Alvernian March 2016

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March/April 2016

Volume 55 Issue 2

Neags Award $2.25 Million Nursing Scholarships

what’s in THIS ISSUE

By Brian O’Shaughnessy Editor

A Photo courtesy of Carey Manzolillo

Discussion in “Black Lives Matter”

Carole (left) and Ray Neag (right) establish the Neag Nursing Scholarship program at Alvernia.

Away From Home

Yet Tennis Teams Trouble By Torn Turf, Tedium

New Names and Faces, Same Team

More Than the “Flynn Files” By Matthew Baer Contributing Writer Many students recall someone talking to them at Convocation, but often do not stop to think about who exactly was the man on stage. Who is Dr. Thomas F. Flynn other than the President of Alvernia University? Dr. Flynn might seem scary to some people. He is in a substantial position that gives him great responsibilities. His aura of responsibility can cause students to become nervous to meet him. Yet, once a student gets to know him, Dr. Flynn’s warm and personable nature shines through. Dr. Flynn began his college career as a literature and history major. He planned to teach and write once he graduated from Boston College, and he did at Millikin University and Mount Saint Mary’s University. As a faculty leader, Dr. Flynn was given opportunities to look into becoming a President of a university. He loved teaching, but he was encouraged by mentors that were colleagues, administra-

tors, and prominent leaders to look into a presidential position. In fact, Dr. Flynn will still teach sometimes. Last semester, he team-taught a course with Professors Caroline Fitzpatrick and Donna Yarri. Dr. Flynn was a President at one other university before Alvernia. He served as the President of Millikin University in Illinois, and was also a dean at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland. In fact, he had never heard of Alvernia before arriving here, but when he had his prelimi-

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Interns in the Arena

nary interview with Alvernia, he knew that he wanted to stay. “I had the advantage of knowing that if I were offered the job I would take it in a heartbeat,” Dr. Flynn said, remembering his interviews with Alvernia. Dr. Flynn still remembers his student interview from 11 years ago. “The student leaders who interviewed me were the single most impressive student group of interviewers that I had met in my various Presidential interviews,” Dr.

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Photo courtesy of Matthew Baer

‘Finding Home’

One of Alvernia’s biggest programs has now received the largest donation the University has ever received. Carole and Ray Neag have funded a new nursing scholarship program at Alvernia with a $2.25 million gift. Carole and Ray Neag are among Alvernia’s most generous benefactors, with a long history of financial support of the university. Carole is a former emergency and maternity nurse who also worked to implement injury-prevention stan-

dards. She previously served as a member of the university’s Board of Trustees. Ray is the retired cofounder, vice chairman and director of Arrow International, now Teleflex Medical, an innovator in the use of catheterization for diagnosis and treatment of cardiac diseases. Carole and Ray share a strong interest in nursing, and expressed interest in investing in the next generation of nurses to help them obtain outstanding training from a values-based university like Alvernia. The Neags have a legacy of

Dr. Thomas F. Flynn in his office in Francis Hall.

By Genesis Ciriaco Editor The Santander Arena puts students in a position where they can grow and learn beyond textbooks. Three Alvernia students have found the arena to be a place where they are challenged to resolve real-world problems, gain skills, and build connections. Alysse Caparoni, a senior communications major, is doing her spring internship in the marketing department. “One of my friends interned there, I went to their website and applied online,” Caparoni said. Santander Arena’s website give students the option to apply for an internship under their employment page. The students are required to fill out basic contact information and submit a resume online. Only two weeks after applying, Caparoni received a phone call to set up an interview. After waiting anxiously for less than two months, Caparoni discovered she landed the internship. “Being that they’re the only big concert venue, the arena

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Alvernian March 2016 by Alvernia University - Issuu