EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
ALUMNI HERALD
SPRING SUMMER 2022
50 YEARS OF TITLE IX AT ESU
IT’S A GREEK LIFE
ESU’s All-Greek Dinner was held April 20, 2022, giving fraternity and sorority members a chance to connect.
CampusSnap
Photo by Ben Marino Photo by Susie Forrester
Warriors,
Greetings to you from your alma mater! As we move through the summer months, there’s so much to share from our team here at ESU.
We celebrated Commencement on May 8 with one monumental, single ceremony at Eiler-Martin Stadium as more than a thousand ESU graduates walked across the stage on a beautiful morning. There’s incredible promise in each year’s Commencement, and this spring’s event marked an important milestone in the academic and life journey of new alumni who persisted through so much over the last two years. I’m constantly inspired by our students who will go on to impact their families and communities in meaningful ways. To open this edition of the Alumni Herald, I would like to thank Dave Super ’80, who has served as your Alumni Association Board of Directors president for the last two years and has been a member of the Board for the last nine years, for lending his leadership and expertise during this important time for the university. I also add my congratulations to outgoing ESU Foundation Board of Directors members Robert H. Willever ’75 and Robert A. Shebelsky, who were granted emeritus status. More updates on the Alumni Association and ESU Foundation Board can be found inside these pages. My greatest appreciation to all who are serving ESU! Our cover feature commemorates the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark and life-changing federal legislation passed in 1972. We are proud to tell the story of alumna Merrily Dean Baker ’64, a leader in equity for women’s athletics as a trailblazer who was the first female athletic director in the Big 10 Conference when she was hired at Michigan State in 1992. The experiences of several ESU coaches and administrators are also woven throughout as they share their life in athletics. And, take a walk through Warriors history with a look at selected notable team and individual achievements over the past several decades. We’re excited to tell you about ESU’s largest-ever grant that was received this spring, an award of nearly $5 million from the National Science Foundation for our Clear Path program to provide scholarships for STEM students in partnership with four local community colleges. The most recent award builds on a $4 million grant in 2016. Additional grants have been received for our R.E.A.C.H. advising program in the department of academic success, and by faculty members in health studies and nursing from the PA Department of Health. We are also proud to be recognized for our demonstrated commitment to advancing first-generation student success – an important part of advancing the university’s mission. You’ll enjoy learning more about Samii Emdur ’08, who has created a summer camp for foster kids to bond with their siblings. A pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant nurse at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Samii is an inspiring example of the Warrior spirit in action. We held several significant events this spring, including a retirement celebration for my predecessor and friend, Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., the annual President’s Gala, and our 13th annual Scholarship Dinner. The ninth annual Economic Outlook Summit focused on “The Poconos: Innovation and Opportunity” and continues to promote the wellbeing of our regional community. And, a significant capital improvement project concluded 2 the alumni herald
with a ribbon-cutting for the Coach Jack Gregory ’52 Football Locker Room, which raised over $860,000 in six months. I offer my sincere thanks to all of our alumni and friends who have contributed to our scholarships and projects that impact so many current, and future, ESU students. We are so proud of our women’s lacrosse team, under the leadership of alumna Xeni Barakos-Yoder ’11, which finished as the NCAA Division II runner-up. The squad posted a 20-2 record, including its third regional championship in the last four seasons, and added the PSAC championship to its first-ever conference title in 2017. Our team was led by five All-America selections. It was an honor to watch them perform throughout their incredible season! Warriors baseball was the regional runner-up and set a program record with 41 wins, and softball had a team-record 34 wins after its own regional runner-up finish the previous season in 2021. We also recap the past winter season, when men’s basketball notched its seventh PSAC East divisional title in the last dozen years, and welcome our new director of athletics, Dr. Allen G. Snook, Jr., who is excited to join the Warriors family. Be sure to catch up on all of our upcoming Alumni events (pages 26-27), including marking your calendar for Homecoming Weekend, October 14-16. I look forward to spending time with our Warriors alumni on what always promises to be one of the highlights of the academic year. I continue to be grateful for all of your support on behalf of ESU’s students, faculty and staff. I hope that you’ll continue to stay connected to ESU, come back to campus when you can and say hello at Homecoming this October. You’re always welcome Where Warriors Belong! Sincerely, Kenneth Long, Interim ESU President
INSIDE
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Clear Path 2 grant the largest ever for ESU
18 CAMPUS, COMMUNITY HONOR DR. WELSH
Retirement celebration for 13th president benefits scholarship
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Office of University Advancement Office of University Relations Ideal Design Solutions PHOTOGRAPHY Taj Falconer Susie Forrester Morgan Koerber ’18 Bob Weidner
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COVER STORY
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This year marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX and we’re taking a look at this landmark legislation and the strides made in ESU’s athletics programs. This issue illuminates the career of alumna Merrily Dean Baker ’64, the first female athletic director in the Big 10 and a member of the ESU Athletics Hall of Fame. Read personal perspectives of progress from Dr. Nancy Jo Greenawalt, recently retired interim athletic director, who has been a member of the ESU athletics senior leadership team since 1998, along with several women’s coaches, as the university continues movement in providing equity and balance within its programs. More Related Content: • Meet ESU’s new Title IX Coordinator • Selected highlights from decades of success
STAY CONNECTED with your alma mater @WarriorAlumni ESUAA flickr.com/photos/esualumni INTERIM UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT Kenneth Long
GRANT AWARDS BENEFIT STUDENTS
CONTRIBUTORS Nancy Boyer ’20 Brenda E. Friday, Ph.D. Tom Housenick Christina Karl Sara Karnish Greg Knowlden M’04 Ryan Long Elizabeth Richardson David Super ’80 Caryn Wilkie
On the cover: Top row - Mary Pakenas '74, Janet Dicks '55, Merrily Dean Baker '64. Middle row - Karen Way '91 M'99, the 1971 varsity basketball team. Bottom row - Stacy Perryman ‘97, 2015 NCAA DII champion field hockey team.
WARRIOR ALUMNI CONNECT AGAIN
Events in full swing as Warriors gather in variety of events
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FOOTBALL PROGRAM UNVEILS NEW LOCKER ROOM ESU Foundation celebrates campaign finish at ribbon cutting
DEPARTMENTS 12 18 22 28 33 36
CAMPUS NEWS ESU FOUNDATION ALUMNI NEWS WARRIOR SPIRIT CLASS NOTES IN MEMORIAM
East Stroudsburg University Alumni
ALUMNI HERALD The Alumni Herald is the official publication for East Stroudsburg University Warriors of all ages. We work to keep ESU alumni connected with their alma mater and each other. The print magazine is published twice each year (Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer). Alumni may update their mailing information by notifying the alumni office. Please address all correspondence to: ESU Office of Alumni Engagement Henry A. Ahnert, Jr. Alumni Center 200 Prospect Street East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 570-422-3333 Fax: 570-422-3301 esualumni@esu.edu
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is committed to equal opportunity for its students, employees and applicants. The university is committed to providing equal educational and employment rights to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran’s status. Each member of the university community has a right to study and work in an environment free from any form of racial, ethnic, and sexual discrimination including sexual harassment, sexual violence and sexual assault. (Further information, including contact information, can be found on the university’s website at esu.edu/titleix.) In accordance with federal and state laws, the university will not tolerate discrimination. This policy is placed in this document in accordance with state and federal laws including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991 as well as all applicable federal and state executive orders.
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ALUMNI BOARD
GREETINGS
FELLOW WARRIORS. This will be my last article for the Alumni Herald, as my final term on the Alumni Association Board of Directors ends after nine years in June. I have greatly enjoyed my time on the board and will take away great memories of meeting and working with many outstanding alumni. I would like to thank board Vice President Chris Rohr Thompson ’73 and Secretary Caitlyn “Katie” Ord ’07 M’08 for their teamwork and dedication these last two years. To all those members past and present who I have had the pleasure of serving with, please accept my heartfelt thanks. I would also like to thank ESU Interim President Ken Long and ESU Foundation Executive Director Rich Santoro for their guidance and support. It is fitting that this edition of the Alumni Herald celebrates achievements that have occurred since the enactment of Title IX. When I first joined the board of directors in 2013, most of the members were men who had graduated during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Since then, the number of women on the board has increased and are now the majority, and we also have greater representation from more recent decades of graduates. For the first time ever, all the officers are women. Our next challenge is to increase the diversity of our membership to approximate our graduates more closely. Incoming President Elizabeth Luchansky O’Brien ’01, Vice President Danica Boyd Hartenfels ’97 and returning Board Secretary Caitlyn “Katie” Ord ’07 M’08 will do great work on behalf of our association. In addition to the new leadership team, the board will welcome back a current director for another term and has elected seven new members. After receiving applications from 17 candidates, the largest application class ever, the board voted to re-elect Chasity Riddick ‘04 M’07 for a second term, and elected the following alumni for their first term: Michael Bidwell ’99, Jamie Borger ’15, Aimee Ellison ’91, Michelle Keating Sibel ’00, Jessica Maxwell ’16, Adrian Neves ’07, and Daniel Romagno ’20. I am proud of what your Board of Directors has accomplished. Over the last six years 100 percent of the board members have contributed to the Alumni Association Board of Directors Scholarship. As a result, we have been able to give three scholarships per year to qualifying students. Additionally, the board’s “Fun Raiser” golf event, held annually in August, has raised thousands of dollars. Last year’s event raised nearly $5,000, which will enable the awarding of seven scholarships for incoming freshmen with financial need in
SPECIAL THANKS TO DAVE SUPER ’80 To say my first year as Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving has been eye-opening is an understatement. A year ago, I had only rudimentary knowledge of how the alumni association operates and the time and effort each member expends to assist our alma mater. Outgoing president Dave Super ’80 has demonstrated that dedication time and again. Under Dave’s guidance, the board successfully navigated the challenges of online committee and board meetings, keeping conversations on track and infusing warmth and humor into serious discussions. He has been a sounding board for new members, using his nine years of board experience and a lifetime of leadership roles to keep the mission of the board in focus. The Monroe County Chapter of the Alumni Association also benefited from Dave’s leadership, hosting and planning events to better engage local alumni.
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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CORNER
fall 2022. This year’s event will be held on August 12, 2022, at the Mountain Laurel Golf Club in White Haven, Pa. Information on this great event can be found at www.esualumni.org. Through our annual Alumni Awards program, we recognize alumni who have gone on to accomplish outstanding achievements in their careers. The annual awards banquet, held during Homecoming weekend, has always been a moving event as alumni share their life stories. We also hold dozens of events each year, enabling alumni to reconnect with old friends, and make some new ones. If you know an alumnus/a deserving of one of the alumni awards, the nomination form can be found at www.esualumni.org, under Alumni Information. Your Alumni Association has also been working closely to seek out opportunities where it can provide support to ESU students who are approaching graduation. I can state that we now have a greatly enhanced ability to do that. The university was successful in obtaining a grant to purchase access to an online platform named People Grove. People Grove will drive career readiness with mentoring opportunities, pathways, job interviews and career communities. The system increases student success using peer-to-peer communities and personalized success plans. People Grove is in use by over 250 universities of all sizes across America. I applaud the university for taking this significant step that can help students transition more quickly from academic institution to their desired career field. With the rising cost of college, more parents expect universities to be an immediate jumping off point to a career. To make this goal a reality for more graduating students, our assistance is greatly needed. Information on People Grove and how to register on the site will be forthcoming this summer. Alumni participation is absolutely critical and will be the lynchpin to making this new program successful. Many of us were helped early in our careers by mentors who guided us and provided meaningful career insights. If you are like me, you will never forget those special individuals who took time to help us. Please consider being that person for an ESU student. Dave Super ’80 President ESU Alumni Association Board of Directors Among his many accomplishments as president, Dave has been instrumental in bringing a mentoring platform to ESU. Connecting students with alumni has been one of his passions and this fall, the program will begin the important work that Dave has been an advocate of for years. The board’s philanthropic giving has remained at 100 percent during his tenure, with additional scholarship dollars awarded and a third scholarship in the works. With his patience, diplomacy, and never-give-up attitude, Dave has proven to be an effective leader and his absence from the ESU Alumni Association Board of Directors will be felt. Thank you, Dave, for your years of service, and your invaluable wisdom this past year. You will be missed. Nancy Boyer ’20 Director, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS
2022-2023 Executive Members Elizabeth Luchansky O’Brien ’01 President Danica Boyd Hartenfels ‘97 Vice-President Caitlin Ord ’07 M’08 Secretary General Members Michael Bidwell ‘99 Jamie Borger ‘15 Joseph Caviston III ’09 Glenn Clark ’74 Joseph Delchop ’10 Aimee Ellison ‘91 Keith Fisher ’91 Glenn Gottshalk ’72 Aalih Hussein ’15 Ashley Johnson '08 Michelle Keating-Sibel ‘00 Dawn Ketterman-Benner ’70 Mark Malfara ’98 Jessica Maxwell ’16 Carol Miller ’81 Adrian Neves ’07 Lori Miller Weinstein ’77 Mary Mott-Cangemi ‘06 Kathleen Murphy Kirkwood ’95 Thomas Petro ’72 Deborah Pride ’98 Chasity Riddick ’04 M’07 Daniel Romagno ’20 Christine Rohr Thompson '73 Robin Smith ’04 Emeriti Bryan L. Hill ’71 Frank E. Johnson ’74 Phyllis M. Kirschner ’63 Sandra “Pinky” O’Neill-Seiler ’57 Frank Michael Pullo ’73 M’76 Virginia M. Sten ’71 Faye D. Soderberg ’58 John E. Woodling ’68 M’76 Special thanks to retiring board members following the 2021-2022 term. The ESU Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Engagement are grateful for their service. David A. Super ’80 Outgoing President Ernest R. Gromlich '60 Ashley L. Puderbach Swartz ’09 M’10 Paul Scheuch ’71 M’77
OUR STUDENTS DREAM BIG.
Your gift to the Warrior Fund can help fulfill those dreams by providing enriching academic opportunities, competitive athletics, scholarships, state-of-the-art technology, creative arts programs, and so much more. Give online at esufoundation.org/givenow, call 570-422-3333 to speak to a staff member or mail a check to: ESU Foundation 200 Prospect Street East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
In 1992, Merrily Dean Baker ’64 was the first female athletic director in the Big Ten at Michigan State University.
Dr. Nancy Jo Greenawalt has just completed her 40th year in college athletics. She’s been a coach, administrator and has most recently served as ESU’s interim athletic director, prior to retiring effective June 1.
Merrily Dean Baker ’64 as women’s athletic director at the University of Minnesota in 1982.
Merrily Dean Baker ’64
Merrily Dean Baker ’64 with the football coaches of Princeton University in 1972. Baker ran the search for Coach Bob Casciola.
TITLE IX
BY TOM HOUSENICK
Fifty years since the law was signed, ESU’s trailblazers celebrate change, continue the charge
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Merrily Dean Baker ’64 was in such a precarious position that she didn’t take a full breath for the first 100 yards of her swim. “I was in abject fear of being swept into the Golden Horn from the underwater currents of the Bosporus Strait that we were warned about,” she recalled. “I was a mass of churning arms and legs trying to plow through those initial currents.”
Dr. Greenawalt has completed her 40th year in college athletics. She’s been a coach, administrator and has most recently served as ESU’s interim athletic director, prior to retiring effective June 1.
She was a lifelong swimmer, but this challenge two weeks shy of her 25th birthday in the late 1960s was beyond anything she had done in her competitive athletic career before or since.
Barakos-Yoder brings a special message to her lacrosse players as a strong leader and mother to a two-year-old son.
Baker had to swim through sections of garbage and fiercely choppy currents as the boat accompanying her steered her away from approaching ships to complete the two-plus hour swim across the Bosporus, which borders the continent of Asia on the east and Europe on the west. “It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life,” said Baker, who soon will celebrate her 80th birthday. That is a significant statement considering all Baker has done after leaving ESU, a career which includes the first woman to be an athletic director for men’s and women’s sports in Big Ten Conference history when she was named athletic director at Michigan State in 1992. She was among the most influential people regarding the formation and evolution of gender equity through Title IX, a law celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Title IX was enacted to ensure that “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” One month after President Richard Nixon signed Title IX into law, the Office for Civil Rights appointed some 12 OCR attorneys, one female athletics administrator and one male athletics administrator to interpret the meaning of the new law and to develop its initial implementation and compliance guidelines. Merrily Dean Baker was the woman athletics administrator appointed to the committee – an opportunity of a lifetime for her, and a moment of pride for ESU. Baker was instrumental in creating opportunities and equity for women throughout the country. Following her service on the OCR Title IX Committee, she spent the next 10 years, in addition to her full-time job, traveling throughout the country conducting seminars, giving speeches, conducting investigations and making television and radio appearances to talk about Title IX. “I have been deeply and publicly involved in Title IX for all 50 years of its existence; it is part of the fabric of who I am,” Baker said. From 1995 until the present, she has served as an expert witness in Title IX litigation cases, and is currently in process with her final case. “I have always hoped to live long enough to see the time when Title IX is no longer needed; when the moral imperative for gender equity is greater than the need for a legal mandate. We are not there yet, by a long shot, but I remain hopeful!” While maintaining professional interest in Title IX promises and college athletics realities, Baker now enjoys having more time to spend exclusively with her children and grandchildren than anything else. Several women at ESU representing multiple generations since Baker helped blaze a trail are doing their part to continue to push for equity, including Dr. Nancy Jo Greenawalt, Sandy Miller M’88, Xeni BarakosYoder ’11 and Marla Simmons M’18.
Miller, like Greenawalt and Baker, started her coaching career in charge of multiple women’s teams and speaking up for the obvious inequities between men’s and women’s programs.
Simmons’ career path will change in the coming years, but the former standout basketball player now serves as a young role model as an assistant coach for ESU women’s basketball. She’s young enough to relate to them and able to provide guidance during their formidable college years. “Realistically, I owe everything to Title IX,” Simmons said. “I did not come from a lot of money, so I wouldn’t have been able to further my education without basketball. It gave me an avenue to continue my schooling. I’m finishing a second master’s degree now. It’s all because of Title IX.” Baker grew up in Bryn Mawr. The World War II baby was 14 months old when her father went off to war. He returned on her third birthday. He played catch with her and taught her to swim. She grew up in a Philadelphia suburb that had sports for girls, so it wasn’t until she went to college that she recognized her good fortune. After playing six sports and receiving her bachelor’s degree from ESU, Baker began teaching and coaching. She taught and coached at Abington (Pa.) intermediate school, and then became the field hockey coach with a teaching position at St. Lawrence University, a private liberal arts school in New York, in 1965. One opportunity led to another, including teaching at American Kiz Koleji, outside of Istanbul, Turkey, at age 24. It was there when the reality for most women smacked her in the face and a swimming competition transitioned her to a champion for Title IX, which was still several years away from becoming a law. “I went to see a soccer game,” Baker said, “but as a woman I wasn’t allowed in the stadium. Only men were allowed to attend. That burned inside of me.” Baker’s competitive juices combined with determination she didn’t know she had to complete the swimming event across the Bosporus Strait. She was one of only two women entered and the only one to finish. She beat all but two men. “It gave me a level of courage to do things in the sports world I never thought I had,” Baker said. “I came out of that swim not afraid of anything. Marathoners talk about hitting that wall, when you think for one second that you can’t do it. Then something compels you to keep going. I attribute my abilities in leadership opportunities to my personal resolve in that transformational experience. It took me four or five years to process the impact that swim had on who I was, but I came to realize that it gave me a level of courage to approach challenges in a way that I never had before and never knew I had within me. There was nothing and no one that I was afraid to approach.” Baker earned her master’s degree in dance and fine arts from Temple and then was hired at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, which was transitioning to co-ed, to help the school create opportunities esualumni.org 7
Sandy Miller M’88 on the field. Miller has been ESU’s field hockey coach since 1984. She also was a three-sport coach upon arrival at ESU, as the women’s lacrosse coach and assistant women’s basketball coach.
Sandy Miller M’88, center, with student-athletes Morgan Mesenbrink, left, and Celestee Veenstra, right.
graduate couldn’t play softball there because the school didn’t have a program until her senior year. She saw changes as she transferred into coaching after graduate school, but they were gradual. “There was a time when I felt [school administrators] were trying to give lip service to the concept of Title IX instead of committing to it as an investment.” Dr. Greenawalt taught more classes than her male counterparts. She coached three sports, which seemed more like afterthoughts. As Albright’s volleyball coach, she drove the van (while men’s teams were bussed) and provided the players with box lunches. The players had no uniforms and one volleyball for the entire year. “(The women’s volleyball program) was more of an afterthought,” she said. “It was like they were dangling a carrot. It was an interesting dilemma for women. We had an opportunity to be strong voices for what our needs were. It took a while until our voices were heard.” Miller has been ESU’s field hockey coach since 1984. She also was a three-sport coach upon arrival at ESU, as the women’s lacrosse coach and assistant women’s basketball coach.
Maddie Heck, Xeni Barakos-Yoder ’11 and Gianna LeDuc celebrate lacrosse milestones.
athletically and academically for women. A year later in 1970, Princeton called as it was about to make the same move. Baker had experienced and witnessed the inequities of treatment of male and female student-athletes for years. “In 1970, many of us across the country began to pull together to address the inequality and begin to resolve them, which led to Title IX being enacted and signed into law in 1972,” she said. Dr. Greenawalt didn’t have the same sports participation opportunities as Baker despite being 14 years younger. She couldn’t play Little League baseball because girls weren’t allowed to. The 1978 Albright College 8 the alumni herald
The Lebanon native grew up in a neighborhood doing everything from biking to tag, baseball and ice skating with boys. She was exposed to many sports opportunities in high school, but she spread herself thin. The field hockey standout spent lunches in the fall running qualifying times for cross country and the spring for track. Shortly after arriving at ESU, Miller took a stance regarding what she believed was a failure to follow Title IX guidelines. She filed a lawsuit and won. Colleges have come a long way since then, but Miller sees the need for institutions to continue its Title IX compliance. “You look at the EADA reports, and no wonder schools are not successful in certain sports,” Miller said. “They only have part-time assistants, no scholarships. We can celebrate the hills we’ve climbed, but we still have a long way to go in Title IX.” Baker took over at the University of Minnesota as the athletic department’s director of women’s intercollegiate athletics in 1982.
Coaching ESU’s women’s basketball program are head coach Stephanie Del Preore M’22, center, assistant coach Marla Simmons M’18, right, and graduate assistant Jordan Hertz ‘20 M’22, left.
She helped raise $350,000 in women’s athletic scholarships by 198485, created friends groups for each women’s sport on campus and successfully lobbied the state legislature to provide an annual $3 million appropriation for women’s athletics. The following year, she convinced the legislature to expand this funding for all college and universities in the state system. Her stock as an influential figure in college athletics continued to rise, culminating with her history-making appointment as athletic director at Michigan State in 1992. Baker’s work there would be her most challenging. More than two decades after she began her work fighting for gender equity, Michigan State was behind even those times. “There was a deep culture there of male supremacy,” Baker said. “The chairman of the board of trustees was very involved in athletics. He didn’t want to hear about Title IX.” It didn’t help that the school president who hired Baker stepped down the day she started. The year after Baker left, Michigan State hired Larry Nassar, a doctor who also treated Olympic gymnasts and was sentenced in 2018 to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexually abusing more than 150 girls and women over two decades. The relationships Baker formed and maintained to this day were born out of her willingness to fight for women’s equality. Due to student-athlete interest, Baker wanted to start a women’s rowing program at Princeton in the early 1970s. The renowned men’s rowing program had an Olympic-level head coach who she approached to ask for help in starting the women’s program. “He said ‘there will be women in this boathouse over my dead body.’ I was 28 years old, it was like a tsunami had hit me in the face. I collected myself, took a deep breath, looked him in the eye and quietly said that I didn’t come to ask for your permission, I came to ask for your help,” Baker said. When he didn’t want to help, she hired one of his graduated rowers, bought used equipment, and rode in the launch with the young coach at 6:30 a.m., the only time they allowed the women to row on Lake Carnegie that first year.
Xeni Barakos-Yoder ‘11 on the field as an ESU student-athlete. She returned to coach ESU’s lacrosse team in 2016. Read more about the Warriors’ incredible 2022 season on page 30.
Princeton women finished third at the national tournament, so the practices the next year were at 1 p.m. That year, Princeton won the national title. The following year, a wing was put on the boathouse for the women. Two years later, two of those Princeton women won Olympic bronze medals. “Those things came through perseverance,” Baker said, “delicate negotiations and kindly refusing the word no. It was tiring and exhausting and exhilarating.” Barakos-Yoder, like many women in her generation, started her sport career in co-ed soccer at age six. After playing lacrosse at ESU, she returned as head coach looking to upgrade the status of the program. She talked to Miller about how that program previously was shortchanged. Barakos-Yoder fought for a paid assistant coach, which was fulfilled through an NCAA grant for inclusion and scholarships. She and Miller also worked to secure a new locker room for their teams. Barakos-Yoder also spends a lot of time talking to her players about what Title IX means. “It’s not just about equality between men and women,” she said. “It’s how we treat others and how assaults are not OK. As a new mom, staying in coaching and showing them that a working mom can do all of this is important. They need to know that you never stop growing.” The women coaches and administrators at ESU say the school is doing a good job regarding gender equity, but there always is room for growth. As Dr. Greenawalt follows Baker into retirement, she looks back on generations of women who gave those today a path to follow. It is not an easy one, but it is the only way to produce the desired outcome. “I felt so many women of my generation had to be very strong voices,” she said. “With the strength of their voices sometimes it came with a perception of you being difficult, always being disgruntled, never satisfied. But that wasn’t true. If we didn’t speak up, who would? Some of my peers were strong advocates at a time when they were the only voice. They had to stand tall, stand strong, stand alone.” esualumni.org 9
WARRIORS WOMEN’S ATHLETICS SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS FROM DECADES OF SUCCESS
Jules Harris ’18
c. 1950 – Ruthe Kramer Hartman, Mary Kruckel and Jane Moffet are members of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which competed from 1943-1954. 1952 – Janet Dicks competes in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. A basketball and field hockey athlete at ESU, she was U.S. champion twice in the discus and once in the shot put. 1970 – Basketball makes the first of four appearances in the AIAW national championships in a five-year span. The Warriors advanced to the quarterfinals in 1970, 1971 and 1973, the latter with a win over South Carolina, and also qualified in 1974. 1971 – Mary Pakenas, later the longtime athletic director at Bloomsburg, wins the first of her two consecutive AIAW national championships in the 50 breast. 1975 – Mixed Archery wins the U.S. Intercollegiate national championship as Darlene Sedlock and Janet Kemmerer, a three-time individual AllAmerica, teamed with Glenn Daily and Joel Lecker to give the Warriors the title. 1976 – Softball wins the EAIAW regional championship and advances to the AIAW national tournament, posting a 2-2 record there with wins over South Carolina and Utah. 1977 – Volleyball claims the EAIAW regional title, kicking off a five-year span that included three regional championships (1977, 1979, 1981), the regional runner-up in 1978, and an eighth-place finish at the AIAW national tournament in 1981. 1978 – Swimming captures two AIAW DII national championships in relays – repeating as champions in the 200 free relay, and adding the 200 medley relay. Gold medalists were: 1977 free relay
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Janet Kemmerer ’75
1994 PSAC Champion Soccer Team
(Cathy Crigler, Diane Adam, Kathy Thorensen and Karen Linck), 1978 free relay (Crigler, Adam, Gale Cressman, Linck) and 1978 medley relay (Cressman, Crigler, Linck, Adam). 1978 – Karen Linck, who earned 19 career AllAmerica honors in the pool, repeats as 50 free and 50 fly champion at the AIAW DII national championships. She also won the 100 free in 1977, won three relay golds, and was All-America at the AIAW’s top level in six individual events as well. Cathy Crigler, a 16-time All-America, won the 50 breast and was also on three first-place relays. 1979 – Volleyball wins the first PSAC championship contested in the sport. 1979 – Tennis wins its first PSAC championship. 1980 – Softball wins the first PSAC championship contested in the sport. 1982 – Sue Carden finishes her track career with seven PSAC titles, winning the 5K and 10K in 1980, 1981 and 1982. She was also AIAW All-America in the 10K in 1981. 1982 – ESU’s 800 Medley Relay quartet of Marie Hamilton, Lisa Gabel, Michelle Peters and Deb Townsend wins the AIAW Division III national championship. 1982 – Laura Mason wins the regional championship in cross country. 1985 – Volleyball captures the first of three straight PSAC championships, posting a perfect 20-0 record in PSAC postseason competition from 1985-87. 1990 – Tonia Lloyd is named the ECAC Basketball Athlete of the Year. 1991 – Karen Way is national champion in the outdoor high jump. The four-time All-America
was also runner-up in 1991 indoors and 1990 outdoors, and still holds the PSAC outdoor high jump record at 5-10. 1994 – Soccer wins the first PSAC championship contested in the sport, going 18-2 and outscoring opponents 101-13. The Warriors also won the 1997 championship and made their first NCAA Tournament trip. 1995 – Basketball, led by the Killer P’s of Stacy Perryman and Lori Pio, win the first PSAC title in program history, topping Clarion 80-71 at Koehler Fieldhouse. The Warriors also made two NCAA Tournament appearances in 1994 and 1995. 1997 – Terri Meierhofer sets PSAC soccer records with 74 career goals and 178 career points, marks which still stand. 1997 – Stacie Fritz becomes ESU’s first three-time All-America in field hockey, and is joined by Kim Singleton the following year. 2001 – Field Hockey is the national runner-up in the NCAA DII Tournament. Head coach Sandy Miller M’88 took over the program in 1984 and has won 459 games, fourth all-time in DII, across 37 seasons. She is a four-time NFHCA Coach of the Year (1993-94, 2001, 2015). 2003 – Vanessa Andes places fifth in the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships, ESU’s best-ever individual finish. 2006 – Ashley Kocis wins the Honda Broderick Award as the DII field hockey national player of the year. 2009 – Jackie Yandrisevits becomes ESU’s alltime leading scorer in basketball (1,784 points), breaking the mark of Claudine Simard who scored 1,733 from 1988-92.
campus sexual harassment incident,” Bean said. “It helped me learn so much about how to deal with regulations, to work efficiently, accurately, and pay attention to detail.”
2011 – Lynn Mayer earns the last of her six AllAmerica honors in the high jump and was twice national runner-up indoors, in 2010 and 2011. 2014 – Soccer wins the first of four straight PSAC titles, part of a record-setting 20-1-1 season. The following year, ESU claimed its first NCAA DII Atlantic Region championship, and was also regional runner-up in 2017. The team made six straight NCAA appearances from 2014-19.
As Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator, many of Bean’s job duties relate to compliance in different areas. “The first thing people think about with Title IX is conducting investigations of allegations of harassment and discrimination of protected classes. It does include that, but it’s much more than that,” he explains. “It also includes compliance with relevant federal regulations. The Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office is also responsible for developing, delivering, and managing prevention-based education, awareness campaigns, campus outreach, and training related to sex or genderrelated harassment or misconduct.”
2015 – Sprinter Danielle Smith (8 PSAC championships) and four-time All-America higher jumper Christina O’Connor (5) complete their track and field careers. O’Connor was also the USTFCCCA indoor field athlete of the year. 2015 – Field Hockey completes a historical fall with its first PSAC and NCAA Division II championships. The Warriors were also national runner-up in 2018, and advanced to the semifinals in 2017, 2019 and 2021, part of an active streak of six straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The 2019 team also won the PSAC title. 2015 – Ally Roth, three-time first team AllAmerica, is the NFHCA DII Atlantic Region Player of the Year after leading ESU to the field hockey national championship. 2016 – Emily Howell named Honda Broderick Award recipient as the DII field hockey nominee for the national athletic leadership and academics award. 2017 – Sydney McCarthy is field hockey’s second straight Honda Broderick Award recipient. 2017 – Jules Harris, a four-time PSAC soccer champion, ties the conference record for goalkeepers with 35 career shutouts. 2018 – Lacrosse wins the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional, and follows up with the 2021 regional crown as well. The Warriors also won their first PSAC championship in 2017 and have made four straight NCAA Tournaments, posting a 63-18 record under head coach Xeni Barakos-Yoder ’11. 2019 – Volleyball claims its first PSAC championship in 32 years and the sixth in school history. The Warriors also hosted the PSAC Final Four in 2021. 2018-19 – Women’s Wrestling and Acrobatics & Tumbling are announced as ESU’s 21st and 22nd varsity sports. Tatyana Ortiz was ESU’s first women’s wrestling All-America in 2020. 2021 – Lacrosse wins its second regional championship in three seasons, and Softball is regional runner-up for its best-ever NCAA finish, to highlight the return to competition after the pandemic. 2021 – Goalkeeper Tatyana Petteway, who helped ESU to two regional championships in lacrosse, earns her record third career All-America honor. 2022 - Lacrosse is DII runner-up, the best finish in program history, and adds its second PSAC championship.
Christopher Bean
ESU WELCOMES NEW EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND TITLE IX COORDINATOR BY SARA KARNISH Christopher Bean knows how to handle difficult, emotionally charged situations. ESU’s new Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator brings a wealth of knowledge to the position. A native of northeast Pennsylvania, Bean spent a decade at the Virginia Military Institute following a 20-year career serving various leadership roles in the U.S. Army Reserves. He understands the importance of remaining cool under pressure and handling delicate situations appropriately. “In addition to my primary job, I was involved with the Reserves’ sexual harassment assault response and prevention program. Over 20 years, I learned how to better deal with people in very intense and stressful situations, whether in a combat zone or dealing with the details of an on-
Title IX, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2022, is a federal law that serves as a tool for stopping sex-based discrimination, for example sexual assault and sexual harassment. Bean said there are several components to Title IX as it relates to a college campus like ESU. “Basically, it encompasses many things, including having a Title IX coordinator and a policy that is readily accessible to people,” he explained. “It also includes having yearly trainings for the campus community.” He adds, “It’s not an easy job, and sometimes people understandably disagree. At the end of the day, if the Equal Opportunity and Title IX office can prevent an incident of misconduct or make the worst event of a person’s life a little easier, all the work is worth it.” Some of Bean’s primary initiatives for the position are to talk to people and conduct a needs assessment to determine the college’s standing in various areas. “My main goal to start is to make sure everyone involved in the Title IX process is treated with dignity and respect,” he said. “We will ensure that we are in compliance, and I also want to conduct the most effective trainings I can for the campus community and deal with any violations in a timely and respectful manner.” Above all, Bean is looking forward to getting to know the students and employees. “Each campus community is unique. I don’t think that Title IX coordinators can do their job as best they can until they meet the people on campus. I’m particularly looking forward to meeting the students. They’re the ones who can best tell me what they need from me and my office.”
esualumni.org 11
CAMPUS NEWS
MLK CELEBRATION WELCOMES ALUMNUS HARRISON BAILEY III, ED.D. ’21 AS KEYNOTE
The 25th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration was a virtual event in 2022. Held January 17, 2022, Harrison Bailey III Ed.D. ’21, principal of Liberty High School in the Bethlehem Area School District, was the keynote speaker for the celebration themed “Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.”
Emma Strauch’s first place artwork in the 2022 Juliana V. Bolt Art Contest.
The event included the presentation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Awards to recipients who exemplify characteristics of Dr. King’s philosophy of non-violence, equality, justice, cultural diversity and respect for humanity. Awards were presented to an ESU student, faculty member, and a member of the local community. Faith Dorsey ’22, then a senior majoring in English with a secondary education concentration from Easton, Pa., received the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Award. Jessica Santiago, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of the Warrior Success Advising and Retention programs, was the recipient of the 2022 Faculty/ Staff Award, and Dr. Marilyn Brown, community outreach coordinator at the First Baptist Church of East Stroudsburg, received the Community Award. The Juliana V. Bolt Art Contest included submissions from 26 students representing Pocono Mountain High School East, Pocono Mountain High School West, and Stroudsburg High School. The first place award was given to Emma Strauch of Stroudsburg High School. The celebration was followed up by ESU’s annual Day of Service held February 28, 2022. Toiletries and other comfort needs were collected for the Street2Feet Outreach Center, the only day shelter and outreach program for adults who are homeless or facing homelessness in Monroe County.
Photos by Susie Forrester
Toiletries are organized during ESU’s annual Day of Service held in February. Students also signed cards of encouragement for residents of the shelter.
To view the 2022 MLK virtual event and hear keynote speaker Harrison Bailey III Ed.D. ’21, go to www.esu.edu/mlk.
COMMENCEMENT 2022 BRINGS BIG SMILES TO GRADUATING WARRIORS
A heavy wind and rain storm forced ESU to move the commencement ceremony from May 7 to May 8, 2022, but families still celebrated their loved one’s accomplishments at Eiler-Martin Stadium. A total of 1,021 students received degrees, which included 800 bachelor’s degrees, 214 master’s degrees and seven doctoral degrees. Andrea McClanahan, Ph.D, professor of communication, and graduates Austin Weitman and Loretta Erdo were the speakers.
Photo by Susie Forrester
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CAMPUS BRIEFS HOTZ PUBLISHES STUDY OF LONGFELLOW POETRY
SPORT MANAGEMENT GRADUATES RETURN FOR SYMPOSIUM
Jeffrey Hotz, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the English department, has recently been published.
Jeffrey Hotz, Ph.D.
Hotz has published a book titled Longfellow’s Imaginative Engagement: The Works of His Late Career, published by Fairleigh Dickinson University Press and the University Copublishing Division of Rowman & Littlefield. This academic monograph is a first-of-itskind study of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s late-career poems and biography from 1861 until 1882, covering the poet’s posthumous publications and the handling of his literary estate. It is currently available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through Rowman & Littlefield.
Sport management graduates spoke to students at the S.C.O.R.E Symposium in March. Photos by Susie Forrester
MULLAN RECEIVES COMMUNICATIONS BOOK AWARD Margaret Mullan, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication, received the Single Authored Book of the Year Award for the National Communication Association Communication Ethics Division. Dr. Mullan won the award for her book Seeking Communion as Healing Dialogue: Gabriel Marcel’s Philosophy for Today. Margaret Mullan, Ph.D.
Published by Rowman & Littlefield, Mullan’s book discusses society’s problems with interpersonal communication.
ESU RECOGNIZED FOR FIRST-GEN FOCUS The Center for First-Generation Student Success recognized ESU as one of 53 higher education institutions nationally to be named to its FirstGen Forward cohort for its “demonstrated commitment to advancing first-generation student success.” Other members of the 2022-23 cohort include John Hopkins University, Penn State University, Barnard College and Loyola University of Maryland. “Our involvement in this national program, alongside other colleges and universities that face the same concerns about first generation students, is an important step in helping these individuals find successful pathways to their future,” says ESU Interim Provost Margaret Ball, D.M.A. First-Gen Forward is the first national recognition program to acknowledge institutions of higher education for their commitment to first-generation student success.
Jenny Owens M’09, assistant dean and associate professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore, answers student’s questions during the symposium.
ESU’s department of sport management welcomed eight alumni working in the sport industry back to campus for the S.C.O.R.E. (Sport Careers: Opportunities, Recruitment, and Employment) Symposium. Held on March 24, 2022, the alumni served on a panel discussion sharing their experiences and insight with current students on diversity and inclusion issues in the industry. Following the discussion, students participated in a networking session with the speakers and representatives from local industry leaders including the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Living Sport, and Pocono Raceway. The alumni panelists included: Kyle Jimenez ’18, group sales specialist at Madison Square Garden; Victoria Gurdak ’17 M’19, coordinator of athletic facilities at the University of Pennsylvania; Sophie Coy ’16 M’17, academic counselor for softball, volleyball, and men’s tennis at the University of Mississippi; Jenny Owens M’09, assistant dean and associate professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore; Brandon Lawrence ’07, director of business development at Tyson Group; Michael Rucker ’06, senior manager, sales enablement at BSE Global; Brooke Powers ’17, leagues and communications director, Penn Fusion Soccer Academy; and Deanna Repollet ’09, manager of premium sales at the Intuit Dome, Los Angeles Clippers. esualumni.org 13
CAMPUS NEWS
RECENT GRANT AWARDS
PROPEL STUDENT SUCCESS timely completion of their STEM associate and subsequent STEM bachelor’s degrees through the implementation of an evidencebased, sustainable, transferrable program that maximizes student success. The grant is a partnership among ESU and Northampton Community College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Luzerne Community College, and Community College of Morris. In addition to millions of dollars in scholarships, the Clear Path grant supports students with proactive developmental advocacy holistic advising, cohort activities, peer mentoring and tutoring and mentor mediated online education that fosters development of traits associated with academic success.
Dr. Margaret Ball, ESU interim provost and vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Kristin Noblet, ESU associate professor of mathematics; Dr. Olivia Carducci, ESU professor and chair of mathematics; Kimberly Maricle, 2021 ESU biochemistry graduate; Dr. Danielle Ringhoff, Northampton Community College assistant professor of chemistry; and Dr. Karen H. Bearce, NCC interim vice president of academic affairs.
CLEAR PATH 2 GRANT THE LARGEST EVER FOR ESU
In 2016, ESU received its largest single grant ever awarded from the National Science Foundation totaling $4 million to help transfer students complete their education in the fields of Science Technology and Math. A second NSF grant of nearly $5 million ($4,982,181), the largest grant in the university’s history, was awarded to ESU in January to continue its work on that original grant which was dubbed Clear Path. This new iteration of the grant – Clear Path 2 (CP2) – provides scholarships of up to $10,000 a year for 135 students to support the
WEILER FAMILY FOUNDATION GRANT AIMS TO ASSIST STUDENTS IN NEED
Beverlyn Grace-Odeleye, Ph.D, assistant professor and director of the R.E.A.C.H. advising program in the department of academic success, was awarded a $36,000 grant from the Weiler Family Foundation to help students whose GPAs are 2.0 or less. Student success will be measured in two ways—equipping them with the tools they need to succeed, and meeting with Beverlyn Grace-Odeleye, Ph.D. them regularly to assess their progress. “We try to encourage students to believe in themselves and their ability to be successful by working on their self-efficacy,” Dr. GraceOdeleye explained. “We want to get students back into academic good standing.” 14 the alumni herald
“ESU is proud to note that 79 students have graduated in STEM fields thanks to the initial Clear Path grant,” said Margaret Ball, D.M.A., interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at ESU. “To receive this award again, in an increased amount, is a reflection on the professors’ collective and individual commitment to recruiting and supporting students, including women and students of color who are often disenfranchised from pursuing a career in the sciences.”
Grant monies will be used to purchase supplies like laptop computers, and basic supplies like notebooks, writing implements, and backpacks. “Some of the students who are below a 2.0 lose their financial aid, and they have to appeal. Even if they appeal, there may still be a shortage of funds. They may need laptops or money to help with books and other supplies. Many of these students have to work to help their parents who lost jobs during the last two years of the pandemic. Much of the research in the area of self-efficacy and working with students in academic jeopardy supports the premise that students oftentimes do not have books and supplies that they need in order to be successful in classes.” Grace-Odeleye said the funding will be used for 20 students initially; the assistance will be extended into next fall. The students will be meeting biweekly with Grace-Odeleye and Eric Lee, academic success coach, and have access to peer educators for additional assistance with assignments. “By reviewing their grades, meeting with peer educators, and meeting with us, we have an opportunity to impact student success,” Grace-Odeleye said.
team will focus on systematically tracking the causes of child deaths and looking at methods of prevention.
FUNDS TO ENABLE HANDS-ON RESEARCH OF CHILD SAFETY
Members of ESU’s faculty have been awarded a grant with the long-term goal of improving the quality of life for the community at-large. Clare Lenhart, Ph.D., associate professor, health studies; Christine Fisher, Ph.D., assistant professor, health studies; and Kelly Varcoe, DNP, assistant professor, nursing were awarded a $400,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to study the function and efficacy of Child Death Review Teams across all 67 counties in Pennsylvania, with the goal of helping children and families lead healthier lives and prevent child deaths. Working closely with the Bureau of Family Health, a division of the PA Department of Health’s Child and Adult Health Services, the
Christine Fisher, Ph.D.
Clare Lenhart, Ph.D.
“Our project is going to be working with Child Death Review groups across the state to determine what they are doing in terms of data collection, and hopefully get us to a place where data is collected more robustly,” Dr. Lenhart said. “We’ll be looking at all kinds of child deaths, then inform child education based on the statistics,” added Varcoe. Besides providing an opportunity for the university to work closely with entities focused on public health and early childhood education throughout Pennsylvania, the grant will also offer an ESU student a hands-on research opportunity. “We’ll have a full-time graduate assistant working with us,” Lenhart said. “We always try to find opportunities to support students. These projects help students get more tangible skills. Some students who have worked on research projects have gone on to medical school, or have robust careers in public health. Working so closely with the students is really the fun part of the job.” Dr. Fisher is looking forward to getting started. “We’re doing more planning—the assessment piece is still in process. Getting out and meeting with people in the community will be a great opportunity. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Kelly Varcoe, DNP
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SUMMIT 2022
PIQUES INTEREST IN RAIL, INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY Photos by Susie Forrester
Regional leaders discuss economic indicators and strategies for innovation during the Ninth Annual ESU Economic Outlook Summit.
The Ninth Annual East Stroudsburg University Economic Outlook Summit was held May 13, 2022, at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. The theme for the 2022 Summit was “The Poconos: Innovation and Opportunity.” Hosted by ESU Interim President Kenneth Long, the summit featured a keynote address from Dennis Newman, executive vice president for strategy, planning and accessibility at Amtrak. Newman’s presentation
Literature for attendees at the Ninth Annual ESU Economic Outlook Summit included the 2022 Economic Scorecard for Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne counties.
about Amtrak’s vision for rail service to the Pocono Mountains sparked much interest for those attending, and the wider region. Other featured presentations included a discussion with the Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne county commissioners about the actions they are taking to drive innovation and create opportunities in their respective counties. esualumni.org 15
CAMPUS NEWS
East Stroudsburg University Alumni Members are Eligible for a 5%* Car Insurance Discount from Plymouth Rock! Plymouth Rock Assurance is pleased to be affiliated with East Stroudsburg University Office of Alumni Engagement. We have partnered with ESU to provide esteemed alumni like you with an exclusive 5%* discount on car insurance. We also offer superior service and exclusive benefits like Get Home Safe®1, where we pay for your taxi or rideshare service as a safer alternative to driving.
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Plymouth Rock Assurance® and Plymouth Rock® are brand names and service marks used by separate underwriting, managed insurance, and management companies that offer property and casualty insurance in multiple states pursuant to licensing arrangements. In CT, insurance is underwritten by Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation, Palisades Insurance Company, and Plymouth Rock Home Assurance Corporation. In NJ, insurance is underwritten by Palisades Safety and Insurance Association, Palisades Insurance Company, High Point Property and Casualty Insurance Company, High Point Safety and Insurance Company, High Point Preferred Insurance Company, Teachers Auto Insurance Company of New Jersey, Twin Lights Insurance Company, Rider Insurance Company, and Palisades Property and Casualty Insurance Company. In NY, insurance is underwritten by Plymouth Rock Assurance Preferred Corporation, Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation of New York, Palisades Insurance Company, and Palisades Property and Casualty Insurance Company. In PA, insurance is underwritten by Plymouth Rock Assurance Preferred Corporation, Palisades Insurance Company, High Point Preferred Insurance Company, Palisades Property and Casualty Insurance Company, and Rider Insurance Company. Each underwriting and managed insurance company is a separate legal entity that is financially responsible only for its own insurance products. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued by each separate company. Some discounts, coverages, features and benefits are not available in all states and companies. PA RESIDENTS: WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO QUOTE ANY INDIVIDUAL A PREMIUM RATE FOR THE INSURANCE ADVERTISED HEREIN. *New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut affinity group discounts apply to policies written in Palisades Insurance Company and are not available through Independent Agents or Prudential Financial Advisors. If a policy qualifies for an affinity group discount in more than one group, only one affinity group discount will apply. 1 Personal auto insurance policyholders may be reimbursed up to $50 of taxi or car service ride fees once per policy per year for a one-way ride if they find themselves in a situation where it would be unsafe to operate their vehicle (not applicable to mechanical breakdown). Original receipt must be submitted with the reimbursement form. 2 Available to customers who have purchased comprehensive or collision coverage. ©2021 Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey. All rights reserved.
A Warrior Welcome!
Students and their families attended an Open House on April 9, 2022, to learn about ESU’s academic programs, meet faculty, tour the campus and residential rooms, catch a financial aid overview and visit with professionals from various campus organizations and student services. The events are held several times a year. Photo by Susie Forrester
ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY AND STAFF NOTES Robert E. Smith, Ed.D., became the chief information and technology officer, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in resource and data management, business intelligence and analytics. In his new role, Smith will oversee ESU’s computing and communication services, institutional data collection and management, coordinate strategic and comprehensive planning, assessment and student outcomes, and other related functions. Geryl Kinsel ’01 was promoted to registrar. Kinsel has been a member of the ESU family for 30 years, serving students, faculty, and staff in various positions within the enrollment management division. In her new role, Kinsel will lead and manage all functions related to ensuring the integrity, accuracy and security of all student academic records along with playing a critical role in advising, collaborating and consulting with the vice president of enrollment management. In addition, she will work with the vice president and other senior university leaders to fulfill strategic university enrollment goals. Yvonne L. Catino, DM, was named director of Human Resources. Her responsibilities include supervising the staff, serving on the Administration and Finance management team, providing strategic, proactive, and innovative leadership and oversight to the university including employee and labor relations, personnel administration, wage and salary administration, benefits administration, recruitment and classification, departmental budget, training and development and payroll for faculty, staff, and students.
Kenneth Mash, Ph.D., was elected president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) effective June 1. Mash, a political science professor, previously held the office from 2014 to 2020.
Brenda Friday, Ph.D., director of University Relations, announced her retirement effective June 30, 2022. Friday has been a member of the ESU family for 25 years, including the last 10 as director of University Relations. She was associate director from 2000 through 2012, and was named director in 2013, shortly after the appointment of President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D. She compiled an extensive number of accomplishments, including chairing ESU’s 125th Anniversary Committee, celebrated in 2018, and implementing the launch of ESU’s new brand, logos and tagline, “Where Warriors Belong.” She was a member of the President’s leadership team, the Middle States accreditation work group, and the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. Nancy Jo Greenawalt, D.Ed., retired in June after 40 years in intercollegiate athletics, including the last 25 at ESU. She was most recently the interim director of athletics since January. Dr. Greenawalt was previously the academic coordinator for athletics, and associate athletic director for student success/senior woman administrator. She organized the academic support structure for more than 600 Warrior student-athletes annually. A five-sport student-athlete at Albright College, Dr. Greenawalt was previously a coach and administrator at her alma mater. esualumni.org 17
ESU FOUNDATION
From left: Kenneth Long, ESU interim president; Robert Willever ’75, chairman of the ESU Foundation Board of Directors; Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., 13th president of ESU; Ginny Kirkwood, owner/director of The Shawnee Group; and L. Patrick Ross ’67, chair of the ESU Council of Trustees and emcee for the event.
L. Patrick Ross ’67, chair of the ESU Council of Trustees, presents Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., and Lou Terracio, Ph.D., with an artist’s pencil sketch of One President’s Circle as a thank you gift.
Former ESU president Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., reflects on her eight years as president during her retirement celebration held May 19, 2022.
ESU FOUNDATION HOSTS
Photos by Susie Forrester
RETIREMENT CELEBRATION FOR MARCIA G. WELSH, PH.D
Event raises funds for scholarship in honor of the 13th president of ESU The East Stroudsburg University Foundation hosted a retirement celebration for Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., 13th president of ESU, on May 19, 2022, at Terraview at Stroudsmoor Country Inn in Stroudsburg, Pa. The event proceeds will endow a scholarship in Dr. Welsh’s name to benefit students. Welsh assumed the role as the first female president of ESU in April 2012. For eight years, she served through dynamic leadership, achieving many milestones until her retirement in July 2020. Delayed two years due to the pandemic, the event allowed Dr. Welsh to gather with friends and colleagues once again, celebrating her achievements while in her role as president. 18 the alumni herald
“We were honored to host this event to celebrate Dr. Welsh and her many achievements during her tenure at East Stroudsburg University,” said Rich Santoro, ESU Foundation executive director. “Above all, Dr. Welsh put our students first and it was evident in all she accomplished.” The celebration included in-person and video remarks from many who connected with Dr. Welsh both professionally and personally. “Dr. Welsh, your dedication, enthusiasm, energy, and smile are greatly missed. We remain grateful for your contributions and leadership during your eight years as president of ESU,” said Robert Willever ’75, chair of the ESU Foundation Board of Directors. “You proudly wore the colors red and black and championed ESU in all you did. And for that we thank you.”
ANNUAL PRESIDENT’S GALA RETURNS IN 2022
President’s Circle donors, 1893 Society members thanked for their generosity The Henry A. Ahnert, Jr. Alumni Center provided a memorable backdrop for the Annual President’s Gala with East Stroudsburg University Interim President Kenneth Long and the ESU Foundation welcoming and thanking members of the President’s Circle and The 1893 Society for their support during the past two fiscal years. Dr. Joshua M. Looney, center, Denny Douds, left, and coach Jeff Wilson ‘86 M’92 enjoy reconnecting at the retirement celebration.
Thank you to the following individuals who participated in and provided support for the retirement celebration: Gina Bertucci and Mark Turner Laslo Boyd and Flora Wolf The Honorable Rosemary M. Brown Joanne Z. Bruno, J.D. and Mr. Richard Sentipal Donna and Vincent Bulzoni William and Barbara Cramer Maurice Curry Daniel DiZio ’95 Frank and Renee Epifano Darlene Farris-LaBar Dr. Nancy Jo Greenawalt Dr. Frank Johnson ’74 Ginny Kirkwood Dr. Joshua M. Looney ESU Interim President Kenneth Long New Mind Design Dr. Sam ’82 and Linda ’83 Niedbala Gary Olson ’76 Mary Frances Postupack Dr. Frank ’73 M’76 and Nancy Pullo L. Patrick Ross ’67 Rich and Kate Santoro The Honorable Mario M. Scavello Paul and Judy Schuchman Robert and Susan ’85 Shebelsky Stephen Somers Abigail Soto ’19 Shelley A. Speirs ’92 and Gayland Aston ’94 George and Ida Stockman Louis Wein ’18 Robert G. Sutton and Linda L. DeRenzis Sutton Robert Willever ’75 To see photos from the Retirement Celebration honoring Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., visit www.flickr.com/photos/esualumni/albums.
Warrior Summer Soiree was held on June 3, 2022, and recognized individuals, businesses, and organizations who have provided gifts of support of $1,500 or more in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Prior to the gala, members of The 1893 Society, those who have established an endowed fund and/or included the ESU Foundation in their estate plans, were also honored at a reception held at the president’s residence, One College Circle. Returning after a two year hiatus, the events celebrated alumni and friends who pledged their support during such a challenging time. ESU Foundation Executive Director Rich Santoro shared that the ESU Foundation secured nearly $3.6 million in total gifts and pledges in 20202021 and $3.7 million so far this fiscal year. The Foundation’s scholarship program continued to grow with the Foundation awarding more than $1 million in scholarships each of those years. To learn more about becoming a member of the President’s Circle or the 1893 Society, visit the ESU Foundation website at www.esufoundation.org or call 570-422-3333. Photos by Susie Forrester
Enjoying the beautiful evening on the patio of One College Circle, the President’s Residence, during The 1893 Society Reception are, from left, Suzanne Cottle, Charles T. ’84 M’86 Taylor, Teresa M. Taylor, and William W. Moyer ’61.
David A. ’70 and Bonnie E. ’72 Childs at the Annual ESU Interim President Ken Long and his wife Evelyn President’s Gala. greet Trudi Denlinger ’70 at the Annual President’s Gala held June 3, 2022, at the Henry A. Ahnert, Jr. Alumni Center.
esualumni.org 19
ESU FOUNDATION
INSPIRE
ESU Foundation’s Scholarship Dinner returns after two year break INSPIRE, the East Stroudsburg University Foundation’s 13th Annual Scholarship Dinner, connected scholarship recipients with their donors on April 6, 2022, at Terraview at Stroudsmoor Country Inn in Stroudsburg, Pa. Nearly 240 guests celebrated 688 scholarship awards totaling more than $1,046,532 administered by the Foundation this academic year.
“We named this year’s celebration INSPIRE in recognition of the stories we hear from students who overcome incredible obstacles to complete their education,” said Rich Santoro, executive director of the ESU Foundation. “They inspire us to work harder at the Foundation, as we connect with alumni and friends who are also inspired by students’ stories of perseverance and academic success.” Kirstin Hendershot, Class of 2024, was the mistress of ceremonies. Hannah Strausser, Class of 2024, and David Akinwande, Class of 2022, were the featured speakers. They shared their inspirational stories of how their scholarship support has impacted their education at ESU. Throughout the evening, students shared stories of success and aspirations with their donors. The event ended with a group photo of the students in front of the fireplace. “Tonight, we have so much to celebrate. The last two years we were unable to come together in the interest of safety. But this spring, we gather with a renewed Warrior spirit, able to reflect on our accomplishments as a united campus community,” said Kenneth Long, interim president of ESU. “Through it all, our supporters, alumni, and friends remained true to ESU every step of the way, providing needed financial support for student scholarships and more.” ESU director of musical ensembles, Brian Hodge, played music on the piano as guests arrived, and ESU’s musical theatre organization performed two songs from Legally Blonde: The Musical. PSECU and The Haverford Trust Company sponsored the event.
Use the QR code to view the 2021-2022 Scholarship Donor and Student Recipient list. You may also go directly to the list at www.esufoundation.org/inspire. Joseph ’63 and Joanne ’64 Heverin, with their scholarship recipient, Kutory Alexander. Alexander is the recipient of the Joseph C. ’63 and Joanne ’64 Heverin Endowed Scholarship.
Student scholarship recipients gather for the annual group photo following the Scholarship Dinner. Photos by Susie Forrester
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EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Willever ’75 Chairman President, Willever Wealth Management
Douglas Leonzi ’94 Vice President Senior Managing Director Truist Wealth
Robert Moses MaryEllen Dickey ’80 Retired Director of Residence Vice Chairman Life & Housing Chief Philanthropy Officer Da Vinci Science Center East Stroudsburg University John J. Pekarovsky III, ’07 Chris Yeager ’74 M’81 Council of Trustees Liaison Secretary Retired Principal and School Vice President, Community Bank NA Superintendent Robert A. Shebelsky Treasurer Chairman, Deputy Real Estate Holdings LLC Glenn W. Clark ’74, ESU Alumni Association Liaison President, Rockwood Programs, Inc. Alfredo Garcia ’03 Senior Partner Managing Director Snowden Lane Partners Raymond Hamlin ’86, Esq. Attorney, Hunt, Hamlin & Ridley Wendy Jankoski ’82 President and CIO Wealth Architects, LLC Emily Jimenez ESU Student Liaison Class of 2022
Stephen Somers Owner and President Vigon International, Inc. Elizabeth Leigh Smith, Ph.D. Faculty Liaison Professor of English East Stroudsburg University Adam S. Stauffer ’00 M’02 Assistant Vice President Development & College Relations Lafayette College Leslie L. Wilson, ’74 Senior Vice President Workplace Initiatives Disability:IN Eric Wyatt ’85 Sr. Vice President of Operations Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc. Rory Yanchek ’84 President, MTI
MEMBERS EMERITI William B. Cramer, Esq. Legal Counsel and Emerita Attorney, Cramer, Swetz, McManus & Jordan, P.C. Past chair, served 1987-2001 and 2014-2019 Rosemary Driebe Olofsson Executive Vice President Pocono Pro Foods Past chair, served 1987-1999
Outgoing foundation board members Robert H. Willever ’75, left, and Robert A. Shebelsky, right, were granted emeritus status in May 2022. They each received ESU Foundation commemorative chairs for the work they performed as chair and treasurer, respectively, during their seven years on the board.
ESU FOUNDATION ELECTS NEW BOARD MEMBERS, AWARDS EMERITI STATUS TO TWO East Stroudsburg University alumni Christopher R. Paradysz ’83 of Saint James, N.Y. and Anthony V. Ruiz ’16, Esq. of Falls Church, Va. were appointed as new members of the East Stroudsburg University Foundation Board of Directors during the board’s quarterly meeting held on May 12, 2022. Paradysz is the co-founder of Adventure Explorations and Ruiz is a corporate attorney for AARP Services, Inc. Their terms begin on July 1, 2022. The board also elected new officers who will begin their terms in July: Adam S. Stauffer ’00 M’02, chair; MaryEllen Dickey ’80, vice chair; Alfredo Garcia ’03, treasurer; and Chris Yeager ’74 M’81, secretary. Also announced at the meeting, was the granting of emeritus status to Robert H. Willever ’75, chairman, and Robert A. Shebelsky, treasurer, as their terms end on June 30, 2022. Both Willever and Shebelsky have served on the board since 2014. The ESU Foundation Board of Directors includes 18 active members who serve in support of the organization and its mission. Returning members of the Board of Directors are Glenn W. Clark ’74, alumni association liaison; MaryEllen Dickey ’80, vice chair; Alfredo Garcia ’03; Raymond Hamlin ’86, Esq.; Wendy Jankoski ’82; Elizabeth Leigh Smith, Ph.D., faculty liaison; Douglas Leonzi ’94; Robert Moses; John J. Pekarovsky III ’07, Council of Trustees liaison; Stephen Somers; Adam S. Stauffer ’00 M’02; Leslie L. Wilson ’74; Eric Wyatt ’85; Rory Yanchek ’84; and Chris Yeager ’74 M’81, secretary. William B. Cramer, Esq., and Rosemary Driebe Olofsson sit on the board as emeriti members. esualumni.org 21
ALUMNI NEWS
PUTTING HER CARING NATURE TO WORK, ALUMNA CREATES CAMP WHERE FOSTER KIDS BOND WITH SIBLINGS Samii Emdur ’08
“People take for granted being able to give your sibling a hug at night and say ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’ What these kids have learned through their life experience is to not take that for granted.” Samii Emdur ’08 Founder of Camp to Belong River Valley
When children are put into foster care, they are often separated not just from their parents but also from their siblings. That can add an extra level of trauma for a child who is already experiencing great upheaval and distress. With that in mind, Samii Emdur ’08, an ESU graduate with a degree in nursing, founded Camp to Belong River Valley in 2019. The program reunites siblings in foster care for a week of summer camp in Berks County, Pa. Emdur, a pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant nurse at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, witnessed how important siblings could be to each other when a family breaks down. “They have a shared trauma,” she says. “They came from the same household and a lot of times they’re the only ones who know what each other truly experienced.” Often a foster child’s only contact with siblings is during sporadic visits at places like a McDonald’s or a state office building, Emdur says. The first Camp to Belong River Valley gave 20 siblings a week to reconnect, enjoy the outdoors and each other. Emdur said some children arrived at camp with a tough, guarded demeanor, afraid to be vulnerable. “Then the second day of camp, you can literally see their guard coming down,” she said. “And they bond with their sibling and they become inseparable. It’s a pretty magical moment.” Potential campers are referred to her by state agencies and CHOP’s Fostering Health Program. Most of the children come from Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey but the camp will accept kids from any state, especially if they have a local sibling. Biological and foster parents can apply to enroll their kids and Emdur meets each camper ahead of time to make sure they will be safe and benefit from attending the camp. 22 the alumni herald
After its first successful year, Camp to Belong River Valley held a couple of indoor swim parties to reunite more brothers and sisters. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, the group had to switch gears. Instead of in-person camping, the nonprofit organization sent “Camp-in-a-Box” activities to 50 foster kids in 2020 and to 100 children in 2021. Emdur, who lives in Mullica Hill, N.J., has high hopes that they will be able to hold a week-long in-person camp this coming summer at Camp Conrad, a YMCA camp near Reading, Pa. “We’re a fully volunteer-run organization and all the kids can attend camp free of charge,” she says. The camp is the local branch of a Camp to Belong network that has 11 locations in the United States and one in Australia. Emdur chose the name Camp to Belong River Valley because it serves children on both sides of the Delaware River in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Emdur’s group is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, responsible for its own fundraising and volunteer recruitment. To date, most of the funds have been donated by Emdur’s friends and family but the group had a couple of “dine and donate” fundraisers before the pandemic hit. She is learning grant writing. It is no surprise to Dr. Laura Waters, ESU associate professor and chair of the Department of Nursing, that her former student has taken on such an innovative, compassionate endeavor. Waters says Emdur was a highenergy student in the nursing program who gravitated toward helping children in need. “She really is a loving person who wants to put a good, positive light into the world,” Waters said. Dr. Denise Seigart, dean of the College of Health Sciences, lauded the camp’s mission of reconnecting siblings in foster care. “This is a really fantastic program that she has developed,” Seigart said. “Her interest in pediatrics and fostering these relationships is really commendable.” Before launching the nonprofit, Emdur had seen the benefits of summer camp while working at one for children with cancer and one for kids with inflammatory bowel disease. Many of the Camp to Belong River Valley activities are typical summer camp fare, such as games and crafts. But it also holds signature events designed especially for foster children. During a single day they celebrate every camper’s birthday, in which siblings bake each other a cake and pick out a gift for their sister or brother at the camp store. But it’s also the small interactions that matter to the kids. “I think a lot of the kids feel that people take for granted being able to sit around a dinner table and share a meal,” Emdur said. “People take for granted being able to give your sibling a hug at night and say ‘I’ll
see you in the morning.’ What these kids have learned through their life experience is to not take that for granted.” Emdur’s work caught the attention of “The Drew Barrymore Show,” which filmed a segment on Emdur in early February; she was one of Barrymore’s “Drew-Gooders.” The host surprised Emdur with a five-day beach vacation in Fort Myers, Fla., for Emdur, her four-year-old adopted daughter Jordan, and her six-month-old foster child. She is taking Jordan to meet her two biological brothers there. Emdur grew up in a tight-knit family in Cherry Hill, N.J., the oldest of four siblings all born within five years. “I knew from second grade on that I wanted to be a pediatric nurse, specifically at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,” she says. “Once I made my mind up in second grade, I never wavered from that plan.” “I applied to multiple schools but was drawn to ESU for multiple reasons,” she says. “I felt like it was a big enough campus where I would
have diverse experiences in meeting people and experiencing different things. But it was still small enough that I didn’t feel like I was just going to be a number at the university.” She embraced her classes and plunged into campus activities including the Outings Club, women’s rugby and recreational soccer, teambuilding and leadership events, as well as SNAP, the Student Nurses Association. ESU’s nursing program was tough but her class was tight-knit with students spending many hours together in clinical rotations and studying. “I felt like I really knew my peers and my professors on a pretty intimate level,” she said. The professors “were very approachable and they went above and beyond to help us study.” Emdur says she loves her work at CHOP and being a parent and foster parent. And her motto? She laughs, then says: “Live life to the fullest now and I’ll sleep when I’m old.”
THE ESU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS WELCOMED SEVEN NEW MEMBERS IN JUNE TO BEGIN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF SERVICE Michael Bidwell ’99 received his bachelor’s degree in communications. He works as HR Operations Manager for Amazon. Bidwell is a member of Kappa Delta Rho and served on the Lenape Hall Council and was active in WESS radio during his time on campus. He resides in Southampton, Pa. Jamie Borger ’15 received her bachelor’s degree in public health, health service administration. She completed her master’s degree at California University of Pennsylvania and is working on her doctorate in educational leadership at Liberty University. Borger is the acting director of advising & student success and the head softball coach at Sussex County Community College in Newton, N.J. She was previously the varsity head softball coach and varsity assistant field hockey coach at East Stroudsburg North High School. She resides in Newton, N.J. Aimee Ellison ’91 received her bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. She works as the health and physical education department chair for K-12 at East Stroudsburg High School South. She resides in Stroudsburg, Pa. Michelle Keating-Sibel ’00 received her bachelor’s degree in biology. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing from Villanova University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from West Chester University. She works for Tandigm Health as a family nurse practitioner/
implementation manager and was clinical committee chair for the COVID-19 clinical support program. Keating-Sibel is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and resides in Collegeville, Pa. Jessica Maxwell ’16 earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and finance and a master’s degree in banking and managerial economics from the University of Nottingham. She is an analyst for performance and reporting at Fiera Capital, Inc. She played lacrosse while at ESU and resides in Oceanside, N.Y. Adrian Neves ’07 received his bachelor’s degree in economics and is Vice President at Bank of America. He serves as co-chair of the Mobility and Recruitment committee for Diversity and Inclusion. He resides in New York, N.Y. Daniel Romagno ’20 has a bachelor’s degree in business management and finance and an associate’s degree from Northampton Community College. He is the venue manager at the Sherman Theater in East Stroudsburg. He resides in East Stroudsburg, Pa. A new executive board was elected and began serving in their new positions in June. Elizabeth Luchansky O’Brien ’01 was elected President, Danica Boyd ’97 will serve as Vice-President, and Caitlin “Katie” Ord ’07 M’08 will return for another three-year term as Secretary. Member Chasity Riddick ’04 M’07 was re-elected to her second three-year term.
MANY THANKS TO OUR OUTGOING ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS!
The board recognizes the many contributions and countless hours of time devoted to the ESU Alumni Association by outgoing board members: President David Super ’80, Ernest Gromlich ’60, Paul Scheuch ’71 M’77, and Ashley Puderbach Swartz ’09 M’10. We thank these outstanding Warriors for their time and talent!
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ALUMNI NEWS
WARRIORS CONNECTING ALUMNI EVENT ROUND UP
DECEMBER 2, 2021
HOLIDAYS IN BETHLEHEM More than 50 alumni, friends, faculty, and staff gathered at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem to celebrate the 5th Annual Holidays in Bethlehem event. Hosted by the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Alumni Association, the evening featured the ESU choir performing a medley of holiday songs at the 1850 Goundie House for the Downtown Bethlehem Association’s Live Advent Calendar. After the performance, the group gathered for light refreshments in the beautifully decorated Mural Ballroom.
DECEMBER 17, 2021
WILKES BARRE / SCRANTON HOLIDAY HAPPY HOUR Alumni and friends from the Wilkes Barre/Scranton area met for a holiday social gathering at Porkiez Bar and Grill, in Throop, Pa. After two years without in-person events, chapter co-leader, Liz Luchansky O’Brien ’01, brought nearly 30 local ESU graduates together to exchange college memories in an informal setting. The group included returning chapter members and some new faces.
Annette ’79 and Jim ’80 Villani took part in the annual Holidays in Bethlehem festivities held in December 2021.
Selena Melesky, Joy Korea ’95, and Michelle Gresh ’01 during the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Happy Hour.
Warrior alumni get together at the Old Dominion Boat Club.
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Enjoying the Cherry Blossom event are, left to right, Jim Viola ’84, Brandon Younkin ’14, and Bill Moyer ’61.
APRIL 2, 2022
CHERRY BLOSSOM HAPPY HOUR The Old Dominion Boat Club in Alexandria, Va., was the setting for the annual Cherry Blossom Happy Hour hosted by chapter leader Jim Viola ’84. Meeting for the first time since 2019, the Metro Washington D.C. Chapter alumni gathered for an enjoyable afternoon of lively conversation at a beautiful new venue in the scenic Old Town waterfront area.
APRIL 14, 2022
BUCKS/MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAPTER WELCOME SPRING HAPPY HOUR Alumni from Bucks and Montgomery counties enjoyed an evening of camaraderie and ESU memories at the first gathering in the area in over two years. Brittingham’s Pub provided the perfect setting for the group, who shared stories of past events and their time on the ESU campus.
APRIL 23-24, 2022
ESU ALUMNI RUGBY WEEKEND More than 100 alumni, family, and friends, joined ESU student-athletes for the 32nd Annual Alumni Rugby Weekend Celebration. Hosted by the ESU Rugby Alumni Board, the weekend started Friday with a round of golf at the Country Club of the Poconos. On Saturday, students played against alumni rugby players in two competitive games.
APRIL 24, 2022
FOOTBALL NETWORKING EVENT Head football coach Jim Terwilliger ’07 and a host of ESU football alumni and community members greeted current football players for an afternoon of networking at the ESU Innovation Center. Students learned about possible career paths and received advice from the former athletes.
Marc Gaudet ’18 M’19 talks with student-athletes, from left, Aiden Hayward, Christian Weissman, Shavar Hussett, Matthew Davis, and Lucas Skelley.
Interested in joining a chapter or starting a new chapter in your area? Contact the chapter leader by visiting www.esualumni.org/chapters or call the Office of Alumni Engagement at 570-422-3613.
ESU Interim President Kenneth Long, center, with co-founders of the program, Herbert Weber, Ph.D., left, and Eli Berman, M.D. Photos by Bob Weidner
Todd Scott ’13, Karen Giglio ’66, Chris Ward, Mark Malfara ’98, and Ryan Matthews ’10 at the Bucks/ Montgomery County Chapter gathering.
Alumni and guests at the anniversary reception.
ALUMNI GATHER FOR 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF CEXP/CRES MASTER’S PROGRAM
Warriors attending the Alumni Rugby Weekend included, from left, Matthew Titus ’00, Steven Mattia ’98, Mark Malfara ’98, Nicole Margagliotta-Dobbs ’99, Chris Brooks ’94, Deborah Sock Mulholland ’98, Heather Wright ’98, Joli Trievel Mattia ’99 and Kevin Lightcap ’99.
Warrior alumni of ESU’s CEXP/CRES Master’s program gathered for a celebration and reception on May 14, 2022, at Koehler Fieldhouse. The event honored program co-founders Herbert Weber, Ph.D. and Eli Berman, M.D. and also included remarks from program graduate Gary Liguori, Ph.D., FACSM M’94. esualumni.org 25
ALUMNI NEWS
HEY WARRIORS…
HOMECOMING WEEKEND 2022 PLANS ARE TAKING SHAPE
OCTOBER 14-16, 2022 Alumni are invited back to campus this fall for Homecoming Weekend 2022. A full schedule of events for the whole family is being planned.
FRIDAY, OCT. 14, 2022
Festivities begin at the Annual Awards and Reunion Banquet. The Class of 1972 will be honored with an exclusive reception for their 50th reunion and some of ESU’s most distinguished graduates will be recognized for their unique accomplishments. After the reception, all are invited to attend the campus bonfire, an annual tradition that unites students with alumni.
SATURDAY, OCT. 15, 2022
Plans are in the works for the All-Alumni and University Tailgate where ESU alumni of all ages celebrate with classmates. Featuring activities, food trucks, the best tailgate contest, and a DJ, guests can browse the Fan Zone/Marketplace and meet local artists and chat with student organizations before heading to Eiler-Martin Stadium to watch the Warriors take on the West Chester Golden Rams. Events are still being added so check www.esualumni.org/ homecoming2022 for the most up-to-date information. Registration for events will open in late summer.
Is your class planning a special reunion? The Office of Alumni Engagement can help. Contact 570-422-3613 for details. 26 the alumni herald
UPCOMING EVENTS SOUTH JERSEY CHAPTER INAUGURAL BEACH BLAST
NORTHEAST PA ESU ALUMNI SUMMER “FUN-RAISER”
The Alumni Association is organizing a new chapter in southern New Jersey. Join the fun at Josie Kelly’s Public House. Register at esualumni.org/southjerseyhappyhour.
Mountain Laurel Golf Club, White Haven, Pa. Join fellow Warriors for this annual event that benefits scholarships for ESU students. Cost is $75 per person that includes green fees, cart, lunch and dinner, and prizes. Noon shotgun start. Registration deadline is August 6, 2022. Details at esualumni.org/nepagolf.
July 14, 2022
VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB July 20, 2022
Led by ESU professor Dr. Andi McClanahan, the virtual book club meets every other month for lively discussions about popular books. Members vote for the next book with the title announced a month in advance. Check esualumni.org for event details.
IRON PIGS BASEBALL GAME July 24, 2022
The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Alumni Association will be hosting an IronPigs gathering at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa. Register at esualumni.org/ironpigs2022.
31ST ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC
Benefitting the Prince Hall Endowed Scholarship Fund at the ESU Foundation
August 1, 2022
Green Pond Country Club, Bethlehem, Pa. Register at esufoundation.org/princehall2022.
August 12, 2022
ESU LEGACY FAMILY BRUNCH AND PINNING CEREMONY September 24, 2022
East Stroudsburg University This annual campus event brings together families that have multiple generations of ESU graduates. If your ESU family includes a parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or cousin, notify the Office of Alumni Engagement at 570-422-3613 to be included in the celebration.
HOMECOMING WEEKEND 2022 October 14 – October 16, 2022
Celebrating the Class of 1972 and reunion years ending in “2” and “7” Details will be announced on esualumni.org.
TROIANI-SWEENEY ENDOWED LECTURE SERIES October 27, 2022
Niedbala Auditorium, East Stroudsburg University Details will be announced in late summer at esufoundation.org.
Check www.esualumni.org and www.esu.edu frequently as events are added throughout the year. esualumni.org 27
WARRIOR SPIRIT
RIBBON CUTTING EVENT PUTS FINAL TOUCH ON WARRIORS
FOOTBALL LOCKER ROOM PROJECT ESU Foundation hosts donors, supporters of program as new space unveiled
Photo by Susie Forrester
A large group of Warriors football supporters and friends was on hand for the dedication of the Coach Jack Gregory ‘52 Football Locker Room. Mike Terwilliger ‘78, co-chair of the fundraising campaign, speaks to guests at the ribbon cutting.
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The state-of-the-art locker room is set for the ribbon cutting and tours on April 23, 2022.
more about the project. A 17-member fundraising committee was tasked with reaching out to alumni and friends, led by co-chairs Pat Flaherty ’78 and Mike Terwilliger ’78. The campaign surpassed its goal and raised nearly $900,000 in six months. “To hit our goal at the six-month mark is pretty much unheard of. The football program is a close-knit group of alumni and having more than 200 former players donate from every generation, the 1960’s through recent graduates in 2020, helped make this new locker room a reality,” said Rich Santoro, executive director of the ESU Foundation.
Bill Lewis ’63, third from right, cuts the ribbon officially opening the new Warriors football locker room on April 23, 2022. With him during the event are, from left, Mike Terwilliger ’78, ESU Interim President Kenneth Long, ESU Foundation executive director Rich Santoro, Pat Flaherty ’78, and Warriors football head coach Jimmy Terwilliger ’07.
The long awaited unveiling of the Coach Jack Gregory ’52 Football Locker Room took place on April 23, 2022, when the ESU Foundation welcomed back donors for the official ribbon cutting, tours and a reception. Nearly 200 donors, friends and supporters of the program attended in celebration of the campaign and new facility. The reveal of the new locker room took place before the Warriors Football spring game at Gregory-Douds Field at Eiler-Martin Stadium later that day. The You WIN In the Locker Room First campaign, a $750,000 fundraising initiative, was launched by the ESU Foundation and the Department of Athletics on Oct. 8, 2020. The campaign kicked off with a virtual event that invited more than 100 alumni and friends of the program to learn
Located in what was the visitor’s locker room, the upgraded facility includes 30-inch wide, open cherry-wood lockers with LED lighting, a cell phone charging station, an equipment drying system on top of each locker, and a speaker system. The entire facility is named the Coach Jack Gregory ’52 Football Locker Room in honor of ESU’s former head coach. The space also includes eight named areas, including the academic center where players can work on assignments, and coaches’ space. All 102 lockers were sponsored by alumni and friends of the program and contain a plaque bearing the name of a campaign donor.
FOR A VIDEO EXPERIENCE OF THE RIBBON CUTTING, GO TO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoquWb_FQuA To see photos from Warriors locker room ribbon cutting, go to: https://www.flickr.com/photos/esualumni/ sets/72177720298438036 esualumni.org 29
WARRIOR SPIRIT
Head coach Xeni Barakos-Yoder ’11, center, has led ESU to three regional championships in four seasons.
ESU lacrosse was the PSAC champion and NCAA DII runner-up, finishing with a 20-2 record.
The Warriors celebrate the winning goal in overtime of their NCAA semifinal win vs. Queens (N.C.).
ESU baseball won the NCAA subregional at Millersville, part of a record-setting 41-win season.
Brock Kauffman
Brent Francisco
NCAA qualifier Eric Garner
ATHLETIC UPDATES
MAGICAL SEASON ENDS WITH BEST-EVER NATIONAL RUNNER-UP FINISH FOR WARRIOR LACROSSE
A storied season that saw the ESU lacrosse team shatter records and play on the biggest stage for the first time in its 58-year history, ended with a heartbreaking 11-9 loss to the University of Indianapolis in the NCAA Division II national championship game on May 22 in Saint Charles, Missouri. The Warriors held a 7-6 lead in the third quarter, but the Greyhounds closed the game with a 5-2 run as the Warriors ended just short of their ultimate goal. ESU boasted a program-best 20-2 record under head coach Xeni Barakos-Yoder ’11, claiming three victories in four opportunities against rival West Chester. The Warriors won 15-12 at WCU for its second PSAC championship and first since 2017, then won 13-3 vs. Mercyhurst and 13-12 (OT) vs. WCU to win its third Atlantic Region championship in four seasons. In the national semifinals, the Warriors avenged their 17-14 loss to Queens (N.C.) in the 2021 tournament with a 13-12 overtime victory. A dramatic save by goalkeeper McKenzie Gaghan sparked a transition from Kayleigh Pokrivka
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Wrestling All-America athletes Avia Bibeau and Mia Macaluso
PSAC East Athlete of the Year Carlos Pepin
to Maddie Heck, Kiki Fitzpatrick and ultimately freshman Sophia Graffeo, who buried the most important goal in school history to send ESU to the national championship game. Offensively, ESU was led by the threeheaded monster of sophomore Emily Mitarotonda, former walk-on turned All-American Gianna LeDuc and redshirt senior Fitzpatrick. The trio of All-America shot putter Elizabeth Makar Warriors accumulated 198 goals, 124 assists and 322 points (66.3% of the team’s total). They top the ESU record books in points, becoming the first three Warriors to reach 100 points in a single season and ranking fifth, ninth and 12th nationally in points. Mitarotonda (89 goals, 22 assists) broke the ESU record of 72 goals set by Kristin Restivo in 2000. LeDuc had 55 goals and 53 assists, and Fitzpatrick notched 54 goals and 49 assists. Defensively, ESU was just as strong. With All-Atlantic Region honorees Kayleigh Pokrivka, Maggie Sell and Kristen Andreychak patrolling the defensive zone, ESU put together the sixth-best scoring defense in NCAA Division II, allowing an average of just 6.86 goals per game. Pokrivka, a graduate student and full-time nurse at Lehigh Valley Hospital, ranked third in the country in caused turnovers per game and eighth in ground balls per game. In the cage, Gaghan held her own, ranking fourth in the country in goals against average (7.62) and eighth in save percentage (.492). She had a career-high 13 saves against UIndy in the national championship game. Five Warriors earned All-America honors – LeDuc, Mitarotonda and Pokrivka on the first team, and Fitzpatrick and Sell on the third team.
Barakos-Yoder has a 95-25 record through seven seasons, guiding ESU to two PSAC championships, three regional titles, five consecutive NCAA Tournaments and three NCAA semifinal appearances. ESU had never reached an NCAA Tournament before she took the helm of the Warriors.
BASEBALL IS PSAC AND ATLANTIC REGION RUNNER-UP, REWRITES RECORD BOOK
The Warriors had a record-setting spring, finishing as the Atlantic Region runnerup and posting a 41-20 record to break the school wins mark set in 2016. Head coach John Kochmansky, in his 15th season, notched his 400th career victory in April and has led ESU to four NCAA Tournament appearances. The historic postseason run began inauspiciously when the Warriors secured a spot in the PSAC Tournament on the final day of the regular season – and then advanced to the title game, helping them earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament as the No. 6 seed in a seven-team Atlantic Regional. They won the subregional at Millersville and the first game of the regional championship at West Chester before falling in the best-of-three series. As a team, ESU set single-season program records for home runs, stolen bases and strikeouts. The Warriors had five All-PSAC East selections with senior pitcher Chase Nowak, sophomore pitcher Brent Francisco, senior third baseman Brock Kauffman and sophomore outfielder Ben Piripavel named to the first team, and senior designated hitter CJ Peechatka to the second team. Nowak (9-0, 2.53 ERA, 91 strikeouts in 16 starts) and Francisco (6-3, 3.63 ERA, school-record 116 strikeouts in 16 starts) were both named to all three All-Region teams from D2CCA, NCBWA and ABCA. Jack Rothenhausler was named the PSAC East Freshman of the Year and set ESU freshman records for hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, runs scored, extra base hits and total bases. Kauffman concluded one of the top careers in program history, setting school records with 228 hits, 168 RBI, 57 doubles, 84 extra-base hits and 358 total bases. Redshirt senior Brainy Rojas set records with 134 walks and 338 times reached base, and was second with 162 runs scored and 79 stolen bases.
Kate Donaghue was tabbed All-PSAC East first team at the designated player spot, batting .343 with four doubles, three home runs and 14 RBI along with a team-best .360 on-base percentage. Ashley Spencer (school-record 105 career RBI), Kaitlyn Caleen (2x All-PSAC catcher), Sofia Cecchin (#2 on ESU’s stolen base list), Rachel Seiverd (796 career putouts) and Mickayla Grow (2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army) closed their productive careers, totaling a 63-27 record the past two seasons.
MAKAR, GARNER LEAD TRACK & FIELD PROGRAMS
Sophomore Elizabeth Makar earned All-America honors both indoors and outdoors, and graduate student Eric Garner competed in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships for the Warriors track and field programs. Makar, from Oxford, Pa., was ninth indoors in the shot put, breaking a 15-yearold school record, and was named PSAC Women’s Field Athlete of the Year and Rookie of the Year during the winter season. Outdoors, she was 10th nationally in the shot put, won the PSAC championship, and also set the school record in the hammer. Garner, a graduate student from Lititz, Pa., was 14th in DII in the javelin in his lone season with the Warriors and was PSAC runner-up. A number of other Warriors also produced PSAC runner-up performances - junior Kamya Edmonds in the long jump and sophomore Olivia Sforza in the javelin for the women’s team, and sophomore Caleb Carney in the 400m hurdles, junior Grant Fox in the pole vault, freshman Cole Gorham in the discus, sophomore Isaac Almoney in the hammer, Garner in the javelin, and the 4x400m relay for the men.
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BIBEAU, MACALUSO CONCLUDE NCWWC ALLAMERICAN SEASONS
In just its second season, the ESU women’s wrestling team added its second and third National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship All-Americans in Bushkill native Avia Bibeau and Mia Macaluso. Macaluso finished fourth at 130 pounds at the national championships and Bibeau was fifth at 143 pounds to conclude their first seasons of collegiate competition. Macaluso, a USA Junior national champion, posted a 12-3 overall record. Bibeau, an East Stroudsburg North graduate and Northeast Regional champion, was 11-4 overall. Four other Warriors were national qualifiers in Natalie Dunn (116 pounds), Emily Klein (123), Bri Simisc (173) and Shola Cascen (191). ESU was 13th of 32 schools at the NCWWC meet, finishing fourth among Northeast Region teams and second among Pennsylvania schools. Bibeau and Macaluso join Tatyana Ortiz (2019) as ESU NCWWC All-Americans. The Warriors were 9-2 in dual meets and fourth of 12 at the NCWWC Northeast Regional. Klein and Bibeau earned regional championships.
SOFTBALL SETS SCHOOL WINS RECORD
After tying the school record with 29 victories in 2021, the Warriors posted a 3411 overall record in 2022, shattering marks for both wins and winning streak (17). Pitching was a major strength, led by freshman and Allentown native Katie Zaun, who set the school record with 166 strikeouts. She was fourth in DII in strikeout-to-walk ratio (9.76) and 14th in strikeouts per seven innings (9.6). She was named to the All-PSAC East and D2CCA All-Atlantic Region second team.
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WARRIOR SPIRIT PSAC runner-up efforts indoors were turned in by Makar in the shot put and the men’s 4x400m relay. Joining Makar with school records were Nickolina Annelli in both the indoor and outdoor pole vault, and Gorham and Isabella Marte in the men’s and women’s discus.
MEN’S BASKETBALL EARNS PSAC EAST REGULAR SEASON CO-CHAMPIONSHIP
Led by PSAC East Athlete of the Year Carlos Pepin, the Warriors posted a 19-8 record, winning eight of their final 10 games and earning a share of the PSAC East regular season championship – their seventh in the last 12 seasons. Pepin is the fifth Warrior to be named the PSAC East Athlete of the Year and the first since Matt Tobin in 2015. The native of Lodi, N.J. averaged 14.9 points and 7.9 rebounds while also excelling defensively. Redshirt freshman Lakeem McAliley was named All-PSASC East second team. ESU entered the postseason with a six-game winning streak before falling to Shippensburg in the conference quarterfinals. Head coach Jeff Wilson ’86 M’92 has led ESU to 358 wins, three PSAC championships and six NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2018 Atlantic Region title, in 19 seasons.
ACROBATICS & TUMBLING CONCLUDES INAUGURAL SEASON
The acrobatics and tumbling team wrapped up its inaugural season with a pair of victories over Stevenson. The Warriors also excelled in the classroom with 10 student-athletes – Chrystiana Brettle, Brielle Chmiel, Megan Compell, Alana Conaghan-Silva, Kaitlyn Crabbe, Courtney da Silva, Logan Dellacona, Gianna Mattia, Chloe Schaffer, and Alyssa Takacs – being named to the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) Academic Honor Roll for the 2022 season.
$1 MILLION SECURED FOR ESU SHESKA STADIUM COMPLEX
East Stroudsburg University’s already successful soccer programs secured a $1 million state grant to upgrade the Warriors’ soccer facility, it was announced in late April. The funding was supported by state Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, who supported the request for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant awarded to the East Stroudsburg University Foundation. The new soccer complex, Sheska Soccer Stadium, will be built in the heart of campus adjacent
ALUMNI IRONPIGS PERSONNEL CONNECT WITH ESU AT PHILLIES CHARITY EVENT Members of ESU’s administration and faculty made their way to Coca-Cola Park in Allentown in February for the Philadelphia Phillies Winter Caravan charity event sponsored by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. They had the opportunity to visit with ESU alumni who are also Pigs personnel. From left: ESU Interim President Kenneth Long; Dr. Gerard Rozea, associate professor and chair, athletic training; Dr. Shala Davis, professor and chair, exercise science; Jason Kiesel ’08, vice president of stadium operations; Ray Bleam ’00, manager of corporate partnerships; Ferrous, the Philly Fanatic, Ryan Hines ’10, director of group sales; and Pete Schiffert ’08, manager of sponsorship services.
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to Eiler-Martin Stadium and will include a new NCAA regulation turf soccer field, perimeter fencing, spectator seating, field lighting, a press box, scoreboard and sound system. The new turf and lighting will allow for increased field utilization, and the facility itself will allow for greater community and collaborative engagement opportunities. “Within ESU’s long and proud athletic history, there is a renowned legacy of accomplishments in both men’s and women’s soccer,” interim ESU President Kenneth Long said. “The immense support provided by this $1 million RACP grant will enable us to get closer to building a stadium that is reflective of the many achievements of our student-athletes, our alumni and our coaches while also providing immense opportunities for community engagement and collaboration. We celebrate this funding award knowing that we still have much work to do to make a soccer stadium at ESU a reality.” The funding from RACP translates to opportunity for ESU’s student-athletes, said interim Athletic Director Dr. Nancy Jo Greenawalt. “Our hope is that the foundational funding ignites an enthusiasm among soccer fans throughout our community to envision the potential that a new soccer stadium could bring to our campus and the Pocono region,” Greenawalt said. “I see potential beyond the brick and mortar. Continued support of this campaign will enable us to attract student-athletes who long to become part of our historic soccer programs, which own the most men’s (20) and women’s (6) soccer championships in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.” The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, from which the grants were awarded, is a commonwealth grant program overseen by the Office of the Budget to assist with regional cultural, economic, civic and historical projects that improve a community’s economic growth by creating jobs and opportunities.
DR. ALLEN G. SNOOK NAMED DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Allen G. Snook, D.H.Sc., director of athletics, wellness and recreation at Cedar Crest College, was introduced as ESU director of athletics on June 14, 2022. He brings nearly two decades of experience with him to ESU as an athletics administrator, athletic trainer, and adjunct professor in numerous athletic areas. Snook has been director of athletics, wellness and recreation at Cedar Crest College since 2015, following 12 years at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, N.C. where he began as the director of sports medicine before taking on positions as associate/assistant director of athletics and senior associate director of athletics.
CLASS NOTES
CANDICE ZAWOISKI ’01 Won the Gold Award of the Teen Category (ages 12-16) in the 20212022 Reader Views Literary Awards for her debut upper middle-grade/ YA fantasy novel “The Munchkins.” She resides in Cleveland, Ohio with her wife Dana.
2000s
’01
TERRY KUFEN ’92 Was promoted to chief information officer at the law firm Cozen O’Connor. He was formerly senior vice president, information technology. He resides in Media, Pa.
’10
BRIAN HEATH ’10 Has served as a Pennsylvania state park manager since 2012. He was recently appointed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as park operations manager of Delaware Canal and Ralph Stover State Parks in Bucks and Northampton counties. He resides with his wife and fellow ESU graduate, Katie, in Washington Crossing, Pa. SUSAN RISHA M’10 Recently published a book, “12 Tips for Parents with Struggling Readers.” She studied reading education at ESU. She resides in Monroe Township, N.J.
1990s
’92
VICKY BRYANT ’90 Was promoted to VP, data processing manager at The Honesdale National Bank. Outside of the bank, she is a member of the Enterprise Grange, a volunteer at the Cold Spring Chapel & Chapel Community Kitchen and is a 4-H Cloverbud Club leader. She resides in Honesdale, Pa.
’05
RYAN MCCALLUM ’05 Joined Connors Investor Services, Inc. as vice president, client relationship manager, where he will be focused on business development and client relationships. He previously served as a wealth advisor for Tompkins Financial Advisors and Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC., providing financial planning and investment solutions for individuals, business owners, and nonprofit organizations. He resides in Reading, Pa.
’12
2005s
’90
MERRILL E. DICKINSON JR. ’82 Received the 2021 Department of Defense Safety and Occupational Health System Achievement Award for his outstanding service and accomplishments as the installation safety manager at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany. He resides in Albany, Ga.
1980s
’82
FRED RICHTER ’71 Was inducted into the Bucks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in the “Legends” category. He is the head women’s basketball coach and director of student athlete services at DeSales University. He resides in Coopersburg, Pa.
1970s
’71
1960s
’65
JOHN BRIGGS MCANDREWS ’65 Was honored as Citizen of the Year in Sackets Harbor, N.Y. for 2022. He is a retired superintendent of the Niskayuna, N.Y. school district. He resides in Sackets Harbor, N.Y.
JEFF PORTE ’12 Works for ESPN and ABC in master control. He studied communication at ESU and worked at Blue Ridge TV-13 initially as a camera operator. Later, he worked in master control for both TV-13 and PBS-39. He resides in New Britain, Conn.
SEND US YOUR CLASS NOTES FAX 570-422-3213 PHONE 570-422-3613 EMAIL alumni@esufoundation.org NOTE: We publish alumni accomplishments and news of marriages and births, but not engagements or pregnancies. Please note the editorial staff makes every effort to publish the information submitted as it was received.
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CLASS NOTES ’13
’14
RYAN STEVENS ’14 Was recently promoted to director of public affairs and business development at Duane Morris Government Strategies. In his role, he will focus on multi-state government affairs, marketing, and grassroots consulting strategies. He resides in Harrisburg, Pa.
2010s
’17
CHRISTOPHER YOO ’13 Was promoted to sergeant in the River Vale, New Jersey Police Department. He studied criminal justice at ESU and began working at the Police Department in 2017. He resides in River Vale, N.J.
CONNOR MALIFF ’17 Was sworn in as a patrolman in the Manchester Township Police Department in New Jersey. He studied business management at ESU. He resides in Brick, N.J.
’17
TYLER SCHWARTZ ’17 Has joined the Bernardsville Police Department in New Jersey. He studied criminal justice at ESU. He received his basic police training at the Ocean County Police Academy and is a fully certified police officer from the New Jersey State Police Training Commission. He resides in Stanhope, N.J.
’19
MICHAEL FLEMING ’19 Became the head football coach for Wilson Area High School in Easton, Pa. Fleming was an offensive lineman at ESU and was an AllPennsylvania State Athletic Conference selection in each of his four seasons at ESU. He resides in Easton, Pa.
’20
CHRISTINA J. STEFFY M’20 Co-authored the article “Making Your Own Luck: Academic Libraries and the Digital Shift.” The article was recently published in the scholarly, peer-reviewed journal New Review of Academic Librarianship. She resides in Leesport, Pa.
SEND US YOUR CLASS NOTES FAX 570-422-3213 | PHONE 570-422-3613 | EMAIL alumni@esufoundation.org NOTE: We publish alumni accomplishments and news of marriages and births, but not engagements or pregnancies. Please note the editorial staff makes every effort to publish the information submitted as it was received.
BIRTHS
Danielle DiDonato Gould ’08 and her husband Jason welcomed son, Nicholas Milan Gould, on December 23, 2021. He joins big sister, Emilia. They reside in Long Valley, N.J.
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Ashley Puderbach Swartz ’09 M’10 and husband Matthew Swartz welcomed a baby girl, Everly, on November 22, 2021. Everly joins big sister, Abigail. The family resides in Frederick, Md.
Derek Schaller ’13 and his wife, Sarah, welcomed their son Landon John Schaller, on February 26, 2022. The family resides in Stroudsburg, Pa.
Ashley Johnson ’08 and her husband, Keith, welcomed Chloe on November 12, 2021. They reside in Coatesville, Pa.
BACK ON CAMPUS… ELI DOWNIE ’18, a criminal justice graduate, returned to campus on March 23, 2022, to speak with a group of students in an American Government class. Downie is the acting deputy director in the Office of Advocacy and Reform for Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. Downie, who minored in political science at ESU, explained his role as a policy specialist and what calculations he makes as he drafts policies. He explained he has to consider who the policy will help, who it will hurt, and who may be impacted but is uninterested. The class, taught by Kimberly S. Adams, Ph.D., professor of political science, is a freshman level course that includes students from a variety of majors. Photo by Bob Weidner
ZIERA SODA M’21 Has joined Altitude Marketing as a social media coordinator. In her new role, she is responsible for social media strategy and management for Altitude and its clients. In addition to her role at Altitude, she volunteers as a marketing specialist and social media coordinator with City Hope in Allentown, Pa. She’s an avid blogger and loves spending time with her friends and family and volunteering at her church. She resides in Easton, Pa.
GWEN ARMITAGE ’59 Was inducted into the Class of 2022 Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame. Gwen was the athletic director at East Penn School District from 1973-1980, making her the first female athletic director in Pennsylvania. She helped establish the District XII Athletic Directors Association and from 1975-1977 she served as president of the District XII Athletic Directors Association. In 1975, she helped establish the East Penn Athletic Conference. She served as president of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association from 1976-1977. In 1975, Gwen was recognized by the National Federation of High Schools for her contributions on the local, state, and national levels. She resides in Emmaus, Pa.
ALUMNI INDUCTED INTO THE LEHIGH VALLEY SPORTS HALL OF FAME The Lehigh Valley-Pocono Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame’s annual induction and banquet was held on May 14 in Northampton, Pa. Five of the eleven inductees are ESU alumni.
JEFF DETZI ’79 of Pen Argyl, Pa. JOE DETZI ’79 of Pen Argyl, Pa. JOHN DETZI ’79 of Pen Argyl, Pa. FRANK SCAGLIOTTA M’86 of Pen Argyl, Pa. JERRY SHESKA ’68 M’81 of East Stroudsburg, Pa.
The Lehigh Valley Sports Hall of Fame is a local sports hall of fame formed to acknowledge sports people of the Greater Lehigh Valley of Eastern Pennsylvania and the Poconos, while promoting youth growth.
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MEMORIAM DR. KENNETH M. COX ’55 FEBRUARY 5, 2022
LILA J. METZ ’92 M’95 MARCH 23, 2022
Dr. Kenneth M. Cox, 88, of Mill Hall, Pa., was the son of the late Walter M. and Susan Tharp Cox.
Lila J. Metz, 65, of Plainfield Township, Pa., was born in Wilson Borough, Pa., and was a daughter of the late Woodrow W. Sr. and Mary K. (Johnson) Counterman.
Cox was a standout Warrior football, wrestler and track and field athlete. He was inducted into the ESU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989. Cox was a three-year starter on the football team as a guard, earning all-star honors. He was a member of the 1954 Warriors squad that tied for the Pennsylvania Conference championship. As a wrestler, Dr. Cox advanced to the PSAC heavyweight championship match.
Metz attended Pen Argyl High School and graduated from Northampton Community College earning an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. She continued her studies at ESU where she received her bachelor and master’s degrees in Elementary and Special Education.
Cox served active duty in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1956 and retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1985. He represented the United States at the 1956 Olympic Games in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Cox would go on to obtain master’s degrees from the University of Washington and California State University at Northridge, along with earning a EdD. degree in curriculum and instruction.
More recently, Metz served as teacher and principal in the Pleasant Valley School District for 15 years, and previously taught in Allentown School District at William Allen High School. Passionate about special education, she was a relentless advocate for families of students in need of special education, both within her district as well as neighboring districts.
He served as the head coach of wrestling at Lock Haven University for over 25 years. While at Lock Haven, Cox also became involved with the boxing club, and later served as the team manager of the U.S. Olympic boxing team in 1996. Along with being inducted into the ESU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989, he earned hall-of-fame status by PA Wrestling Coaches (inducted in 1991), the PA Sport Clinton County Chapter (1993) and Lock Haven University Athletics (1996).
Metz was the loving wife of Terry L. Metz and mother to Alicia R. Hancik of Forks Township, Pa., and Terry M. Metz of Plainfield Township, Pa.
Cox is preceded in death by his wife, Glenda G. Garrett. He is survived by five sons: Michael K. of Allentown, Pa., Richard M. of Orefield, Pa., David E. (Deanna) of Hanover, Pa., Dr. Lawrence G. (Brenda) of Lewisberry, Pa. and Daniel J. (Amy) of Browns Summit, N.C.; and a daughter, Deborah D. (Doug) Desmond of Clintondale, Pa.
VICTOR M. “BEBO” LIRIANO MARCH 19, 2022 Victor M. “Bebo” Liriano, 20, of Tobyhanna, Pa., and a sophomore student at ESU, passed away from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident. Liriano was born in Bronx, N.Y., and was the son of Laura Torres Alvarado and her husband, Marcos Alvarado, with whom he resided in Tobyhanna, and Victor Liriano and his wife Raquel of Queens, N.Y.
DR. MOLLIE WHALEN ’78 MAY 24, 2022 Dr. Mollie Whalen, 74, of Vineyard Haven, Mass., joined the ESU faculty in 1992. During her time at ESU, she was responsible for strengthening the Women’s Studies program to become a minor (as opposed to a concentration). She also provided mentorship and guidance to many student activists on campus and organized ESU’s chapter of Iota, Iota, Iota, the Women’s Studies Honor Society. Whalen served as department chair and on many university committees. She made significant contributions serving as statewide and local grievance chair as well as on other local and statewide committees of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF). Whalen was awarded the APSCUF Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her commitment. She also authored the book, Counseling to End Violence Against Women, as well as several journal articles related to counseling practices from a feminist perspective. Whalen retired from ESU in 2013, after 21 years of service. Whalen earned her undergraduate degree from ESU, her M.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson, and her Ph.D. from New York University. She is preceded in death by her life partner and husband, ESU Distinguished Professor Dr. Joseph Ashcroft and is survived by her daughters Erin Nicole and Kelly Gallagher, and grandchildren Walter Malsch, Chelsea Varkonyi, Troy Verwey, and Ty Verwey.
He was educated in New York and graduated from Hempstead High School in Hempstead, N.Y. Liriano was studying computer science at ESU. Preceding him in death was his sister Bella Alvarado and his brother, Christian A. Leon, who passed away in the same automobile accident. Surviving in addition to his parents and stepparents are his sisters, Alyannie Uceta of Tobyhanna and Valentina Liriano of the Dominican Republic and brother, Gianni Liriano of Queens, N.Y.
MEMORIAL GIFTS may be made through the ESU Foundation at esufoundation.org/givenow. For personal assistance, please call 570-422-3333.
ALUMNI JAMES R. ACKLEY ‘74 RICHARD A. ALOIS ‘73 KATHLEEN M. ALU ‘73 EDGAR R. BENNETT ‘61 MARTHA BOLMER ‘61 MARYALICE BOCKMAN M’88 BRUNO J. BONACCI ‘67 JOHN W. BUHNER ‘69 WILLIAM B. COSGROVE ‘87 M’93 WALTER DERKACZ ‘51 PATRICIA D. DEVLIN ‘55 WALTER T. DOWLING ‘56 JAMES R. FIORITO ‘73 KENYA S. FLASH M’11 BARRY V. FRABLE ‘72 ROY HANSHAW ‘50 CARSON D. HART ‘74 FRANCIS A. HEERY ‘62 JEAN C. HEINRICH ‘77 JEFFREY R. HINTON ‘68 W. BRIAN HUNSBERGER ‘83 W. SIDNEY HUNSBERGER ‘59 JILL C. JAMISON ‘75 MICHAEL B. JONES ‘14 IRENE E. JURBALA-AUSTIN ‘62 STANLEY J. KABACINSKI ‘71 M’75 EDWARD R. KROPINICKI ‘49 ANNA MARIE KUSH ‘70 ROBERTA A. MACKIEWICZ ‘57 LEO S. C. MARTIN ‘19 FRANK J. MITMAN ‘50 STEVEN W. MOORE M’84 M’02 ELAINE E. MUTCHLER ‘77 MARY A. NAHN ‘73 DIANE C. NORTON ‘58 NANCY A. OLIVER ‘58 DENNA F. PERFETTI ‘70 ROBERT L. PHILLIPS ‘74 ELSBETH A. RAPP ‘46 TIMOTHY A. REARDON ‘65 JULIANA REPASKY M’90 RICHARD L. RHODES ‘76 JOANNE M. RIEBEL ‘58 M’74 GINA A. RUGGIERO ‘75 ROBERT M. SABOL ‘65 SARAH B. SIPLER ‘97 ROBERT E. STEPHENS ‘49 MELISSA E. STEWART ‘99 ALAN K. STRAND ‘65 NORMA L. STROUSE ‘71 PATRICIA A. SWINEFORD ‘75 JAMES A. WAGNER ‘58 ANN WEIDMAN ‘52 RICHARD W. WENTZ ‘58 DAVID H. WITTY M’92 GORDON E. YOUNGKIN ‘59 STEPHEN YURCHAK ‘59 FACULTY & STAFF JOANNE M. RIEBEL ‘58 M’74 FRIENDS MATTHEW J. CONNELL GARY FINKELSTEIN PETER T. KIEFER R. BRUCE MILLER CHARLES H. PETERSON PHYLLIS F. RUBIN
In Memoriam reflects alumni, faculty, staff and friends who passed away up to June 15, 2022.
Circa
FLASHBACK Sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi take part in Greek Week games on The Quad. Courtesy of The Stroud yearbook.
200 Prospect Street East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-2999
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT ESU students, faculty, and staff joined forces with Women’s Resources of Monroe County for the Take Back the Night march and rally on April 14, 2022. Take Back the Night is designed to raise awareness about sexual and domestic violence, support survivors, and empower men and women to feel safe at night, while also advocating for bystander intervention.
Photo by Susie Forrester
