Journal Spring 2016

SPRING 2016

In Solidarity with Syria

Accounting Alumni Give Back An Alumna Covers the Papal Visit, Live Graduate Students Study in Slovakia

Features 14 In Solidarity with Syria

The University community brings attention to the Syrian and broader global refugee crisis.

18 The Bottom Line

21 A Partnership That has

The ADPAC ensures that University accounting students are at the top of their game.

Transcended Time

The University’s MHA study-abroad program is a model for global education.

14

18

contents

21

Online Journal There is more Scranton news than we can fit in this print edition! Look for icons throughout The Scranton Journal indicating that there is more related content, including photographs, videos or expanded articles, on our website.

Visit scranton.edu/scrantonjournal to access the print version’s full content, plus our web extras.

PHOTOS

STORY

VIDEO

HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS:

Leahy Hall Dedication The Leahy Hall dedication in the second-floor Forum was standing room only. See more photos of the speakers and from the day.

Departments

3 A Message

from the President

4 On the Commons

41

12

Faculty News

24

Profiles

30 Athletics 33 University

Advancement

41 Class Notes

Brad’s Research The Wierbowski children are working hard. Learn what Brad, the eldest, is doing at Harvard.

Getting Involved There are many ways for Scranton alumni to be involved with the University and connect with fellow graduates. Read about this past year’s events and how to get involved in the future.

Edward R. Leahy Jr. Hall

SPRING 2016 • VOLUME 37, NUMBER 2

EDITOR

Laura Richards DESIGNERS

Jason Thorne G’13 Maria Conigliaro Traino

A Message

from the President

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Cheryl Murphy Randy Shemanski Melissa Starace, Ed.D. Stan M. Zygmunt ’84, G’95 ASSOCIATE WRITERS

Dear Alumni, Parents & Friends,

This fall, we celebrated Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. It was a blessed occasion to

Sandra J. Snyder ’93 Sandy Stahl

have our Holy Father among us, if only for a short while. While here, the pope addressed

ASSISTANT CLASS NOTES EDITOR

Congress, calling for dialogue and compassion, as well as shared social responsibility.

Margery Gleason

Specifically, he urged us to “act generously” in response to the refugee crisis, the worst

PHOTOGRAPHY

Adam Atkinson Emma Black ’16 Terry Connors Nick Dalvano ’18 Jonathan McBride Jim O’Connor Jake Stevens PRESIDENT

Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.

since World War II. Our community took the pope’s message of compassion to heart, organizing In Solidarity with Syria to advocate and pray for Syrian and other refugees, which you can read more about in the pages of this magazine. I am deeply proud of the faculty members, staff and students who spearheaded the efforts on campus, as usual showing their deep commitment to learning, serving and speaking with open hearts.

As I reflect on the semester, I see clearly how Pope Francis’ message has guided us in

VICE PROVOST FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

our daily lives, from the Leahy Hall dedication — with Patricia and Ed Leahy by our sides —

Gerald C. Zaboski ’87, G’95

to a joyous Christmas season among Scranton alumni, friends and family.

VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT

In this issue of The Scranton Journal, you will read about everything from our

Gary R. Olsen

ever-expanding partnerships abroad to the strength of our alumni network. It is the

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

commitment of this network that continuously invigorates The University of Scranton,

Lori J. Nidoh ’80, G’89 DIRECTOR OF PRINTING & MAILING SERVICES

Valarie J. Clark

keeping us on the cutting edge, while sustaining our values and mission. I am grateful to you for your continued support.

It was a pleasure to have met and reconnected with so many of you this year during

The Scranton Journal is published by The University of Scranton for its alumni and friends.

various receptions and events, and I look forward to seeing more of you in the spring

External Affairs & Enrollment Management Office

semester and beyond.

The University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510-4615 570.941.7900

Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement

God bless you.

The University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510-4624 570.941.7660. Email: alumni@scranton.edu Website: scranton.edu/alumni If this issue is addressed to a graduate who no longer maintains a residence at your home, please tear off the mailing panel and mail it, with the corrected address, to the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement.

The University of Scranton is a Catholic, Jesuit educational institution serving men and women.

The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation or age. © 2016 The University of Scranton

Sincerely,

Kevin P. Quinn, S.J. President

On the Commons A Scranton Education Pays Off, According to Several Recent Reports Scranton received consistent recognition for its economic value in 2015, particularly for the impact the University has on the earnings of its graduates. For example, The Economist compiled its first-ever ranking of this kind, putting Scranton at No. 22 in the nation. Following the premise that a “good student” would do well at any college, the magazine used regression analysis to measure the effect of an array of variables to determine the actual impact the college has on the earnings of a graduate.

According to the magazine, “the economic value of a university is equal to the gap between how much money its graduates earn, and how much they might have made had they studied elsewhere.”

In a similar analysis, Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, published in October, ranked Scranton among the top 100 colleges in the nation for the increase in annual

RECENT ACCOLADES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON Among the Nation’s ‘Best Colleges, Science Labs,

Campus Food and Dorms’

— The Princeton Review

Among Top in the Nation for Contribution

to Alumni Earnings

— The Economist

Among America’s Best Values

— Forbes and MONEY magazine

Among the 50 Fittest Colleges in America

— Active Times

Among Top in Nation for ‘Value-added’ Contribution

to Earnings of Graduates

— BROOKINGS

Among the Top Universities Listed by Median Salaries — PayScale Among Nation’s Best Dining and Residence Halls

— Business Insider

Among Schools ‘Contributing to Public Good’

— Washington Monthly

To see all the University’s accolades, visit scranton.edu/pointsofpride. comes.” In their most recent Salary Report, Scranton is in the top 17 percent of universities listed by the median salaries of alumni.

earnings it contributes to its graduates at 10 years after enrollment.

PayScale, an online compensation information company, also reported such “out-

Renovated School Blessed as University’s New Early Learning Center and Graduate Apartment Complex University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., blessed the former Madison School in the historic Hill Section as an early childhood learning center and graduate student housing complex at a ceremony on Nov. 19. Newly renovated and repurposed, the facility sprung from a collaboration among the University, Hildebrandt Learning Centers and Greenspace Properties, which owns the property and maintains it on Scranton’s tax rolls.

Built in the early 1900s, the 43,000-square-foot, three-story building is listed on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places.

“Our renovations kept intact the historic façade and much of the interior layout while upgrading the facility with energy-efficient systems,” said Tom Romanowski, president and CEO of Greenspace Properties.

The early learning center occupies the first floor, while the second and third floors have been converted into one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

The facility’s adaptive reuse won one of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 Scranton Awards for Growth and Excellence.

University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., blesses the former Madison school.

GET SOCIAL How will you save energy? #energypath2015 #sustainable #energy @univofscranton EnergyPath

7/21/15

8/7/15 To approach the world with a disposition of nurture is the #jesuitway: via @univofscranton alum for #jesuiteducated medium.com/Jesuiteducated AJCU

8/23/15 Welcome, Class of 2019 zachmulhaul Insta

8/29/15 Winning photo with Iggy from the 5th Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt! Our biggest and best yet, with 35 businesses, 280 students and more than 15 campus and community partners and sponsors. @uofs_cse @scrantonsbdc #uofsdowntown #Scranton uofscommunity Insta

On Nov. 23, Don and Lisa Shauger, with their son Donnie Shauger ’16, presented University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., with a replica of Neilson Carlin’s “The Holy Family.” The painting, to be displayed in the new Leahy Hall, represents the focus on family that is prevalent through the Leahy Clinic and various service initiatives run by rehabilitation programs housed in the building.

The original painting was revealed and blessed prior to Pope Francis’ visit to the United States for the 2015 World Meeting of Families.

On the Commons

A Gift for Leahy Hall

Pictured, from left to right, are: Donnie Shauger ’16, Fr. Quinn, Lisa Shauger, Don Shauger and Gary Olsen, vice president for University Advancement.

‘Ready to Lead’ Training is Held at Scranton

Presidential Scholar Becomes First Scranton Student to Earn Mitchell Scholarship

This past summer, The University of Scranton hosted 16 current and rising principals from the NativityMiguel Coalition for “Ready to Lead” training on effective educational leadership in impoverished urban communities.

The 44 member schools in the Coalition serve more than 3,000 low-income students throughout the U.S. The schools offer a faith-based, academically rigorous, extended-day, yearround program to “empower students to greater achievement in high school and beyond,” according to their mission.

Terry Shields ’93, director of the NativityMiguel Coalition, facilitates the leadership trainings.

“The training is designed to help faculty members and new principals better understand the demands of leadership,” said Shields. “We discuss how they have to see themselves as leaders and have a clear understanding about what they want their school to be, as well as how to bring the whole school community into that vision.”

The NativityMiguel School of Scranton opened in 2015.

Christopher Kilner, the founder and chair of a nonprofit organization, triathlete, triple major and student government president at The University of Scranton, was among just 12 undergraduate and graduate students in the United States chosen as a 2017 George J. Mitchell Scholar.

Recipients of the scholarship, named in recognition of the former senator’s contributions to the Northern Ireland peace process, Christopher Kilner, a senior, is a are selected on the basis of acarecipient of the Mitchell Scholarship. demic distinction, leadership and a sustained commitment to community and public service through a competitive vetting process that attracted 284 applicants this year.

Scholars will spend a year of post-graduate study at institutions of higher learning in Ireland.

Kilner was among the dozen students representing prestigious universities such as Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. He is the only 2017 Mitchell Scholar currently studying at a Jesuit university. One other recipient is a graduate of Georgetown University who is now pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Notre Dame.

“For a student from Scranton to be listed alongside recipients from Harvard, Princeton and Duke, I hope future students can see what an amazing place Scranton can be for them,” said Kilner, who views leadership as “not what you can do individually, but rather what you can inspire others to accomplish.”

University Organizes Efforts to Bring Attention to Syrian Refugee Crisis Faculty, staff and students organized a series of educational programs, advocacy opportunities and prayer activities to bring attention to the Syrian and broader global refugee crises.

A University committee, headed by Anitra McShea, Ph.D., vice provost for student formation and campus life, will explore future initiatives that will express Scranton’s Catholic and Jesuit mission in response to the refugee crisis. Read more on page 14.

9/21/15 Had such a wonderful time at Family Weekend! @EmilyFrantzen @univofscranton Debbie Frantzen

9/21/15 What a privilege to listen to @helenprejean at Ignation Values in Action lecture @univofscranton @justiceScranton Mike Allison

9/24/15 Check out the latest #digital edition of ADVANCE and our cover story on the @univofscranton!

ADVANCEforPT

SPRING 2016

On the Commons Nine Named Presidential Scholars The University has awarded nine students four-year, fulltuition Presidential Scholarships. Front row, from left are Presidential Scholarship recipients Mia Woloszyn, Madison Township; Sara Wierbowski, Owego, New

York; Megan Steinmetz, Vestal, New York; and Sarah Laga, Westbury, New York. Standing are University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., and Presidential Scholarship recipients Samuel Morano, Clarks Summit;

Joseph Delmar, Flourtown; Peter Kulick, Pittston Township; and Robert McGowan, Scranton. Not pictured is Presidential Scholarship recipient Kellie Smigel, Blairstown, New Jersey.

Sustainability Symposium Devoted to Pope’s Encyclical on the Environment The University’s Fall Sustainability Symposium examined Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’. More than 200 guests attended the event, titled “Care for our Common Home, World in Crisis.” Scranton Chaplain Richard Malloy, S.J., provided the keynote address, which was followed by a panel discussion.

Michael Cann, Ph.D., distinguished professor of chemistry, who has been actively engaged in sustainability efforts at the University for more than two decades, was awarded the Saint Francis of Assisi Caring for Creation Sustainability Award.

Mark Murphy, director of sustainability at the University, said the symposium presented the powerful message that climate change is real. The University is doing its part to make a change through various sustainability initiatives.

Panelists included Scranton professors Sister Mary Anne Foley, Ph.D., theology; Oliver Morgan, Ph.D., counseling and human services; Charles Pinches, Ph.D., theology; and Nicholas Truncale, physics; and student Veronica Sinotte ‘16. Mary Ann Smith ’07, ’11, G’09, professor of chemistry at Marywood University, and Rabbi Daniel Swartz, spiritual GET SOCIAL Don’t miss the Wellness Wagon rolling around campus today — sleep mask and earplug giveaway to remind Royals that they need 7-9 hours of sleep each night! #wellnesswagon #universityofscranton #uofs #peereducators #sleeptips #behappy #behealthy scrantonwellness Insta

THE SCRANTON JOURN A L

Michel Cann, Ph.D. (right) is awarded the Saint Francis of Assisi Caring for Creation Sustainability Award. Also pictured are Mark Murphy, director of sustainability at the University (left) and Natalie Bai ‘17 (center), who interns in the office of sustainability.

leader of Temple Hesed in Scranton, rounded out the panel. Joseph Dreisbach, Ph.D., associate provost of international education at Scranton, introduced the panel.

9/25/15

10/4/15 Fulbright Scholarship recipient and men’s lacrosse alumnus Matt Tibbitts ’14 brought his passion back to the field to help out at a lacrosse camp in Borneo! http://bit.ly/1KVEUrv University of Scranton

10/13/15 Thanks to our alwaysgiving Royals for a successful Street Sweep this past weekend cleaning up the Hill Section!

University of Scranton

On the Commons

Center for Career Development Hosts its First Job and Internship Fair More than 50 local and national companies in a wide variety of industries had tables at the Center for Career Development’s first Job and Internship Fair. Companies included Coca-Cola, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, among many others.

“One of our goals is to facilitate more opportunities for our students, both internships and full-time. We want to get as many recruiters on campus as possible,” said Chris Whitney G’06, director of the Gerard R. Roche Center for Career Development. “This will help the recruiters to understand our culture and why they should hire more Scranton students.”

Members of the Center for Career Development were available at the event to provide students with useful career advice, including how to follow up with potential employers.

More than 250 students attended the fair.

Representatives from more than 50 companies met students during the first Job and Internship Fair.

Students, Faculty and Staff Watch Pope Francis’ Historic Address to Congress The University’s Education for Justice Program, the Office of Campus Ministries and the Office of Sustainability hosted a live video stream broadcast of Pope Francis’ address to a joint session of Congress for students, faculty and staff.

Nearly 200 University of Scranton students, faculty and staff filled the PNC Auditorium of the Loyola Science Center to watch Pope Francis address lawmakers via a live video stream Sept. 24.

Pope Francis’ speech touched on pressing issues for the country, including immigration and climate change, and stressed dialogue and cooperation to address these and other issues.

Leading up to the pope’s visit, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) asked the Jesuit-educated community to share what it meant to them to be #JesuitEducated.

Lauren Conniff, a junior, poses with a cardboard cutout of the pope advertising “Pope Watch,” the live-stream of his address to Congress.

Visit scranton.edu/scrantonjournal to read what members of the Scranton community had to say about their Jesuit education.

Pro Bono Services now Offered for Those with Low Vision Although people with low vision are not blind, daily tasks can become quite difficult for them. However, with therapy and an adapted environment, there is no reason they cannot remain independent. In October, Julie Ann Nastasi, ScD, OTD, faculty specialist in the University’s Occupational Therapy Department, and her students began offering services at the University’s Leahy Clinic designed to ensure that independence. A patient needs a prescription for occupational therapy and must be uninsured or under-insured to access the Leahy Clinic services.

The pro bono services offered at the clinic will help patients with low vision “use their remaining vision to stay independent,” said Dr. Nastasi.

Christina Gavalas is an OT student and clinic volunteer. “Vision is such a central part of everyday functioning — it’s so rewarding knowing that we get Dr. Julie Nastasi looks on as Lackawanna Blind Association clients display Fourth of July to help people in need who might otherwise go without services,” she said. wreaths they created during the association’s Sensory Development program.

10/29/15

10/25/15 Thanks to the hundreds of wonderful students who came to Open House today! We loved having you! #Royals2020 #universityofscranton #FutureRoyals universityofscranton

The University of Scranton Weinberg Memorial Library celebrated the city of Scranton’s 150th anniversary with their first ever “Scanathon!” They digitized and described the first two volumes of The Lackawanna Historical Society’s Scranton Family Papers Collection!

University of Scranton

10/29/15 “Going to the mountains is going home” - John Muir tiniebopper440 Insta

11/18/15 Fifty-Three University of Scranton StudentAthletes Named to Landmark Conference Honor Roll.

University of Scranton Athletics

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SPRING 2016

On the Commons

Events Commemorate the Life and Work of Dorothy Day

LECTURES

In observance of the 35th anniversary of the death of Dorothy Day in 2015, a cooperative series of events about her life and work was held at Marywood University and The University of Scranton.

Dorothy Day, who has been given the title “Servant of God” as the first step in the process of being declared a saint in the Catholic Church, was called many things during her life: an activist, a journalist, a radical, a bohemian, a mother, a convert, a mystic, a prophet and a faithful daughter of the Church. After her death on Nov. 29, 1980, historian David O’Brien famously called her “the most important, interesting, and influential figure in the history of American Catholicism.”

The events included movie presentations; public lectures by Day’s granddaughter, Martha Hennessy, and her editor, Robert Ellsberg; documentary screenings; and a symposium. In addition to celebrating the gift of Dorothy Day’s life, the series of events

The University welcomed many distinguished lecturers this past semester. Below is a list of select lectures by speakers who visited us in the fall.

The University of Scranton and Marywood University observe the 35th anniversary of the death of Dorothy Day through a series of events at both campuses.

explored ways in which her witness can challenge each person to respond more fully to God’s love and call to service, justice and non-violence.

Sister Helen Prejean Discusses Dead Man Walking Each summer, our first-year students are required to read a book as part of The Royal Reads Program.

“The Royal Reads Program creates a shared experience for our first-year class through the reading of a carefully selected book,” said Rebecca Haggerty, assistant dean for programs and assessment.

This year’s selection was Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the U.S. by Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J. Sister Prejean visited campus Sept. 21 as the keynote speaker for the University’s annual Ignatian Values in Action lecture.

“Dead Man Walking is a meditation on love, criminal violence and capital punishment. In a larger sense, it is about life and

Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., author of Dead Man Walking, speaks during the annual Ignatian Values in Action lecture.

death itself,” she said. “Are we here to persecute our brothers or bring compassion into a world which is cruel without reason?”

Get Social with Scranton

• Susan Athey, Ph.D., the Economics of Technology Professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, discussed “The Internet and the News Media” at Scranton’s Henry George Lecture.

• Burton L. Visotzky, Ph.D., Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), delivered a lecture titled “What Can We Say About Jewish-Muslim Relations in America?”

• Rebecca Alexander, award-winning author of Not Fade Away: A Memoir of Senses Lost and Found, presented the “town meeting” keynote address at the University’s 14th annual Northeastern U.S. Conference on disABILITY. • George J. Mitchell, former U.S. senator and Senate majority leader, who also served as chief negotiator and fact-finder for troubled regions and controversial inquiries, discussed “The U.S. Role in the World: Challenges and Responsibilities” at the Honorable T. Linus Hoban Memorial Lecture.

• Avi Melamed, an independent Israel-Middle East strategic intelligence analyst, visited the University to share his perspective in a talk titled “Making Sense of the Most Dangerous and Complicated Region on Earth.”

• Mandy Antoniacci, writer of the “ChangeUp” sports business column for Inc. Magazine and advocate for social change presented “How to Throw a ChangeUp.” • A series of six-week Schemel Forum courses examined everything from the influential plays of George Bernard Shaw, to recent documentary filmmaking, and six critical years in German (and European) history. The Schemel Forum also presented its annual University for a Day in September.

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THE SCRANTON JOURN A L

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12/14/15 Our first group of early action decisions are out!

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Visit the University’s YouTube channel to view some of these lectures and read more about all On the Commons news at scranton.edu/news.

12/25/15

Wishing you a joyous Christmas, from our Scranton family to yours! #ScrantonChristmas The University of Scranton

On the Commons

The University Dedicates Edward R. Leahy Jr. Hall

The University dedicated Edward R. Leahy Jr. Hall, its new, stateof-the-art, eight-story building on Linden Street and Jefferson Avenue, at a ceremony on Sept. 18. The building, the new home of the Panuska College of Professional Studies (PCPS) departments of physical therapy, occupational therapy and exercise science, is named in honor of the late son of long-time University benefactors Patricia and Edward Leahy ’68, H’01.

“The spirit of Edward Jr., for whom this building is dedicated, will inspire students at The University of Scranton to demonstrate such compassion,” said University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J. “Let us pray that the many lives Edward Jr. touched in his life will remind us of our responsibility to have a positive impact on others.”

Edward Leahy said that he and Patricia were deeply honored that some of the good work that would be done in the building would be in memory of their son.

“In the memory of a child, who was set in the midst of us, we are dedicating this magnificent building, not for its brick and mortar, but as a new center for the physically disabled, the accident victim, someone who suffered a stoke, someone needing occupational

therapy or counseling, who are poor and underserved, who can be helped by the students and professionals in the health sciences here at The University of Scranton,” he said.

“This facility exemplifies our Catholic and Jesuit identity and mission,” said Larry Lynch ‘81, chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are teaching students to help people in the most critical and challenging days of their lives. That’s powerful.”

The dedication officially began a yearlong series of events, titled “Embracing the Call to Care,” to give the Scranton community an opportunity to experience firsthand the facility and programs offered through PCPS. According to Debra A. Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of PCPS, “Embracing the Call to Care” is designed to “perfect our quest to be a model for the helping professions.” She noted it “recognizes the need to act on continuous improvement, implement diverse opportunities for students to be engaged in transformative and reflective experiences and provide substance to our University’s strategic mission and values through a continuous assessment plan.”

LEFT: Scranton dedicated Edward R. Leahy Jr. Hall, in honor of the late son of University benefactors Patricia and Edward Leahy ’68, H’01. CENTER: Board of Trustees Chair Larry Lynch ’81 speaks at the dedication. RIGHT: University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., speaks at the dedication.

See more photos, watch the video and hear what each speaker had to say at the dedication at scranton.edu/scrantonjournal.

SPRING 2016

First Students Participate in The University of Scranton and Geisinger RN to BSN Partnership Program This fall, The University of Scranton and Geisinger Health System began an expedited bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program for registered nurses working for Geisinger.

“Geisinger approached us about starting a program,” said Sharon Hudacek, Ed.D., professor of nursing and director of the University’s RN to BSN and LPN to BSN programs. “Geisinger could have picked any University. We have an excellent nursing program,

The first cohort of RN to BSN students. See who’s who at scranton.edu/ scrantonjournal. Margarete Zalon, Ph.D., professor of nursing, is in the first row, far left; Sharon Hudacek, Ed.D., professor of nursing and director of the University’s RN to BSN and LPN to BSN programs, is front row, center, and Catherine Lovecchio Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, is front row, far right.

so that was part if it, of course, but this community partnership is huge and benefits all of us.”

Geisinger, which owns eight hospitals in Pennsylvania, is working toward magnet status set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), an association that advocates for advancing higher education in nursing.

Lecture and clinical classes through this program, taught by University of Scranton faculty, are offered on site at GeisingerCommunity Medical Center (CMC) in Scranton on Tuesday nights.

Currently, nurses at four other Geisinger campuses participate in the degree program via live video linking. Margarete Zalon, Ph.D., professor of nursing, teaches most often from CMC, in front of a screen linked to the other three hospital classrooms.

The University already had an RN program, but Geisinger wanted something a little more convenient for working nurses. “In this program, they can come before or after their shift work,” said Hudacek.

The University expected 12 students to participate in the program.

Instead, 27 were admitted and there is a waiting list. The first cohort of students, who will learn together for the next four years, met recently with faculty on the University’s campus.

“There’s an environmental biologist, a mortician, a chemist. Some have bachelor’s degrees, some have community-college degrees, and some are diploma nurses from CMC from 30-plus years ago,” said Hudacek. “These students come to us with diverse experiences and great intellect.”

A Women’s Retreat, 35 Years and Going Strong Rev. G. Donald Pantle, S.J., 87, is retired from his position teaching German and Spanish in the World Languages and Cultures Department at the University, but that doesn’t stop him from making his way from his home in Baltimore, Maryland, to the Retreat Center at Chapman Lake for the faculty and staff women’s retreat every year.

This year, he celebrated 35 years of leading the women’s retreat.

“When I arrived at Scranton, my main job was to open the Retreat Center and teach some languages on the side,” said Fr. Pantle.

“There was not a retreat for women, and I thought I could offer them one to show I cared about their needs.”

That first year, 1980, about 35 women attended the retreat. Fr. Pantle led them in conversation, readings, liturgy, Eucharist, prayer, reflection and rest. “They walked together, talked together, prayed together,” he said. “It was so good that it lasted for 35 years.”

Betty Rozelle, assistant director and career development specialist at the University, has been attending the women’s retreat for 19 years. Now, she serves with others on a committee that helps Fr. Pantle organize the retreat each year.

It’s important to have a place to convene with other women of the University, she said. “The ‘retreat’ means that we are stepping away from the hectic pace of our daily lives,” she said. “Oftentimes, women are the major caregivers serving others … We need the retreat to replenish our resources in order to effectively serve others as God asks of us.”

THE SCRANTON JOURN A L

Fr. Pantle’s commitment to leading the retreat every year meant deepening relationships with the participants, especially those who attended for more than one year.

“Fr. Pantle has accompanied us in a supportive role as many of us have experienced the births of our children and grandchildren, the joys and struggles of parenthood, serious illnesses and even the loss of loved ones,” said Rozelle. “Throughout our years together, he has taught us so much about Ignatian spirituality and helped us to deepen our faith.”

Fr. Pantle said he thinks of himself as a “spiritual guide” to many of the women who attend the retreat, but, more important, he is glad that so many learned a “community spirituality” that they brought back to the University. The women, he said, developed relationships and relied on one another in both personal and professional situations.

As for the 2016 retreat? “I intend to be there,” said Fr. Pantle.

Rev. G. Donald Pantle, S.J., is shown here with participants at the University’s 35th Annual Women’s Retreat held recently at the Retreat Center at Chapman Lake.

On the Commons

ONE-ON-ONE with Chris Whitney G’06,

Director of the Gerard R. Roche Center for Career Development You got your master’s in secondary counseling here in 2006 and returned as an employee in 2015. What made you want to work at your alma mater?

be a financial decision. Our goal is to support 10 students in the first year (2016) at $4,000 per student and we’ll go from there.

When an opportunity arose to use my experience and skills to serve here, I could hardly pass it up. In fact, I did everything that I coach students to do to best position myself to get this job! I called all my contacts, I practiced, and I prayed.

Tell me more about experiential learning (a big part of the new strategic plan!) and why it’s important for our students.

You’ve been director of the Center for Career Development for about a year now. What are you working on?

Whether it’s through internships, externships, co-ops, fellowships or research, it is what I affectionately refer to as “dating your career.” I can tell a student what an industry is all about and how the people interact. When they see it for themselves, however, they can decide if they are a “fit” with their eyes wide open.

It has been the busiest year of my professional life. We set concrete goals as a team. We focus on measurable things, from our number of internships and jobs to our number of recruiters.

You have a lot of experience in both career development and higher education. What makes the Scranton student stand out to employers?

Strong campus relationships help in accomplishing our goals, and providing our expertise where needed.

Those partnerships also helped make our first Job and Internship Fair a success.

The students at The University of Scranton are known for their work ethic and heart. What I have experienced firsthand — and what employers have told me — is that you can “depend on” a Scranton student. That means the world to me.

So, what’s next for you and your team (in 2016)?

One wonderful project we are focused on is called “The Royal Experience Internship Program,” which will support students in unpaid internships. Across the country, approximately 47 percent of internships are unpaid. I don’t believe that experiential learning should

What do you tell students when they come to you, overwhelmed about the job market?

I tell them to breathe! It is overwhelming at first, but when you break it down into industry, geography or population, it gets more manageable. It also gets less daunting when students are comfortable and confident in what they are bringing to the table. It helps them to know what they are looking for, then they can stop looking for things that don’t fit.

What is the most important thing for our nearly 49,000 alumni to know about the Center for Career Development?

That’s easy … we are here for alumni too! Once a Royal, always a Royal.

Visit scranton.edu/scrantonjournal to read more from Chris Whitney.

SPRING 2016

Faculty News First PwC Accounting Research Chair Named Accounting Professor Brian W. Carpenter, Ph.D., CMA, has been named as the first PwC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers) Accounting Research Chair at the University.

The PwC Accounting Research Chair was established in 2015 by Scranton alumni associated with PwC to recognize and support excellence in accounting research at the University. Paul Lameo ’94, a PwC partner in banking and capital markets, spearheaded the effort. Lameo is a member of the President’s Business Council and the Alumni Board of Governors.

Dr. Carpenter G’82 previously taught at Pennsylvania State University and Lehigh University. In 1987, he returned to Scranton, where he has since served in various capacities. He has co-authored two textbooks and has published more than 50 articles in numerous professional and academic journals. He is a corecipient of several recent Institute of Management Accountants’ Lybrand Medals recognizing research excellence. Dr. Carpenter has also received numerous teaching awards throughout his career.

Brian W. Carpenter, Ph.D., CMA

Professor Elected President of Pennsylvania Economic Association Deborah Gougeon, Ph.D. ’73, G’75 associate professor of business statistics in the Operations and Information Management Department of the Kania School of Management at The University of Scranton, was recently elected president of the Pennsylvania Economics Association (PEA).

Dr. Gougeon has taught business statistics at the University since 1979. Her research has been published in many scholarly articles and in the proceedings of multiple national and international conferences. She has published more than 50 reviews of scholarly books in Choice, the official publication of the American Library Association. She has also reviewed multiple scholarly journals and academic publishers.

The PEA is a professional association of economists and social scientists. Its annual meeting attracts not only economists from Pennsylvania and its surrounding states, but economists from nations across the globe, including Japan, Austria, Canada, Germany, Belgium, Mexico, India, France and Taiwan.

Deborah Gougeon, Ph.D.

Accounting Professor Named Alperin Teaching Fellow

Douglas M. Boyle, D.B.A., CPA, CMA

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Accounting Professor Douglas M. Boyle, D.B.A., CPA, CMA, was named the Kania School of Management’s Alperin Teaching Fellow for 2015 to 2018.

The three-year Alperin Teaching Fellow Award was established in 1999 to recognize outstanding teaching in the Kania School of Management. Funding is provided by an endowment established in 1980 through a gift from Irwin E. Alperin, Joel M. Alperin, Myer Alperin and their families.

Dr. Boyle ’88 has received multiple awards for teaching and scholarship. In the past two years, two of Dr. Boyle’s manuscripts, co-authored with other University of Scranton accounting professors, received the Institute of Management Accountants’ Lybrand Medal (silver and bronze). The award annually recognizes just three “outstanding articles of the year” of all the manuscripts published in the Strategic Finance and Management Accounting Quarterly journals.

Dr. Boyle serves as chair of the Accounting Department and as the president of the Faculty Senate at the University.

The University granted nine undergraduate students President’s Fellowships for Summer Research in 2015. The fellowships, administered by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, offer each student recipient the chance to partner with a faculty mentor for 10 weeks and complete a research project, which they propose and design together. Students received fellowships to complete projects in biology, chemistry, English, exercise science and psychology.

Faculty News

Students Spend Summer on Research Projects with Faculty

Among the research projects: • Sara Brezinski, a senior psychology major, and Barry Kuhle, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, used the popular dating app Tinder to study the evolutionary psychology of human mating strategies. Their project was titled “To Swipe Left or Right: Sex Differences in Tinder Profiles.”

• Olivia Gillespie partnered with Jones DeRitter, Ph.D., professor of English and theater, to write a series of connected short stories for her project titled “Rewriting Time in the Works of Toni Morrison and William Faulkner.” Gillespie is a senior English major with a double minor in Spanish and theology.

Norman Frederick of Pittston worked with Terrence Sweeney, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Biology, to refine and specialize a mathematical model of the cardiovascular system. They titled the project “Mathematical Modeling of Cardiovascular Dysfunction.”

Read about these projects and more at scranton.edu/scrantonjournal.

• Max Cornell and Timothy Foley, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, undertook a project titled “Methylglyoxal: An Alternative Metabolic Approach for Cancer Treatment.” Cornell is a junior biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major with a Spanish minor.

• Megan Hudock and Jason Graham, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics, created “A Mathematical Model of Mechanical Destruction of the Articular Cartilage in the Knee Joint.” Hudock is a senior mathematics major and an economics/French minor.

• Gabriella Opalkowski and Scott Breloff, Ph.D., assistant professor of exercise science and sports, researched “The Effect of Fatigue on Gait While Walking on Different Sloped Surfaces in Flip-Flops, Sneakers, and Bare Foot.”

New Faculty Members Announced The University appointed 24 new full-time faculty members for the 2015-2016 academic year. Named were: Peter Andersen, Ph.D., assistant professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship

Jo Ann L. Nicoteri, Ph.D., assistant professor of nursing

Duane S. Armitage, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy

Adam J. Pratt, Ph.D., assistant professor of history

Susan Boafo-Arthur, Ph.D., assistant professor in counseling and human services

Katherine E. Purswell, Ph.D., assistant professor in counseling and human services

Hyuk Jun Cheong, Ph.D., Cand., instructor in communication

Catherine Richmond-Cullen, Ed.D., assistant professor in education

Chandra Ann Dombroski, DPT, faculty specialist in occupational therapy Tracie L. Haines-Landram, faculty specialist in exercise science and sport

Patrick T. Orr, Ph.D., assistant professor in psychology

John J. Sailors, Ph.D., associate professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship Juan David Serna, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics

Lisa A. Kozden, Ph.D., Cand., faculty specialist in

Nicholas Sizemore, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry

occupational therapy

Matthew J. Socha, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology

Michael J. Landram, Ph.D., assistant professor of exercise science and sport

Katherine A. Stumpo, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry

Rodeen Lechleitner, Ph.D., faculty specialist in exercise science and sport Mahri Leonard-Fleckman, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology/religious studies Amanda Sue Marcy, faculty specialist in accounting William F. Miller, Ph.D., faculty specialist in health administration and human resources

Gretchen A. Welby, lecturer in biology Matthew Briel, Ph.D., Cand., visiting instructor of theology/ religious studies Read about faculty members who were promoted and granted tenure at scranton.edu/scrantonjournal and read all recent faculty news at scranton.edu/news.

SPRING 2016

In Solidarity with Syria

The University community brings attention to the Syrian and broader global refugee crisis.

T

he conflict in Syria has left millions stranded. It has, according to the European Commission, “triggered the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II.” The crisis has sparked a sense of urgency in faculty, students and staff on campus, as well as alumni, especially those directly involved in refugee services, to support and advocate for these and other refugees.

This fall, the on-campus community organized In Solidarity with Syria, a series of educational programs, advocacy opportunities and prayer activities to bring attention to the Syrian and broader global refugee crises. Students have written to elected officials, heard from authors on the topic, watched documentaries together, organized vigils and participated in discussions on this global issue.

“The abuse, the war, the poverty, it’s too outstanding to ignore,” said Helen Wolf, Ph.D., executive director of Campus Ministries at the University. “We reach out and THE SCRANTON JOURN A L

do whatever we can to help on our campus, in our local community and around the world. Service is who we are. It’s a natural progression for us to address the refugee crisis.”

University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., wrote in an editorial published in the Scranton Times-Tribune on Nov. 8 that we should heed Pope Francis’ call to act generously and remember the golden rule.

“The humanitarian needs are urgent, and our compassion should abound to help men, women and children who have fled their homes in pursuit of safety. As Pope Francis has said, ‘You are your brother’s keeper,’” wrote Fr. Quinn.

In his article, Fr. Quinn also noted that Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) urged “all Catholics” to “express openness and welcome to these refugees, who are escaping desperate situations in order to survive.”

Opening Doors Bill Canny ’77, H’07, executive director of Migration and Refugee Services of the USCCB, stressed the importance of trying to assist refugees in Syria’s neighboring countries first and welcoming them here if they cannot find help where they are.

“The USCCB would like to see more assistance go to refugees where they are, currently, like Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan,” said Canny. But these countries, he said, have insufficient humanitarian resources, and without food or work the refugees have made (and continue to make) their way to Europe. “This is something that our church says a family has a right to do. If a mother or father cannot provide for their children where they are, they have a right to find a place they can.”

The USCCB has a federal contract and a public-private partnership with the Department of State to receive refugees and resettle them across the country. Their partners are Catholic charity organizations and about 80 dioceses across the United States.

“We’re actively seeking new dioceses to participate in this program, and we’re advocating with the U.S. government to take more Syrian refugees than is currently planned,” he said.

The overall government program allowed for 70,000 refugees for the 2015 fiscal year. The ceiling for 2016 was raised to 75,000, and for 2017 the government has set that number at 100,000. Canny and other organizations are advocating that the government double that number to allow for 200,000 refugees.

The prospect of welcoming more refugees has become a topic of heated debate in this country, even more so since the November terrorist attacks in Paris. Canny emphasizes that there is a long process from when refugees are identified to when they are resettled. It usually takes 18-24 months, with extensive interviews and security checks. “A bit of the misperception among the public is that these Syrians want to come to the United States and it’s easy and seamless to do so,” said Canny. “It’s not at all.”

Professional staff members help refugees resettle in collaboration with parishes and families associated with the church.

Canny recently spoke with Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, former director of Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Diocese of Scranton, to ask him to take more refugees in the coming year. CSS resettled three Syrian families in recent months, and Msgr. Kelly expects that by October of next year, the organization will resettle up to 200 refugees, 50 more than last year.

“We’re carrying on the message of the Gospel and Catholic social teaching,” said Msgr. Kelly, who praised the efforts of the campus community for In Solidarity with Syria.

“I’m thrilled with what the University is doing to advocate for refugees.”

He hopes the University and local communities will be as warm and welcoming as they have been for the growing Scranton Bhutanese community.

“We have found that once an international community has been established, they help others,” said Msgr. Kelly. A local Syrian family is now settled, the children are in school and the adults have jobs. This family has helped the more recent refugee families transition more easily.

Aiding Abroad The majority of Syrian refugees are living in Lebanon and Jordan. Elena Habersky ’13 is program and administrative manager with Collateral Repair Project, a grassroots nongovernmental organization that helps Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Amman. She works with urban refugees.

“Within my organization we have seen a huge influx of Syrian refugees,” she said. “We constantly have new families literally ringing our doorbell every day. I have been working with Syrian refugees all three years I have been living in Amman, and unfortunately, one thing I am noticing is the decline in hope that they possess.”

Because these refugees are unable to work by Jordanian law, they almost immediately must start thinking long term.

Some turn to Europe, and some contemplate going back to their countries of conflict, said Habersky.

In her work, she often lends a sympathetic ear. “I believe any time that someone wants to share their story with me or

Elena Habersky ’13 (center, seated) with her elementary English class at the Jesuit Refugee Services in East Amman during her Fulbright year (20132014). Her students hailed from Darfur, Syria, Iraq, Palestine and Eritrea.

SPRING 2016

open up to me about something that has happened in their life, good or bad, this is special,” she said. “Even things that might seem mundane to some are memories they cherish from their homeland, like the taste of a fruit or the color of a sandstorm.”

Though the crisis is geographically far from Scranton, the campus community is committed to making a difference.

Anitra McShea, Ph.D., vice provost for student formation and campus life, heads the coordinating committee In Solidarity with Syria. She said she and the committee are already looking ahead to planning for the spring. They are coordinating to offer additional educational programs and talks, as well as collaborating with local organizations to

Photo: Emma Black ’16

On Campus

Students, faculty, staff and members of the Scranton community prayed during the Interfaith Prayer Service in November “in solidarity with our sisters and brothers displaced from their homes in Syria,” according to Campus Ministries.

University Community Comments on #SyrianRefugees Rick Malloy, S.J. @FrMalloy • Nov 16

U of S prays for peace for end to terrorism for all victims of hate for all who strive to live love #SyrianRefugees

Julie Cohen @julie_s_c • Nov 23

Hungarian author Peter Zilahy highlights human dignity of #SyrianRefugees @univofscranton briefing and discussion.

Michael J. Jenkins @MichaelJJenkins • Nov 16

Retweet and like if your ancestors came to the U.S. fleeing war, oppression, violence, or famine!

Rick Malloy, S.J. @FrMalloy • Nov 29

Facts matter. #SyrianRefugees #mtp

Campus Ministries at The University of Scranton

Drs. Gretchen Van Dyke and Helen Wolf of The University of Scranton weigh in on the Syrian refugee crisis in this news report:

Heated Debate Over Syrian Refugees in the United States

SCRANTON – As people continue to mourn the loss of those killed in last week’s terror attacks, lawmakers in the United States are questioning whether Syrian…WNEP.COM

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Students attend the Re fugee Crisis Event in Novemb er.

Photo: Nick Dalvano ’18

provide supplies and whatever else families might need if — or when — they arrive in or around Scranton. This is all part of our mission, said Dr. McShea.

“Our awareness and, in turn, advocacy work on these types of issues are at the core of who we are as a Jesuit and Catholic University,” she said. “Our mission calls us to recognize the privileges and opportunities bestowed upon us and to utilize our gifts, talents, and collective resources (intellectual, fiscal) to serve those marginalized and persecuted in our global community.”

This global discussion will make its way into classrooms in the months to come. “Faculty members continue to discuss intentional opportunities to continue to keep the ever-evolving issues at the forefront of our academic conversations and discourse (both in and out of the classroom),” said Dr. McShea.

Many students, according to committee members, are “fired up” and advocating for change in any way they can,

from participating in an electronic letter-writing campaign to gathering supplies.

Mary Ellen Kane, a junior, is a Catholic Relief Services student ambassador who is on the University’s In Solidarity with Syria committee. Sometimes it might be easier to stay in the college “bubble,” she said, but it is this kind of crisis that should, and hopefully will, pull students out of that bubble.

“Even though we may speak a different language or practice different religions, we are connected to these refugees because they are human beings. They are our brothers and sisters,” she said. “The refugees are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, teachers, students, business owners.”

For more information on the University’s educational and advocacy efforts, visit: scranton.edu/ministries/refugeecrisis and scranton.edu/advocacy.

See more photos, read more from Elena Habersky ’13 and watch videos of some of the events at scranton.edu/scrantonjournal.

SPRING 2016

The Bottom Line

The ADPAC ensures that University accounting students are at the top of their game.

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he members of the Accounting Department Professional Alumni Council (ADPAC) are alumni extraordinarily committed to the University, the department and, most importantly, its students. The ADPAC’s mission is to prepare students to achieve their fullest potential and to be “stand outs” in the accounting profession. The council’s members ensure that students have direct access to professionals in the real world.

“Mentoring is a key component of the ADPAC agenda,”

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said Larry Lynch ’81, chair of the Board of Trustees and member of the council. “It’s all about getting to know the students and offering them our best advice, advice based on years of professional experience.”

Whether it is through recruitment efforts, mentorship, practical learning experiences, scholarship opportunities, research projects or grants, the council members are helping the Accounting Department grow and thrive.

Nearly 70 high school students from six states attended Scranton’s first Future Accountants Leadership Conference on campus. The conference included an interactive experience with members of the Kania School of Management’s faculty, the Accounting Department Professional Alumni Council (ADPAC) and students from the Business Leadership Honors Program and Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society.

Involving Alumni “We’ve always had a great program,” said Douglas Boyle, D.B.A., CPA, CMA ’88, who heads the department and, relying on his 25 years of professional experience, formed the council about two years ago. He added, “The environment, however, has become much more competitive and complex. We knew we could do better, and do more, and that we could grow our enrollment, quality and brand.”

Historically, faculty drove most of the Accounting Department’s activities. This was successful in the past, but in order to “improve and meet the needs of an increasingly challenging environment, we needed to engage the hearts and minds of our distinguished alumni,” said Dr. Boyle. “These alumni serve at the highest levels of the profession and are best positioned to help us recruit, mentor and transform our students.”

There could have been friction about alumni being invited to participate in what had, until now, been the purview

of the faculty. The forming of the ADPAC meant that council members were doing everything from consulting on curriculum to advising on the successful launch of new programs, such as the Master of Accountancy (MAcc). Instead, the faculty members appreciated and welcomed the practical insight of alumni who are out in the world, applying research and hiring newly trained accountants.

Charles Lenns, Esq. ’75 is a vice president at Consolidated Edison Company of New York and an adjunct faculty member in the department. “The council contains the best of all worlds: our talented and experienced faculty members who best know our students, and our successful alumni in the business community who have achieved success and have much to offer to our students to help them understand what it takes to achieve success in today’s business world,” he said.

ADPAC members are pictured together in 2014. Front row, kneeling from the left: Mary Haveron ’85, Linda McGowan ’80, Denise Fleming ’88, Dr. Robyn Lawrence, associate professor of accounting, Stephanie Mihal ’06 and Larry Lynch ’81. Back row, standing: Brian Regan ’82, Joseph Aldcowski ’78, Dr. Doug Boyle ’88, chair of the Accounting Department, Tim Vecchiarelli ’99, Robert Grasso ’98, Edward Steinmetz ’81, senior vice president for Finance and Administration, Tom Valvano ’89, Ken Bounds ’78 and Dr. James Boyle ’86, G’04, assistant professor of accounting.

SPRING 2016

Starting Up The first ADPAC meeting was held in May 2014. Later that year, the University’s accounting program was ranked among the top 25 in the nation on U.S News & World Report’s business specialty list.

In the past two years, deposits for students pursuing an accounting major increased by 57 percent.

“The ADPAC helped us to achieve this growth,” said Dr. Boyle. “The council members come to our Open Houses, write letters to high-potential students and interact with prospective students and their parents. In addition, they’ve been tremendous with helping us place our students in the world’s most attractive firms.” For example, all of the “Big Four” international accounting firms now recruit on campus and have hired many University students.

Shannon McKenna, a junior, was recently selected for an internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Linda McGowan ’80, a partner at PwC, who has a long history of mentoring accounting students at Scranton, offered her advice. “Linda is always willing and available to help,” said McKenna.

It is no surprise that this highly successful and committed group of business executives is focused on results.

“There’s a bottom-line return on investment process here,

increasing opportunities for our students. In this case, it is the focus and it drives us,” said Rob Grasso ’98, partner at Deloitte and chair of the council. “The focus of the ADPAC wasn’t, ‘How do we change the program?’ It was, ‘Where do we need improvement?’ and ‘How do we continue to build the program?’ And, in the meantime, we’re all willing to help at a moment’s notice.”

Reaching Out Reaching out to prospective students is a key goal of the ADPAC. The Accounting Department and the ADPAC worked with Admissions to identify high-achieving students interested in accounting who had expressed interest in the University. In addition, faculty and ADPAC members visited targeted high schools to discuss the University’s programs.

In November 2015, many council members, current honor students and faculty showed up on campus to talk to top prospective students (and their parents) for the Future Accountants Leadership Conference (FAL-Con), organized

by Dr. Boyle’s business leadership consulting class. At the end of the day, approximately 70 students representing 59 high schools and six states were recognized. Each conference attendee accepted at the University will be offered an additional $1,000 scholarship.

To continue reading, turn to page 40.

Joseph Aldcowski ’78, a partner at Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, speaks with students and their families at the first Future Accountants Leadership Conference.

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Read more about ADPAC at scranton.edu/scrantonjournal.

A Partnership That has Transcended Time The University’s MHA study-abroad program is a model for global graduate education.

Over the past two decades, it has become more and more apparent that the world is getting smaller. All the while, the faculty members who have been running the University’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) oncampus and online programs have been thinking globally, believing that students should contribute in a meaningful way to build a better, broader world. The best proof of this mindset is a study-abroad course in Slovakia.

SPRING 2016

Daniel West, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Health and Human Resources, explained the inner workings of an ever-expanding program that is flourishing thanks, in part, to a 20-year relationship with St. Elizabeth and Trnava universities, two Catholic institutions in the heart of Slovakia. The partnership and course began when Dr. West applied for a grant from the United States Agency on International Development (USAID) on the heels of University President Emeritus J.A. Panuska, S.J.’s work in Czechoslovakia.

When Slovakia, Poland and eventually Ukraine, Hungary and other countries became independent of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, USAID put out a call for grants because of its commitment to emerging democracies. At that time, Fr. Panuska had written a newsletter for faculty about his work in Czechoslovakia.

Dr. West was “intrigued” and what resulted was, to Dr. West’s understanding, “the longest sustainable partnership USAID has ever had.”

“Twenty years later, it’s still going on,” he said. “It’s really a partnership that has transcended time in a very positive way.”

Course and Outcomes The grant and connection with St. Elizabeth and Trnava in Slovakia have allowed master’s level students — eight to 10 students per trip — enrolled in the Global Health Management course to travel each January and May to experience the type of immersive education typically only available to undergraduates.

The course has all the rigor of an academic course, according to several students in the program, plus it offers a host of other opportunities unavailable in a Scranton classroom. Traveling students and faculty, for example, regularly present research at an international conference on a health care topic. They also lecture alongside international Ph.D. students and interact with other international graduate students.

Aimee Miller ’12, a University neuroscience and pre-med graduate who

expects to finish her MHA in 2016, took the course and traveled to Slovakia in May. The actual trip, she said, seemed short, time-wise, but in regard to preparation, it took an entire semester. “We have textbooks based on Slovakia’s health system and global health,” she said, explaining that students tailor their work for the conference according to their own interests. Her interest is pediatrics, so she presented research on this topic at a palliative-care conference.

During their trip, students also visit Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic, spending time with local and international students, health care executives, touring hospitals and facilities, networking and preparing research papers for presentation at international academic forums at the close of the trip. Many student travelers also sought the opportunity to publish their papers in international peer-reviewed journals, such as the European Journal of Public Health and Health Management.

A New Perspective Although this is just one course among many in the MHA program, the experiential learning aspect has a lasting impact on students, faculty and alumni.

Atty. Sal Savatteri Jr. G’96 took the course while pursuing his MHA. Now an immigration lawyer in Portland, Maine, he founded the globally minded Savatteri Law Firm in 2006. The University’s MHA study-abroad program “was really instrumental in my life and in creating my practice in international law,” he said. “All of the work that I have done has really grown from that one program. My whole practice is international.”

Hearing alumni and students talk about how this experience changed their lives is nothing new to Steven

LEFT: James P. Connors, the mayor of Scranton, and the mayor of Trnava raise the Slovak flag on Scranton’s campus in 1993 to declare a sister city partnership. Dr. West is in front on the far right, next to Fr. Panuska. RIGHT: Members of the faculty and administration from The University of Scranton, St. Elizabeth, Trnava and Matej Bel universities gather at Scranton to sign a partnership memo in 1993. Pictured, bottom row, left to right are: University President Emeritus J.A. Panuska, S.J.; Dr. Viera Rusknova; Dr. Milan Murgaš and Dr. Vladimír Krcméry. Top row, left to right, are: Dr. Marie George G’78; former University Provost Richard (“Dick”) Passon; Dr. Jim Pallante and Bob Powell.

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LEFT: At Trnava University’s Annual International Palliative and Hospice Care Conference, MHA and MBA online students take group photos.

Back row, from left to right: Margaret Hines, Jason Carling, Jonathan Carter, Dr. Patricia Dobríková, Kathryn Granville, Dr. Daniel West, Dr. Michael Costello. Front Row: Siobhan Blancaflor and Aimee Miller.

RIGHT: University of Scranton MHA and MBA online students, St. Elizabeth University professors and Scranton professors stop for a photo in the courtyard of the Bratislava Castle.

Szydlowski, DHA, G’01, MHA program director. A current student who went to Slovakia said it gave her a new perspective, not just on health care, but on life.

“The course helps our students become more well-rounded,” said Dr. Szydlowski. “Touring hospitals while abroad helps Scranton students more deeply understand global health issues that are both universally and locally specific. This helps them to understand the needs of diverse cultures and populations and appreciate the similarities and differences among them.”

Dr. Szydlowski met the MHA program director from St. Elizabeth in Slovakia in 1998. “Seventeen years later, we’re still doing research together and teaching together,” he said.

Perhaps it’s the intensity of a 10-day trip or the beautiful scenery, but personal and professional partnerships that began on this trip last far beyond graduation. In fact, three students who crossed the Atlantic for this course found their husband or wife in Slovakia.

Miller said the professional experience she gained in Slovakia was invaluable, but what she did not expect was to form such close friendships in such a short time period. She befriended two physicians who later visited her in Scranton. “It’s really from talking with them that I learn about their health care system, and about so much else, from social issues to politics in their country.”

Miller is now publishing with some of the physicians she met in Slovakia, and she said that her experiences taking courses abroad has changed her. “Once you gain that global perspective,” she said, “you can never go back.”

Expanding and Replicating As much as this course benefits Scranton and its students, it has also had a positive influence for universities in Slovakia.

Scranton helped develop an MHA program at St. Elizabeth University, which also hosts traveling Scranton students in its capital location, and worked with Trnava University, which went underground during the Communist era, to reinvent its Jesuit identity.

In addition to academic curricula, Scranton has had a hand in taking its mission values on the road through this partnership. The partner universities have developed volunteer programs in developing countries such as Sudan, Cambodia, Rwanda and Uganda.

“When you meet people in other countries and develop trust in working with them and they know you care about their country and culture, then many new doors open,” said Dr. West.

The original partnership has been so successful and replicable, said Dr. West, that it has spurred expansion from Eastern and Central Europe into the Middle East and other parts of Asia as well as Africa and South Africa. The study-abroad program also now offers a South American trip to Brazil as part of one of the University’s newest international relationships, with Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). Similar efforts also have begun in Tbilisi, Georgia — in the Caucasus region that forms the continental divide between Asia and Europe — in Mexico and in Bogota, Colombia. There are 52 projects worldwide, from Vietnam to Sudan.

“I think it’s important when The University of Scranton goes out and engages the world that the project is sustainable,” said Dr. West. “The fastest-growing part of our University is in the graduate curriculum. We need to think about how we expose all of our students to study abroad, and this really has grown into a very nice model that can continue to be developed.”

SPRING 2016

PROFILE: Jason Silvernail ’96, G’97, DPT ’06

A (Very Busy) Life in Service to Others

Lt. Colonel Jason Silvernail, DPT, leads in his field.

Jason Silvernail ’96, G’97, DPT ’06 speaks in quick, definitive sentences. Perhaps it’s all the demands on his time as chief of physical therapy at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Maybe it’s a result of his military training. Either way, his efficient and attentive manner has served him well as a physical therapist over the years. (His clinical and academic credentials place him in the top .5 percent of physical therapists in the United States.)

Dr. Silvernail, who has 24 years of service in the Army under his belt, has been at his current position at Walter Reed since September 2015. He manages a staff of 50 who serve military members and their families. Under his supervision, the staff takes care of those severely injured in combat, including wounded warriors with limb loss. “It’s top-quality, world-class care,” he said.

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A Testament Early on during his time at Walter Reed, he happened to meet a volunteer he had treated in Afghanistan. Dr. Silvernail recollected flying by helicopter into a small base surrounded by cement walls after only two hours of sleep. “I was exhausted, but I just set up and started taking care of those soldiers.”

Before long, a line of 50 soldiers was waiting outside of a tent to see him.

“Our soldiers are driving around in armored vehicles, carrying heavy packs all day and all night. We have to keep their bodies tuned up and ready to do their mission,” he said.

The future Walter Reed volunteer stood at the back of that line, in the heat. “He later told me that I fixed his back, and — because of me — he was able to stay on in Afghanistan leading his soldiers. That’s pretty powerful.”

PROFILE: Jason Silvernail ’96, G’97, DPT ’06

The volunteer told Dr. Silvernail that he was so inspired by him and his work that he had decided to go back to school for physical therapy.

The Solider Life, the Scranton Life Dr. Silvernail has always wanted to be a soldier (he began his service less than 24 hours after graduating from high school), but his love for physical therapy came after he dislocated his kneecap in ROTC training at Scranton. “I saw firsthand what PT was like,” he said. “Here was someone who understood, in-depth, the exact problem I was having and provided a prescription for getting better that worked, and it didn’t involve just taking more pills. I thought, ‘This is what I want to do!’”

Originally from Houston, Texas, Dr. Silvernail moved around a lot as a child. He ended up in Clarks Summit during his high school years and eventually chose Scranton for both the ROTC program and the promise of “the rigor of a Jesuit education.”

“Scranton woke up this academic side of me that got me to go all the way through to get two doctorates,” he said.

“Scranton lit that fire for me.”

He received his doctorate from the University in 2006.

He was selected for the Army-Baylor Doctoral Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy at Fort Sam Houston for subspecialty training and graduated in 2010, earning both a doctor of science degree from Baylor University and Fellow status in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Scranton was also a place he learned — as he put it — to “go, go, go.” He spent one undergraduate summer juggling

ROTC training, his clinical internship in Wilkes-Barre and a job at UPS. Barbara Wagner, DPT, faculty specialist at The University of Scranton, remembers Silvernail running into the old Leahy Hall from his internship, saying hello, disappearing to change into his UPS clothes in a bathroom and saying a quick goodbye before heading off to work. “He was busy, busy,” said Dr. Wagner. “He was always very driven, very self-directed and a great student. And he’s a nice, caring guy.“ Nine years after graduating from Scranton as a second lieutenant, he returned to Scranton to finish his DPT. “I remembered how much growing up and developing as a person and a leader I did in and around Scranton,” he said.

He has stayed involved with the University through Dr. Wagner. She has given many students his name and he’s always willing to talk.

Having A Heart Prior to his current assignment at Walter Reed, Dr. Silvernail served on the U.S. Army performance triad team at the Office of the Surgeon General as the Surgeon General’s subject matter expert on exercise, fitness and musculoskeletal medicine.

“I loved the work there, but I also learned how much I missed patient care. Just as I think that the military is a job that picks you, to some degree you have to have a heart to be in clinical practice … to be in that kind of ‘helping profession,’” he said.

He missed the sense of reward he felt when a patient got better. “I need my patients as much as they need me,” he said.

“It really does go both ways.”

For more photos, visit scranton.edu/scrantonjournal.

Jason Silvernail ‘96, G’97, DPT ‘06 is pictured on the opposite page in Washington D.C. in 2014; on this page, left to right, at boot camp in 1992; in Egypt in 2000 and in Afghanistan in 2013.

SPRING 2016

PROFILE: Dave ‘81, Judy ‘82, Brad ’13, Shayne ’16 and Sara ’19 Wierbowski

First in Class

An alumni couple raises three Presidential Scholars, with gentle guidance.

The children credit their parents with being attentive but never pushy. Any pressure at all, said Brad, Shayne and Sara, was internal.

“Our parents never pushed any of us to be successful, but growing up under our parents’ guidance, we each individually came to expect these things of ourselves,” said Shayne.

All three Wierbowski children, Brad ’13, Shayne ’16 and Sara ’19, were high school valedictorians and went on to become University of Scranton Presidential Scholars.

A friend of parents Dave ’81 and Judy ’82 foretold their children’s aptitude during their Scranton days: “Your kids will be unbelievably smart,” the friend had said. Dave often still wonders, “How did she know?”

Presidential Scholars at The University of Scranton have varied experiences, but — there’s no doubt — the standards are high. The merit-based, full-tuition scholarship requires demonstrated leadership, commitment to community service and high SAT scores. Students must to be in the top two percent of their high school class. Needless to say, it helps to be valedictorian.

How did Dave and Judy McGraw Wierbowski raise three high-achieving children? Both parents are senior software engineers at IBM, co-inventors of several U.S. and international patents. So, there is nature. “I personally believe their success is attributed to their own drive and intellect, both being qualities that God gave them,” said Dave. And, of course, there is also nurture: “All we did was point them in a direction and support them.”

Growing up Wierbowski Judy and Dave, both first-generation college students, graduated from the University with honors (Dave, magna cum laude, Judy, summa), and Judy was also high school valedictorian. “Going to college wasn’t a given for Judy and me,” said Dave. “With our kids, the expectation was different.

From the day they were born, the expectation was that they would go to college. For them, it was a given.”

In the early years, one parent was almost always at home with the kids, thanks to IBM’s flexible work schedules. “I know this is not an option many people have,” said Dave. “I think staying home helped create good parent/child bonds, and it allowed us to have the time to do things to develop their minds, such as reading, playing games, building things …”

During those years, Brad, Shayne and Sara were read to often. Brad began reading Hardy Boys mysteries in kindergarten. Shayne, said Judy, “didn’t sit still” while she was reading, but “it was obvious he was listening.” Sara was verbal and developed a love of writing early on (though some might argue Brad is the writer of the family).

They each credit the other two with inspiring them. (“I often wonder if I would really be as ‘smart’ as I am if I didn’t have my brothers pushing me forward,” said Sara.) Brad chose a science major, so perhaps that’s a reason Shayne and Sara chose science majors too. According to Dave, though, the children’s love of science stems from a TV show called the Magic School Bus (and the Microsoft computer games associated with it) that they all loved. “I am sure this show is the reason our children have such a passion for science,” said Dave, who admits he hates plugging a Microsoft program as a loyal IBMer. The Wierbowski parents also credit a preschool/ elementary school near their home called St. Patrick’s with teaching their children the basics. “St. Pat’s not only focused

PROFILE: Dave ‘81, Judy ‘82, Brad ’13, Shayne ’16 and Sara ’19 Wierbowski

on teaching students; it focused on teaching students how to learn. It taught them how to plan, how to research, how to study,” said Dave.

As the children got older, Judy and Dave encouraged each of them to be responsible for his or her own work. “I knew they were capable,” said Judy, “so I just expected it.”

The parents “gently guided” but did not interfere, according to Sara. “If I asked, for example, how to solve a specific math question, they would make an example similar to that question and show me how to do that example.

Then they would expect me to learn how to do the actual problem myself.”

Shayne agreed. “My parents merely laid forth all of the possibilities, let me decide what I wanted for myself, and then did everything they could to help me reach my goals,” he said.

When it came time for college, Judy and Dave were careful not to pressure their kids into choosing their alma mater. Each Wierbowski child had a multitude of options and, while the Presidential Scholarship was influential, the Wierbowskis wryly noted that each child, at some point, declared Scranton “last on the list.”

Coming Home Brad, the eldest, was a Goldwater Scholar and is currently working toward his Ph.D. in cell biology at Harvard.

He never thought he’d study at the same university as his parents. He made Scranton his final college visit. “That halfday visit to Scranton was all it took to make a decision that

I’d agonized over for months. As soon as I set foot on campus, I knew it was a very different kind of place. The campus looked and felt like home, not like a factory.”

Shayne, whom Dave calls the “most competitive,” (though others try to claim the title) triple majors in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, philosophy and computer science. He was sure he didn’t want to go to college where his brother was and where his parents went. “But when I talked to Scranton faculty, I felt they were interested in me personally, as an individual,” he said.

For Sara, who had visited her brothers at college often, the choice was more like coming home. “I’d been coming to Scranton for six years. When I thought of college, I thought of Scranton,” she said.

Now that the University has been a home to each of the Wierbowskis, there’s more sibling harmony than ever. “As the oldest, Brad motivated Shayne and Sara,” said Dave.

Brad and Shayne were on campus together and sometimes caught up over dinner or bonded over a chemistry problem.

“I couldn’t have imagined a better situation for the both of us,” said Brad. Now Shayne and Sara are both on campus and they, too, get together. “She uses all my flex money,” Shayne joked.

The Wierbowski parents, meanwhile, are holding down fort in Owego, New York. When they visit Shayne and Sara at Scranton, they are sometimes reminded of the old days.

They’re not too nostalgic, though. They’re forward-looking, and they see a promising future for their children, no matter what path they choose next.

The Wierbowski family is pictured on the opposite page, from left to right: Brad ’13, Judy ’82, Sara ’19, Dave ’81 and Shayne ’16. This page, from left to right: Brad speaking at the 2012 Presidents Business Council Award Dinner; Dave, Shayne and Judy (left to right) at the 2015 PBC Award Dinner; Sara, first-year student, and University President Kevin P. Quinn in 2015.

See more photos and read more about Brad’s research at Harvard at scranton.edu/scrantonjournal.

PROFILE: Kathleen Sprows Cummings, Ph.D. ’93 G’93

Kathleen Cummings, Ph.D. ‘93, G’93 appears on the NBC “Today” show to talk about the pope’s visit to the U.S. She made many live television appearances during Pope Francis’ visit.

The Commentator

A history professor covers the papal visit, live.

In February 2013, Pope Benedict resigned and, perhaps just as abruptly, Kathleen Sprows Cummings, Ph.D. ’93 G’93, director of Notre Dame’s Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism and vice-president elect of the American Catholic Historical Association, became a pundit.

“Those five weeks between the pope’s resignation and the conclave were huge,” said Dr. Cummings, who is also an associate professor of American studies and history at the University of Notre Dame. That time was momentous for the world, especially for Catholics like Dr. Cummings, but it was also “huge” for her career. She appeared on NBC’s live coverage of the conclave. “After the conclave, I thought, ‘This has all been a blast for me, but it’s over now. We have a pope.’ Then, of course, it wasn’t over.”

Good for Business Pope Francis, as Dr. Cummings likes to say, has been “really good for the business of Catholic history” and his election and THE SCRANTON JOURN A L

popularity led to even more work for her on major news programs.

Following the conclave, she appeared on NBC’s live coverage of the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII. (Her forthcoming book is called Citizen Saints: Catholics and Canonization in America.) Most recently, for NBC’s live coverage of the papal visit to the United States in September 2015, she broadcasted live from the rooftop over Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, and then traveled to Philadelphia. She was on air with Chris Matthews and Tamron Hall, and she appeared on the “Today” show.

She was (and is) quoted often in various print media about all things related to Catholic history, but there was something about doing live broadcasts for a major news network that surprised and excited her.

“Sometimes I think, ‘How did this history professor get to be on TV?’” she said with a laugh. “But I guess it does make sense. I see it as one giant classroom. As a professor, it’s my job to explain the com-

PROFILE: Kathleen Sprows Cummings, Ph.D. ’93 G’93

plexity of things. I can do that. On TV, it’s a little different because you have to boil something down to essentially a sound bite, but not dumb it down. You have to be intellectually responsible.”

After the white smoke appeared and news of Pope Francis’ election broke, Dr. Cummings was invited to talk about it on “Nightly News.” When Brian Williams asked for her reaction, she mentioned her Jesuit undergraduate education as a talking point.

“I felt an identification with Pope Francis right away because of that Scranton connection,” she said in a recent interview.

A Gateway to the World As a teenager, Cummings (then Sprows) was hesitant to leave her hometown of Aston, outside of Philadelphia. She grew up as part of a devout Catholic family that “always encouraged me to study and work hard,” and she wasn’t ready to venture too far from that unit.

“Scranton was only three hours away, but it might as well have been across the country as far as I was concerned,” she said. “Looking back, I think subconsciously I knew that it would be good for me to broaden my horizons by moving beyond the Philadelphia area. It may sound kind of silly to think of Scranton as a gateway to the world … but that’s what it was for me.”

Bernard McIlhenny, S.J., then-dean of Admissions, met Cummings as a prospective student. He helped her “weigh the pros and cons” of moving away to come to Scranton, and he personally offered her a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. “I was so impressed by her maturity and her ability to see the big picture,” he remembered.

She ultimately chose Scranton, where she was selected to the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program (SJLA), which, she said, “taught me to read and speak.” She completed the fouryear BA/MA history program and was encouraged by her professors to go on to graduate school. She chose to go to Notre Dame for her doctorate.

“It turned out to be the best place for me to study American religious history,” she said. She lived with a friend from the University in South Bend. “It was a way to bring a little bit of Scranton to Notre Dame.”

Broadening the Conversation Dr. Cummings continued to surprise herself by moving even farther away from Aston and far from Scranton, too. She did not think she would stay in Indiana, but she met her husband and had her children there. And she was drawn back to Notre Dame when she was given the opportunity to lead the Cushwa Center, which brings together scholars to “interpret the American Catholic experience.”

This is the perfect job for someone who not only trains scholars,

but tries to “get people to think differently about the church if they’re not Catholic, and think more deeply about Catholicism if they are.”

As a commentator on the news in the past several years, she has been able to address issues she is passionate about, with seven million viewers watching. One such issue? Getting more women into church leadership positions.

“Pope Francis said that it’s important to talk about women in the church, but he hasn’t said what he means by that. Why are only the ordained to be in leadership? Where is there a space for women?” she asked. “For Pope Francis, no subject is off the table, and everything can draw you closer to God. That’s a very positive way of thinking, and very Jesuit as well.”

Dr. Cummings receives an O’Hara Award in 2013. She is pictured here with University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J. See more photos at scranton.edu/scrantonjournal.

SPRING 2016

Athletics Men’s Soccer Makes Tourney Run

The men’s soccer team capped a banner 2015 season in the middle of November, as the team qualified for the NCAA Tournament and won a first-round match (2-0 over UMass-Boston), before bowing out in the second round to St. Lawrence (2-0). Overall, the Royals finished with an 11-7-2 overall mark. Scranton qualified for the NCAA Tournament after upsetting top-seeded Elizabethtown, 3-2, on Nov. 7 in the Landmark Conference Championship, winning the program’s first Landmark title since joining the conference in 2007. The conference crown was also Scranton’s first of any kind since a Middle Atlantic Conference title in 1985.

Martin Named Director of Athletics The University began a new era in athletics in August when Dave Martin was named director of Athletics.

Martin comes to the University after serving an 11-year tenure as director of athletics at Misericordia University in Dallas. He also spent 14 seasons there as head men’s basketball coach and served as associate director of athletics and coordinator of athletic recruiting.

“Dave brings with him more than two

THE SCRANTON JOURN A L

decades of experience as both a coach and director of athletics at a Catholic university in Division III,” said University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J. “His accomplishments speak for themselves, and we are excited that he will bring his experience and leadership to the team at Scranton, as we strive to serve, care for and develop our studentathletes in accordance with our mission as a Catholic and Jesuit university.”

2015 Athletics Royals Shine on Volleyball Court Ending its 2015 season in early November, the volleyball team ended up with a 25-12 overall mark. The Royals qualified for the Landmark Conference Semifinals for the third straight season. At the end of the year, the Royals placed two on the AllLandmark Conference first team — freshman Kristin Kirwan (left) and senior Stephanie Klug (right). Scranton senior Rachael Cisto was also honored for her work in the classroom, as she nabbed College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team honors.

Field Hockey Enjoys Success The field hockey team finished its 2015 campaign in early November with a 13-5 overall record. The Royals also qualified for the Landmark Conference Tournament for the fifth straight season. Scranton, which started the season off by winning its first nine matches, had three players selected to All-Landmark Conference Teams. Senior Jessica Pankey (above) was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team pick, while senior Krista Osborne and junior Elizabeth Yorey earned spots on the second team.

Lady Royals Welcome Woodruff The start of women’s basketball season at Scranton brought with it a leadership change in the Lady Royals’ program. Trevor Woodruff was hired to the head coaching position in late August. Woodruff came to The University of Scranton after a highly successful 11-year stint as the men’s basketball coach at Misericordia University in nearby Dallas. He led the Cougars to Freedom Conference championships and NCAA Division III Tournament berths in 2012 and 2015 and was named Freedom Conference Coach of the Year during both of those seasons.

SPRING 2016

2015 Athletics

Cross Country Teams Run to Solid Seasons The cross country teams had solid seasons, with the women finishing fourth and the men fifth at the Landmark Conference championships. Seniors Erika Sarno (left) and Corey Wasilnak (right) led both teams, finishing Nos. 17 and 16, respectively, at the conference championships.

Sarno finished the season as the Royals’ top runner in all seven events she competed in, while Wasilnak was the men’s team’s top finisher four times.

Thrilling Win Highlights Women’s Soccer Season The women’s soccer team reached the Landmark Conference championship for the sixth straight season and did so in thrilling fashion. The Royals defeated Elizabethtown in the semifinal, 1-0, at Fitzpatrick Field in double overtime, setting off a celebration that saw fans stream onto the field to join the team.

The Royals finished the season with 13-4-2 overall record. Five players earned all-conference honors — senior defender Jasmine Sconciafurno (right) was the Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team choice, junior midfielder Christina Akalski, junior forward Kelsey Bacon and junior goalkeeper Krissy Welsh were all first-team honorees, and senior forward Gianna Vitolo was a secondteam choice.

University to Induct Six Into Wall of Fame The six newest members of the University’s Athletics Wall of Fame were inducted in February, during a ceremony held between games of the men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader against Juniata in the Long Center. The Wall of Fame Class of 2015 includes: Daniel Amspacher ’80 (men’s soccer), Kathy Coleman ’81 (women’s tennis, women’s

basketball), Tom Hughes ’01 (men’s lacrosse, men’s basketball), Brian O’Donnell ’05 (men’s basketball), Sara (Suchoski) Carroll ’05 (women’s soccer) and Kristin Thomas ’06 (field hockey). The six newest members of the Wall of Fame bring the total number of inductees to 244 since the initial class in 1971.

Read more about the Wall of Fame at athletics.scranton.edu.

Dan Amspacher ’80 Men’s Soccer

Sara Suchoski Carroll ’05 Women’s Soccer

THE SCRANTON JOURN A L

Tom Hughes ’01 Men’s Basketball/ Men’s Lacrosse

Kathy Coleman O’Brien ’81 Women’s Basketball/ Women’s Tennis

Brian O’Donnell ’05 Men’s Basketball

Kristin Thomas ’06 Field Hockey

University Advancement

A World of Good Joanne Kelly and Bill Kelly Sr. lost their son, Bill Jr. ’93, during the September 11 attacks. That dark day caused unspeakable pain for their tight-knit family. But in the days and years that followed, many acts of kindness in response to the tragedy have proved to the Kellys that there is still a lot of goodness in the world.

“People are so wonderful. I can’t tell you how many people decided to do something so generous with money received in honor of their loved ones,” said Joanne. “It was miraculous how it brought out the best in so many.”

Billy, Joanne said, loved his time at Scranton. Because the University has had a large presence in the Kelly family’s lives over the years (three of his four sisters are also Royals), the family decided to honor Billy’s legacy with an endowed scholarship.

The William H. Kelly Jr. ’93 Scholarship is a need-based award for qualified students who display exceptional kindness, generosity of spirit and a genuine love of the outdoors, qualities Billy exemplified. While in discussions with the University, the family learned that some students who begin their education at Scranton struggle to finish due to financial circumstances that commonly reach a breaking point during a student’s junior or senior year.

“It was the perfect choice,” Joanne said of the scholarship. “I had three children in college at once. No one needs to tell me how hard that is.”

There have been 19 Kelly scholars since 2004. The Bill Kelly Jr. Memorial Golf Classic, which celebrates its 15th year this fall, has primarily helped to fund the ongoing effort. Kathleen “Casey” Hamilton ’85, Billy’s sister, said the golf tournament allows family and friends to come together to celebrate her brother’s “life and the lessons he continues to teach all of us every day.”

“It is our hope that the recipients of Billy’s scholarship value the thirst for knowledge that the Jesuits embody and impart in all of us, that they continue the kindness and generosity which others recognize in them and that they always treat their fellow man justly,” said Hamilton.

Anthony Faso, a junior occupational therapy major from Walden, New York, is able to continue to pursue his education thanks to the scholarship. “I feel humbled and very grateful for the act of generosity by the Kelly family,” he said. “I am proud to be chosen to uphold the values represented in this scholarship, and in the life of Billy Kelly Jr. Unfortunately, college is very expensive and, often, personal finances can get in the way. It is comforting to know that there are scholarships such as this that can help students like me.”

Student recipients are invited to attend the tournament and enjoy the day with the family. “I want everyone to see the student they are helping,” said Joanne. “It’s a fun day, but I really want everyone to see the fruits of their labor.”

To date, family and friends have raised more than $725,000 as a direct result of the Bill Kelly Jr. Memorial Golf Classic.

“The pain never goes away, but when we look at all of the good that has come out of it, it gives us peace,” said Joanne.

“Knowing all of the great things that are going on in our son’s name got us all through everything together.”

TOP: The 14th Annual Bill Kelly Jr. Memorial Golf Classic took place on Oct. 9, 2015. LEFT: At the 14th Annual Bill Kelly Jr. Memorial Golf Classic are, from left to right, Maureen Donegan, Joanne Kelly and Meigan Kelly Keane ’94. RIGHT: Bill Kelly Jr. ’93 (yearbook photo)

SPRING 2016

University Advancement

Presidential Scholars Receive a World of Opportunity Ralph Petagna Jr. ’16 of Robbinsville, New Jersey, remembers the day the envelope came.

Inside was the letter that changed everything.

On that day four years ago, Petagna was offered a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship to The University of Scranton, and financial concerns related to pursuing his dream of a college education were wiped away.

“It was incredible,” said Petagna, now an accounting major and member of the Business Leadership Honors Program.

“I remember being in the kitchen with my parents, who also went to Scranton, and we were all so excited. To see that I was recognized in this way was a really great feeling.”

More than 150 students have been honored with a Presidential Scholarship over the past 14 years, supported in great part by the generosity of members and benefactors of the University’s President’s Business Council (PBC). In addition to providing networking opportunities for students, alumni and friends, proceeds from the annual PBC Dinner support the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund, providing meritbased awards each year to students based on academic talent, leadership potential and character. The Annual Award Dinner has generated more than $12 million since its inception in 2001.

“When I was still deciding among a lot of schools, scholarships weighed heavily,” said recipient Krista Ziegler ’16 of Old Bethpage, New York, an exercise science major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

“The Presidential Scholarship opened my eyes to the benefit of a Scranton education. There are so many opportunities here, and I’m so grateful for what the University and the PBC have provided me.”

LEFT: PBC Presidential Scholars Ralph Petagna Jr. ’16 and Krista Ziegler ’16 kick off the dinner celebration. RIGHT: Senior Presidential Scholars attend the PBC 14th Annual Award Dinner.

THE SCRANTON JOURN A L

Recipients over the years have immersed themselves in the University community, becoming leaders in academic, athletic, social and service areas of student life.

“Student life is definitely at the heart of the school,” Ziegler said. “The amount of opportunities we have is mind-blowing.”

Both Ziegler and Petagna, who represented the current class of scholars at this year’s PBC award dinner, have elected to continue pursuing graduate programs in their respective fields at Scranton.

PBC member Frank Pearn ’83, P’16, said it is important to him to ensure that the Scranton community stays strong, and giving students the opportunity to attend and experience the University is a great way for him to do that. “So many people meet at Scranton, marry, and send their children there. Many also have aunts and uncles, and other relatives, who have attended the University. We all had such a great experience, and you feel that bond over the years. As you get older and have time and opportunities to give back, you want to make sure that feeling never goes away,” he said.

Pearn said students like Ziegler and Petagna show the profound impact of the work of the PBC and the generosity of its supporters.

“It is incredible to give those students the opportunity to attend the University on a full scholarship. It makes you feel really good — you can see how your money and your time directly pay off.”

Tom O’Brien ’86, P’19, past PBC chair, agreed. “It is really a phenomenal feeling,” he said. “One of the best parts is seeing those who attended the University now buying tickets to the award dinner years later. They are seeing the importance of being involved with the PBC after what it gave to them, and now they want to give back.”

For more photos visit scrantonpbc.shutterfly.com/pbcdinner, and to read more about how our Presidential Scholars are changing the world since graduating, visit scranton.edu/scrantonjournal.

Francis J. Pearn ’83, P’16, managing director and chief administrative officer of global compliance at JPMorgan Chase & Co., was awarded the 2015 President’s Medal at

University Advancement

The President’s Business Council 14th Annual Award Dinner Honors Francis J. Pearn ’83, P’16

the dinner. “It was a fantastic night. The positive comments I received from family and friends were amazing,” he said.

Pearn, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees from 2006-2015, served as vice chair of the Board and chair its finance committee. He has been an active member of the PBC since its inception in 2001, including serving as a Members of the Pearn family at this year’s event, from left to right: Matthew, Brian ’16, Frank ’83, P’16, Suzanne P’16, Jordan and Steven.

The PBC 14th Annual Award Dinner held last October at the Pierre Hotel in New York City had a student-centered focus, setting a new tone during the black-tie gala. The goal was to remind attendees of the importance of the work of the PBC and its ongoing impact on Scranton students.

Presidential Scholars Ralph Petagna Jr. and Krista Ziegler opened the evening with a light-hearted “day in the life at the University” video, which ended with the duo boarding a bus to New York and then strolling live through the ballroom, deep in conversation.

“They knocked it out of the park,” said Board of Trustee member and outgoing PBC chair Tom O’Brien ’86, P’19, who served as master of ceremonies during the dinner. “It really was a special evening.” At the end of the night, attendees stood to sing the University alma mater, another new twist. (For more information about the song’s history, see page 41.)

member of its executive committee and co-chairing the 2006 PBC Annual Award Dinner. He also served the University as an executive committee member of the Pride, Passion, Promise capital campaign. In 2008, the University recognized Pearn’s generous leadership and philanthropy with the naming of The Pearn Auditorium in Brennan Hall in honor of his late father, James F. Pearn.

Paul K. Stimpfl ’83, executive vice president at Wells Fargo Capital Finance in Santa Monica, California, and Kristen Sarisky Williams ’92, global head of campus recruiting at Blackstone in New York City, co-chaired the award dinner, which raised more than $1.1 million for the University’s Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund.

For information on becoming a PBC member, or to contribute to the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund, visit: scranton.edu/PBC.

Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J., H’98

Francis J. Dubas Jr. ’75 Global Managing Partner for Sovereign Financial Institutions Deloitte

President’s Business Council

Dean of Admissions Emeritus The University of Scranton

2016 HONOREES

SAVE THE DATE October 6, 2016 THE PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS COUNCIL 15TH ANNUAL AWARD DINNER

University Advancement

From Wall Street to the Hardwoods Joseph Vaszily ’95 On April 6, 2014, Joseph Vaszily ’95 stood on the court of Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, taking it all in: Twenty-two thousand screaming fans. All the cameras. The bright lights.

An NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four game — Stanford vs. Connecticut — was just moments away, and Vaszily was filled with excitement and pride. A referee for more than 20 years, Vaszily had officiated countless basketball games, and after years of hard work and moving up the ranks, he had finally reached the top of his profession.

“I definitely felt butterflies, but they were good butterflies,” he said. “I just remember processing that moment. This was the biggest stage of our sport, and to be on that stage was such a blessing and an honor.”

The scene that night in Nashville was quite a bit different from the day Vaszily was handed a whistle and asked to referee a Scranton intramural game as a senior. Enjoying the challenge, he later went on to officiate for CYO leagues to make some extra cash on the weekends. It was a fun second job, he thought, but not a career. He was on the business track.

“I thought coming out of school that accounting would be my trade, taking the path to partner, going that direction,” he said. “Basketball was just something fun on the side.”

For many years, the Westfield, New Jersey, resident juggled officiating jobs around a full-time career on Wall Street. His accounting career began at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. After that, he took on various leadership roles at JPMorgan until he joined Goldman Sachs and Company, serving as a vice president of the Fixed Income Sales/Trading Group.

Meanwhile, Vaszily was beginning to get noticed for his referee skills on the court. From the CYO leagues, he had progressed to officiating high school basketball, then college, starting in Division III and working his way up. He gravitated toward women’s basketball when he realized he could advance more quickly.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Vaszily explained.

“I was young and fit, and some people took a liking to me, and I didn’t fall completely on my face. I began to get noticed.”

Vaszily credits a flexible boss at Goldman who allowed him to travel during basketball season: a tough schedule that could find him in one city one night and another the next.

Despite a hectic schedule holding down two jobs, he also made it a priority to give back to Scranton, serving as a Trustee and member of the President’s Business Council and mentoring students.

“The University gave me so much,” he said. “The Jesuits had a profound influence on me: going to church on campus, celebrating in the community and hearing messages that were personal and real. It put me in the position where I had a great start to my career. I wanted to make sure to give back.”

By 2013, Vaszily was selected as an alternate referee for the Women’s Final Four. He likened getting the phone call to the excitement of opening the perfect gift on Christmas morning.

“It’s an exhilarating feeling,” he said. “I knew I wanted to work hard all season to get back there the next year.”

In 2014, he got the call again, and this time he would work the game. He flew his parents to Nashville to celebrate with him. Then, after another successful season, he was invited back to officiate during the Final Four in 2015. Vaszily is keeping his fingers crossed that he is selected for the championship game in 2016.

Vaszily left his career on Wall Street last year to focus on what was once a second job. “When you get to do something you love to do, and are compensated for it, it is a great feeling,” he said.

Still, being an official takes focus, fitness and skill.

“Every year, I get older, but the student-athletes stay the same age,” he said with a laugh. “So every year, I have to work a little harder to keep up with them. But what a privilege it is.”

Vaszily, second from left, before the Final Four game in 2015.

INSET: Vaszily is pictured with his colleagues at a game in late 2015.

The University of Scranton Early Learning Center, which opened in September at 528 Quincy Avenue in Scranton’s Hill Section, is the second University initiative that has received approval for Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit

Debra A. Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of Panuska College of Professional Studies, reads to children at the opening of the Early Learning Center in the former Madison School.

THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON

SAVE THE DATE

2016

Carlesimo Golf Tournament & Award Dinner

June 20, 2016 Saucon Valley Country Club scranton.edu/carlesimoaward

(EITC) from the Department of Community and Economic Development. The Early Learning Center qualified as an eligible pre-kindergarten scholarship organization.

The first to receive approval as an eligible educational improvement organization was the University of Success program, a pre-college program for disadvantaged and first-generation high school students.

Both programs represent special community outreach efforts that support the University’s Jesuit mission.

Qualified businesses can donate their tax-credit dollars directly to The University of Scranton to provide scholarships to pre-kindergarten students and support to high school students who dream of a college education. Please consider using your company’s tax-credit funding to support The University of Scranton.

For more information contact Meg Hambrose, director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, at margaret.hambrose@ scranton.edu or 570.941.4262.

University Advancement

Tax Credit Funding for Educational Organizations

Serving, Giving, Caring for Others...

IT’S THE ROYAL WAY

Royals are proud to be men and women for and with others. Share your inspirational Scranton photos and stories on social media using #Royals4Others.

scranton.edu/Royals4Others SPRING 2016

University Advancement

The Scranton Alumni Network Building a Stronger Scranton in Your Community

Several alumni board members gathered at the Presidential Christmas Reception in Washington D.C. Pictured, from left to right, are: Donald Castellucci ’14, P.J. Tabit ’10, Alumni Society President Martina Martin ’80, University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., Alumni Society president-elect Col. Rich Breen, USA Ret. ’77, University Trustee Teresa Schafer ’81 and John Cardone, M.D. ’82.

Sometimes, something as simple as a tiny logo on a baseball cap can serve as a reminder that you can find a little bit of Scranton almost anywhere you go. Other times, a sign of the University’s reach can be much more noticeable.

Years ago, Martina Martin ’80 was attending a service at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia, when a guest celebrating Mass made an unexpected reference to The University of Scranton. As a fellow alumnus, Martin decided to stay after the service to introduce herself, joining 13 other Scranton alumni who were standing in the receiving line for exactly the same reason. The parishioners discovered their shared connection that day.

“I think everyone has a story like that,” said Martin. “It shows you that no matter where you are, you can run into someone from the University. We’re really a global network, and that’s exciting.”

Nearly 49,000 strong, members of Scranton’s Alumni Society live throughout the United States and represent 52 countries. It’s a powerful network of graduates that can be tapped into for professional or social reasons — or both.

PJ Tabit ’10 saw his involvement in Scranton’s Alumni Society as a great way to make an unfamiliar place feel a little more like home. “I got involved first as a recent grad who moved to

Washington, D.C. Before I knew anyone in the city, among the first things I did was to reach out to Scranton grads — not only folks I knew on campus, but also those who graduated well before me,” he said. He now serves as the leader of The Scranton Club of Washington, D.C. and on the Alumni Society Advisory Board (ASAB).

At locations across the country, opportunities throughout the year include social, spiritual and networking events that draw a wide range of alumni. But involvement can also happen on a one-to-one basis.

Col. Richard H. Breen Jr. ’77, president-elect of the Alumni Society Advisory Board, met with a Scranton senior who was looking for career advice. He was able to open a few doors for her, and she ultimately landed a job at a marketing company. “It always feels good to be able to do something like that,” he said.

It’s this kind of active alumni community that bolsters the ongoing success of the University, said Christy Bric ’93. “My local alumni group spawned friendships, marriages, job opportunities and mentoring of younger alumni,” she said.

Involvement in the Alumni Society is a natural extension of 2001 graduate Patrick Morgan’s time on campus. “We are a connected community, and that might have started on campus but now it extends well beyond the Commons. We have so much to learn from each other and so much support we can give to each other.”

Morgan encourages alumni who perhaps haven’t been active in the Alumni Society to see firsthand what it has to offer.

Alumni enjoy an evening at the Presidential Reception at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey. Pictured, from left to right, are: Andy Dinnhaupt ’89, Joanna Gallagher ’90, Carole Dinnhaupt ’90 and Joe Hanlon ’90.

See more photos, read more about the Alumni Network and the ASAB, and learn how to get involved at scranton.edu/scrantonjournal.

THE SCRANTON JOURN A L

University Advancement

Half a Century Later, Still a ‘Treasure’ Robert P. Zelno ’66, G’77, P’99

Robert P. Zelno ’66, G’77, P’99, standing in the lobby of Leahy Hall.

A lot of things come and go in 50 years, but at Scranton, Bob Zelno’s presence has been a constant.

This June, the longtime staff member will be joined by his classmates for their 50th reunion celebration, exactly one half century after their graduation day. But when Zelno leads the 50-year class delegation into Commencement exercises the week before his reunion, it will be his last official act as a University employee.

After 34 years at Scranton, Zelno has announced his retirement.

“Bob is a Scranton institution and a treasure to be cherished,” said Gary Olsen, vice president of University Advancement. “He knows everyone, how they are connected to the University, and how they are connected to each other.” He has touched many people during his tenure at Scranton, always with care, grace and class.”

During his career, Zelno served under five University presidents and worked in conjunction with 13 consecutive presidents of the Alumni Society. An Air Force veteran who worked at the Pentagon and served in Vietnam, Zelno joined the University staff in 1982 as director of alumni relations and then went on to become the executive director of the Alumni Society. During more than 25 years in that

area, he oversaw the growth in the alumni population from 18,000 to 41,000. In 1991, Zelno was honored with the Frank J. O’Hara Award for University Service. In 2008, he assumed a post in the Advancement Office as regional director of development.

“So many of us who graduated in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s can attribute our lifelong connection to the University to Bob. He always remembered our names and celebrated our career changes, marriages and children’s births ... patiently waiting until the time was right to re-engage us,” said Martina Martin ’80, outgoing president of the Alumni Society. “Bob wrote the book on relationship building. He is a treasure.”

Though his role within the University will change, Zelno said he will still be an active member of the University community. Often concluding his written correspondence with the phrase “Alma Mater Ours Always,” Zelno said he does not anticipate being a stranger on campus or at alumni events in the years ahead.

“I am most grateful to witness the growth of our beloved University firsthand on a daily basis and to have crossed paths with countless fellow alumni and inspirational members of the Jesuit community,” said Zelno.

SPRING 2016

Behind the Scenes of the Alumni Society Advisory Board The Alumni Society Advisory Board (ASAB), made up of 24 dedicated men and women, sets direction, reviews progress and suggests a future course for the Alumni Society as a whole.

The Advisory Board has incorporated recent changes, including a name change that is more descriptive of the board’s mission and function, according to outgoing president Martina Martin ’80. The changes better represent the Society’s membership and reflect the group’s focus to more directly align with the goals and strategic plan of the University. This includes following the same yearly calendar and providing support for important action items while remaining Scranton ambassadors and encouraging participation within the Alumni Society.

“The greatest successes of both the board and the school are to be co-aligned with the strategic plan,” said Col. Richard H. Breen Jr. ’77, who will take on the role of president this year when Martin’s term ends in May 2016. “We would have a bunch of ideas, but as a volunteer organization, we can’t always make things happen. By being aligned with the

The Bottom Line

strategic plan, we, the alumni and parent engagement office and the University can all move on the same path with greater synergy.”

Alumni Board member and president-elect David Blake, Ph.D., J.D. ’69 had nothing but praise for Martin and how she shepherded everyone involved through the changes.

“Martina has been brilliant in pursuing her vision, with attention to how everyone felt during the process.”

Increased participation at events, both on and off campus, service and alumni giving are focuses of the ASAB. It is important that alumni recognize and perceive the value of a continued connection with Scranton. And a 100 percent giving participation from all members of the board has shown its commitment to the effort.

“The leadership of the Alumni Society is a critical component of our overall plan to strengthen engagement of our alumni, parents and friends,” said Gary Olsen, vice president of Institutional Advancement. “These extraordinary individuals are among the University’s best ambassadors and work closely with our University Advancement staff.”

continued from page 20

McGowan said that it is this personal attention at events such as FAL-Con, this “showing up,” that makes the University’s Accounting Department unique. “In this environment, where a lot of institutions are seeing declining enrollment, you have to be proactive in getting more than your fair share of the best students,” said McGowan.

According to several students who attended this year’s FAL-Con, the ADPAC’s efforts paid off. One such student is Linda Ortega, a senior at Lehigh Valley Academy in Bethlehem. “By attending this conference, I was not only able to develop my knowledge in accounting, but also get a view of how the students and faculty work here at Scranton,” she said. “It really just made me want to come here more.”

’78, a partner at Baker Tilly Virchow Krause.

Both of Aldcowski’s children chose to major in accounting at Scranton, so giving his time to the University — and to the Accounting Department in particular — is important to him, something he “needs and relishes.” He is deeply committed to helping the Accounting Department and its students succeed.

“I have a bias toward public accounting,” said Aldcowski.

“But I often tell my children, ‘Wherever the path of life takes you, whether public accounting, private accounting or elsewhere in the business world, you will always be wellserved by the high quality education you received from The University of Scranton’s accounting program.’”

A Common Bond The ADPAC includes alumni in both the public and private sector, as well as faculty members and administrators.

They come from competing firms, industries and diverse set of companies. On the council, they are divided into smaller teams, which are based on interests and experience, to work on specific initiatives and goals. Overall, however, they all have at least one thing in common.

“It’s a unanimous feeling and consensus among the ADPAC that the success that we’ve experienced in our individual careers is highly attributable to the quality of education, training and values that the University and the Jesuit program instilled within us,” said Joseph Aldcowski

Linda McGowan ’80, a partner at PwC, a member of the ADPAC

THE SCRANTON JOURN A L

Class notes included in this edition were submitted prior to Dec. 16.

To submit your own news or see additional class notes, visit scranton.edu/classnotes.

Milestones Finley Martin ’63, Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island, Canada, recently published his fourth book and second novel. It is a crime fiction mystery titled The Dead Letter.

Dominic Ingraffea ’67, Ringwood, New Jersey, was recently honored by the Ringwood, New Jersey Borough Council in recognition for his more than 40 years of volunteer service on the Ringwood Ambulance Corps as an EMT. During this time, Ingraffea has volunteered thousands of hours, answered hundreds of emergency calls, has held every elected office in the Corps and served on numerous committees. He has instructed and mentored members of the organization and residents of Ringwood.

Gerald Luchansky ’68, Olyphant, won another four-year term on the board of directors of the Mid-Valley School District during the recent general election in November.

Joseph Cimini ’70, Dunmore, received the Alan Sweeney Volunteer of the Year Award from the Lackawanna Historical Society.

Joseph O’Laughlin, D.O. ’71, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, was recently honored for 35 years of service to McClaren Macomb Regional Medical Center in Mount Clemens, Michigan, including 12 years as chief of Gastroenterology.

Kevin Kiley, M.D. ’72, Slingerlands, New York, was promoted to professor and serves as the chairman of OBGYN at Albany Medical College. Dr. Kiley received the Luella Klein Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in May 2015 at the annual national meeting.

Rudy DiGilio ’76, Washington, New Jersey, recently completed a self-supported bicycle trip from Camden, Maine, to Washington, New Jersey, with a friend.

Dennis Size ’76, Little Neck, New York, vice president of the Lighting Design Group, went to Rome to set up the one-on-one position in the Papal meeting room of the Vatican for an ABC special town meeting with Pope Francis in which His Holiness answered questions live and on camera from people in three U.S. cities. David Muir, of ABC’s “World News Tonight,” conducted an interview with Pope Francis, and the ABC News team gathered around Pope Francis for a photo, after which he shook hands and blessed the group.

Stephen Yokimishyn ’76, Dallas, recently retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development after 25 years of service with the governor’s Action Team. He served six Pennsylvania governors during his tenure.

ClassNotes

Names in Gold indicate alumnus/alumna is celebrating his/her reunion year.

A Song of Pride

Kathleen Fisher, Ph.D.’80 remembers penning the lyrics to Scranton’s alma mater as a student.

Like many devoted Royals, Dr. Kathleen Fisher’s heart swells with pride and joy when she hears the University’s alma mater performed. But she admits she can also add astonishment, and perhaps even a little disbelief, to her list of feelings.

That’s because in the summer of 1979, Fisher’s senior year, her mentor, the From the 1980 Windhover yearbook: “Senior late Edward Gannon, S.J., asked her to philosophy/theology major Kathy Fisher and Rev. compose the lyrics to Scranton’s official Edward Gannon, S.J. Together they have written an alma mater, she the lyrics and he the melody. The anthem. Nearly 37 years later, she said, the entire University community owes them a thank you idea that it actually happened seems so for a song that will stir our spirits now and bring back fond memories in the years to come.” improbable.

“Fr. Gannon was a legend on campus, and he was so important to me. He did so much to involve students, and this was one of those things,” she remembered. “At some point, he decided we needed an alma mater that people could actually sing. The one we had only got dusted off once in a while, and people didn’t know it. He wanted that to change.”

As a student, Fisher sang and played guitar in Coffeehouses, a weekly event on campus, but she did not consider herself a songwriter, preferring to perform other people’s songs.

“He came to me and said, ‘I want you to write this,’ and I thought, ‘You must be crazy,’” said Dr. Fisher. “By age 20 or 21, I had heard several alma maters and was familiar with the lofty language. I thought there was no way I could do that.”

But Gannon persisted.

Flattered and nervous, Fisher said she would give it a try. Over the course of a few days, she drafted lyrics to a melody that Gannon had created. Instead of going the traditional, “lofty” route, she wrote from her heart and personal experience as a student in transition, looking both behind her and toward the future as she was preparing to graduate.

Gannon changed the last two lines of Fisher’s draft and said it was ready to go. From there, he made a point to incorporate a performance of the new alma mater whenever possible, so the Scranton community could get to know it well.

Dr. Fisher, who now lives in Worcester, Massachusetts, and is an associate professor of theology at Assumption College, said she doesn’t remember exactly what she was feeling when she first heard Scranton’s new alma mater performed, but she knows it was thrilling.

“I don’t think it sank in at first, but hearing it over the years as I get older, I am more and more astounded,” she said. “I hope that then — and now — it resonates with students and alumni and says something meaningful. I am so honored that this has become a part of University life. ” The lyrics Fisher and Gannon wrote are printed below: The hours too quickly slip away And mingle into years, But memories of our Scranton days will last Whatever next appears.

The legacy from those before Is briefly ours to hold,

We leave the best behind for others As the coming years unfold.

With faith in lives that touch us here And paths that ours have crossed,

We know that reaching for the rising sun Is surely worth the cost.

May God be ever at our side, May goodness fill our days, We hail as loving sons and daughters Alma Mater ours always.

SPRING 2016

Class Notes

Milestones continued Christine Meholic ’80, Lake Ariel, has been named the director of Project Planning and Institutional Effectiveness at The Commonwealth Medical College.

Nancy Edmunds ’82, Archbald, was this year’s recipient of the Harold Miller Award presented by the Lackawanna Bar Association for outstanding service to the courts and the community.

Edward Sitar ’82, Mahwah, New Jersey, CFO for Cancer Genetics, Inc., was named the winner in the Public Company category for the 2015 NJBIZ CFO of the Year awards program.

Harry Lennon ’83, Round Top, New York, has been re-elected to his fourth term on the Greene County, New York, Legislature, where he serves as minority leader.

Several members of the Class of 1967 got together in 2015 (they celebrated their 70th birthdays this year). Left to right: Lou Orlando, Skip Minakowski, Pete Lally, Tom Myles and Joe Leary.

Colette Mazzucelli, Ph.D. ’83, Brooklyn, New York, has an article featured in The Huffington Post’s The WorldPost: “The Syrian Refugee Exodus Needs a Civil Society Response.” Also, an international relations course taught for undergraduates at LIU Global by Professor Mazzucelli is mentioned in a recent New York Times article, “Extreme Study Abroad: The World Is Their Campus.”

Marion Munley, Esq. ’83, Moosic, a partner at Munley Law, was recently elected secretary of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Trucking Litigation Group at the AAJ annual convention in Montreal, Canada. The Trucking Litigation Group provides its members with tools and resources to successfully litigate trucking cases and to remain abreast of important developments in trucking laws.

Atty. Munley was also named first vice chair of the AAJ Women Trial Lawyers Caucus, serves on the AAJ publications and retirement committees and is an at-large governor on its board of governors.

Jeaneen Andrews-Feldman ’84, Alexandria, Virginia, has joined the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as the chief marketing officer. Previously, she was senior vice president of Marketing at Merkle Inc. At SHRM she is a member of the executive leadership team for the Virginia-based professional membership association.

Thomas J. Grech ’84, Malverne, New York, joined the Queens Chamber of Commerce as executive director. Queens County is the most diverse county in the U.S., among 3,120 counties. The Chamber seeks to assist its members by fostering economic growth and prosperity in the Queens business community and offers a strategic, hands-on approach for each of its members.

Kevin Kucharski ’85, Hampton, New Jersey, senior vice president of Clinical Operations at Achillion Pharmaceuticals, was named as one of the PharmaVOICE 100’s “most inspiring people in the research industry” for 2015.

Some of the bands, choirs, and strings alumni in attendance at Noel Night on Saturday, Dec. 5 were: Andrew Price ’15, Matt Fava ’15, Cathy Gavigan Seymour ’90, John P Fraunces Jr. ’92, Lynn King Andres ’89, Tom Cipriano ’98, Jessica Cranmer ’15, Tiff Crispell-Walsh ’03, Doug Jones ’10, Chris Samuels ’08, Blake Lucas ’15, Suzanne Tomitz ’14, Amanda Blorstad ’08, Allison Martyn ’08, Kyle Gleaves ’14, Susan Cook ’00, Bill McInerney ’90, Shawn Kenney ’14, Nicole Linko ’12, Connie K. Wall ’15, Maggie Boga G’10, Cheryl Boga, director of Performance Music, Amber Rugletic ’06, Linda Sweeney ’89, Matt Stokesbury ’15, Nicole Dice ’15, Michael Yasich ’89, Deirdre Sullivan ’15, Emily O’Connor ’15 and Tara Fueshko ’06.

THE SCRANTON JOURNA L

Judee Bavaria G’72 (right), member of the University’s Board of Trustees, in front of Judee’s parish, Old St. Joseph’s, Philadelphia. Beside Bavaria is her new pastor, Philip Florio, S.J., who used to work at the University, Will Dennis ’05, his fiancée, Danielle, and, at left, Jim Moore ’71. Moore also worked at the University for a few years.

John Miller G’85, Fairfield, Iowa, was hired as a retired and senior volunteer program coordinator under United Way sponsorship for Jefferson County, Iowa. Miller recruits volunteers and arranges workstations for them with county nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity. He also has begun volunteering with the Institute for Asian and American Studies in Fairfield, helping develop and present PowerPoints on American cultural perspectives.

Michele Polny Smith ’86, Wapwallopen, recently passed the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certification exam in Sports Physical Therapy. By doing so, she has earned the designation Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy.

Nadine Panfiel Bauman ’87, Island Heights, New Jersey, was promoted to the rank of sergeant at the Ocean County Prosecutors Office in Toms River, New Jersey. She is assigned to the Special Investigations/Corruption/Internal Affairs Bureau.

Jeffrey P. Utz, M.D. ‘87, Brooklyn, New York, is a science teacher at K233, The Montauk, in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to teaching sixth-, seventh- and eight-grade science, Dr. Utz coaches the chess team, after-school robotics and is a mentor in the Academy for Boys and Career Development, a program that helps at-risk boys stay on track. He is also a mentor at the Children of Promise, an organization that helps youths who have at least one parent who has been or is incarcerated. Dr. Utz is a Common Core Science Fellow, helping to revise the NYC Department of Education’s Scope and Sequence in earth science. During the summers, he is an instructor for the Center for Talented Youth of Johns Hopkins University, most recently teaching fifth- and sixth-graders about forensic science at its Chestertown, Maryland site at Washington College. He has also taught at CTY’s New York City site and taught high school students epidemiology at the CTY Princeton site at Princeton University.

Class Notes

Jack Strain ’90, Clarks Summit, had the second volume of his World in Flames Trilogy, Truman’s War, published on Amazon, where within three weeks it rose to No. 6 in the Alternative History fiction category. The first volume, Stalin’s War, was published in June 2014 and was on Amazon’s Top 100 list for Alternative History for nearly six months.

Lisa Burdziejko ’91, Wilmington, Delaware, has spent the past 24 years working in law enforcement and social work. Currently, she is a full-time social worker with Delaware’s Department of Justice Sex Crimes Unit, as well as an author. Her latest book, Kissing Frogs, is a modern-day fractured fairy tale.

Brian Dalton ’92, Lafayette Hill, has been appointed to the board of directors of The Timothy School (educating children with autism for 50 years).

Joanna Prokosch Zucker ’92, Scottsdale, Arizona, is vice president of Services (grooming, hotels and training) for PetSmart.

Brian Mayo ’94, Wayne, joined RELX Group (Reed Elsevier) in the Clinical Solutions business area as director for Mobile Engineering and Architecture, delivering mobile solutions to clinical customers.

Joseph McComb ’94, Broomall, graduated with his MBA degree from Villanova University.

Cory Donovan ’96, Haddon Township, New Jersey, recently launched FurAlert, a free mobile app that acts like Amber Alert for missing pets. This app will notify people nearby about your missing pet so they can help you quickly reunite. Learn more at FurAlert.us.

Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Grabo, M.D. ’98, Arcadia, California, a trauma surgeon and chief of trauma for the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit, recently received the Romanian Medal of Honor for his actions in early 2015 while helping save many lives of Romanian soldiers who were injured by an improvised explosive device that was suddenly detonated.

Dennis Size ’76 (directly left, behind the pope), vice president of The Lighting Design Group, designed the lighting for ABC News’ special Town Meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican in September 2015.

Lorene Janowski, DPS ’00, New York, New York, is an advanced clinician, occupational therapist who specializes in pediatrics at The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

After completing her clinical doctorate at New York University (NYU), she worked as an adjunct professor in the master’s level Occupational Therapy (OT) program. She now teaches the pediatric lab section of NYU’s OT program.

Phillip Snyder ’00, Mechanicsburg, has been promoted to general manager, The Home DepotCrown Bolt Division DC20 in Carlisle.

Krista Mancini Swetz ’01, Crofton, Maryland, received Specialty Certification in School System Practice from the American Occupational Therapy Association in July 2014.

Suzanne Messina Messer ’01, Cicero, New York, an associate with Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, has been recognized in the 2015 Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in the field of general litigation.

SAY YES TO THE

SCHOLARSHIPS. SERVICE. STUDENT LIFE.

Every Little Bit Helps ScrAnTON Scranton.edu/makeagift

#Royals4Others

Jonathan Rohl ’01, Long Island City, New York, and Ricardo Urbina ’01, Redwood City, California, competed in the Kona Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October 2015. This is the most elite endurance sport in the world, with 2,000 competitors participating in the 140.6-mile journey.

William Slovinsky, Ph.D. ’02, Philadelphia, has defended his doctoral thesis and earned his doctorate in engineering from Temple University. Dr. Slovinsky is a postdoctoral researcher at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals.

Stephanie Longo ’03, Scranton, was recently hired as the director of Marketing and Communications at the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

Susan Chrusciel ’04, Chatham, New Jersey, was recently appointed as District 83 Area 22 director for 2015-2016 by Toastmasters International.

Gina Mediago Desch ’05, Caldwell, New Jersey, was promoted to manager of Metals Operations at Charter Brokerage, LLC in Manhattan. Desch now oversees international imports and domestic exports of all metal commodities.

Katherine Prizeman ’08, Forest Hills, New York, received one of the 100 Magis Medals from the Jesuit Honor Society Alpha Sigma Nu for 100 members who exemplify Jesuit values.

Stephanie Tantum ’08, Langhorne, accepted a position as digital marketing campaign manager for HighPoint Solutions, an IT consulting firm catering to health care and life science organizations.

John Major ’10, Scranton, finished his seventh marathon on Oct. 11, in 4:43:52. He placed 1,721 out of almost 3,000 registered runners.

Scott Melideo, Ph.D. ’10, Norristown, earned his doctorate in biochemistry from Drexel University College of Medicine.

SPRING 2016

Class Notes

Joseph Fulginiti ’11, Mount Ephraim, New Jersey, graduated from Thomas Jefferson University with a doctorate in pharmacy in May 2015. He was accepted into a post-doctoral fellowship program at Acorda Therapeutics in Ardsley, New York. He is also pursuing his MBA in the business program at Rutgers University.

Michael Casari Jr. ’12, Hazleton, graduated from Widener University School of Law in May 2015 and is licensed to practice law after passing the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bar examinations. Casari is employed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania as a judicial law clerk for The Honorable Correale F. Stevens.

Holly Pilcavage ’12, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, gave a TEDx Talk in Akron, Ohio in September 2015.

Joseph Scotchlas G’12, Largo, Florida, was recognized at the Florida Hospital Association’s annual meeting with the ACHE Early Career

Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award. Scotchlas is the administrator for the Department of Medicine at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.

Paul McElhenny G’14, Altoona, was recently promoted to the position of logistics manager for North America at Gardner Denver.

Dominica Bianconi ’15, Scott Township, has dedicated a year of service to the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at St. Aloysius School in New York, New York.

Maria Cleary ’15, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, has dedicated a year of service to the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco, California.

Stephen DeChiaro ’13, Cranford, New Jersey, has embarked on a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest at Recovery Café in Seattle, Washington.

Harrison Wolff ’13, Clarks Summit, has been named among the top 20 under 40 by Northeast

Pennsylvania Business Journal. Wolff is the co-owner of Raise the Bar Training and Performance in Scranton.

Corrine DiGiovine ’15, Old Forge, has dedicated a year of service to the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest at Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis in Anchorage, Alaska.

Michael Morris ’15, Lansdowne, has embarked on a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at St. Matthew Catholic School in Phoenix, Arizona.

Olivia Pappas ’15, Drexel Hill, has begun fulltime service with Jesuit Volunteer Corps at the Red Sox Foundation and MassGeneral Hospital Home Base Program in Boston.

Janis Segura ’15, Red Bank, New Jersey, has dedicated a year of service to the Jesuit Volunteer Corps at Caroline House in Bridgeport, Wisconsin.

Robert Owens ’81 to David Noble

Amanda Szewczyk ’07 to Franco Forgione

Kathleen Gruffi ’09 to Ben Baksic

Kenneth Melewski ’90 to Vanica Eldridge

Alexandra Mickler ’08 to Patrick Auth

Joan Miller ’10 to Michael McDermott ’10

Kristen Loudenslager ’96 to Chuck Costello

Thomas Churilla, M.D. ’09 to Tara Gramigna,

Marriages

Erin Jennings G’05 to Andrew Cody

D.O. ’11

Jack Muldoon ’10 to Katie Rossi ’10 Kristina Smith ’10 to Thomas Kash ’10

Russell Preno III ’05 to Laurie Donovan

William Colona ’08 to Ashley Miller ’09

Carrie Inkrott ’06 to Kevin Brewster

Greg Devlin ’08 to Meghan Driscoll

Kayla Coady ’12, G’13 to Justin Chirdon

Joseph McGuire ’06 to Christina D’Amato ’07

Colleen Crennan ’09 to Jonathan Perina ’09

Mary Steppacher ’13 to Anthony Jorgensen

Carrie Inkrott ’06 married Kevin Brewster on Sept. 5, 2015, in Philadelphia.

Alumni in attendance included: Dayna (Steele) Tann ’06; Danielle (Tartaglia) Centalonza ’06; Lauren Gobbo ’06; David Ganley ’06; Matthew Casperson ’06; Ashley (Paxson) Hennessey ’06; Jessica Phillippy ’06; Chrissy (Cornwall) Casperson ’06; Polly Fino ’06; Matthew Joseph ’06; Megan (Murphy) Ambrose ’06; Michelle (Jastrzemski) Ganley ’06; Megan (Diamond) Duscher ’06; Lori (Sledziewski) Eckert ’06 and John Gownley ’06.

THE SCRANTON JOUR NA L

Thomas Churilla, M.D. ’09 and Tara Gramigna, D.O. ’11 were married on The University of Scranton campus at Madonna Della Strada Chapel. They unexpectedly ran into a couple of students who asked if they and their a capella group could sing the newly married couple a song. They sang “Red is the Rose.”

“Despite their busy schedules and pending finals week, they took time out of their study day to give us a gift that we will cherish forever. To these men: we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You reminded us of how incredibly proud we are to be University of Scranton alumni,” wrote Thomas and Tara in a recent note to The Scranton Journal.

Read the story at scranton.edu/scrantonjournal.

Class Notes William Colona ’08 married Ashley Miller ’09. From left to right: G. Kyle Johnson ’08; Corey Henfling G’06; Christopher Jennings ’08; Jessica Martin ’09; Ashley Miller Colona ’09; William Colona ’08; Erin Nolan ’09; Jennifer Reed ’08; Joseph Yourkavitch ’08 and Kaitlyn Yourkavitch ’09, G’11.

Erin Jennings G’05 married Andrew Somers Cody on July 18, 2015, in Binghamton, New York. In attendance were: Kristi Klien, who works at the University, and her husband, Dave; Betty Rozelle of Scranton’s Career Services and her husband, Warren and Jaclyn (Fellman) Deem ’04 and her husband, Robert.

Joseph P McGuire III ’06 married Christina A. D’Amato ’07. They had many Scranton alumni in attendance and in their wedding party.

Greg ’08 and Meghan Devlin’s wedding. Back row: John ’08 and Jess Angelo ’08, Ed ’08; Elaina Raum ’08; Tara Abdalla ’08; Cait ’08 and Sean Rose ’06. Middle row: Greg Kershaw ’08; Kevin Meyer ’08 and Jeff Blair ’08. Front row: Lindsay Webby ’08; Diana Sorbera ’08; Nicole Maccariello ’08; Kaitlin Besko ’08; Elyse Kluber ’08; Lynn Paz ’08; John Gownley ’06; Matt Cary ’08 and Eric Mallack ’08. Sitting on the couch: Greg ’08 and Meghan Devlin.

Caroline Crennan ’09 and Jonathan Perina ’09 were married on Aug. 8, 2015, in Westport, Connecticut.

Kathleen Gruffi ’09 was married to Ben Baksic on July 18, 2015, in Pearl River, New York. Pictured (from left to right) are: Danielle Bruzzese ’09; Madelyn Vale ’09; Kathleen Baksic (Gruffi) ’09; William Sulzer ’92; Jessica Engler (Podolak) ’09; Amanda LaCorte ’09 and Elizabeth Gruffi ’06.

Michael McDermott married Joan Miller on June 27, 2015, in Ambler, Pennsylvania. They were married at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with a reception following at Talamore Country Club. Pictured here (from left to right) are: Michael McDermott ’71; Kate Clark ’10; Mary Desmaris ’10; Joan Miller McDermott ’10 and Michael McDermott ’10.

Alexandra Mickler ’08 of Hoboken married Patrick Auth on Oct. 31, 2015.

S PRING 2016

Class Notes Jack Muldoon married Katie Rossi ’10.

Kayla Coady ‘12, G’13 married Justin Chirdon on July 25, 2015, in New Jersey.

Kristina Smith ’10 and Thomas Kash ’10, who began dating their sophomore year, were married on Oct. 10, 2015, at Sacred Heart Church, in Monroe, New York. Several other alumni were present to celebrate including: Top row (left to right): Michael Guenther ’10; Tara Lynch ’10; Justin Lindenmayer ’10; Emily Riedel ’10 and Julie Gallagher ’10. Bottom row (left to right): Joe Williams ’11; Kevin DiGiulio ’10; Alexandra Valentino ’11; Nicholas DeBari ’10; Adam Finch ’10; Katie Ambrose ’10; Elizabeth Kane ’10; Brian Kelly ‘10; Erini Zakhra ’10; Nicole Hamm ’10; Jackie Busch ’10; Ashley Poon ‘10; Daniel Lutz ’11; Katie Bevacqua ’10; Annie Crosby ’10; Michael Kuncio ’10 and Nicole Cruciani ’10.

COME HOME, CELEBRATE THE PAST & CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUTURE JUNE 3-5, 2016

Then... Now... Always...

Where will you be June 3-5?

Make plans to join your class back on campus for your reunion. Registration will open in early March 2016.

The Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement • alumni@scranton.edu • scranton.edu/makeagift

Class Notes

Births A son, Samuel Alexander Matthew, to Paula and Steven Shive ’85, Bethlehem

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3

4

5

6

7

8

9

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A daughter, Amelia Marie, to Justin ’95 and Angela Nole Sulla ’95, Roaring Brook Township A daughter, Lucy Rose, to Jenna and Matthew DeNinno ’00, Massapequa Park, New York A son, Tobias John, to Brian ’02, G’05 and Sharon Canale Eltz ’02, Millersville A daughter, Savannah Renee, to Matthew and Victoria Swift Mound ’02, Stirling, New Jersey A daughter, Blake Alexandra, to Jenni and Brian Higgens ’03, Collegeville A daughter, Koah Rori, to Hayley and Pete Kashinsky ’04, Lake Forest, California Twin sons, Wes Jameson and Donovan Michael, to Jim and Tiffany McDermott Swinarski ’05, East Windsor, New Jersey A daughter, Ella Marie, to Daniel and Nancy Duda Leet ’06, G’07, White Plains, New York A son, Joseph IV, to Joseph ’06 and Christina D’Amato McGuire ’07, Pittston Township A daughter, Audrey Marie, to Joseph ’08 and Kaitlyn O’Connor Yourkavitch ’09, G’11, Reading A daughter, Anna, to Christopher and Maria Kern Haggerty ’09, Old Forge A son, Xavier Jude, to Michael ’11 and Elizabeth Lukowicz Sunkel ’11, Bordentown, New Jersey

Pictured Right: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Amelia Marie Sulla Lucy Rose DeNinno Tobias John Eltz Savannah Renee Mound Koah Rori Kashinksy Ella Marie Leet Joseph IV McGuire Audrey Marie Yourkavitch Anna Haggerty Xavier Jude Sunkel SPRING 2016

Class Notes

“May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Eternal rest grant unto them, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.”

In Memoriam Albert F. Clark ’39, Pittston Leo P. Hennigan, M.D. ’43, Chevy Chase, Maryland Samuel J. Gelso ’46, Pittston John J. Clarke, Ph.D. ’48, Columbus, Ohio Harry E. Smith ’48, Fort Myers, Florida William G. Crotti Sr. ’49, Wayne William J. Felins ’49, Scranton Stephen Pisko ’49, Gouldsboro Edward M. Wildes, Jr. ’50, Wilkes Barre Township Thomas P. Kelly ’51, Placentia, California Charles M. Lombardo ’51, Conklin, New York Donald A. Betterly ’53, Ambler John J. Michalski ’54, Linden, New Jersey John Winger ’54, Scranton Albert M. Zelna, M.D. ’54, Frederick, Maryland John G. Padden ’55, Louisville, Kentucky John T. Quigg ’55, Montrose Thomas J. Walsh, Jr. ’56, Wilmington, Delaware Robert J. von Ahnen ’57, Forest City Frederick W. Malloy ’57, Pinehurst, North Carolina

John J. Nallin, Sr. ’58, Clarks Summit Victor J. Nardone ’58, Plains Township Joseph M. Joyce ’59, Scranton MG Daniel J. O’Neill, USA, Ret. ’59, Honesdale Charles P. Bennett ’60, G’74, Clarks Summit George M. Cavanaugh ’60, Duryea Edmund M. Gromelski ’60, Duryea James J. Harrison ’60, Mahwah, New Jersey Thomas G. Seibert ’60, Clearwater, Florida Richard L. Watkins ’62, South Abington Township Vincent J. Gross ’63, G’67, West Palm Beach, Florida Charles W. Horvath, Jr. ’64, Dalton Frank W. Connolly, Ph.D. ’64, Silver Spring, Maryland Anthony J. Matala ’64, Hummelstown Gerard J. Durkin ’65, G’67, Greentown Stanley J. Lukowski ’66, Throop John J. McGowan ’66, Wilkes-Barre Michael Fetch ’67, Red Lion Peter M. Biasi ’69, Yorktown, Virginia Ronald D. Gress ’69, Gainesville, Georgia James M. Hovan ’69, Forty Fort

George P. Heffernan, Jr. G’71, Kingston Ronald D. Sampiero ’71, Wilkes-Barre Armand V. Zangardi ’71, Dunmore Rev. Keith L. Evans ’73, Berwick Myrna L. Schaefer G’73, Hughestown Elizabeth Semenza Summa G’74, New Orleans, Louisiana Paul M. Jennings ’76, Scranton Mildred Warwick G’76, Honesdale David Beynon ’77, Lake Sheridan Arthur Burnside ’78, Clarks Summit Judy M. Zukoski ’78, Barnesville Robert Harris ’81, Olyphant Robert E. McGoff G’81, Scranton Harry J. McGuckin ’81, Lambertville, New Jersey Michele A. Ocheltree ’82, Exton David N. Revta ’83, Dunmore Sr. M. Adrian Barrett, IHM H’86, Scranton Susan Oschal Mongrandi ’95, Horsham Chad J. Gretzula, D.M.D. ’99, Malvern Steven A. Azaravich, M.D. ’06, Pittston Francis X. Smith ’06, Harriman, New York Sean J. Farley ’16, Waverly

In Memoriam Friends & Family Florence Barrett, grandmother of DeAnna Clause McGrane ’97 and Angela Clause Kashuba ’04 Mara Brown, daughter of Earl Bechtold ’64 Mary Burns, mother of John R. Burns, Ed.D. ’69 Michael DeSanto, father of Jerome DeSanto ’75 John Dodge, husband of Dena Cirlincione Dodge ’93 Joseph Grzywacz, father of Gary Grzywacz ’84 and grandfather of Corey Wasilchak ’16

Judie Harding, wife of Thomas T. Harding ’60 John Holmes, brother of George Holmes, Ph.D. ’61 Linda Karkovack, wife of Joseph Karkovack ’80 James Kompany, father of Karen Kompany Marti ’84, Rosemary Kompany Rutman ’86 and James Kompany ’95, grandfather of Vincent Marti ’17

Filemon Montierde Jr., father of Garner Montierde ’98 Joseph Neri, father of Joseph Neri, D.O. ’84 and grandfather of Kara Neri ’14 George Seig, father of George Seig ’93 John Shepulski, father of Jay Shepulski ’98 Frank Sylvester, brother of Robert Sylvester ’58 Joan Wright, mother of Joseph Wright ’77

We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your class notes, photos, address changes and feedback.

There are four easy ways to reach us: ONLINE: scranton.edu/BeEngaged E-MAIL: alumni@scranton.edu FAX: 570.941.4097 STANDARD MAIL: The Scranton Journal, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510 Class Notes Publication Policy: The University of Scranton accepts submissions of news of professional achievements or personal milestones for inclusion in the Class Notes section of The Scranton Journal. Submissions can be submitted electronically to alumni@scranton.edu or by mail to Marge Gleason, Class Notes Editor, University of Scranton, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510.

Digital photos should be 300dpi, JPG or TIFF format and at least 3x5 inches. The University of Scranton reserves complete editorial rights to all content submitted for Class Notes, and posts and publishes listings in as timely a fashion as possible, as space permits. Reasonable steps are taken to verify the accuracy of the information submitted, but the University cannot guarantee the accuracy of all submissions. Publication of achievements or milestones does not constitute endorsement by The University of Scranton.

The University of Scranton is committed to providing a safe and nondiscriminatory employment and educational environment. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other status protected by law. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or in the context of employment. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination and sexual harassment and sexual misconduct policies may be directed to Jennifer LaPorta, Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator, Office of Equity and Diversity, 570.941.6645.

THE SCRANTON JOUR NA L

Reflect on your Legacy‌ and Create a Better Tomorrow.

Join The Estate Society Today.

I

f The University of Scranton holds a special place in your heart, consider including the University in your long-term estate and financial plans.

Through careful planning, you can ensure that your present financial needs, and those of your loved ones, are met. You can also leave a legacy reflecting the value you place on an education grounded in Catholic and Jesuit values and positively impact future generations of Scranton students.

The Estate Society

THE UNIV E R SI T Y O F SCR A N TO N For helpful planning tools, articles and spotlights on Estate Society members, please visit our website scranton.edu/plannedgiving. For personalized illustrations or options, contact Cheryl Murphy, associate vice president of Development, at cheryl.murphy@scranton.edu or 570.941.4144.

Y Y E E Y DA DANE NE ONONAY O O D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N ED D N N O O A A ED Y A A E E N N Y YO A O O D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYO ED D N N O O A A ED D N Y A A E E N N Y YO A A E O O D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY E A E N Y DA DANE NE ONONAY YODA DANE E D O Y Y D D E EO D Y Y N NE O O AY AY D D N NE O O AY AY ED D N N O O A A ED D N N Y A A E E N N Y YO A A E E O O D D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY ED D N N O O A A ED D N N Y A A E E N N Y YO A A E E O O D D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY ED D N N O O A A ED D N N Y Y A A E E N NY O A A E E O O D D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY E A E N Y DA DANE NE ONONAY YODA DANE E O Y Y D D E EO DA DA Y Y A N N NE O O AY Y D D N E O O Y Y E A E N Y DA DANE NE ONONAY YODA DANE E O O D D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY E A E N Y DA DANE NE ONONAY YODA DANE E O Y Y D D E EO D D N NE O O AY AY D D N NEYOYO AY AY E A E N Y DA DANE NE ONONAY YODA DANE E D O Y Y D D E EO D Y Y N NE O O AY AY D D N NE O O AY AY ED D N N O O A A ED D N N Y A A E E N N Y YO A A E E O O D D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY ED D N N O O A A ED D N N Y A A E E N N Y YO A A E E O O D D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY ED D N N O O A A ED D N N Y A A E E N N Y YO A A E E O O D D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY E A E N Y DA DANE NE ONONAY YODA DANE E O Y Y D D E EO DA DA Y Y A N N NE O O AY Y D D N E O O Y Y E A E N Y DA DANE NE ONONAY YODA DANE E O O D D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY E A E N Y DA DANE NE ONONAY YODA DANE E O Y Y D D E EO D D N NE O O AY AY D D N NEYOYO AY AY E A E N Y DA DANE NE ONONAY YODA DANE E D O Y Y D D E EO D Y Y N NE O O AY AY D D N NE O O AY AY E A E N Y DA DANE NE ONONAY YODA DANE E O O D D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY ED D N N O O A A ED D N N Y A A E E N N Y YO A A E E O O D D D D N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY ED D N N O O A A ED D N N AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY ED ED O O AY AY ED DANE NE O ONAY AY N NE O O AY Y D D N E ED D N N O O A A ED D AY AY ED ED N NEYOYO AY AY O O AY AY ED DANE NE N NE O O AY Y D D ED D N N O O A A AY AY ED ED N NEY Y O O AY AY ED DA N NE O O AY Y ED D N N AY AY ED ED O O AY AY N NE ED D AY AY 800 Linden Street • Scranton, PA 18510

Be engaged with your University

Save the date and plan to join us for these upcoming events.

Alumni Society Advisory Board Meeting

Shamrockin’ Eve

Scranton Day of Service

Parents’ Executive Council Meeting

Medical Alumni Symposium

Scholarship Brunch

SJLA Reunion

Boston Presidential Reception Scranton506

Alumni Society Advisory Board Meeting

Commencement Weekend

50-Year Class Breakfast and

Undergraduate Commencement Processional

Alumni Weekend 2015

Carlesimo Golf Outing March 5 March 11 April 9 April 15 April 16 April 17 April 23 April 28 May 6 May 14 May 27-29

May 29 June 3-5 June 20

For more information, visit scranton.edu/alumni

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