Washington & Jefferson College Summer 2017 Magazine

Washington Jefferson COLLEGE MAGAZINE

W&J names 13th President, Dr. John C. Knapp

Tastemakers A Toast

Presidents deliver diverse beverage experiences to patrons across the nation

Washington & Jefferson College Magazine

SUMMER 2017

Editor

SARAH DUDIK

Editorial Assistants

TORY IRWIN

DANIELLE KOCHKA ’18

Director of Marketing and Communications

ERIK K. RUETER

Contributors

ERIN FAULK JONES ’08

SEAN KING

KERRI DIGIOVANNI LACOCK ’09

KAYLA MADDEN

SCOTT MCGUINNESS

Designer

JEFF VANIK, VANIK DESIGN LLC

Photographers

ELLIOTT CRAMER

MARTIN SANTEK

Printer

FREEPORT PRESS

W&J Magazine , published twice a year by the Office of Communications, showcases alumni and campus news of interest to more than 20,000 alumni and friends of the College.

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Editor, W&J Magazine

Office of Communications Washington & Jefferson College 60 S. Lincoln Street Washington, PA 15301

If your contact information has changed, please let us know at alumni@washjeff.edu

“Thanks to our loyal alumni we now have one of the best NCAA Division III facilities in the country. With the weight facility in the room, video review equipment, and expanded training area we have extremely high expectations for the future of this program,” said wrestling coach Thomas Prairie. For more on the wrestling facilities and the new rec center, see page 7.

ON THE COVER:

Yianni Barakos ’08 examines a glass of aged rum at Mason-Dixon Distillery.

Getting to know Dr. John C. Knapp, 13th President of Washington & Jefferson College

Most recently President of Hope College in Holland, Michigan, Dr. John C. Knapp will assume his role as President of Washington & Jefferson College on August 1, 2017. A renowned expert in ethics as well as a seasoned academic, administrator, professor, author, consultant, and community leader, Dr. Knapp was founding director of the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He also established and directed the Center for Ethics and Corporate Responsibility at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University.

Additionally, he founded and chaired the Atlanta Diversity Management Network, a project dedicated to sharing best practices among the region’s largest employers, including five universities. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Knapp was a successful entrepreneur, trusted advisor and president of a communications consulting firm in Atlanta.

Dr. Knapp earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in theology and religious studies at the University of Wales, United Kingdom, a Master of Arts degree in theological studies at Columbia Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science degree in urban life with a concentration in communication at Georgia State University.

“In temperament and experience, John Knapp will be an ideal president for Washington & Jefferson College. As a friend of many years, I have witnessed his passion for teaching and learning and his commitment to integrity in all matters of human interaction. With a gentle spirit and firm resolve, he will help an already outstanding institution to become of even greater benefit to a world in need.”

– DR. ANDREW WESTMORELAND, PRESIDENT, SAMFORD UNIVERSITY

Family

• Kelly (spouse)

• Amanda, Tracy, Charlie, Mary, and Ron (adult children)

• Two grandchildren

Active Board Memberships

• American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities

• Great Lakes Colleges Association

• Van Andel Institute

• Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

• Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities

Selected Publications

• For the Common Good: The Ethics of Leadership in the 21st Century (Praeger, 2006)

• Leaders on Ethics: Real-World Perspectives on Today’s Business Challenges (Praeger, 2007)

• The Business of Higher Education: Volumes I-III (ABC-CLIO, 2009)

• How the Church Fails Businesspeople (and What Can Be Done About It) (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2011)

• Ghostwriting and The Ethics of Authenticity (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016)

Students, alumni, faculty, and friends traveled through the Czech Republic and Austria as part of a European Concert Tour, including a stop at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. Front, from left: Susan Medley, Ph.D., professor of music, Sydnie Wargin ’20, Cecilia Fitzgerald ’20, Kayleigh Verno ’15, Karen Gaworecki, Heather Turner Kaufman ’07, Kirsten Mendel ’18, Megan Crawford ’15, Kathryn Vanier ’12, and accompanist Antonio Fermin, Ph.D. Back: Joshua Gongaware, Brandon Rauch ’14, Daniel Krackhardt, Noah Salama ’15, Nicholas Baker ’18, Matthew Stultz, Junru He ’19, Ian Scully-Szejko ’12, Colin Jenkins ’11, Daniel Gavlik ’19, and Lance Turturice ’12

Peter Coughlin ’17 (left) and Alana Lomis ’17 featured candy samples that did not match traditional candy colors in their Candy Chemistry Lab project, ‘Real vs. Artificial Flavoring: Sensory Analysis.’

Rebecca Rapp ’17 focuses on creating her glass art in the Scientific and Artistic Glassblowing course through a technique known as flameworking, a difficult process using natural gas, an oxygen torch, a blowhose, and Pyrex rods and tubing.

Students on the Intersession trip to Senegal visited cities and villages in the country to learn about African political and social systems, including Pink Lake, Senegal, where they met with the village chief to discuss the infrastructure and development of the village. From left: Buba Misawa, Ph.D., professor of political science, Matt Gereke ’19, Hannah McGee ’20, Madison Nervig ’17, Jorden Messmer ’19, Julia Plasynski ’20, Jenelle Senske ’20, and Victoria Hart ’19 with members of the village.

Intersession adventures at home and abroad

The Intersession term, a distinctive feature of the W&J academic calendar, is held in January between the fall and spring terms and allows students to focus intensely on a single course.

Fifteen students traveled to Greece, focusing on aiding migrant workers and refugees. They also rehabilitated injured sea turtles as part of their service trip. Front, from left: Madeline Stevens ’18, Shannon Adams ’17, Ann O’Connor ’17, Crystal Rose ’18, and Rida Faridi ’17 Middle: Kelsey Brewbaker ’17, Ashton Grimm ’18, Ciarra Eustis ’19, Nicole Walters ’19, Jessica Chalfant ’17, and Cathy Petchel, assistant professor of psychology. Back: Gabrielle Karr ’19, Molly Kellam ’19, Rebecca Fallert ’19, Melina Georgiades ’19, and Kate Chase ’17.

Students in the Introduction to Medical Malpractice Litigation course spent their final day of class at the Washington County Courthouse arguing a real court case on the side of the plaintiff. Front, from left: Julianne Rotunda ’18, Amanda Borwegen ’19, and Leah Segal ’19. Middle: Jon Dotts ’18, Ana Morales ’19, Kendra Pierce ’18, Stacy Ware ’19, Elisa Yazdani ’20, and Sarah Janczewski ’19. Back: Linton Moyer, defense attorney and course professor.

commencement 2017

Washington & Jefferson College’s Class of 2017 already has a bright future, with graduates prepared to start jobs and internships with prestigious corporations, to serve well-known local and national organizations, and to attend demanding graduate programs in which they are poised to succeed.

The College graduated 256 students in its 218th commencement ceremony held May 20, 2017. The keynote address was given by William E. (Bill) Strickland, Jr., founder, president, and CEO of Pittsburgh-based Manchester-Bidwell Corporation. Strickland was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service. W&J also awarded honorary doctorates to: Paul A. Jacobs, Doctor of Music; Sister Carol Keehan, DC, Doctor of Divinity; and Richard T. Clark ’68, Doctor of Humane Letters.

Speaking in the last W&J Commencement Ceremony before her retirement, W&J President Dr. Tori Haring-Smith said that no matter where the Class of 2017 lands, what challenges they face, or what path they choose, they will be ready to take on anything.

“You are ready because you have learned how to know the difference between fact and opinion, between hypothesis and conclusion, between evidence-based truth and unfounded conjecture,” Haring-Smith said. “As you go forth into a world where legitimate news and fake news are sometimes indistinguishable, you will need the skills you have learned here to test statements, to question logic, and to be curious about the validity of sources. But you are ready.”

Are you a new alumnus/a who is looking to get involved? Visit jayconnected.com to see how to connect with your alma mater.

Graduates walk back to Old Main between rows of applauding faculty members after the commencement ceremony.

The platform party and student speaker Abbey Brewer ’17 applaud President Tori Haring-Smith during her final commencement.

Katelynn Linthicum ’17 poses with her diploma outside Old Main.

Members of the platform party for the 2017 commencement ceremony included four honorary degree recipients.

Alex Halula ’17 and Emily Reis ’17

Christian Chelak ’17 and Yamil Cristobal-Perez ’17

Taylor Freeman ’17 and Ty Greenwood ’17

Alyssa Gaytan ’17

Steven Munden ‘17 gives a thumbs-up on the walk to the ceremony.

Passion Williams ’17 and professor Kelly Weixel

American

Shakespeare Center will perform Macbeth

Monday, October 23, 2017 | 7:30 PM | Olin Fine Arts Center

For one night only, the American Shakespeare Center will perform Macbeth. The American Shakespeare Center brings a unique performance style to Olin, blending Shakespeare’s stage craft with modern sensibility. The company uses Shakespeare’s staging conditions, including universal lighting, minimal sets, doubling, cross-gender casting, and music. Based in Staunton, Virginia, the company mission is to recover the joys and accessibility of Shakespeare’s theatre, language, and humanity by exploring the English Renaissance stage and its practices through performance and education.

Health coach program has continued success

W&J students continue to participate in the Community Health Coach program with Jefferson Regional Hospital. Students train at the beginning of the semester to learn about chronic diseases, the biological, psychological, and social determinants of health, and the business of healthcare. They then make weekly in-home visits to patients to help them with anything they need. The goal is to reduce hospital readmissions for the patients and enhance their quality of living. The Fall 2016 class of this program was the largest ever, with 19 students completing the program, and most of them still visiting their patients as volunteers.

Speakers and Lecturers

DIANE DEAN: Diane Dean, a visiting lecturer through the Mellon Fellows program, came to campus in October 2016 to give a lecture on trends of recent generations of college students. The campus community was invited to come and learn about her research, as well as add their own input into understanding the latest generation of college students.

CALLIE CROSSLEY: Award-winning journalist

Callie Crossley visited W&J in November 2016 as a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow. She regularly contributes to National Public Radio, CNN, Fox 25 TV’s Morning Show, and PBS NewsHour.

IBRAM KENDI: National Book Award winner

Ibram Kendi visited campus in April 2017 to give a lecture on his book Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. His lecture, which covered issues from police violence to the 2016 presidential campaign rhetoric, was designed to provoke an intellectual discussion about race relations in our society with students on W&J’s campus.

DIVINITY ROXX: Divinity Roxx, music director and bassist for Beyoncé, gave a masterclass to the campus community in March 2017. She performed using her bass and music to accompany the story of her life and experiences.

W&J named top producer of Fulbright scholars

Eight Presidents were selected as Fulbright award-winners for the coming year. Five recent graduates Kayla Grey ’17, Tina Lee ’17, Angela Nied ’17, Emily Sterk ’17, and Joshua Zahren ’17, and two alumni, Jake Meyers ’15 and Charanya Kaushik ’13, will take on projects in Spain, Colombia, Taiwan, Germany, and Cambodia. Adam Robison ’17 also was selected but chose to forfeit his award to pursue a job opportunity in the United States that more closely matched his career goals. W&J was named a top Fulbright scholar producer in February by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Female students now part of Charles West Program

The Charles West Fellows program was started in 2013 thanks to a grant from the Heinz Endowments. The original goal was to increase enrollment of African American male students to the College, hoping to see accompanying increases in their retention and success. The program enriches the diversity of the campus community and helps these students with scholarships and other co-curricular activities on campus. In 2016, the Heinz Endowments relationship ended, but the College has continued to fund the program. Female students were added to the program this year, widening the scope of support offered.

PRSSA formed on campus

This spring semester, W&J added the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) to its list of student organizations. PRSSA, which works with the Public Relations Society of America, was founded by students interested in the field of public relations with the help of communication arts professor Melissa Cook ’90, Ph.D. Members are able to attend conferences and seminars where they can network with other PR professionals and make connections that will help them later in life. During their first semester, the club hosted Kelly Kimberland ’91, the director of social marketing and strategic product marketing for UPMC Health Plan, who gave a talk about the importance of social media in PR.

Taste of Washington

A program called “A Taste of Washington” started this spring, providing an opportunity for students to sample food or other products on campus from members of the Local Business Ambassadors Program in Washington. Businesses featured during the spring semester included Dickey’s BBQ Pit, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Fortuitea Café.

Rule, Hughes, Murphy Scholarship Recipients

Each year, W&J honors promising sophomores for their academic achievements and their leadership potential. This year, six students had the honor of receiving the Rule, Hughes, Murphy award. They are Maggie Briceland ’19 of Salem, Ohio; Carmen Carroll ’19 of Washington, D.C.; Jordan Hosfelt ’19 of Connellsville, Pa.; Zachary Pellis ’19 of Greensburg, Pa.; Molly Riley ’19 of Knox, Pa.; and Timothy Yeung ’19 of Walnut, Calif.

Class of 2017 Senior Gift: Coffee Vending Machine in Tech Center

Every year, the Senior Class leaves behind a gift for future generations of W&J students to enjoy. This year, the Class of 2017 is giving the school a coffee vending machine to put in the Tech Center. The gift will help students stay energized and motivated as they study for exams or write papers.

International Week

W&J celebrated International Week on campus in April 2017. Events and activities that introduced the campus community to other cultures and societies were held every day, including study abroad information sessions, panels about international issues, the International Fashion Show, and International Dance and Karaoke.

First Relay for Life held

W&J hosted its first Relay for Life April 29, 2017. It was organized by W&J’s new chapter of Colleges Against Cancer (CAC), an affiliate program of the American Cancer Society. Twelve teams came together to walk in support of cancer research. Halie Ankeny ’20, who has a strong passion for cancer research, started CAC and was instrumental in bringing the event to campus.

Ross Family Recreation Center enhances athletics, wellness facilities

The James David Ross Family Recreation Center was dedicated April 28, 2017, with ribbon-cutting ceremonies celebrating the donor-named areas, tours of the facility, and a dinner in the new building, showcasing the expanse of space available. The upgrade to W&J’s wellness facilities was made possible by the generosity of David A. Ross ’78 and other donors.

“I have no doubt the new recreation center will help us attract great athletes but most importantly, it will give every student a place to work out and stay healthy and active that they can call their own,” said Ross.

Ross named the facility for his father, James David Ross. Ross’s brothers, Gary and Curt, and his mother, Pat, were in attendance at the building’s dedication ceremony.

“As an alumnus, a Trustee, and Chair of our Property, Building and Grounds Committee, David has literally changed the face of W&J by guiding the construction of several buildings, through his generous support of Ross Memorial Park, where our highly nationally ranked baseball team plays, and by providing both the funding and the vision for the Ross Family Recreation Center,” said President Dr. Tori Haring-Smith. “We could never have done this without David’s support.”

Ross is the founder of Atlantic Realty, one of the largest privately owned real estate developers in the Washington, D.C.

area. He has also been instrumental in the construction of the Swanson Science Center and the renovation of Dieter-Porter Life Sciences Building.

Built in 1970, the Henry Memorial Center has served as the focal point of indoor athletic and recreational activity on the W&J campus. Since its construction, the College’s varsity, club, and intramural sport offerings have nearly tripled. Facilities have not grown as quickly to accommodate the increased demand for student fitness options.

As part of the “An Uncommon Bond” campaign, the College worked towards continuing to upgrade its athletic and wellness capabilities with the second phase of the athletic renovation project breaking ground in October 2015. The Janet Swanson Tennis Center, which opened in September 2015, completed the first phase of this five-phase project. Future phases will focus on renovations to Henry Memorial

Gymnasium, including the addition of a fitness room in the former lobby, and upgrading the natatorium.

The center’s construction consisted of two core pieces. The first was the renovation of the back gymnasium in the Henry Memorial Center, which was converted into two floors of coach offices, meeting rooms, a recruiting room, and a state-of-the-art wrestling room. The second segment of phase two was the construction of a 30,000-square foot recreation center on the site that was previously the home of the four-court Swanson Tennis Court complex.

The center features an indoor track; three athletic courts lined for basketball, volleyball, and tennis; and an exercise room/yoga studio. The largest available space for yoga classes previously was the ballroom in the Rossin Campus Center, which is also used to host a large number of college events.

Left: Project donors Al Lindsay '68 and Ross at the ribbon cutting reception. Right: Project donors Ron Snee '63 and Lindsay (center) with President Haring-Smith, wrestling alumni, and current wrestlers.

David A. Ross’78 cuts the ribbon to officially open the rec center along with brothers Gary Ross and Curt Ross, mother Pat Ross, Dana Crummer, and President Tori Haring-Smith.

The athletic courts have a few bonuses for W&J varsity sports, including a full-size, retractable batting cage for the baseball and softball teams and a pole-vault box form system and pit for the track & field program. The new building, in contrast to Henry Memorial Gymnasium, is fully air-conditioned.

The W&J wrestling program, which produced six NCAA All-Americans in the past five years, has significantly upgraded its facilities. The new wrestling room features a large practice mat area that is double the size of the previous wrestling room, strength equipment, a sound system, and a viewing area for recruits and families. The office for Head Coach Thomas Prairie was donated by Ron Snee ’63, Ph.D., and Marjorie Snee.

“Our wrestling alumni, Ron Snee, Al Lindsay ’68, and many others, helped deliver the finest Division III wrestling facility around,” Director of Athletics Scott McGuinness said of the donors for the space.

In addition to the wrestling room, the second floor also houses the Dorothy A. Servis, Esq., Rehab Room. This room will alleviate the often-crowded athletic training room on the first floor of Henry. The third floor features a large team meeting room which can be converted into two separate rooms and features updated technology. It also includes a conference room, the Al Lindsay ’68 and Trish Lindsay Lounge, and a new recruiting room.

All coaches now have private offices where they can meet with students and recruits. The previous offices for many of the coaches of W&J’s 24 varsity sports were open cubicles, making personal conversations difficult.

“Our new office wing in Henry is fantastic,” added McGuinness. “We expect the

offices and meeting rooms to enrich the student-athlete experience. Whether it is having a conversation with a coach, studying game film together, or just finding another quiet spot to work on their academics, the renovation of the back portion of Henry is a large step forward for our department and the College.”

The building opened to students in April, and they quickly flocked to the courts. The space available to students to play a pick-up game before was almost non-existent, as priority for the limited court capacity of Henry Memorial Gymnasium went to the varsity teams.

“Since the day we opened the James David Ross Family Recreation Center doors, I’ve noticed a lot of smiles on the faces of our students,” McGuinness said. “David Ross’s generosity and vision for this campus and our Athletic Department has been amazing.”

Did You Know?

• The new recruiting room overlooks the Henry Memorial Gymnasium and provides a welcoming space for coaches to meet with prospective student-athletes and their families.

• The three-lane running track is 167 meters in length; approximately 9 ½ laps around the track equals one mile.

• The exercise room, located in the front corner of the recreation center, has rubberized flooring that is manufactured with a wood floor appearance. All perimeter window shades in the exercise room raise from the floor rather than dropping from the ceiling to take advantage of the outside light, while still providing visual privacy during exercise classes.

Rigorous pre-med curriculum leads two alumnae to healthcare success CAMPUS CONNECTION

Since she was a child, her father had told Stacy Lane ’97 that she would be a doctor.

At times she wasn’t sure how she would get there. She was the second oldest of seven children growing up in the Crafton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Her father was ill, so her uncle, who lived a block away, often stepped in as a father figure.

Even though she struggled in high school, she grew more determined to pursue a career in medicine.

“A lot of it was driven by the chip on my shoulder,” Lane said. “I was going to prove everybody wrong and show them I could be successful. Come hell or high water I was going to be a doctor.”

She knew W&J had a good reputation for preparing students for medical school and decided to attend the College as a means to achieve her goal. The annual cost of tuition at the time was more than her mother made in a year. Thankfully, Lane received financial assistance that enabled her to attend W&J with minor out-of-pocket costs.

Lane, a first-generation college student, didn’t feel prepared academically for the pre-med curriculum at W&J but she worked hard and made it through. She felt the constant pressure of trying to succeed in her classes and achieve her goal of getting into medical school.

“It wasn’t a party time for us,” said Lane. “It was literally the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. W&J was harder than medical school.”

Other circumstances made her college career more difficult.

Her uncle was diagnosed with AIDS when she was a senior in high school, but he told his family it was cancer at the time. On a visit home during her freshman year, she discovered it was AIDS when she found his medication. He passed away from the disease in 1995.

The advantage of her challenging undergraduate years was that by the time she got to medical school, she felt prepared and did well. She went to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, did her residency in internal medicine at Mercy Hospital, and completed a fellowship in infectious disease at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Angel Wells (left) and Dr. Stacy Lane '97 at Central Outreach Wellness Clinic. The two have been friends since their time as pre-med students at W&J and now work together.

During her time as an intern, Lane’s experience with the issues of the inner city paid dividends. She was able to empathize with her patients and understand where they were coming from and the issues they faced. This mentality translates well to her current practice where she serves the LGBTQ community and those at risk of contracting HIV.

She had been focused on HIV care during her time as the director of the Positive Health Clinic at Allegheny General Hospital and during her time at the Allegheny County Health Department. She had a private practice in infectious disease in the Ohio Valley, but wanted to start a clinic that would be better able to serve the several hundred patients she had been working with. Through her contacts she was able to find grant funding for an LGBTQ health clinic, which is now in the second year of a five-year grant.

“This is really a dream come true,” Lane said of her clinic.

Central Wellness Outreach Clinic now serves nearly 2,000 patients in the Pittsburgh area. Lane opened a second clinic in Washington in November after seeing a need to be closer to patients who were traveling from West Virginia or even further away.

While Lane strives to provide her patients with an open environment where they are not judged for who they are or the choices they make, this at times has brought the judgment of others to her door. The sign outside her clinic on the North Shore was defaced with hate speech last February.

“I don’t have anybody to impress. I don’t have an obligation to anyone but my patients and to do right by them,” she said.

While Lane focused on academics during her college years, she did develop a deep connection with one classmate in particular, Angel Wells ’96.

“I just loved her from the first moment I met her,” Wells said of Lane. “We just clicked.”

Lane and Wells came from similar family backgrounds and similar neighborhoods which drew them together. They bonded through the demanding classwork of the pre-med program.

Wells attended W&J for three years before moving back to her hometown of Cleveland to help her mother with her grandparents who were ill. Wells completed her degree online, and she and Lane stayed in touch as Lane pursued medical school and Wells shifted to the business of healthcare.

After completing her bachelor’s degree in business administration, she earned an MBA and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in public health with a focus on community health education.

Wells started her own healthcare consulting company in 2015 after years working for various companies and as a consultant; she now handles billing for 16 different clients across several states covering a wide range of specialties. She

“It changes every single day. The rules, the regulations… the codes change every year,” she said.

She credits the pre-med experience at W&J with helping her find success in her career. Her background in science and anatomy allows her to have a level of insight behind the codes that many in her field do not have. When she is talking to doctors, she understands their work as someone who was preparing to go to medical school.

Wells was recently in Pittsburgh to celebrate the success of another W&J friend and classmate. She attended The Maurice Cleveland Waltersdorf Awards lunch for Kenyon Bonner ’94 in March along with several of her peers. Bonner and Wells both came from Cleveland and though they hadn’t met before W&J, they connected immediately when they met on campus. (For more on Bonner, see page 27.)

While Lane and Wells were never out of touch, as Lane started her clinic she wanted to switch billing companies to someone she knew she could trust.

Wells has been handling the billing and

“I was going to prove everybody wrong and show them I could be successful.”

– STACY LANE ’97

has been working in medical coding for almost two decades, translating medical information into codes which are used for billing and insurance purposes, and is a certified professional coder.

Wells shares her knowledge of medical coding as an adjunct faculty member at Bryant & Stratton College in the Cleveland area and has taught at other institutions through the years.

credentialing for Lane’s clinic since February 2016, bringing the two friends closer in their daily life.

The power of the W&J connection and the bond created between two pre-med students continues to thrive and enrich the lives of both women as they find professional success, and impact the healthcare community in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and beyond.

Tastemakers A Toast

Presidents deliver diverse beverage experiences to patrons across the nation

W&J alumni around the country are taking part in the rise of craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries over the last few decades. Some Presidents have spent their careers in the industry, while others are just starting out. They are committed to using their knowledge, whether it be scientific or entrepreneurial, to create quality products and give back to their communities - and they have a good time doing it.

Yianni Barakos

When Yianni Barakos ’08 graduated from Washington & Jefferson College with a degree in business administration, he envisioned a long and successful career for himself in construction project management, after which he would start a distillery as a working retirement project.

But life had other plans. A car crash sidelined Barakos in 2012, leaving him in a state of recovery for the better part of two years. Unable to continue with his previous career due to physical limitations, he

started thinking more seriously about his retirement project and what it would take to bring it about a few decades earlier.

“It’s been pretty awesome to see something that originally only existed in my head and then only existed on paper to actually physically exist,” Barakos said. “I made this.”

Barakos says “blood, sweat, and tears, and a whole lot of stubbornness” is what it took to take Mason-Dixon Distillery from an idea to a reality.

While he always believed in his ability to make his dream come to life, convincing others wasn’t as simple. Barakos combined his confidence with persistence to bring others on board.

“I had a lot of talking to do,” he said. “I had to go in a million directions at once.”

While he was still considering locations in eastern Pennsylvania during the fall of 2014, a friend told him about the possibility of getting an agricultural lease at Gettysburg National Military Park. The lease would allow him the unique opportunity to grow the grain for his product on the battlefield. He decided to submit an application, figuring that the worst he could hear was “no.”

“They actually did call to tell me ‘no,’ and I kept the guy on the phone for an hour,” Barakos said. At the end of the conversation, Barakos had the lease – he was the first non-farmer to obtain one at the park.

Securing the lease led to the next step in the process: finding farmers to grow the grain. From there, he had to move quickly to find a location for storing it.

“I was going to have a harvest of 100,000 pounds of grain with nowhere to put it,” he said.

Barakos honed his business plan, spoke at length with lenders, and obtained private loans. He secured federal and state licenses, dealt with local zoning, and worked to restore the 100-year-old, 10,000-square-foot building he found near the center of Gettysburg that would become Mason-Dixon Distillery. Within a year and a half his business was up and running.

Barakos grew up knowing what it takes to run a business. Shortly after he graduated

Yianni Barakos ’08 converted a 100-year-old building into a bar, restaurant, and distilling facility in Gettysburg, Pa.

from W&J he worked on a market repositioning project for his father’s restaurant. His father, George, had worked in and owned restaurants while Yianni was growing up, and he spent a lot of time at work with his dad.

But that didn’t mean his father was initially in favor of his plan. When Barakos told his father about his idea, George told him to work for someone else and avoid the headaches of being a business owner.

“At the end of the day, I knew if I was able to convince my own father that I could do this, that we could do this, then I could convince anybody else,” he said.

He had a short apprenticeship at Smooth Ambler Spirits in West Virginia several years ago, which he used to convince his father he was capable of running a distillery. When he was running their production line by the end of day one, George was on board. His father was going to be involved only financially at first, but when George received an offer from his business partner to buy out his portion of the restaurant they owned, he took it. This left him available to come on board as his

son’s business partner and assist with the restaurant portion of the distillery.

Even though his parents were supportive, it took some time for them to be able to see their son’s vision.

“My mother cried when she walked into the building. It used to rain almost as hard inside as it did outside,” he said. “I was able to erase that and see where I wanted to take it and how I wanted to get it there. I saw this space that was just waiting to be beautiful again.”

Barakos and George took on a lot at once. The distillery, which opened July 1, 2016, has a manufacturing component with the production of whiskey, rum, and vodka; a tourism component with the bottle shop and tours; and a service component with the full bar and restaurant.

With Barakos growing up in the restaurant business and his father having decades of experience, they were hedging their bets on starting up a distillery by pairing it with a restaurant. As Mason-Dixon nears the end of its first year in business, both sides seem to be paying off. While Barakos hopes

to eventually capitalize on the millions of tourists who come to Gettysburg each year, he estimates that 90-95 percent of his customers have been local.

“The word of mouth has continued to snowball and that snowball is finally starting to become decent in size,” he said of his customer growth.

The food menu and signature cocktails focus on fresh, local ingredients and change seasonally. His spirits don’t taste like the ones with ads on television or in magazines, and he takes pride in making something with “big, bold, unapologetic flavors” that won’t be thought of as generic. He is confident that having something unique will earn him repeat customers in a market that’s becoming increasingly crowded.

One goal he’s working towards is making limited runs with 100-percent of the grains grown only on the battlefield.

“We’re going to put the national park in a bottle for people to take home with them,” he said.

Barakos admits that he’s still in “pretty rough shape” and is continuing to recover from his accident. Being a business owner allows him the flexibility to tailor his schedule to how he’s feeling that day. His goal during the planning phase was to set up the business so he could work with his physical limitations even if he didn’t get any better after the setbacks from the accident.

In his previous job, he worked to build schools and hospitals and took pride in contributing to the community. He feels a similar sense of accomplishment now, but the difference is he is directly responsible for the existence of something that wasn’t there before. He describes the experience as surreal, especially when he walks into the building after a few days away.

“The business I created just happens to combine a bunch of different things that provide me with the opportunity to build and create and see people enjoy it. On a personal level it’s deeply satisfying,” Barakos said. “I don’t know that there could have been a better fit for me.”

Ed Belfoure

When Ed Belfoure ’67 retired as a chemistry instructor at the Naval Academy, he and his wife planned to spend their time traveling. But after visits with their children out-of-state and a lengthy vacation abroad, Belfoure realized he needed something else to fill his days.

With his wife’s support, he started a distillery in downtown Washington, Pennsylvania. Red Pump Spirits is named for the red pump from his grandparents’ home in Cokeburg, Pa., which now sits in the tasting room.

With his chemistry background and knowledge gained from making wine with his family while growing up, Belfoure had some ideas about the types of products he wanted to make.

He started with three fruit liqueurs made with peach, cherry, and blackberry juices in a distilling process similar to wine-making.

Six spirits are now produced under the Red Pump name: the three fruit liquors, Jefferson Peach, Washington Cherry, and Bradford Blackberry; Blue Parrot Vodka; Rebellion Rye Whiskey; and Farmhouse Whiskey, a wheat whiskey.

So far the reaction has been positive. His Bradford Blackberry liqueur was awarded bronze in the Specialty Spirits category at the American Craft Spirits Association’s annual Distillers Convention and Vendor Trade Show in Nashville in February, and the customer response has often made it difficult to keep his products on the shelf.

As part of W&J Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Max Miller’s Business Plan Development class, Belfoure worked with W&J students in the spring to develop a plan to enhance his marketing efforts.

Red Pump Spirits are available by the glass or by the bottle on site. They can also be found on the menu at Presidents Pub in Washington, Pa., and at several other restaurants.

Over time, Belfoure plans to expand the distillery’s production capacity, add an event room to the facility, and make Red Pump Spirits available in more area restaurants and in stores.

Other alumni in the industry

Louise Smith ’84 has been working with wine since early 2005. After opening her catering business in 2004, she wanted to learn more about pairing wine and food. She started working for her favorite winery soon after, and transitioned from working a few weekends a month to a full-time position. Over the past 13 years, Smith has worked in four different tasting rooms in the Santa Barbara County area. She also teaches a class on Tasting Room Sales and Service in the Agribusiness Department at Allan Hancock College.

Jacob Hornick ’10 is pursuing his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology at the Penn State University College of Medicine. He shares his passion for beer as an adjunct lecturer for the Brewing Science Certificate Program at Harrisburg Area Community College, teaching students about microbiology and the chemistry of brewing. He hopes to open his own brewery one day.

Glenn Rice ’78 owns Quantum Limit Vineyards in Napa Valley. After decades of living in the Bay Area and visiting wine country when friends and fellow alumni came to visit, he decided to make the leap and become a vineyard owner. Quantum primarily sells its grapes to another vineyard for production but makes around 100 cases of wine per year for friends, family, and alumni.

Joel McClosky

Joel McClosky ’00 and his business partner had the unusual distinction of opening the first brewery in a city that has only allowed alcohol sales since 2008.

McClosky’s search for a teaching job led him to Asheboro, North Carolina, where he met Andrew Deming, the husband of a co-worker. When McClosky learned that Deming was a homebrewer, they began brewing together. While drinking the beers Deming made in his garage, the two started chatting about creating a brewery under the name “Four Saints.”

A few years later, the talk turned to planning. Events around town that featured local businesses and local food were still selling beer from big labels and McClosky thought the time was right for a local brewery to enter the scene. Deming had the brewing chops, and McClosky worked on the business plan. The community rallied behind them with a Kickstarter campaign raising $52,000 to get things started in 2012.

They found a building at the end of that year and started planning the work that needed to be done on the 100-year-old structure in 2013. Volunteers showed up to aid with the demolition in return for free beer and food.

Much of the groundwork for Four Saints was laid while McClosky was still teaching elementary school full-time. He was able to take a few months off after his daughter

was born in March 2014 but after a brief return to the classroom, he realized he would not be able to keep up with his duties as a husband, father, teacher, and start-up brewery owner. It was difficult to leave a steady job and paycheck, but he resigned from teaching in June 2014.

“It was a pure act of faith,” McClosky said of opening the brewery. “I wasn’t doing it to be the cool guy who owns a brewery. I was doing it to create a better future for my family.”

Construction on the brewery started in April 2014 and Four Saints Brewing Company opened for business on May 6, 2015, one week after receiving its licenses.

Neither McClosky nor Deming had owned a business before or had professional brewing experience, but they were buoyed by the community support they received.

“Four Saints Brewing Company is not our brewery. Four Saints Brewing Company is their brewery,” McClosky said of their fervent supporters who have been with them from the beginning.

“The first year in business was a whirlwind, to say the least. Some moments, days, and months are a complete blur,” McClosky said. Though that initial year was a bit rocky in terms of learning the ropes of a new business, Four Saints Brewing Company began to earn the respect of the statewide brewing scene and the loyalty

of the local community by giving back to Asheboro and Randolph County.

The second year saw new employees added to ease the workload of McClosky and Deming. Greater exposure and better marketing ushered more people through the taproom doors and increased requests for off-premise distribution.

As Four Saints moves into year three, the focus is not on growth for growth’s sake, but on living by their mission of “Great Beer for Great People.”

“The craft beer market in North Carolina, and across the country, is thriving. Mediocre beer, or even good beer, will not succeed. It has to be great beer,” McClosky said. As Four Saints considers expansion in production, brick and mortar, and flesh and blood, their initial mission is the beam that continues to guide them.

Four Saints has never had televisions, and McClosky hopes it never will. For him, it’s about creating a sense of community and the opportunity for connection. And great beer, of course.

Craig Boyd

During an early midlife crisis, Craig Boyd ’82 thought making wine sounded like a fun job. He knew very little about wine and almost nothing about what being a winemaker entailed, but he took the leap and has now spent almost three decades in the wine business.

Boyd majored in chemistry at W&J and started his career as a project engineer at Westinghouse. However he grew bored in his position and switched from engineering to marketing. As he started going out and entertaining clients, he was driven to learn more about the wines he was ordering.

The more he learned, the more he became fascinated with the complex process of making wine. Boyd made multiple attempts to get into University of California Davis, one of only three graduate schools in the nation to offer a program in oenology, the study of wine, at the time. Once accepted, Boyd quit his job and moved across the country from Florida to California to pursue his dream.

“I’ve been in love with it ever since,” he said.

As a graduate student in his late 20s, Boyd was motivated and ready to learn but he lacked the practical wine knowledge of many of his classmates who had worked in vineyards or grown up in the industry.

“I get a chuckle every now and then going back and looking at my notes because everything is spelled wrong,” Boyd said.

After graduation, his first job was at a small winery run by a self-taught winemaker.

“We learned a lot from each other. I taught him all the book stuff and he taught me all the practical stuff where the book stuff just didn’t really apply,” Boyd said.

For the last 28 years, Boyd has been living the life of a vagabond wine maker. He has worked at small wineries in California, New York, and South Dakota. Most recently, he was the winemaker and vineyard manager at Alcantara Vineyards in Cottonwood, Arizona. In June, he began a new position as winemaker at Montaluce Vineyards in Dahlonega, Georgia, near Atlanta, a job that will bring him closer to family in the area.

Boyd has seen a lot of changes in wine culture during his career. Consumers have branched out from only drinking wines from Sonoma or Napa and the American palette has switched from sweet to dry.

“The biggest challenge is learning the palette of the customer,” Boyd said. “I love to make wines that I like to drink but I don’t buy enough wine to keep us in business. I had to learn how to make wine for people on the other side of the tasting bar.”

He has also seen the industry grow significantly.

“Back when I started, there were only about 2,000 wineries in the entire country so it was actually very difficult to get a winemaking job. Now there are almost 10,000. There are wineries in every state,” Boyd said.

There’s less competition among wineries than people might think. Boyd said that the better the wine is in a region, the better for all the wineries involved. If a visitor has a bad experience with one winery, they are less likely to go to the next winery down the street. Vineyards often share knowledge and resources so they all prosper.

“It’s a very small industry. I still have classmates from Davis that I keep in touch with,” he said.

A typical day for Boyd can be spent in the vineyard, in the lab, checking the barrels, behind the bar interacting with customers, selling with the marketing representative, or doing a little bit of everything.

“A lot of people think that all we do is sit around and drink,” he said. “That’s really not the case at all.”

Having the freedom to choose what he feels like doing each day is one of the things Boyd relishes about his job. For the most part, Boyd says there aren’t a lot of deadlines, with bottling and harvest being the two exceptions.

The hardest aspect of the harvest is deciding when to pick the grapes, Boyd says. There are several chemical measurements to consider as well as physiological factors, but after years of experience he has his own determining factor.

“A lot of people think that all we do is sit around and drink. That’s really not the case at all.”

– CRAIG BOYD ’82

“I won’t pick a grape until it tastes right to me. Even if the chemistry is wrong, if it tastes right I will pick it,” Boyd said.

What started out as a whim led Boyd to a path he’s never questioned.

“I get up in the morning and can’t wait to get to work,” he said.

Boyd’s ultimate goal is to make good wine that people want to drink. His criteria for a good wine is simple: after you finished the first glass, did you want a second?

Gia Nigro ’15 is still adjusting to how quickly her future has taken shape since her junior year at W&J. The chemistry major who had planned to go to medical school is now working for a large Scottish brewing company in Ohio.

Nigro first became interested in beer while taking brewing-related chemistry classes with Professor of Chemistry Dr. Robbie Iuliucci. At the time, her career plan was to become emergency room doctor. Many of her family members work in healthcare, and she knew that there was job security in the field.

But once she had the chance to delve into the science behind beer, Nigro found her passion, and it was full speed ahead. Instead of studying for the MCAT, she brewed beer for W&J’s Chemfest, researched brewing careers, and applied for a graduate program in brewing and distilling at Heriot-Watt University (HWU) in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Two days before Nigro left for a three-month organic chemistry research

internship in Madrid, Spain, in the summer of 2014, the acceptance letter arrived from HWU. A week later, she accepted a place in the program and had to break the news to her family.

Her family favored a medical career, pointing out that people will always need healthcare. But Nigro countered by saying that people always have, and always will, drink beer. So far, the opportunities she’s had in the field have worked out better than she could have imagined.

Nigro started the intense program at HWU in the fall of 2015 and she had a job before graduating. She started working for BrewDog in Ellon, Scotland, in August

Gia Nigro

2016 and received her master’s degree in November 2016.

She had first heard of BrewDog through the founders’ reality TV show and drank their beer after she arrived in Scotland. When she was looking for a job as graduation loomed, she applied and followed up with the brewery until she made a connection. Her persistence led to an interview, a three-day trial, and ultimately a dream job.

As her student visa was expiring a few months after she was hired, BrewDog tried to procure a work visa for Nigro but was unable to because of her limited experience in the field.

Fortunately, the timing coincided with the company opening their first brewery outside of Scotland. It just so happened to be located in the United States in Columbus, Ohio, a few hours away from her hometown of Youngstown, Ohio.

After a series of interviews, Nigro was hired as one of two brewers who would help to launch BrewDog USA. She flew back to

the U.S. on New Year’s Eve 2016, and has spent the first part of 2017 working around the clock to help launch the company's stateside endeavor.

Nigro has been working with a small team to do everything from sourcing ingredients and supplies to reading construction blueprints as the groundwork was laid for brewing to begin.

DogTap, the bar and taproom in the facility, opened at the end of February and the first brew was April 10.

Nigro is both grateful and in awe of the amount of faith BrewDog has had in her so far, especially at the beginning of her career. Her family has come to accept her decision to pursue beer over medicine, especially as they have seen her rapid success.

Students get a first draft in brewing with on-campus opportunities

W&J students with an interest in brewing can start learning the tricks of the trade in the chemistry lab.

As part of Professor of Chemistry Robbie Iuliucci’s Chemical Measurements (CHM 385) course, students perform sensory analysis and lab experiments to test basic beer characteristics.

“I wanted to have science fun with my hobby of brewing and knew students would enjoy it,” Iuliucci said.

The brewing curriculum was first offered as a Special Topics course for students in the major before Iuliucci merged aspects of the class with CHM 385, which teaches students how to make accurate measurements using advanced instruments.

Iuliucci designed the lab experiments in the course around a mock company called ACEZ, an acronym for Analytical Chemists Exploring Zymology (the science of fermentation). The mock company provided testing services for the home brewer as well as research on home brewing methods.

While working for ACEZ, students used high-end lab instruments to analyze the chemical composition of certain beers. At the end of the semester, the class held the ACEZ symposium, during which students presented their work to local home brewers.

The class continues to evolve and will incorporate other topics going forward, but Iuliucci plans to keep the theme of brewing as part of the course.

Students can also get involved in brewing through ChemFest.

Chemistry and biochemistry majors brew several styles of beer for the annual event. Brewing starts in Swanson Science Center in November, with fermentation and secondary conditioning occurring through December. The beer is moved to kegs and carbonated in January and is ready for consumption in February.

This was the fourth year for the event, which raises funds for student travel to conferences. Most recently, the event supported five students presenting their research at the American Chemical Society conference in San Francisco in April 2017.

Everything Nigro has experienced in her career so far has surpassed her expectations. She envisioned starting at a small brewery with an upscale version of a homebrew kit.

“I wasn’t expecting to start at this large of a scale,” Nigro said. “It’s all worked out so perfectly. I never imagined this is where I would end up.”

WrestlingRising:

&

Blanco prepared to make his mark on the world

Sonnieboy Blanco ’17 doesn’t have the background one might expect from the winningest wrestler in W&J history.

He was born in a country where wrestling isn’t a popular sport. He didn’t care for wrestling when he first tried it. He almost didn’t come to W&J at all. But a series of encounters with the sport, and with the coaches at W&J, led him to the success he found at the College.

“Being at W&J helped me grow as a person and allowed for me to understand the importance of education. W&J will always have a special place in my heart,” Blanco said.

The talented athlete was born in Liberia and spent his early childhood there before moving to New Jersey with his family in 2002. He doesn’t remember much about living in western Africa, but has a fondness for his mother’s stories of the country.

Adjusting to life in the United States and the American school system was made easier by dedicated teachers, and by the other kids at his school, who were incredibly welcoming to him.

“School was kind of hard for me because I honestly never liked to study,” he said. “But my mom always told me it was important, so I just did it. I had friends that helped me. I was also in ESL (English as a Second Language), and that helped me tremendously.”

Blanco discovered wrestling at a young age, but it wasn’t exactly the sport he thought it was.

“At first, I thought it was WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) wrestling because I used to watch it all the time. I thought I would like that, you know, throwing chairs and jumping off the top rope,” he said. “I later found out what wrestling actually was, and I was a little disappointed, but I decided to give it a try.”

His athletic career had a less than stellar start. He started wrestling in fifth grade, but quit because he lost all of his matches and wasn’t having fun. Blanco tried basketball briefly, yet soon realized that wrestling was his sport and decided to give it another chance. He came back to wrestling in seventh grade and fell in love with it. During his sophomore year, his coaches told him that he had a chance of wrestling in college so Blanco committed to working harder at the sport.

5-1

his

Blanco shares an embrace with Assistant Coach Jeff Breese following the third-place match at the 2017 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships.

Blanco went

against

opponents to earn third place at the 2017 NCAA Division III Championships.

When it came time for Blanco to decide on a college, W&J was not on the top of his list.

“To be honest, W&J was my last choice of schools. I remember telling my friends how some coach from this college in Washington, Pa., called me and was telling me about wrestling at his college. I didn’t want to go initially because it was so far away from home,” he said.

A visit to the campus quickly changed his mind. He said it felt like home, and he just had a gut feeling that W&J was where he wanted to be.

His wrestling coach, Thomas Prairie, has constantly bragged about Blanco’s work ethic, a compliment that Blanco takes very seriously.

“Sonnieboy is an extremely talented wrestler, but what truly made him special was his work ethic,” said Prairie. “Sonnieboy gave everything he had each practice and really set the bar high for those around him. He found a way to improve himself every year.”

Blanco grew up with an appreciation for hard work.

Blanco started hosting his radio show “Sonnie Side Up” on 91.7 WNJR during his junior year. He is known for wearing a bathrobe while hosting the show.

“I believe in working hard for whatever you want in life,” he said. “My motivation comes from my mother. I don’t know anyone who works harder than her. I want to make her proud.”

Sonnieboy’s record at W&J continued to improve until, in his senior season, he became W&J’s all-time leader in career wins, triumphing in 124 matches, and took home the most single season victories with 42 wins. He finished third in the nation at the 2017 NCAA Division III Championships, repeating as an All-American after finishing fifth last season.

It would be easy to let success go to his head, but Blanco stays humble.

“It was awesome. I still don’t know how I feel about everything. I never thought I would be a two-time All-American in college. I’m just blessed to be able to do it,” he said.

As a communication arts major with an emphasis in public relations, Blanco hosted his own radio show on 91.7 WNJR

proudly

Blanco considers his strategy against Colin Barber of SUNY-Cortland in the third-place match at the 2017 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. Blanco won 4-2.

called “Sonnie Side Up.” He grew to love the broadcast, and appreciated the support he gained from campus listeners. He also served as a class representative in the Student Government Association and was involved with the Young Entrepreneurs club.

Blanco feels like he would not have gotten as far as he has without the help and support of Coach Prairie and Coach Jeff Breese.

“I’m blessed for all of the opportunities I have been able to experience,” he said. “I still can’t believe everything that has happened for me, but I am enjoying every minute of it.”

After graduation, Blanco hopes to work in marketing and plans to devote time to volunteering with children.

– DANIELLE KOCHKA '18

Championships.

Blanco

represents Washington & Jefferson College, along with Head Coach Thomas Prairie and Assistant Coach Jeff Breese, during the introduction of competitors at the 2017 NCAA Division III Wrestling

Willison nabs prestigious NCAA post-grad scholarship

Washington & Jefferson College men’s water polo and swimming & diving student-athlete Nicholas Willison ’17 has been awarded a prestigious $7,500 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

Willison is the 16th NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient at W&J, the first since Josh Etzel ’14 (wrestling) and Eddie Nogay ’14 (baseball) were recognized in 2014, and the eighth since 2007. A chemistry major with a minor in mathematics and member of the pre-health program, he is one of 58 student-athletes (29 male, 29 female) from all NCAA divisions to earn the scholarship for the fall season.

Willison, a native of Rockford, Mich., boasts a grade-point average of 3.99 and plans to use his postgraduate scholarship toward his studies at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he plans to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.

He knows that his choice of W&J has helped direct his path toward medical school.

“Looking back, I could not have chosen a better school to attend,” said Willison. “W&J offers very challenging courses in all disciplines. The liberal arts education makes students well-rounded individuals.”

During the 2015-16 school year, Willison earned First Team Academic All-America honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America, making him the 48th W&J student-athlete to earn Academic All-America accolades and the 13th to net First Team acclaim. He earned the same honor again during the 2016-17 academic year.

He has twice been named an All-American by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches and is a four-time All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference honoree in swimming.

Willison understands that even away from the competition arena of the Henry Memorial Natatorium, his college choice

helped prepare him for his future. “I came to college as a very quiet and reserved person,” said Willison. “My experiences in college have caused me to leave my comfort zone, branch out, and to not only become more social, but also more personable.”

Willison is a seven-time Dean’s List honoree and Alpha Scholar at W&J, which recognizes students with a cumulative GPA above 3.85. As a sophomore, he earned the prestigious Rule, Hughes, Murphy Prize, which is awarded to sophomores with strong character and who demonstrate leadership in both the classroom and college community. He is also a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Phi Omega, and Gamma Sigma Alpha honor societies, as well as a Peer Assisted Learning tutor and member of the Pre-Health Professions Society.

“Nick personifies all of the characteristics of a model NCAA Division III student-athlete,” said Scott McGuinness, director of athletics. “Earning a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship is a testament to his hard work and dedication in the classroom and the pool. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. We will always be proud to call Nick Willison a W&J President.”

Willison believes that the most important thing he will take away from his time at W&J is the value of dedication and perseverance.

“Dedication has taught me that if you are not committed to what is going on, either studying for a test or preparing for game or meet, the actual task will be miserable,” Willison said. “It is how the person reacts to the adverse situation that defines them.”

Nicholas Willison '17 goes up to attempt a shot in a match at the Henry Memorial Natatorium.

“Having perseverance makes weathering these situations tolerable. It is something you cannot learn in the classroom or from a book, but from experiences like those that I have had at W&J.”

As a well-rounded student-athlete, Willison realizes that there have been many people that have contributed to his growth at W&J. He counts among the most influential: Michael H. Orstein, swimming & diving head coach; his advisor, Michael S. Leonard, Ph.D., associate professor and department chair of chemistry; and Patricia A. Brletic, Ph.D., professor of chemistry.

“Coach Orstein has been my biggest supporter here on campus. Not only is he demanding of his swimmers to push themselves to greater heights, but he also

cares about each and every one of us as a person,” Willison said. “Dr. Leonard and Dr. Breletic not only challenged me in the classroom, but helped me through major life decisions and wrote countless recommendation letters.”

When asked what advice he would give to future Presidents, Willison reflected upon the instances that he believes helped him grow into the person he is today.

“The best piece of advice that I can offer to future Presidents is to get involved in as many opportunities as you can in college. These opportunities will not only allow you to grow as a person, but will lead you to meet people who will become your lifelong friends and biggest supporters.”

Willison was awarded a $7,500 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, which he will put toward his studies at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine where he plans to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.

W&J baseball team earns Coach Jeff Mountain 400th career win in landslide victory

On April 5, 2017, the W&J baseball team defeated Westminster by a 23-3 score in a Presidents’ Athletic Conference game. What was special about the day, aside from the surplus of runs scored, was that the offensive output placed an exclamation point in the 400th career victory for 15-year head coach Jeff Mountain.

Against the Titans that day, W&J, which boasted one of the top offenses in Division III this season, recorded 21 hits (10 for extra bases) by 12 different Presidents. The 23 runs were the most in a game since 2009 and the fifth time the team has scored 20-plus runs under Mountain’s leadership.

“We have one of the best Division III college baseball coaches in the country at W&J,” said Scott McGuinness, director of athletics. “He has built a program that each year is a contender in the Mideast Region. All of his former players and assistant coaches have played a role in this program’s success, but Jeff has been the architect. He’s a tremendous coach.”

It took the six-time PAC Coach of the Year just 622 games to reach the 400-win plateau, giving him an overall winning percentage of .644. Of Mountain’s first 400 victories, half came in PAC games; his teams accumulated a 200-80 record and .714 winning percentage in PAC play. The Presidents have a record of 203-77 (.725) at home since Ross Memorial Park opened in 2004 through the beginning of April 2017.

While at W&J, Mountain has led six players to All-America honors and several more to All-Region recognition. He has had Academic All-Americans and an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner. Two of his players are in or entering the W&J Athletics Hall of Fame, with Shaun Pfeil ’07 joining teammate Sam Mann ’07, a 2016 inductee, in the Hall of Fame this fall.

W&J baseball makes history in 2017

The W&J baseball team knocked down scores of records in 2017 en route to a runner-up finish at the program's first trip to the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship.

As a team, the Presidents set a new program record with a Division III-best 42 wins this season (42-13 overall record), surpassing the previous mark of 36 wins set by the 2012 squad. They matched a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) record for most wins, held by the 2012 and 2014 W&J teams, with 21 of their 42 wins coming against PAC opponents, including six season sweeps. W&J won its 11th PAC championship this year, the most among current PAC member schools, and won its first regional championship in its sixth trip to the NCAA postseason.

After placing second at the Baseball Championship, W&J ranked 2nd in the final polls for 2017, besting its previous mark of 14th.

The Presidents showcased one of the top offenses in the nation in 2017, finishing first in doubles, hits, home runs, runs scored, and sacrifice flies. W&J also placed second in Division III in slugging percentage (.527), fourth in runs per game (9.0), and fifth in batting average (.346). The offensive

production allowed the Presidents to put up a season-high 23 runs twice this season and set a program record of 25 hits in a 16-7 win over Union (N.Y.) on March 23. W&J held a 23-0 record in 2017 when the offense produced 10 or more runs and were 30-0 when scoring at least eight runs.

The W&J pitching staff also had a strong year, tying the 2013 team for the second-most shutouts in a season with seven. In addition, they limited opponents to three runs or less 30 times, with a record of 29-1 in those games. As a team, Presidents pitchers combined for a 3.46 earned-run

average, 24th in Division III, and a 1.24 walks plus hits per innings pitched (WHIP) rate, coming in 14th in Division III. Their seven shutouts on the year were tied for the sixth most in the nation.

Right fielder Nick Vento ’17 capped one of the best playing careers in W&J history. Vento played and started in 54 of W&J's 55 games this season, both single season records. He also set the program single season record for at-bats at 207. His 87 hits, 63 RBI and 137 total bases were all second most in a single season and his 19 doubles tied the program record. For his career,

The Presidents claimed the first NCAA regional championship in program history with a 6-3 win over SUNY Cortland at Ross Memorial Park May 22, 2017.

Riley Groves '17, seen here pitching against Roanoke in the 2017 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship, earned All-America and Academic All-America honors, and was named the National Pitcher of the Year by Perfect Game USA.

Nick Vento '17 ended his career as one of the top players in W&J history, holding the career records for games, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI and total bases.

Vento now ranks first in program history for games played, games started, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, and total bases. Vento also ranks second in career at-bats and batting average, tied for third in walks, and is fourth in runs.

Right-handed pitcher Riley Groves ’17 also knocked down several school records after being the Presidents' go-to starting pitcher this season. Groves compiled an 11-3 record with a 2.30 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 94 innings this season. His 11 wins are the second most in a season in school history. He tied for the third most wins in Division III this year, while he established a new program record with his 94 innings and moved into fifth place on the single season strikeouts list. The two-time PAC Pitcher of the Year (2015, 2017) finished his W&J career with 28 wins, tied with Eddie Nogay ’14 for the most in school history.

The 2017 season proved to be a career best for Derek Helbing ’17. The PAC Player of the Year found his power stroke, blasting 12 home runs, tied for 10th most in the country and tied the W&J single season record with Neil Pascarella ’10. The senior backstop set a school record with 40 walks this year, 11th most in the nation, which pushed his career walks total to 87, also a W&J record. Helbing was a key component in the Presidents' bullpen as he pitched

11.2 innings as the closer this season and totaled a 0.77 ERA with six saves. The six saves tied his mark from last season for second most in a season and his career total moved to 12, also tied for second most with Kyle McLain ’14

Shortstop Nick Gatins ’17 and first baseman Mark Merlino ’18 also reached

19 doubles this year to set the new single season record with Vento. Gatins finished with a .401 batting average in 51 games with 73 hits, third most in a season, and totaled 114 bases, fifth most in a season. Merlino capped his junior year with a .388 batting average in 53 games with eight home runs and tallied the fourth most total bases and fifth most walks, respectively, in a season.

Women's lacrosse team nets first

NCAA Tournament appearance

The Washington & Jefferson College women’s lacrosse team won its second straight Ohio River Lacrosse Conference Championship May 6, 2017, earning its first trip to the NCAA Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship.

The team was selected to face No. 13 Catholic in a second-round matchup May 14, 2017. They traveled to Catholic to face the Cardinals in W&J’s first ever tournament match. They suffered a 20-1 loss, bowing out of the tournament.

Rae LaRochelle ’20 had W&J’s only goal of the game, her 63rd goal of the season, tying the single season record of Brittany Fradkin ’12. Monica Ewansik ’17 tied the game high with four ground balls and three draw controls. She also caused four turnovers in the game, the best of the game.

The team finished the season with a 13-5 record, its second season in a row with 13 wins and their fifth 13-win season since 2009.

The Presidents celebrate the first NCAA Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship goal in program history, scored by freshman Rae LaRochelle ’20 (17).

Ryan Sciullo '18 (left), Dante Dalesandro '19 (center), and Nick Vento '17 celebrate in the outfield after W&J’s 12-2 win over California Lutheran in the 2017 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship series opening game.

I remember move-in day as if it were yesterday. I moved in early because I was selected to participate in a pre-orientation program called the Leadership and Service Institute. I got up at 7 a.m. with three cars packed and ready to go (yes, I really brought three cars worth of stuff; I’ve learned to minimize my belongings since then). I was able to make some friends ahead of time in order to avoid the awkwardness of trying to find people to attend orientation events with. I remember thinking how lucky I was to have made such close friends while other people were still trying to find theirs. Then classes started, and I soon realized those friends would become acquaintances. It wasn’t because of anything bad, but as you start to branch out and adjust to your new routine your schedules don't match up anymore. But it is comforting to know that I have been a part of a student body that is typically friendly, and that I have been able to maintain some of those friendships with people whom I met on my very first day at W&J.

Being at W&J has been more rewarding than I ever imagined. I have had plenty of highs and lows, but I think I’ve learned just as much from the bad times as I have from the good. There are many students here who come from all different backgrounds and orientations, and having the opportunity to interact with those students has helped shape the person I am today. I am one for embracing diversity, and have been able to

A Graduate's Reflection: DEVON DOBBS ˇ17

help foster that idea on campus through my classes and clubs.

W&J also gave me friends that I will have for the rest of my life. Everyone always tells you that you meet some of your lifelong friends in college, but until you experience it firsthand, it is hard to understand or believe that statement. I never imagined becoming as close with as many people as I have. Because of them I learned about different perspectives, had support on the hard days, and enjoyed endless laughs.

One of my favorite parts about W&J is the option to pursue a thematic major and build your own curriculum. During fall semester of my sophomore year, I was enrolled in a gender and women’s studies (GWS) course. I loved the course and the material so much, and I knew I wanted to extend it beyond the minor. With the help of several faculty members, I was able to propose GWS as a major. This major changed my life and how I view myself, the community, and the world.

Another component of my time at W&J that I will be forever grateful for is the opportunity to be a successful student-athlete. As a four-year member of the varsity track and field team and two-time captain, I am so happy I decided to continue my athletic career in college. W&J has given me the chance to be challenged academically and athletically while still providing the necessary resources to help student-athletes succeed

in their course work. Being both a full-time student and two-season athlete kept me busy, but focused.

As my last few weeks wind down, it still has not fully hit me that I am going to be graduating and that I will never live on this campus again. While I am feeling excited and ready to move on to my next chapter, I’m simultaneously feeling uneasy about not being able to wake up and hang out with my best friends outside on the patio, or joke around with Paul in the commons, or go to Monti’s for a pretzel and milkshake on a Friday night. You don’t realize how much of an impact a place has on your life until you’re no longer going to be there.

We as students spend about nine months out of the year here for four years and, for me, W&J became home. And now, as I move on to graduate school, another institution will become home.

I am confident that my undergraduate education has prepared me for a successful graduate school experience, and for a bright future overall.

Dobbs, a 2017 graduate from Wyano, Pa., will be attending the college student personnel program at Bowling Green State University this fall to pursue a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs. She was also awarded an assistantship at Oberlin College where she will live and fulfill the role of coordinator for multicultural & identity-based communities in the Office of Residential Education.

Second largest turnout in 50th reunion history for Class of 1967

To celebrate 50 proud years as W&J alumni, 45 Presidents from the Class of 1967 came back to campus for a four-day reunion, May 17-20, 2017.

With the second-largest turnout in 50th Reunion history, the weekend provided former classmates with the opportunity to renew old friendships, tour the campus to witness the changes that have taken place since their student days, and play a significant role in the 218th Commencement as the newest members of the Presidential Guard.

In honor of their reunion, the class raised over $30,000 so far to create the 1967 Endowed Uncommon Grants Fund. The Fund provides exceptional students with financial support to have extraordinary experiences such as presenting at a national conference or pursuing research. To view photos from the celebration, visit jayconnected.com/classof1967

Alumni Referral Award

Know of a rising high school junior, senior, or transfer student who would be an excellent addition to the W&J community? Nominate prospective W&J students for the Alumni Referral Award!

If eligible, the student will receive a $1,000 award as part of their financial aid package. Referrals will be accepted for first-time, undergraduate freshmen or transfer students who have not yet applied to W&J. Submit a referral at connect.washjeff.edu/register/alumni_referral. Questions? Contact Amy Smith-Dille ’06, associate director of admission, at adille@washjeff.edu or 724-223-6025.

Celebrate in style with W&J Spirit Kits

Are you hosting a mini-reunion, celebrating a milestone birthday, or taking a weekend trip with some of your closest W&J friends? No matter the occasion, you can take a piece of your alma mater with you! The Office of Alumni Relations now offers free W&J Spirit Kits perfect for your special event. Customize your kit and choose from napkins, cups, balloons, pens, car decals, can koozies, luggage tags, name badges, and W&J trivia game sheets. Request your spirit kit at jayconnected.com/showyourspirit!

LIFTas you climb

Kenyon Bonner’s innovative approach to student affairs

Bonner socializes with students during Dean’s Hour, an informal monthly gathering he hosts to interface with students at the University of Pittsburgh, in September 2016.

Kenyon Bonner ’94 sits in his corner office in the University of Pittsburgh’s William Pitt Union surrounded by books, family photos, and a genuine aura of optimism and positivity. He has an easy-going manner that is both welcoming and discreet; a special ingredient for diffusing conflict, while conveying a sense of comfort.

His remarkable ability to forge connections and think creatively as an open-minded leader in higher education led to Bonner being honored as the recipient of W&J’s 2017 Maurice Cleveland Waltersdorf Award in March.

Bonner is Pitt’s vice provost and dean of students. This makes him the go-to person for handling some of the most difficult situations that arise on campus, but his open-door policy and commitment to engaging with students makes him one of the most well-known and well-liked administrators among the student body and his peers.

“I have known Dean Bonner for the better part of 13 years, dating back to my own time as a student,” says Penny Semaia, Pitt’s senior associate athletic director for student life. “He is so deeply rooted in being active and present with our students, whether it’s by attending an early breakfast awards ceremony or serving as a keynote speaker during a late evening event.”

Even when there are no scheduled events, Bonner is often found outside the confines of his office walking about campus and striking up conversations.

“Dean Bonner makes it his priority to be accessible to students, through planned events, and through small, but important, everyday interactions. He builds trust through his actions and character,” says Pam Connelly, vice chancellor of diversity and inclusion. “Pitt is a better place because of Dean Bonner.”

While overseeing a plethora of areas within the University’s Division of Student Affairs, Bonner’s primary responsibilities include managing experiences that can be found outside of the classroom, an interest that dates back to his own time as a student at Washington & Jefferson College.

When Bonner, a Cleveland native, began his academic journey at W&J, he felt a myriad of emotions as a young black male at a predominantly white college. He was just a freshman when he capitalized on those feelings and ran for president of the Black Student Union (BSU) during the organization’s inaugural year.

“Being named the first president of the BSU is an experience I will never forget,” recalls Bonner, who was nominated for president by a classmate. “I remember standing up in front of the group and telling them why I thought I would make a good president. At the time, I wasn’t sure I had the confidence to do the job, but my peers believed in me.”

Shortly after graduating from W&J, Bonner was accepted into Kent State University’s rehabilitation counseling program.

“During my practicum, I remember listening to students’ problems, concerns, frustrations, and challenges,” he says. “It was during that time that I realized I had a real interest in discovering who or what is responsible for the experiences students have on a college campus.”

And so his influential career in student affairs began.

After completing his master’s degree, Bonner held various positions at Kent. In 2004, he joined Pitt as assistant director of residence life and quickly advanced through the ranks of the Division of Student Affairs, becoming director of student life after just a year at the University. In January 2015, Pitt named Bonner interim vice provost and dean of students, a position he permanently assumed in February 2016.

Aside from his official duties and responsibilities, Bonner is widely known for having fun. He emphasizes the importance of engaging on campus, respectfully listening to all points of view, and compromising when forming plans.

Bonner’s time at W&J, as well as his experience leading the BSU, encouraged him to think about how important it is for students to feel a sense of community on campus. He says he uses that knowledge every day to help him do the best job possible.

He also gives credit to those classmates who uplifted him for creating an understanding of how equally important it is for peers to support each other. It’s a way of thinking he calls “lift as you climb,” and it’s a lesson he imparts to the almost 18,000 undergraduate and 10,000 graduate students enrolled at Pitt. The theory is based on a belief that as individuals find their footing and attain their own success, it is then their responsibility to help others learn and excel. Those who know Bonner often witness him practicing what he preaches.

Bonner’s parents, his nephew Jaden Cherry, and his wife Sylvana, as well as several of his W&J classmates, attended the Maurice Cleveland Waltersdorf Awards luncheon in March. Bonner has four children, Ijhad, Grant, Jasmine, and Chase, who keep him busy in addition to his job responsibilities and working on his doctorate in higher education management at the University of Pennsylvania.

Nola Juste graduated from Pitt in 2010 with both undergraduate and graduate degrees and says she was fortunate to have that time to get to know Bonner.

“I had the opportunity to work with Dean Bonner in a variety of capacities. No matter the situation, he always listened to student feedback and implemented changes based on that feedback,” says Juste. “I think that’s what really separates him from the crowd and is also the reason why he is so revered by students.”

While working with a diverse group of people can oftentimes be challenging, that’s part of what attracts Bonner to his position.

“I actually enjoy going to work and not really knowing how my day could begin or end,” he says. “There is no one day that is the same.”

Being a dean of students isn’t easy – and it certainly isn’t for everyone. But it has its rewards. Bonner sees his work as an investment, one that pays off when those he has worked with hit a pivotal moment.

“I love knowing that I have had some role, no matter how small, in helping students have a great college experience,” he says. “When former students come back for a visit, or send me a card or letter telling me about their successes, those are hands down the greatest moments for me. It reminds me how enriching and rewarding this job really is.”

W&J student awardees for the 2017 Maurice Cleveland Waltersdorf Awards for Innovative Leadership are Abbey Brewer ’17 and Alexandria Halula ’17.

The Maurice Cleveland Waltersdorf Awards for Innovative Leadership recognizes outstanding alumni and students of Washington & Jefferson College who attain a high level of achievement and exemplify the spirit and leadership qualities manifested by Dr. Maurice C. Waltersdorf. The awards honor the late Dr. Waltersdorf, who served as a professor and chairman of the Department of Economics at the College for 32 years. He initiated numerous innovative changes that shaped the Department of Economics and its students.

Where in the World are W&J Alumni?

Washington & Jefferson College has more than 15,000 living alumni, with more than 100 living abroad. Many of our graduates – 8,246 currently – chose to remain in the state of Pennsylvania. This map spotlights the number of W&J graduates living around the globe!

Ioseb Jorjoliani ’17

LOCATION: Washington, D.C.

MAJOR: International Studies, Communication Arts, and German

OCCUPATION: Assistant to the Counselor of Public Affairs, Embassy of Georgia to the United States of America

Alex Brueckner ’11

LOCATION: Gangneung, Gangwon Province, South Korea

MAJOR: English

OCCUPATION: High School

English Teacher

“After I graduated from W&J, I moved to Northern Japan to teach English with the JET Programme. It was supposed to be a one-year experience but I completely fell in love with teaching English as a foreign language and I knew I wanted to make it my long-term career. After five years, I decided it was time for a change of scenery. When it came time for me to decide where I wanted to call home, I made the decision to go to Gangneung, one of the host cities for the 2018 Winter Olympics!”

Around

Don’t see your home listed? Let’s get you on the map!

Help keep alumni records current and accurate by updating your information on W&J’s online alumni community at jayconnected.com.

“I chose to look for work in Washington, D.C. because it is the center of global politics! I’m hoping that by living and working there, I will gain valuable experience that I can apply to a successful career in international affairs.”

LOCATION: Atlanta, Ga.

MAJOR: Business Administration / Entrepreneurial Studies Program

OCCUPATION: CEO / NEATS USA

“While I was as an area manager with BMW Financial Services I had the opportunity to develop a great business and professional relationship with Mr. Henry “Hank” Aaron, who is a great person and businessman. His entrepreneurial spirit kept me encouraged and motivated me to launch my company NEATS USA.”

Mathew Johnson ’94

Barbara Lange ’88

LOCATION: White Plains, N.Y.

MAJOR: Chemistry & German

OCCUPATION: Executive Director, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and the Hollywood Professional Association

“Having a career that started in scholarly scientific publishing and now in association

management, I have had the opportunity to travel the world, meeting all sorts of interesting people. I’ve dined at the Parliament in London, met with leaders of the Vatican in Rome, and stood on the stage of the Sci-Tech Oscars in Hollywood, all the while promoting the good work of scientists and engineers who study and solve the problems that make life easier for the rest of us. As a trained scientist, I understand the challenge to solve these problems and I am happy to play a small part in supporting that work.”

Frederick Nesta ’67

LOCATION: Doha, Qatar

MAJOR: Political Science & History

OCCUPATION: Senior Lecturer and Degree Coordinator, University College London (UCL)

Around the U.S.

The College’s data, shown on this map, is a rough snapshot only. The numbers are conservative, representing alumni with known mailing addresses.

“After living and working in New York and London, I moved to Hong Kong in 2004 to become a university librarian at Lingnan University. Lingnan is a small liberal arts university, originally founded in 1888 by a W&J alumnus! It wasn’t until after I retired from this position that I found an opportunity to open a new Master of Arts program in library and information science for UCL in Qatar.”

450 Gifts in 24 Hours? No Problem! 5351

Washington & Jefferson College celebrated one of its newest traditions on Presidents’ Day, Feb. 20, as members of the W&J community contributed to the College’s third annual Day of Giving – a campus-wide initiative to raise gifts for the W&J Fund in a 24-hour period.

The day, dubbed #RedBlackGiveBack, focused its efforts on reaching a 450 donor-participation goal, and utilized social media and a dynamic online gift counter to generate buzz and create solidarity throughout the day-long event.

In addition to the virtual celebration that took place on W&J Day of Giving, members of the Alumni Executive Council (AEC) hosted a special happy hour at The Foundry in Pittsburgh’s North Shore to encourage young-alumni giving.

“One of the biggest benefits of W&J is its size and the ability to make true connections and build a network. Kicking off events like the #RedBlackGiveBack Happy Hour highlights the importance of keeping traditions alive after graduation,” said

Mike Harding ’12, member of the Young Alumni Adhoc Committee of the AEC. “Young alumni in the region want to remain connected, and it was awesome to see how many came to the happy hour in support of our alma mater, to meet one another, and to just catch up and have a drink. We’re already looking forward to the next event!”

By 7:30 p.m., the donor goal was met, but the outpouring of support continued throughout the evening. By midnight, the #RedBlackGiveBack buzz had resulted in gifts from an impressive 535 donors.

Exceeding the goal of 450 donors in 24 hours wasn’t the only big news announced during this year’s event. Thanks to the generosity of a loyal alumnus, numerous challenges were issued throughout the course of the day to reinforce that gifts of all sizes truly make a difference. In total, $50,000 in challenge funds were unlocked, bringing the day’s grand total to $196,572.

The overwhelming success of #RedBlackGiveBack reflected the combined efforts of many constituencies working

together in a common purpose — including members of the current student body who stopped by to make their gifts at special giving stations in Rossin Campus Center.

One such student, Darious Singleton ’18, shared his motivations for giving: “W&J is giving me the chance to make a real change in the world,” he said. “There is no monetary value that I can put on the debt of gratitude I owe this institution, but giving [on W&J Day of Giving] is a start!”

From faculty and staff to students and alumni, excitement and appreciation could be felt all over campus.

“We are so thankful to everyone who helped make W&J Day of Giving a success. Exceeding our goal by over 80 donors was a great affirmation of the support the W&J community has for the College,” said Mike Grzesiak, vice president of development and alumni relations. “W&J Day of Giving provides a fun way to give and connect with other Presidents, and I look forward to continuing this new tradition for many years to come.”

1 Emily Allen Jasionowski ’09 and Carley Riggin Taslov ’09 joined fellow young alumni in Pittsburgh’s North Shore for a happy hour to celebrate the day. 2 Darious Singleton '18 participated in his first W&J Day of Giving by making a gift that he hopes will help future generations of presidents. 3 Elizabeth Adamski ’12 and Steve Mort ’09 kicked off W&J Day of Giving from Sydney, Australia. The couple made the day’s first gift on February 19 – a day early in the U.S., but right on time in Australia! 4 Phi Psi fraternity brothers Joe Michelucci ’11, John Mioduszewski ’11, Aaron Rofling ’10, Jackson Doyle ’10, and Sean Jasionowski ’09 take the chance to catch up and make their gifts.

Photo by Jakob Locante ’19

CLASS NOTES

1955

1967

1975

“Having aged out of competitive sport venues, but still speaking in complete sentences, our team co-captains Don Kamerer and Paul Smilow, anchored by Steve Oliphant and Arthur Sohn, went on to win ‘The Greater Sarasota Trivial Pursuit Classic’ for the third straight year. With strong backgrounds in medicine, arts, history, business and sports, this octogenarian foursome out-scored 43 other teams while humming Whichi Coax at the end of each round. We are still looking for classmates for next year’s competition.”

– ARTHUR SOHN

1962

Patrick McCormick, M.S., Ph. D., was the principal investigator behind NASA’s SAGE III ISS, the newest technology in satellite ozone profiling. He was involved in all of its predecessors, this being the fifth generation of satellites to travel to the International Space Station. SAGE III launched Feb. 18, 2017.

1964

Barrett Burns, president and CEO of VantageScore Solutions, LLC, has been named to the Federal Reserve Board’s Community Advisory Council. His three-year term begins in 2017.

1971

L. Douglas Pepper, M.D., was elected president of the medical staff at Monongahela Valley Hospital. He previously served as chairman of the Department of Medicine. In 1983, he established a solo-private practice in North Belle Vernon, Pa. His daughter, M. Elizabeth Pepper ’98, M.D., joined his practice in 2005. He and his wife, Maria, are also the parents of J. Paul Pepper ’01 and Rachel Pepper Balinski, who attended W&J for two years.

1972

Col. Peter Kafkalas works for CACI International as a principal acquisition analyst at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Washington, D.C. He previously worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a real estate leasing coordinator.

1973

Charlie Eaton was named the recipient of Washington & Jefferson College’s 2016 Entrepreneurial Leadership Award and was recognized with a dinner and award ceremony Nov. 14, 2016. The American Economic Institute recognized Eaton Partners, LLC for the 2016 Excellence Award in fall 2016.

Clifford Martin retired after 40 years of work as an auditor and program evaluator in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He spent the last 12 years with the board of pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as director of internal audit. He and his wife, Marie, now live the beach life in Ocean City, N.J.

1974

Joanne Groshardt published her latest eBook, “Holly Blossums.” The novel can be found on Amazon in the Kindle format.

Philip Friedman won the gold medal in the 60-64 age division in the International Sprint Triathlon’s World Spring Triathlon Grand Final in Cozumel, Mexico. He previously won silver medals in 2014 and 2015 and bronze medals in 2011 and 2013.

1977

Jane Gaertner was an honoree at the West Orange Human Relations Commission

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Spirit Awards in West Orange, N.J., in January 2017.

1985

D.J. Camerson, a partner at Bressler Amery & Ross, P.C., with offices in New Jersey, New York, Florida, and Alabama, has been selected for inclusion in “The Best Lawyers in America 2017” list in the field of environmental law.

1987

Christine Grant wrote a book, “Entertaining Unplugged Children.” She works as a chemical analyst for U.S. Steel Corporation and is a mother to four and grandmother to four.

1990

Val W. Finnell, M.D., MPH, retired from the United States Air Force July 1, 2016, in the rank of colonel. He is now working as medical director for the Sto-Rox Neighborhood Health Council. The council is a federally qualified health center serving the McKees Rocks/Stowe Township and Hilltop communities of south Pittsburgh.

1991

Col. Robert Cameron, Pennsylvania National Guard, and Col.

Alexander J. Chotkowski ’93, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, served on the Joint Headquarters Staff for Joint Task Force – Democratic National Convention in July 2016 at Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pa. JTF-DNC was an inter-agency task force created to provide multi-spectrum Defense Support of Civil Authorities for the DNC held in Philadelphia, designated as a National Special Security Event. Cameron served as the Pa. State operational law judge advocate, and Chotkowski served as the Federal operational law judge advocate, to provide state and federal legal advice to the Dual Status Commander for JTF-DNC.

1992

Darin Trelka presented as the keynote speaker of Florida Atlantic University’s 48th annual Honors Convocation in April 2017. He is the University’s 2017 Distinguished Teacher of the Year.

Jude Thomas has been incredibly active in his time since leaving W&J. He attended dental school, becoming a practicing general dentist and oral surgeon. He also went to law school and practiced intellectual property law in New York City. In addition, he went to business school and co-founded a beverage company while he was there. In 2015, he purchased a dental practice in Ohio where he is currently working. He first met his wife Kelleigh

in 1991 in a fraternity house on W&J’s campus, but they didn’t meet again until they were both living in New York City in 2005. They married in New Zealand in 2007.

1993

Alexander J. Chotkowski was promoted to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves July 1, 2016. He graduated from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., with a master’s degree in strategic studies in July 2016.

1994

Susan Gillette Meer, a chemistry teacher at Mt. Lebanon High School, was selected as a recipient of the 2016 Yale Educator Award. Students entering the Yale Class of 2020 have the chance to nominate educators for the award, which is sponsored by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

1995

1997

April Morgan Hincy was named vice chair of the financial services litigation group at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC.

1998

Amy Barrette joined Blank Rome LLP as a partner in the energy, environment, and mass torts practice group.

2000

Ebony Miller Yeboah-Amankwah has been promoted to vice president of state and federal regulatory affairs at FirstEnergy.

2003

Christopher D. Stofko, Esq., has been named to the executive committee at Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C., a Pittsburgh-based law firm. Stofko is co-chair of the firm’s toxic tort practice group, and is focused on the defense of toxic tort claims throughout the United States for a host of Fortune 100 companies.

1996

Heidi Weinhold, N.D., has been awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Tempe, Ariz. She was chosen for her leadership in the profession and her accomplishment of making licensure of naturopathic medicine in Pennsylvania a reality.

Kristin M. Ondecko Ligda was named as one of Pennsylvania’s Top 40 Physicians under 40. She works for UPMC as an anesthesiologist, and is the founder of the Physicians Anesthesiologist Mom Group (PAMG) and Women in Anesthesiology, a nonprofit organization.

2005

Eli Miller became the chief operating officer for Donald Trump’s political campaign in 2016 with a focus on fundraising and campaign finance. He was named the chief of staff of the Treasury Department in February 2017.

2006

Megan Miller Mayhew was promoted to vice president at the Memphis office of Diversified Trust, an independent comprehensive wealth management firm with over $5 billion in client assets. She focuses on client account administration.

Samantha Malone Rubright successfully defended her dissertation and obtained a Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health in September 2016. Her dissertation was titled, “Cyanide and Hydrogen Sulfide: A Review of Two Blood Gases, Their Environmental Sources, and Potential Risks.”

2007

Catherine “Katy” Fischer graduated from Chatham University in 2009 with a master’s degree in counseling. She is a guidance counselor in the Jefferson-Morgan School System.

2010

David Carroll appeared on an episode of House Hunters on HGTV. The episode aired in April 2017.

Patrick Thomas was recently approved to chair the public relations and fundraising committee of the Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity (CWHFH). He has served on CWHFH’s board of directors since October 2015. Thomas also runs Marathon Marketing, a social-media consulting group that provides services to advise, manage, and assess social media strategies.

WEDDINGS

Catherine “Katy” Fischer ’07 and John Herold were married June 4, 2016, in Old Main at Washington & Jefferson College. Her father, Rev. Dr. Roger Fischer, Sr. ’63, officiated the ceremony. From left to right: Maxwell Fischer, Roger Fischer II ’00, Abigail Fischer, Marci Fisher, Catherine “Katy” Fischer ’07, John Herold, Rev. Dr. Roger Fischer, Sr. ’63, Catherine Trettel Fischer, Jack Fischer, Steven Fischer ’98, and Heather Fischer.

Collyn Fisher ’16 and Jameson O’Donnell were married Sept. 10, 2016.

2012

Brenden Kelley passed the Ohio State Bar in October 2016 and was sworn in Nov. 7, 2016, in the state capitol. Kelley is a 2015 graduate of Cleveland Marshall College of Law and is employed by the law firm of Wuliger and Wuliger in Cleveland, Ohio.

2013

Aaron Pilkington was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in November 2016.

2016

Sarah Iaquinta accepted a job with the Connellsville Area School District as an emergency substitute teacher. Also, she was appointed to serve on the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Advisory Committee for the West Virginia Alpha chapter at West Virginia University overseeing the vice presidents of philanthropy and communications.

John Burns ’80 and Cheryl Maze ’80 were married Oct. 22, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Burns is a trustee of the College.

Justin Cameron ’06 and Joelle Cook were married Sept. 24, 2016, on the family farm, Destiny Hills, owned by Cameron’s parents, Jim ’80 and Nancy Morgan Cameron ’81.

Jennifer Niziol ’09 and Edward Hess Jr. were married July 30, 2016.

Ruby Klashman ’08 and Brian Weiss were married Aug. 27, 2016. Alumni in attendance included Ashley Holman ’08, Christine Muha ’08, Matthew Schiavone ’08, and Patrick Vallely ’06.

Michelle Wuenstel ’11 and Zachariah Rivenbark were married Sept. 24, 2016. Alumni in the wedding included Kaitlyn Gilfoyle ’11, Heather Kraus ’11, Ashley Krepps DuBois ’11, David DuBois ’11, and Maxwell Brendel ’12

Jamie Wishart ’08 and Jared Zimmerman were married Oct. 29, 2016. Stephanie Fry Witmyer ’08 was a bridesmaid.

Amanda “Mandy” Schafer ’13 and Gregory Chin were married Sept. 10, 2016, in Baltimore. W&J alumni in attendance included Gavin Donathan ’13, Joe Guarinoni ’13, Kendy Pellegrene ’13, Bri Rhoad ’13, Scott Ryan ’13, Alex Smith ’13, Megan Smith ’14, Seth Stallard ’13, Meghan Wingard ’11, and Elisabeth Zagar ’12

JUNIOR PRESIDENTS

Becky Lukach Macino ’03 and her husband Marcus welcomed their second child, Lila Rose, July 6, 2016. Her big sister Erica loves her new baby sister!

Alexis DeFilippo McCormick ’06 and her husband Ryan welcomed their first child, Cole Joseph, Nov. 3, 2016.

James Matthews ’05 and Cassandra Nicastro Matthews ’05, Pharm.D., welcomed their second child,

Ellianna Marie, Feb. 8, 2016. She joins big brother James Thomas. The family of four lives in New Hope, Pa.

Samantha Malone Rubright ’06 and her husband Tyler welcomed their first child, Annabelle Lane, Nov. 4, 2016.

Frank Pilato ’05 and his wife Alexis Engle Pilato welcomed their first child, Isabella Capri, Oct. 31, 2016.

Justin Swank ’09 and his wife Jennifer welcomed their second child, Oliver William, Sept. 26, 2016.

Andrew ’07 and Leah Tatgenhorst ’08 welcomed their first child, Carson William, Jan. 5, 2017.

Matthew Seefeld ’10 and his wife Sarah welcomed their first child, Liam Kristopher, Oct. 25, 2016.

Andrew M. Snyder ’06 and Bree A. Turner welcomed their daughter, Ava Grace, Oct. 9, 2016. Ava is the granddaughter of Donald J. Snyder, Jr. ’72 and Karen F. Snyder.

Katie Groznik Goehring ’06 and her husband Simon welcomed their third child, Emily Mae, May 11, 2016. She joined her big brother Benjamin and big sister Anna.

Katie Hayden ’08 and her husband Mike, along with big sister Elizabeth, welcomed identical twins, Charles Francis and Henry Donald, April 8, 2016.

In Memoriam

1930s

John J. O’Leary Sr. ’39, Clinton, Mo., died Jan. 11, 2017, at age 100. He served in the Marines and was a first lieutenant in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After his military service, he started his career with Hallmark Cards as a salesman and retired 31 years later as vice president of marketing.

1940s

Thomas W. Morgan ’42, M.D., Naples, Fla., died Nov. 2, 2016, at age 96. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and served as president of its Gamma chapter. He practiced general and peripheral vascular surgery at Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis, Ohio, for 40 years and served as chairman of the department of surgery and member of the hospital’s board of trustees.

Theodore Skokos ’42, Fort Smith, Ark., died Jan. 5, 2017, at age 96. He served as a captain in the Army and was stationed in post-war Germany. He practiced dentistry for 50 years. He received the Golden Deeds award from the Fort Smith Exchange Club and was very active in his community.

E. Reese Owens ’43, Pittsburgh, Pa., died Sept. 22, 2016, at age 94. He was a World War II Army veteran. He practiced orthopedic surgery in Hartford, Connecticut, from 1952 to 1956 before returning to Pittsburgh to practice with the Gateway Orthopedic Association at Allegheny General Hospital until his retirement in 1987.

Robert S. Sprague Sr. ’44, Nazareth, Pa., died Dec. 23, 2016, at age 94. He served in the Navy in World War II. He taught at Harvard and worked in the chemical industry at Mallinckrodt Chemical in St. Louis. He taught freshman inorganic chemistry at Lehigh University from 1957 until he retired in 1989, earning the Stabler Award in 1971 and the Hillman Faculty Award in 1987. He was the father of Thomas H. Sprague ’66.

Paul E. Coury ’46, M.D., Bartow, Fla., died Nov. 23, 2016, at age 92. He served in the Army in World War II at the 80th General Hospital in Manila, Philippines. He managed a clinic in Bartow, Fla., until his retirement in 1994 and continued practicing medicine in industrial healthcare after his retirement, serving as site doctor at various facilities. He also served as mayor of the City of Bartow.

Marvin Shagam ’46, Ojai, Calif., died Aug. 9, 2016, at age 92. Shagam joined the Army and rose to the rank of first lieutenant, serving as an intelligence officer. He taught in England, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania before moving to California. He spent more than 55 years at The Thacher School in Ojai, Calif., and received several awards for his teaching.

David Sutherland ’48, Warminster, Pa., died Dec. 30, 2016, at age 90. He retired as vice president and general manager of Wilmington Chemical in Wilmington, Del. He was an avid genealogist, a student of French culture and language, and enjoyed playing the piano and singing in choirs and choruses.

James Frederick Sutherland ’48, M.D., Dublin, Ohio, died Nov. 20, 2016, at age 89. He served in the Navy Reserve during World War II and the Korean War, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander. He entered general practice with his father in Martins Ferry, Ohio, from 1958 to 1979 before relocating to Baudette, Minn., where he continued general practice until his retirement in 1997.

Stanley Wolfe ’48, Naples, Fla., died Sept. 23, 2016, at age 95. He spent his entire career in the insurance industry with Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, retiring in 1980. Wolfe was a founding member of The Sounds of Concord, a championship barbershop chorus which performed across the country, and was an avid ventriloquist.

Winfield Gibbs ’49, M.D., Northumberland, Pa., died Dec. 31, 2016, at age 87. He served in the Air Force, became a flight surgeon, and later worked at hospitals in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. He was chief of

Edward Lee North ’46 (second from left), Brightwaters, N.Y., died Feb. 22, 2017, at age 92. He was inducted into W&J’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013 as the Robert M. Murphy Award winner. He was a proud Grumman employee and former historian for the Village of Brightwaters. He was also an accomplished author, writing two books that chronicled the history of W&J football.

radiology at Sunbury Community Hospital in Sunbury, Pa., from 1972 until 1991 and retired from practice in 1993.

1950s

Robert L. Boord ’50, Newark, Del., died Feb. 17, 2017, at age 90. He served in the Army before attending W&J and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He joined the faculty at the University of Delaware in 1962, becoming a professor in 1977 and professor emeritus in 1992. He was awarded the Jacob J. Lavitz Neuroscience Investigator Award, one of the first 20 scientists to receive this national award.

Louis Colussy ’50, Bridgeville, Pa., died Dec. 6, 2016, at age 88. He was the retired owner of Colussy Chevrolet, a family business that has been in operation for 98 years. He served in the Army and was a veteran of the Korean War.

Stanley Handelman ’50, Rochester, N.Y., died Nov. 11, 2016, at age 87. After time in the U.S. Public Health Corps serving members of the U.S. Coast Guard in New Jersey and Maryland, he moved to Rochester, N.Y. to set up his dental practice. He became chairman of the Department of General Dentistry at the Eastman Dental Center where he oversaw the public clinic and a post-doctoral residency program.

Alexander Stavovy ’50, Springfield, Va., died Aug. 16, 2016, at age 87. He started his career as a ship structure engineer for the Department of the Navy and later served two years in the Army. After military service, Stavovy resumed his career at the David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and he retired as head of the ship structures division before being appointed staff officer of the

marine board of National Research Council at the National Academy of Sciences. He was awarded the Meritorious Public Service Award from the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard for his contributions to science and ship structure design and research.

Elwood Beckwith ’51, State College, Pa., died Oct. 19, 2016, at age 86. He served in the Navy during the Korean War. He worked for the S.S. Krege Company for six years, followed by 20 years as personnel director of three Sylvania Electric Company plants. He then started a new career as the owner and proprietor of Beckwith’s Yarn, Arts, & Craft Supplies, followed by 15 years of touring the craft show circuit as a basket maker.

Robert H. Halpert ’51, Midland, Texas, died Mar. 20, 2017, at age 87. He started his career working at the Sacony Vacuum Oil Company in Anaco, Venezuela. He continued a long career in the oil industry, moving to many different locations, including Anchorage, Alaska, where he served as superintendent of the Alyeska Pipeline Company. He ended his career in Midland working for Exxon, retiring in 1991.

Clyde L. Koontz ’51, Pittsburgh, Pa., died Dec. 29, 2016, at age 87. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953. He retired as a cost accountant for Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

Jerome Sabolsky ’51, Marianna, Pa., died Aug. 9, 2016, at age 86. He served in the Army during the Korean War. Sabolsky spent most of his life as an accountant for an engineering company in Cleveland.

John N. Sourbeer ’51, Clearwater, Fla., died Sept. 26, 2016. He earned national recognition at W&J as one of the “Four Gazelles,” the most feared backfield in

the country in 1948-49. He declined an NFL offer to attend medical school and practiced medicine in Belleair Bluffs, Fla., for 43 years after serving in the Navy.

Paul Belcastro ’52, Washington, Pa., died Aug. 31, 2016, at age 87. He served in the Navy during World War II and the Army during the Korean War. He started his career as a chemistry teacher, and later became an accountant working for numerous companies. After retiring, he won the office of Washington County controller and served in that position for many years.

Donald W. Butts ’52, Ligonier, Pa., died Oct. 2, 2016, at age 89. He served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War. He was an economist with the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., before retiring to Ligonier.

Walter W. Carson ’52, Peters Twp., Pa., died Oct. 26, 2016, at age 89. He was an Army veteran and retired from J&L Steel after 31 years of service. He enjoyed working at Trax Farms after his retirement.

Richard McClurg ’52, Montvale, N.J., died Nov. 30, 2016, at age 86. He participated in the ROTC program and was editor of The Red & Black while at W&J. He served as a First Lieutenant in the Army during the Korean War. He worked for Union Carbide for 28 years, finishing his career as director for human resources for Africa and the Middle East, and had a human resources consulting business in his retirement.

Edgar B. Shuck, Jr. ’52, Whispering Pines, N.C., died Sept. 25, 2016, at age 90. He was a veteran of the Army, serving during World War II. Shuck retired from Lockhart Iron and Steel Company in McKees Rocks, Pa., as vice president.

Harry Swanhart ’52, New Castle, Pa., died Jan. 11, 2017, at age 87. He taught in the history department at Westminster College from 1958 until his retirement in 1996 where his courses focused primarily on European history.

John R. Morris ’53, Forest City, Iowa, died Feb. 7, 2017, at age 84. He served his country in the U.S. Army for two years in Okinawa, Japan. He worked for several companies during his career, including IBM, Control Data Corporation, and was appointed the CFO at North Central Human Services in Forest City (now MOSAIC) until his retirement.

Jim Flaherty ’53, Philadelphia, Pa., died Sept. 1, 2016, at age 85. Flaherty turned down offers from several NFL teams and served as a second lieutenant during the Korean War. In 1975, he was elected to the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners, serving for one term before returning to practicing law. Flaherty was elected to the Commonwealth Court in 1995 and served until 2010.

Herbert Cable ’54, Mount Lebanon, Pa., died Nov. 26, 2016, at age 85. He was the former president and chief executive officer of Weld Tooling Corporation, served on the board of directors of the American Welding Society, and was actively involved in the welding industry for more than 60 years. He was formerly a trustee for the College.

Philip N. Smith ’54, Minneola, Fla., died Feb. 23, 2017, at age 83. He became Walt Disney World’s first permanent employee as a lawyer in 1965 before the company built the park. When he retired in the 1990s, he was still working at Disney as the senior vice president of administration and support.

Rev. Charles Eugene McMillan ’55, Rydal Park, Pa., died Aug. 24, 2016, at age 83. He joined the Army as a chaplain in January 1963 and retired after 20 years of service before becoming associate director and then director for the Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel. He continued his service as a chaplain at several churches in southeastern Pennsylvania and on ships for a number of cruise lines.

F. Leo Wright ’52, Potomac, Md., died March 1, 2017, at age 86. He was a loyal W&J alumnus who spent decades working for the betterment of the College. Elected to the College Board of Trustees in 1973, Wright served as chairman from 1988 to 1994 and was a member of the Development Council and chairman of the Century III Fund. He was recognized multiple times by the College for his dedication to W&J, including receiving the Distinguished Service Award in 1985, being named trustee emeritus in 1998, and earning an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1999.

Wright was a lawyer, Navy officer, and FBI special agent who was named deputy inspector general of the U.S. Department of State. He joined Westinghouse Electric Corp. in 1964 and retired in 1995 as vice president for government affairs. As founder of Leo Wright Associates, a Washington D.C.-based consulting firm, he represented business and educational institutions.

“He listened to you. When he sat down with you to talk, he made you feel like you were the only person in the room,” said W&J President Dr. Tori Haring-Smith. “He was a political man in the best sense of the word, not partisan like you see today, but in a way that looked to make policy in a win-win way.” Wright is survived by his wife, Rosemary, and two daughters, Christine and Denise.

McMillan received the Humanitarian Award from the Chapel for Four Chaplains for his service at Ground Zero.

Rev. Norman Charles Hunt ’56, Washington, Pa., died Jan. 27, 2017, at age 82. He began his ministry in Greene County and served at churches throughout the region, including in New Kensington, Uniontown, and California, Pa. He retired from the ministry in 2000.

Charles R. Koch ’56, Philadelphia, Pa., died Jan. 11, 2017, at age 82. He was a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and associate psychiatrist-in-chief at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for many years.

Richard E. Cummins ’57, Burgettstown, Pa., died Dec. 14, 2016, at age 81. He served in the Army from 1961 to 1963 and received the marksman and sharpshooter medals as well as the good conduct medal. He began his sales career with Chartiers Supply Corp. and retired as a sales manager from Camalloy Inc. in 2012.

Rev. Charles H. Lee ’57, Batavia, N.Y., died Sept. 14, 2016, at age 81. He was a long time Presbyterian pastor and had six pastorates throughout his career in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Lee hosted a weekly radio ministry that aired every Sunday for 14 years. He was also a chaplain at the VA Medical Center in Batavia for a number of years.

Robert Shepard ’57, New Kensington, Pa., died Feb. 12, 2017, at age 83. He served in the Army during the Korean War, spending 16 months overseas in the Medical Corps. He started working with his father at Shepard and Co., later named Walley and Shepard Co., in 1957. He became the owner and operator of the company in 1983 and worked there until his retirement in 1999.

James S. Posner ’58, Delray Beach, Fla., died Sept. 22, 2016, at age 79. He worked for the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company for many years, serving both as corporate secretary and as a divisional vice president and counsel.

1960s

William Roger Davidson ’60, Bermuda, died Sept. 21, 2016, at age 78. He was on the board of the Bermuda Press (Holdings) Ltd. for more than 40 years. He also devoted his career to the department store H.A. & E. Smith Ltd., rising from costing clerk to menswear buyer to president.

Scott Deasy ’61, Wynnewood, Pa., died Oct. 7, 2016, at age 76. He started his career with the Pennsylvania Railroad and later became a manager with Combustion Engineering where he spent most of his career. He finished his career with J&E Trucking in New Jersey and retired in 2014.

Edward Venanzi ’61, Yorba Linda, Calif., died Dec. 21, 2016, at age 82. He served in

the Air Force from 1953 through 1957 and started his career as a research engineer with North American Aviation in southern California in June 1961. He stayed with the company, which became Autonetics, then Rockwell International, and is now Boeing, until his retirement as director of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems in July 1993.

John Workmeister ’61, Cumberland, Md., died Jan. 4, 2017, at age 77. He worked with his father and uncle at Wiebel and Workmeister, predecessor to Workmeister Insurance Agency, Inc., and Coldwell Banker Workmeister Realtors. He was a member of the Army Reserve.

David Steinberg ’62, M.D., Atlanta, Ga., died Oct. 18, 2016, at age 76. He

J. Barry Stout ’64, Bentleyville, Pa., died Oct. 29, 2016, at age 79. He was a devoted philanthropic supporter of the College, including establishment of the Stout Educational Institute, and was dedicated to giving back to his community. He was the leader who used his legislative skills to accomplish the resurfacing of College and Lincoln Streets, beautifying the campus environment and making it safer for students to cross streets. Stout was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by W&J in 2003, received the W. Edward Sell Legal Achievement Award during Homecoming in 2014, and was named 2010 Philanthropist of the Year by the Washington County Community Foundation. He began his professional career as a mortician and served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Stout was a Pennsylvania state legislator for 39 years, elected to the House in 1970, the Senate in 1977, and retired in 2010. He was the Democratic chair of the transportation committee for many years and was known for his work to advance transportation initiatives in Southwestern Pennsylvania, including his efforts to foster repairs and replacements of Pennsylvania’s many bridges. The stretch of the Mon-Fayette Expressway between Route 51 in Jefferson Hills and Interstate 70 in Washington County was named for Stout when it opened in 2002 because of his dedication to the project.

“He was devoted to his family in every way, but he was also devoted to the people he represented,” said his daughter, Lisa Stout-Bashioum.

Stout is survived by his brothers, Bill Stout ’64 and Gary Stout, sister Cynthia Carmella, six children, Lisa, Lori, Sharee, John Barry, Shannon, and Bethany, and 15 grandchildren including Josh Bashioum ’10. His wife of 56 years, Lenore, died in February.

completed his cardiology fellowship at Emory University Hospital and practiced cardiology and internal medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta.

Louis V. DiBello ’63, Park Ridge, Ill., died Mar. 7, 2017, at age 76. He began his career as a professor and was later a researcher at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He moved to the Law School Admission Council in Newtown, Pa., in 1994 before joining the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, N.J., as research and development director in 1997. In 2006, he returned to his teaching career at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Jerry Dorsch ’63, Orange Park, Fla., died Oct. 1, 2016, at age 75. Following two years in the Navy at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., he went into private practice in Jacksonville and then worked at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for more than 20 years. He and his wife co-authored six anesthesia textbooks and traveled extensively, giving lectures on anesthesia equipment and working on medical equipment standards. Following retirement from medicine, he became a Master Gardener and ran a “u-pick” farm.

Thomas B. Carpenter Jr. ’64, Bloomington, Ind., died Nov. 13, 2016, at age 74. He completed ROTC training and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. After leaving the Army, he worked as an industrial engineer at CF&I Steel. He later taught literature and served as the student newspaper advisor at Southeast Community College in Cumberland, Ky., for two years leading him to a new career in book design and composition, which he pursued along with farming after purchasing a 150-year-old log house on 21 acres near Bloomington, Ind.

Rea P. Miller Jr. ’64, Jefferson Hills, Pa., died Mar. 4, 2017, at age 74. He served in the Army, received an honorable discharge at the rank of captain after an 18-month tour in Vietnam, and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a partner in the Weller, Wicks, and Wallace law firm before moving to PNC Bank’s personal trust department.

He stayed with PNC until his retirement as a senior vice president for PNC Wealth Management in 2016.

Rev. Bruce Mounts ’64, Sparta, Tenn., died Oct. 5, 2016, at age 73. He was a Presbyterian minister for 47 years in the Pittsburgh area. He served Amity Presbyterian Church in Dravosburg, Pa. for 44 years and retired in June 2016.

Harold J. Carlson Jr. ’65, Glenshaw, Pa., died March 10, 2017, at age 73. He worked as a production manager for Herr-Voss Corporation in Callery, Pa., for 26 years before his retirement. He achieved the rank of brown belt in karate, and was a whitewater rafter as well as an avid runner, participating in the Great Race multiple times in the 1990s.

James B. Bouma ’67, Boston, Mass., died Feb. 1, 2017, at age 72. He spent his life teaching and coaching for multiple schools and programs. For 33 years, he worked at The Rivers School in Weston, Mass., taking on various roles, including dean of the lower school, athletic director, and chair of co-education implementation. He served as project coordinator of many renovation projects until his retirement in 2009.

John Joseph “Jack” Dirienzo ’67, Rockwood, Pa., died Dec. 8, 2016, at age 71. He had retired as an attorney for Fike Cascio & Boose and was currently working as a mental review officer for Somerset and Bedford Counties. He was Somerset Borough Solicitor for more than 30 years and served as solicitor for the Somerset Bedford REC Cooperative for many years.

Robert B. Sommer ’69, Naples, Fla., died Sept. 19, 2016, at age 69. He had a long career as a corporate litigator at Kirkpatrick and Lockhart, balancing his demanding legal career with a commitment to Neighborhood Legal Services. He co-founded the law firm of Hergenroeder, Rega and Sommer in 2001 where he concentrated on securities litigation and was later a partner at Meyer, Unkovic & Scott and counsel at Morella and Associates.

1970s

C. Barton Jones ’70, Esq., Jamestown, Pa., died Nov. 1, 2016, at age 69. He started his law career working for administrative law judges in the black lung division in Pittsburgh. He served as assistant district attorney in Venango County and opened a private law practice in Jamestown in the 1980s where he served the community for more than 30 years.

Houston Marshall ’70, New Alexandria, Pa., died Feb. 7, 2017, at age 68. He served in the Army. He practiced law in Florida and Pennsylvania and donated his time to service organizations in both locations.

Jonathon Hitesman ’73, Wellington, Fla., died Jan. 11, 2017, at age 66. He started his career in radio in Boston and worked at several area radio stations. He continued his broadcasting career in Florida where he worked with a local web-based radio station and hosted his own show dedicated to film music appreciation.

Andrew Billie ’74, Washington, Pa., died Jan. 2, 2017, at age 78. He had worked as a technical writer for RCA in Meadowlands, Pa. He served as business administrator and deacon at Central Assembly of God in Houston, Pa.

Michael Scot Curran ’74, Washington, Pa., died April 9, 2017, at age 65. He was the sole practitioner at M. Scot Curran & Associates since 1985, served on the board of the Pennsylvania Lawyers for Concerned Lawyers, and was a member and former president of Academy of Trial Lawyers of Southwestern Pennsylvania. He chaired committees for the Washington County Bar Association, was recently elected to their board of directors, and received their 2012 Humanitarian Award. He was an all-conference soccer goalie at W&J.

Robert A. Love Sr. ’74, Rehoboth Beach, Del., died Feb. 18, 2017, at age 64. He had a lifelong career in accounting and human resources and was most recently a resident manager at Edgewater House Condominium.

Col. Peter Palfreyman ’75, Washington, Pa., died Oct. 25, 2016, at age 67. He

served in the 171st Air Refueling Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and retired as a vice commander after 35 years of military service. He worked as a retirement counselor for the State of Pennsylvania and as an adjunct instructor at Robert Morris University.

Lori L. Zilla, ’76, Peters Twp., Pa., died Mar. 8, 2017, at age 63. She worked for seven years as a special education teacher for the California Intermediate Unit in Washington, Pa. She later became a research librarian for the legal firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and retired in 2014 as their manager of library and research services.

Mark Sweger ’77, Cleveland, Ohio, died Dec. 30, 2016, at age 62.

Ray Verlinich ’77, Portland, Ore., died Feb. 15, 2017, at age 61. He started his career with PPG Industries and spent 10 years with the company in various locations. He worked as the first CFO of International Orthodox Christian Charities and was instrumental in creating the framework for the organization. He moved to Portland in 1996 to work for ESCO Corporation and became its CFO in 2011.

1980s

James E. Stack ’81, Greensburg, Pa., died Aug. 15, 2016, at age 57. He retired from Procter & Gamble Co. as a pharmaceutical representative.

Thomas C. Strum ’84, Claysburg, Pa., died Feb. 17, 2017, at age 54. He played baseball at W&J and was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Dental School.

1990s

Kelly A. Cook-Boyd ’90, Pittsburgh, Pa., died Jan. 16, 2017, at age 48.

Betty Jo Stoner ’97, Hickory, Pa., died Dec. 14, 2016, at age 69. She was employed by McGraw Edison and later Cooper Corp. for 28 years. When Cooper Corp. closed she attended W&J, earning her bachelor’s degree in two years. She later worked for Joy Mining Co.

Anne Beatty, Naples, Fla., died Jan. 9, 2017, at age 65. She worked as an operating room registered nurse in New York City before becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist and working in Los Angeles, Denver, and Naples, Fla.. She worked with her husband, Richard F. Beatty ’53, M.D., an ophthalmologist and current W&J trustee, on Project Orbis, a flying eye hospital specialized for international medical and surgical eye care. As part of the project she taught medical care in underdeveloped countries with missions to West Africa, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh, Thailand, and China. Anne was a dedicated member of the W&J family. She and her husband, Rick, hosted W&J alumni and friends at their home for an annual event. In addition, they created a scholarship to support W&J students who demonstrated financial need.

2000s

Andrea Augustine ’00, Coraopolis, Pa., died Dec. 13, 2016, at age 38. She had been employed as an accountant for Covestro of Pittsburgh.

Joshua Stape ’01, Greensburg, Pa., died Dec. 24, 2016, at age 37. He was a chemist and a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Marlene Kopf ’02, Napa, Calif., died Nov. 3, 2016, at age 78. She and her husband moved to Washington, Pa., in 1997 after his retirement and she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she earned her bachelor’s degree in English from W&J in 2002. She moved to California in 2014 to be closer to family.

Friends

Cherlyn Bristor, Washington, Pa., died Dec. 24, 2016, at age 72. She was a homemaker and worked in the food service department at W&J. She was an avid pool player and won many trophies and tournaments.

Vincent Ciardo, Richfield, Pa., died Feb. 1, 2017, at age 93. He worked for the United States government for three years, owned Vince’s Hobby Shop for 38 years, and worked in real estate management for 20 years.

John A. Enman, Danville, Pa., died Aug. 17, 2016, at age 94. He was in the Reserve Army Corps, and was later called up for active duty in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and

served as a cartographer in India until the end of World War II. He taught at W&J and later at Bloomsburg University. His book, Another Time, Another World: Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal, Coke and Communities, was published in 2010.

Theresa Ann Davidson Horner, Washington, Pa., died Mar. 26, 2017, at age 78. She was a graduate of Washington High School and Penn Commercial. She was a beloved employee at W&J for 40 years.

James T. Herron, V.M.D., Canonsburg, Pa., died April 6, 2017. He was a veterinarian in Canonsburg, practicing with his father. He was a historian for the borough of Canonsburg and served on the boards of the Jefferson College Historical Society and Oak Spring Cemetery. He contributed greatly to W&J’s college history through his publications, The Jefferson College Times.

Jane L. Hunt, Washington, Pa., died Feb. 22, 2016, at age 86. She worked as a switchboard operator and in the mailroom at W&J. She retired after 20 years of service to the school.

R. Lloyd Mitchell, Washington, Pa., died Feb. 1, 2017, at age 76. He was a longtime professor and chair of the Philosophy Department at W&J. He joined the faculty in 1964 as an instructor, becoming chair of the department in 1989, and professor in 1993. He also served the College in a variety of other roles including secretary of the faculty, head marshal, and a member of several committees. Lloyd retired from the College in 2005 and was appointed professor emeritus in 2006.

Malcom Leslie “Max” Morgan, Washington, Pa., died Oct. 31, 2016, at age 88. He served in the U.S. Army, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Army Reserve. He worked as a carpenter; a real estate agent, broker, and appraiser; formed a construction firm, Holiday Construction Co.; and started a housing development, Holiday Hills. He served two terms as Washington County treasurer, was a Washington County commissioner and served as board chairman, and became the first executive director of the Washington County Council on Economic Development. Morgan was the father of Nancy Cameron ’81 and father-in-law of Jimmy Cameron ’80 and the uncle of Mimi York ’85.

Leslie Parker, Ph.D., Edwards, Colo., died Mar. 5, 2017, at age 77. He taught physics at W&J and participated in theatre programs at W&J as well as with the Washington Community Theater with his wife. He started working for the Washington Hospital to develop their clinical biochemistry capabilities in the mid-1970s and continued that work for three decades before retiring to Edwards in 2004.

Anthony J. Signorile, New York City, died Oct. 10, 2016, at age 92. He founded the accounting firm of A.J. Signorile & Co. in 1967 and served as tax advisor for the Charles A. Dana family and chief outside auditor for the Charles A. Dana Foundation. Known for his philanthropic work, he was trustee and later chairman of the Eleanor Naylor Dana Charitable Trust, known for its major support of performing arts, music, theatre, biomedical research, and health organizations. He was the father of Stephen Signorile ’71.

George Wissenbach, Washington, Pa., died Jan. 1, 2017, at age 72. He was an Army veteran who served with the military police in Korea. He worked at Squirrel Hill Nursery with his family for more than 20 years and then worked as a horticultural technician at W&J until his retirement.

W EE KE ND 2017 SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 20 & 21, 2017

Celebrating the classes of: 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, and 1992

Washington & Jefferson College

60 South Lincoln Street

Washington, Pennsylvania 15301-4801

PI BETA PHI CHANGING LIVES, ONE BOOK AT A TIME

Members of Pi Beta Phi teamed up with the Literacy Council of Southwestern PA to provide books and literacy information for newborns at Washington Hospital in March. The sorority sisters packed 500 baby book bags with reading materials supplied by the First Book program through the Pi Beta Phi Foundation.