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SCRANTON J O U R N A L
GO, GO!
INTERDISCIPLINARY ENTERPRISE TRANSFORMS TOY CARS INTO CHILDREN’S MOBILITY MACHINES
, Support for Presidential Scholars Powers a Promising Tomorrow Check in With a Few Royals Behind Milestone Moments
EDITOR
DESIGNERS Vikki Lawhon Jason Thorne G’13 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Matthew Bufano Zephrin J. Morse Tom Salitsky ASSOCIATE WRITERS Jon Caroulis Valarie J. Clark ’12 ASSISTANT CLASS NOTES EDITOR Margery Gleason PHOTOGRAPHY Danielle Antonello-Smolley Grace Crowley ’23 Grace DiCarlo ’27 Aimee Dilger Byron Maldonado Vin Rinella ’25 Bill White PRESIDENT Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Gerald C. Zaboski ’87, G’95 VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT Robert W. Davis, Jr., Ed.D. ’03 SENIOR DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
THE UNIVERSITY of SCRANTON
Kristie G. Ceruti
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE & PRODUCTION SERVICES Colleen Carter ONLINE JOURNAL SUPPORT Jennifer R. Pennington CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITOR Jennifer L. Henn ’96
FALL 2026 • VOLUME 48, NUMBER 1
Stan M. Zygmunt ’84, G’95
The Scranton Journal is published by The University of Scranton for its alumni and friends. External Affairs Office: The University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510-4615. scrantonjournal@scranton.edu. Office of Alumni Engagement: The University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510-4624. 570.941.5997 alumni@scranton.edu • 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 Engagement. The University of Scranton is a Catholic, Jesuit educational institution serving men and women. ©2026 The University of Scranton
COVER: The University of Scranton’s third annual Go Baby Go Community Day was held in May at the Byron Recreation Complex, funded by a grant supported through The Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment. Shown, Sophia, a 2026 car recipient, zooms past obstacles on her path to independence with Royal volunteers, from left, Kathleen Egan ’25, OTD ’27, Mallory Bertrand ’27 and Erin Adomilli ’26, cheering her on to success. Fuel your happiness tank with the joy that begins on page 21.
A Message from the President Dear Friends, To live Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam — “For the greater glory of God” — is to recognize that our gifts can become instruments of grace when placed in service to something larger than ourselves. In this issue of The Scranton Journal, we see that spirit reflected in Royals who live out this calling by dedicating their lives to the common good. Students and faculty across disciplines volunteer to modify miniature cars for children with limited mobility through the University’s chapter of the national Go Baby Go program. This wonderful event is made possible year after year by the generosity of Edward ’68, H’01 and Patricia Leahy through a grant from The Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment. Stephanie DeNaples, OTD ’15, G’17 and other faculty, students and staff channel the Royal outpouring of talent and compassion to empower some of the youngest and most vulnerable in our community. Alumni, too, honor the gift of the Jesuit education entrusted to them as incoming first-year students. Presidential Scholars from the past five decades offer their perspective with the hope of inspiring others to sustain the Scranton legacy of four-year, full-tuition scholarships for generations to come. This month marks the 25th President’s Medal gala in support of the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund, and by the time you read this, we will have honored Robert S. ’68 and Marilyn A. Weiss with the President’s Medal. The magazine also commemorates a milestone on a national scale: the 250th birthday of the United States. Kathryn Ott Lovell ’96, James McKane ’20, and the University team advancing the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project with community partners guide us in understanding our past and help us envision a future we can shape together. In the pages ahead, determination, strengthened by a Scranton education, propels six outstanding Class of 2026 graduates whose hard work and dedication have earned them acceptance to some of the most competitive employment opportunities, doctoral programs, and residency programs. And hope provides inner resolve for Rev. Michael Bartholomew ’03, who moved beyond setbacks early in life to become a
MUM’S THE WORD. It’s no secret, though, that fall is a prime photo op season for alumni visits. Register your future Royal today for an upcoming Open House event on Sunday, Oct. 25, or Sunday, Nov. 8. Or, share the Scranton Open House dates with friends looking at colleges.
SCAN FOR DETAILS:
champion master’s race walker and today answers God’s call to service as pastor of four churches on Long Island. Please continue to remember the University in your prayers and be assured of mine in return. God bless you and GO ROYALS!!
Yours Faithfully,
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Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J.
On the Panuska Commons
President
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Focus on Faculty
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How Presidential Scholarships Create a Starting Point for Success Royal Connections to Our Nation’s 250th ‘Go Baby Go’ Student Volunteers Put Children with Limited Mobility in the Driver’s Seat
Alumni News
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Athletics
DEPARTMENTS
There is more Scranton news than we can fit within these pages! Follow the QR code above to read the online version of the magazine. Then, watch for more QR codes throughout The Scranton Journal that will direct you to web exclusives including photographs, videos and expanded articles.
FEATURES
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24 & 33
Alumni Profiles
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Class Notes
“...I want to bring that experience back here to Scranton. It should not be just a memory and an experience that I had but something that we can all share together.” ONE YEAR LATER:
Robert S. ’68 and Marilyn A. Weiss Hall IDEA Center
— Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J.
Ready to create a podcast, try 3D design or CNC fabrication? You’ll be in good company at the IDEA Center. Since the start of the 202526 academic year, the Center has welcomed hundreds of individuals and helped their ideas come to life.
On the Panuska Commons
Go behind the scenes with IDEA Center Director Tom Bryan.
Full stories are linked from the “On the Panuska Commons” section of The Scranton Journal website at journal.scranton.edu, or can be found at news.scranton.edu.
Photo credit: Vatican Media
‘Something We Can All Share Together:’ Father Marina Reflects on Meeting Pope Leo XIV Presidents of Jesuit colleges and universities throughout North America, including Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., pictured at right, greeted Pope Leo XIV on June 25 as part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities’ Presidents’ Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. “We were simply to introduce ourselves,” said Fr. Marina in a post-visit interview with WVIA News. “So I just said to him, ‘Holy Father, my name is Joe Marina. I’m the president of The University of Scranton.’ And then I added, ‘We’re not too far from Villanova.’ “He laughed and he said, ‘Oh, I know Scranton,’ which I thought was terrific.” Before entering the priesthood, the first American-born pope earned his bachelor’s degree from Villanova University near Philadelphia.
More Than Meets the Eye
A restoration team identified a hidden figure in a Renaissance-era painting that had been donated to the Weinberg Memorial Library.
In addressing the college presidents, Pope Leo used the Jesuits’ four Universal Apostolic Preferences as a guide for how their institutions can address pressing issues in education and society.
Pope Francis Co-author on Decades of Dialogue, Friendship One of the highlights late in the spring term included Rabbi Abraham Skorka, Ph.D., a globally recognized scholar, author and longtime collaborator of Pope Francis, who visited Scranton to deliver the Judaic Studies Institute Lecture.
Scan to find out who was revealed, and on your next campus visit, be sure to view the artwork located at the library’s fourth-floor study area.
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ON T H E PANUS K A COMMONS
Ciszek Hall Reconfigured to Serve Others As the University’s programs that serve those in need have expanded, so has the need for more space. The Center for Service and Social Justice’s programs, previously held in the Arrupe House, have now moved to a larger, more modern space in Ciszek Hall on Mulberry Street. The space that was showcased and blessed at an Open House in spring 2026 includes a new kitchen and hall for the We Care Meal Program, through which students volunteer to prepare and package 50-100 meals weekly for community members in need. Also in the space: the Royal Restore Food Pantry and student-run Teen Threads.
On the Panuska Commons
NEW FACES WeiDong Zhu, Ph.D., shown at left, joined the University in July as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Zhu’s experience at Saint Peter’s, a fellow Jesuit institution, has included academic leadership service. There he helped secure more than $2 million in research grants and the establishment of the federally-funded Center for Microplasma Science and Technology. Rev. Bret Stockdale, S.J., shown at right, joined this summer as University Chaplain to serve both the Divisions of Mission and Ministry and Student Life. Most recently, he served at St. Anthony’s Parish in Oceanside, New York.
Miles of Determination David Dzurec, Ph.D., associate provost for academic affairs and professor of history, recently achieved a 1310-plus-mile milestone: running a marathon in all 50 states. In June he crossed the finish line at the Mayor’s Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska. The quest took Dr. Dzurec to storied races across the country, including the New York City Marathon, shown, Chicago Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C.
Getting a Leg Up on Leadership Dr. Dzurec was recently selected for the competitive Lilly Network Leadership Institute for administrators.
Subject matter expert Dr. David Dzurec shares runs with historical significance. ON THE PANUSK A COM M ONS
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Scranton Grad Programs Among Nation’s Best U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools” report, released April 7, features 14 master’s and doctoral offerings ranked in their respective categories. HIGHEST-RANKED AND FASTEST-RISING PROGRAMS: • Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs, No. 43 (tied), up six spots from No. 49 in 2025, first in Pennsylvania
On the Panuska Commons
• Best Occupational Therapy Programs, No. 59 (tied), up 20 spots from No. 79 in 2025 • Best Nurse Anesthesia Programs, No. 99 (tied), up 12 spots from No. 111 in 2025 • Best Healthcare Management Programs, No. 53 FIRST-TIME RANKED: • Best International Business Programs, No. 109 (tied) • Best Management Programs, No. 139 (tied) • Best Marketing Programs, No. 154 (tied) • Best Supply Chain Management Programs, No. 166 (tied) STILL MORE ACCOLADES:
FBLA Students Bring Home National Recognition The University’s rise to the top as a premier institution for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) continued with its most recent performance. A group of students recently returned from Las Vegas, Nevada, where they represented Scranton at the FBLA National Leadership Conference. Continuing the trend of Scranton FBLA members returning from state and national competitions with prizes, four students finished in the top 10 of their respective categories. Earlier this year in Harrisburg, Scranton had its best showing to date at the FBLA State Leadership Conference with four state champions and five runners-up.
Scranton Teams Win Multiple Top Honors at IEEE Conference Students showcased coding, design, problem-solving and presentation skills against peers from the Northeast earlier this year at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Region 1 and 2 Student Activities Conference, hosted at Rowan University in New Jersey. The competitions tasked students with designing and programming robots to perform tasks including pulling a rope and escaping a maze.
#Royals2026 Recap Undergraduate Commencement Sunday, May 24 • Mohegan Arena, Wilkes-Barre
Master’s and Doctoral Degree Commencement Sunday, May 24 • Mohegan Arena, Wilkes-Barre
Honorary Degree Recipients: Former Dominican University president Donna M. Carroll, Ed.D.; attorney and University alumnus Vincent F. Reilly, Esq. ’80 and longtime educator Jack Raslowsky
Total graduates: > 450
Total bachelor’s degrees: > 900 States represented by undergraduates: 14, plus graduates from Ireland and Ukraine
States represented by post-baccalaureate graduates: 22, plus graduates from Canada, India and Saudi Arabia Scan to view livestreams of the Commencement ceremonies, Class Night, ROTC commissioning, Nurses’ Pinning and Baccalaureate Mass. View the 97-plus members of the Class of 2026 who graduated from one of five University programs of excellence at news.scranton.edu.
• Best Part-Time MBA Programs, No. 105 (tied) • Best Physical Therapy Programs, No. 115 (tied) • Best Business Analytics Programs, No. 115 (tied) • Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice, No. 137 • Best Accounting Programs, No. 148 (tied) • Best Finance Programs, No. 170 (tied) Get details & register for our
VIRTUAL GRADUATE
OPEN HOUSE
on OCT. 14 at 6 P.M.
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Nostalgia and Notable Moments A trailblazing member of a landmark graduating class at the University, Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76, G’83, H’15 returned to deliver remarks as the keynote speaker at this year’s undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies, which brought thousands of guests to campus on Memorial Day weekend. Notably, her undergraduate Class of 1976 was the University’s first undergraduate, full-time student class to include women. Shown above are members of the historic class, including Pennington, at center, with Alumni Society President Christopher Neumann, Esq. ’87 and University President Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J.
ON T H E PANUS K A COMMONS
RESEARCH with REAL-WORLD IMPACT Solvent Solution Riddhiman Medhi, Ph.D., led a group of Scranton students, and professors from the University of Houston, in a research paper used as the cover story for an issue of the science journal Materials. The team succeeded in stabilizing various metal particles, especially gold and silver, to a point where they could resist solvents used in chemistry research.
NASA Awards $568,117 Grant to Advance Space Weather Research A Scranton interdisciplinary research team led by principal investigator Kornyanat “Kukkai” Hozumi, Ph.D., research scientist, with collaborators Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., associate professor of physics and engineering, and Mark Fenner, Ph.D., assistant professor of computing sciences, has set out to answer questions whose answers may benefit communication systems around the world. NASA’s Heliophysics Citizen Science Investigations program awarded the University a $568,117 grant to discover information about weather in space and how those conditions affect the reliability of high-frequency communication systems used on Earth.
Learning by Doing
Focus on Faculty
Language instructors designed a Lunar New Year celebration of Asian cuisine, calligraphy, origami, lantern decorating and presentations. Organizers included Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Asian Studies Program Ann A. Pang-White, Ph.D., and instructors in the Department of World Languages and Cultures Chih-Yi (Arena) Wu and Kazumasa Fujita. Pictured inset, Fujita tallies popcorn pieces after the chopstick challenge. Asia Club and Japanese and Chinese classes provided volunteer talent.
Excellence in Action John C. Norcross, Ph.D., ABPP, at Scranton since 1985, ranks among the top 0.05% of scholars worldwide for career contributions, according to the analytics platform ScholarGPS, an organization that classifies educators based on the productivity, impact and quality of research and writing.
Patrick Beldio, Ph.D., visiting theology/religious studies professor and a research fellow at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, has received a $100,000 grant to launch “Waymarks Toward Reunion: Beauty, Sacred Art and the Road to Freedom.”
Kim Pavlick, Ph.D. G’96, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication and Media, was awarded this year’s Gannon Award for Teaching from the University’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities.
Ashley L. Stampone ’10, G’11, PHD ’23, assistant professor of accounting, is currently serving as a member on the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Board of Directors. She previously served a one-year term as a vice president and is now in her second year of a two-year, at-large term that will extend through April 2027.
Scranton’s graduating senior Class of 2026 selected its Teachers of the Year: Sinchul Back, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the cybercrime and homeland security program, and Andrew Venezia, Ph.D., associate professor of health and human performance.
Dr. Stampone was recently selected as a recipient of the Kania School of Management’s Teacher of the Year award for a fifth time. The additional award recipients, selected by KSOM students, included: Richard O’Hara, accounting; Aram Balagyozyan, Ph.D., economics, finance, and international business; Gregory O’Connell, management/ marketing; and Vincent Rocco, operations and analytics.
FOC US ON FAC ULT Y
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ICYMI
In Case You Missed It…
Alumni News
Enjoy these photos from a few of our signature alumni events
Royals 2 Royals In February, scores of alumni returned to campus to network with current students at Royals 2 Royals.
New Jersey Presidential Reception In January, alumni, parents and friends of the University enjoyed a cocktail reception with Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president, at Basking Ridge Country Club.
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ALUMNI NEWS
Hear from students who attended.
Arlington, Virginia
Long Island, New York
Wilkes-Barre
Day of Service
Alumni News
On April 25, University alumni, parents and friends in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., served their communities by participating in the 2026 University of Scranton Day of Service.
Shamrockin’ Eve In March, more than 450 recent grads returned to campus to celebrate the 16th Annual Shamrockin’ Eve with more than 500 members of the Class of 2026.
See more photos from these events and others at scranton.edu/alumniphotos and visit scranton.edu/alumni to register for our next event today! ALUM NI NEWS
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THE UNIVERSITY
of
SCRANTON
June 5–7, 2026 In June, alumni from class years ending in “1” and “6” returned to campus to celebrate Reunion 2026.
Alumni News
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ALUMNI NEWS
Shown from opposite page, top left: Members of the Class of 1976 gather with Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., at the 50-Year Class Medal Ceremony. Members of the Class of 2016 gather for a photo. Royals enjoy the company of a few furry friends at Goat Yoga. Royals hang out at Houlihan with Cheryl Boga at the Performance Music Band and Singers Reception. Kathryn Ott Lovell ’96 speaks at the Blessing and Dedication of the Rev. J.A. Panuska, S.J. Commons. & Royals enjoy the Reunion Block Party. Women from the Class of 1976 enjoy a moment together at their class dinner. Royals enjoy the After Party in the Byron.
Alumni News
Honoring Excellence: THE 2026 FRANK J. O’HARA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS On Friday, June 5, The Alumni Society and The University of Scranton honored Christine Blazynski, Ph.D. ’76, senior vice president and Chief Science Officer, Informa PLC (retired); Justin B. Murphy ’76, senior law enforcement advisor to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, United States Department of Justice (retired); Dcn. James J. Knipper ’81, author and publisher, Clear Faith Publishing LLC; Lawrence R. Lynch ’81, H’22, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers (retired); Patricia A. Clarke ’86, P’17, ’19, founder, Clarke Coaching & Consulting; James M. Slattery ’86, H’23, co-founder and head of North America, Rosebank Industries PLC; Elizabeth Madden ’96, founder and managing member, Compass Advisors and Coaching; and Thomas J. Gibbons ’96, G’99 (in memoriam), Dean of Students, Xavier High School, with the Frank J. O’Hara Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest recognition they jointly bestow. Named in honor of Frank J. O’Hara of the Class of 1925, H’56, an administrator who served the University for more than 53 years, the award is presented to select alumni who have achieved distinction in their professional or personal endeavors.
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University Honors Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J., with Carlesimo Award Royals turn out in force to support annual fundraiser On June 15, the University honored Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. H’98, dean of admissions emeritus at The University of Scranton, with the 2026 Peter A. Carlesimo Award at the Carlesimo Golf Tournament and Award Dinner. Nearly 300 alumni, parents and friends of the University raised more than $125,000 for Scranton Athletics at the event, which was held at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, New Jersey. “This is one of my favorite days of the year,” said Executive Director of Athletics Dave Martin, who acted as master of ceremonies at the event. “Thanks to the incredible support of everyone in this room, we’re thrilled that we were able to again exceed our expectations.”
Alumni News
Father McIlhenny, known to many as “Father Mac,” arrived in Scranton in 1958 to serve as headmaster of Scranton Preparatory School, which was owned by the University at the time. He was appointed dean of admissions at the University in 1966 and admitted more than two-thirds of Scranton’s living alumni over the next 31 years. His work expanded the University’s regional reach and paved the way for Scranton to attract students from around the nation, which helped the University become one of the top NCAA Division III schools in the country. He retired from admissions in 1997 and was presented with an honorary degree in 1998. The University later dedicated the Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. Ballroom in The DeNaples Center in his honor, and in 2016, bestowed the President’s Medal upon him. While accepting the award, Father Mac reflected on his decades of friendship with the Carlesimo family and cited the Jesuit order’s emphasis on serving others before expressing his gratitude. “I’m honored, really, to receive this Carlesimo Award,” he said. “I’m very proud of it.”
BOTTOM LEFT: Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. H’98 speaks at the Carlesimo
The University also honored basketball and broadcasting legend P.J. Carlesimo, the son of the late Peter A. Carlesimo, the event’s namesake who served the University for nearly 25 years as a coach and athletic director, with an honorary degree at the event. “The University has been a great, great place, and my parents would be so proud,” he said. 10
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TOP: From left, P.J. Carlesimo H’26 congratulates Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. H’98 at the Carlesimo Golf Tournament and Award Dinner.
ALUMNI NEWS
Golf Tournament and Award Dinner. BOTTOM RIGHT: Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president, and P.J.
Carlesimo H’26 celebrate Carlesimo’s honorary degree at the Carlesimo Golf Tournament and Award Dinner.
For more information, visit scranton.edu/carlesimoaward.
Royals Unite in Purple and White for 5.06.26
On May 6, 2,548 alumni, parents and friends of the University celebrated 5.06.26, Scranton’s 12th annual Day of Giving, by raising $579,005 for a wide variety of campus causes, including scholarships, athletics, service programs and student organizations.
Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president, stands in front of a chorus line of students led by Iggy in a scene from the 5.06.26 kickoff video.
THEN
Way back in 2022, a group of starry-eyed legacy students gathered with their families and Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president, as they prepared to embrace all the University had to offer. On Commencement Weekend, that same group gathered with their families, Father Marina and
Alumni News
The Legacy Families of the Class of 2026, Then and Now
Alumni Society Advisory Board Chair Chris Neumann, Esq. ’87, P’24, P’27, as they prepared to “go forth and set the world on fire.”
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
NOW ALUM NI NEWS
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Feel like you were there with the Lady Royals on their championship journey.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Athletics
A Season to Remember Inside Scranton Women’s Basketball’s Historic Run The 2025–26 season will be remembered as one of the greatest in University of Scranton women’s basketball history. The Lady Royals finished 32–1, setting a new program mark for wins while completing the first undefeated regular season in program history and finishing as the National Runner-up. Under the leadership of head coach Ben O’Brien, Scranton continued its tradition as a national powerhouse while elevating its standard on the biggest stage. The Lady Royals captured the Landmark Conference title and carried that momentum into the NCAA Tournament, where they earned dominant wins over Concordia CollegeMoorhead, Bates College, Otterbein University and Framingham State University before defeating New York University (NYU) in the national semifinal. The run to the Final Four marked the 10th appearance in program history, and Scranton advanced to its first national championship game
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since the 1984–85 season. Along the way, the program extended its streak to 13 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and recorded a third straight Elite Eight showing. From the opening weeks of the season, the Lady Royals stood out through consistency, discipline and composure. That identity carried through every stage of the year, with strong defensive play, balanced scoring and execution in key moments helping define their historic run. The semifinal win over NYU stood as a defining moment, as Scranton delivered a complete performance on both ends of the floor to secure its place in the national championship game. While the season ultimately ended one step short of a national title, the 2025–26 Lady Royals raised the standard for Scranton women’s basketball and set a benchmark for future teams. The Lady Royals captured the Landmark Conference title and carried that momentum into the NCAA Tournament, where they earned dominant wins over Concordia College-Moorhead, Bates College, Otterbein University and Framingham State University before defeating New York University in the national semifinal on March 19.
AT H LET I CS
Royals Redefine Excellence
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Scranton Athletics Sets Landmark Record with Historic 2025–26 Season The University of Scranton Athletics Department produced a historic 2025–26 campaign, capturing nine Landmark Conference championships, the most by any school in conference history. The Royals won titles in field hockey, women’s soccer, women’s swimming and diving, women’s indoor track and field, women’s basketball, women’s outdoor track and field, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and baseball. The achievement highlights the depth and consistency of Scranton’s programs across all three athletic seasons. From fall through spring, Scranton teams consistently performed at a championship level.
The record-setting year reflects a culture of sustained excellence built on strong coaching, development and competitive drive. With nine championships and the Presidents’ Trophy, Scranton has established a new standard in the Landmark Conference and elevated expectations across its entire Athletics Department.
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Athletics
Scranton also captured the Landmark Conference Presidents’ Trophy, awarded through a formula that rewards institutions for regular season standings and postseason performance in conference play.
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Field Hockey: 17-9 overall record (9-0 in conference) Women’s Soccer: 15-3-3 overall record (8-0-1 in conference), 6th straight conference championship
Women’s Basketball: 32-1 overall record (18-0 in conference), 11th straight conference championship
Women’s Swim & Dive: 8-2 record in dual meets (4-0 in conference),
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3rd straight conference championship
+ Women’s Track & Field: Captured program’s first-ever conference championship in indoor and outdoor seasons
Men’s Lacrosse: 14-7 overall record (9-0 in conference), 4th straight conference championship
Women’s Lacrosse: 16-5 overall record (9-0 in conference),
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4th straight conference championship
Baseball: 29-17 overall record, captured the program’s first ever NCAA Tournament victory
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A (ROYAL) RETURN on INVESTMENT
Robert S. ’68 & Marilyn A. Weiss Hall:
Starting Strong, Continuing Stronger
GENERATIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS DELIVER IMMEASURABLE VALUE AND DEVELOP A CULTURE OF GRATITUDE Promise. Five decades ago at The University of Scranton, a decision to invest in the promise of exceptional young adults established a springboard for success.
Feature
What began as a four-year, full-tuition scholarship entrusted to incoming students who demonstrated excellence in and out of the classroom progressed into potential realized by generations of Presidential Scholars. The result of the original investment of education: a Royal continuum of the highest caliber. That gift of education also creates a virtuous circle. Presidential Scholars fulfill the hopes of generous benefactors by living that legacy every day, making choices that will serve the universal good and engendering support for future Scranton students. When Presidential Scholarship recipients discuss their alma mater, the focus is never on auspicious entries into the workforce or career accomplishments. Instead, every conversation spotlights the culture of gratitude that exists among alumni from all eras. Reflections of six Presidential Scholars illustrate the enduring appreciation and sense of community that define the Royal experience.
PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS: A Legacy of Excellence & Opportunity TIMELINE:
Source: All images from the Weinberg Memorial Library Digital Collections
Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. H’98, dean of admissions emeritus, arrived in Scranton in 1958 to serve as headmaster of Scranton Preparatory School, which was owned by the University at the time. He was appointed dean of admissions at the University in 1966 and admitted more than two-thirds of Scranton’s living alumni over the next 31 years. Fr. McIlhenny, shown in 1975, introduced the Presidential Scholarship concept. “As dean of admissions, I was looking for new ways to attract good students,” said Fr. McIlhenny. “Back in those days, I would call personally to congratulate those who received the full-tuition scholarships.”
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F EAT UR E
1966
1971 Rev. Dexter Hanley, S.J. H’75, thenUniversity president, presents five incoming first-year students with full-tuition, four-year scholarships. Shown from left are Charles X. Gormally, Esq. ’75, Rumson, New Jersey; John Burke ’75, Drexel Hill; Vincent P. Niedzielski ’75, Scranton; Fr. Hanley (with his dog, “Prince Hoya”); Mark E. Chopko, Esq. ’74, Kingston; and Michael C. Schlussel ’75, Southampton.
PATRICK W. SHEA ’78 |Major: History • Partner, Paul Hastings LLP • New York, New York The Shea boys were Irish quintuplets. Born at the height of the Baby Boom, my parents at one point had five boys with the oldest only 5 and a half. Fast forward 18 years and that would translate to three college and two law school tuitions all at the same time. Scholarship money (at a time when it was harder to find) was essential. Scranton was generous enough to offer me a Presidential Scholarship, and I immediately accepted. My brother Hank went to that other Jesuit school, Georgetown, on a scholarship, but it was an ROTC scholarship with a four-year commitment to the Army. Scranton’s generosity came with no strings attached. The most important thing the Presidential Scholarship did for me was to open the doors to the University. There, I was mentored by wonderful professors, experienced some of the most profound intellectual and spiritual growth in my life, and met lifelong friends.” 1977: Patrick W. Shea, Dover, New Jersey, shown at center, contributes to a quarterfinal finish for Scranton at The University of Pennsylvania Debate Tournament.
BELINDA JURAN, ESQ. ’81 | Major: Mathematics • (Retired) Partner, WilmerHale • Lowell, Massachusetts Without a scholarship, I’d never have been able to attend The University of Scranton and my dreams for a college education would have died. Although my parents were proud of my good grades and supportive of my learning, neither had attended college, so college wasn’t something they saw in my future.
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The scholarship gave me the chance to further my education and to build a life that I could never have imagined: a first career in the high-tech industry in the Boston area, followed 10 years later with an MBA and then a law degree, and a second career as a corporate lawyer. I am forever grateful to the donors who made this scholarship possible.” 1981: Then-University of Scranton Academic Vice President Vincent Ponko congratulates Belinda Juran for winning the Frank J. O’Hara Award for General Academic Excellence with a perfect 4.0 quality point average at Class Night 1981.
BRIAN P. LOFTUS, DMD ’92 |Majors: Biology, Philosophy • St. Luke’s University Health Network, Easton Orthodontic Associates • Easton The University of Scranton’s Presidential Scholarship was a godsend for me. I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for college, or if enough student loans would be available for me. ... I took advantage of all that a Scranton education had to offer and achieved more than I ever thought possible. I was able to pursue a double major and focus on my goal of getting accepted into dental school. After graduation, my wife Alisa and I have supported the University, not only because we love the school so much, but also as an attempt to pay back their generosity. We recently started an endowed family scholarship. Both of our children, Brandon ’22 and Amelia ’25, are proud alumni of ‘da U.’” 1996: Brian P. Loftus, DMD ’92, earned a doctor of dental medicine degree with honors. 1973 Shown with Rev. Dexter L. Hanley, S.J. H’75, then-University of Scranton president, are, from left: Michael J. Glazer, Camp Springs, Maryland; Hugh M. Carlin, M.D. ’76, Levittown; Joan A. Materna-Solera ’77, Scranton; and George R. Coar, M.D. ’77, Scranton. Absent from photo: Mary L. Boegel, M.D. ’77, Bayport, New York.
2002
1985 Six students are awarded Presidential Scholarships, which cover full tuition cost for four years of study. Rahat Quli ’91, G’06 of Mountain Top, one of five local scholarship recipients, is shown with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Syed Quli, and then-University President Rev. J. A. Panuska, S.J. H’74.
First presentation of the President’s Medal that supports the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund. Shown, The Scranton Record reports on the inaugural President’s Medal dinner hosted at The Pierre in New York City in 2002.
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A (ROYAL) RETURN on INVESTMENT RYAN SURACE ’03 |Major: Accounting; Minor: Mathematics
• Co-founder, Partner, Surace & Stanton Certified Public Accountants • Broomall
The Presidential Scholarship was a springboard for me. The University continues to have a profound impact on my life. From freshman retreat through graduation, Scranton challenged my beliefs, stretched what I thought was possible and provided me with perspective. My belief and value system was forged at the U. I met my wife (Colleen) on the first day of class freshman year and we celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary in August. ...Colleen and I studied abroad in Beijing in the fall of 2001, which was made possible by the scholarship. We met amazing people from a deep, proud culture that challenged our worldviews during a difficult time in our history.” 2001: In its first year of operation, the Office of Fellowship Programs successfully guided students through the competitive application process. Among the successes in 2001 were Freeman Awards to Ryan M. Surace and Colleen A. Duffy (today, Surace), who began their #ScrantonLoveStory as undergraduates.
SARA WIERBOWSKI, M.D.’19|Majors: Philosophy, Neuroscience; Minor: Biochemistry
• MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Residency Program in Psychiatry • Washington, D.C.
When I first learned that I had been awarded the Presidential Scholarship, I already had a lifelong dream of attending medical school someday. ... I was (and still am) incredibly grateful for that opportunity to ultimately attend medical school without undergraduate debt. Academically, it also allowed me to challenge myself and explore broadly. I could take additional courses, push my boundaries, and pursue opportunities like a medical mission trip. ... By senior year, I had completed my graduation requirements early, which left room for me to seek an internship with The Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA.
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“...Scranton also played a central role in my personal life—I met my husband there, and we were married on campus last October. Interestingly, my connection to Presidential Scholars in the class above me helped bring us together.” 2016: 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. Their parents, Judy ’82 and Dave ’81, also attended the University.
CLAIRE SUNDAY, J.D. ’23|Majors: Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies
• Juris Doctor Graduate from University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
The Presidential Scholarship allowed me ... to be curious about more and to discover more, from religious studies to philosophy to Spanish to political science. In high school, I knew that I wanted to attend graduate school, even though I was not fully sure what I wanted to pursue. ... I had the opportunity and the freedom to explore my interests and to follow them where they would lead me. Now I realize how much those explorations provided a foundation for me in law school.”
2022: Claire Sunday, J.D. ’23, shown second from right, is part of a second generation to attend Scranton. Royals in her family include her father, Michael Sunday, M.D. ’84, and her siblings Adam Sunday, M.D. ’19 and Madalyne Sunday, M.D. ’19. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS TIMELINE continued: The University honors Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, S.J. H’98, dean of admissions emeritus, shown with the President’s Medal in 2016.
View President’s Medal recipients throughout the years.
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2016 Event rebranded as The President’s Medal Gala and hosted for the first time at Pier Sixty in New York City. Shown, Class of 2024 Presidential Scholars at the event, and far right, in 2021 as incoming first-years with Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University President.
25 Years of
The President's Medal Celebrations
Gerard R. Roche ’53, H’82, center, accepts the first President’s Medal from then-University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., H’04, left, and Christopher M. “Kip” Condron ’70, H’03, right.
A QUARTER CENTURY OF HONORING EXCELLENCE, INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
Over the course of 25 years, there have been two constants to the University’s President’s Medal celebrations: honorees who have achieved excellence in their fields and demonstrated extraordinary compassion for others, and scholars who benefit from the generosity of many.
“Since 2002, our President’s Medal dinners have raised more than $28 million for the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund, and we hope to permanently endow the fund by bringing that total up to $30 million by the end of this fiscal year,” said Bobby Davis Ed.D. ’03, vice president for Advancement at the University. In 2001, however, the President’s Medal celebrations were merely the dream of the University’s 23rd president, Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J. H’04, and a dedicated group of alumni and friends looking to advance the University’s mission through a new organization called the President’s Business Council (PBC). Among the driving forces of the inaugural celebration were Christopher M. “Kip” Condron ’70, H’03, the PBC’s first chair and University trustee
Presidential Scholars from the Class of 2003 attend the inaugural President’s Medal dinner at The Pierre in New York City.
emeritus, John D. Dionne ’86, H’10, P’22, ’28, and the late Mary Beth Farrell ’79, H’10.
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Proceeds from the President’s Medal Gala — the premier annual fundraiser for the University — benefit the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund, which awards four-year, full-tuition scholarships to incoming first-year students with outstanding high school records and notable community involvement.
When President’s Business Council Chair and Trustee Elizabeth A. (Boyle) Madden ’96 first joined the PBC, she was its youngest member. “We’ve had an amazing generation before us that has really built this magnificent mechanism for philanthropy and connectivity,” Madden told The Scranton Journal in a previous interview. "We are very excited to be honoring Robert S. ’68 and Marilyn Weiss at our 25th President’s Medal dinner,” said Davis. “We hope you’ll consider making your own impact by supporting The Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund so that tomorrow’s leaders can continue to set the world on fire with the lessons learned at Scranton.”
Learn more about the President’s Medal legacy and how you can support The Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund. 2024
2025 The President’s Medal Gala at Pier Sixty includes a guest reception with cast members from NBC’s “The Office.” Shown with Iggy at the event are, from left: Andy Buckley, Kate Flannery and Brian Baumgartner.
2026 The most recent Presidential Scholars from the Class of 2026 are shown at the May 24 Commencement ceremony at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Twp.
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Celebrating the th of Our Nation
250 Birthday
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Historic Milestones, Community Triumphs Royals Contribute Through ‘Once-in-a-Generation’ Opportunities
s the United States marks a milestone 250th anniversary, Scranton and its visionary alumni share their talents as guides to our nation’s past. Kathryn Ott Lovell ’96 applies her strategic thinking to lead the monumental Philadelphia250 initiative; James McKane ’20 utilizes his meticulous historical research to advise Ken Burns’ latest documentary and lead Revolutionary War commemorations; and the University team spearheading the “Scranton’s Story,
Our Nation’s Story” project with community partners reflects on the initiative funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom grant in support of the ideals of freedom, justice and equality.
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James McKane ’20: A Royal Making History
James McKane ’20, shown as Captain of Col. Bridge’s regiment, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, for the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 2025.
Even the most ambitious among us would likely be intimidated by James McKane’s Outlook calendar: row across the Delaware River on Christmas Day; construct 18th-century fortifications for a Ken Burns documentary film; recreate hundreds of period-accurate military uniforms.
“In 2022, the Ken Burns film crew from Florentine Films was at the annual reenactment at Monmouth Battlefield to get b-roll for their upcoming documentary. They asked the head historian at the site who they should film, and he pointed in the direction of the Jersey Grays.”
During business hours, McKane dedicates his talents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Off the clock, he leads multiple living history organizations on a volunteer basis.
McKane’s official role: “I acted in the background through meetings and calls, and as a historical advisor for casting reenactors, making sure planned shots presented an authentic view.”
“My ‘career’ as a living historian began in 2013 as I learned to make my own uniforms and equipment for reenacting while attending living history events independently,” he said.
The history major models his work today on the example set by his professors at the University.
Two years later, the Archbald native joined a local Civil War unit, and then a Revolutionary War organization — the 3rd New Jersey Regiment, the Jersey Grays. A fortuitous meeting led to an opportunity with PBS documentary film “The American Revolution” from Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt.
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ICYMI. Five facts shared by James McKane at a recent Schemel Forum, “Commemorating and Interpreting the American Revolution 250 Years Later.”
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“When I verbally interpret the Revolution to spectators, I think of the incredible job Scranton’s History Department did in telling a story to connect to the subject,” McKane said. “Reenacting is part of a greater public service to educate and preserve our nation’s memory. I am fortunate to be able to do that nearly every day. Without storytellers like historians and reenactors, we lose sight of what makes us who we are and the journey that got us here.”
Kathryn Ott Lovell ’96: From Scranton Service to Philadelphia Celebrations
Kathryn Ott Lovell ’96, who since 2023 has been President & CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center, last year was appointed to lead Philadelphia250, a program focused on celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial throughout Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. Hers is a career that started with experiences she had at Scranton.
Her first job was as an admissions counselor at Scranton. For eight years, Ott Lovell was Philadelphia’s Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, where she led the department’s first strategic plan and launched major initiatives and capital projects. Keeping it running during the coronavirus pandemic was her biggest career challenge, and she’s proud the department was able to offer its services. Most recently, Lovell became CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center. “I did know that 2026 would be a big year for Philly in terms of tourism but had no idea I would be leading Philadelphia250. The Semiquincentennial is
Lovell, one of the first in her family to attend college, had planned to enroll at another Catholic university, but then went to visit friends who were students at Scranton. “I visited them in May and I changed my mind. I called my mom from a pay phone and said, ‘I think I want to go to Scranton.’ My mom came up the next weekend, and she loved it. And then my brother ended up going to Scranton two years after me. It was God’s providence that landed me there.” She met her future husband (Andrew Lovell ’96) at Scranton when both were first-years. As a member of the SJLA (Special Jesuit Liberal Arts) program, the communications major took a course with Professor Rick Klonoski, Ph.D. “He’s an extraordinary teacher. I didn’t even know what philosophy was when I got to the University, and I double majored in it.”
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“I have felt, since I graduated, that I’m a better person because of the four years I spent at The University of Scranton,” she said. Her career, she added, “has really been about service, how I serve my city, how I serve my local community, and that is absolutely an outgrowth of my time at the University (and) being educated at a Jesuit school. (It) just enforced every single day this idea that we use our talents to better serve society.”
a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our city in terms of visitation. ... It also represents an amazing way to build civic pride among Philadelphians.”
Studying philosophy, Lovell said, “stretched my mind in ways I didn’t know were possible, and helped me become a better, more strategic thinker, and a more open-minded thinker.” A Royal proposal on campus. Kathryn Ott Lovell shares her #ScrantonLoveStory. And ... find out how you can attend one more “heavyweight” event that Kathryn Ott Lovell ’96 is promoting for the Philadelphia250 celebration.
Photo credit: Kyle Kielinski
One Royal’s integral leadership of two Philadelphia organizations plays a critical role in how the city celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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‘Scranton Stories’ Provide a ‘Catalyst’
“The idea of a more perfect union, I think, includes all of us. And it’s asking individuals ... to ask themselves a question: How much are you contributing to make this union much more perfect? Are you voting? What are you doing? What are your contributions in preserving this democracy?” — USHU MUKELO ’22 “There’s no sense being here on earth if you’re not here to make contributions to others to improve the plight of those around you.” — SHERMAN WOODEN,
In 2021, the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project, funded by a National Endowment for the Humanities grant, aligned its theme “A More Perfect Union” with the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the U.S.
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“The culmination was an oral history initiative, one of my favorite parts,” said Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at Scranton and project director. “We interviewed more than 30 individuals, all with different backgrounds and experiences, all sharing their own unique story. “One of the highlights of the ‘Scranton Stories’ oral histories was asking interviewees to share their hopes for the nation in light of the upcoming 250th anniversary year. Now we’re here, and I’ve been reflecting on some of their responses.” Among those interviewed are Ushu Mukelo ’22, a Congolese refugee and U.S. citizen, Sherman Wooden, a foundational director of multicultural affairs at The University of Scranton,
dedicated 20 years to building an inclusive campus environment before retiring from The University of Scranton
“I love teaching the Declaration of Independence because it talks about what we hope to be ... and the fact is that we will never attain that. ... We’re never going to be perfect ... but what I’ve learned about us as a community and us as a nation, is that we’ve never quit. The [American] dream still exists. It exists in the eyes of the kids who sit in front of me.” — JERRY SCOTLESKI G’01
“The project has been a catalyst for other projects,” said Schumacher Cohen, encapsulating the initiative’s success. “One that I’m most proud of is an ongoing relationship with the Lenape people. ... Through that relationship-building process, a wonderful mural downtown was spearheaded by Scranton Tomorrow and the Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department. I really love how the project has seeded new initiatives.”
and Jerry Scotleski G’01, a teacher at Scranton High School and a lifelong presence in Scranton’s South Side. Hear from Julie Schumacher Cohen about how the presence of marigold flowers in her neighborhood led her to a Scranton story. Meet more individuals who shared their hopes for the nation as part of the oral history initiative. And, see the mural “Remembrance and Continuance: The Lenape Story in Scranton.”
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Shown, Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for community and government affairs at Scranton and project director.
Shown right, Dylan, a 2026 car recipient of The University of Scranton's Go Baby Go chapter, makes a grand entrance with a little help from the pit crew — his dad and mom, at right, and graduate student volunteer Neha Patel '26, at left.
A University Go Baby Go chapter brings together students, faculty and families to give children with limited mobility greater freedom, confidence and joy.
Almost all customized cars include a remote control to enable parents to guide the children while they're learning to drive. “In that initial period, they're getting the fun without having to learn right away. Eventually they develop the independence to drive themselves,” said Stephanie DeNaples, OTD ’15, G’17, faculty specialist and founder of The University of Scranton Go Baby Go chapter.
The idea resurfaced for Dr. DeNaples years later on a playground at recess while she was working in school-based occupational therapy. “A little boy who has spina bifida would just sit in a wheelchair...for the most part, he just watched from the sidelines. I kept thinking, ‘They’re kids, they want to play and they’re not getting the access they desire. Maybe we could get him some type of device to drive around the playground,’” Dr. DeNaples said.
“The Dunmore School District was very gracious in helping to procure a go-kart. Working with Jerry Williams, Adaptive Equipment Supervisor at St. Joseph’s Center, we modified the go-kart to
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The Go Baby Go program resonated instantly with Stephanie DeNaples, OTD ’15, G’17. She recalls jotting the phrase in her class notes as an occupational therapy student at the University when Professor Karen Brady, D.Ed., introduced the national initiative that provides modified miniature cars to children with limited mobility.
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Powered by Compassion
support him. “Just seeing his reaction was really, really magical.” Showing Up, Finding Ways To Help Dr. DeNaples connected all the pieces when she returned to the University as a faculty specialist in the Occupational Therapy Department, where she discovered a grant supported through The Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment. Created in 1995 with a gift from Edward R. Leahy ’68, H’01 and Patricia Leahy, the endowment honors the life and memory of their son, Edward, who was born with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. FEATUR E
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The University of Scranton’s third annual Go Baby Go event was held in May at the Byron Recreation Complex.
"They (Ed and Patricia Leahy) are very compassionate toward children with disabilities." — Stephanie DeNaples, OTD ’15, G’17
“They (Ed and Patricia Leahy) ... are very compassionate toward children with disabilities,” said Dr. DeNaples, who, with assistance from student Kaitlyn Gelman ’25, G’26, applied for and received the grant in 2023.
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“During my third year, I was invited to an initial meeting by a master’s student who was helping establish the (Go Baby Go) program. I was the youngest student in the room, but I was determined to get involved. I began working with Dr. DeNaples ... and I just kept showing up and finding ways to help,” said Gelman. Their team initiated the University’s Go Baby Go chapter in the spring of 2024 with 40 student volunteers from the occupational therapy and mechanical engineering programs. An Idea Takes Wheels
Here, Trevor Cooke gets comfortable on his new tractor with help from his dad, Devin Cooke, and his mom, Shirley Huffman.
“When people think engineering, they think planes, automobiles, military applications, but there is so much more to it than that,” said Mitchell Sporing ’24, an engineering inspector in Alaska, who, as a mechanical engineering student, organized the original volunteer project teams from his major. “Small things make a big impact, helping design something which can enable autonomy, joy and happiness.”
Lucas, a 2025 car recipient, is overjoyed to drive his modified vehicle at the inaugural Go Baby Go event.
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Tyler Roueche ’25, of Pompey, New York, modified electric ride-on cars to meet the needs of children in the program for two years.
“What surprised me most was how technically challenging each project became. I expected that changes to the cars would be relatively straightforward, with only minor customizations from one car to the next,” said Roueche, a design engineer at global engineering company Ramboll. “Instead ... I worked with occupational and physical therapy majors who provided guidance on each child’s condition and mobility requirements and we translated those needs into engineering solutions. This included designing and implementing mechanical and electrical modifications, such as installing joystick controls, remote on/off switches and other custom components.” Those complex modifications made all the difference to Lucas, one of 11 car recipients from the program’s initial year. “We were able to program the car to operate using a joystick, allowing Lucas to steer and move the car more independently, but the impact went far beyond that first experience,” said Gelman, who guided planning of the inaugural Community Day event, where the teams revealed completed cars to families for the first time. “I reached out to Lucas’ mother Kim and asked if she would speak at our Community Day. ...During her speech she shared that because of how well Lucas used the joystick, he was later able to be fitted for a motorized, self-steering wheelchair.
The event was highlighted by the presentation of 10 miniature cars modified to meet the specific needs of 10 local children with disabilities. Program volunteers included 70 University of Scranton students, representing 11 majors.
“...It showed me that what we were doing was not just creating a fun opportunity. We were helping a child explore his abilities, develop independence and discover a form of access that could continue to support his participation and mobility as he grew.” Royals’ Reach Expands
Dr. DeNaples credited Gelman as “a powerhouse with communications and marketing,” which was vital in the first year. “We had to work to get people involved because there was no precedent,” said Dr. DeNaples. “My colleague Laura Zagaki, DHSc, and I have developed a broad network of families of children with disabilities through pediatric curriculum-oriented engagement for students. Also, United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit 19 helped get the word out.” The process begins months prior to the unveiling, when the University’s Go Baby Go volunteers meet with the children and their families to identify the individual modifications needed. Dr. DeNaples said the teams confirm the children’s favorite colors, songs and characters for the ultimate personalization.
“If the car is custom-made for them, they’re going to want to use it more.” In 2026, more than 70 students volunteered across 11 majors — occupational therapy, physical therapy, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, counseling, criminal justice, marketing, nursing, communication sciences, finance and biology, according to Dr. DeNaples.
The University of Scranton Go Baby Go chapter student leader Kaitlyn Gelman ’25, G’26, with Stephanie DeNaples, OTD ’15, G’17.
“It’s all volunteers — students do not receive any credits. Students keep showing up, and I would not be able to do it without them. It’s incredible that they love it so much,” she said. “Thank goodness for Tom Bryan, director of the IDEA Center in the new Weiss Hall, who was so helpful with 3D printing custom plastic parts, stickers and creative elements, as well as technical pieces,” she added, also crediting University support. The Community Day is not in the rearview for Go Baby Go alumni.
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The program, which began with 40 volunteers, nearly doubled in the two years that followed.
Kiera Lapham ’26, completed her master’s in occupational therapy. Here, she hands a balloon to Lily, who received a modified ride-on car during the 2nd Annual Go Baby Go Community Day and returned this year in support.
Stephanie DeNaples, OTD ’15, G’17 and Edward R. Leahy ’68, H’01, at the 2026 Community Day event for the University’s chapter of Go Baby Go, which is supported by a grant through The Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment.
“Families from each year return, not because their children are receiving a car, but because they want to support the new kids. That is powerful,” said Dr. DeNaples.
View photo galleries from Go Baby Go events.
Kim Scatton, mother of Lucas, a 2025 car recipient, shares their story at the 2026 Go Baby Go Community Day. Shown at left are Kaitlyn Gelman ’25, G’26, and Stephanie DeNaples, OTD ’15, G’17. At bottom is Maryanne Stefko, interpreting via American Sign Language.
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Royally Accomplished
SIX MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2026 SET OUT TO MAKE THEIR MARK ON THE WORLD
SUCCESSFUL INTERNSHIP LEADS TO BANKING JOB Not long after Sophia Ciabattoni walked off the stage with her diploma at commencement in May, she began working for one of the Big Four accounting firms. Ciabattoni landed the position of audit associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers following an internship with the global services firm in the winter of 2025-2026. Only a select number of interns are offered full-time positions, and the internships themselves are competitive, with about 1,400 interns accepted from tens of thousands of applicants.
Sophia Ciabattoni ’26
Alumni Profile
BS in Accounting Audit Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers
When Ciabattoni applied for the internship, she said she did not expect anything to materialize. But within a week, a recruiter called, and before long she was in a series of interviews. The University’s chapter of the international Beta Alpha Psi honor society “was incredibly helpful” in honing interview skills that she believes got her the job offer. “If you are well prepared for the interview, it will get you to the next step,” she said. While she ultimately didn’t find the PricewaterhouseCoopers internship through networking, Ciabattoni says she went on “every single” networking trip offered through the University, meeting many seasoned professionals, including alumni. “It’s very special to have alumni who want to get to know you and want you to succeed,” she said. At PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ciabattoni is working in Banking and Capital Markets, auditing financials for a large bank.
TAKING A DEEP DIVE INTO BEHAVIOR RESEARCH St. Louis, Missouri, is a long way from Scranton, but a prestigious doctoral program in the Gateway City is at the heart of Erica Czerwinski’s academic career. She is one of a select number of applicants accepted into the coveted Brain, Behavior and Cognition Ph.D. Program at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), a private research university with whom 26 Nobel laureates are affiliated.
Erica Czerwinski ’26
BS in Psychology + Philosophy Brain, Behavior & Cognition Ph.D. Program, Washington University in St. Louis
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On the recommendation of Scranton faculty mentor Jill Warker, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, Czerwinski applied to WashU, where she is one of just 12 applicants accepted to the Ph.D. program. Czerwinski says her application was strengthened by “the University’s flexibility in allowing students to participate in multiple intensive honors programs” and “the opportunity to do lots of research as an undergraduate.” The WashU faculty mentor was particularly impressed by Czerwinski’s research project studying the effect of different types of lies on destination memory, and that the University Honors Program required an oral defense of her thesis at an undergraduate level. Even after graduation, Czerwinski continues academic pursuits with Scranton professors. Working alongside Dr. Warker, she is preparing her thesis for publication and submitted an abstract to present a poster at a professional conference in November. She will also be presenting two posters with John Norcross, Ph.D., distinguished professor of psychology, at the American Psychology Association conference in August.
ALUMNI PROF I LE
The newest members of the University’s Alumni Society include six from the Class of 2026 entering the world fueled by an education that is uniquely and unmistakably “Scranton.” These uncommonly accomplished Royals have been accepted to some of the nation’s most competitive and prestigious firms, doctoral programs and residency programs. Read on to learn more about these newly-minted alumni.
Find out more about how Scranton reinforced their path to success.
A BRILLIANT BEGINNING IN BUSINESS ANALYTICS When Joseph Mazich was selected for an internship with Tiffany & Co. in the summer of 2025, he was one of just .003 percent of applicants accepted to the elite program. On the first day of orientation, the C-suite of executives told the interns that their acceptance was more selective than a Tiffany diamond itself, adding that only .004 percent of diamonds in the world are selected by Tiffany for their products. During the internship, Mazich discovered a passion for working in the luxury retail industry and applied to Tiffany for a full-time position. “Within the first five minutes of the interview, they told me that my business analytics major made my application stand out,” he says. Joseph Mazich ’26
BS in Business Analytics Minor in Accounting + Philosophy Analyst, Tiffany & Co., Global Client & Performance Group, NYC
Mazich credits his successful interview at Tiffany to techniques learned through the University’s chapter of the international Beta Alpha Psi honor society, as well as skills taught in the Business 150 class. “The whole support system at Scranton – from faculty and friends to knowledge and experiences – has really set me up for success,” he said.
Alumni Profile
One interview led to another, and a job offer followed for the position of analyst in the Global Client Development and Performance group in New York City. In this role, Mazich is analyzing data from Tiffany boutiques and stores globally to determine how best to market to specific clientele.
FROM PATIENT TO PERSON-CENTERED PRACTITIONER After physical therapy treatments for a sports injury in high school, Kieran McCormack discovered a calling to help others. This experience, coupled with a love of sports and a leaning toward his faith, got him thinking in very specific ways about a career path. “Scranton’s faith-based focus figured heavily into my decision to come here,” said McCormack. After completing a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2023, he entered the physical therapy program, graduating in May. In September, McCormack’s ambitions will come to fruition as he joins AdventHealth in Orlando, Florida, for a job as a physical therapist before beginning a one-year sports residency in December. McCormack is one of only two accepted into the residency program at AdventHealth, Orlando. Kieran McCormack ’23, DPT ’26
BS in Kinesiology + Doctor of Physical Therapy Minor in Psychology Residency Program, AdventHealth, Orlando, Florida
The interview process was rigorous and involved a panel of six staff members from various departments and clinical sites. To prepare for the interview, he leaned into the Scranton community, participating in mock interviews with fellow DPT classmates and learning from faculty who were eager to help. “I feel like Scranton prepared me to be strong in all fields of physical therapy,” he said. A clinical internship that McCormack completed this spring with the San Francisco Giants in Arizona was “hugely helpful” in gaining relevant experience.
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“The whole support system at Scranton – from faculty and friends to knowledge and experiences – has really set me up for success.” — Joseph Mazich ’26
A PASSION FOR PEDIATRICS
Alumni Profile
Jordyn Rumsey’s senior year looked a little different than that of many college students. With a proactive hire offer in place, Rumsey entered her senior year with a job as a nurse resident and, by spring, a post-graduation job offer as a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) nurse resident at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), one of the top ten children’s hospitals in the U.S. and the primary pediatric training facility for the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. It is a full-circle moment for Rumsey, whose love for helping others and the sciences led her to pursue a career in nursing. During her studies at Scranton, she discovered a passion for pediatrics from Professor Laurie Barrett Valunas, faculty specialist in nursing who “helped me realize that I want to work with the pediatric population and help children and their families through difficult moments,” she said. Rumsey completed an externship at CHOP in the PICU and emergency room in the summer of 2025. She was one of just nine candidates selected from a pool of 25. During her one-year residency, which begins this fall, Rumsey will be paired with a preceptor and will work on an evidence-based practice project that will be presented to colleagues. “It’s such a great opportunity,” Rumsey said of the residency.
Jordyn Rumsey ’26
BS in Nursing Minor in Psychology Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse Resident, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Photo credit: David Roberts
A SCRANTON FAMILY LEGACY OF VETERINARIANS Maria Spinelli begins her Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD) studies at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) this fall as one of only 133 accepted from a pool of 1,600 applicants accepted to UPenn’s Ivy League veterinary school. Of the 12 schools to which Spinelli applied to pursue studies in veterinary medicine, she was accepted to eight. Spinelli was drawn to UPenn because of the school’s reputation for having some of the highest caseloads in both large and small animals. This, she says, aligns with her interest in treating a variety of conditions across various species. “I have a soft spot for small animals but also have a background in 4-H and large animals,” said Spinelli, who is considering a career in a mixed animal general practice after completion of the four-year VMD program. Scranton was an ideal fit for Spinelli’s academic career goals. “The classes offered helped prepare me to fulfill the prerequisites for veterinary school,” she said. When Spinelli was applying to veterinary schools, professors offered their support in the process and wrote letters of recommendation. Through the student-run Pre-Vet Club, she had the opportunity to hear from upper class students and local veterinarians who shared their advice. Spinelli also received expert guidance about her chosen profession from sources closer to home. Both her mother, Beth Nebzydoski Spinelli VMD, ’99, and grandfather, Henry Nebzydoski VMD, ’68, earned degrees from Scranton and UPenn veterinary school.
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ALUMNI PROF I LE
Maria Spinelli ’26
BS in Biology Minor in Biochemistry Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD), University of Pennsylvania
Milestones
Alumni … Tell us what you’re up to!
Names in Gold indicate alumnus/alumna is celebrating his/her reunion year.
Class Notes included in this edition were submitted prior to July 1, 2026. To submit your own news or see additional class notes, visit scranton.edu/classnotes.
1960s
John Zimmerman ’67, Okatie, South Carolina, sold his cattle ranch in Shiner, Texas, and moved to Callawassie Island in the low country of South Carolina.
1970s
Mark Chopko ’74, Falls Church, Virginia, was appointed the Lieutenant of the Middle Atlantic Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The appointment was made in Oct. 2025 by Cardinal Fernando Filoni, who heads the order in Rome. The order is a pontifical institution dedicated to supporting the Church’s works and mission and strengthening the Christian presence in the Holy Land through works of faith, service and charity. The Middle Atlantic Lieutenancy includes 13 dioceses in six states and the District of Columbia.
Joseph Sharp ’78, Bensalem, was
inducted into the Holy Ghost Prep Athletic Hall of Fame, recognizing over half a century of support for amateur athletics as an athletic trainer.
Linda Arthur Hebbard ’85, Johnson City, New York, retired from the Laboratory at Guthrie Lourdes Hospital microbiology department after 40 years of service.
1980s
Belinda Juran ’81, Lowell, Massachusetts, was sworn in as a city councilor in Lowell, Massachusetts, in January 2026. Carol A. Peters ’82, Scranton, celebrated 52 years with Peters Design Group Inc., an architectural engineering and design firm. Rich Bevilacqua, DMD, M.D. ’83, was named chief, oral and maxillofacial surgery, Hartford Healthcare and associate chief, craniofacial trauma system, Hartford Healthcare.
Doreen Madeira Matzerath ’83 and Joseph Matzerath ’84, Scranton, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in Sept. 2025. Joining them were fellow University of Scranton alumni John Cannon ’85, John Matzerath ’87 and Darsh Dhaded ’15.
Attorney John A. Donovan Jr. ’83, West Pittston, was awarded the 2025 President’s Award by the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association of the Luzerne County Bar Association.
Pictured front row, left to right: Joe Sharp ’78, former Scranton Soccer Coach Steve Klingman, award recipient Jim Rauer ’78, Dennis Guida ’75 and Steve Jiulianti ’78. Back row, left to right: Kevin McGeever ’78, Ron Rauer ’78, Don Appenzeller ’76, Jack Vogel ’78 and Dan Amspacher ’80.
Jim Rauer ’78 was inducted into the South Jersey Soccer Hall of Fame on March 15 at the Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood, New Jersey. Rauer, who is also a member of The University of Scranton Athletic Wall of Fame, was joined at the event by several of his former Scranton teammates and fellow alumni, including Joe Sharp ’78, Dennis Guida ’75, Steve Jiulianti ’78, Kevin McGeever ’78, Ron Rauer ’78, Don Appenzeller ’76, Jack Vogel ’78, and Dan Amspacher ’80. Former Scranton soccer coach Steve Klingman was also in attendance.
Salvatore A. Luongo ’86, Tampa, Florida, was named president and chief operating officer at Red Rock Group Holdings. He also serves as principal consultant at Hamilton Grace. Scott Antoine, D.O. ’89, Carmel, Indiana, has published “The Comprehensive Physician’s Guide to the Management of PANS and PANDAS,” an Amazon bestselling textbook for physicians. These conditions are subtypes of autoimmune encephalitis that affect children. This textbook has defined the standard of care in these conditions. Dr. Antoine continues to lecture across the United States as a subject-matter expert in these conditions.
Class Notes
William L. Kovacs ’69, Great Falls, Virginia, published his most recent book, “Congress: An Irrelevant Institution or Guardian of the Republic,” completing his trilogy on reforming the federal government. The book warns that as Congress retreats from its constitutional responsibilities, the separation of powers erodes and executive overreach strengthens presidential power over the nation. His first book, “Reform the Kakistocracy,” received the 2021 Independent Press Award for Social/ Political Change. His second book, “Devolution of Power: Rolling Back the Federal State to Preserve the Republic,” was a finalist in the 18th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards in the Government category.
Lawrence A. J. Spegar, Esq. ’84, Jessup, continues to enjoy a successful career as an attorney, in addition to his pursuits as a sports enthusiast and influencer. In 2026, he attended the College Football National Championship in Miami, Super Bowl LX in San Francisco, and the opening rounds of the men’s basketball tournament in Philadelphia.
1990s
Maureen Sullivan Gonzales ’90, Narberth, earned her Ph.D. in nursing from Widener University. Marion Munley ’83, Moosic, has been selected for the 2026 Lawdragon Hall of Fame and the Lawdragon 500 Leading Consumer Lawyers list. The Lawdragon Hall of Fame recognizes lawyers for their long and impactful careers, considering their contributions, leadership and relationships over decades. This process involves extensive tracking and evaluation beyond recent achievements. Munley, of Munley Law, has also been selected for the Top 10 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, the Top 100 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and the Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers lists in the 2026 edition of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers.
Annmarie E. Andrejko ’92, was named regional president for Northeast PA and head of corporate banking for the region at PNC Bank.
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Milestones
Names in Gold indicate alumnus/alumna is celebrating his/her reunion year.
Class Notes
Tina Gallagher ’95 and Cecelia Mecca ’96, G’98 released the first book in their co-authored contemporary romance series, “The Brewhouse Book Society.” The two alumnae, who did not know each other while at Scranton, connected decades later through the romance writing community and developed both a friendship and a creative partnership. The series is set in a fictional small town in Pennsylvania and follows a group of women navigating love, life and friendship through a local book club. In addition to writing, they also host masterminds for indie authors, bringing writers together to foster collaboration and community. Meg Powers ’96, Richmond, California, earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia.
Pictured left to right: Robin Brooks Johnson ’98, Jennifer Weaver Musser ’98, Andrea Russo Hankey ’98 and Gianna Famulari ’98.
Scranton friends share a bond like no other. More than 30 years later, the Class of 1998 friendship remains strong. The “408 girls” (Robin Brooks Johnson ’98, Jennifer Weaver Musser ’98, Andrea Russo Hankey ’98 and Gianna Famulari ’98) gathered in February 2026 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to celebrate more than 30 years of friendship and their 50th year.
2000s
Kristen Mucci-Mosier ’00, Cranford, New Jersey, had her debut book, “Restless: How to Stop Living an If-Only Life,” published. The book, which became available on April 14, examines the psychological, emotional and cultural roots of restlessness, that persistent feeling that something better must be just around the corner, guiding readers toward greater presence, clarity and meaning in their lives. After a decade working as a journalist, with roots
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in her Scranton education and time as a campus newspaper editor, she transitioned into psychotherapy. The skills she honed across both careers are woven into every page of the book. Talia Argondezzi ’03 had a new book, “Bedtime Stories for Academics: Quibbles and Squabbles at Typical University,” published in August from University of Toronto Press. The book is a collection of linked short stories that takes a satirical look at higher education, highlighting both the day-to-day experiences of faculty and staff at universities and the broader social forces affecting higher education. Peter Castagna, Ed.D. ’03, West Chester, defended his dissertation to earn his Ed.D. from Saint Joseph’s University. Bobby Davis, Ed.D. ’03, served on the dissertation committee. Ryan C. Joyce ’04, Boston, Massachusetts, was named vice president, development at Burke Rehabilitation. In this role, Joyce will lead the development and philanthropic strategy at Burke in close partnership with hospital leadership and its Board of Trustees to strengthen fundraising performance, deepen donor engagement and expand opportunities across individual giving, institutional philanthropy and government grants. Colin O’Boyle ’04, Plymouth Meeting, was elected president of the Montgomery Bar Association for the 2026 Bar Year. O’Boyle is a shareholder at Elliott Greenleaf, P.C., where his practice includes trial and appellate litigation, focusing on commercial disputes, health law and employment discrimination. He is based in the firm’s Blue Bell office. John R. Patro Jr., OTD ’07, Aston, recently accepted the position of inaugural associate dean for Health Sciences at Molloy University Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences. In this role, Dr. Patro oversees a diverse portfolio of health sciences programs and is leading initiatives related to interdisciplinary education, program development, enrollment growth and global engagement. A proud graduate of The University of Scranton, Dr. Patro continues to advance his work in occupational therapy education, leadership and international collaboration. He was
CL AS S NOT ES
recently inducted as a distinguished fellow of the National Academies of Practice and is completing his Ph.D. in educational studies with a focus on adult learning and development. His dissertation explores faculty perspectives on cultivating cultural humility in entry-level health professions education. Dr. Patro remains passionate about mentoring future healthcare professionals and creating innovative opportunities. Vincent Solomeno ’07, Red Bank, New Jersey, was appointed by Governor Mikie Sherrill to be the New Jersey Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. Andrew F. Prior ’08, New York, commanded a New York Army National Guard unit and led the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, the “Fighting 69th,” in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, marking the regiment’s 175th time leading the parade.
Samuel J. Richards G’15, Bentleyville, is among the contributing authors for “Authoritarian Rule Since 1750,” part of Pearson’s new series of textbooks designed to support the International Baccalaureate’s revised history course. Richards has taught and developed curricula for schools in Brazil, China, Kenya, Switzerland and the United States. He is currently head of social sciences at the International School of Kenya in Nairobi.
2020s
Megan Thompson G’08, Minneapolis, Minnesota, was selected as iCivics’ and the Bill of Rights Institute’s Civic Star Challenge Gold Prize Winner.
2010s
John McKiernan G’12, Notre Dame, Indiana, has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer at Holy Cross College at Notre Dame, Indiana. McKiernan will support President Marco Clark in operationalizing the College’s many strengths as an institution for Catholic higher education. Jeanne Rabel, Ed.D. ’12, G’14, Scranton, successfully defended her dissertation, “Navigating Connection: A Case Study on the Sense of Belonging Among Undergraduate Students Experiencing TraumaInformed Care” at Wilkes University. Dr. Rabel also holds a master’s degree in school counseling from The University of Scranton. Holli Bott Archer ’13, Philadelphia, was promoted to shareholder of Marshall Dennehey’s Healthcare Department. Dillon Chorba ’15, Red Bank, New Jersey, has been appointed by Vincent Solomeno ’07, New Jersey’s Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, to serve as chief of staff of the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs.
Pictured from left to right: Ruby McGrath ’28, Catherine Alu ’86 and Jayden Walsh ’29.
Jayden Walsh ’29 and Ruby McGrath ’28 attended the Society of Irish Women’s annual Top O’ the Morn Brunch on Sunday, Feb. 22, along with alumna Catherine Alu ’86. The students, both Reddington Scholars from Ireland, offered grace in fluent Irish, adding authenticity to the cultural heritage event.
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Class of Take a walk back in time and check out some history and cherished memories.
ith its history w ton makes approximately an cr S . ay g Move-in D man class, totalin esh largest fr nts. 700 stude
700
: ps 77 Shi 9 , 1 II 10 ple e n Ap perform. ch, dance and Ju rst Royals resear i F
Rev. Edward Gannon, S.J. H’83, shown at center, organiz es a bit of friendly competition between Scranton and Marywood with “Campus Bowl.”
Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee.
Time Capsule
sity e Univer coach Th ennsylvania Jardine P a n h er rt st a nd M orthea ciation. ngman a in the N all Asso Steve Kli girls to a title c Volleyb ti n le to th n A a of Scr egiate Intercoll Women’s
mmencement At the 1977 Co pts Scranton acce ry ceremony, Ma University m fro ee gr de an Honorary S.J. H’84. William Byron, President Rev.
Guests to campus run the gamut in 1977. National recording to a artists Hall and Oates perform er crowd of 4,000 at the Long Cent and Federal Judge Hon. William Nealon H’75, pays a visit to the University Pre-Law Society.
Sources: University of Scranton Archives and Digital Collections (1977 Windhover, The Aquinas, The Scranton Times, The Scranton Tribune)
A snowy scene offe rs an enduring touchs tone in the University’s visual history, while other campus fixtures, such as the Galvin Terrace recreational sports complex and automobile tra ffic on Linden Street , yield to progress.
Star Wars was released on May 25, 1977 C L ASS N OTE S
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Marriages
Katie Leithauser ’16 married Nick Cassidy in June 2025 surrounded by friends and family who all attended The University of Scranton!
Class Notes
Megan Conley ’09 married Ryan Arnold on Feb. 28, 2026, in Newtown Square surrounded by family and friends who attended The University of Scranton, including the bride’s father, Joe Conley ’76, brother, Joseph Conley ’07 and sister, Lauren Conley ’10.
John “Buddy” Stocks ’17, G’20 and Kaitlin Rush ’18 met on campus at The University of Scranton and were married 10 years later, on Oct. 10, 2025, in Denville, New Jersey. They celebrated their special day with family and friends from Scranton!
Kaitlin Memmen ’20 married Emery Lease at Georgetown University on May 10, 2025. The celebration drew a large Scranton turnout, with many alumni and professors in attendance.
Nick D’Alonzo, M.D. ’19, a general surgery resident at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, married Julia Kerr, DVM ’19, an emergency veterinarian at Shores Veterinary Emergency Center in Harrisburg, in Sept. 2024.
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Corey Gorman ’12 married Ashley Mealey on March 6, 2026, celebrating with many Scranton friends and alumni.
Mariah Vellek ’15, G’16 and Connor Shanahan ’15, G’16, were married on March 14, 2025, in Rye, New York.
Class Notes
Nicole Reale ’13, G’16 married Dylan Desaulniers on March 21, 2026, in Warren, New Jersey.
Julie Weismiller ’20 married Thomas Conlon ’20 on Oct. 10, 2025, at the New Jersey Shore.
Katie Zefran, D.D.S. ’16 married TJ Murray on Sept. 6, 2025, at Elkview Country Club, Crystal Lake. C L ASS N OTE S
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Marriages
Class Notes
Gregory J. Lacey ’19 married Briana N. Moritzen ’20 on July 25, 2025, in Red Bank, New Jersey, surrounded by college roommates, siblings and friends who attended and graduated from Scranton.
Karen Mennella ’16 married Michael Klein on Nov. 7, 2025.
Chelsea Malota ’18 and Sarin Baldante ’21 were married in France in Nov. 2025 surrounded by alumni from the Classes of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Bridget Pynn ’21, G’22 married Daniel Shuck ’21, G’22 on Oct. 4, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York, surrounded by family and Scranton friends! They met on campus in the occupational therapy program and grew close through new student orientation. They were engaged on campus in 2023 and will always hold Scranton close to their hearts.
Marissa Joyce ’20 married Jack McCaffrey ’20 on Oct. 23, 2025, in Slane, Ireland. Eleven Scranton alumni attended, including Max Tricolla ’20, Alison Foley ’20, Johanna Torre ’20, Vinny Burke ’20, Kevin Ferryman ’20, Kelly Pooler ’19, Danny Pooler ’19, Blaise Casillo ’18 and Mike Kuhn ’93.
Bailey McLaughlin ’21, G’22 and Bryan Gorczyca ’19, DPT ’22 were married on June 7, 2025, by Rev. Ronald McKinney, S.J. Nicholas Capobianco ’19, G’22 was best man. Joseph Fullam ’22 was the cantor as he and Bailey sang many Masses at the University together. Stephen Murphy, who worked for campus music ministry, accompanied the ceremony, and local Scranton band Black Tie Stereo brought the house down at the reception. Bryan’s aunts, uncles, and cousins attended the University too! Submit your news or see additional Class Notes.
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Pictured from left: Robert McGowan ’19, Sarah Brown ’20, G’21, Michael Fischer ’21, Clare Long ’21, G’22, Jordan Delicato ’19, Erica Homan ’21, G’22, Sara Krogulski ’14, Rachael Gallagher ’21, G’22, Kevin Ryan Kucharski ’14, Madison Heaton ’21, G’22, Benedicto Arbizo ’19, Bailey McLaughlin ’21, G’22, Bryan Gorczyca ’19, G’22, Tyler Soto ’19, Kevin Kucharski ’85, Sandy Cameli ’82, Nicholas Capobianco ’19, G’22, Jonathan Lopez ’19, Stephanie Capobianco ’19, G’22, Ashley Jacobi ’12, G’15, Cassandra Amicucci ’12, G’15 and Joseph Fullam ’22.
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Nora Murray ’19 married Zachary Weinberg ’19 on Sept. 12, 2025, surrounded by family, friends, roommates and our Scranton family.
(Race) Walking
REV. MICHAEL BARTHOLOMEW ’03
With God
The virtue of hope leads one Royal to become a Roman Catholic priest and a champion masters race walker. Rev. Michael Bartholomew ’03 knows a lot about hope. And about defying the odds. Born three months premature, he weighed only 2 pounds, 10 ounces when he came into the world, and the odds seemed like they were against him ever bearing the title of “national champion.” “My whole life has been about hope,” he said. “You never know what God has in store for you.”
Alumni Profile
A native of Long Island, he was diagnosed at birth with hydrocephalus, which required the surgical implantation of a pressure-relieving shunt to save his life. He fell in love with distance running in high school and joined the Cross Country team at the University before injuries prematurely ended his running career. Still hoping to compete, he began race walking soon after and realized he had a shot at making the U.S. Olympic team. He entered the seminary after he heard God’s call to serve the church and made the U.S. 50 km National Team. His fluency in Spanish and the international business degree he earned at the University proved to be major assets in his ministry, and today, as pastor of four churches on Long Island, he sees himself as a spiritual coach for his parishioners. “I’m coaching up my parishes to try to get them to understand how much God loves them, how much they can grow in their knowledge and love of God, and their love of one another,” he said. In 2018, after an extended break from competition, he began racing on the masters athletics circuit for athletes 35 and over, and he’s since racked up seven national titles and set three American records in his age group, including a half marathon American record time of 2:17:32. True to form, Fr. Bartholomew has his sights set upon qualifying for
Fr. Bartholomew discusses the moment that he knew God was calling him to the priesthood.
the Olympic trials in 2027, proving that hope truly springs eternal. “You never know what God has in store for you,” he said. ALUM N I PROFILE
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Marriages
Class Notes
Kaitlyn Davis ’17 and Matthew Andres ’17 were married on Aug. 30, 2025, by Rev. Ron McKinney, S.J., surrounded by generations of Scranton family and friends from the Classes of 1964 to 2028.
Elizabeth Ridge, D.O. ’21 and Ed Burke ’21 were married on Jan.10, 2026, in Pennsylvania, surrounded by Scranton alumni.
Matt Nardo ’18 married Lea Zaengle ’18 in Feb. 2026 in Philadelphia.
Ryan Smith ’16 and Loren Mastroberti ’16 were married on Oct. 11, 2025.
Mia Notarianni ’16 and Nicholas Swift ’16 were married in Scranton on April 12, 2025. They celebrated at the Scranton Cultural Center surrounded by family and friends, many of whom are Scranton alumni. They currently reside in Conshohocken, but Scranton will always be their second home.
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Luis Melgar ’18 married Catherine Bruno ’18, and they are “grateful for the Scranton community that created the space for us to learn what it means to love more fully than we ever could have imagined before coming to Scranton! ‘Not where I breathe, but where I love, I live.’ — Robert Southwell, S.J.” Pictured from left, Uzoma Agbasionye ’18; Keny Melgar ’21; Luis Melgar ’18 (groom); Catherine Bruno ’18 (bride); Adrian Laudani ’18; Mya Buschman ’21.
Future Royals A son, Hugo Patrick, to Robbie and Patricia Cermignano Boushehri ’11, born on Oct. 23, 2025, in London, UK. A son, Anthony John (AJ), to Colleen ’12 and Anthony Cestaro, born on Jan. 24, 2025. A daughter, Michaela Ruby, to Stephen ’14 and Marissa Schiling Barbuto ’14, G’15 in April 2025.
A son, Michael Ryan, to Sean and Maribeth Castaldi Baress ’14. A son, Bennett Thomas Grueter,
to Jonathan ’14 and Shannon O’Gorman Grueter ’15; grandson to Jacqueline Christie O’Gorman ’87 and James Grueter ’85.
A son, Russell Patrick IV, to Erin Knight Preno ’14 and Russell Patrick Preno III ’05, born on May 19, 2026. A son, Jack, to Greg ’15 and Sara Chapin Schwenk ’16.
A son, Lucas Robert, to Jacob ’15 and Lauren Stewart. A son, Patrick Thomas, to
Christopher ’18 and Tiffany Cecere O’Donnell ’18, of Madison, New Jersey.
A daughter, Emilia Diana, to Jonathan ’18 and Alexa Zirnheld ’19, G’20, of Willow Grove.
Announce your newest addition to the University family.
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“Eternal rest grant unto them, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.”
In Memoriam Robert L. Barrowcliff ’51, Wilmington, Delaware
Joseph R. Rinaggio ’63, East Amherst, New York
Walter P. Andreski ’72, Jefferson Twp.
Arthur J. Kania, Esq. ’53, H’89, Tequesta, Florida, and Newtown Square
Robert P. Theis ’63, Scranton
James C. Daily G’72, Westfield, Connecticut
Milton A. Rosenbloom ’53, Bloomfield, Connecticut Carlo J. Celli ’55, Peckville Joseph A. Moran ’55, Millstone Township, New Jersey Ronald L. Terranella, Ph.D. ’55, South Abington Township Gerald M. Barbour ’58, East Rockhill Township Thomas S. Higgins, J.D. ’58, Montclair, New Jersey
Edward J. Lynett Jr. ’65, Clarks Summit
Frederick Bender, Ph.D. ’73, Lafayette, New Jersey
Ronald V. Petrilla, Ph.D. G’80, Hazleton Valerio J. Ungarini ’80, Bristol Jeffery W. Seitzinger, M.D. ’81, Freeland Joseph B. Campbell G’83, Matamoras
Bruce P. Ceccacci ’73, Jessup
Connie Shershenovich ’84, Estero, Florida
Rose Ellen Miller G’65, Falls
Thomas J. Hughes ’73, G’87, Scranton
Gerard McGraw ’85, Havertown
John W. Nebzydoski, M.D. ’65, Fayetteville, New York
Gerald J. Reisch ’74, Luzerne
Brian P. McKenna ’85, Bethlehem
Andrew A. Kettel ’75, Clarks Summit
Catharine F. Grow G’87, Mount Pleasant
Joan Lengel G’75, Roaring Brook Twp.
Thomas S. Zayac G’87, Endicott, New York
Ronald Troy ’65, Margate, Florida Thomas G. Behonick ’67, Endicott, New York Gary C. Boam ’67, Roaring Brook Township
Robert C. Mesko ’75, Scranton Robert A. Gerrity ’76, Clarks Summit
Neil F. MacDonald ’88, Dunmore Richard J. Burns Jr., D.O. ’89, Moosic
Allen J. Duricko, Ph.D. ’67, Gouldsboro
Gregory P. Korgeski, Ph.D. ’76, Saxtons River, Vermont
Harold P. Perkins ’67, Etters
Frank B. Kresge G’76, Wind Gap
Hugh Donald Burns, Ph.D. ’68, Harleysville
Alexander J. Marchel ’76, Old Forge
Lisa Gervasio Alfano ’90, Verona, New Jersey
Patrick P. Mulhern G’76, Tunkhannock
Mary I. Herman G’90, Macungie
Richard J. Davidson ’68, Dunmore
Carl S. Scarantino ’76, Pittston
Robert C. McGrath ’68, Palm Springs, California
Ann Marie Dixon Bestany ’91, Malvern
Keith E. Tucker ’76, Roaring Brook Township
Joseph Sakelaridas G’68, Sugar Notch
Jason A. Daria, Esq. ’91, Moorestown, New Jersey
Mary Kilgallon Berezinsky ’77, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
William F. Gil ’92, Lewisberry
Robert J. Kilgour ’69, Conestoga
James G. Burke G’77, Childs
Flora M. Cupple ’62, Scranton
Rose Mary E. Lynch G’69, Wilkes-Barre
Thomas J. Dougherty ’62, Dunmore
Rev. Gregory N. Maslak ’69, Bristol
Anne Scully Wettengel ’77, Worcester, Massachusetts
William T. Kwolek ’62, Peckville
John R. Sebastianelli, M.D. ’69, Dorchester, Massachusetts
Charles R. Costello III ’78, Brick, New Jersey
James L. Walsh, Esq. ’69, Camp Hill
Ann Marie Crow G’78, Harrisburg
Dennis T. Harkins ’70, Plymouth Meeting
Dennis J. Matzoni G’78, Newport Township
Gerald J. Paparella G’70, Peckville
Jeffrey McDonough ’78, Scranton
Brian R. Flynn G’71, Wolcott, Connecticut
James M. McLaine ’79, Scott Township
Bridget B. Flannery G’09, Binghamton, New York
William R. Cary III ’80, Punta Gorda, Florida
Sharifa Esi Mtingwa G’10, Hillsborough, North Carolina
Cyrus L. Mineo, M.D. ’58, Phoenixville John E. Swift, M.D. ’58, Bonita Springs, Florida C. Martin Kelly Jr. ’59, Moosic Elbert H. Rowlands ’59, Stroudsburg Donald G. Myers, Ed.D. ’60, Honesdale
Class Notes
Caesar Augustus DeLeo, M.D. ’65, Lake Bluff, Illinois
Cindy L. Noll ’80, Dalton
Arthur P. Poli ’60, Winchester, Virginia James J. Grace ’61, Springfield, Virginia Paul J. Angelis, Ph.D. ’62, Mequon, Wisconsin
Joseph J. Magalski Sr., D.D.S. ’62, Forest City John M. Wastak Jr. ’62, Old Forge Thomas A. Artabane, M.D. ’63, South Abington Township Charles H. Castellino ’63, Pittston Robert M. Costello ’63, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
William M. Naughton ’71, Scranton
In Memoriam: Friends and Family Diann Sauer, wife of Joseph Sauer ’64
Peggy Diver, mother of Maureen Diver ’90
Valerie Majez Evans, sister of Carol (Majez) Ginster G’84 and Jacalynne (Majez) Lopata ’85
Tara Canally, wife of James Canally ’95
Denise L. Doty Cabezas ’89, Wall Township, New Jersey
Edward A. Gable ’94, Scranton James P. Burton ’96, Scranton Michael Frazier ’96, Olyphant Lisa M. Sohara G’98, Old Forge Karyn Yorke Montano ’00, Cedar Knolls, New Jersey Deanna M. Zarzecki ’02, New Milford Deno S. Gualtieri, D.O. ’03, Coopersburg
Alexandra Lee Hughes Weckesser ’10, Bayonne, New Jersey
Sandra G. Montrone H’03, wife of Paul Montrone, Ph.D. ’62, H’86
Dorothy Riley, mother of Mary Riley Elliott ’88, Anne Riley Schiavo ’89 and Thomas P. Riley ’90; mother-in-law of Anthony Schiavo ’90 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, The 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, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sex, pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes, age, disability, genetic information, national origin, ethnicity, family responsibilities, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other status protected by applicable 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 Elizabeth M. Garcia, associate vice president, Office of Institutional Compliance and Title IX, 570.941.6645.
36
T HE S CR AN TON J O U R N A L
CL AS S NOT ES
Your Light Shine ExpertLet Testimony Before Others ’ with Pat McGeehin 76
The Estate Society honors alumni, parents and friends who have
designated The witness University supports of Scranton as the beneficiary of a bequest, World-class expert future trust, retirement asset, life insurance policy opportunities through The Magis Fund. or planned gift.
Why Join The Estate Society?
Pat McGeehin ’76 understands how to testify.
A world-class expert in construction and government accounting and Who’s
While every member Society has or her own Who Legal’s 2017 Construction Expert WitnessofofThe theEstate Year, McGeehin hashis lent
unique reasons joining, such as a lovedinone or his expertise to some of the largest construction projects of the last 50foryears, including thehonoring Big Dig project
a legacy,director they allinhave one thing in common: Boston and the expansion of the Panama Canal. As a securing senior managing the Construction, Projects gratitude for the education they received at The University of Scranton.
and Assets practice within the Forensic and Litigation consulting segment of FTI Consulting, this certified
public accountant provides expert testimony in contract disputes relating to damages and cost accounting/ allocation matters — primarily on construction and government projects.
“Scranton focused me, and it paid damages, they owe you a certain amount of money — which in theimportant hundreds of millionsto or even offcan…beit’s givebillions back.” “As an expert, I don’t say who’s right or wrong, but if you’re my client, I say, ‘If you’re right and entitled to in some cases,’” he said.
MARK MCDONOUGH ’72
Once upon a time in Scranton, however, he was a first-year accounting major riding in an elevator with the
Co-founder, along with his wife, Carol, of The McDonough
late Rev. Edward J. Gannon, S.J. H’83, who gave him a bit of unsolicited, but invaluable, advice. Family Scholarship in Memory of Rev. Joseph Rock, S.J. “Father Gannon said, ‘I am not sure what they will teach you in the Business School, but by the time you get out of here, you’re going to know how to write, and you’re going to know how to think,’” McGeehin said.
“I always wanted to give back to Scranton … my profession is took at the University provided him with the balanced perspective and communication skills he needed to so rewarding, and I want other succeed in the business arena. “You can be the best accountant in the world, but if you can’t communicate what you’re doing or talking about, women to have the opportunity what good is it?” he said. “Scranton, in my view, helped me hone those kinds of skills.” to experience that.” McGeehin hopes his Estate Society gift to The Magis Fund will help encourage tomorrow’s Royals “That always stuck with me because it was really true.”
MUM’S THE WORD. It’s no secret, though, that fall “testifying” is a prime While on his education at Scranton, McGeehin said the humanities and English courses he photo op season for alumni visits. Register your future Royal today for an upcoming Open House event on Sunday, Oct. 25, or Sunday, Nov. 8. Or, share the Scranton Open House dates with friends looking at colleges.
SCAN FOR DETAILS:
to develop those same skills.
ERIN O’MALLEY TYSKO, M.D. ’89
Co-founder, along with her husband, Gregg, of The Erin O’Malley outWomen how Patin STEM Scholarship Tysko, M.D. ’89 & Gregg Find Tysko McGeehin become so this seemed like a good way to give something back,” he said. more than just “a number” on the audit staff in his first post.
“I’ve always been cognizant and appreciative of my Scranton education,
What will your reason be? Join Estate The Estate Society today. What will your reason be? Join The Society today. There is more Scranton news than
we can fit within these pages! Follow the QR code above to read the online For questions or to learnEstate more Society, about The University of Scranton’s For questions or to learn more about The University of Scranton’s please version of the magazine. Then, watch for more QR codes throughout The Estate Society, please visit scranton.edu/plannedgiving or contact visit scranton.edu/plannedgiving or contact Carol Maculloch, director of Planned Giving, Scranton Journal that will direct you to Carol Maculloch, director of Planned Giving, at carol.maculloch@ at carol.maculloch@scranton.edu or 570-941-7799. web exclusives including photographs, videos and expanded articles. scranton.edu or 570-941-7799.
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President’s Medal Gala
Oct. 1, 2026
Living the Mission: A Day of Faith and Connection
Nov. 14, 2026
Regional Christmas Events
Dec. 2026
59 Annual Noel Night
Dec. 5, 2026
Royals 2 Royals Alumni-Student Networking Event
Feb. 19, 2027
Shamrockin’ Eve
March 12, 2027
Day of Service
April 1 7, 2027
5.06: The University’s 13th Annual Day of Giving
May 6, 2027
Commencement Weekend
May 21-23, 2027
50-Year Class Processional at Commencement
May 23, 2027
Reunion Weekend
June 4-6, 2027
Carlesimo Golf Tournament & Award Dinner
June 2027
th