a number of Bobcat student-athletes assisted in a variety of roles.
The Nursing Program at St. Thomas University has grown from 18 in the fall of 2016 to 84 this past fall. Nursing is part of the cutting-edge academic offerings that enhance the academic and professional success of our students, for more information visit: www.stu.edu/nursing.
Faculty& staff news
Associate Dean Tamara Lawson
was re-elected as the Chair of the Law Professors’ Division of the National Bar Association, and presented on a panel.
Professor Judith Bachay was awarded a Fulbright Specialist Award in Athens, Greece. She will be working with an international refugee group to help children from war-torn countries like Syria and Iraq. She’ll also be teaching their caregivers about trauma, as well as bringing together the international agencies in uniting their efforts effectively.
Professor Roy Balleste is the author of the lead article in the latest issue of the Canadian Journal of Law and Technology, with a piece entitled War in the Expanse: The Metaphysics of Cyberspace, 15 C.J.L.T. 1-192 (June 2017).
Professor John Makdisi
received the Ph.D. degree in Moral Philosophy in May 2017 for his dissertation on “The Object of the Moral Act: Understanding St. Thomas Aquinas Through the Work of Steven Long and Martin Rhonheimer.”
Professor Michael Mulvey was one of a select group of faculty members nationwide chosen by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) to participate in a seminar on Teaching European Art in Context. The seminar, “Landscape and Identity in Britain and the United States,” is designed for full-time faculty members who regularly teach art history at smaller colleges and universities and aims to strengthen the teaching of art history.
Professor Amy D. Ronner’s article, “Is Stavrogin Leading us by the Nose? The Nihilistic Confession,” was recently published in XX Dostoevsky Studies 71 (2016).
Professor Carol Zeiner
made a presentation, “Hot Topics in Higher Education,” from a therapeutic jurisprudence perspective at the 35th Congress of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health in Prague, Czech Republic, on July 12. Professor Zeiner also was sworn in as a Commissioner on the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust on July 9.
Kera Dukic
has been named Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at St. Thomas University. She arrives from University of Central Oklahoma to take over the helm of the Bobcat volleyball program that finished runner up in The Sun Conference last season. Dukic will also lead the STU beach volleyball program.
Melissa King was named Head Softball Coach at St. Thomas University. King is an STU alumna who played for the Bobcats for four seasons then served as assistant coach for the past two years. She succeeds Jeff Norman as Head Coach. Norman is retiring after spending 15 years at STU and over 26 years in the South Florida softball community.
Candace Walker
has been named Head Women’s Basketball Coach at St. Thomas University. Walker, an alumna of the St. Thomas University Sports Administration Master’s program and a former Assistant Coach for the Bobcats, returns to STU after spending the last four seasons at NCAA Division I Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
Sizzling Summer of Science
During the School of Science’s Summer Research Institute 33 STU and 14 Miami Dade College undergraduate students (under the supervision of eight science faculty research mentors) conducted scientific research in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering.
After eight years, long-struggling Carol City Middle school jumped from its string of F and D grades to a C — and one reason why might be a partnership the school establish in 2015 with St. Thomas University.
In February 2015, STU and Carol City Middle school established the STU-Carol City Middle School Community Educational Partnership (STU-CCMS CEP), a partnership to improve education in Miami Gardens.
This five-year partnership connects the community, schools, students, and parents with university expertise, resources and research-based intervention programs to address the pressing educational and social needs of students at CCMS, a school in one of the most challenged communities in Florida.
One full year into the programming, Carol City had half as many indoor suspensions and has seen a steady rise in standardized test scores that determine the state’s school grading system.
“In the first year, they made some really fantastic gains,” said St. Thomas University’s Anthony Vinciguerra. “I’m not saying we did it all, but we had hundreds of students spending thousands of hours there, so we like to think we helped.”
Middle school erases its
‘F’ grade, and STU students might be why
Vinciguerra, coordinator at STU’s Center of Community Engagement for the past 13 years, was inspired by the popular Diplomas Now program that tackles the factors that stop kids from going to college: absenteeism, suspensions, poor grades and standardized test scores.
He wanted to pull off the same results without the full-time staffers and without a $1 million budget. So he enlisted his students. Undergraduates and graduates serve as reinforcements in the classroom and work with students in small groups on their math and reading skills or tutor them one-on-one after school.
Professors Judith Bachay and Jeffrey Pickens, both long-time participants in the program, agree the partnership is a transformative one that allows STU students and CCMS students to learn and grow from each other.
“Working in the STU-CCMS partnership allows STU students to apply what they are learning in a context that makes a difference,” said Bachay, counseling professor and director of STU’s graduate program.
The program has even inspired recent graduates like Segane Robinson, STU’s new Americorp-VISTA member, to continue volunteering at the school.
“I love working at CCMS,” Robinson said. “I grew up in the same environment as these kids, so I understand and can relate to what a lot of them are going through. I want them to know that despite the challenges, they can still succeed.”
As the 2017-18 year comes to a start, Vinciguerra is hopeful.
“This is not just about St. Thomas. This is truly a community effort,” he said. “It takes all of us: St. Thomas faculty and students, our community partners, and most importantly the incredible teachers and administrators of Carol City Middle School. It takes all of us all working together to make a difference.”
ALUMNI NEWS
Terrorism Panel and Networking Breakfast
On Friday, Oct. 6, more than 75 alumni, students, faculty and guests from our law enforcement community attended the Terrorism, Security and its Control Since 9/11 seminar and networking breakfast at the Goldbloom Convocation Hall on campus. Our expert panel included Ricardo Johnson ’94-’95, senior director of security, risk and compliance at CrowdStrike Inc.; Bonnie J. Levin ’89, group supervisor, Miami Group III at Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF);
Chief Robert Palestrant, district chief at Broward County Sheriff’s Office Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services and Region 7 Terrorism Liaison Officer Program Coordinator at Southeast Florida Fusion Center (SEFFC); and Lt. Margarita “Maggie” Varela ’11, lieutenant at Miami-Dade Police Department’s Homeland Security Bureau and Southeast Florida Fusion Center (SEFFC); and our moderator was NBC 6 Reporter, Julia Bagg. The panel discussion focused on current concerns in homeland security; domestic and international terrorism; hardening of soft targets; and cyberterrorism and cybersecurity.
Class of 1968 Golden Reunion
The Class of 1968 will be celebrating its Golden Reunion May 3-6, 2018 in Miami, Florida. There will be various events held on campus including a Welcome Reception, Campus Tours, Dedication of Coach Ken Stibler Way, a Mass, a Cocktail Reception & Dinner, and various off-campus events. A formal invitation will follow by mail. For additional information and questions, please contact alumni@stu.edu or 305-628-6601.
Calling All Alumni: Join the Bobcat Mentor Program
Next Spring, Alumni Relations and Career Services are launching the Bobcat Mentor Program. This program is designed to create personal and professional relationships between current students (mentees) and alumni (mentors). Alumni Mentors will provide Student Mentees enrolled in the program with access to industry insights; career and leadership guidance; and contribute to their professional, leadership skills, and personal development.
Mentors and mentees are asked to make a commitment between six months to one academic year to ensure mentees are able to fully benefit from the relationship; and mentors and mentees should also commit to at least one-hour face-to-face interaction each month.
If you would like to join the Bobcat Mentor Program, please contact Lorena Hidalgo, Director of Alumni Relations at alumni@stu.edu or 305-628-6601 for more information.
The Bobcat Insider, a quarterly alumni e-newsletter, was launched this past Summer to keep you informed about the latest events, campus news, and athletic highlights in between issues of our printed CONTACT newsletter.
Please visit www.stu.edu/alumniupdate to ensure we have your most recent contact information, and be sure to tell a friend to update their contact information too!
Class of ‘68 at 40th Reunion
Anthony “Bud” Focht, B.A. Sports Administration, retired after 38 years as a college athletics administrator to become a full-time caregiver. He has also received honors such as being a CoSIDA Lifetime Achievement Award winner and being inducted into the Rider University Athletics Hall of Fame. While at Biscayne College, Bud was a varsity baseball player.
James Cox, B.A. Sports Administration ’77 and M.S. Human Resources Management ’81, was named as Associate Director of Athletics for Facilities and Event Operations at Barry University. Cox, a member of the first class in the nation to graduate with a Sports Administration degree (Biscayne College) has also served as an adjunct professor in the school of Sports Management at St. Thomas University since 1982, teaching on both the undergrad and graduate level. Cox has worked in athletics administration for 40 years, working at Miami Dade College for 33 years, the last 13 years as Director of Athletics, and was previously the Facilities and Events Coordinator for the School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences at Barry University since 2011.
Susan Zeis, B.A. Public Administration, proudly represented St. Thomas University as an alumni delegate while attending Dr. Eric Spina’s inauguration as President of the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. The event was attended by delegates from Catholic Universities from around the nation.
Howard Gauthier, M.S. Sports Administration, is currently an Idaho State University-Meridian Associate Professor of sports science. The former college basketball coach and athletic director recently wrote “The Positive Leader,” outlining five leadership strategies designed to build successful teams in the workplace, on the playing field or in the boardroom.
Julius Lostal, B.A. Criminal Justice, is currently a Senior Customs Officer for the Department of Homeland Security Customs & Border Protection, where he has worked since 1986. He has also worked for the State of Florida Department of Corrections Probation and Parole, Community Control (House Arrest Supervision) from 1986-1998.
Ana Eberhard, B.A. Communications, member of the Gus Machado School of Business Advisory Board was just promoted to Vice President of Membership Experience at AvMed. Read the full Alumni Spotlight at http://bit.ly/AnaEberhard
Georgina Prats, B.A. Finance, has been an administrator at The Joy of Learning, a preschool in Doral, Florida for the past sixteen years since the school first opened.
Neal Bendesky, M.A. Sports Administration, knowns as the “199 GUY” is a motivational speaker for corporate wellness groups and events.
Albert Del Rio, M.B.A. Management Information Systems, started a multicultural marketing agency with his business partner called SquareDraft, after working more than 25 years at various global technology manufacturing companies.
Dr. Abdul Hafiz, B.B.A. Finance, is an assistant professor in the College of Business Administration at the University of Hail in Hail, Saudi Arabia.
Cheryl Gessling, B.A. Communication Arts, was promoted to Marketing Director of ECS Florida, LLC a premier provider in geotechnical, environmental, construction materials testing, and facilities engineering across Florida.
CLASS NOtES
1998
Joshua Chilson, J.D. Law, is a full equity partner at the well-respected Tampa Bay law firm of Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP. He also currently represents the Sixth Judicial Circuit on The Florida Bar Board of Governors, which regulates the practice of law for the State of Florida.
Onel Rodriguez, B.A. Accounting, has been named chief financial officer for Broward Health Coral Springs. Previously, he was the VP of finance at HCA’s JFK Medical Center-North Campus in West Palm Beach. Rodriguez has a bachelor’s from St. Thomas University and a master’s in accounting from Kaplan University.
2011
Krista Thompson, J.D. Law, was awarded Super Lawyers Rising Stat designation 2017. She also opened her own business in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
Rev. Enrique Delgado, Ph.D. Practical Theology, The Holy Father has appointed him as auxiliary bishop of Miami, Florida. Rev. Enrique Delgado, of the clergy of the same archdiocese, currently pastor of the Saint Katherine Drexel parish in Weston, Florida, assigning him the titular see of Acque Nuove di Proconsolare.
2017
Tashya J. Melville, B.A. Political Science, recently became an Immigration Services Officer with USCIS in Alexandria, Virginia.
Eddy Gervais, M.S. Management, is working as a realtor in Miami, Florida.
Daniel Martinez, M.S. Educational Leadership, retired as a high school mathematics teacher after 12 years to become an Instructional Coach for the Orange County School District. Now that he has completed his masters at STU he looks forward to becoming an Assistant Principal.
Chantel Mitchell, M.S. Elementary Education, is looking forward to her first year as an Elementary School Teacher.
Michelle Murch, B.B.A Sports Administration, is currently pursuing her Master’s degree at St. Thomas University.
Eugene “Gene” Fitzpatrick, B.A. Accounting, passed away September 5, 2017. Gene graduated from Biscayne College and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he obtained the rank of Captain and served in Vietnam. Gene had a successful career in the Mortgage industry for over 30 years in Miami, Fla., and Charlotte, NC. Gene was very active with the Golden Retrievers Rescue Club of Charlotte, the Knights of Columbus and served on many ministries with St. Matthew Catholic Church.
Have you been promoted? Earned an advanced degree? Been honored for professional or personal achievements? Added to the family? We want to be in the know! Visit us at www.stu.edu/alumniclassnotes, email alumni@stu.edu, or call us at 305-628-6601 to share your news!
Yamoule Augustin, B.A. Communication Arts, is a proud father of two daughters: Nyela and Maliha.
